"What!?"
On his return journey, upon learning of everything that had happened within the Empire, the Tian Hun Emperor flew into a rage! A force of merely three hundred people had actually managed to conquer several of his Tian Hun cities!
They were even approaching the imperial capital!
Such actions were nothing short of a slap in his face!
Thus, an imperial decree was immediately sent back from the Tian Hun Emperor to the Empire. It ordered all officials, no matter what, to find a way to completely capture the Sun Moon Empire's Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion and wash away this disgrace.
Meanwhile, on the return journey.
"The Tian Hun Empire has really lost face this time."
Ning Bowen scanned the intelligence, his lips slightly pursed. Among the fallen cities, the properties of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect had suffered a devastating blow, and many clan disciples had even lost their lives.
But as the clan leader, he knew that this was the nature of war. Furthermore, this blitz signified that the war had truly begun.
"Little Chen, what do you think?"
After a moment of contemplation, Ning Bowen turned his gaze to Chen Junting.
Because when it came to matters of war, he had noticed that Chen Junting's sense for it was far sharper than any of theirs.
Hearing this, Chen Junting felt a sense of helplessness.
He naturally had a general idea of what Uncle Ning was thinking. He truly didn't know much about things like war. But not knowing something was relative. Compared to everyone on the entire Douluo Continent, his way of thinking could be called that of a God of War.
But although that was what he thought, faced with Ning Bowen's question and the gazes from Ning Tian and his own master, Ye Xuanji, Chen Junting merely glanced at the intelligence, his brows furrowing slightly.
"A map."
The two words left his mouth, and Ning Bowen didn't hesitate. He directly took out a map that had already been prepared and spread it out before Chen Junting. While offering an apology, Chen Junting somehow produced a pen and, referencing the intelligence, marked out the entire route the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion had taken over the past few days, stopping only at their "objective"—Tian Dou City.
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
"No."
Chen Junting shook his head slightly. "I was just thinking about what the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion's next objective will be. After all, Tian Dou City has the Empire's Enshrined Worships stationed there and is one of the top five most fortified cities. It's not something they can take. So, as long as the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion isn't a disposable piece, and it can't be, they must have a planned route of retreat."
As he spoke, Chen Junting continuously observed the map.
"The Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion is extremely mobile, as can be seen from this blitz they've fought. So it will be very difficult for the Tian Hun Empire to intercept and pursue them. The only way is to lay an ambush and wait for them to walk into it."
"Furthermore..."
At this point, Chen Junting paused slightly. This made Ning Bowen, Ye Xuanji, and Ning Tian, who were listening intently, unable to contain their curiosity.
Afterward, Ning Bowen couldn't help but ask: "Furthermore what?"
"Furthermore, after the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion has caused such a huge mess in the Tian Hun Empire, how could the Sun Moon Empire possibly let this opportunity pass? They will surely take this chance to launch a major offensive."
He then pointed a finger, which landed on the sea area.
"Now that the Tian Hun Empire's heartland has been attacked, and by a legion like the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion no less, the Tian Hun Emperor, in his fury, will surely issue an order to keep them here. And given how troublesome the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion is, even an army of all soul masters would need ten times their numbers to deal with them. This way, a portion of the troops stationed at the coast will inevitably have to return to reinforce the interior, to jointly attack the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion. And by doing so, they will have fallen completely into the Sun Moon Empire's trap."
Smack—
"I more or less understand now."
Ning Bowen slapped his fist into his palm, his expression one of sudden realization.
He then took over the thread of Chen Junting's unfinished thought and continued himself: "Afterward, the Tian Hun Navy's combat strength will inevitably be weakened, giving the Sun Moon Empire a perfect opportunity. The Sun Moon Empire's navy must already be fully prepared and ready to strike at any moment, first capturing a city in the Tian Hun Empire's mainland where they can be stationed at any time, opening up a supply line for the war. And in this process, if the Tian Hun Empire is incompetent and allows the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion in their heartland to reach a coastal city, causing the Tian Hun Navy to be attacked from both front and rear, then the Sun Moon Empire's plan will be even more perfect."
Ning Bowen's words were like a summary, making Chen Junting nod. He didn't know how well the Sun Moon Empire had recovered. But if the Sun Moon Empire were to drive a stake into the Tian Hun Empire's territory, this war would likely be a long one.
Even...
Swish—
Chen Junting drew a circle, encompassing the entire northwestern corner of the Tian Hun Empire's territory, and marked it with the Sun Moon Empire's emblem.
Such an action, though it seemed to say everything and nothing at the same time, was instantly understood by everyone present.
"This matter must be reported to the Tian Hun Empire."
"Mmm."
Ning Bowen made the final decision, but Chen Junting only nodded slightly. He folded his hands, resting his chin on them, and gazed at the map of the Tian Hun Empire.
He felt that there might not be enough time.
But that circle in the northwest absolutely could not be successfully drawn by the Sun Moon Empire! Otherwise, from a strategic perspective, the Tian Hun Empire would have already lost half the battle.
...
Tian Hun Imperial Court.
Ever since the news that a subordinate legion of the Sun Moon Empire, the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion, had conquered several of their Tian Hun Empire's cities reached Tian Dou City, the various officials of the Tian Hun Empire could be described as a mix of anger and worry.
The "anger" needs no explanation. A soul engineer legion of only about three hundred people, even if this Beast King-level legion, the "Protector's Hand" of the Sun Moon Empire, was strong, it only had one Class 9 Soul Engineer. And yet, a force like this had caused several northern cities of the Tian Hun Empire to fall in less than two days. Now, they were even fighting at Tian Dou City's gates! It was utterly humiliating!
As for the "worry," it was naturally about having to plead guilty to His Majesty. After all, this incident had greatly damaged the prestige of the Tian Hun Empire. If the Tian Hun Emperor flew into a rage and ordered all their heads to be chopped off, it wouldn't be surprising.
However, before the emperor's verbal edict could return, the Tian Hun Empire's Chancellor and Grand General had already lost the patience to wait for the still-traveling emperor to send back his orders.
Could they really just let the enemy army fight their way to Tian Dou City?!
If that really happened, they might as well give up their posts!
And so...
"This time, this General will personally lead the charge. I will take the three thousand soldiers from the garrison at Tian Dou Camp and request one of the Enshrined Worships to take action personally!"
The Grand General of the Tian Hun Empire stepped forward without hesitation.
"Three thousand? Is that enough?"
The Chancellor questioned, and then, without waiting for the Grand General to speak, continued: "In my opinion, we should still transfer a portion of the troops stationed in the coastal cities back to the capital to quell the domestic turmoil first."
But as soon as this idea was proposed, it was vetoed by the Grand General.
"No! We cannot bear the responsibility for this."
"We'll bear the responsibility even less if this domestic turmoil isn't quelled!"
A sharp roar exploded in the Grand General's ear!
Thus, after a moment of silence from the Grand General, "With the authority of the military tally I hold, I can only recall one legion. Besides that, I can also mobilize the garrisons of three cities."
"Then that will have to do."
The Chancellor rubbed his temples. "How will you intercept them?"
The Grand General walked over to a prepared soul tool sand table and, without hesitation, pointed his finger at a hilly area.
"They have no other way to retreat but to go back the way they came. I will have the garrisons of the three cities set up another ambush, and have the recalled legion block their path forward. That way, I refuse to believe this Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion can escape!"
"Good! Let's do it that way!"
And so, after the strategy was set, Tian Dou City operated like a massive machine running wild. Soon, an army of three thousand men, led by the Grand General, left Tian Dou City. Along with them was a Title Douluo.
In addition, a series of orders were transmitted to the three cities near Tian Dou City and one coastal city.
Meanwhile,
"Another one taken."
Legion Commander Wang's slightly fierce gaze swept across the city, which had been devastated beyond recognition, then looked at his subordinates, who were exhausted after nearly two days of continuous marching. His eyes narrowed.
He now knew that they had been exposed.
"Legion Commander, should we... continue to advance?"
At this moment, a deputy commander came to his side. He glanced at his brothers from the corner of his eye, hesitating to speak.
"No need. Continuing is meaningless."
Legion Commander Wang shook his head slightly, having already made his decision.
Their mission this time was not to capture Tian Dou City. His Majesty was very clear that it was impossible for a single Beast King-level squad to do so unless the main army fully mobilized. If they continued now, it would mean the certain annihilation of the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion.
If that really happened, no one could bear the responsibility.
"Rest for fifteen minutes. Prepare for the second half of the plan!"
"Yes!"
The deputy commander immediately relayed the order, leaving Legion Commander Wang alone. He took out a soul tool, which unfolded into a sand table of the Tian Hun Empire's map.
His gaze swept across it, locking onto a coastal area. Then, his eyes traveled from their current location, connecting the cities they had passed through on their way south, one by one, before finally landing on Extreme North City.
"Heh heh, the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion's greatest advantage is its mobility. I bet you all think we're going to return the same way..."
At this moment, a strange smile suddenly appeared on Legion Commander Wang's lips. At the same time, he locked his gaze onto the various coastal cities of the Tian Hun Empire, occasionally glancing toward the Extreme North with an inscrutable expression. But soon, Wang's inscrutable expression was concealed. His eyes lit up with fighting spirit as he said in a low voice, "Tian Hun Empire, prepare to receive a grand gift... And, those remaining spies and agents of the Empire should have transmitted their messages by now..."
Half an hour later.
"This is Luo Ri City!?"
The Grand General and a Tian Hun Enshrined Worship led an army of three thousand, arriving a step behind. But when they saw a once-prosperous city, now reduced to ruins after the baptism of cannon fire, their faces instantly turned ashen!
After asking someone about the situation, "Damn them!"
The Grand General cursed aloud, "That damn Sun Moon Empire, they're all sons of bitches!"
This Luo Ri City was nearly a complete ruin!
But beneath his anger was the Grand General's dread of the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion. They never imagined that a single Beast King-level soul engineer legion could possess such strength.
Fortunately...
The Grand General covertly glanced at the Tian Hun Enshrined Worship. Noticing that the elder wasn't paying him any mind, he couldn't help but sigh in relief. Fortunately, when the Enshrined Worship had earlier proposed that he go ahead and act alone, he had "cast" a dissenting vote.
Otherwise, with their Tian Hun Empire's Enshrined Worship not being at the Super Douluo level, if he had encountered the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion alone, he would likely have met his end.
But anger was anger, and sighing was sighing. The most important thing now was to capture the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion!
And so, with a single order, the army set off again!
However, after marching all the way according to the plan, they found no trace of the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion. Instantly, the Grand General realized something was wrong and immediately halted their northward advance.
"Something's not right! They're not heading north!?"
At this moment, the Grand General's face was exceptionally grim.
Once the trail of the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion was lost, given their mobility, it would be very difficult to track them down again!
"Your Excellency."
The Grand General turned his gaze to the Tian Hun Enshrined Worship.
The elder simply nodded slightly. "This old one understands."
The moment his voice fell, he shot into the air, stepping on the void as he sped back in the direction of Luo Ri City!
He even lit up his seventh soul ring, using his Martial Soul True Body. A giant bird spread its wings, transforming into a streak of light and flying into the distance!
This time, a dignified Title Douluo had been reduced to a "scout."
The Grand General didn't hesitate either. "All troops, listen to my order! Vanguard becomes rearguard, rearguard becomes vanguard! We march with all speed back towards Luo Ri City!"
Thump, thump, thump—
At this very moment, at the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Legion's location.
With the speed boost from their flight soul tools, they had no fixed route, flying almost in a roundabout way towards the coast.
At the same time, Legion Commander Wang, who had deliberately passed near the outskirts of some cities, finally received intelligence from some of the spies and agents.
The reports were: one coastal city showed unusual activity, suspected military mobilization. Along with this, three other cities had also mobilized their guards for unknown reasons.
Instantly, Legion Commander Wang knew what was happening.
"What a perfect opportunity."
And so, he quickly took out a soul tool. The moment he pressed it, the Sun Moon Empire, thousands of miles away, received the news. To be precise, it was just a signal.
"Legion Commander, the green light is on."
On the Sun Moon Empire's sea territory, warship after warship was already arrayed upon the ocean. Their numbers were vast, their military might imposing, as if the entire Sun Moon navy was gathered here. They bobbed up and down with the waves, seemingly ready to strike at any moment, yet they never moved.
It wasn't until the news that "the green light is on" was transmitted that the legion commander leading this fleet's eyes lit up, two fierce rays gleaming brightly!
"Excellent, excellent, excellent! I have been waiting for this moment for a long time."
On the unfolded sea chart, a small island was marked in red.
And this island was none other than the one formed after the volcanic eruption, which, with Chen Junting and Wu Feng's help, had its ownership assigned to the Tian Hun Empire. It was now a military base for the Tian Hun Empire and, likewise, a forward outpost against the Sun Moon Empire.
"Half an hour! Take it!"
"Yes!"
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