The soldiers of Northern Desert City had grown accustod to being mocked in battles; they remained expressionless, as if a dog barked madly below.
Yet, they didn’t care, but the people from Imperial City Camp couldn’t stand it any longer.
Imperial City Camp, situated near the Imperial City, hadn’t experienced real combat in a long ti and certainly couldn’t compare to these border defense troops.
More importantly, they were the flag bearers of the Phoenix God Empire. They had co this ti to eradicate the army of the Black Crow Empire and seize military honors.
If they shrank within the city and dared not venture out, what would that look like?
Si Kong Zun, watching the restless army, let out a cold sneer and then shouted loudly, "Ji Ning may tolerate this humiliation, but our soldiers from the Expedition Army are heroes who cannot endure such disgrace. Who is willing to go out and curtail the arrogance of those Black Crow dogs?"
"We are willing!"
Almost everyone in the Imperial City Camp yelled.
"Good! You all want to make a na for yourselves. I, Si Kong Zun, will not favor anyone. Those from Phoenix God College, step forward fifty; those from Qingxu College, step forward fifty!"
Si Kong Zun shouted loudly.
Quickly, a hundred n gathered, mounted the Savage Bear Beasts, and left Northern Desert Pass.
It was only then that the situation seed amiss to those on the side of Northern Desert City.
"Not good, these people are too impulsive. The ones initiating the taunts from the Black Crow Empire are elite Black Crow Knights with the lowest being at the Three Talents Heavenly Realm, and they are skilled and battle-seasoned. Sending out these troops is akin to sending them to their doom!"
Zhu Ge Ming said anxiously.
"It’s likely not just their impatience; soone might be intentionally sending them to their deaths."
Ji Ning said coldly, "This Emperor is rotten to the core, using the lives of these loyal and patriotic soldiers as a joke just to maintain his power."
"I don’t understand, how does the death of these people benefit the Emperor?"
Li Ruguang asked.
"Don’t you see? The Emperor wants to dispose of not only but also Feng Qingyan and Lu Chenlong. If this battle fails, the three of us, if not killed on the battlefield, will be killed through fabricated cris."
Ji Ning sighed, "I suspect the Emperor and the Black Crow Empire might have struck so agreent; otherwise, the Black Crow Empire would not choose to press their armies at this ti, it defies logic."
Hearing Ji Ning’s words, everyone felt a chill.
However, Ling Xiao knew that Ji Ning’s deductions were nearly accurate, if not entirely.
"Stop! Whoever dares to battle without orders will not be spared by my arrows!"
Suddenly, grabbing a bow, then drawing it fully, he yelled at the soldiers galloping below.
"What are you doing, Ling Xiao? I respect you as a genius from Qingxu College, and have great expectations for you. Are you going to be a lapdog for the Black Crow Empire today?"
The person below, leading the group, was a graduate of Qingxu College and was now a Guard Captain in the military.
Seeing Ling Xiao draw his bow, his face soured as he turned back to the others and said, "You go ahead, I want to see if this Ling Xiao has the nerve to shoot his fellow alumni!"
The rest continued forward while Ling Xiao’s hands trembled.
For the first ti, he felt so powerless, so helpless.
"Not shooting? Then I’m going!"
The Qingxu College senior turned and caught up with the troops.
A hundred Savage Bear Beast knights versus a hundred elite Black Crow Knights.
As the hundred n approached, the Black Crow Knights revealed vicious expressions.
Everyone reached behind them.
Almost simultaneously, they drew bows and shot arrows.
Clearly, they had practiced this cooperation many tis, almost without hesitation.
When the hundred Savage Bear Beast knights were less than fifty ters away, all the arrows were loosed.
One arrow per person, all were sharpshooters!
The tragic Savage Bear Beast knights hadn’t even reached their adversaries when they were hit by arrows and fell.
So died, so fell from their mounts.
"Attack!"
Unified roars erupted as the Black Crow Knights charged out.
In an instant, they reached the soldiers who had landed.
Their long spears rcilessly pierced into their bodies.
What!
A senior from Qingxu College, because of Ling Xiao’s slight delay, did not die from an arrow but was instead pierced through the heart with a spear.
In his last breath, he turned his head towards the city wall.
His face expressed regret to Ling Xiao.
His regret stemd not only from his own death in battle.
But also because all the people under his command had died.
"Dammit!"
Ling Xiao, infuriated, punched the city wall; within his chest, there surged an indescribable rage.
He hated the people of the Black Crow Empire and hated Si Kong Zun, that old dog, even more!
If it hadn’t been for Si Kong Zun, these n wouldn’t have been sent to their deaths.
However, Si Kong Zun’s heart was filled with glee.
Pretending to be sorrowful, he shouted loudly, "The Black Crow scoundrels are despicable and shaless for attacking with arrows! Every son of Phoenix God is brave! Who wishes to fight and avenge them?"
"I am willing!"
Another warrior from Qingxu College, a Centurion.
Seeing his fellow disciples die tragically, seeing his comrades die tragically, he couldn’t just stand by.
"Good, the warriors of Qingxu College are all brave. Who else wishes to go? If you die in battle, I will surely comnd your bravery and take care of your family!"
Si Kong Zun continued to stir up emotions.
"I am willing!"
"I am willing too!"
"To kill the Black Crow scoundrels is my bounden duty!"
Soldiers are straightforward like that, without any sinister thoughts. How could they suspect that their commander was deliberately sending them to their deaths?
They genuinely wanted to avenge those who had died in battle.
"Si Kong Old Dog, his heart deserves to be condemned!"
Seeing another hundred iron cavalry charge out from the Northern Desert Pass, Ling Xiao’s eyes reddened.
He was not a cold-hearted person.
Seeing brave and loyal soldiers making such needless sacrifices was deeply sorrowful and angering.
"Ji Mingkong, Leng i, follow into battle!"
Leng i had already arranged for Dark Stingers to infiltrate the Black Crow Empire’s camp, but her presence was too conspicuous, so she had returned; otherwise, she would not only be unable to help but might also expose her comrades.
Now Ling Xiao, being too far from the Pass, was powerless to stop Si Kong Zun, and the only thing he could do was to fight personally.
"Ling Xiao, don’t be impulsive, the enemy is too strong, and you’re no match."
Ji Ning cautioned.
"But Great General, how can you expect to just watch these fine n march to their deaths? I really can’t do that!"
Ling Xiao shook his head.
Ji Ning had no reply.
If he were in Ling Xiao’s shoes, seeing the soldiers of Northern Desert City being sent to die for no reason, he too would rush out to stop them, regardless of the dangers.
"Brother Ling, if you insist on fighting, take this with you."
Zhu Ge Ming took out sothing, a blooming lotus, but it posed an extre danger.
"Its na is ’Furious Divine Lotus,’ an ancient puppet hidden weapon from a tomb that I acquired. Unfortunately, after repairs, its power isn’t what it once was, but regardless, it can still assist you by delaying the Black Crow Knights’ attack. It’s definitely doable."
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