Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

The scout Chen Mo sent to contact Gao Fen has returned.

The result was predictable.

Gao Fen and his men were not in Muyou County, so naturally, the scout couldn’t contact him.

However, although the scout did not contact him, they learned from the locals in Muyou County that Gao Fen and his men were headed towards Yunshan City.

”It seems Gao Fen is afraid I would steal his credit and ventured alone.” Chen Mo shook his head with a light smile; they were only about a dozen miles away from Muyou County.

”Sir, what shall we do now? Should we still hurriedly proceed to Yunshan City and merge with General Gao?” Xu Dabao asked.

Chen Mo dismounted and then walked up a hill on foot, with Xu Dabao and the others following suit.

On the hill, Chen Mo raised his hand to feel the wind direction, then said, ”Bring the map.”

A general immediately approached Chen Mo, unfolded the map before him, and took a pen from his chest to give him.

Chen Mo used a vermilion pen to mark a line from Muyou County to Yunshan City, then onto Sha City and Fu City, and finally circled Yellow Armor City.

”What does this look like to you?” Chen Mo asked the generals beside him, smiling.

”A direct assault,” Xu Dabao said. From this route, one could reach Yellow Armor City the fastest.

Chen Mo shook his head.

”It looks like a pocket,” a general said.

”Exactly.” Chen Mo snapped his fingers and said, ”It’s a pocket. Once it’s closed, Gao Fen’s army is as good as dead.”

”But General Gao shouldn’t be so foolish to fight Fu City alone, and Fu City is easy to defend and hard to assault. His small number of troops shouldn’t be able to conquer it.”

”If the Rebel Army doesn’t want to defend it, won’t it be conquered?” Chen Mo smiled meaningfully and then said, ”Let’s reach Yunshan City before nightfall to minimize losses.”

”Yes, sir.”

...

When the second battle report from Gao Fen, about the fall of Sha City, reached Huangfu Hao’s hands...

Rather than being pleased, Huangfu Hao was fuming with rage.

The entire Yellow Armor City region was now occupied by the Rebel Army. Currently, the only force there was Gao Fen’s lone army, yet he advanced without waiting for Chen Hong. How could Huangfu Hao not be furious?

The main force under his command would not reach until evening at the earliest the next day, and they couldn’t support Gao Fen at all.

The only support available was Chen Hong’s army.

”Order him to retreat immediately. If he dares to go deeper, not even immortals can save him.”

”Yes, sir.”

...

When Chen Mo and his men arrived at Yunshan City, darkness was beginning to fall.

On the city walls, Chen Mo had already received two secret letters.

One was from Huangfu Hao.

Urging him to quickly rendezvous with Gao Fen.

The other was from Gao Fen.

He had captured Fu City and invited him to witness his achievement.

Chen Mo showed Gao Fen’s secret letter to his generals.

After passing it around, the generals were all visibly surprised.

Surprised that Gao Fen actually managed to capture Fu City.

Surprised that Gao Fen dared to attack Fu City at all.

To venture so far, is he truly unafraid of death?

”So, sir, should we go and join him?” Xu Dabao asked.

”Rather let a fellow suffer than suffer ourselves. If he wants to die, I won’t accompany him.”

Chen Mo turned around, looking outside the city walls, and said, ”Issue the order for the whole army to rest. Once the generals arrive tomorrow, we will launch an attack.”

Even in the simulation, it showed this was a trap; Chen Mo was not about to foolishly walk into it.

Two fists cannot match four hands, and there are certainly more than four hands on the other side.

”Yes, sir.”

...

One night passed.

Yellow Armor City.

”Report, Your Excellency, after Chen Hong’s army garrisoned behind Yunshan City, they have halted and shown no signs of advancing.”

”Investigate further.”

”Yes, sir.”

...

Noon.

”Report, Your Excellency, Chen Hong’s army is still at Yunshan City,” reported the scout.

Upon hearing this, Han Zhong frowned and said, ”Has he figured something out? Hasn’t Fu City communicated with Yunshan City?”

”They have, and our men did not intercept, but Chen Hong’s army continues to remain still,” the scout replied.

”Report.”

Suddenly, a scout rushed into the tent, anxiously saying, ”Your Excellency, it’s bad news, the main force of the Song Army is headed this way, estimated to arrive at Yunshan City by nightfall.”

Upon hearing this, the generals in the tent were shocked, and one of them asked, ”Could it be that Chen Hong is waiting for Huangfu Hao and the others?”

”It seems so.” An elder-haired general stepped forward, bowing to Han Zhong, saying, ”Your Excellency, we can’t wait any longer. If we wait until the main force of the Song Army arrives, the Song Army at Fu City will escape.”

”But Chen Hong hasn’t walked into the trap...” Han Zhong hesitated.

”We can attack slowly and see if Chen Hong will come to the rescue, if not, we might as well annihilate the Song Army at Fu City first. I’ve heard that the Song Army leader Gao Fen is actually the son of the Commander of the Palace Guard, Gao Qiu. Killing him would also be a significant achievement,” the elder-haired general suggested.

”That’s the only option...”

...

Three quarters past the hour of Shen (3:45 pm)

Fu City.

Even Gao Fen could feel that something was wrong. He was visibly anxious and muttered, ”Why haven’t Chen Hong and his men arrived yet?”

”He arrived at Yunshan City last night, even if he crawled, he should be at Fu City by now.”

”He’s definitely doing this on purpose, retaliating against me.”

”When I return to the capital, I will personally petition Your Majesty against him.”

Beside him, Li Er advised, ”General Gao, we should retreat to Sha City first.”

Just as Gao Fen hesitated.

The ground quaked, and the sound of hooves was like thunder.

”Report...”

”Report!”

”Report, General Gao, it’s bad, the rebel... rebel army is attacking.” Several generals ran to report to Gao Fen.

Gao Fen’s expression changed, and he hurriedly led his men to the city walls.

Not far outside Fu City, dust filled the air, the sky and earth seemed discolored, and a massive force of the Rebel Army was swarming towards Fu City.

The most terrifying sight for Gao Fen and his men was that this rebel force even had siege equipment.

At this moment, the generals understood.

This was a trap.

The instant they occupied Fu City, they had already announced their own demise.

Gao Fen’s heart was already in turmoil, utterly disorganized, as he angrily shouted:

”Where is Chen Hong, where is he, why hasn’t he come?”

Li Er, however, was clear-minded, probably realizing that Chen Hong had long seen through this trap.

Since it was a trap, even if he came, they would all die regardless.

It would merely mean a shared grave.

”Villain, Chen Hong is a villain, he tricked me...”

”General, look out.”

Before Gao Fen could finish speaking, a general shouted, forcefully pushing Gao Fen away.

Moments later, a massive stone fell where Gao Fen had been standing, creating a big hole.

Boom!

Boom!

Boom!

Stones were being hurled onto the walls, and the Song soldiers hit by them were immediately crushed into pulp.

One quarter past the hour of You (5:15 pm), Fu City fell.

Gao Fen was killed.