The Demon Lords-Chapter 669 - 128: Life Needs a Sense of Ritual_1

The new phase of the war had begun, and the long-peaceful Wang River line was once again echoing with the sounds of charging horses and clashing weapons.

Initially, the Yan people had helped the people of Cheng State—or rather, the Jin people—to drive out the wild people while also annexing Cheng State. Now, however, the nature of the war had changed. This was a war of revenge for the Yan people.

The Yan people, who had been proud for a century, had never suffered such a bitter defeat. They desperately needed a great new victory to wipe away the dust that had just stained their glory.

Even during their most fierce battles with the barbarians, after each defeat, they would immediately rally new troops and continue the fight. This bravery was branded in the very bones of the Yan people. Without it, the Yan people would not possess their current national strength, and perhaps their nation would not even exist.

On that day, tens of thousands of Yan people's corpses had floated on the Wang River. This was a blood debt, and it had to be repaid!

...

After dusk, the Shengle Army began to cross the river. The frozen surface of the river had been covered with all usable materials found nearby, greatly facilitating the army's movement.

Thanks to thorough preparations, the army crossed the river with remarkable speed. Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion, without any chaos.

The more than one thousand cavalry who crossed first, led by Liang Cheng, did not choose to establish a defensive position or provide cover on the opposite bank. Instead, they proactively advanced upstream, brazenly sweeping the area and eliminating Chu scouts.

This was a lesson learned from the Left Army's previous failure; their aim was to preemptively expand the Chu army's blind spot along this line, preventing them from quickly assessing the situation. By late night, the entire army had crossed. The central army was reassigned as the vanguard, and the rear army became the new central army. Scouts then informed Liang Cheng's unit; after completing their sweep, they would follow the main force as the rearguard.

Perhaps it was because the Yan people's river crossing was so swift and sudden. Coupled with the extensive reconnaissance San'er and his men had conducted beforehand, along with the preliminary groundwork laid by the laborers, the entire operation proceeded with remarkable smoothness.

Before dawn, the Shengle Army had penetrated deep into the eastern bank, essentially clear of the Chu people's Wang River defensive line. The Chu people had no time to mount any resistance or response.

From this point on, the Shengle Army would operate as an isolated force. The ensuing time would be what could be called... 'free activity.'

Tian Wujing understood Zheng Fan's "capability."

Perhaps, in Lord Jingnan's view, given Zheng Fan's military acumen and strategic vision, dispatching his troops to the rear without imposing restrictions or assigning fixed targets would allow Zheng Fan to achieve his full potential.

Moreover, to a certain extent, Zheng Fan could be considered Tian Wujing's "proud disciple." In his entire life, Lord Jingnan had only truly mentored one student in this manner—one who was kept by his side in the command tent, receiving instruction day and night. Even the Eldest Prince hadn't received such preferential treatment.

During that time, Zheng Fan's performance had satisfied Lord Jingnan.

And during that period, the pressure on General Zheng was immense. It felt as if he had returned to his school days, constantly cramming for exams. Fortunately, he had a top student selflessly helping him, which enabled him to manage the demanding tutor.

On Lord Jingnan's metaphorical chessboard, Zheng Fan's Shengle Army was a 'live piece'—a piece that, once positioned, could often introduce significant variables into the game.

As for the main front, Lord Jingnan would command it personally. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

...

After the army crossed the river, General Zheng once again employed his unique technique, one not yet recorded in the "Zheng Zi Art of War"—the 'double release.'

In an instant, from a high-ranking commander, he became a simple soldier.

So unassuming was he, in fact, that his armor and horse were indistinguishable from those of the surrounding soldiers. He was a true paragon of egalitarianism, resolutely avoiding any form of special treatment!

The command of the army was naturally handed over to Liang Cheng.

Actually, after these past two years of tempering, General Zheng's abilities had improved considerably. He himself wasn't averse to some hands-on practice.

Just like a person who has just obtained a driver's license, whenever they see a steering wheel, they itch to try their hands at it.

But the problem, however, was that the stakes of such 'practice' were far too high—infinitely more severe than the consequences of merely scraping another car on the road.

The lives of tens of thousands of men could be decided by a single thought from him. Especially with the cautionary tale of the Eldest Prince, who had been entrusted with great expectations only to suffer a recent defeat, General Zheng decided, for safety's sake, to continue observing for now.

I'll wait a bit longer, General Zheng mused. When our foundations are more solid, when we can afford a defeat or two without it being a disaster, then I'll take command personally.

After advancing eastward without rest, the Shengle Army's lavish equipment was on full display. Most soldiers had two horses, and some barbarian soldiers, in an extreme display of luxury, had three: two warhorses and one packhorse. This greatly guaranteed the army's mobility and endurance.

This was also thanks to Shengle City having received a massive replenishment of warhorses during Lord Jingnan's previous expedition to the snowplains. For this campaign, they had brought out everything they had, effectively gambling it all on this one battle.

If we win, we could be models; if we lose, we'd be construction workers!

Zheng Fan reached out and touched the Mo Wan nestled in the groove on his chest. He then glanced at A Ming, galloping ahead of him on horseback, and then at the Sword Saint riding abreast of him.

He let out a soft breath, a profound sense of reassurance settling deep within his heart.