Chapter 3412: Distinguished Battle Achievements

Hao Tai was indeed very satisfied with his performance, thinking Ye Liuyun was quite capable, unlike some Martial Cultivators who only know how to train. He didn't tell him much about what came next, just to ensure his safety while carrying out missions and to advance his realm as quickly as possible.

As for Zhao Yuanpei's matter, Hao Tai only said that Ye Liuyun rescued people, and Lord Hou would reward him handsomely, then moved on.

Regarding the incident where Ye Liuyun and his group were set up by Zhao Yuanpei while rescuing people, Hao Tai never cared at all. Even Xiao Han wasn't particularly concerned; he only knew Zhao Yuanpei's character was poor and didn't dwell on it.

In their eyes, the lives of Term (exclude) truly aren't worth anything.

But Ye Liuyun would not forget. Though he superficially thanked Lord Hou, in his heart he had already resolved to kill Zhao Yuanpei when the chance arose, to avenge Qin Yuan, Qiang Shi, Chen Mo and others.

Later, Ye Liuyun returned to the camp, rested, and then continued scouting with Qi Tianlin, while Liao Yaotian led Ye Liuyun's one thousand Term (exclude) from afar to cooperate with him, encircling small bands of bandits.

Chen Mo's injuries did not heal immediately, so he remained in the army to recuperate for the time being.

Xiao Han's main force still acted as the vanguard, following behind Ye Liuyun's unit. He needed to do nothing else; merely cooperating with Ye Liuyun would credit him with the achievements.

Ye Liuyun's one thousand Term (exclude) were already able to handle most bandit groups.

Moreover, in every battle Ye Liuyun tries to minimize casualties; relying on his and Qi Tianlin's combat training, and when outmatched he releases a few Golden Dragon Kuailei to fight, so the Term (exclude) suffer little loss.

When facing large numbers of bandits, cooperating with Xiao Han is enough to handle most situations.

However, as the army kept advancing, the bandits realized they were about to be eradicated. They lacked the courage to flee toward higher-level Martial Cultivators, fearing those Martial Cultivators would kill them.

Thus they were forced to keep retreating and fleeing, gradually gathering together to unite and fight desperately against the Term (exclude).

Ye Liuyun also sensed something amiss and immediately ordered Liao Yaotian to pull his soldiers back.

"What's wrong?" Qi Tianlin, lacking Ye Liuyun's Divine Sense and Golden Pupil range, saw Ye Liuyun's solemn expression as he ordered the unit

to retreat, couldn't help but ask Ye Liuyun.

"I see these refugees gathering; it looks like they're planning to unite against us,"

Ye Liuyun explained.

"Alas! These people are also pitiful souls with no way to live!" Qi Tianlin sighed. He was provoked by Zhao Yuanpei's actions and felt that his own soldiers weren't much better than these refugees.

"That's true! But now we are enemies; if we don't kill them, they'll kill us! Their numbers keep swelling; the count I observed already exceeds ten thousand. Beyond my Divine Sense range, there may be more!"

Ye Liuyun also expressed concern over that figure. If a fight broke out, his army would suffer heavy losses.

"Report it and see what the higher‑ups say! In such a critical matter, a wrong decision makes us scapegoats!" Qi Tianlin Ma Shan said.

Ye Liuyun immediately reported to Xiao Han.

Upon hearing the numbers, Xiao Han was startled and quickly reported to Hao Tai.

Hao Tai, hearing this, became cautious.

"Can you determine the exact number?" he asked Xiao Han.

"If the scout gets any closer, they'll probably be spotted, prompting an early attack on us!" Xiao Han said anxiously.

Hao Tai thought for a moment and instructed Xiao Han: "Prepare your main force for defense and retreat, and send the scout to ascertain the exact enemy count."

He believed that if the enemy numbered no more than thirty thousand, this battle would earn him a great merit; but if more, his army would be in danger.

So he still decided to risk a probe. If the enemy numbers were high, he would immediately withdraw the entire army back into the city.

After receiving the order, Ye Liuyun could only continue forward to scout.

"You should go back first; if you're discovered, I think I can escape!" Ye Liuyun worried that Qi Tianlin might not get away.

"Then I'll stay with you; if we're discovered, at least there's someone to cover us!" Qi Tianlin wasn't the type to run away fearing death.

"Alright, let's go!" Ye Liuyun said no more, and led Qi Tianlin forward to continue scouting.

After marching another six or seven li, the enemy also spotted the two of them.

However, Ye Liuyun's Divine Sense detected that behind them were also people; the number he currently saw already exceeded fifty thousand.

He immediately reported to Xiao Han. At the same time,

striving to push the scouting further forward.

Meanwhile, the enemy dispatched a squad to chase down Ye Liuyun and Qi Tianlin.

"We've already scouted over fifty thousand people; shall we retreat? Ye Liuyun's group is now less than ten li from the enemy, already discovered, and the enemy has sent forces to deal with them,"

Xiao Han immediately consulted Hao Tai. Xiao Han, after all, had never fought such a large battle and felt uneasy.

At this moment, Hao Tai finally displayed the leader's authority, calmly asking Xiao Han: "Doesn't Ye Liuyun have a special flame? If he unleashes it fully, how many enemies could it eliminate?"

"If we withdraw now, we'd need your unit to cover the rear; that would cause heavy soldier losses and wouldn't count as a victory, making it hard for you to claim any battle merit!"

Xiao Han immediately asked Ye Liuyun.

"All these people, burned to death?" Ye Liuyun heard this and was a bit stunned.

His Golden Crow Fire Spirit could indeed do it, but he hadn't expected Hao Tai to be so ruthless. Deep down he didn't want to annihilate everyone. Yet Hao Tai was right; if the whole army withdrew and the enemy counterattacked, Xiao Han's unit would be forced to stay and intercept, risking total annihilation.

Although he didn't want to kill them all, he also didn't want his own comrades to be slaughtered by them.

Moreover, he knew that Hao Tai's question meant he had recognized the power of his Golden Crow Holy Fire, and he dared not conceal it.

"If the enemy lacks defensive measures, burning most of them should be no problem!" he replied honestly.

"In the current situation, it's already a clash between two armies. If we're not ruthless, we'll end up killing our own!" he comforted himself internally, then offered Xiao Han his attack suggestion.

After receiving the report, Hao Tai considered and immediately ordered the entire army to follow Ye Liuyun's plan, dividing into four routes: his ninety‑thousand troops split into three for frontal and flank attacks, while Xiao Han's main force prepared as a pursuit reserve.

After Xiao Han confirmed that the main force would deploy as he suggested, Ye Liuyun immediately used a Golden Dragon Kuailei to kill the approaching Martial Cultivator squad, then sent Qi Tianlin back to rendezvous with Xiao Han, while he himself charged into the enemy formation.

As he drew nearer step by step, he finally saw the enemy's rear line.