Chapter 1331

The two commanding generals from Taji and Lei Dun, forced to surrender for the sake of survival, were met with the fury of Lord Xuan Wuji, whose grief over his fallen beloved general had clouded his reason; had Lei Yi and Imperial Prince Li Chun not intervened, Lord Xuan Wuji would have slain them both to appease the spirit of Yan Liu.

If one can capture the enemy's commanding general alive, any nation naturally prefers to take them prisoner, for a living man holds more value than a dead one.

Capturing these two generals meant seizing the lifeline of the Taji and Lei Dun kingdoms; nearly every commanding general in the Western Regions was unique, a product of immense resources poured into their cultivation.

A defeated general who lives still holds hope; a dead one holds nothing.

With these two generals in hand, the empire might now have a chance to negotiate; even the Qili Kingdom exhaled in relief, the kingdom's crisis seemingly averted.

Just as this crisis was resolved, word arrived from another front—seventeen—of bad news: despite having expended much of its strength, the Holy Kingdom's army still pressed forward.

This was not unexpected; numerically, the empire's two legions still held an advantage, but worse news followed.

Other Western Region kingdoms had assembled a 500,000-strong army following closely behind, likely to arrive at the former site of Kelin Fortress soon and encircle them from behind.

It was one disaster after another, aiming to bury them alive.

"Commander, bad news from the empire: coastal waters have been repeatedly raided by pirates. The good news is the empire has still dispatched reinforcements." A soldier reported.

"When will they arrive?"

Lord Xuan Wuji nodded calmly, his thoughts unreadable.

Due to the Holy Kingdom's invasion, he, Lei Yi, and Li Chun had hastily decided to hold position at Sierwen Nancheng. First, it was closest to the capital, allowing mutual support if needed.

Second, though Sierwen Nancheng was on the verge of ruin, it still held vast stores of grain, greatly reducing the supply burden on the capital.

"At least five days," the soldier replied humbly.

According to intelligence, reinforcements would arrive no sooner than five days later, though small detachments might come sooner.

"I understand."

One and a half days later, no one expected them to arrive so quickly.

Sierwen Nancheng received five men, who arrived on mechanical mounts, departing from Pan Stone Fortress and traveling nonstop—covering the distance in less than a day and night plus half a morning.

This speed was divine, utterly shocking Lord Xuan Wuji and the others.

At first, upon hearing the report, he could not believe it; only after seeing the five men with his own eyes did he accept it.

"Long time no see, Lord Xuan." Lin Cheng greeted politely.

He had not seen him in Shoulan City last time; counting those days, this truly was a long time.

"Indeed, long time no see, Lin Cheng. You've come far—now you're the empire's fourth eighth-rank forger. I always believed in you; you never disappointed me."

Lord Xuan Wuji opened his arms and embraced him with a smile.

He had not ignored the others, but from the five-man contingent, he knew the core of this aid was Lin Cheng—if the boy had no secret trump card, he would never come to such a perilous place.

After the embrace, Lin Cheng smiled too: "I've come at An An's… no, the Prince's request, specifically to assist you."

Lord Xuan Wuji glanced at Li Li Changan beside Lin Cheng—clearly, their relationship was close. Were they… involved?

"Hmm. With your word, I suddenly feel we might make it back safely."

Lord Xuan Wuji's confidence and words left Lei Yi and Imperial Prince Li Chun puzzled—they knew who this man was: Lin Cheng, the most celebrated eighth-rank forger of late. Could one man truly shift the tide on a battlefield of ten thousand?

They were deeply skeptical.

"Let me introduce you: Lei Yi of the Empire's Shadow Legion. Lin Cheng, perhaps you might consider selling your mechanical mount to him."

Lord Xuan Wuji pointed to the burly figure beside him. Lei Yi had long heard of Lin Cheng's name and extended his hand willingly—he was said to be the man driving the empire's industrial rise!

He looked awfully young.

"Young and accomplished, Master Lin Cheng."

After shaking hands, Lin Cheng replied humbly: "I'm not worthy. Commander Lei, I merely did what I could."

"But regarding what Lord Xuan mentioned—you might consider it. My mechanical mounts use magic-crystal internal combustion engines, extremely fast. We covered the distance from Pan Stone Fortress in under two days."

Lei Yi's eyes lit up—far faster than thunder beasts. He rubbed his hands together eagerly.

"Truly an excellent invention! What's the price…?"

"Easy. The civilian version sells for a thousand gold coins. For you, I can customize a military version—faster speed, greater endurance. As for the price…"

Lei Yi grew serious, and even Lord Xuan Wuji beside him leaned in, listening intently.