"Your subordinates respectfully see off His Majesty, Long live, long live, long live!"
In the study, Yang Hao was examining a map of the Three Thousand Dao Prefectures. Main Mission Two required him to go north to Bei You, south to Nan Ze, and east to Dong Yao, but it did not specify occupying cities or overthrowing certain powers in Bei You, Nan Ze, and Dong Yao.
If he took the superficial meaning, he only needed to march his army out and enter the three regions to complete the mission.
The northward journey to Bei You had already been completed. The Yun Clan Immortal Dynasty had become territory of the Great Han Divine Dynasty, though it was temporarily disguised as the Yun Clan Immortal Dynasty, lying dormant to develop.
Currently, Xian Zhen was leading the Xuanwu Legion, and Geng Yan was in charge of the Yun Clan's troops, preparing to march south to Nan Ze and east to Dong Yao. By then, Main Mission Two would be completed, granting him two opportunities to summon heroes and unlock the ninth level of Destiny and Virtue. The host could then use Destiny and Virtue points to step into the Great Heavenly Venerate realm!
"Begin!"
Yang Hao punched down on the map of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty in Nan Ze!
...
"Commander, General Wen Yuan of the Azure Dragon Legion requests an audience outside the tent!"
At the southern border fortress of the Great Han Divine Dynasty – Nan Shan City.
"Oh?"
Xian Zhen was examining the map, analyzing the border terrain, as well as the distribution and marching routes of the five million troops of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty.
Upon hearing the soldier's words, he raised his head excitedly and said urgently, "Quick, invite him in!"
Wen Yuan, this exceptionally fierce general, was someone he had petitioned Yang Hao for before leaving Chang'an City, requesting his assistance to sweep away the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty.
However, he had not expected him to arrive at Nan Shan City so quickly.
"Wen Yuan pays his respects to the Commander!"
Wen Yuan, clad in vermillion armor, entered the hall and bowed respectfully.
"General Wen, there's no need for formalities!"
"I requested His Divine Emperor to send General Wen for support, as my Xuanwu Legion alone finds it difficult to swallow these five million troops in one bite."
Xian Zhen pulled Wen Yuan over and said, "General Wen, please look!"
"This is our Nan Shan City, and further south is the border fortress of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty – Shui Yun Pass!"
"Between our Nan Shan City and Shui Yun Pass, this fifty-mile stretch is a small mountain range called the Nan Shui Mountain Range. It spans fifty miles north to south and over a hundred miles east to west, making it an ideal location for an ambush!"
"Commander, please speak freely. If you require my assistance, feel free to command," Wen Yuan said solemnly and respectfully. He truly admired the Xian Zhen before him. This was the person who had changed the ancient Chinese warfare model of arrayed battles and pioneered the strategy of annihilation! He had defeated the Chu state, laying the foundation for Jin's hegemony. He had also ambushed the Qin army, captured three generals of the Qin army, foiled Qin's strategic intention to control Jin and advance into the Central Plains, and his reputation had spread far and wide!
"Secret reports from the Embroidered Uniform Guard indicate that the commander of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty's army this time is the First Rank Great General Ge Lian, who is highly valued by the Blackwater Immortal Emperor. He is at the Great Heavenly Venerate realm. There are three deputy generals, all of whom are Great Heavenly Venerate realm powerhouses. In addition, there is a top-tier Great Heavenly Venerate from an Imperial Bloodline family. This being is extremely mysterious and is likely a powerhouse from the Hong family or the Jiang Zuo aristocratic families, perhaps even a Supreme Profound Venerate!"
"It's impossible for five million troops to march out of Shui Yun City entirely. I estimate at most three million will suffice. I intend to set up an ambush force in this Nan Shui Mountain Range, establish a sky-blocking array, and annihilate these three million troops in one go. I have reviewed the entire Legion, and while Tian Dan's strength is passable, the Blackwater army has many strong individuals. Tian Dan is currently at the peak of the Supreme realm, and he is not confident facing Great Heavenly Venerates. Therefore, I can only..."
"Commander, rest assured. Leave this to me, Wen Yuan. I will definitely capture these three million troops and assist you in this battle!" Wen Yuan clenched his fists and bowed.
"General Wen, do you speak the truth!" Xian Zhen was moved. "Three million troops, three to four Great Heavenly Venerate beings, and perhaps even a Supreme Profound Venerate appears. This is no small matter. Do you know that this ambush site is crucial to the implementation of my entire strategy?"
"I wish to sign a military pledge!" Wen Yuan's eyes were filled with fighting spirit. In his previous life, he could charge in and out of an army with just his dual maces. Now that he had reached the Great Heavenly Venerate realm, what were millions of troops? Even if he charged into the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty's capital, the Blackwater Palace, he was confident he could charge in and out seven times!
"Good!" Xian Zhen nodded with satisfaction. He took a token from the adjutant and handed it to Wen Yuan, saying softly, "I will give you thirty thousand soldiers. Combined with the fifty thousand troops you brought, that makes eighty thousand elites. Remember, an ambush is most effective when it catches the enemy off guard. Capture the leader first!"
"Commander, rest assured!" Wen Yuan solemnly took the token, rose respectfully, and looked at the map, saying in a deep voice, "Commander, if my guess is correct, you will undoubtedly lead the remaining troops to march out en masse, bypassing this Nan Shui Mountain Range, and head straight for Shui Yun City!"
"Your analysis is accurate!"
"Once the three million troops of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty march out, Ge Lian will certainly lead them into battle. Shui Yun City will have only two million troops left. Why not capture it? In my opinion, only that mysterious powerhouse will be left in this city. Once this city is taken, I will lead my troops back and join forces with you!"
"The Blackwater Immortal Dynasty is overestimating its strength by sending troops to invade our Great Han. In this battle, I will make them feel the pain thoroughly!"
"Look!" Xian Zhen said, pointing to the border between the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty and the Hun family, which was to the north of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty. "At that time, you and I will lead our troops to advance southeast, like a dagger plunged deep into the heart of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty."
"At that time, the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty will surely be in a state of panic. The Blackwater Emperor will inevitably redeploy troops from the north, east, and south to stop our southeast advance. Once the north is empty, we only need to order the Qilin Legion stationed in Hou Shan City to send a general, and they can sweep down!"
"At that time, two of the four fronts of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty will be controlled by our Great Han. They will either fight to the death or can only retreat eastward and migrate into the territory of the Fallen Immortal Dynasty!"
"Whether the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty fights or not, I will take all of its hundred prefectures and thousands of territories in one battle!"
...
Blackwater Immortal Dynasty, Shui Yun City.
"My lord, we have already investigated. The one guarding Nan Shan City is a being at the first level of the Great Heavenly Venerate realm, recently promoted by Yang Hao, named Xian Zhen!"
In the grand hall, Ge Lian, a First Rank Great General of the Blackwater Immortal Dynasty, knelt on one knee and reported respectfully. In front of him sat an old man in black formal attire, with his eyes closed.
"Oh?"
"He was just promoted, and this Great Han's Yang Hao trusts him so much as to assign him command of an army, this Xian Zhen, to guard this important Nan Shan City?" The old man opened his eyes and his lips moved slightly.
"My lord, the Great Han Divine Dynasty has only risen in the past few years. How many Great Heavenly Venerate realm beings can they have? Moreover, they have just annihilated the Heng Tian and overthrew the Zhu Lu two dynasties. Do they still have any strength left!"