The soldiers of Beimo City had grown used to the rhythm of being cursed and challenged. They stood expressionless, treating it like dogs barking madly below.
They did not care, but the men from the Imperial City Camp could not stand it.
The Imperial City Camp had long resided near the imperial capital. They had not seen real combat in ages, far less seasoned than these border guards.
More importantly, they were the banner of the Divine Phoenix Empire. They came to crush the Black Crow Empire’s army and seize military merits for the emperor.
Hiding in the city and refusing to fight would disgrace them.
Sikong Zun watched the restless army, a cold smile on his face. Then he shouted, “Ji Ning is incompetent and can endure this humiliation, but our conquest army’s warriors are true men. We cannot suffer this insult. Who will go out and crush those Black Crow dogs’ arrogance?”
“We will!”
Almost everyone in the Imperial City Camp roared.
“Good! You all want merits. I, Sikong Zun, will not favour anyone. Fifty from Divine Phoenix Academy, step forward. Fifty from Qingxu Academy, step forward!”
Sikong Zun declared loudly.
Soon, a hundred men assembled, mounted barbaric bear beasts, and charged out of Beimo Pass.
Only then did Beimo City realise something was wrong.
“Bad, these men are too impulsive. The challengers from Black Crow Empire are elites from the Black Crow Knights, lowest at Three Talents Heaven realm, battle-hardened. These going out likely won’t return!”
Zhuge Ming said anxiously.
“I’m afraid it’s not impulsiveness, but someone deliberately sending them to die.”
Ji Ning said coldly, “This emperor is rotten to the core. To preserve his power, he gambles with loyal patriots’ lives.”
“I don’t understand. How does their death benefit the emperor?”
Li Ruguang asked.
“Still don’t see? The emperor wants not just to ruin me, but Feng Qingyan and Lü Chenglong too. If this campaign fails, if we three don’t die in battle, he’ll fabricate charges to kill us.”
Ji Ning sighed, “Likely the emperor has some deal with Black Crow Empire, or they wouldn’t press the border now. It defies reason.”
Hearing Ji Ning, all felt chilled.
But Ling Xiao knew Ji Ning’s deduction, even if not fully accurate, was close.
“Stop! Anyone fights without orders, my arrows show no mercy!”
Suddenly, Ling Xiao grabbed a bow, drew it full, and roared at the charging warriors below.
“Ling Xiao, what are you doing? I respect you as Qingxu Academy’s genius, held high hopes. Today, will you be Black Crow Empire’s dog?”
The leader below was a Qingxu Academy graduate, long out, now a guard captain in the army.
Seeing Ling Xiao draw, his face darkened. He turned to the others, “You go ahead. I’ll see if this Ling Xiao dares shoot fellow disciples!”
The others pressed on. Ling Xiao’s hand trembled.
For the first time, he felt so powerless, so helpless.
“Not shooting? Then I’m gone!”
The Qingxu senior turned and caught up.
A hundred barbaric bear beast knights faced a hundred Black Crow knight elites.
As the hundred approached, Black Crow knights grinned ferociously.
All reached back.
Then, almost simultaneously, nocked and loosed arrows.
Clearly practised countless times, no pause.
When the barbaric bear knights were under fifty metres away, arrows flew.
One arrow per man, all master archers!
Tragic barbaric bear knights fell mid-charge, arrow-struck.
Some died, some tumbled from mounts.
“Kill!”
A unified roar. Black Crow knights charged.
In moments, they reached the fallen soldiers.
Long spears mercilessly pierced their bodies.
What!
The Qingxu senior, delayed by Ling Xiao, avoided arrows but took a spear through the heart.
In his last breath, he looked back at the wall.
Showing regret to Ling Xiao.
Regret not just for his death.
But for all his men’s deaths too.
“Bastard!”
Ling Xiao punched the wall in fury, chest burning with unspeakable anger.
He hated Black Crow Empire’s men, hated Sikong Zun, that old dog!
Without Sikong Zun, these men wouldn’t have died pointlessly.
Yet Sikong Zun smiled inwardly.
He feigned grief, shouting, “Black Crow dogs are despicable, sneaking with bows. Our Divine Phoenix sons are heroes! Who will fight, avenge them!”
“I will!”
A Qingxu Academy warrior, a centurion.
Seeing fellow disciples and comrades die horribly, he couldn’t stand by.
“Good, Qingxu warriors are heroes. Who else? If you die in battle, I will petition merits, care for your families!”
Sikong Zun fanned the flames.
“I will!”
“Me too!”
“Slay Black Crow dogs, my duty!”
Soldiers were straightforward, no dirty thoughts. How could they imagine their commander deliberately sent them to die.
They truly wanted revenge for the fallen.
“Sikong old dog, your heart deserves death!”
Seeing another hundred iron cavalry charge from Beimo Pass, Ling Xiao’s eyes reddened.
He was not cold and heartless.
Loyal, brave warriors making senseless sacrifices filled him with grief and rage.
“Ji Mingkong, Leng Mei, with me to battle!”
Leng Mei had sent Dark Thorn to infiltrate Black Crow camp, but her prominence forced return, or she’d hinder, risk exposing comrades.
Ling Xiao was too far from the pass to stop Sikong Zun. All he could do now was fight personally.
“Ling Xiao, don’t be rash. The enemy is too strong, you’re no match.”
Ji Ning shouted.
“But Grand General, must I watch these fine men die? I truly cannot!”
Ling Xiao shook his head.
Ji Ning had no reply.
If Beimo City warriors died pointlessly, he’d intervene too, despite dangers.
“Brother Ling, if you insist, take this.”
Zhuge Ming produced an item, a blooming lotus, exuding extreme danger.
“It’s called ‘Immortal Fury Divine Lotus’, a primordial puppet hidden weapon from an ancient tomb. Repaired, less powerful than before, but it can aid you, delay Black Crow knights’ attacks, absolutely.”
