Outside Yan City, fifty thousand troops awaited in strict formation.
Yet in the distance, the gates of Yan City remained tightly shut, and the city walls were filled with defending soldiers.
A strange occurrence took place, as the combined total of the Divine Strategy Camp and the Imperial Guard amounted to no more than fifty thousand.
In contrast, even after losing twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry, Pseudo-Yan still had eighty thousand foot soldiers remaining.
Combined with the defending city soldiers, county soldiers within the city, supply soldiers, and others, they could muster at least 150,000!
But even so, these Pseudo-Yan soldiers were ordered by the higher-ups to not engage outside the city, but to hold Yan City to the death.
The ordinary soldiers couldn't fathom why King Yan would do so, and upon receiving the intelligence, King Yan and his advisors were left bewildered and shocked.
They even harbored a hint of fear.
His two thousand Dragon Cavalry were the most formidable forces under his command.
How could they be decimated by Great Yu in less than half a day?
Not only were they wiped out, but more than half of the Dragon Cavalry were captured without resistance on the battlefield, with less than a hundred barely escaping back.
According to their accounts, the Dragon Cavalry were swiftly heading towards the Capital City, having already crossed Tiger Mountain Pass.
But unexpectedly, Celestial Thunder descended from the sky, bombarding their formations incessantly.
Nurous soldiers and Dragon Blood Horses were blasted to smithereens, and the intense shockwave could even blow away the three-hundred-pound Dragon Blood Horses.
Nurous Dragon Blood Horses were startled, panicking and running amok.
The soldiers were equally terrified, turning to flee under the stampeding horses.
Even the Dragon Cavalry's Commander-in-Chief, General Cheng, suffered severe injuries from a direct hit by celestial thunder.
In a span of rely a tea break, the entire Dragon Cavalry collapsed and fled in panic.
Midway, they were ambushed and slaughtered by countless Great Yu Forbidden Army.
Ultimately, the Dragon Cavalry was completely annihilated, with only a little over a hundred escaping back in panic.
But even those who escaped back were incoherent, speaking nonsensically, their eyes filled with terror.
What they faced were not ordinary soldiers, but Celestial Soldiers and Generals!
Only Celestial Soldiers and Generals could wield Celestial Thunder!
"You all tell , who exactly destroyed my twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry?!"
Inside the Pseudo-Yan Prince's Mansion, King Yan Zheng Yuantao glared at his advisors, shouting angrily, "Twenty thousand Dragon Cavalry vanished in just half a day, how is this possible! It's utterly ridiculous!"
"Where is Cheng De! He confidently promised to break into the Deserted City for , what a... worthless fool!"
"I absolutely do not believe in these Celestial Soldiers and Generals!"
Upon hearing Zheng Yuantao's words, the advisors and officials present changed their expressions slightly.
Suddenly, one spoke, "Your Highness, could these so-called Celestial Soldiers and Generals be related to what Emperor Zhengyong called the 'Immortal Seeking Order' two years ago?"
"Perhaps Emperor Zhengyong truly found an Immortal, or a cultivator."
"Only magical artifacts refined by cultivators could so effortlessly massacre mortals!"
"Oh? Magical Artifacts?"
Zheng Yuantao's eyes suddenly lit up, quickly saying, "Does the Yan Land have any cultivators? If so, summon them quickly. I am willing to…"
"Boom!"
A violent rumble suddenly ca from the South City.
"Boom boom boom boom boom boom boom…!"
Imdiately, continuous explosions resounded, seeming to shake the entire Yan City.
The whole Prince's Mansion was engulfed in dust, akin to an earthquake.
"They are, they are attacking the city!"
"Is this Celestial Thunder? Is this really Celestial Thunder!"
"The, the ground is shaking, we, what should we…"
"Rumble!"
A series of tremors shook the Prince's Mansion, and everyone inside turned deathly pale with fear.
How long can mortals endure under Celestial Thunder?
"Quick! Order everyone to defend the city walls to the death. Without my command, no one is to leave the walls!"
"Yes, yes!"
The ssengers ran out in a panic, and chaos ensued in the Prince's Mansion.
Many servants and maids, seeing the situation, stole so valuables from the rooms and snuck away.
So advisors and officials in the eting hall, sensing things were amiss, quietly slipped out and fled.
Within a re tea break, a commotion and clamor erupted in the Prince's Mansion.
Zheng Yuantao's face turned uglier, and he shouted, "Who is outside! Where are my guards?!"
"Ah…!"
Suddenly, a shriek pierced the air, followed by the sounds of clashing swords and shouts.
The few remaining in the hall seed to realize sothing, their expressions filled with panic.
"Bang!"
The main gate of the Prince's Mansion was forcefully pushed open, and a group of fully ard soldiers, their armor stained with fresh blood, flooded in.
Leading them was a tall, robust middle-aged man with a fair complexion.
"ng Guang! You were personally promoted by , what do you intend to do now!"
ng Guang!
The Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Yan City Guard Army, originally a forced mountain bandit leader who was discovered and won over by Zheng Yuantao.
No one expected that in dire tis, the first to betray him would be ng Guang!
ng Guang bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am indeed grateful to you for saving from peril."
"However, Your Highness declared independence, which is a grave act of disrespect. Though I have advised against it many tis, Your Highness was determined, leading to this situation."
"I, ng Guang, however humble, as a City Defense Deputy General, understand the duty of loyalty to the Emperor and love for the country."
"Furthermore, my actions are rely to find a way out for my brothers."
"As for Your Highness, by doing this, I can also ensure your survival, repaying the kindness of your promotion."
"How dare you!"
Zheng Yuantao shouted angrily, "The current Emperor Zhengyong assassinated my father with despicable ans. Such an unfilial soul, how could he rightfully claim the world's throne!"
"I replace him by divine right!"
ng Guang looked at Zheng Yuantao like he was a fool, shaking his head, "Your Highness, you must be delusional."
"His Majesty is fine, why would he assassinate the Old Prince?"
"Enough talk, for the survival and future of my brothers, please surrender, Your Highness."
"Courting death! I am a Prince, I am…"
ng Guang was impatient, the Celestial Thunder outside the city was still bombarding it, and sooner or later it would break through.
He wanted to capture the Pseudo-Yan King first, before the other soldiers could react.
By taking the Pseudo-Yan King hostage, and defecting to the Imperial Court, he was sure to be heavily rewarded.
He imdiately said, "Capture him!"
"Clang!"
"Clang Clang!"
The soldiers under his command drew their long knives and charged towards the Pseudo-Yan King Zheng Yuantao, trying to capture him.
"Looking for death!"
Zheng Yuantao shouted angrily, reaching for a long sword in his hand, and managed to fight fiercely with these soldiers.
After all, as a descendant of the Royal Family, he had been trained in Martial Dao since childhood. Though not proficient, ordinary soldiers were truly not his match.
"Useless!"
ng Guang cursed angrily, fearing delays might bring complications, he imdiately drew his blade and charged at Zheng Yuantao.
Previously a leader of horse thieves, his martial arts had reached the First-grade Realm, and he was battle-hardened. It only took a few rounds for him to knock Zheng Yuantao to the ground, his face covered in blood.
"Find so rag to gag him, don't let him commit suicide!"
ng Guang said, "Brothers, capturing the Pseudo-Yan King, promotions and wealth, prosperity and riches, are at hand!"
"Go! Out of the city to surrender!"
"Yes!"
Outside the city.
Chen Wannian, Chen Hongxiu, and Zhao Tieshan were excitedly looking at the city wall in the distance.
With the synchronized bombardnt of three rounds from the Red Coat Cannons, the south wall of Yan City's city wall was already in ruins.
It even smashed out a few large gaps.
Yet, no soldier appeared on the walls, it was unclear if they were hiding behind battlents or had fled.
Chen Wannian excitedly said, "With such a siege weapon, how could the world not be settled!"
"Your Majesty... truly a divine being!"
Chen Hongxiu suddenly said, "The accuracy of the Red Coat Cannon is still not enough. If only the three rounds of cannonballs could converge on the city gate, the gates would have been blasted down long ago!"
Chen Wannian shook his head, "Not necessarily, the Pseudo-Yan has clearly decided on a last-ditch defense, the gates have long been blocked by bricks and logs, unless... Hmm?"
His expression suddenly changed, quickly looking towards the city gate.
"Look, everyone, hasn't a white flag been raised on the city gate?"
They quickly looked too, eyes full of surprise.
"It truly is a white flag!"
"What's Pseudo-Yan doing? Surrendering?"
"So soon! Our Thunderbolt hasn't even been used yet..."
Chen Wannian frowned, "Stop the bombardnt first, let's see what they're up to."
"Yes!"
Under Chen Hongxiu's orders, the bombardnt ceased, and the battlefield fell into silence.
Soon, a figure jumped down from the Pseudo-Yan city wall and swiftly rushed towards them.
When still two hundred ters away from the military formation, it wisely stopped, and shouted:
"This general is Deputy City Defender of Yan City, ng Guang. In gratitude for His Majesty's great grace, to prevent the suffering of Yan Land's populace, I willingly reform my ways, capturing the Pseudo-Yan King alive, and offer him to the Celestial Army!"
"I hope His Majesty is benevolent, the Celestial Army is benevolent, and can spare the people of Yan Land from the slaughter of the battlefield!"
"Hmm?"
Chen Wannian murmured, "Captured the Pseudo-Yan King? ng Guang? Also, a sensible fellow!"
He imdiately shouted, "Where is the Pseudo-Yan King?"
"General, please look!"
Everyone looked towards Yan City's city wall, where a person tightly bound was standing. Who else could it be if not the Pseudo-Yan King Zheng Yuantao?
The three exchanged a glance, discussed briefly, and then Chen Wannian loudly said, "General ng, your recognition of the bigger picture and willingness to surrender this city is a blessing for Yan Land and His Majesty!"
"Order, all Yan City soldiers to drop their weapons and surrender at the south of the city!"
"With my na and prestige, I shall ensure all your safety and promise the security of Yan Land's people!"
ng Guang was delighted and said, "Thank you, General! We surrender!"
With a command, before long, Yan City's south gate slowly opened, squad after squad of Pseudo-Yan soldiers, watched by the Imperial Guard, dropped their swords and sat in the open city, waiting for the Imperial Guard's arrangent.
At this ti, ng Guang also escorted Zheng Yuantao to the Imperial Guard camp, personally handing him over to Chen Wannian.
After confirming his identity, regardless of Zheng Yuantao's struggles and muffled cries, with a casual wave, he signaled to take him away.
"General ng, your profound understanding and sense of justice, initiating rebellion, surrendering the city, and capturing the rebel leader, I will truthfully report to His Majesty."
ng Guang sighed softly and said, "General Chen, the Pseudo-Yan King Zheng Yuantao once did a favor. During his rebellion, I tried to persuade him thrice, but unfortunately, Pseudo-Yan ignored them."
"If not for that favor, I would have defected with my troops long ago."
"Now, having captured the Pseudo-Yan King with my own hands, I truly feel distressed."
Chen Wannian shook his head, "Ah, General ng, what are you saying? How can small favors compare to the greater justice of the world?"
"Currently, with Great Yu in turmoil, the Imperial Court needs loyal and righteous gentlen like you who understand justice and benevolence."
"If Pseudo-Yan succeeded, it would an chaos not only for the Northern Lands, Yan Land, but potentially the entire world."
"General ng's actions, on a larger scale, are as if saving the Great Yu's common people from dire straits."
"Even on a smaller scale, it has saved tens of thousands of Yan City's citizens!"
"These actions, I shall certainly report honestly to His Majesty, General ng's righteousness!"
Faced with Chen Wannian's words, ng Guang's face turned slightly red, but he still respectfully said, "I dare not deserve it!"
"By the way, General Chen, I once discovered one of the Pseudo-Yan King's strongholds outside the city, hiding many troops' equipnt and provisions, originally prepared for the Binzhou rebels."
"Now that the Imperial army has taken Yan City, I am willing to personally go and seize that stronghold!"
"Good!"
Chen Wannian said, "Then here I wish General ng success on your campaign!"
After ng Guang left, Chen Wannian pondered for a few monts, eyes flickering, and then said, "ssenger!"
Soon, a ssenger entered, and Chen Wannian handed him a pre-written military order.
"Eight hundred miles urgent, swiftly report back to the Capital City."
"Yes!"
Watching the back of the departing ssenger, Chen Wannian murmured, "ng Guang?"
"Great loyalty and righteousness, or... just a bandit in turbulent tis? A hero?"
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