Free Web NovelChapter 53: Chapter 53: White Lotus Rebel Army
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After closing the panel, Fang Xing was about to head out when a knock sounded at the door.
"My lord, it’s me, Yang Xin."
A voice came from outside the courtyard gate.
’Yang Xin?’
’What is he doing here?’
Looking toward the courtyard gate, Fang Xing felt a bit surprised. He strode forward and opened it to find Yang Xin standing there.
"My lord."
Yang Xin bowed.
Fang Xing looked him up and down. "What is it?"
Yang Xin looked up at Fang Xing and said, "My lord, Lord Zhang has issued an order. He requests your presence in the Inner Hall of the County Yamen to discuss a matter."
"Hm?"
Hearing Yang Xin’s words, Fang Xing was slightly taken aback.
"Has someone from the Observatory come again?" Fang Xing asked.
Zhang Chen had sought him out several times because of the Observatory, so the thought naturally crossed Fang Xing’s mind.
Yang Xin shook his head. "My lord, no one from the Observatory has come. However, I did see the Commander of the Defense Army go to the County Yamen."
"The Defense Army’s Commander?"
Fang Xing was stunned.
’What does the Defense Army’s Commander and the County Magistrate want with me?’
’No, wait. Has something happened?’
Fang Xing’s expression turned grim.
Although he had spent the last month in Cultivation, he was still somewhat aware of the situation outside.
Since the new year, the situation in the surrounding areas had been getting worse and worse.
Half a month ago, he had heard news that Qingchuan County had been besieged by the rebel army again and was breached in a single assault.
They had seized the city.
Qingchuan and Qingshan were neighboring counties. Based on the situation, it was highly likely that Qingshan County would be the next target.
Yang Xin looked at him and said in a low voice, "My lord, Lord Zhang said the situation is somewhat urgent. He asks that you go immediately for the discussion."
Fang Xing snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. "Alright, let’s go."
With that, he stepped out of his courtyard. Yang Xin closed the gate for him and followed closely behind as they walked toward the County Yamen.
...
Qingshan County Yamen, Inner Hall.
When Fang Xing arrived, he saw several figures.
County Magistrate Zhang Chen and Deputy County Magistrate Lin Zheng were both present.
In addition, there was a burly man with a tall, powerful build, dressed in tight-fitting black clothes and exuding a fierce aura.
The Commander of the Qingshan Defense Army, Xu Qingshan.
At first glance, the relevant information surfaced in Fang Xing’s mind.
Although he had never met the man, he knew some information about him.
The Commander of the Defense Army was responsible for commanding the city’s garrison.
The Qingshan Defense Army had a thousand men.
Not only was he the Commander of the Qingshan Defense Army, but he was also a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist.
As Fang Xing entered the Inner Hall, three pairs of eyes fell upon him.
"My lord."
Fang Xing cupped his fist in salute.
Zhang Chen nodded with a smile and then said, "Lord Fang, please have a seat."
Fang Xing nodded, then stepped into the Inner Hall and sat down in a chair.
"Lord Fang, I’ve heard so much about you!"
He had just sat down when Xu Qingshan, who was to the side, spoke up, his voice deep and resonant.
Fang Xing looked at Xu Qingshan and smiled faintly. "Commander Xu, you flatter me. I have merely maintained the peace in Qingshan."
Xu Qingshan let out a hearty laugh. "HAHAHA, I’ve heard a great deal about Lord Fang’s exploits. Seeing you today, I can truly say that your reputation is well-deserved!"
"Fang Xing, I’ve called you here this time to discuss a matter," Zhang Chen suddenly interjected.
Fang Xing looked at Zhang Chen. "What are your orders, my lord?"
Zhang Chen’s smile vanished, his expression turning serious. "The situation is now critical. I have received news that another contingent of the rebel army will be targeting Qingshan County."
"Hm?"
"Another contingent of the rebel army? Don’t tell me there are several?" Fang Xing looked at Zhang Chen, somewhat surprised.
Zhang Chen nodded.
"According to the intelligence we have, there are three rebel army contingents in total. All three have come from the direction of Cang Province."
’Three rebel army contingents!!!’
Fang Xing’s heart skipped a beat.
Zhang Chen continued, "What we can confirm for now is that one of them, the White Lotus Army, will be attacking Qingshan County."
"The exact timing is still uncertain, but it will be in about a month."
"The White Lotus Army..."
Hearing the intelligence from Zhang Chen, Fang Xing’s brows furrowed tightly.
Among the rebel armies, the White Lotus Army was the most formidable. He had heard some news about them.
This White Lotus Army had also developed from an Evil Cult.
The White Lotus Sect!
Compared to the Fire Worship Sect, they were on par, perhaps even more widespread in their influence.
The men of the White Lotus Army were all cruel and ferocious.
It seemed this was the main force of the Evil Cult’s rebel army that had breached Qingchuan County.
Their combat strength was formidable!
They could go head-to-head with the Court’s regular grand army.
When the Cang Province campaign began, the White Lotus Army had made a name for itself.
"My lord, if the White Lotus Army is going to attack Qingshan County, won’t the higher-ups need to dispatch troops?"
Fang Xing said, his brows tightly knitted as he looked at Zhang Chen.
Zhang Chen nodded. "The Court will naturally send troops to deal with it. The Black Armor Army has already been dispatched. However, the other two rebel army contingents pose a great threat, and they must be dealt with first."
"This might cause a delay. We need to hold our ground until the Court’s main army arrives."
Hearing this, Fang Xing’s mood instantly grew heavy.
Defending a city from a rebel siege was no child’s play.
With his men—a few hundred Constables—even adding the thousand soldiers of the Defense Army, it wouldn’t be nearly enough.
In a battle between large armies, individual martial prowess was of limited effectiveness.
Even a Neutralizing Force Martial Artist couldn’t make a significant impact.
Fang Xing was very clear on this point.
The larger the army, the smaller the influence of an individual’s martial strength.
Unless one reached the Extraordinary to Saint stage.
Otherwise, individual martial prowess could hardly achieve a truly decisive, crushing victory.
One man carving a path of slaughter through an entire army—that was mostly just the stuff of storybooks.
A person’s strength had its limits!
Without reaching the Extraordinary to Saint stage, the stage of communicating with heaven and earth, no matter how formidable a person was, once their Power was exhausted, a large army could still kill them.
A Neutralizing Force Martial Artist, facing a large army head-on, could at most fight one hundred men.
They might be able to escape from a thousand men, but against an army of ten thousand, even a Neutralizing Force master at their peak could be worn down and killed.
Seeing Fang Xing’s silence, Zhang Chen said, "The main army hasn’t arrived yet, so there is still time to prepare. Lord Fang, as the Qingshan Chief, you must shoulder this responsibility."
"Commander Xu will cooperate with you. I believe that with the two of you working together, as long as you can hold out for a period of time after the rebel army arrives, there will be no problem once the Court’s army comes to reinforce you."
Hearing Zhang Chen’s speech, Fang Xing’s stomach lurched.
A few hundred Constables, plus just over a thousand men from the Defense Army... one could only imagine how difficult it would be to hold the city with that.
This White Lotus Army was no green militia; they were a rebel army forged in the crucible of war, seasoned and proficient.
Furthermore, it was unknown whether there were any top-tier masters among the White Lotus Sect’s rebel army.
If there was a being who had stepped into the Extraordinary to Saint stage, then forget holding the city—they’d be burning incense and thanking the heavens just to survive.
At that moment, the thought of fleeing rose in Fang Xing’s mind.
But if he ran, he knew very well what the consequences would be.
He would undoubtedly be placed on the Great Jing’s blacklist!
Hunted down by the Observatory!
His bright future would be plunged into darkness the moment he fled.
’But if I seize the opportunity... it could be a chance to earn a large number of Enhancement Points.’
Fang Xing mused internally.
Running away was out of the question. At least, not before the city fell.
If the city fell, that would be another matter entirely.
But to flee before a single battle was fought... he didn’t need to guess the consequences.
Seizing the chance to earn Enhancement Points was also a form of opportunity.
There were bound to be Martial Dao Masters among the White Lotus Rebel Army.
With his strength and Body Technique Martial Arts, as long as he didn’t encounter a being who had reached the Extraordinary to Saint stage, he was fully confident in his ability to protect himself. freewebnovёl.ƈom
Even if he did encounter a being at the Extraordinary to Saint stage, he could still escape with his Wind God Step Body Technique, which had reached the Peak Realm.
At this thought, Fang Xing’s resolve solidified. He looked at Zhang Chen and declared, "Rest assured, my lord. As the Qingshan Chief, I will defend Qingshan County. Even when the rebel army arrives, I will fight to the very last moment!"
