834 Whipping Out a Saber (2/2)

”It's a total mess,” Azheba said, wondering why Kuke was here. ”Nobody knows what the exact situation at the front line is, but our troops are still fighting, which is good news. And with regard to the Dragon Army… Nobody knows where they are.”

”Nobody knows there they are?” Kuke didn't understand the meaning of this sentence.

Azheba glanced in Dugu Xian's direction and explained, ”The Dragon King's army has changed directions and they advanced northeast after departing, and progressed several miles forward. And he never sent any scouts back.”

Kuke imitated Prince Duodu with his frown as he asked, ”What about the other scouts? They didn't see the Dragon Army either?”

”You've seen it for yourself. In this weather, it's difficult for the scouts to even locate their own fellow troops…”

”Hmph! Maybe they got lost. The Western Regioners must have never fought in a war like this before.”

”Maybe.”

”Liman has departed.”

This was both an indication and the order that Azheba had been waiting for all along. But he felt a pressure as heavy as a huge rock suddenly overwhelm him to the point that he could barely breathe under its oppressive weight.

”If you can't do this…”

After glaring angrily at Kuke, Azheba raised his hand and ordered the guards to fall in behind him before spurring his horse to trot towards Dugu Xian. ”General Dugu.”

Dugu Xian's gaze never left the battlefield that was engulfed by wind and sand, as if he had a pair of eyes that could penetrate through the thick air. ”Mmm, what's up?”

”I think that we've fought long enough, and our goal of enhancing morale has been achieved. So, we should withdraw now.”

Dugu Xian turned his head around and stared at Azheba. They were of the same rank, so neither of them could order the other to do anything. ”There's no hurry,” he said perfunctorily.

Kuke raised the paper in his hand and said aloud, ”The Commander-in-chief has ordered Shulitu's army to retreat, and the Dragon Army is to bring up the rear.”

Dugu Xian peered coldly at Kuke. ”Apologies. This army is under my command.”

Kuke was just about to order the guards to take action when Azheba stopped him. He turned and looked at Shangguan Ru who was behind Dugu Xian. ”I don't want to see anyone bleed. Please persuade General Dugu, Instructor Shangguan.”

Shangguan Ru smiled, ”It's alright. I don't want to see anyone bleed either. General Dugu, what's done is done. We might as well talk about it.”

Upon seeing Shangguan Ru agree so willingly, both Azheba and Kuke were greatly surprised.

Dugu Xian looked around. Most of the armies under his command had been sent into the battleground, leaving only about a thousand men behind. However, Azheba's 10,000 cavalrymen were all here.

”Mmm, we can talk about this. I hope that Azheba will send these 10,000 cavalrymen of the Second Consort's into battle right away.”

Azheba's facial expression changed. He was just about to try to persuade him again when two unexpected things took place simultaneously.

First off, Kuke didn't want to wait any longer and he directly ordered the guards to take action. Thirty kung fu experts who had disguised themselves as guards whipped out their sabers all at once, which startled all off the soldiers in the distance.

Secondly, Tie Linglong also didn't want to wait any longer either . She unsheathed her saber, leaped upwards and pounced onto Azheba — she knew that she had to overpower the leader first if she wanted to keep his followers under control.

At the command center of the Middle Corps, right beside the Commander-in-chief, a chaotic fight was about to begin.

At the same time, the fight in Shulitu's tent had just ended. After killing a target with a throwing knife, Nie Zeng had never shown up again. Li Shun had sent multiple guards to the tent and before long, personally arrived.

”Ask your bodyguard to show himself, Your Highness. He won't be in danger. There's no need to fight.”

”Alas, I didn't expect that it would be you. My father always told me that you were trustworthy.” Even as he curled up on the chair, Shulitu maintained a look of disappointment on his face.

Li Shun knelt down as he explained, ”I'm doing this for you, Your Highness. The Dragon King has malicious plans, and sooner or later, he will hurt you.”

”So you beat him to it, then. Tell me, what did Duodun promise you?”

”I won't receive any benefits. Duodun will allow you to keep the title of King Riying, and I'll escort you back to your own army. You'll have to give up the fight for the throne.”

”And what about the soldiers?”

”We can take the former troops of King Riying, and the others will be handed over to Duodun.”

”Stand up,” Shulitu commanded as he jumped off of the chair. The four guards sent by Duodun surrounded him immediately.

Li Shun stood up and yelled, ”Don't be rude to His Highness.”

But the guards held onto their weapons as if they hadn't heard him.

”See?” Shulitu pointed at these guards. ”If I were to fight for the throne, I'd never be so merciful as to let someone like me return to my own army. King Riying's soldiers numbers almost 10,000 — it's not a big number, but it's not a small number either. Why would Duodun give that up so easily? Li Shun, I don't blame you. Stop this. There's still a chance to make up for it.”

Li Shun was an experienced general who had been through numerous battles. He didn't know why, but when facing his young master who was merely twelve years old, he felt somewhat faint-hearted. ”There's no chance. The 10,000 troops of the Dragon Army at the right wing have already entered the battlefield. Neither they nor those who have previously followed the Dragon King will be able to come back. Your Highness, tell that bodyguard named Nie Zeng to show himself. Only then can I guarantee your safety and interests.”

Shulitu remained silent.

At the front, Gu Shenwei had gotten rid of all his suspicion and was now advancing at a steady speed in such a way that the troops behind him wouldn't lose sight of him.

He and Dugu Xian had formulated a bold plan. Instead of charging into the chaotic battleground, he was instead advancing directly towards the left wing of Luoluo's army. They were planning on carrying out a raid.