“Thank you, Grand General. Also, the friends I brought, I hope they can be incorporated into the army. No special privileges, start from the basics. But Leng Mei and Ji Mingkong, I want them in the special forces.”
Ling Xiao smiled.
“These are small matters. Come, I’ll personally take you to select people now!”
With Ji Ning leading Ling Xiao, selecting special forces candidates became much easier.
Including Ling Xiao, Ji Mingkong, and Leng Mei, the special forces totalled sixty people.
Though few, all had cultivation above the Five Elements Heaven, each with unique skills.
Most importantly, they were smart, quick to accept new things, making training simple.
“Grand General, let’s call this team ‘Dark Thorn’ from now on. It will be a sharp blade in Beimo City’s darkness! Whether I’m in the army later or not, they can continue.”
Ling Xiao proposed after forming the team.
“Good, Dark Thorn! Pity you can’t stay long-term, or it would be perfect.”
Ji Ning was indeed wistful.
Warriors and soldiers pursue different things.
Warriors seek greater strength.
Soldiers seek loyal service to the country.
If Ji Ning weren’t a soldier, he might have followed Ji Fuling and Yu Xuanyue off the Divine Phoenix Continent long ago, with far higher cultivation now.
Ling Xiao was a warrior; the army couldn’t bind him. He must venture out.
Over the next three days, besides upgrading Beimo City’s army equipment, Ling Xiao trained Dark Thorn.
In such short time, he couldn’t teach everything.
But they were soldiers; slight training formed combat power, enough for now.
…
“Woo~~”
From Beimo Pass, about a li from Beimo City, a horn sounded.
Like a mournful cry, it echoed into Beimo City.
“They’re here! Temur Mutu! Jiumo Zhiyan! The Black Crow Empire’s army has arrived!”
In the city, soldiers discussing war, farmers tilling, merchants trading, all looked north to the sky.
Yellow sand filled the air, blotting the sun.
Hoofbeats thundered.
Black Crow Empire’s mounts were black crow beasts, resembling war horses but with black wings, strange beasts.
In combat, no less than phoenix birds, war wolves, or barbaric bears.
In Dark Thorn’s camp, Ling Xiao donned strange attire.
Not armour, but special fabric matching Beimo’s environment. Lying on the ground, one could hardly spot him.
Dark Thorn soldiers wore uniform outfits, distinctive and imposing.
“Boss, they’re here!”
A Dark Thorn soldier glanced at Ling Xiao, tense.
“Black Crow Empire’s army marched far, won’t attack immediately upon arrival. Follow my orders. Leng Mei, take two men, approach for observation. Infiltrate their camp if possible; if not, bring back intelligence.”
Ling Xiao ordered, “Accurate numbers, equipment, positions of Jiumo Zhiyan and Temur Mutu. The more detailed, the better!”
“Yes!”
Leng Mei nodded, selected two, and quietly left the city, alerting no one.
This was why they were special forces.
Powerful, secretive!
No one could guarantee no Black Crow spies in Beimo City, so even Dark Thorn actions required secrecy.
“Others, stand by. Without my order, no one acts or does anything else. You are a sharp blade, Beimo City’s trump card, must not expose early.”
After orders, Ling Xiao left with Ji Mingkong.
Many knew them, no need to hide. As long as most of Dark Thorn stayed secret, it sufficed.
On the city wall, distant banners blotted the sky, a dense mass: Black Crow Empire’s army.
Ling Xiao had never seen such a sight. New True Demon Empire’s forces paled in comparison.
The killing aura alone was daunting.
Many ants bite an elephant to death; not just talk.
If those 1.2 million charged together, even a Yin-Yang realm warrior, barring another Yin-Yang expert, most warriors would perish.
“Ji Ning, at this point, you still want us outside the city? Why not combine forces, defend Beimo City together?”
Below the gate, Sikong Zun approached with over a dozen men.
“Sikong Zun, scared? You’re the emperor-appointed Northern Conquest General. How can you be so timid?”
Ji Ning would never let Sikong Zun’s men enter Beimo City.
One rat spoils the pot. Letting Sikong Zun in wouldn’t strengthen defences, might cause trouble.
Moreover, Sikong Zun held Beimo Pass, forming horns with Beimo City. If he truly wanted to fight Black Crow Empire, he could act at battle start, not hide in Beimo City.
“Scared? I, Sikong Zun, don’t know the word! Fine, we’ll form horns, aid each other, how?”
Sikong Zun shouted.
“Of course.”
Ji Ning nodded.
“Let’s go!”
Sikong Zun turned his barbaric bear beast, galloping to Beimo Pass.
“General, Black Crow Empire is advancing.”
“No rush, they’re just challenging. With our situation, exiting to fight is suicide. Order: no matter the insults, endure. Anyone fights, kill without mercy!”
Ji Ning knew such scenes well.
Past generals couldn’t bear vile words, fought, got captured, cities fell easily.
Bloody lessons; as a long-time general, Ji Ning knew.
As he said, Black Crow sent hundreds on black crow beasts, in black armour, faces fully covered, very imposing.
They stopped beyond Beimo City’s bow range, began taunting.
“Ji Ning, you turtle grandson, shrink in your shell! Undefeated General? Just a coward!”
Such curses rang outside Beimo City daily.
Ji Ning treated them as wind past his ears, ignoring completely.
