Infinite Professions

Chapter 443: Chapter 227: The Decision

Thus, several more days passed.

Under Qinghe City, the fierce battle continued, still wearing down the forces.

In the center of the military formation, Xiao Ye sat steadily, yet his brows were furrowed, the atmosphere growing heavier, and none of the civil or military officials spoke.

Looking ahead, the walls of Qinghe City were already crimson, filled with arrows, and even had numerous cracks, the result of Stone Throwing catapults and fire oil burns, ravaged by war beyond recognition, yet soldiers tightly guarded the walls, weapons held firmly, swords and halberds densely arrayed.

Since ancient times, it has been said in military techniques, the highest form is to attack strategy, then attack alliances, next attack soldiers, and last to besiege cities.

The method of siege is only used when necessary, when the general’s anger is uncontrollable, leading to a third of the soldiers’ deaths without taking the city, which is the disaster of siege.

Thus, the method of using troops is to surround with the strongest force, attack with half, divide with double, fight if equal, retreat if weaker, and avoid if inferior.

To put it bluntly, since ancient times, besieging cities was a last resort; even with ten times the forces, capturing a stronghold requires a severe price, and prolonged time, causing heavy casualty, greatly damaging morale and spirit, it is absolutely the last option.

Even so, many times there are no choices.

Now is no exception, the siege has lasted several days, plus prior probing, the state soldiers Xiao Ye brought have suffered thirty percent casualties, nearly ten thousand men.

Enduring such losses, Qinghe County Town remains firmly in the opponent’s hands, the Song Clan members and Jinyang Government Soldiers on the walls sacrifice themselves fearlessly, always holding the city gate, even during the fiercest and most perilous moments, never allowing the enemy to gain a foothold on the walls.

If a third of the soldiers die without taking the city, it is the disaster of siege!

Now Xiao Ye faces this disaster, suffering heavy losses, unable to capture the city, morale has already begun to waver, and spirit is greatly injured.

This world is extraordinary, Hidden Dragon Celestial Mandate carries authority, able to inspire loyalty even to the point of self-sacrifice, otherwise, a force losing thirty percent in half a month, nearly ten thousand men, would buckle against defeat even if iron-willed.

Even so, the state soldiers’ morale is greatly damaged, many civil and military officials dissent, though cowed by Xiao Ye’s authority, temporarily dare not speak out, but the brows furrowed already show their stance, and some even glare angrily at Qingxuan, expressing dissatisfaction.

Qingxuan can only ignore this, eyes fixed intently on the battlefield.

Something has happened!

Absolutely something has happened!

Although limited by cultivation, unable to see the full picture, the various anomalies days ago, along with this heated, deadlocked battle, made his heart uneasy, knowing something definitely went wrong.

Where did it go wrong?

The three-sided battlefield, Jinyang Elite Soldiers, Qinghe Royal Army, and Underworld Divine Battle.

Logically, the fastest to decide victory should be the Underworld Divine Battle.

Two Fourth-rank True Gods joining forces to take down a sixth-grade judge without support, isn’t it a sure catch?

It should be a sure catch!

Now, what should have been smooth failed, certainly something went wrong, possibly even...

Qingxuan dared not think further, forced to restrain worries, focused on the battlefield ahead.

The contest for the dragon mandate offers no retreat, once engaged, there is no return, it’s either success as a follower of the dragon or loss like a stray dog.

Therefore, Qingxuan has no choice, regardless of issues from the Underworld, he must urge Hidden Dragon to maintain the offensive, for it’s the only thing he can do, the sole chance to break the deadlock.

Once this city is conquered, destroying the Song Clan’s foundation, Jinyang can be directly seized, shaping Hidden Dragon’s grand momentum.

Then, even if something truly went awry in the Underworld, even both True Gods’ patriarchs defeated by Song Xiang’s hand, Qingping Temple and Donglian Temple can still reverse the situation with the power of Hidden Dragon.

Thus...

"Report!!!"

A horseman galloped in, presenting a scroll with both hands: "Messenger Pigeon, urgent report from Jinyang, Li Mubai schemed deceitfully, feigned departure from Jinyang, Mr. Beizhai and others failed to rescue Prefect Cui, within the city all major Noble Families captured by Li Mubai, who deceitfully transmitted military intelligence, lured General Che to a night raid, fell into Li Mubai’s trap, all three thousand Flying Tiger Guard perished, General Che Hu also slain by Li Mubai, now Jinyang reinforcements are headed to Qinghe!"

"What!?"

Upon hearing this, everyone’s complexion changed, Xiao Ye also looked shocked and angry, hurriedly snatching the scroll.

"Your Highness!"

The civil and military officials, now disregarding court etiquette, quickly gathered around him.

"That traitor, misled me!"

Reading the scroll’s content, Xiao Ye’s face turned grim, he immediately looked up at Qingxuan, his cold gaze showing killing intent: "What do you have to say?"

Cold words, killing intent stirred, the scene was more terrifying in Qingxuan’s eyes, the Crimson Flood Dragon atop, lowering its head, coldly watching him, ready to devour.

Since ancient times, following the dragon promised great merit, yet still held the danger of accompanying a king like a tiger; if displeasing the dragon qi, it could crush one into dust.

Now Qingxuan faced this ordeal, after all, it was his guaranteed assurance that the fierce siege of Qinghe could lure Li Mubai here, allowing Jinyang Elite Soldiers to succeed, but now Li Mubai hadn’t come, instead a surprise attack on Jinyang led to all three thousand Flying Tiger Guard’s demise, coupled with these days’ siege losses, this dragon qi isn’t just displeased with him, but has turned murderous.

Xiao Ye, carrying the Hidden Dragon Celestial Mandate, even an Entry-Level True God dared not challenge his might, let alone a small cultivator from the Daoist Sect.

Currently drenched in cold sweat, his face pale, the magical power earned after a hundred years of cultivation, nearly crushed by the pressure of that dragon qi, but fortunately, he retained some rationality, still forcing himself to speak: "Li Mubai has the Celestial Halberd destiny, possesses exceptional talent, saw through the surprise attack plan, but Your Highness, this presents an opportunity for us, he cannot immediately reinforce Qinghe, if our forces make one last effort, we can surely conquer this city."