Chapter 135: Violently Eliminate the Wokou

Li Xian's face turned pale instantly.

After seeing the token, he immediately understood why Shen Qing's face looked so familiar.

He had only recently seen Shen Qing's portrait, which bore a letter subtly reminding him that the Shen family had an important figure in Jia Shui Jun, urging him to pay attention lately and not offend them.

Li Xian, having mingled in the capital himself, could easily guess from a casual inquiry in Jia Shui Jun that the newly arrived commandant of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Shen Qing, was that important figure of the Shen family.

Only Shen Qing's commandant uniform had been blasted to ashes by lightning; now he wore plain clothes, and after his body was reforged and he gained the Ancient Origin Heaven and Earth Body, his whole person exuded a mysterious aura, making him look entirely different.

So Li Xian failed to recognize him at first.

Li Xian's voice began to tremble.

"Shen... Young Master Shen... I just didn't recognize you... I'm not... please hear me out...."

Shen Qing stepped forward, a surge of true qi shot out and shoved Li Xian to the side.

"Civil officials should just stay in the court playing their power games; don't come to the battlefield to cause harm."

"Get to the side and wait; I'll settle accounts with you later."

Shen Qing didn't actually have anything against civil officials; a dynasty or state surely cannot prosper without them.

Whether it's the people's livelihood or the rise and fall of the nation, it's all closely tied to civil officials.

But then, civil officials should just do their job; their power must not be too great.

Too much power easily produces someone like Qin Hui.

As for why Shen Qing didn't simply lop off Li Xian's head,

it's because although Li Xian had suggested close combat, he also dared to be the first to charge forward.

That just shows this guy is merely foolish to the point of being hopeless, but not evil.

Shen Qing took the main seat: "From now on I'll be in command; any objections?"

The surrounding military officers' heads bobbed up and down like a rattle drum.

Shen Qing glanced at the sand table before him: "What's the situation? Who will brief me?"

The general seated on his right obviously knew Shen Qing and said, "Young Master Shen, let me give the briefing."

He drew a line on the sand table before him: "Young Master Shen, to the left of this line is our defensive line; to the right lies the Wokou encampment, and they are continually shrinking their defenses."

Shen Qing looked: "How many do they have left, and how many do we have?"

"We wiped out thirty percent of their forces in one strike; they should now number no more than sixty thousand, while we have nearly a hundred thousand."

Shen Qing nodded: "I've also brought some troops—the Yang Family Army, the Majestic Army, and the Golden Spear Army are all with me."

Upon hearing this, the surrounding generals all showed a hint of joy; they no longer cared about military merits, they just wanted to minimize casualties.

Shen Qing continued: "Along with me come twenty thousand ferocious beasts from White Egret Marsh; after the meeting disperses, each unit will receive five hundred of them to cooperate in the assault."

The generals stared for a moment, but then immense delight surged in their hearts—those twenty thousand ferocious beasts are genuinely a mighty force, and with their thick hides and tough flesh they are veritable war machines; if used well they can greatly reduce casualties.

A few generals' bodies trembled slightly as they wanted to ask where the beasts came from.

Shen Qing waved his hand, stopping them: "These beasts are reliable; I give them to you—just take them and use them."

"I'm too lazy to explain; if you have questions, go ask the beasts themselves later."

"Now listen while I continue."

Shen Qing rose and pointed at the sand table: "Adding these beasts, our forces exceed twice theirs, but remember: even when a lion fights a rabbit, it uses its full strength."

"So haul out every last shell—even if you have to throw them by hand, you must lob them into the Wokou's beds."

"As long as it reduces casualties, don't fear the expense—spend however much, replenish however much, and if anyone refuses to resupply you, come find me."

Subsequently Shen Qing pointed at a spot on the sand table marking the Wokou front line—their three elite armies are stationed there.

"At dawn tomorrow, you will swiftly advance the line so the heaven‑shaking cannons can reach the Wokou camp; I will launch the attack from there. Wait for my signal—when you see it you'll know what it means—and when my signal sounds, you will fire the heaven‑shaking cannons."

This made the generals panic: "Young Master Shen, are you going alone? Won't that be too dangerous? Why don't a few of us accompany you? The rear has enough deputy generals to command."

Shen Qing shook his head: "No need. As I said, we must reduce casualties—not just the soldiers', but yours as well."

"If I simply stand in that spot, I will surely become a thorn in the side of those Wokou; by then at least a dozen grand masters, several dozen masters, plus hundreds—perhaps a thousand—cannons will be firing at me. Who could stand beside me and endure that?"

The generals swallowed, turning their gaze to the few grand‑master peak experts among them, but seeing the expressions on their faces made it clear they couldn't withstand it either.

"Young Master Shen, wouldn't it be better to wait for the whole army to charge together? Such an attack cannot be withstood unless one is at the Golden Core stage."

Shen Qing let out a laugh.

"Those Wokou are just a bunch of good‑for‑nothings."

"Since I dare say it, I can certainly withstand it."

The next morning at dawn.

Before the sky had lightened, the twenty‑plus armies of Great Wu surged forward, with grand masters clearing the way, heedless of noise or silence—just a violent push—because Shen Qing had already taken flight toward the Wokou main camp.

The grand masters advanced, blood‑soaked, expending true qi as if it were free; nevertheless the line moved forward swiftly, and before long they reached the designated spot and set up the heaven‑shaking cannons.

The deputy general grew anxious, looking to the general: "General! When will Lord Shen's signal arrive?"

"Our advance is conspicuous; I fear the Wokou will notice and react before long."

The general's face grew solemn: "Don't rush; keep your full attention fixed—when the signal lights up you'll see it."

Hardly had the words finished when a brilliant golden gleam flashed in the distant sky, and a phantom golden dragon could be seen roaring continually.

Immediately after, a fierce shout rang through the heavens: "Open Heaven!"

A domineering golden blade of light suddenly slammed into the Wokou camp, instantly erupting a violent air‑wave that made the very ground tremble.

Even far away at the Great Wu troops' encampment, the ground's tremor could be felt.

All the Great Wu soldiers opened their mouths wide.

The deputy general's pupils shook in the quake: "General, is this the signal Lord Shen spoke of? No wonder we'd realize what the signal is the moment we see it—isn't this commotion a bit too great?"

The general, somewhat numb, turned his head: "Did you see the signal?"

The deputy general nodded: "It's so huge, it's hard not to see."

The next moment, the general's angry roar rang out: "What the hell are you still standing here doing after seeing that?"

Still not entering the designated position?

Fire!