The Southern Heavenly Kingdom had not yet started the war, but chaos had already ensued.
After multiple ministers and generals failed to present their proposals, the entire Southern Heavenly Kingdom fell into disorder, with most people racing to flee.
Rumors spread that the Red Blood Corps would soon attack, and the Celestial Court Army was furious with the Southern Heavenly Kingdom's actions, vowing to annihilate it.
Chen Guan sat in a street-facing private box on the second floor of a tavern on Vermilion Bird Street, sipping wine and watching the street below, where everyone was carrying their assets like refugees heading toward the city gate.
"Old Guan, did you leak the news too soon? I'm afraid all the Southern Heavenly Kingdom's people will soon flee, leaving just us few here. You're not expecting us to face the Celestial Court Army's corps, are you? Such a tiring job will cost more," Zhang Chunxiang said, lying on the windowsill and cheerfully observing the bustling crowd outside.
"Fellow daoist must have his plans," Zhang Chunman, accustod to calling Chen Guan fellow daoist, said.
"There's no plan, just taking it step by step. It's the first ti the Red Blood Corps is sending people over, so there shouldn't be too many, and we should be able to handle it easily," Chen Guan said casually.
"What is there to fear from the re Celestial Court Army? Whoever cos, I'll take them down; if two co, I'll take them both down," Zhang Huacai said.
"What if a thousand co?" Chen Guan asked with a smile.
"They can't outrun ," Zhang Huacai replied earnestly.
"Haha," Chen Guan laughed, saying, "Exactly, they can't outrun us, so at worst, we'll just run."
By evening, the entire city of the Southern Heavenly Kingdom was nearly deserted, resembling a ghost town.
Even the tavern owner who served them wine and food had fled, not even taking the ti to collect paynt.
If he had received the news earlier, he would've run away long before, instead of staying for business.
"Let's go, let them go; it's easy to leave but hard to return. By then, it won't be at this price anymore," Chen Guan said softly, as they walked down the empty street.
"I've always heard stories of people defending a city alone. If we manage to hold this city, will we beco famous throughout the world?" Zhang Huacai asked, his eyes shining.
"This city is too small to gain fa worldwide, at best a topic for casual conversation over tea," Zhang Chunman replied.
"Not necessarily; perhaps we'll achieve godlike status in battle right here," Chen Guan interjected.
Zhang Huacai's eyes brightened, he spread his arms and shouted to the sky, "Give
power, for I am the War God, and I will protect this city..."
"Who's making noise here!" A squad of soldiers approached from the far end of the street, led by a general riding a black tiger.
"Why didn't you leave when everyone else did?" Chen Guan asked, slightly surprised as he assessed the general.
Most of the Southern Heavenly Kingdom's civil and military officers had fled, as had the soldiers; even the city gate was unguarded. Yet surprisingly, so remained patrolling, which seed odd.
"I am a general of the Southern Heavenly Kingdom; why should I leave?" the Black Tiger General coldly retorted, "I know you are the new State Preceptor; the king's actions are influenced by your demagogic words. If the kingdom falls, I will kill you first."
"Why bla others for the decisions your king made himself?" Zhang Chunxiang scoffed.
"Don't bother reasoning with ; my reasoning is the only reasoning. If the city falls, I'll kill you first," the Black Tiger General grimly said to Chen Guan.
"If you dislike reasoning, then let's not reason. How about we make a bet? If the Celestial Court Army attacks and the city remains standing, would you be willing to follow my command?" Chen Guan smiled.
"You want us to be cannon fodder? Stop dreaming. I stayed to take your life when the city falls, nothing else," the Black Tiger General sneered.
"I'm saying, I don't need you to fight. If I alone can defend this city and repel the Celestial Court Army, would you be willing to follow my command afterward?" Chen Guan reiterated.
"Wait until you actually defend the city," the Black Tiger General turned away, his soldiers still keeping neat formation as they followed. Chen Guan couldn't help but praise such military discipline in such tis.
"What talent!" Chen Guan remarked, watching their departing backs, knowing they probably headed to guard the city gate.
"Indeed, this young general is intriguing; I wonder what his na is," Zhang Chunman expressed interest in the general.
The Zhang Family rose with elixirs, but in warfare, they were not strong; within the Ten Great Families, at most mid-level, perhaps even lower.
Therefore, they always paid attention to competent military individuals.
"If you want to recruit soone, can't you keep it from ? I'm still here," Chen Guan said helplessly.
…
The Red Blood Corps' newly appointed Corps Commander had a dreadfully stern expression.
Lei Bin had just assud command of the Red Blood Corps for a few months, and now the nearby Southern Heavenly Kingdom was causing such turmoil, leaving those above him dissatisfied with his performance.
"A puny Southern Heavenly Kingdom dares to act out here, truly courting death. If they wish to die, let's grant their wish," Lei Bin thought to himself, and ordered his trusted aides to summon Vanguard Camp leader Lu Jianfeng and Heavy Armor Camp leader Yang Sanle.
Lei Bin did not seek out the original commander or leader of the Red Blood Corps, as he wanted to avoid using Ji Nanhong's previous associates. Instead, he intended to newly promote his own people, thereby truly mastering the Red Blood Corps and preventing any undermining.
"Have you heard about the situation in the Southern Heavenly Kingdom?" Lei Bin asked the two.
"Yes, we've heard," both nodded.
"Very well, each of you take a camp, destroy the Southern Heavenly Kingdom, and if successful, you'll be promoted to leader, replacing Bai Yueguang and Zhu Hongzhi, each leading a corps," Lei Bin asked, "Any issues?"
"No problem, we are willing to serve the master and will complete the task," Lu Jianfeng and Yang Sanle replied imdiately, without hesitation.
Lei Bin was pleased with their attitudes; he had researched the Red Blood Corps deeply before coming, knowing these two young generals fought their way up, competent and ambitious.
But the Red Blood Corps was only so large, with limited positions. As long as those above remained, they couldn't move up.
They differed from Bai Yueguang and Zhu Hongzhi's group, not die-hard followers of Ji Nanhong.
Though they previously served under Ji Nanhong in a Blessed Land corps, as his subordinates, Lei Bin felt this held no relevance.
Yang Sanle and Lu Jianfeng were rely small soldiers in Ji Nanhong's Vanguard Camp, not even likely noticed by Ji Nanhong back then.
They didn't co through Ji Nanhong's connections, having always been closer to old factions within the Red Blood Corps, with no ties to Ji Nanhong.
Lei Bin reviewed their details again; in the Blessed Land, they served in the Vanguard Camp nad "Blood Qilin."
"Young Master Qi was previously the actual controller of the Blood Qilin Vanguard Camp," Lei Bin thought of the rising Chief Judge Young Master, smiling.
If not for this Young Master's teoric rise, he wouldn't have ascended to Corps Commander so quickly.
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