Chapter 124: A Wager on the Fallen City, The Imperial Banner

Han Chong was struck with utter astonishment. Wild beasts are difficult enough to tame, let alone these two types of monstrosities that blur the line between demonic beasts and savage predators. How on earth had the armies of the two nations managed to break them into mounts for their cavalry?

Had these two formidable forces been deployed to the Northwest theater from the very beginning, it is certain that neither Anxi nor Beiting would have held out for long.

Inside the great hall of the Anxi Protectorate General's office, a banquet of delicacies and fine wine was spread out. Dancers performed, musicians played, and cups were passed among the guests. Including the four marshals who had been present earlier, there were ten individuals seated, with the two occupying the seats of honor being the most distinguished.

Both were clad in bright yellow furs. One was robust and imposing, like a dragon or a tiger; the other appeared somewhat sinister. Although they seemed to be no more than thirty years old, the other eight seasoned marshals treated them with profound reverence.

"Pilu, you were tasked with capturing the Beiting Protectorate, yet you managed to lose an army of two hundred thousand without a trace. You certainly have quite the talent for failure!" the former asked, his voice cold as he crossed his arms.

"This... reporting to the Twelfth Prince, it was not due to any incompetence in my command, but rather because there were experts meddling within the Da Feng army. That person summoned a million-strong insect tide that engulfed our forces. I barely escaped with my life. Marshal Xile and Fellow Daoist Xiao Ling can attest to this."

"Hmph. Xile, is this true?" the other, the sinister youth, asked with a cold laugh.

"Reporting to the Seventh Prince, it is indeed so. Marshal Pilu and I have faced constant misfortune this time. However, fortunately, with the powerful assistance of Fellow Daoist Xiao Ling and Fellow Daoist Zhu Ling, that meddlesome brat from the Da Feng Dynasty has been captured. By now, he has likely been sucked dry by Fellow Daoist Zhu Ling."

"Oh? Very well. We shall let the King decide upon our return home."

"Heh, Brother Pang Ji, you are not indulging in the luxuries of your own capital—what brings you here to lead the Tiger-Eagle Flying Cavalry into the Western Desert of Da Feng? Could it be that you were pushed out by the other princes in your country and have come here to snatch some glory?"

"Hmph. I merely had some spare time and came here to feed my Tiger-Eagles with the flesh and blood of Da Feng soldiers. But what brings you here, Brother Changzan? Could it be that your nation's Yak-Elephant Iron Cavalry has developed a taste for meat?"

"Haha, while our Yak-Elephants do not eat meat, they do enjoy drinking human blood. The hot blood from the heart is the essence of the human body. The Western Desert of Da Feng is nothing more than a pasture for my Yak-Elephant Iron Cavalry."

The eight marshals, watching the two princes trade barbs, could only raise their cups and offer forced smiles. Shule and Beilu, one to the south and one to the north, were both powerful nomadic inland nations. Separated by the territory of the Da Feng Dynasty, they both vied to claim this tempting, fertile land. On the surface, they were allies working together to pull chestnuts from the fire, but in reality, they were bitter, inseparable rivals. With both nations possessing many princes, the Twelfth Prince and the Seventh Prince were both leading contenders for their respective thrones. Neither of them had expected their King to authorize the deployment of their nations' elite beast-mounted cavalry to assist in the invasion of the Da Feng border.

With these forces now in play, the odds of victory for the two nations had increased significantly; they might even be able to drive deep into the heart of the territory and occupy the western half of the Da Feng Dynasty.

"Pang Ji, how about we make a wager?"

"Oh? It is rare to see Brother Changzan so spirited. I am willing to oblige. What are the terms?" The latter asked, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

"Heh, tomorrow we shall each lead our beast-cavalry toward the Beiting Protectorate. Let us wager on who can be the first to capture the Great Protectorate office."

"Hmph, what is difficult about that? Wherever the might of my Tiger-Eagle elite strikes, the Da Feng defenders will flee in terror. Furthermore, Beiting is flanked by high mountains to the east and west; your Yak-Elephant Iron Cavalry must take the long way around from the north, whereas my Tiger-Eagle Flying Cavalry can easily fly over them. Capturing the office will be as easy as reaching into my own pocket."

"Heh heh, your Tiger-Eagle troops are indeed incredibly fast, far beyond what my heavy Yak-Elephant cavalry can match; I admit that. But when I say 'capture,' it is not as simple as that. I mean that after taking the office, we must raze it to the ground, leaving not a single brick or tile behind."

"Hmm?" The sinister man narrowed his eyes. To destroy a sprawling, massive office building so completely would require ground-based bombardment. It would indeed favor the heavy Yak-Elephant cavalry of Beilu. "And the stakes?"

"Haha, gold, jewels, beauties, or swords—what do those mean to us? Whoever admits defeat shall host a banquet, invite the princes of both nations, and publicly announce that they are no match for the other, bowing in submission. How about it? Do you dare?"

The latter gritted his teeth in secret. He had long heard that this brute, despite his rugged appearance, was well-versed in deceitful schemes. He was indeed difficult to handle. Once he publicly yielded and performed the bow of submission at a banquet of princes, he would never be able to hold his head high in his home country, and might even lose his chance at the throne. Even if he were to ascend, the incident would forever be used as a mockery against him. The scheme was nothing if not treacherous.

"Very well. It sounds fair. I accept."

The former had not expected such a prompt reply and let out a cold, calculating laugh.

...

Beiting Protectorate, main hall of the Great Protectorate office.

General Xun and Lei Wanshan sat at the head of the table, while the other generals sat opposite one another, exchanging greetings.

"What? Great Protector Lei, General Han has fallen? How is that possible!"

Only a few words had been spoken before Lei Wanshan mentioned that Han Chong had infiltrated the enemy camp and his fate remained unknown. General Xun rose abruptly, his expression filled with indignation, and Leng Feichen felt a sharp pang of grief in his heart.

"It is impossible! General Han is a dual cultivator of magic and martial arts; he is courageous, resourceful, and sharp-witted. He only went to scout the enemy camp—how could he have fallen?"

"I... I do not wish to believe it either, but it is the truth. General Han and I had an agreement: if he discovered the location of the enemy's grain and water supplies, he would release a totem signal. But while I saw white light and golden mist flashing in the center of the enemy camp, accompanied by loud roars, no totem was released, and General Han has not returned. I fear the worst." Lei Wanshan, his armor stained with blood and riddled with arrow wounds, sighed mournfully.

The other generals also sighed heavily. Though they had known Han Chong for only a few hours, his bravery and decisiveness had left an indelible mark upon their hearts.

Xun Kang and Leng Feichen sat back down, their fists clenched, remaining silent for a long time. The news was a devastating blow, and yet, they struggled to believe it.

"General Xun, now that the enemy has captured Anxi and dominates the Northwest, they will soon march on Beiting. We should make preparations early."

"Yes, Great Protector Lei is right. However, we of the Demon-Slaying Battalion are not versed in military administration. I propose that full military authority here be transferred to you, Great Protector Lei. We will provide our full support and cooperation."

Just then, a commandant entered the hall to report. "Report! The vanguard of the Left Wei Guard reports that reinforcements have arrived one hundred miles to the east!"

"Oh? The reinforcements are here! Finally, after all this waiting, they have arrived. With reinforcements, the situation in Beiting may yet be stabilized." General Xun felt a sense of relief, and the tension in the hall eased among the generals.

For a cavalry vanguard, a distance of one hundred miles could be covered in half a day. Generals Xun and Lei rushed to the eastern watchtower to look out.

At midday, a massive, imposing army with banners fluttering appeared on the horizon.

"Wait, Brother Xun, those banners seem unusual. The lead banner is made of bright, golden silk!"

"Indeed. If such a banner is at the front of the army, could it be that a member of the Imperial family is leading them personally?"