Chapter 2799

"Zhang Kangyi and Du Shian withdrew overnight; it must be the Emperor's decree." Gao Huaiyuan now felt as if sitting on pins and needles, "The Emperor probably already discovered my defiance in attacking Mingsha Forest, thus ordering these two armies to withdraw immediately. The Red General then has no rear worries and can wholeheartedly rush to aid Mingsha Forest. Hmph, they might even have communicated with each other!"

This differs from the intelligence he previously received; the Red General daring to move over 200,000 troops at once, leaving only a few thousand to guard the original frontline, shows she is certain Zhang Kangyi's two armies won't turn back. This is not only the result of mutual communication but also the Red General's precise judgment of Bekka's national conditions and the Demon Emperor's psychology.

The Demon Emperor's heart now stands united with Panlong.

Gao Huaiyuan knows all too well the Red General and the Gale Army's operational efficiency. Though the distance is great, the Red General will surely reach Mingsha Forest before dawn.

Sigh, should we dispatch troops to intercept?

One Tiger Wing General is already this troublesome; if another "War God" Red General joins, then the famed Panlong Twin Stars will smoothly unite, and Panlong's lack of high-end combat power will be instantly remedied. Then, the outlook of this war will not be optimistic.

However, speaking of however, given the Red General and Gale Army's ferocious combat ability, any troops Gao Huaiyuan sends to intercept must be Bekka's elite forces—not only numerous but also accompanied by seven or eight great powers among the retinue.

At least seven or eight, no fewer. Moreover, this can only achieve interception and delay, not defeat her.

That is, high-end combat power must be drawn from the current Mingsha Forest battlefield.

But Panlong's previous God-Slaying Plan was quite successful; over twenty Bekka immortals and demons have already fallen, and the remaining high-tier combat forces are each of great use.

Gao Huaiyuan now has two options: either not divide troops, not intercept the Red General, and launch a full-force assault on Mingsha Forest, gambling on capturing Panlong before dawn;

or, he detaches thirty or twenty thousand elite troops, equips seven or eight great masters to intercept the Red General. But then, Panlong's combat pressure in Mingsha Forest will surely lessen, Bekka's main force might fail to resolve it by dawn, and the forces intercepting the Red General will also fall into bitter struggle—no progress on either front, leading to entanglement.

As commander-in-chief, how should he weigh these?

Gao Huaiyuan pondered long, about to issue orders, when hurried footsteps came from outside; his confidant presented a mirror with both hands:

"Commander, Zhang Kangyi requests an audience."

The so-called audience is actually real-time communication; Zhang Kangyi himself is still far away.

Gao Huaiyuan, hearing this, slammed his fist on the desk.

This truly is adding fuel to the fire amidst chaos.

Of course, though annoyed, Gao Huaiyuan cannot refuse, or the other side will only grow more suspicious.

He took the mirror and threw it on the table, took two deep breaths to calm his mind, then reached out to steady the mirror surface and tapped the frame twice.

The reflection in the mirror quickly changed, from himself to Zhang Kangyi.

"Grand Commander Gao, why haven't you withdrawn troops yet?" Zhang Kangyi asked bluntly, without preamble.

"General Zhang is unaware." Gao Huaiyuan replied solemnly, "I have received the Emperor's edict to withdraw troops, yet the Panlong army in Mingsha Forest seized the opportunity of the Imperial Elixir eruption to launch a major assault! If we do not repel them, how can our army withdraw safely?"

These years, Imperial Elixir often visits the human realm; in war, it is indeed seen that ambushes are launched during its descent—namely, "stealing wind, stealing rain, stealing Imperial Elixir."

He said this, and Zhang Kangyi could not well reproach him.

"Have you communicated with the Panlong commander?" Zhang Kangyi changed angle, "My Bekka withdrawal should be welcomed by Panlong; why then do they still attack and obstruct?"

"I have sent several messages to Chen Enya for communication, all like a mud cow entering the sea." Gao Huaiyuan smiled wryly, "The other side fights with heads down, and I am utterly at a loss."

"Indeed so." Zhang Kangyi said this, but his expression nearly wrote "I don't believe it," though he also couldn't be bothered to argue further with Gao Huaiyuan, "Also, Old Du received news that on the Mingsha Forest battlefield, it seems many divine figures have appeared."

"Yes." Gao Huaiyuan did not deny, "Panlong's offensive is fierce and ruthless; we can only resist the immortal assault by praying for divine descent."

Seeing him insist it was the other side who struck first, Zhang Kangyi no longer dwelled on this topic, merely saying: "Please, Grand Commander Gao, communicate more actively with Panlong; I and Old Du will now rush to reinforce. Even if we retreat, we cannot let our side's prestige be extinguished!"

Gao Huaiyuan's jaw tightened, yet he still forced a smile: "Thank you, two generals."

After the communication ended, the mirror's ripples faded, and the reflection returned to his own face.

Gao Huaiyuan's smile could not hold. Was Zhang Kangyi coming to lend him a hand?

Hmph, heh! Saying he aids Panlong with one arm is about right.

The Emperor fears the gods will topple Panlong and seize the Great Square Vase, also noticing Gao Huaiyuan's signs of defiance, thus sending Zhang Kangyi and Du Shian to supervise.

If the two generals confirm Gao Huaiyuan's disobedience, they will surely obey the edict to suppress rebellion!

Bekka army fighting Bekka army, tsk!

Though the scene will then be absurd and ugly, the Demon Emperor is more concerned about his throne not being overthrown; he likely won't care much for this face.

When great chaos erupts, Gao Huaiyuan's hundreds of thousands of troops will all be dazed; can they still fight in peace?

They are Bekka's troops, all believing they serve the Empire and obey the Demon Emperor. Truly loyal to Gao Huaiyuan—how many could there be?

Truly daring to oppose Lingxu City for Gao Huaiyuan and the gods, to oppose Zhang Kangyi and Du Shian—how many would there be?

Even if so, his subordinate army would be divided.

By then, this battle need not continue; Gao Huaiyuan's life-risking gamble this time ends in utter defeat, and the Gao family's fate will surely be extermination to the ninth kin!

Gao Huaiyuan silently clenched his fist.

Then a hollow voice from behind asked him: "Now that it's come to this, what do you plan to do?"

"Not intercepting the Red General." Zhang Kangyi's communication forced Gao Huaiyuan's decision, "Concentrate forces, assault Mingsha Forest fiercely!"

He steadied himself, then analyzed: "I see the Dragon-Binding Array's power has already declined, the Elephant Legion is about to break free. Perhaps because Panlong has concentrated its elemental supply to the central army and the Tiger Wing General, only able to draw from other parts."

"Exactly!" As expected of the commander appointed by the Holy Sovereign, at this critical juncture, Gao Huaiyuan's gaze remains precise, his thoughts still calm, "The Holy Sovereign just said: at this stage of battle, Panlong's greatest weakness finally appears! Previously, it had not been exposed."

Not only is the troop count inferior to Bekka's, nor only is the number of high-tier combat forces like immortals and demons inferior to our side!

Gao Huaiyuan respectfully said: "Please elaborate!"