“Goo…goo…goo…”

Birds chirped softly in the sky;

But on the ground, there was a young man dressed in black, his cheeks puffed out.

The Great Chu had twelve Wu Zheng (shamans), not all of whom were just performing rituals; there were many sub-categories, all originating from the "Wu."

This young man was named Sun De, originally an adopted son of the Gongsun family. Later, he became a personal disciple of Yang Baisheng, one of the twelve Wu Zheng, who devoted his life to the study of beast taming.

Secret rumors circulated in the Great Chu palace that the "beast" possessed by the Regent was actually a "Ling" (spirit), successfully subdued with the help of Yang Baisheng.

When the late emperor passed away, the Gongsun family, who had traditionally controlled the Royal Beast Bureau, followed the First Prince to launch a rebellion in Yingdu during the prince's revolt. As a result, they were directly suppressed by the royal guards. Only one woman from the Gongsun family escaped, later meeting Lord Zheng, who was escorting the princess back to the country, in the mountains, and was brought back with them.

Sun De's original name was Gongsun De. After the Gongsun family was destroyed, he changed his name to Sun De. Because of Yang Baisheng's connections, he was not implicated, and the Regent had him temporarily manage the Royal Beast Bureau during its reconstruction.

He, Sun De, had originally been accompanying the Regent, but yesterday he left Juyang City to pursue a trail of demonic energy. However, the demon ran very fast and he couldn't catch it. When he returned, he found Yan soldiers' military camps outside Juyang City.

Alarmed,

Sun De used his trained falcons to scout the situation and had already contacted the city, learning that the Regent was safe.

This was the reason Gou Moli said that there were too few troops to take care of everything. Moreover, there were also too few cavalry, and the coverage couldn't be spread out. Otherwise, Sun De would never have had the opportunity to scout in this way.

Within the Jingnan King's army, there were actually many talented people. Cats have their ways, and rats have their paths. The two sides could always find ways to counter each other and would never lack personnel. However, Lord Zheng's branch, due to strategic risks, was naturally in a hurry, and in terms of configuration, there would only be deficiencies and never completeness.

But fortunately,

Lord Zheng was not only accompanied by the Sword Saint, but also by several Demon Lords.

During battles, Fan Li would also encounter danger, the Blind Man could only evade, A Ming could at most be shot by a few more arrows, and even the Sword Saint could only hold on for a little longer when facing a sea of soldiers.

But outside the battlefield,

Experience,

Knowledge,

Skills,

Even though their strength was still limited by their lord's condition, they could really do a lot of things.

Compared to Lord Zheng's caution,

The Demon Lords,

Were truly insane,

Especially when they were bored.

Sun De was still communicating with the falcons in the sky. The next moment, A Ming's figure appeared behind him.

However, at this moment, a venomous snake suddenly sprang out of the soil and bit A Ming's calf.

Sun De, who was facing away from A Ming, smiled,

A Ming also smiled.

Sun De was stunned, his entire body leaping forward, but A Ming's fingernails still pierced his back.

"Bang!"

After landing,

Sun De felt a chill in his back, and blood flowed freely.

A Ming lowered his head in surprise, looking at his left fingernails, which were slightly deformed.

This person actually had a similar habit to his lord, wearing a soft armor.

Because of the soft armor's obstruction, his fingernails failed to achieve their full effect.

But compared to A Ming's surprise, Sun De was truly shocked.

That snake was raised by him, only for that moment of venomous eruption. No one knew better than him how terrifying the snake's venom was.

He had long noticed A Ming's presence and sensed A Ming's approach, because that falcon had been in the sky, overlooking everything below;

And A Ming had long noticed that Sun De had noticed his presence and approach.

In a one-on-one fight, the variables were actually very small.

A Ming bent down, grabbed the snake, and held it in front of him.

After exhausting its venom, the snake was already dying. Even without touching it, it would die.

A Ming casually threw the snake away,

Then,

He used his fingernails to cut open his palm, and black blood flowed out, palm down.

The snake's venom, injected into the body, then fused with your blood, spreading the poison.

And A Ming's ability was to control blood.

He wasn't Liang Cheng and couldn't be immune to all poisons, but this kind of venom couldn't harm his foundation.

The black blood flowed for a while, then stopped. He retracted his palm, and the wound had already scabbed over.

From his pocket, he took out a handkerchief and wiped his palm;

While wiping,

He looked at Sun De in front of him with a smile.

Sun De's body began to lower, and a short knife appeared in his hand.

Short weapons,

Close combat?

A Ming shook his head, put the handkerchief back into his chest pocket, deliberately leaving half of it outside.

He originally wanted to fold it neatly, but Sun De had already pounced over.

The short knife was very fast, and the attack was very direct.

A Ming didn't retreat but advanced, his whole body actively colliding with Sun De.

"Bang!"

The two bodies collided, and Sun De's short knife directly pierced A Ming's chest.

"Crack!"

The short knife entered the body.

A Ming turned his body sideways, using his ribs to trap the short knife.

Sun De's eyes were full of shock. Since he began cultivating, he had never encountered such a bizarre opponent.

A Ming's fingernails protruded, piercing Sun De's chest from the front.

You stab me once,

I won't die;

I stab you once,

And you'll probably lose your life.

There are thousands of moves and styles in the world, but the strongest move is only one, called… suitable.

Use the most suitable method to preserve yourself as much as possible while killing your opponent.

The vampire's fighting style is that simple, monotonous, and boring.

Especially for those facing a vampire for the first time, it's like completely subverting their previous fighting experience.

"Poof!"

Ten long fingernails pierced Sun De's chest.

But,

The feeling seemed a little different.

The protection of the soft armor should have been broken, but the slipperiness inside didn't feel like blood flowing out, but more like a mass of wriggling soft tissue.

"Whoosh..."

The clothes on Sun De's chest tore open, and a dark, octopus-like soft creature with many tentacles was clinging to Sun De's chest.

It was it that blocked the blow for Sun De. Without its existence, Sun De would have been disemboweled by A Ming.

"Oh?"

A Ming let out a sigh,

Not of fear, not of doubt, but as if he had seen a novel toy, feeling amused.

The octopus's tentacles pierced Sun De's body, no blood flowed out, and at the same time, the octopus began to heat up, and Sun De's body began to turn red.

Sun De clenched his other hand and punched directly at A Ming.

"Bang!"

In the face of absolute power, many things are pale and meaningless.

A Ming was sent flying by this punch, flying very far, because he didn't defend, in order to better dissipate the force.

When landing,

A Ming was facing upwards,

Then,

He got up,

And stood up naturally again.

The short knife was still stuck in his left chest, and the sound of fractured ribs rubbing together came from his right chest.

A Ming even swayed his body slightly,

On the one hand, to specifically check which parts had bigger problems and which parts could still be used, and on the other hand, he thought the sound was quite pleasant.

"What exactly are you, what are you!"

Sun De shouted almost咆哮.

For a long time, this question was usually asked of him.

This was the first time he had asked someone else this question.

A Ming didn't answer, he was still calculating which parts of his body were still usable, and what movements and speed he could use in the next fight.

At the same time,

A Ming also saw,

That sticky tentacled demon's influence on Sun De should be temporary.

He could wait a little longer, wait for Sun De to get over that excited phase.

But Sun De quickly came to his senses, and after coming to his senses, he didn't choose to rush towards A Ming, but chose to turn around and run.

A Ming was slightly surprised,

Logically speaking, the other party's strength was higher than his own. Although fights weren't determined by who had a higher cultivation level, just like in a war between two countries, it wasn't that whoever had more soldiers would automatically win, and the side with fewer soldiers didn't need to fight.

Perhaps the pressure he gave to that person was too strong, so that even knowing he had an advantage, he still didn't dare to get entangled.

A Ming started running, he was going to chase.

Although, it was very likely that he wouldn't be able to catch up, but he still had to try.

Otherwise,

Going back empty-handed like this would really let down the deliberate cadence and contrived silhouette he had created when leaving the military camp.

However,

As A Ming chased,

He stopped.

Not because he couldn't chase anymore, but because he saw a short figure already darting diagonally forward.

The dwarf who said he was going to scout Juyang City at night,

He didn't go to Juyang City,

But followed, wanting to steal the kill.

Using three words to describe what the dwarf was doing in this matter,

Would probably be… kill stealer.

So, A Ming didn't chase anymore.

He stopped, didn't follow, the person in front should also relax his vigilance because of this, which would create an opportunity for the dwarf.

But A Ming still shouted;

"Bring back blood."

The head,

You can steal it,

But his blood,

You have to leave it for me.

Although that person's blood might be poisonous, and looking at the things hanging on his body, it would be a little disgusting.

But A Ming was someone who drank blood like wine,

Wasn't there also wine,

That was infused with snakes or other miscellaneous tonic ingredients?

The same,

Taste something new.

Then,

A Ming used his hand to pinch his ribs again, adjusted their position, and then started walking back.

………

At this time, Lord Zheng had already woken up.

A midday nap, sleeping until the moon and stars were sparse.

"Your day and night cycles will be reversed," the Sword Saint said.

"Perhaps reversing day and night will be the norm when we transfer later."

Si Niang walked over with the evening meal, which was fried noodles.

When it wasn't time to be picky, Lord Zheng could still endure hardship.

Fried noodles, with hot water, could fill the stomach.

"Lord, a person came from the city in the first half of the night, lowered down from the city wall in a hanging basket. They were sent by order of the Regent, bringing a box of preserved fruit."

"Oh, my brother-in-law is quite interesting."

"Regret it?" the Sword Saint asked.

"There always has to be a priority, doesn't there."

Lord Zheng looked at Si Niang, pointed to the fried noodles in his hand,

And said;

"Let's also send someone to send some fried noodles to my brother-in-law, and by the way, remember to tell them over there that these were made with grain from Jing City."

"Your subordinate understands."

Si Niang immediately arranged for someone to send the fried noodles.

"Today, we should be able to pass relatively peacefully. Tomorrow, it should be about the same. At the latest, by the day after tomorrow, we'll have to face organized Chu troops."

"Three days, before the Chu reinforcements can arrive?" the Sword Saint asked, a little puzzled.

You had to know, this was the capital region.

Great Chu wasn't the Jin state of the past. The Yu clan's sphere of influence was only that small part of the capital region, and it was still a small piece left over after being divided among three families.

The Yan state's capital region was Tiancheng County, and the Chu state's capital region was also a county. As for the former Jin state's capital region, it only had the imperial city and that small piece of land around it.

"If the Chu people aren't stupid, they won't use the tactic of adding oil to the fire. We at least have more than ten thousand combat troops here. Furthermore, the Chu people probably don't know that we don't have warhorses.

According to the Chu people's assessment of the elite combat power of the Yan army's Zhenbei and Jingnan armies, small-scale reinforcements could certainly be sent out early, but they would easily be eaten by us using the strategy of besieging a point and attacking reinforcements.

Once we break them one by one, the people in the capital region might think that the main force of the Yan army has really invaded, and the situation will instantly collapse.

Therefore, if the Chu side has someone knowledgeable and with the position to lead, if they confirm that Juyang City isn't in danger of being breached, they'll first gather troops, ensure sufficient strength, and then encircle, yes, encircle, rather than just seek to defeat us.

We'll take advantage of the Chu people's encirclement bag just opening on the third day and break out directly."

"It's a bit like fleeing in panic."

"It's just to preserve our strength. As long as this force of ours isn't completely wiped out, we can continue to attract a lot of the Chu people's attention; furthermore, the real battlefield isn't here."

Lord Zheng put the last bit of fried noodles in his mouth, even licking the remnants on his palm. Then, he picked up a branch beside him and drew a circle on the ground:

"Once Zhennan Pass is broken, according to common sense, Shanggu County will almost be in the bag of my Yan army. Because of the existence of the Wei River, if the Great Yan Dynasty doesn't want to continue expanding the war, it's very likely that they'll call it quits here.

But a hundred years ago, the First Generation Zhenbei Marquis, after defeating the invasion of Emperor Taizong of Qian, was also because the pressure from the barbarians in the desert was too great, and the Yan state didn't have the ability to send more troops to Yinlang County, so they couldn't continue south to attack the Qian state.

However, the First Generation Zhenbei Marquis did plant a willow branch in Cuiliu Fort, but in reality, he also personally led troops to trample the Qian state's border, looting a large number of people and wealth to bring back to the country.

So, by the same logic, with Zhennan Pass in hand, and I have Shanggu County, even if we don't continue to expand the scale of the war, and want to achieve the strategic objectives and end the war early, no problem.

But the Great Yan iron cavalry is still fully capable of driving straight in, crossing the Wei River, entering the heartland, all the way to here, to the Chu capital region;

Rescuing us is completely no problem.

It's just that they can attack, but they can't defend. At that time, in order to avoid being held back by the Chu people here, and also to avoid the pressure of not being able to supply logistics, they will definitely retreat."

The Sword Saint understood, nodded,

And said:

"I think Tian Wujing will definitely come to save you."

Lord Zheng smiled:

"That's for sure."

"But if Tian Wujing knew that you were clearly aware that the Chu Emperor was in the city but didn't attack him and were just here bragging to me, he'd probably slap you to death."

"………" Zheng Fan.

"Hehe." The Sword Saint laughed.

Just then,

The Long Yuan sword placed beside the Sword Saint suddenly trembled, very weakly, but it was very clear at this close distance.

"An assassin?" Lord Zheng immediately became alert.

The Sword Saint shook his head and said, "Long Yuan usually trembles like this when it sees someone it likes."

For example,

The child from the Snow Sea Pass Earl's Mansion.

Even the Sword Maid, who was a natural sword embryo, couldn't make Long Yuan as excited as that.

"Him?"

Lord Zheng thought of someone. After all, this was in the Chu state, and still in the capital region.

That person, forged this sword.

"He's here," the Sword Saint said. "He's telling me through Long Yuan that he's here, and wants me to meet him."

"Where?"

"Southeast direction, if I remember correctly, there should be a forest there when we came. He should be waiting for me there."

"Are you going?"

"I have to go. For both emotional and rational reasons, I should go see him."

"Your affairs, you make the choice," Lord Zheng said.

The Sword Saint nodded,

Picked up Long Yuan,

Got up,

And took three steps in the southeast direction.

Then,

Stopped.

The Sword Saint, with his back to Zheng Fan, said, "I can walk very slowly."

Lord Zheng smiled,

Nodded,

And said:

"Someone, pass on my lord's order to Fan Li, and have him lead three hundred armored soldiers to search that forest in the southeast direction."

"Yes!"

Lord Zheng stood up and patted his pant legs.

The Sword Saint turned his head and looked at Lord Zheng,

And asked;

"Am I being inappropriate by doing this?"

The Sword Saint of the past wouldn't have done this, but he knew now that only after this battle was over could the Snow Sea Pass soldiers and civilians continue to live a good life.

And in the future,

Under this man's rule of Jindong, more people would have better lives.

He once longed to use his sword to support the Jin state, so he agreed to Situ Lei's request to borrow his sword and help him kill the old Patriarch of the Situ family.

But in the end, the Situ family failed to defend Snow Sea Pass, and half of Jindong was devastated.

This time, he no longer trusted others, he only trusted what his eyes could see.

Just like a sword flying in the sky, it can only look good, but a sword held in a person's hand is the true sharpness.

Yu Huaping was a very arrogant person, but arrogance didn't equate with stubbornness, and it was even farther from stupidity.

Lord Zheng shook his head,

Not rushing to answer that,

But again said to a guard beside him:

"Pass on my lord's order, have Gou Moli take over the military defense, be vigilant against a breakout from Juyang City; order Jin Shuke to draw two battalions of soldiers and surround that forest after Fan Li."

"Yes!"

After issuing the second military order,

Lord Zheng then looked at the Sword Saint again,

And said:

"Let's make a bet."

"What bet?"

"I bet that there's not only a Chu swordsmith there, but also a small but very elite Chu cavalry force.

Only a small number of cavalry could avoid our army's outer scouts, come this quickly, and have the courage to send this greeting.

If nothing goes wrong, they should be planning to take the opportunity to defeat a part of our army in the forest, tear open a gap, and then take advantage of the night to kill out, create chaos, disrupt our camp, and echo the Chu army in the city.

You're on the first floor,

But he, in fact, is on the second floor."

The Sword Saint frowned slightly and said;

"You're on the third floor?"

Lord Zheng sighed,

Lowered his head,

As if he was really looking down,

"Hey, can you hear me?"

"What?"

"Echoes."

————

Good night.

And then, please ask for a monthly ticket!