"Five thousand against five thousand... this..."
Lin Zongzhi hesitated.
Although he didn't understand warfare, he knew that having more people was an advantage.
Five thousand against five thousand, even if they won, the cost would be significant.
He didn't just want victory, but a complete victory with the smallest price.
"Your Majesty, the True God Cult has made another move!"
A one-eyed man, with metal rings on his wrists, said.
"Speak!"
"Our informants report that just now, the True God Cult dispatched a thousand soldiers towards Rock City."
As the one-eyed man spoke, he pressed lightly on the tabletop, and an imperial map appeared.
It immediately showed Pine City, Rock City, and the marching route of the True God Cult army.
"Rock City? Isn't it already surrounded by the Lost Souls? What is the True God Cult doing there? Engaging in such thankless tasks!"
The bearded man scoffed with a mocking expression.
"I don't think they're just attacking Rock City!"
An old man with sharp eyes pointed at the map and analyzed. He was the empire's marshal, the man with the strongest fighting force, commanding the terrifying Thunderclap Iron Camp.
"Oh? What do you mean?"
Lin Zongzhi asked urgently.
"Everyone, look. Behind Rock City is South River Port. If they take South River Port, they can sail downstream directly to Guard City, which is only fifty kilometers from the capital."
"If they attack from here, the garrisons in all parts of the empire won't have time to respond!"
The marshal drew a red line on the map.
This red line was like a sharp blade, piercing directly into the heart of the empire.
"What? The True God Cult dares to launch such an open challenge against us?!"
Lin Zongzhi said, trying to maintain his composure.
"This is not impossible. The magical beasts around the empire are causing trouble again, and the border situation has escalated."
"Most of our main forces have been deployed to the borders and the magical beast forests. We only have about twenty thousand troops that can be mobilized, and they are stationed in cities near the capital."
"If the True God Cult captures South River Port with a lightning strike, they can reach Guard City by boat in two hours."
"There are only 3000 guards there. Such a small force is insignificant in front of powerful individuals."
"At that time, if they switch to cavalry, they can reach the capital in 40 minutes."
"It will be impossible for troops from other cities to gather, mobilize, and depart in time to provide support."
"This is an extremely vicious strategic plan, and the commander they sent must be an exceptionally formidable existence."
"Therefore, I suggest we mobilize heavy troops to defend South River Port. Even if the situation is unfavorable, we can burn the ships to prevent the enemy from sailing downstream!"
The marshal analyzed with a solemn expression.
Every word sent a shiver down Lin Zongzhi's spine.
"The enemy is only a thousand strong, and we're this terrified?"
The bearded man sneered dismissively.
"War is not child's play. Your failures will be paid for by thousands of families, even by the peace of the empire. We must be cautious!"
The marshal coldly looked at the bearded man, who was favored due to his connections, his eyes filled with a kind of pity for the dim-witted.
"Five thousand men. If we can't defeat the True God Cult's army, I will commit suicide to atone!"
The bearded man became animated and shouted.
"This..."
Lin Zongzhi considered for a moment and said hesitantly:
"Alright, let's adopt a two-pronged strategy. General Li Ran (the bearded man) will lead five thousand men as the vanguard. If the battle is unfavorable, they will retreat to South River Port and burn the ships."
"This way, we can advance and defend!"
Lin Zongzhi proposed.
"Then we shall obey His Majesty's decree!"
The marshal did not speak. A soldier's duty is to obey orders.
During war meetings, everyone can express their opinions. Once the emperor makes a decision, whether it is right or wrong, their job is to comply.
Li Ran's face lit up with excitement.
An opportunity to distinguish himself had arrived.
In terms of connections, he was the emperor's brother-in-law, considered one of his own.
The reason he wasn't a marshal yet was mainly due to a lack of prestige in the army and too few battles fought.
As long as he fought more battles and earned military achievements, he could use his connections to send this old marshal into retirement, and he would naturally take command of the military.
He felt a little thrilled just thinking about it!
Meanwhile... at River Valley City.
The Underworld Mushroom's ostentatious slow march was intended to attract the attention of the imperial army, thereby relaxing the defenses of River Valley City.
Zhang Chen didn't fear the number of guards.
However, fighting would waste time, so his priority was to find the pink crystal.
Two hours later, Zhang Chen and Tang Xueyao, clad in the True God Cult's red cloak, appeared at the gate of River Valley City.
By this time, River Valley City had already received the notification. The city gates were tightly shut, and the soldiers looked at Tang Xueyao, dressed in a red robe, with terror.
"Did you hear? Pine City has been captured by the True God Cult, and it only took them an hour?"
"What an hour? It was 10 minutes. The news only spread after an hour, so everyone thought it was an hour."
"It's said the commander on duty was impaled like a candied haw by his own soldiers, and all five thousand men were undercover agents of the True God Cult!"
"That's preposterous, how is that possible? They were probably controlled by some evil art by the True God Cult."
"It's said that after capturing Pine City, the True God Cult overthrew the statue of the hero Lin Qingsong, killed everyone they saw, and blood flowed like rivers."
"It's true, the leader of the True God Cult himself devoured over a hundred people, and thousands of girls were sacrificed to their evil god!"
"This... this... is it still possible to join the cult now? I don't want to die... I paid money and used connections to get transferred from the front lines to this rear area, how could I encounter such terrifying people?!"
Everyone looked at Tang Xueyao with fear.
"Why are you all panicking? With us here, you small fries don't need to make a move, you disgrace!"
Two female generals appeared on the city wall.
They were identical in appearance and figure, and even more strangely, they both had a pair of cat ears on their heads.
"True God, is my attire too flashy? Did it make them prepare in advance..."
Tang Xueyao suddenly felt regret. She had intended to wear this outfit to prove to the world that the True God Cult had returned, but it had inadvertently given the enemy a chance to prepare.
"It's alright. I used to prefer being low-key, but now... I think we should be a bit more flamboyant."
Zhang Chen said with a smile, gently patting Tang Xueyao's back.
"Mm!"
Tang Xueyao nodded gratefully.
Whoosh, whoosh!
The twin cat-eared girls jumped down from the city wall and stood before Zhang Chen and Tang Xueyao.