Ling Xiao had already sensed the crisis and told Ji Mingkong and Leng Mei to retreat first.
But Temur Mutu was too fast, so fast that there was no time even to breathe.
A sky-covering giant hand tore through the void and slapped directly at Ling Xiao, intending to kill him on the spot.
Boom!
The explosion rang out in mid-air.
Mutu’s hand met the interception of another hand.
It was Ji Ning!
If Ling Xiao could sense Mutu’s aura, Ji Ning naturally could too.
“Heh, for the sake of this one lad, you, an army commander, actually dare to venture out and fight?”
Temur Mutu looked at Ji Ning with some surprise.
“To kill him, didn’t you, another army commander, also venture out?”
Ji Ning stood in front of Ling Xiao, clad in armour like a war god.
“Let’s go!”
Ling Xiao knew what to do at this moment. He turned to Ji Mingkong and Leng Mei, then swiftly departed.
But he did not head to Beimo City; instead, he went to Beimo Pass.
As a supervisor, he naturally had the authority to open the pass gates.
“General Sikong, this supervisor has already dealt with those hundred Black Crow knights. As a grand general, shouldn’t you set an example? Apart from you and Grand General Ji Ning, no one is a match for that Temur Mutu. This is the perfect time to achieve great merits. You can’t shrink inside this pass.”
“Please, Northern Conquest Grand General, go to battle!”
Feng Qingyan and Lü Chenglong also shouted loudly.
“Please, Northern Conquest Grand General, go to battle and strengthen our nation’s prestige!”
Countless Imperial City Camp warriors roared in unison, their voices echoing throughout Beimo Pass.
Sikong Zun narrowed his eyes at Ling Xiao, some annoyance in his heart.
Though Temur Mutu was also a Yin-Yang realm expert, his strength clearly surpassed both Ji Ning and himself. If he went out, he would likely be injured.
What a cunning lad.
Yet he never considered how much more cunning and vicious he himself was, inciting so many warriors to their deaths.
“Ling Xiao, what exactly are your intentions? The grand general is the army commander. How can he rashly go to battle? If something happens, won’t the army fall into chaos?”
Jia Yun stepped forward.
Ling Xiao smiled faintly, “Young Master Jia need not worry about this. Even if General Sikong dies in battle, the Imperial City Camp still has General Lü; it won’t fall into chaos.
Moreover, the grand general said earlier that shrinking in the city is cowardice and fear of battle, damaging our army’s morale!
Regardless of life or death, as long as one dares to fight, it is pride and merits can be recorded!
Since that is so, the grand general should set an example.
Could it be the grand general truly is one who fears death and chills everyone’s hearts?”
“What a vicious lad. With these words, doesn’t that mean I must fight?”
Sikong Zun’s face darkened. Ling Xiao’s words put him in a dilemma.
He originally had weak control over the Imperial City Camp. If he didn’t fight today, he would lose even more respect.
But if he fought and something happened?
He absolutely could not be injured now, or someone would seize the chance to take power.
“Grand General, the warriors of the Divine Phoenix Empire can shed blood and lose lives. Can’t you, the Lightning Demon King of the True Demon Empire, shed a little blood?”
Ling Xiao’s words struck the heart with every syllable.
Once again, they made the Imperial City Camp warriors see Sikong Zun’s true face.
This man was indeed a True Demon Empire spy. Otherwise, why constantly urge Divine Phoenix warriors to their deaths?
Yet when it was his turn to fight, he refused?
“Outrageous! Though you are a supervisor, Ling Xiao, you cannot slander this commander. I now suspect your secret decree is fake! Men, seize this traitor and interrogate him thoroughly!”
Sikong Zun finally showed his true colours. He would rather lose some control than be injured, so he would never fight.
“Who dares!”
Feng Qingyan said coldly, “Who the real spy is will be clear upon return to the imperial city. If the grand general fears battle, then I will assist Grand General Ji Ning. Ling Xiao, let’s go.”
With that, he grabbed Ling Xiao and leaped out of the pass.
After sending Ling Xiao to Beimo City, he joined the fight against Temur Mutu.
Ji Ning alone was no match for Mutu, but with Feng Qingyan’s help, at least he wouldn’t lose quickly.
Yet the longer they fought, the more alarmed they became. Mutu’s strength was truly terrifying. Even together, they might be in trouble if it dragged on.
“Retreat!”
Ji Ning had fought to save Ling Xiao. Now that Ling Xiao was safe, there was no need to tangle with Mutu.
The two exchanged a glance, then retreated almost simultaneously, leaping toward the city wall.
“Activate the defensive array!”
Zhuge Ming ordered.
As Mutu pursued, he met the array’s attack. A gale rose, yellow sand filled the sky, forcing Mutu to halt.
His brows furrowed.
“Looks like storming is impossible. We must use strategy!”
He flew back to the Black Crow Empire army, which then withdrew to camp.
“Master, any good plans?”
Jiumo Zhiyan, mounted on a black crow beast, asked Temur Mutu.
“You first.”
Mutu said.
“Storming won’t work, but strategy can.”
“Great minds think alike, hahahaha!”
…
Night fell, strong winds swept the northern desert.
Black Crow Empire wouldn’t attack Beimo City in such conditions, so all soldiers could rest temporarily.
“Report—!”
Ji Ning, eyes closed in rest, ready for battle, suddenly heard a shout outside.
“What is it?”
“Reporting to Grand General, General Lü Chenglong requests an audience!”
“General Lü? What’s he here for? Quick, invite him!”
Ji Ning and Lü Chenglong were old comrades, naturally close. Hearing Lü Chenglong had come, he happily invited him.
“Hahaha, Grand General, years apart, you’re still valiant. Today’s battle with Mutu, you held your own.”
Lü Chenglong entered the hall and gave Ji Ning a bear hug, showing their bond.
“Chenglong, did Sikong Zun say anything about you coming this time?”
Ji Ning asked puzzled.
“Grand General, it was Sikong Zun who sent me, saying to invite you and Ling Xiao to a banquet to discuss joint resistance.”
Lü Chenglong said seriously.
“Is he sincere about joining forces?”
Ji Ning couldn’t believe it.
Lü Chenglong sighed, “Whether sincere, this subordinate truly doesn’t know. This banquet might be a Hongmen Feast, but that’s just my guess. I must tell you, or if we miss a chance to unite, it would be my responsibility.”
Ji Ning lightly tapped the table, thinking long before saying, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained! Even if this truly is a Hongmen Feast, I must go. Back then, Holy Emperor Bang attended the Hongmen Feast and later revived the Holy Dynasty. Why can’t I?”
He had to go.
If he didn’t, and Beimo City later fell into trouble, Sikong Zun could accuse him of disrupting unity and refusing joint resistance, still leaving a handle in others’ hands.
