Chapter 85: War Begins

Time is like water in the palm.

No matter how one tries to block it, it will slowly flow out from the palm.

Soon, half a month's time passed.

Gu Han secretly continued to carry out several operations with the Flaming Hound.

Besides the Grey Wolf Gang, they also ferreted out some suspects from other gang organizations.

The ten major camps also dared not relax, each day intensifying patrols and inspections.

But high-level figures like the Grey Wolf Gang's leader, Di Ying,

each had clean hands, and they could not find any shred of evidence to convict them.

Every force worth suspicion ultimately remained only at the mid-level tier below the top.

Generals like Guan Shan all wore worried faces.

"The day after tomorrow is the Spring Festival; although Di Ying and the others have temporarily cleared their suspicions, we absolutely cannot let our guard down and must strengthen surveillance on them."

"Exactly, if something goes wrong, losing our positions is trivial, but if the people of Mu Shan Cheng suffer a terrible death, we would be sinners for all ages!"

Guan Zhen also paced back and forth in the tent with a solemn gaze.

After a moment, he seemed to suddenly recall something, looking toward the Seventh Camp's Chief Instructor, Wang Jie.

"Have the frontline scouts brought back any news?"

Wang Jie startled,

"Yesterday the scouts reported no abnormalities……"

Wang Jie's words were cut off mid-sentence by Guan Zhen's rough interruption,

"I'm talking about today!"

Meeting Guan Zhen's icy stare, Wang Jie instantly broke out in a cold sweat from fright,

"Not…… not yet."

"General Guan, it's still afternoon; the scouts' reports not returning yet is understandable."

Zhou Kuan stepped forward at this moment, relieving Wang Jie's predicament.

Guan Zhen let out a cold snort,

"What is the usual time set for message returns?"

"Once each at midnight and noon every day."

Wang Jie's tone of voice trembled as well.

Originally, scouts regularly reported at midnight each day.

Or they would report anytime if there was urgent military news.

But after Mu Shan Cheng discovered traitors, it was adjusted to two reports per day.

"It's already mid-afternoon."

Guan Zhen slammed his hand on the table, glaring angrily at Wang Jie,

"Two hours have already passed, and the military report still hasn't returned?"

Wang Jie shuddered violently, head lowered, stammering,

"I'll go myself right away."

Having said that, he prepared to leave the camp.

Just then, the bugle's blare rang out across the heavens.

Even the entire tent seemed to tremble.

Wang Jie, who had just risen, instantly turned ashen-faced.

All the generals of Mu Shan Cheng were gathered here, and Guan Zhen had not issued any military orders.

The generals of other border cities also had not received any orders.

Combined with the fact that today's military report still hasn't returned,

"this very likely means an action from Dan Ren Cheng's side!"

Yet they were completely unaware.

"This is dereliction of duty by their scouts!"

"Everyone, first-level combat readiness!"

Guan Zhen gave Wang Jie a sideways glance, issued the order immediately, then sprinted swiftly out of the camp.

Mu Shan Cheng had already set up battle preparations for various situations according to different military conditions.

Without Guan Zhen making specific arrangements, the troops would act on their own.

Guan Shan, Zhou Kuan, and the other generals exchanged solemn glances, quickly issued orders to each camp's Dutong, then closely followed Guan Zhen to rush onto the city tower.

All that could be seen was banners stretching to the sky in the distance under the setting sun.

An almost endless military formation surged forward like a tide from the distance.

"Surely it's the people of Dan Ren Cheng, unable to hold back from launching an attack!"

Guan Zhen gazed at the Saber-Toothed Pigs beneath the enemy vanguard's crotch, his eyes heavy beyond measure.

The signature demonic beasts of Jian Chi State and Ben Lang Guo differ.

Ben Lang Guo's demonic beasts move swiftly, suited for slicing the battlefield.

While Jian Chi State's signature demonic beast, the Saber-Toothed Pig, possesses extremely strong dominance on the frontline battlefield.

But their marching speed is too low, making them easy to be kited and led around by other armies.

As long as the scouts relay the information in the First Moment, Mu Shan Cheng can fully have time to make an adequate response.

But the scouts encountered problems, denying Mu Shan Cheng a chance to devise countermeasures, and the Dan Ren Cheng army had already arrived at the city gates.

This directly caused many defense works to be useless.

"General, the Jian Chi State's troops are already at the city gates; should we go out to meet them in battle?"

Zhou Kuan was the first to speak up, requesting orders.

As the chief instructor of the First Camp, Zhou Kuan was also one of the most experienced in warfare in Mu Shan Cheng.

Du Heng also said at this time,

"The Dan Ren Cheng army, having come a long way, must be exhausted; we have a good chance by waiting rested for their fatigue, and we must seize this opportunity!"

The Bijang of the other major camps shared similar views.

Under everyone's gaze, Guan Zhen pondered and finally gave the order,

"Relay my command: all soldiers, don armor and mount up to block the enemy troops!"

"All Combat Soldiers arriving later from the camps: the vanguard joins the battlefield, while the rear units occupy the trenches and other defense works to buy the soldiers a chance to retreat!"

"Besides that, only leave the city watch to guard the city, preventing any as-yet-uncaught suspects from rioting."

Now there are not many Combat Soldiers in the frontline fort.

If we also keep the city watch, command will be stretched thin!

This is already the best decision we can make in a short time.

"We will obey the General's orders!"

As Guan Zhen's words fell, Zhou Kuan and the others promptly took out their armor, fully equipped, preparing to personally lead the troops into the charge!

Unprepared, most Combat Soldiers were still in the camps.

They must disregard the arrows and personally charge forward to buy time for the following Combat Soldiers.

Zhou Kuan was just about to leap down the city wall when Guan Zhen stopped him,

"Zhou Kuan, stay behind to direct the subsequent Combat Soldiers' actions."

A flash of surprise and doubt crossed Zhou Kuan's eyes,

"General..."

Guan Zhen solemnly patted Zhou Kuan on the shoulder,

"There may still be unrest in the city; only with you staying here can I be at ease."

Zhou Kuan understood that, logically, Guan Zhen could have let Guan Shan stay behind.

Whether it's the trust between brothers or Guan Shan's ability, no one could find fault.

But Guan Zhen actually chose him, and this trust made Zhou Kuan feel a heavy pressure.

Zhou Kuan took a deep breath, clasped his fists, and spoke in a low, solemn voice,

"Please be assured, General; as long as I, Zhou Kuan, have a breath left, no one will be able to open the city gate for the enemy!"

Guan Zhen grinned,

"With your words, I am relieved."

As his words fell, a pair of blood-red wings suddenly burst forth behind Guan Zhen.

These wings were somewhat illusory, seeming to be condensed from martial technique.

Inside the city, Gu Han watched Guan Zhen flying in the air, his eyes full of envy.

Only those above the Martial King level can fly by relying on their own inner strength.

But how rare are Martial King experts?

Does one have to be unable to fly for life if their cultivation does not reach Martial King?

At first that was indeed the case, but later a Martial Emperor expert arose, wanting those of lower cultivation to also experience the vastness of the sky.

Specifically based on his own flight experience, he created a martial art that allows a Martial Ancestor's inner strength to form wings and soar between heaven and earth.

As for those below the Martial Ancestor level, their inner strength is simply too feeble.

Even if they master this martial art, they cannot condense a pair of wings.

Yet even so, it still makes people like Gu Han, who cannot fly, envy it endlessly.