Chapter 251: Poisonous Scheme

According to ancient traditions, at this point, both sides should stop and each send out a general to engage in single combat. The outcome of these duels does not determine the overall victory or defeat of the armies, but at the very least, the side that wins the duel will experience a surge in morale. When two forces are evenly matched, morale often determines the final victory.

Wang Jian also stepped forward, flew into the air, and laughed loudly: “General Nangong, war is not child’s play, nor can it be decided by a single person. I respect your spirit, but I do not agree with your actions. When you sought to invade Anyang, did you ever consider that this day would come?”

“All troops, heed my command—accelerate the advance!”

Not only did he refuse the challenge, but he also sped up the attack! Aside from a few experts who remained vigilant against Nangong Zhi, the rest of the elite troops bypassed him and continued the assault. The thirty thousand rearguard troops of Nanyang County had already been reduced to less than twenty thousand—how could they stand against Anyang’s forty thousand elite soldiers? The soldiers of Anyang fired from a distance and, when closing in, fought with magic weapons and talismans.

I have money, and I will use money to crush you! The military equipment of a single Anyang soldier, excluding firearms, was worth dozens of times more than that of a Nanyang County elite soldier. The Nanyang troops were “by the book,” equipped with ordinary cold weapons and armor. Most of them used standard weapons, with only a few enhancing their weapons with minor formations to create low-grade magic tools—many of which barely met the threshold for being considered magic tools at all.

In contrast, Anyang’s soldiers were outfitted with full sets of magical gear—how could Nanyang County’s troops possibly compare?

Magic tools and artifacts determine a cultivator’s combat ability. A single magic tool can enhance combat strength by 30-50%, while a full set can increase a cultivator’s power two to three times! So, in just the first clash, three to four thousand of Nanyang’s rearguard fell. After a short period of battle, only seven to eight thousand remained. In contrast, Anyang’s casualties amounted to no more than four to five hundred.

“Monsters! Run!” Some of Nanyang County’s soldiers finally broke down completely. The ones who remained were supposed to be elite troops, yet even they collapsed under the pressure.

Anyang’s soldiers maintained their steady pace, marching in unison, shouting synchronized chants, and continuously driving the retreating Nanyang forces forward. The forty thousand elite soldiers of Anyang formed multiple impenetrable barriers, rolling forward like an unstoppable force.

In the sky, Nangong Zhi and Wang Jian faced off. Nangong Zhi’s expression held both anger and helplessness, while Wang Jian remained at ease, his demeanor carrying a trace of arrogance.

Watching the one-sided slaughter below, Nangong Zhi finally couldn’t hold back: “Dueling between generals has always been praised as a noble tradition and a symbol of heroism. Are you refusing because you’re afraid of losing?”

Wang Jian chuckled: “Sorry, but duels belong to a bygone era. While it’s true that dueling has its place in history, it should never be an excuse for a loser to grasp at a last-minute chance of survival!

If we were evenly matched, I wouldn’t reject a duel. However, when my side holds an absolute advantage, why should I abandon it for the sake of some meaningless honor and give my enemy a chance to recover?

Besides, you are invaders! You are invaders—what right do you have to demand a duel with me?”

“If you act this way, others will not give Anyang a chance to breathe in the future.”

A trace of mockery suddenly appeared on Wang Jian’s face. “I am a general. I seek victory with my sword, not by begging for mercy. Or do you mean to tell me that your past victories were won by groveling for pity?”

Nangong Zhi’s face reddened with shame under Wang Jian’s taunts. However, in order to buy time and secure a chance for his men to escape, he had no choice but to keep talking. “If kneeling and begging could spare the innocent, I would do it right now.”

Wang Jian’s voice rang out with overwhelming dominance: “Heh, once I’ve defeated and captured all of you, if I want you to kneel, you’ll kneel. If I want you to cry, you’ll cry.

But for now, no matter what you say, this war will continue.

I fully agree with what the young master once said: Anyone can start a war, but only the victor has the right to end it! And right now, we control that right. However… I don’t want to end it yet!”

Nangong Zhi’s pupils shrank, but he did not back down. “What you’re doing is dishonorable.”

“I am a soldier. I follow orders. Whether I am honorable or dishonorable—let’s talk about that after the war, once I’ve taken off this uniform.

Our young master has already declared that all sins committed during this war will be borne by him alone.”

This time, Nangong Zhi had nothing left to say. Li Xian had gone to extreme lengths—willing to shoulder all the sins of war by himself. How many leaders in the world would have such resolve? Take Kong Donglai, for example. He wouldn’t just refuse to take responsibility for any crime—even for minor mistakes, he would push the blame onto others.

Pushing blame onto others to remain eternally blameless—that is what they call the art of imperial rule. But in truth, it’s just the most basic, entry-level trick.

Wang Jian paused briefly before finally speaking: “Leave now. When we meet again, we will still be enemies. Unless you surrender.”

Nangong Zhi gave Wang Jian a deep look. In him, Nangong saw the arrogance of a superior being and the unwavering loyalty of a warrior willing to die for his master. For some inexplicable reason, Nangong Zhi felt an indescribable admiration for Anyang.

This Anyang was invincible—at least among the regional powers of the same level, it was unrivaled.

Nanyang County’s army continued to crumble. The thirty thousand rearguard troops were quickly annihilated. The last few hundred elite troops, overwhelmed by fear, also fled, joining the scattered remnants.

With that, the rout became truly irreversible.

Overhead, artillery shells rained down, while behind them, the relentless pursuit of enemy troops and deadly gunfire pressed forward. The soldiers of Nanyang County were fleeing, but their hearts were already filled with despair. The only reason they kept running was their unwillingness to accept defeat.

Meanwhile, in the northwest, Yan Zhengqing commanded an army of 30,000 with remarkable efficiency. Foundation Establishment cultivators, elite troops, mechanized divisions, and the air force—all were seamlessly integrated into his strategy.

These soldiers advanced like an unbreakable wall, steadily pushing forward. With every step, countless Nanyang soldiers fell. While Anyang’s forces suffered casualties as well, their losses were far fewer. However, some courageous warriors from Nanyang, refusing to succumb without a fight, burned their true essence and souls in their final moments, launching desperate attacks and taking one or two enemies down with them.

Cultivators often had fortuitous encounters, sudden breakthroughs, and secret techniques. At the moment of death, some unleashed a final, unexpected attack, causing considerable damage to Anyang’s forces. But these minor casualties could not reverse Nanyang’s inevitable defeat. The loss of a few hundred soldiers would not change the course of the battle.

Boom! More than two hundred aircraft in the northwest completed another round of bombardment and returned.

In the northwest, artillery fire continued to roar. The border defenses of Nanyang County, hastily reinforced with spells, crumbled under the assault. Yan Zhengqing led his troops straight through the defensive perimeter.

Seeing this, Kong Donglai knew that the battle was lost and had no choice but to order a retreat.

At this moment, Nangong Zhi returned. Without hesitation, Kong Donglai gave an order “General Nangong, there’s no need for explanations. Kong Zhiying has already reorganized 50,000 soldiers. You and Kong Zhiying will cover the retreat.”

Nangong Zhi frowned slightly. Having witnessed the difference between Kong Donglai and Li Xian, he felt as if comparing a fool to a wise man. Nevertheless, he still spoke up:

“Lord Kong, we have not lost all chances of victory. This is merely an unexpected ambush by Anyang, compounded by the northern Songzhou County fleeing without a fight.

We can retreat twenty miles, set up camp again, and wait for reinforcements—another 50,000 elite troops are on their way. With their support, we can at least hold back Anyang’s advance.

As long as we stop Anyang’s momentum, Songzhou Commandery and Dongyuan Commandery, upon witnessing Anyang’s overwhelming strength, will surely launch an attack from the flanks. At that point, Anyang will be unable to fend off multiple threats.

Moreover, the First Prince of the North is no fool. He will certainly take this opportunity to strike Anyang. No one wants Anyang to become too powerful.

Based on my analysis, Anyang has committed 70 to 80 percent of its forces to this battle, leaving its other fronts weakly defended. If we can hold them here, even delaying their main forces, ultimate victory will be ours!”

Nangong Zhi was undoubtedly a brilliant military commander, seeing the situation clearly. If Nanyang Commandery could halt Anyang’s advance and keep its main forces occupied, Anyang would indeed face grave danger. After all, Anyang stood alone.

However, by this point, Kong Donglai had already begun to distrust Nangong Zhi. Additionally, Anyang’s firepower was too overwhelming, and the morale of Nanyang’s soldiers had collapsed. Furthermore, as a governor, Kong Donglai had a politician’s perspective—he could not evaluate the situation purely from a military standpoint.

For example, the Kong family had an alliance with the Jin Kingdom, and Kong Donglai was planning to borrow troops from Jin. If he successfully held off Anyang’s attack, how could he justify requesting reinforcements? Only by retreating and appearing vulnerable could he pull Jin into this conflict, forcing a direct confrontation between Jin and Anyang. If Jin and Anyang clashed, he could sit back and watch.

This was the perspective of a politician—his scheme was no less cunning than a battlefield strategy.

On the other hand, Nangong Zhi viewed the situation as a military commander.

What was the difference between the two?

Kong Donglai had lost confidence in Gao Bin of Songzhou Commandery and the Yuan family of Dongyuan Commandery, no longer believing they would intervene. In contrast, Nangong Zhi’s strategy depended on the assumption that they would.

In truth, Kong Donglai’s plan was more insidious—bordering on ruthless. If Jin and Anyang went to war, Anyang would undoubtedly suffer. Of course, given the current situation, Jin would not escape unscathed either.

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