Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Although Hu Feiyun didn’t like Zhao Lun because of her relations.h.i.+p with Ling Han, she was still a very straightforward person who didn’t bear any grudges—she had already forgotten about Zhao Lun long ago. She was a little confused as she looked at him, and asked, “Who are you?”
Pu!
Zhao Lun was so infuriated that he almost vomited blood. ‘It was because of you that I was viciously humiliated by Ling Han, yet you actually forgot who I am?’
However, he couldn’t take his anger out on Hu Feiyun no matter how enraged he was. He could only reply, “I’m Zhao Lun, Great General Zhao’s son.”
“Oh.” Hu Feiyun nodded, and didn’t say anything else.
Zhao Lun was left in an extremely awkward position—it would be awkward if he stood up, yet it would also be awkward if he remained sitting. All he could do was say, “This subordinate is willing to lead an army into battle and earn glory for Your Highness!” He took the opportunity to stand up while he spoke.
The leading general of the Eastern Rain Nation was an elite at the high extreme of the Sun Moon Tier. This cultivation level was two minor levels above Zhao Lun’s, so there was no need for him to pay heed to Zhao Lun’s words. However, Zhao Lun was the only child of Great General Zhao, and his suggestion was also in line with the general’s own thoughts.
Therefore, the general hurriedly nodded, and said, “Heir Zhao is indeed wise and courageous. It seems like Heir Zhao has inherited the mighty demeanor of Great General Zhao!”
Zhao Lun was extremely satisfied upon hearing this as he also liked comparing himself to his father. However, although he was satisfied, he still modestly said, “Oh, you flatter me, General.”
Meanwhile, Hu Feiyun didn’t have any complaints about Zhao Lun’s suggestion. She had no talent in leading an army into battle, and thus she was happy for someone else to take this burden from her. She handed the military leaders.h.i.+p to Zhao Lun. He was a seventh-rank military officer anyway, so he naturally had the right to lead an army.
Zhao Lun and the general from the Eastern Rain Nation started discussing the details of their a.s.sault. He was no pushover; under the influence of Great General Zhao, he was extremely talented when it came to warfare. However, this was his first genuine battle, after all, and reality was extremely different from theory. Even so, he didn’t change his tact and continued to be an armchair strategist.
The general from the Eastern Rain Nation didn’t mind it at all. He couldn’t be happier if more students from the academy died. Only then would the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire send a more powerful army. Otherwise, the Eastern Rain Nation would suffer severe losses even if they could force the Golden Lion Nation to retreat.
They devised a plan wherein Zhao Lun would lead an army and launch a surprise attack, thereby sending the Golden Lion Nation’s encampment into chaos. Afterward, the army from the Eastern Rain Nation would seize the opportunity to cross the river and land the killing blow.
After agreeing on this plan, Zhao Lun started to pick members for the a.s.sault squad.
Quality was more important than quant.i.ty, and if there were too many people, the enemies on the opposite end of the river would definitely discover their movements.
Only the most powerful students would be chosen, and the size of the a.s.sault squad was only around 1000 or so.
Theoretically speaking, Ling Han wasn’t powerful enough to be chosen. However, his name surprisingly appeared on the list.
It was evident that Zhao Lun was pus.h.i.+ng him into danger.
Although Zhao Lun’s actions were brazen, who could blame him for his decisions? He was fighting for the empire, yet you still wanted to nitpick and complain?
After learning of this, Shui Yanyu wanted to visit Hu Feiyun and tell her to revoke Zhao Lun’s orders. However, Ling Han shook his head and didn’t let her. He wanted to cross the river and have a look at the other side.
Initially, he hadn’t known much about the Golden Lion Nation. However, he gathered quite a lot of information during the past few days.
The Golden Lion Nation wasn’t more powerful than the Eastern Rain Nation, with both nations being roughly as strong. Thus, even if the Eastern Rain Nation was taken by surprise, there was no way that they could have lost 14 cities in a row.
Unless… the Eternity Sky Majestic Empire had a hand in all of this.
However, the question was: why?
These two small nations acted as a buffer zone for both Majestic Empires. The reason for their existence outweighed the reason for their destruction. This was also the reason why many smaller nations could survive and exist.
However, if the Eternity Sky Majestic Empire was behind all of this, what was their reason?
Did they want to trigger an all-out war with the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire?
Moreover, the army from the Golden Lion Nation had suddenly stopped advancing after reaching the furious river. Although the obstruction of nature could be a reason, Ling Han felt that the Golden Lion Nation’s aim was simply to seize the territories to the north of the furious river. They were uninterested in crossing the river and capturing more land.
Anyhow, the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire would never allow the Eastern Rain Nation to be conquered. How could the Golden Lion Nation be unaware of this? Once the Chaotic Stars Majestic Empire sent an army, they would eventually have to regurgitate all of the land that they had swallowed.
That being the case, what was the point of triggering this battle?
Unless…!
Perhaps the aim of the Golden Lion Nation was never to seize more land!
As for what their true reason was, Ling Han naturally didn’t know. He would only be able to find out if he crossed the river to investigate himself.
Thus, Ling Han wasn’t against becoming a member of the a.s.sault squad. After all, he was a soldier right now, so he obviously couldn’t go wherever he wanted. However, this would all change if he joined the a.s.sault squad. He could pretend that he had gotten separated from the squad, which would allow him to venture deeper into the enemy territory and conduct his investigation.
Ling Han had the Black Tower, so he wasn’t worried about his own safety.
He carefully explained this to Shui Yanyu, and she nodded in agreement, knowing fully well that she wouldn’t be able to stop him.
“Follow the Ninth King closely. That way, you won’t face any grave danger,” Ling Han urged. He and Shui Yanyu were both members of the army now. In other words, they definitely couldn’t act privately. Otherwise, they would risk being punished by the army.
Shui Yanyu was slightly surprised. ‘Although Hu Feiyun has a lofty status, her battle prowess isn’t all that impressive.’
“Believe me. If you come across any dangers, you musn’t leave the Ninth King’s side. The battle prowess that this woman can wield is far beyond your imagination.” Ling Han only warned her, but didn’t tell her the truth.
He had almost been killed by Empress Luan Xing after learning of the secret between her and the Ninth King. Thus, it was better that he didn’t reveal the secret to Shui Yanyu lest it brought them more trouble.
Shui Yanyu nodded gently, and replied, “Mm-hm!”
“Wife, why don’t we have a kid? Just in case I can’t make it back.” Ling Han’s hands started to become naughty.
Shui Yanyu instantly rolled her eyes at him, and scolded, “Don’t jinx yourself!” She pushed Ling Han aside before turning around and running away.
Meanwhile, Zhao Lun was standing atop a highland outside the encampment with his hands clasped behind his back. Having a divine sense as powerful as he did, he could naturally keep an eye on every single corner of the encampment. A cold sneer appeared on his face.
‘Ling Han, don’t think about making it back alive this time!’
After a night’s rest, Zhao Lun and the a.s.sault squad set off early in the morning. They would skirt around the main battlefield and navigate their way around the Golden Lion Nation’s scouts. They would then cross the furious river and use the darkness of the night as cover as they launched a surprise attack on the Golden Lion Nation’s encampment.
Although the darkness of the night didn’t affect cultivators, most ordinary people still had a habit of sleeping at night. Thus, surprise attacks were still most effective when launched under the cover of night.
The elite a.s.sault squad 1000 men strong set off, and started to cross the furious river after traveling several hundred kilometers.
There was a total of five s.h.i.+ps, with each being able to carry 20 people at a time. The entire a.s.sault squad was ferried across the river after 10 trips.
“Huh?”
“Hmm?”
“Ah!”
They all yelled in astonishment after crossing the river. This was because the land on this side of the river emanated a dense air of death.
The land was barren, and all of the trees and flowers were wilted and dead. In fact, not even the chirps and buzzes of insects could be heard.
Not a single bird could be seen in the air.
This piece of land was as dead as dead could be.
“Heir Zhao, this place is far too eerie. Should we report this to the main camp first?” The student who spoke was a supporter of Zhao Lun, which was why he dared to speak at this moment.