Chen Ping dashed back to Xuanwu Camp. Before he could order the drums to gather the generals, he saw several figures swiftly darting over.
Behind them followed a large crowd of chaotic troops, numbering in the hundreds.
"Junior brother, is there a battle coming up? I just heard the sounds of killing." The fastest runner was not Han Wushang or Sima Rou, but the impatient Han Xiaoru who had been watching the camp entrance intently.
She had already donned her armor, mounted her warhorse, and was ready for the expedition.
"That’s right, senior sister, your response is quick. No wonder you’re the Cavalry Commander; at least you’ve grasped the essence of aggressive cavalry tactics well."
Chen Ping didn’t have ti for lengthy explanations, turning to Sima Rou: "Master, please organize all the disciples. I have a tactic that can consolidate military might and boost morale.
This battle is against many enemies, unlike Jianghu skirmishes, and requires full dedication."
"Alright."
Sima Rou nodded solemnly and glanced at Han Wushang. The two rushed in and hurried back out.
Earlier, when they were at the Primordial Martial Arts Hall in the city, they heard Chen Ping send word.
Knowing that the matter of seizing the seal was perilous, to be on the safe side, they’d brought hundreds of disciples from the Primordial Martial Arts Hall to the military camp.
This group hadn’t undergone joint combat training, though each one had formidable martial prowess. However, in terms of combat ability, it was just so-so.
At this point, even forming a lineup was challenging.
Nonetheless, Chen Ping wasn’t overly disappointed.
He understood that not only the Primordial Martial Arts Hall disciples were this way, but also the newly assimilated Xuanwu Guard’s cavalry and infantry, as well as the Divine Bow Camp, were quite similar.
The soldiers had just changed their loyal leaders, and during this tumultuous ti, issues of loyalty were irrelevant.
Like Han Xiaoru, who could lead five hundred elite cavalry out for maneuvers, was considered well-trained.
Zhang Gu and Li Yangguang managing three thousand infantry and five hundred bown, to prevent soldiers from firing random arrows behind them, was already a significant achievent.
Moreover, Hu Yong, the original infantry commander still in the city, now a new training officer, combining the disciples from Shifang Martial Arts Hall and Wind and Thunder Sword Hall to form the "Xianzhen Camp," hadn’t touched the shadow of elite soldiers.
Most of those disciples complied on the surface but were unwilling in spirit...
Like the Shifang Martial Arts Hall, having lost its master with many senior and junior brothers slain by their own hands.
Currently, transforming their mindset to pledge loyalty and fight to the death, even with Hu Yong’s expertise in training, it would take months to achieve.
Under these circumstances, forget commanding an army to fight enemies; just having the troops not drag their feet was fortunate.
If nothing changed, the best approach would be to fight and retreat intermittently.
Before the enemy’s large force struck, defeat a few experts if possible.
Perhaps after so back-and-forth skirmishing, it might evolve into a chase across a thousand miles.
The territory of Xingqing Prefecture was best not considered for hope.
...
"Boom..."
From the direction of Xingqing Prefecture City, more than ten miles away, a cannon blast was heard, rumbling loudly.
A fiery red fla shot up to the sky, visible even in the daylight.
"Hmm..."
Chen Ping suddenly looked up, sensing a foreboding feeling rising in his heart.
Beside him, Cheng Wuduan said eagerly: "This is the Jinghai Prince’s Mansion deploying troops, not the Jinghai Guard, but the Cui Family’s forces.
Ever since King Jinghai Ji Changlie left the city, the backstreets of the Prince’s Mansion have continuously received troops for a period.
According to my subordinate, there’s at least five thousand of them."
"Hiding troops among civilians, Ji Changge seems to have planned long ago."
Chen Ping said coldly.
Such strong forces, being indifferent to the arrival of the Thirteenth Prince of Beizhou in the city, if Chen Ping were to think using his instincts, he’d foresee what kind of sche the other side had.
"Exactly, they’re hiding troops among civilians, waiting.
Waiting for Celestial Gate Pass to break, then they’d launch an attack, coordinating from inside and out.
Within days, they’d seize the Three Prefectures, clearing the path for Beizhou Hu Cavalry to march south."
Cheng Wuduan beca more natural with his words, seemingly forgetting he was once an elite drawn from the Beizhou Hu People camp.
At this mont, he spoke indignantly: "Of course, they are waiting, waiting for Yuwen Ying to fulfill Heaven’s Mandate and acquire the Azure Dragon Seal...
The apparent calm in Xingqing Prefecture is rely a facade.
This vast city has long been under their control.
Who would have thought, after all this waiting, it was actually Lord Chen who obtained the Azure Dragon Seal and even brought Fairy Fang."
Just now, hearing from scouts about the seizing of the seal during the fight, Cheng Wuduan was sowhat skeptical.
Upon witnessing it now, he’s certain the Azure Dragon Seal was indeed seized "easily."
Driven by an inexplicable strange emotion, Cheng Wuduan, who previously addressed Chen as "Young Hero," now unconsciously switched to calling him "Lord."
He furtively glanced at Fang Qingzhu’s stunning beauty, refraining from gazing further, fearing he’d betray so strange expression.
Is this still Fairy Fang Qingzhu from South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest, always cold as ice?
It must be fake.
Being carried by Chen Ping on his shoulder like a little pig, so docile it’s unbelievable.
The most absurd part is this woman seems accustod to staying perched on his shoulder.
Chen Ping hadn’t put her down, yet she didn’t complain.
Recently, the couple Han Wushang pretended not to see, and the big girl Han Xiaoru also pretended not to see. Cheng Wuduan dared not show any strange deanor, fearing resentnt later.
"Oh, Fairy Fang." Chen Ping casually put down Fang Qingzhu and her attendants, saying to those behind him, who were like silent puppets, "You guys, patrol outside the camp to prevent masters from striking early."
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