Chapter 96 - 94: Deploying 100,000 Troops!
Shi Lie lay on the ground, panting heavily, and this time it was his turn to break out in a sweat.
Having just been deeply trapped within Song Changming’s sword momentum, he was like a toy being manipulated at will by Song Changming.
At that moment, he realized he had no chance of winning this battle.
"I’m not as skilled as others, I admit my defeat willingly!" Shi Lie was straightforward, and after saying that, he got up, picked up his copper hammer, and retreated.
"Such profound sword skill!"
A group of military leaders who had witnessed the entire battle no longer looked down on Song Changming.
This young man not only possessed remarkable body refining cultivation but also had an impressive level of qi power. Most importantly, his newly revealed sword skill instilled awe in everyone.
"What kind of sword skill is this? It seems somewhat like the inheritance scattered from the Ghost Blade Faction, but it’s not exactly the same..." Xiao Jingchuan couldn’t recognize the Soul-breaking Saber Skill that had been improved and expanded by Song Changming.
He just felt it didn’t correspond to any martial arts he knew of.
Relatively speaking, it was closer to the sword skills of the Ghost Blade Faction.
Even Captain Fan Yun couldn’t help but take another look at Song Changming, as if pondering Song Changming’s sword skill path, worried about whether any of his subordinates could directly defeat this somewhat youthful Patrol Guard.
"Does anyone else want to spar?" Song Changming, looking like he would go back to eating if there wasn’t, asked.
"I will!" Suddenly, another military leader stood up and stepped forward.
Compared to Shi Lie, who wielded a copper hammer, this leader was noticeably more proportionate in build, not very tall but exuded a certain aura, definitely not weak by any means.
After all, following Song Changming’s defeat of Shi Lie, those with insufficient strength naturally wouldn’t foolishly step forward to get beaten.
"I am Li Wenye, please instruct me."
Compared to Shi Lie, this leader appeared more polite.
Perhaps Song Changming’s display of strength had earned their respect.
"Please instruct me." Song Changming glanced at the other’s special serrated long knife and nodded.
The next moment, Li Wenye moved first, the wind howling, and his speed was far superior to Shi Lie’s.
Undoubtedly, this leader followed the Bone Marrow Cleansing Agility Flow.
It’s precisely because of this different style of strength that he dared to step forward under the pressure Song Changming brought.
He believed he had some expertise in dealing with Brute Force Style martial artists, having a high chance of winning.
He was somewhat confident that with absolute speed and agility, he could defeat Song Changming.
Unfortunately, Song Changming was not purely a brute force body refining martial artist.
It’s just that in the previous battle, Song Changming only displayed his brute strength and sword skill to defeat Shi Lie, not giving him a chance to showcase more of his abilities.
Therefore, when Song Changming demonstrated top level Light Body Skill to match the opponent’s speed, Li Wenye was stunned.
Then he was engulfed by endless chilly wind, experiencing firsthand what Shi Lie might have felt, understanding the pain of being an underdog.
Nowadays, dealing with Fifth Realm martial artists who once seemed like experts, Song Changming handled them as easily as playing games.
Even these two military leaders, who seemingly held great prestige within the army, couldn’t even make Song Changming feel satisfied.
This was the level Song Changming’s strength had reached!
The so-called army’s hundred-man slaughter couldn’t compare to the Dragon Pattern Saber in Song Changming’s hand!
A moment later, Li Wenye was defeated again.
"I accept my defeat." Song Changming effortlessly re-sheathed his saber, not out of breath at all, his gaze returning to other military leaders, as if waiting for the next challenger.
But now, the air fell silent for a moment.
The military leaders exchanged glances, each feeling unsure about defeating Song Changming.
Now Captain Fan Yun’s face was noticeably unpleasant, they all knew if they couldn’t win again, the army’s face would be completely lost.
Initiating a provocation, only to be wrecked easily by a young patrol guard sent from the opposing side.
What was this...
"That’s enough, Changming, come back and rest." In the end, it was Xie Shihuan, smiling broadly, not wanting the banquet’s atmosphere to become awkward, who called Song Changming back.
The main seat, Xiao Jingchuan, upon seeing this, also applauded and praised Song Changming, calling him a young outstanding hero and a swordsmanship prodigy.
This gradually eased the slightly quiet and stiff atmosphere.
Essentially, today’s theme was still a celebration banquet, you could compete if unyielding, but couldn’t hurt the harmony, at least not on the surface, as the two major armed forces under the governor.
"You’ve become more powerful than before." Just as he returned to his seat, Lu Zheng spoke up from the side.
"I’m still somewhat behind Brother Lu." Song Changming laid down the Dragon Pattern Saber, smiling faintly.
He knew, not long ago, Lu Zheng’s body refining power had officially broken through to the Sixth Realm.
It was said that privately, he even sparred with General Director Xie Shihuan, though the result was unknown to anyone.
Song Changming consistently accumulated strength day by day, and likewise, other martial arts practitioners did the same, racing against time to continuously sharpen their Martial Tao, accumulating progress bit by bit.
No one would stay stagnant forever, waiting for Song Changming to surpass them.
Currently, purely in terms of body refining cultivation, Lu Zheng remained the highest among the Patrol Captains.
For Song Changming to completely catch up with and surpass Lu Zheng’s body refining cultivation would take at least a few more years.
Yet the body refining cultivation realm is only one aspect and doesn’t completely represent the true strength and weakness.
Lu Zheng drank half a bowl of wine and shook his head.
He originally thought that he had recently undergone a qualitative change in strength, becoming much stronger, and should be able to suppress Song Changming.
But after witnessing Song Changming’s sword skill and the intensity of his physique today, he changed his mind.
Inwardly questioning himself, he seemed unsure if he could definitely win against the current Song Changming.
"Truly an extraordinary talent..." Lu Zheng couldn’t help but murmur to himself.
Song Changming was indeed the fastest rising young martial artist he had ever seen.
"I know there are still some strong generals under the Captain’s command, still stationed at the border and have not returned, this time we have gained an advantage."
Xie Shihuan said this to Captain Fan Yun with a toast, giving the other party a way to retreat.
"Having such a hero under Mr. Xie is truly an eye-opener for us. It can also suppress the arrogance of our army, lest they become complacent in future battles." Fan Yun replied.
After that, the two no longer mentioned the competition.
With such a strong performance by Song Changming, the thought of competing further was cast aside.
"Truly satisfying, Changming, you see how those generals look at you now, it’s completely different from before." Zhou Sixin smiled from the side.
Finally feeling proud, he only felt that the dishes on the table became much more delicious, eating with utmost comfort.
"In my opinion, those military generals are not much either..." a Patrol Captain whispered.
"There are still powerful figures in the military, just as Director Xie said, stationed outside, just not here." Lu Zheng suddenly said.
The celebratory banquet went on until late into the night before coming to an end.
Many people were already drunk, and even Xiao Jingchuan, emboldened by the wine, made many bold statements.
He complained about the Imperial Court, angrily condemning those who caused chaos in the court, even suggesting becoming the local emperor of Donglai Prefecture.
Finally, the County Governor couldn’t bear it and helped Xiao Jingchuan to rest.
The crowd then dispersed as well.
...
With the news of the defeat of the allied forces of the three prefectures, many officials of the Central Secretariat were furious.
They felt that the Governor of Donglai Prefecture was repeatedly challenging imperial authority.
They were eager to seize the military token from the terminally ill old Emperor and mobilize soldiers and generals across the land to attack the Donglai Prefecture.
Unfortunately, none of them had the authority to make such decisions.
Now, with six princes eyeing each other covetously, anyone who dared to misuse imperial military power and stir trouble would surely be the first to die.
Without being able to deploy troops, the officials of the Secretariat had no choice but to angrily admonish the governors of the three prefectures, demanding once again that they deploy troops at all costs to capture the Governor of Donglai Prefecture and bring him to the Imperial Capital.
However, this time, the three prefecture governors were even more uncooperative, using various excuses to stall and unwilling to deploy troops again.
Reluctantly, the Secretariat had to look for other prefecture governors, but they were not fools either. Realizing that Donglai Prefecture was a tough nut to crack, they also found excuses such as long distance, insufficient military provisions, or severe banditry to delay.
To put it bluntly, these were only orders from the Secretary’s officials, not the true royal decree.
With the emergence of this matter, many insightful people under the heavens realized one thing.
During this crucial time, the influence of imperial authority over the remote prefectures had become considerably weak.
Of course, some of these governors secretly backed by a certain prince also ignored the Secretariat’s officials because they had a patron.
Yet, regardless, after witnessing the Governor of Donglai Prefecture defy imperial orders and even spark conflict yet remain unscathed, many in positions of power grew increasingly restless.
Since a governor like Donglai’s could go this far, why couldn’t they?
It was not hard to foresee that more people would dare to do so in the future!
But regardless of these onlookers’ thoughts, Xiao Jingchuan continued to be troubled in the Governor’s Mansion.
The letters sent to the Third Prince seemed to sink into the sea, with no response.
And the other princes showed no intention of helping him, leaving him constantly isolated and helpless.
He understood clearly that although the Imperial Court couldn’t deploy a single soldier to attack him right now, this was only temporary.
Once the court situation slightly stabilized, a catastrophe awaited him for sure.
And his worry soon came to fruition.
The long-ill Emperor recovered, swiftly reorganizing the court.
Simultaneously, an imperial decree concerning Donglai Prefecture was issued.
Ordering the six prefectures surrounding Donglai to jointly dispatch troops quickly to attack and subdue Governor Xiao Jingchuan of Donglai Prefecture!
This time, it was a genuine imperial decree, filled with the wrath of the supreme emperor.
The old Emperor, having ruled the Da Han Dynasty for many years, still commanded residual influence. The governors of the six prefectures dared not delay, no matter how unwilling.
At the same time, the old Emperor also mobilized fifty thousand border defense troops, partly as overseers, partly to demonstrate court power.
This time, they aimed to resolve the rebellion swiftly and decisively!
With a hint of using the Donglai Governor as an example to deter others.
Thus, the grand allied forces assembled within three days and marched to Donglai!
Totaling a hundred thousand troops!
...