In the dense forest, the Black Tiger Army set up camp.
First came the fierce siege defense of Jincheng, followed by the chaotic street battles within, and then the final breakout, which left them nearly exhausted. Even with Shen Changqing covering their rear, the Black Tiger Army could not just keep moving forward.
In the end, after the Scouts found a relatively safe and hidden location, the more than 2,000 members of the Black Tiger Army temporarily settled down. Some were sent to keep watch, while the rest of the Black Tiger Army rested in their armor, swallowing down dry rations with plain water. Chu Ding and the other commanders received nearly the same treatment.
At night, a faint glow of firelight rose, providing some illumination without being visible from too far away. In the dry earth, a rudimentary sand table was etched out.
Chu Ding held a stick, pointed at the terrain on it, and then looked up at the others.
"Our current location is roughly here. The Barbarian Desolation is to the south. The Barbarian Clan’s invasion of the Great Wilderness Prefecture has been proceeding from south to north. According to reports, the Barbarian Clan Army is now divided into five forces. The one attacking Jincheng is just one of them; the other four forces of the Barbarian Clan Army are positioned at these locations."
While speaking, the stick touched several other spots. Those locations, linked with Jincheng, formed an arc.
"It’s clear that the Barbarian Clan intends to expand their territory in an arc, then tighten their grip internally to crush our forces, thus further devouring the Great Wilderness Prefecture. If we retreat outward, it will be easy to run into other Barbarian Clan Armies. Our only option is to head north along their encirclement to reunite with other forces."
Upon hearing this, Nie Xu’s brows furrowed.
"The Barbarian Clan’s current tactics are like driving us together, but on what basis do they do this? Honestly, with the Barbarian Clan’s power, it’s impossible for them to occupy the Great Wilderness Prefecture. Hypothetically, even if the Barbarian Clan somehow manages to occupy the Great Wilderness Prefecture, it would only be temporary. With the power of the Imperial Court, what qualification does the Barbarian Clan have to contend? Once the Imperial Court reacts and sends its armies south, the Barbarian Clan can only abandon the Great Wilderness Prefecture and flee."
As he spoke, he moved his shoulder, which pulled at his wound, causing a piercing pain that turned his face white.
He took in a sharp breath to ease the pain, then Nie Xu’s gaze returned to the sand table.
"The Barbarian Clan’s repeated invasions of the Great Wilderness Prefecture have always been for plundering winter supplies. There is still some time before winter; their invasion of the Great Wilderness Prefecture came too early. And to say that the Barbarian Clan invaded to conquer the Great Wilderness Prefecture—that’s even more laughable."
Many people were well aware of the Barbarian Clan’s actual strength. To contend with Great Qin, they fell far short. Over the years, the number of barbarians who have died at the hands of Great Qin far exceeded the number of Qin People who have died at the hands of barbarians. Even with the Great Qin Nation’s strength waning, it was not something the Barbarian Clan could compete with. To put it bluntly, even now, if it weren’t for the territory of the Barbarian Desolation to back them, Great Qin could completely annihilate the Barbarian Clan if it exerted all its strength.
"The Barbarian Clan has always been arrogant. Perhaps they think that Great Qin’s power is declining and that Great Qin can’t do anything about them, but that’s not necessarily the case," Chu Ding shook his head, harboring great hatred for the Barbarian Clan. "But no matter what, the Barbarian Clan’s goal right now is definitely not as simple as plunder. Although it’s unclear where their current confidence comes from, this matter is not something you and I can manage. Regardless of whether the Barbarian Clan retreats in the end, the Great Wilderness Prefecture is bound to suffer heavy losses. From last night to now, nearly a day has passed, and the news must have spread quite a bit. Even if the Great Wilderness Prefecture hasn’t fully reacted, it should be about time. We will rest for several hours and then prepare to reunite with the Black Tiger Army stationed elsewhere."
He calculated the time; the news should have spread by now.
Afterwards, he looked towards Zhong Chi. Like Nie Xu, Zhong Chi was also seriously injured. After all, accompanying the army to charge and break out, it would be impossible not to sustain any injuries. A Martial Artist of the Pulse Condensation Realm did not have the qualification to remain unscathed amidst the slaughter of tens of thousands. If it weren’t for someone’s protection, Nie Xu might have died in the chaos long ago.
"Any news from the Heavenly Inspection Guard?" Chu Ding asked.
"Right now, I can’t make much contact with the Heavenly Inspection Guard," Zhong Chi shook his head. The Heavenly Inspection Guard’s information network was dense, but that didn’t mean it was everywhere. Jincheng had been breached, and the Heavenly Inspection Guard within the city had suffered heavy losses. He wasn’t even sure how many of them were still alive. Furthermore, since he was currently retreating with the Black Tiger Army, he had temporarily lost contact with the Heavenly Inspection Guard. In such a situation, gathering intelligence became even harder.
Hearing this, Chu Ding’s face showed some disappointment. If they had intelligence from the Heavenly Inspection Guard, combined with the Black Tiger Army’s own intelligence, they might know more. But he understood that the Heavenly Inspection Guard was not omnipotent, and Zhong Chi’s current situation was not much better than his own.
Under the dim firelight, everyone’s face looked rather grim.
Zhong Chi suddenly sighed. "I wonder how Lord Shen is now. Facing the Barbarian Clan Army alone... even for a powerful expert of the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar, he might be hard-pressed to cope!"
Shen Changqing’s power is strong, but the Barbarian Clan is also strong. Plus, with Mairba being a mid-stage Grandmaster, even if not as strong as a late-stage Grandmaster or an expert who had achieved Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar, he wouldn’t fall too far behind. Honestly, I don’t have much confidence in Shen Changqing. If Shen Changqing were to fall at the hands of the Barbarian Clan, the Demon-Subduing Division would surely be enraged. An expert who had achieved Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar... even the Demon-Subduing Division couldn’t afford to lose one so recklessly.
Chu Ding’s expression was somber. "Since Lord Shen dared to cover our retreat alone, his strength is beyond what you and I can estimate. Although the Barbarian Clan Army is numerous, the likelihood of them capturing him is slim. After all, an expert of that caliber is not comparable to an ordinary Martial Artist. Even if Mairba were to take action, the chances of the Barbarian Clan surrounding and killing him are not great. Perhaps at this moment, Lord Shen has already withdrawn ahead of us."
"Let’s hope so!" Zhong Chi let out another long sigh.
Then, silence fell upon the scene.
Over 2,000 Black Tiger Army soldiers stationed in the dense forest made no superfluous noise. Unless one saw it with their own eyes, one would never believe that over 2,000 men were hidden here.
The Black Tiger Army soldiers on lookout duty dared not relax in the slightest. Now that the Barbarian Clan was acting with such arrogance, one could never predict when they might send men to attack. At this moment, the Scouts could play a very important role.
Suddenly, a shadow emerged slowly in the dimness, and a strong stench of blood followed, spreading through the air. Instantly, a voice like that of a night owl reverberated, carrying through the silent night sky. Soon, other night owl calls intermingled and echoed.
"Quick, notify the others!"
The hidden sentries and the resting Black Tiger Army soldiers received the news immediately.
Chu Ding spoke in a deep voice, "No one move rashly. Wen Ce, follow me to check the situation."
There were many types of signals used by the sentries. If it were an attack by a large force, the signals would be very urgent. Although the signals had sounded, they weren’t rushed. This clearly indicated that someone was coming, but not in large numbers. Under such circumstances, if the entire Black Tiger Army were to be alarmed, it would undoubtedly expose their position. It would be better for me to take a few men and stealthily approach. If it truly is the Barbarian Clan, we can eliminate them with lightning speed, preventing the rest of the Black Tiger Army from being revealed.
"I will accompany you to check," Zhong Chi stood up.
Seeing this, Chu Ding did not hesitate. Nie Xu, on the other hand, was very self-aware and showed no intention of following them.
"My strength is weak. I won’t hold you back. Be careful."
"Right, Lord Nie, rest well here!" Chu Ding had no desire for Nie Xu to accompany them either. A Martial Artist who had not even reached the Pulse Condensation Realm would be of no use. At a critical moment, he might truly just be a burden.
After sending the signal, the Scout did not act rashly but simply stayed on the tree, using the dark environment to conceal himself and quietly watched the shadow approach. As the figure drew closer, the smell of blood became even more intense, almost making one feel the urge to vomit. When the shadow finally arrived under the tree, the Scout was able to see clearly what this person looked like.
He wore a tattered, bloodied garment. A long knife was at his waist, its scabbard no longer showing its original color, replaced by the dark red of congealed blood.
His heart pounded as he looked at that bloodstained face.
"Lord Shen!" Recognizing the person, the Scout immediately emerged from the shadows and landed in front of Shen Changqing.
Upon seeing someone appear, Shen Changqing showed no surprise on his face. With his perception, he had long been aware of someone in the tree.
"Are you from the Black Tiger Army?" Seeing the uniform on the other person, Shen Changqing understood.
After breaking out of the encirclement, he had followed the faint traces left by the retreating Black Tiger Army. He hadn’t been completely certain that the Black Tiger Army would stop here, but seeing this man confirmed it.
The Black Tiger Army soldier was visibly excited. "Lord Shen, you’re unharmed! That truly is wonderful!" Shen Changqing’s act of covering their retreat had been witnessed by all the Black Tiger Army, and this soldier felt genuine admiration for this great figure from the Demon-Subduing Division. Now that he had appeared, it meant he had not died at the hands of the Barbarian Clan Army, which was indeed a cause for celebration.
At this time, Chu Ding had also arrived with his men. Seeing this, the Black Tiger Army soldier, concerned that there might be conflict, quickly spoke up, "The person who has come is Shen Changqing, Lord Shen!"
As his words fell, the accompanying troop immediately stirred. Chu Ding and Zhong Chi, who were leading, used their night-vision abilities to clearly see Shen Changqing’s face from a short distance away. That face, even smeared with blood, was unmistakable to them.
It really is Lord Shen! Both their hearts pounded violently, and then their faces lit up with joy.