Rise of The Demon General

Chapter 606: Chapter 606. The Plan to Repel the Invaders

After one day of travel, they finally regrouped with Khode’s main force. The main army halted its march and rested, while the Pill Masters examined the injured soldiers Zue Du had brought back.

Zue Du also had an injury in his shoulder, but he refused treatment and went to the field command center to deliver his report. Xuang Feng and Wai Kung listened to his report with grim faces, while Zue Siao provided Zue Du with emergency treatment on site.

”I didn’t expect even the Phantom Brigade to be defeated so badly,” Wai Kung remarked.

Xuang Feng was silent as he pondered the situation.

”The enemy is indeed as dangerous as you said, Feng. However, I don’t believe our larger number fails to defeat them!” Wai Ling tried to lift the spirits.

Xuang Feng could see what Wai Ling tried to do. He felt ashamed of himself. He was appointed as the main commander, yet he showed such a gloomy face. How could he inspire confidence in his troops?

He gave Wai Ling an appreciative glance before saying, ”Everyone, the enemy is formidable, but we have righteousness on our side. We fight to ward off the invaders. Their action is no longer a simple retaliation for us occupying one of their cities. Their action shows us that they have the full intention of conquering our nation. We cannot let that happen. Each of us fights for our freedom and sovereignty. I believe that provides us with the strength to never give up. I promise you I will not stop until the invaders are chased away, and I want you to lend me your strength by doing the same. Together, we will prevail! We will protect our nation!!”

Everyone in the field command center and all the soldiers in the vicinity who heard the speech answered with a loud rallying cry. They were pumped and eager to meet the invaders and teach them a lesson.

”I am relieved you are the main commander, General Xuang Feng,” Zue Du said. ”At least I can rest assured my failure won’t cost us a defeat.”

”I swear to you it won’t come to that,” Xuang Feng declared.

”Get some rest and let your injury heal,” Wai Ling urged Zue Du. He had consumed a recovery pill, Zue Siao had also cleaned and bandaged his wound, but the wound was pretty deep. It would take some time before he could fully heal.

”In that case, I will excuse myself,” Zue Du said.

”Before you go, I want to confirm one thing,” Wei Zhuang said. ”You mentioned the enemy stopped chasing during your escape. Can you point out in detail where they stopped chasing you?”

Wei Zhuang laid a map in front of Zue Du when he asked the question. Zue Du studied the map for a brief second before placing a finger on it.

”Mm... It is as I expected,” Wei Zhuang uttered.

”What do you mean?” Zue Du asked after hearing the remark.

”Did you think of something?” Wai Kung asked.

”My guess is the enemy attacked our vanguard force not simply to retaliate for what we did,” Wei Zhuang said. ”It is to secure a strategic location.”

”A strategic location?” Everyone came over and looked at the map.

”When our vanguard troops attacked, we unintentionally took over an area they planned to use. That’s why they mount a retaliation. On the surface, they wanted to get back on us, but underneath that facade, they want to secure this place.”

Wei Zhuang pointed at a spot on the map. It was the same spot Zue Du had pointed out before.

”Tusha Valley?” Xuang Feng asked.

”This valley was squeezed between a mountain range and a deep ravine. Going through this valley, all our Human Realm soldiers and battle puppets without flight units must march through a long and narrow column.”

”A chokepoint position...?” Xuang Feng understood what Wei Zhung tried to convey.

Xuang Feng nodded. ”With that terrain, our massive number is ineffective. They can hold the place and fight us without getting overwhelmed by our numbers. Considering their soldiers’ higher average cultivation levels, we are at a disadvantage if we fight under these conditions. Our only advantage is that we have more reserves to replace our fallen soldiers, but that will mean we must be ready to suffer heavy losses.”

”I’d prefer it doesn’t come to that...,” Xuang Feng said.

”Why do we have to pass that valley? Let’s just take a different route,” Wai Ling said.

”We can, but it will be an extremely long detour,” Wei Zhuang said. ”The mountain range spread far to the West, while the ravine dominated the Eastern region. The other side of the ravine was blocked by various untraversable terrains, such as tall rocky hills or swamps filled with poisonous fumes. These unfriendly terrains extended till the border region. If we are to take another route, we must go West, circling around the mountain range. With the size of our army and the supplies we need to carry, I estimate it will cost us more than a month of travel before we arrive near Steam Water City.”

”We should choose slow but steady if you ask me,” Zue Siao said.

”Wai Kung shook his head. ”During the time we are taking the detour, the enemy might decide to rush ahead and hit the capital, instead.”

”I wish they would do that,” Zue Siao said. ”They can see firsthand the horror of the supreme councillor’s Royal Puppet Army.”

”I doubt they will,” Xuang Feng said. ”I’m certain the enemy’s commander had heard about the Royal Puppet Army. He won’t lead his army into a situation where he is stuck between two strong enemies. Most likely, he will spread his force to the West and fortify several key areas before we arrive.”

Wei Zhuang nodded in agreement. ”I can already see the areas he might use if we take the detour. Unfortunately, there is no way for us to arrive there before he did unless we ditch a large portion of our army.”

”So, either way we take, we might face heavy resistance...” Wai Kung said.

Everyone turned to Xuang Feng. The place turned silent as everyone waited for his decision.

Finally, he spoke, ”I don’t wish to prolong this war. I believe everyone feels the same. The fact that Echos didn’t use their main force to battle our vanguard force meant that their main force was also still away. If we rush our advance, there might be a chance we arrive at Tusha Valley before them.”

”If that is the case, I suggest we split our army,” Wei Zhuang said. ”With supplies, we will need around twenty hours of non-stop march to reach there. If our force with fast-moving speed goes first, we should be able to arrive in eight or ten hours.”

”Make the preparation! We will split our force and head to Tusha Valley with haste!” Xuang Feng ordered one of his aides, who immediately left to relay his order.

”What if the enemy is already there when we arrive?” Zue Siao asked.

”... We will still fight them there,” Xuang Feng answered. ”As I said, I don’t wish to prolong this war. Even if the enemy is stronger than we are individually, we will use our numbers to tire them out. We will let the enemy learn that Khode is not a nation that will lay down without a fight!”

Another battle cry was uttered from those around the command center.

”Zeal is all well and good, but it is better if it is supported with a solid strategy,” Wei Zhuang said.

”Do you have one?” Wai Kung asked.

”Chokepoint tactic greatly relies on the opponent coming from one side. Spotting this terrain and utilizing it is impressive, but they forget they are currently inside our territory.”

”You mean...”

”We still conduct regular contacts with Steam Water City, don’t we?” Wei Zhuang asked before Wai Kung interpreted his words.

”We do,” Xuang Feng answered.

”Good. Send them a message to be ready. If the enemy already occupies Tusha Valley when we arrive, they are to send their force. We will assault them from the front and rear. That will greatly diminish their terrain advantage.”

”Does Steam Water City have enough soldiers?” Wai Ling asked.

”They do not. They, however, have enough combatants,” Wei Zhuang replied.

When Wai Ling showed a questioning face, Xuang Feng explained to her, ”Steam Water City currently has many civilian cultivators. If it were any other city, we wouldn’t be able to utilize that, but the mayor of Steam Water City, Shi Zhang, can. We will ask him to mobilize a militia force to attack the enemy from the rear.”

Wei Zhuang nodded. ”With our Grand Militia working together with the militia from Steam Water City, we will squeeze the invaders between us and secure our victory!”

”Very well. Now that we have a viable plan, I’m confident we should be able to end this soon,” Wai Kung said.

”Alright, everyone!” Xuang Feng exclaimed. ”It’s time we drive the invaders out for good. To victory!!!”