Sikong Zun refused to let Ling Xiao select from the regular army.
No matter. Ling Xiao’s Iron Mask Army was in no way inferior to the God Phoenix soldiers; in fact, it surpassed them.
Better to have quality than quantity. Ling Xiao had no intention of choosing others. Once they reached North Desert City, he would simply place Qin Huo and the Qingxu Academy members under his command.
“You fail to seize the opportunity. Don’t blame me for not giving you one! Army, advance! Destination: North Desert City!”
Sikong Zun sneered. Since Ling Xiao showed no interest in selecting, let him be a bare centurion.
He was rather pleased.
Of the imperial camp’s one hundred thousand soldiers, eighty thousand marched out, leaving twenty thousand to guard.
After all, the imperial camp concerned the capital’s safety; it could not be emptied.
This grand army departed the camp in mighty formation, the ground trembling faintly as they marched.
Eighty thousand men exerted such terrifying pressure. According to ancient texts, when the True Demon Empire routinely invaded the Holy Dynasty with millions, what a horrifying scene that must have been.
Indeed, military life differed from the jianghu.
…
Ten days later, on the main road near North Desert City, a long dragon appeared!
A dragon formed by the army.
As it advanced, beasts fled, daring not approach.
Yellow sand filled the sky, blotting the sun, yet could not near the troops, as if an invisible wall repelled it.
This army was the punitive force led by Sikong Zun.
Besides the twenty thousand Barbarian Bear Knights and ten thousand Phoenix Bird Knights, the rest marched on foot.
Yet even the lowest cultivators among them were Mortal Realm warriors, so walking posed no issue.
At the forefront rode Sikong Zun, Feng Qingyan, and Lü Chenglong, the three commanders and deputies.
Behind them came the Barbarian Bear Knights.
The Phoenix Bird Knights advanced overhead, monitoring the surroundings.
However, Ling Xiao and his group were not among the main force.
Sikong Zun had assigned them as scouts, probing ahead.
Thanks to discretionary powers, otherwise Ling Xiao reckoned Sikong Zun would torment him to death.
With those powers, once out, Ling Xiao did not return, staying about one li ahead, free to act as he wished.
Sikong Zun provided no mounts, but this posed no problem for Ling Xiao.
He had anticipated it, hiding over a dozen top dragon horses in his beast ring.
Rumoured to carry dragon blood, dragon horses fought bravely, feared no beast packs, and far outclassed ordinary warhorses.
Several rode dragon horses, advancing leisurely.
Ling Xiao released soul power and activated World Eye, grasping all surroundings clearly.
The blazing sun distorted the air with intense heat.
This North Desert of sand and soil brimmed with thirst and scorching heat; truly, no place suited for life.
“North Desert City lies ahead. That old dog Sikong Zun’s good days are over.”
Ling Xiao sneered. Sikong Zun had troubled him the whole way.
He had endured it.
Strength inferior, one must endure.
But in North Desert City, with Ji Ning present, Sikong Zun dared not touch him.
Moreover, though Sikong Zun commanded this punitive army, Ji Ning was city lord and border defence general. In merit and position, Ji Ning outranked him. Even if Ji Ning ignored Sikong Zun, the latter could do nothing.
“Should we enter first to greet them?”
Leng Mei asked.
“No need. Wait. Avoid giving that old dog Sikong Zun more excuses.”
Ling Xiao shook his head. “Though I want to see Ji Ning, Qin Huo, and the others, we still fall under Sikong Zun now. Better avoid pretexts for punishment.”
They stowed the dragon horses and rested in the shade. Near the oasis, vegetation increased. Under giant cacti, it was quite cool.
After about half an hour, the army slowly approached.
After the long march to this harsh land, even a warrior army was visibly exhausted.
Their pace slowed, spirits low.
“Reporting to Commander Sikong and the two deputies: we have scouted the area. No suspicious persons.”
Ling Xiao stepped forward to report.
“Humph, quite leisurely, aren’t you?”
Sikong Zun snorted. He wanted trouble but found none, turning to the somewhat dilapidated North Desert City.
On the battlements, soldiers stood guard.
Their vigilant gazes fixed on the army below, ready for combat at any moment.
“Open the gates at once! Northern Punitive General Sikong Zun leads the army!”
One rider on a barbarian bear beast advanced, shouting to the battlements while flashing his token.
“Wait. I’ll report!”
A voice replied from above, then footsteps descended.
After a long while, he reappeared.
“The general says he has never heard of any Northern Punitive General Sikong Zun, nor received imperial decree. He cannot open the gates lightly.”
Bastard!
Sikong Zun’s face darkened instantly. He roared, “I am Sikong Zun, holding the emperor’s edict! Have Ji Ning come receive it!”
“The general is busy strategising against the enemy. No time!”
Came the reply from the battlements.
North Desert City garrisoned few troops, merely thirty thousand.
With another, the Black Crow Empire would have overrun it long ago. Only Ji Ning could hold the border with so few, repelling attacks repeatedly.
The main reason for scant troops was not battle deaths but constant court reductions.
North Desert City rarely received reinforcements, recruiting locally or from willing jianghu heroes.
Thus, in the soldiers’ eyes, only Ji Ning existed, not the God Phoenix court.
They guarded not for the emperor reveling in the capital, nor the nobles, but the people behind them.
Pressing them with the emperor achieved nothing.
“Humph, Ji Ning has great nerve. Does he still respect the emperor or law? Rumours of his rebellion abound. He once led troops into the capital. Were it not for the emperor’s mercy, he would have been executed.
Yet today, not only ungrateful but blocking the royal army outside North Desert City. Planning revolt?”
Sikong Zun snorted.
“Commander, speak carefully.”
Lü Chenglong interjected. “General Ji Ning aided the Phoenix Clan to reclaim the throne, a great merit. He has guarded the north for over a decade with countless achievements. How could he betray?”
