The Wolf King, a seasoned veteran of many campaigns, exuded an aura of command from having seen such situations before.
The Jieliev Guards remained unfazed. Jieliev himself stepped out from their protection, displaying a spirit of fearlessness. "I believe I have served with loyalty and without personal gain. If General Anton deems my actions to have violated your military law, I accept any punishment you deem fit!"
The Wolf King's fury intensified upon hearing this. "Disregarding military discipline! If you are not executed, how can the army's morale be maintained? Guards! Escort him to the camp gate, he shall be beheaded at noon!"
The central guards swarmed forward and apprehended Jieliev.
Jieliev's personal guards cried out in desperation, one after another.
"Wolf King!"
"Wolf King!"
...
General Xiong stepped forward and whispered,
"Go and summon the Beast King!"
Several guards understood and quickly exited the tent to find the Beast King.
Seeing Jieliev's guards retreat, the Wolf King and General Xiong exchanged a look, the Wolf King's gaze growing even sharper.
A short while later, the central guards announced loudly, "The Beast King has arrived!"
The Wolf King and General Xiong, knowing the Beast King had come to intercede for Jieliev, led their generals out of the tent to welcome him.
After exchanging courtesies, Gai Gai took his seat in the upper position.
The Wolf King stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty's visit is regarding Jieliev?"
Gai Gai nodded but said nothing, seemingly lost in thought or contemplating a strategy.
The Wolf King declared with righteous indignation, "Your Majesty ordered me to lead the army to resist Lingdong. General Yangwei disobeyed military orders, and by law, should be beheaded. Why would Your Majesty pardon him?"
Gai Gai nodded and said earnestly, "The young man was momentarily rash and violated military regulations. However, with the great battle imminent, executing a senior general first would be an inauspicious start. Therefore, I hope the Wolf King can show leniency and spare him this once."
"Your Majesty, the law was not established by me, nor by Your Majesty; it is the foundation of the state. If we do not impose severe punishment today, how can we command respect from the masses?"
Gai Gai pondered for a long time before stating, "He violated military law and should have been punished by the General. However, my brother was very fond of him when he was alive, and he has achieved many merits. To kill him today would not only betray my brother, but also, executing a general before a major battle is a grave taboo."
The Wolf King had no intention of executing him in the first place. Seeing that Gai Gai had provided him with a dignified way out, he graciously accepted. "If that is the case, respecting Your Majesty's wishes, the death sentence is temporarily suspended! Should he offend again, there will be no mercy!"
Gai Gai breathed a sigh of relief and said to those beside him, "Summon General Yangwei!"
A short while later, someone brought Jieliev, now unbound, into the tent.
Gai Gai said sternly, "Have you not thanked General Anton for sparing your life?"
Jieliev, however, showed no sign of remorse. "Your Majesty, I was stationed in Qianmen Mountain. Leading the army to break the enemy from there was not a mistake. Why should I thank him?"
"You!"
Gai Gai was exasperated.
The Wolf King's expression became exceedingly unpleasant, while General Xiong's eyes rolled, as if deep in thought.
Gai Gai had come to mediate between the two, and knowing Jieliev's temperament, he said with feigned displeasure, "Disregarding military discipline! What kind of soldier are you? Withdraw!"
Jieliev did not defy him and retreated.
After dismissing Jieliev, Gai Gai spoke soothingly to the Wolf King, explaining that Jieliev was merely a General Yangwei with limited troops, and his actions would not affect the overall situation. He could be utilized or not, as needed. After settling matters, he departed the military tent.
Gai Gai thought the matter was settled, but to his surprise, as he exited the tent, he saw Jieliev waiting outside, looking dejected. Gai Gai angrily said, "I ordered General Anton to lead the army to defeat Lingdong, why are you so unreasonable?"
Jieliev replied with grievance, "Your Majesty, it's not that I am unreasonable, it's that the Wolf King doesn't know how to use people!"
Gai Gai frowned and stared intently at Jieliev. "Are you still a child, to utter such nonsensical words!"
With that, he left in a huff.
Jieliev watched Gai Gai's receding back, filled with great resentment. He vowed, "You all look down on me! I will show you my capabilities!"
Before the Beastmen had even clashed with Lingdong, they were already experiencing internal discord among their generals. This unfavorable start boded ill for their future battles against Lingdong.
Meanwhile, on the Western Barbarian battlefield, events unfolded as Xiao Xun had predicted.
The next morning, Pei Lisha led her troops to confront the barbarian army. The barbarian ranks appeared entirely new.
The enemy's main general rode a white elephant, wore two great sabers at his waist, and held a meteor hammer in his hand, standing out prominently among the ranks.
Looking at his subordinate soldiers and generals, they were all painted with vibrant colors, their faces covered with black cloth, carrying four curved sabers each. They mingled with various ferocious and monstrous beasts, yet maintained perfect order.
The beasts themselves were of diverse appearances. Among them, one could identify common animals like tigers, wolves, snakes, and elephants. However, many emitted strange growls and were beasts never seen before, let alone named. Judging by their fierce and powerful demeanor, their might was no less than that of tigers and wolves, sending a shiver down one's spine.
The commander, Pei Lisha, who had long resided in Beiling and frequently dealt with the Wu tribe, was considered well-traveled. Even she could not help but feel a sense of dread.
If her own troops continued in this state, there was no question of fighting the barbarian army. A single charge from the barbarians would scatter her ranks. She immediately commanded, "Silence!"
The generals of the Saint Ti Luoman army, observing from the rear, were all astonished and wore looks of alarm. Xiao Xun, however, smiled faintly.
"What is there to fear from these animals! I have a plan!"
Saying this, he commanded, "Issue an order to Pei Lisha to retreat immediately!"
In fact, before Xiao Xun could issue the order, Pei Lisha's army had already been routed.
It turned out that the enemy's main general chanted something and waved his meteor hammer. The weather then changed drastically, a strong wind suddenly arose, and in an instant, sand and stones flew everywhere. The beasts from the barbarian ranks, spurred by the wind, surged forward, howling as they charged towards the Saint Ti Luoman army.
These beasts were swift and ferocious. In the blink of an eye, they had entered the Saint Ti Luoman ranks, injuring many. However, the Saint Ti Luoman army was well-equipped with sabers and spears for defense and retreated very quickly, sustaining only minor losses.
Before the barbarian army could launch a full assault, Pei Lisha had wisely ordered a retreat.
That evening, Xiao Xun's tent received a visitor, a woman clad in white gauze. When the woman removed her conical hat, revealing her delicate features, his adjutant looked astonished and hastily saluted, "Your Majesty!"
The unexpected visitor was none other than Saila Peisi.
Xiao Xun stood up with a smile and apologized, "To have Your Majesty venture alone into such a perilous place is truly my failing!"
Saila Peisi shot Xiao Xun a glance, her phoenix-like brows arching. "Do not speak such nonsense!"
The adjutant, understanding the situation, discreetly withdrew. The guards outside had been replaced by Saint Duo's personal guards.
Xiao Xun smiled nonchalantly and led Saila Peisi to sit by the study desk. He gently stroked the back of her fair hand and asked softly, "Are you tired?"
Saila Peisi shook her head. Looking at Xiao Xun, she said, "We haven't seen each other for half a year, and you've lost weight."
Xiao Xun's previous composure vanished, replaced by a look of grave concern. "Let's not talk about that now. The beasts in the Witch Realm are ferocious and unlike the powerful beasts in our world. Do you have any effective countermeasures?"
Saila Peisi nodded. "I've done some reading. Although the enemy formation is formidable, it is not impossible to break. Think about it, since these beasts can be controlled by humans, they are not truly peerless monsters. No matter how ferocious these beasts look, they are ultimately just animals..."
Saila Peisi's voice grew softer and softer, until it was barely audible to the two inside the room.
Xiao Xun nodded, delight evident on his face. "Your Majesty indeed has a brilliant plan!"
Saila Peisi smiled modestly. "Whether it succeeds or not remains to be seen. Do not rejoice too soon."
Xiao Xun waved his hand. "Your Majesty's plan is sure to work. We will proceed according to your suggestion! I will arrange for people to assist you."
Saila Peisi smiled faintly. "My part is easy. The blueprints are ready, and the technology poses no significant difficulty. The materials can also be sourced locally. As for you..."
She then looked at Xiao Xun meaningfully.
Xiao Xun laughed loudly. "What difficulty is there in that? I promise to have it ready by tomorrow morning!"
Saila Peisi gave him a skeptical look. "You say it so lightly. Go and prepare quickly!"