The battlefield truly tempers people. When Xin left the imperial city, his cultivation had not yet reached Seven Stars Heaven. Now he has broken through.
Meng Tong is the same. Both have achieved breakthroughs.
“Alright, you go attend to your duties. I need to get busy too. Beimo City absolutely cannot be destroyed. Otherwise, we will have no foothold in the future.”
Ling Xiao was very clear in his heart. Beimo City was his most reliable stronghold on the Shenhuang Continent. Whether to revive the human sacred dynasty or to preserve his life, this place could not be lost.
Once lost, he would have no retreat.
So next, he needed to carefully study Beimo City’s defensive arrays, then hand the upgrade plans to Ji Ning.
“Then, young master, we will return first. If anything comes up, remember to notify us. We are always your people first, subordinates of General Ji Ning second.”
Qin Huo’s words carried deep meaning and were also a show of loyalty to Ling Xiao.
Ling Xiao nodded, very comforted.
Watching the three leave, he began modifying the array layouts from his memories, practising with the Eye of the World. Only after confirming no issues did he set out to find Ji Ning.
When he found Ji Ning, he was discussing Beimo City’s defence strategy with several leaders.
Ji Ning had four leaders under him.
Heavenly Wolf Knight Regiment leader: Qin Huo.
Archery leader: Li Ruguang.
Infantry leader: Zhang Yufei.
Mech soldier leader: Zhuge Ming.
Though Beimo City had few garrisoned troops, they were clearly divided: cavalry, archers, infantry, even mech soldiers.
Mech soldiers were actually puppet soldiers from the Tianlong Continent.
This unit was the smallest but controlled mech puppets in battle. Their combat power did not lose to the other branches.
Including Qin Huo, these four were clearly battle-hardened warriors. From them emanated the baptism of war, an iron-blooded aura ordinary people lacked.
The world knew Ji Ning as the ever-victorious general, guarding Beimo City, leaving the Black Crow Empire helpless.
But they did not know that without these leaders, he would be a lone tree.
Qin Huo was junior, but the other three were old subordinates who had fought north and south with Ji Ning for over a decade.
Previously, the Heavenly Wolf Knight Regiment leader was Lü Chenglong, later transferred to the imperial city camp. The position remained vacant, held by Ji Ning himself until Qin Huo’s arrival.
“Ling Xiao, perfect timing. Let me introduce my leaders. You know Qin Huo. The others are archery leader Li Ruguang, infantry leader Zhang Yufei, mech soldier leader Zhuge Ming.”
Seeing Ling Xiao, Ji Ning not only did not avoid the topic but called him into the meeting hall.
“Ling Xiao greets the four leaders.”
Ling Xiao cupped his hands.
“Brother Ling saved our general once. He is our benefactor. No need for formalities. But today we discuss enemy strategy. Shall we talk another day?”
Zhuge Ming was clearly strategic and cautious.
He did not dislike Ling Xiao, even thanked him greatly.
But this was a military meeting. He felt Ling Xiao’s presence improper.
“Zhuge, that’s too much. Just now Brother Ling had the general give our soldiers over forty thousand pills, relieving the urgent need.”
Zhang Yufei’s personality resembled Meng Tong’s: rough but refined. He felt Zhuge Ming’s words offended Ling Xiao and smoothed things over.
“What brings Brother Ling this time?”
Li Ruguang asked directly.
In his view, without proper business, delaying was bad.
Though Ling Xiao was Ji Ning’s benefactor, now was not for catching up.
Ji Ning smiled bitterly at Ling Xiao. “See? These three have stranger tempers than the last. Sometimes they anger even me. But they fight bravely, loyal and unyielding. My best brothers!”
He emphasised “brothers” heavily.
Clearly, he truly cherished these three.
Ling Xiao smiled slightly. “No matter. But I come with serious business, and it is重大.”
“Oh? Come, sit and speak!”
Ji Ning smiled.
Ling Xiao did not sit. He went to the table, placed sheets of paper, and said, “Everyone, today I inspected Beimo City’s walls. The defensive arrays have serious problems.”
“Little brother, that is a bit much.”
Zhuge Ming was unhappy. Those arrays and formations were maintained by his people.
“Leader Zhuge, no beating around the bush. These drawings are my upgraded arrays. Look, and you will understand the original issues.”
Ling Xiao knew his directness offended easily.
But with crisis imminent, enemy armies approaching, he had to resolve this quickly.
Zhuge Ming was not stubborn.
He examined the drawings sceptically.
At the first, his face showed slight change.
At the second, his hands trembled, face tense yet excited.
At the third, he could not contain himself and knelt on both knees.
Facing Ling Xiao!
“Brother Ling, Zhuge Ming apologises and thanks you on behalf of Beimo City’s over two hundred thousand military and civilians!”
Seeing Zhuge Ming’s action, others were puzzled.
“Leader Zhuge, no need for such courtesy. Rise. I only do my duty.”
Ling Xiao quickly helped him up. “This folds my lifespan.”
“Zhuge, what is going on?”
Zhang Yufei asked surprised. “You kneel to no one but the general. Even for imperial edicts, you hide. Why kneel to this youngster today?”
“Old Zhang, you do not understand. These designs are exquisitely marvellous. If we upgrade per the drawings, defence increases at least two to three times. It can reduce massive military and civilian casualties.”
Zhuge Ming knew others did not understand arrays, so he gave a simple multiplier.
“But upgrading arrays requires materials. Better arrays need more. Time is tight. Can we manage?”
Li Ruguang frowned.
Zhuge Ming thought. “Brother Ling’s arrays and formations improve effect two to three times but use common materials. This is true mastery, array grandmaster. Though perhaps not all gatherable in two or three days, most can.”
