"Another empty town?" General Nanbai Zhaoyu frowned in displeasure.
He was currently in the command tent of the Shadowfront Regint, seated at a huge round table along with the twelve battalion commanders under his command.
Not far away from the army encampnt, a town continued to burn as it was being slowly reduced to cinders.
Within the tent, however, the thirteen of them cared not for it, carefully examining a map that lay sprawled across the table, precisely detailing the terrain of the region.
"That's right," Elder Mingxin nodded to General Nanbai Zhaoyu's earlier question. "This is already the second empty town that we have co across."
"Just like the one before, there are still fresh signs of people having stayed there," Elder Diansheng added. "It is likely that they have gotten wind of our offence, and have thus abandoned their hos altogether, taking all their valuables along with them."
"A wise decision," General Nanbai Zhaoyu nodded. "It is surprising that they have managed to evacuate everyone at such short notice, but it makes no difference. If they are unwilling to defend their lands, then so be it! We shall continue advancing!"
"Understood!" the battalion commanders answered in unison.
After the battalion commanders left the tent, General Nanbai Zhaoyu cast his gaze back onto the map on the table.
A strange light flashed across his eyes as he gazed upon their next target.
It seed like the coming battle was going to be more difficult than he thought
***
"Ready yourself, everyone!" Elder Mingxin called out from the front of the battalion. "We are nearing the target!"
"Yes, Commander!" Lu Tianzi and the rest of the squad leaders answered with vigour.
But right after doing so, Nanqing Haowen imdiately turned around to show Lu Tianzi a nonchalant face. "I bet this is going to be yet another empty town."
"Perhaps you are right" Lu Tianzi answered with a solemn tone. "But if I were the enemy, this would probably be the best place to strike if they want to catch us by surprise."
"You think so?" Nanqing Haowen's expression turned serious.
After the events that had transpired over the past few months, Nanqing Haowen now held Lu Tianzi in quite a high regard, and would not easily dismiss any of the other party's deductions.
"It is just a possibility" Lu Tianzi's voice trailed off in contemplation. No matter what, he dared not commit to his conclusion with absolute certainty.
He might have studied the terrain and co up with his own deductions, but Lu Tianzi knew fully well that he still lacked a fundantal understanding of the enemy and their actual level of strength.
This lack of information could introduce huge deviations to supporting his hypothesis.
"Even if it is just a possibility, it is better to be safe than sorry," Nanlan Qianxue remarked. "Why don't you let Elder Mingxin know?"
"I have already done so," Lu Tianzi let out a wry smile. "We did not change our route even after that, so I suppose we are still going ahead with the original plan."
"That's strange," Nanlan Qianxue pondered. "Or perhaps Elder Mingxin and General Nanbai Zhaoyu have already thought of it, and have co up with a counterasure?"
"Perhaps you are right," Nanqing Haowen shrugged helplessly.
After razing the previous town to the ground, the Shadowfront Regint marched for another two days before their next target ca into sight.
Drakesin Town.
Despite its na, perhaps it would be more apt to call it Drakesin Fortress instead.
Located within a dry and mountainous terrain, Drakesin Town overlooked steep valleys on both sides. Standing atop high ground, everything in the vicinity was clear as day to its guards, and there was not a single eagle flying in the sky that could avoid their detection.
Even the only road leading up to the town was nothing but a steep and rocky slope that was clear of vegetations, completely bare of any camouflage that could be used for the approaching army.
The walls of the town were reinforced with heavy tals, and intimidating spikes protruded from the surface.
No matter how one looked at it from the outside, it was more of a fortress than a town.
But as much as it had its defensive advantages, Drakesin Town also possessed an economical advantage since it was located along the only path through this area.
Behind these walls were bustling streets filled with eager traders. Even though the environnt was dry and arid, the sense of security provided by the town walls was unparalleled in the region.
This had not only attracted traders from all over, but had also led to Drakesin Town steadily growing to beco one of the richest towns within the entire Dragon Cauldron Kingdom!
"Look ahead, everyone. That is the famous Drakesin Town!" Elder Mingxin sent her ssage down to the squad leaders under her.
"This situation really feels like a bad joke," Nanqing Haowen cursed as he looked around them.
The entire Shadowfront Regint was completely exposed as they stood at the bottom of a long slope, without a single tree in the region to hide behind.
The slope before them was around ten kilotres long, climbing at least six hundred tres in height. And at the top of this long slope was the domineering Drakesin Town, or more simply put, their next target.
By the sides of the wide slope were steep drops that led into two separate valleys.
From where they were, Nanqing Haowen could clearly see that unlike the two towns from before, the town walls were manned and not abandoned this ti.
Now, just the thought that the enemy could see each and every move of theirs from high up felt quite unnerving to him.
After they ford up at the bottom of the slope, a single Peak Essence Condensation realm martial artist suddenly broke rank from the Shadowfront Regint, charging up the slope all by himself.
He was lean and dressed in light battle robes. But the most striking thing was that he was exceptionally quick on his feet, to the extent that even Lu Tianzi felt slightly impressed.
This martial artist was Nanzi Ruihan, and had served directly under General Nanbai Zhaoyu as one of the six guardians of Shadowfront Fortress.
Known for his speed, Nanzi Ruihan did not disappoint, quickly climbing up the long slope and finally stopping only when he reached the halfway mark.
"Shadowfront Regint of the Scarlet Moon Army requests the surrender of Drakesin Town!" Nanzi Ruihan shouted confidently, using Essence energy to project his voice across. "Consider well! Failure to do so within an hour will result in an unnecessary bloodbath!"
There were obvious movents on the town walls, proof that the other party had received the ssage well.
After a few short minutes, a young looking man dressed in brilliant battle armour appeared on the town walls, looking down at Nanzi Ruihan in disdain.
With a wave of his hand, a ball of ice ford in the air in front of him.
Without warning, this ball of ice suddenly shot forward, heading straight towards Nanzi Ruihan like a cannonball!
Thankfully, the projectile might be fast, but there was still a huge distance between them.
That was more than enough for Nanzi Ruihan to react.
His feet erupted with unimaginable strength, giving a huge boost to his speed as he shot backwards a good dozen tres.
Bang-!
At where he had been standing just a mont ago, the ball of ice smashed into the rocky ground, creating a deep crater at least two tres deep.
"I am General Mingli Yongsheng of the Dragon Cauldron Army. If you wish to speak to , make sure you send soone qualified!"
The man's voice thundered through the air, reaching even the Shadowfront Regint that had been stationed ten kilotres away.
His stand was obvious.
Then again, considering that he was a Fourth Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist just like General Nanbai Zhaoyu, it was no wonder that he felt no fear.
Under General Nanbai Zhaoyu's instructions, Nanzi Ruihan rejoined his ranks.
Next, General Nanbai Zhaoyu personally stepped up, standing right in front of the entire Shadowfront Regint.
Despite the distance between them, General Nanbai Zhaoyu and General Mingli Yongsheng stared right into each other's eyes, locking each other down in sothing like a test of will.
After a minute of silence, General Nanbai Zhaoyu finally spoke.
"I am General Nanbai Zhaoyu of the Scarlet Moon Army. It is my honour to et General Mingli Yongsheng of the Dragon Cauldron Kingdom," General Nanbai Zhaoyu started off with pleasantries. "It seems like you have prepared quite well for our arrival. But since we are already here, don't you think it would be quite improper for us to just leave?"
"What does General Nanbai Zhaoyu propose then?" General Mingli Yongsheng asked.
"How about each side sends out ten Essence Condensation realm martial artists and let them fight it out in one on one battles?" General Nanbai Zhaoyu suggested. "If your side is able to beat half of those on our side, then we will leave imdiately."
Hearing that, General Mingli Yongsheng was not the least bit happy. Instead, he actually frowned imdiately. "And if your side wins?"
"For this to work, we each have to send out another twenty Essence Building realm martial artists along with the ten Essence Condensation realm martial artists," General Nanbai Zhaoyu let out a malicious grin. "The side that lost will have their Essence Building realm martial artists executed on the spot! Not just that, but any Essence Condensation realm martial artists who lost shall die, even if their side won!"
The mont these words escaped General Nanbai Zhaoyu's mouth, even those of the Shadowfront Regint could not help but fidget uncomfortably, especially those at the Essence Building realm.
Anyone who lost would have to die?
With this arrangent, at least the Essence Condensation realm martial artists could fight to save their own lives.
But as for those Essence Building realm martial artists who were going to be sent out, their lives would basically lie completely in the hands of the Essence Condensation realm martial artists of their faction!
Since that was the case, who would still dare to volunteer?
Even Lu Tianzi's eyes narrowed in surprise when he heard this.
It seed that General Nanbai Zhaoyu was not too optimistic of their chances at victory should they just attack in a traditional manner.
Otherwise, they could simply storm the town, and there would be no reason at all to give such an offer.
Back on the town walls, General Mingli Yongsheng fell into silence, his eyes eyeing General Nanbai Zhaoyu doubtfully.
The answer was obvious.
If he rejected the offer, the opposing army would more than likely attack imdiately. Even though he was confident of repelling their offence, the casualties incurred would certainly be imnse.
But if he accepted the offer, there would be a chance of repelling the entire opposing army with just a simple competition.
Even if his side lost, the maximum that he would lose would be ten Essence Condensation realm and twenty Essence Buildling realm martial artists.
The loss of such a small force would never be sufficient to tilt the battle in the opponent's favour, not to ntion the fact that it would only happen if all ten of their Essence Condensation realm martial artists lost!
What were the chances?
Looking at the big picture, General Mingli Yongsheng quickly made his decision.
"The people of Dragon Cauldron Kingdom are no cowards! I agree to your terms, but to ensure all fairness, we will need to make a Heaven's Oath! Anyone who goes against the Heaven's Oath shall be swallowed by the earth, never to rise again!" General Mingli Yongsheng answered with vigour.
"Wait a minute!" General Nanbai Zhaoyu smirked, relieved that the other party was already agreeable to his idea. "For this battle, let it be in the form of an elimination contest! As long as the first participant is capable to continue fighting, he should be allowed to continue until he loses or decides to stop right after a victory!"
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