Chapter 393: Qiao Shefei Recruits the Defeated Troops

At this moment, Qiao Shefei was leading many members of his Purple Abyss Squad, silently lying in ambush at the edge of the battlefield.

He held the Doomsday Twin Blades, his eyes sharp as an eagle, fixedly watching the Yellow Turban soldiers who had fled in defeat from the battlefield.

As the battle continued, more and more Yellow Turban soldiers fled the battlefield, streaming toward their direction.

Qiao Shefei was secretly pleased, but on the surface he put on a concerned expression and went forward to comfort these soldiers.

"Brothers, you've worked hard!"

"You are all brave warriors, the pride of the Taiping Sect."

Qiao Shefei shouted loudly, his voice resonant and full of infectious power.

"Although we have suffered a temporary setback today, remember that victory and defeat are common in war. As long as we stand united, we will surely rise again!"

The defeated Yellow Turban soldiers, upon hearing Qiao Shefei's words, all stopped in their tracks.

They looked at Qiao Shefei, their eyes flickering with complex emotions.

Some were moved to tears, while others wore expressions of doubt.

But no matter what, they all felt the warmth and strength that Qiao Shefei brought.

Qiao Shefei took the opportunity to promote Meng Zhang's grand blueprint and the great faith of the Taiping Sect to these soldiers.

While Qiao Shefei was in the process of absorbing these defeated Yellow Turban troops, he soon encountered, amidst the endless stream of retreating soldiers, a unit that was barely still orderly, wearing uniform standard armor.

You must know, in the ancient world, being able to equip an entire army with standardized armor...

... is not necessarily something even regular troops of a typical dynasty enjoy.

And among the Yellow Turban army, a bunch of old, weak, sick, and disabled, to have an entire army outfitted in uniform standard armor is definitely an elite unit.

No need to think; the identity of those who came is certainly not simple!

A unit wearing uniform standard armor suddenly appeared in their sight.

Qiao Shefei's heart jolted, but he quickly regained his composure.

Knowing that this unit's background was certainly not simple, it was very likely a powerful faction within the Taiping Sect.

He adjusted his armor, leading the Purple Abyss Squad and others forward to meet them.

"Who goes there?"

Qiao Shefei asked loudly, his voice carrying a hint of authority.

"We are members of the Taiping Sect's Iron Mountain Battalion!"

"Having suffered defeat today, we have come specially to seek allies, to jointly resist the enemy army."

The leading commander replied, his voice loud and resolute.

"Your army has been fighting hard on the front lines for a long time; you've worked hard!"

"I am General Qiao Shefei, subordinate to Supreme Commander Meng Zhang of the Taiping Sect; may I ask how your unit should be addressed?"

Qiao Shefei frowned slightly, quickly adjusted his mindset, put on a smile, and went forward to meet them.

The leader of the Iron Mountain Battalion, eight chi tall, with a stern countenance, named Han Tieling, can be considered a famous fierce general among the Taiping Sect's behind-the-scenes power brokers.

Han Tieling looked at Qiao Shefei before him, a flicker of doubt passing through his eyes.

Although he had never had direct dealings with Qiao Shefei, his name was like thunder to his ears.

At this moment, seeing Qiao Shefei come forward, although he felt puzzled, he still maintained proper etiquette.

"So you are Captain Qiao of the Purple Abyss Squad; I have long admired your great name."

"To meet you here today is truly a fortune. I wonder if Captain Qiao would be willing to ally with us to jointly resist the foreign enemy?"

Han Tieling stepped forward a few paces and bowed with clasped fists.

"General Han, you are too kind; to ally with the Iron Mountain Battalion is exactly what I have been wishing for."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Shefei felt secretly pleased, but he responded without showing any emotion.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Qiao Shefei invited Han Tieling and his subordinates to go to the camp to rest and regroup.

However, during the march, Han Tieling gradually noticed something amiss.

He observed that the Purple Abyss Squad's soldiers seemed enthusiastic, but their eyes revealed a hint of vigilance.

Moreover, the route they were taking seemed not to be the way to the camp.

Han Tieling's heart tightened, and he began to secretly observe Qiao Shefei.

He discovered that this general, renowned throughout the Yellow Turban army, at this moment actually revealed a subtle smile on his face.

Suddenly, a flash of insight crossed Han Tieling's mind, and he recalled the various doubts about today's defeat.

Combining this with the present situation, he suddenly understood: today's defeat was likely inseparable from Qiao Shefei and his superior, Supreme Commander Meng Zhang, behind him!

"You……you have been secretly colluding with the Cangzhou Army?"

"Today's defeat, it turns out, was your doing!"

He pointed at Qiao Shefei in shock, his voice filled with anger and disbelief,

Qiao Shefei secretly thought 'oh no', but on the surface he still remained composed.

He never expected that this seemingly simple-minded Han Tieling would see through it so quickly.

He tried to explain, but Han Tieling was already beyond anger and refused to listen to his excuses.

"You traitors!" the Iron Mountain Battalion commander roared, "For personal gain, you actually colluded with foreign enemies and harmed our compatriots! Today I will surely rid the people of this harm!"

Saying this, he drew the weapon in his hand and pointed it straight at Qiao Shefei.

"Alas."

Qiao Shefei secretly sighed, but he was not flustered, not saying that originally he himself had not broken through, so Han Tieling would not be his opponent.

Moreover, the members of the Purple Abyss Squad at this moment had already brought some Azure Dragon Legion soldiers to completely encircle the Iron Mountain Battalion.

"General Han, what do you mean by these words?"

"I am sincerely earnest in seeking an alliance with you."

Qiao Shefei feigned calm and asked.

"Don't give me that!"

"You think I don't know your plans?"

"You deliberately let us lose, then took the opportunity to absorb our troops and expand your power! Meng Zhang really knows how to work the abacus!"

Han Tieling glared angrily at Qiao Shefei and the others.

"Han Tieling, you're still somewhat smart."

"But now you're surrounded by us; you might as well surrender obediently."

"Everyone, don't waste effort."

Seeing that the matter had been exposed, Qiao Shefei dropped the pretense and lightly laughed at Han Tieling.

Now, Han Tieling's side lacks advantage in every aspect.

Qiao Shefei didn't think he could escape from his palm.

"Today, Han Tieling, I, Qiao Shefei, have him in the bag!"

At this moment, Han Tieling looked around and saw many members of the Purple Net Team leading the Azure Dragon Legion's soldiers, each staring tigishly.

These soldiers each had icy gazes, and their weapons flashed with a cold light.

They had obviously made battle preparations, waiting only for Qiao Shefei's command.

Han Tieling's heart sank; he knew he had fallen into a desperate situation.

But he had not given up resisting; instead, he gripped his weapon tightly, preparing to fight to the death against the enemy.

However, Qiao Shefei did not want to clash with the Iron Mountain Camp here.

He well knew the strength and combat power of the Iron Mountain Camp; once fighting broke out, even if the Purple Net Team could win, it would inevitably cost much time.

That was not the outcome he wanted.

He still needed to spare time to absorb more of the defeated Yellow Turban Army.

So, he waved his hand, signaling the Purple Net Team's soldiers not to act rashly.

Then he turned to Han Tieling, attempting to defuse the crisis with words.

(End of chapter)