For Xue Rushi, responding to Bao Bozhao and Xie Baoshu’s assault on the city was already a struggle to the utmost.

As for the Qi army that had suddenly appeared from the rear, he dared not even entertain the thought, nor did he possess the capacity to discern its veracity.

Chong Xuansheng’s declaration was his final, desperate gambit and probe.

Jiang Wang, with his single sword strike from the Star Tower, had sufficiently proven that this individual possessed the capability to step into the Divine Ascension realm at any moment.

The final straw had fallen…

Xue Rushi’s surrender thus became a matter of course.

The city-protecting grand array dispersed, the four gates of Dai City swung open, and Xue Rushi, hands bound, led a contingent of guards who had cast aside their weapons,

Out of the city to yield.

The exit was the south gate.

Naturally, Bao Bozhao and Xie Baoshu had also converged upon this spot.

As for Chong Xuansheng’s mention of a flanking friendly force—they were still uncertain whether the Qi army had fully occupied Hui Luo Prefecture! In the southern seven cities of Linwu Prefecture, fierce battles still raged, and the gates of Huyang Pass on that front had yet to be touched!

How the merit for taking Dai City should be allocated, why Xue Rushi had surrendered, to whom he had surrendered—these were matters yet to be settled!

Jiang Wang and Chong Xuansheng exchanged views through rapid sound transmissions.

“They came to attack Dai City, whose idea do you say it was?”

“Naturally, it was Bao Bozhao’s idea,” Chong Xuansheng said casually. “The Marquis of Shuofang commands the Yanlei army and is a seasoned veteran general. His family’s inherited military strategy and tactics are surely not inferior.”

“Then what of Xie Xiaobao’s involvement?”

“Do you think the Thorn Boat is so easily mobilized? The east line only sent a few ships?”

Recalling the relationship between Xie Baoshu and the east line commander, Xie Huai’an, Jiang Wang suddenly understood.

The Bao family and the Chong Xuan family had been unfriendly for generations. Due to Jiang Wang’s presence, conflict also simmered between Chong Xuansheng and Xie Baoshu.

Yet, upon meeting at this juncture, Chong Xuansheng’s laughter was exceptionally warm.

“I have labored two wise brothers in their support, helping me complete the final step in connecting the Linwu and Fengli grand war zones!”

Bao Bozhao and Xie Baoshu exchanged glances.

“Hahaha,” Bao Bozhao laughed. “It is I who should thank wise brother. General Xie and I have been attacking this city for two days and nights already, with immeasurable expenditure and countless sacrifices. Fortunately, we had the two wise brothers circle around the enemy’s rear and come to our aid in taking this city! Otherwise, perhaps we would still need to fight for several more hours!”

“Hahahahaha,” Chong Xuansheng also laughed, pointing a hand towards Xue Rushi. “Wise brother, can you see through which gate this General Xue has opened, and to whom he has offered surrender?”

Bao Bozhao laughed heartily, “The two wise brothers have endured hardships, with only a mere two thousand-odd people, they have already established unprecedented merit, which foolish brother greatly admires! However, brother and the others led an army of fifteen thousand to attack the city, fighting day and night, all going into battle without a full meal! The last time we ate a full meal, we cannot say we didn’t eat several large bowls before it counted, can we?”

At this moment, Xue Rushi, caught between these two factions vying for merit, his face alternating between ashen and livid, was an unsightly spectacle.

Always, Chong Xuansheng and Bao Bozhao spoke in veiled words, probing one another with veiled questions, immensely tactful.

Xie Baoshu, on the side, said impatiently, “Who is the main force, is this not clearly laid out? If the Xia people cannot see clearly, can we Qi people not see clearly ourselves? How many people do you have? Still can’t fight and force someone to surrender?”

Jiang Wang glanced at him, somewhat amused. “Jia Lin! Long time no see! The matter of who has more or fewer people is meaningless to discuss! Let us chat privately, reminisce about old times?”

Xie Baoshu put on an air of “the lord doesn’t care about you,” turning his head away, but finally closed his mouth.

Chong Xuansheng, on the other hand, did not take offense.

Xie Baoshu was someone who knew nothing of military affairs, only seeing the immediate situation. But anyone who could grasp even a little of the overall war situation would not, like him, so confidently ask who the main force was.

Bao Bozhao mentioning numbers, mentioning hardship, was a demand, a statement that a large army had been mobilized, fighting for days and nights, and could not return without merit. He didn’t truly believe they could snatch the merit for taking Dai City from Chong Xuansheng.

Who had shifted the tides of battle, who had created the opportunity, how much longer Xue Rushi could have held out… Bao Bozhao was pretending not to understand, while Xie Baoshu seemed truly not to understand.

At this moment, Chong Xuansheng simply smiled and squinted, saying, “My De Sheng Camp indeed only has three thousand people, but with just these three thousand people, we broke Xi Ming, occupied Hong Gu, occupied Xin Jie, and our horses trampled the lands of three prefectures, with momentum like a broken bamboo. With such prestige, making someone surrender without a fight is also quite reasonable, is it not?”

Then he looked towards Bao Bozhao, and to this truly shrewd individual, he said, “I, this person, like to work together for mutual gain, I do not like to eat everything myself. Eating too much alone is easy to get fat! Wise brother, in order to cooperate with my strategic intention of connecting the eastern war zone, you led your army to attack Dai for two days and nights, creating immense pressure on the defenders. I know this intention. After the war, I will set out wine and definitely toast wise brother a cup!”

Bao Bozhao raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.

Not because Chong Xuansheng was stingy; on the contrary, this fatty was too generous!

The merit for attacking Dai did not belong to them, and he even conveniently added a share of the strategic-level response merit for them…

Conditions laid out to this extent were already quite fair.

After all, he was the next generation Marquis of Shuofang, the confirmed heir of the Bao family. Bao Bozhao’s surprised expression was instantly reined in.

It was replaced by an enthusiastic smile. “We should indeed have a drink, to congratulate wise brother on seizing another city!”

Returning the favor, he also immediately acknowledged that the Dai City defending army had requested to surrender to the De Sheng Camp.

Before them, two young generals of the Qi Kingdom, in casual conversation and laughter, decided the distribution of military merit. As the “military merit” being distributed, Xue Rushi’s mood was truly complex.

The Great Xia had a millennium of national fortune, an honorable history, a glorious past, an inspiring and governing court, loyal and brave generals, and wise ministers. It had countless benevolent people and scholars. From ancient times, talent had never been exhausted.

He, Xue Rushi, had served in various military and political capacities, now concurrently serving as the general and city lord of Dai City. How many young talents of the Xia Kingdom he had seen!

But how many could be like Bao Bozhao, how many could be like Chong Xuansheng?

The great banner atop the city head had already been replaced.

Outside Dai City, the surrender proceedings were carried out in an orderly manner.

The De Sheng Camp was already very skilled at handling such matters.

Chong Xuansheng and Bao Bozhao continued to chat, now and then speaking without veiled meaning, their harmony evident. The contradictions of the older generation seemed to have no impact on them whatsoever.

A rumbling sound echoed from the distant sky, approaching with extreme speed!

“Form ranks!”

Chong Xuansheng and Bao Bozhao issued the order almost simultaneously, each holding their soldier evil and rising into the air.

Jiang Wang’s hand pressed against his long sword, his body soaring upwards without hesitation.

Xie Baoshu’s formation was a beat slower, so he simply flew into the high sky alone, just like that person surnamed Jiang.

And from the distant sky, a figure blazing with terrifying power was rapidly approaching.

Closer, closer!

It was a broad, dignified face.

Beneath the dignity, it was difficult to conceal the fatigue of a Divine Ascension realm, a Golden Body Jade Marrow expert, bearing a body covered in travel dust!

The Marquis of Xuanping of the Great Xia, Fan Ao!

Stuck in the pocket of Hui Luo Prefecture, he had come up empty. All the marching tracks were created by the original Hong Gu City defending army, making him feel greatly unsettled.

At that time, he did not know Chong Xuansheng’s strategic target, but he had already realized Chong Xuansheng intended to go to Fengli Prefecture. He hesitated between the three cities of Lu Zhou (closer to Linwu), Xin Jie (in the center), and Yang Gu (closer to Jin’an), which were adjacent to Hui Ming and Fengli.

Finally, due to the wartime order he had personally established within, the dynamics of Xin Jie City were not delayed, hence he led his army to Xin Jie.

What he did not know was that after Chong Xuan occupied Xin Jie City, why he chose to seal the four gates, cut off all news, and rest in place for two days was twofold: one, the soldiers indeed needed rest, and two, it was to wait for him to chase!

He would destroy the Tianfeng Ranch, blocking the Xia army’s movement. How fast was the marching speed of the De Sheng Camp with one person and two horses.

Fan Ao being led to Xin Jie was doomed to only encounter a city whose war reserves had already been completely destroyed, and it would be impossible for him to lead his army to catch up with the De Sheng Camp again.

The first time he saw Xin Jie City, Fan Ao had already sensed something was wrong.

After confirming the direction of the De Sheng Camp, he even abandoned his army and flew alone to Dai City. If the city defense had one more Divine Ascension expert, the outcome would be completely different!

But it was already… too late!

From Linwu to Fengli to Hui Luo, and back to Fengli again, he had never stopped for a moment, but all he did was futile!

At this moment, he flew urgently to Dai City, and what awaited him were Bao Bozhao, Xie Baoshu, and fifteen thousand allied troops from the various countries of the Eastern Domain. It was Chong Xuansheng, Jiang Wang, and over two thousand Qi soldiers of the De Sheng Camp.

It was the City Lord of Dai City, Xue Rushi, and his already surrendered Dai City defending army!

With his Golden Body Jade Marrow, his scalp was momentarily numb.

He deeply glanced at that young fatty, and that young swordsman whose sword momentum he could feel from afar.

Fan Ao turned his body and retreated urgently without a word.

Not only was staying here dangerous, potentially being ground to death by the army formation now that Linwu and Fengli were connected, which had become a certainty, he must return with the fastest speed and find a way to consolidate the situation in Fengli!

But what way was there?

He had not yet thought of one…

This place was different from Linwu Prefecture. Fengguo Gong Zhou Ying had fought while retreating, building layer upon layer of defense lines, leaving enough buffer space. Even if Xi Ming City was harassed, the Linwu defense line still possessed considerable resilience, delaying the Qi Kingdom’s army advance to the maximum extent.

This was also Zhou Ying’s strategic thinking for the entire east line battlefield.

Today, in Fengli Prefecture, the great gate had suddenly opened, and the situation had drastically changed, with no time to even erect a defense line.

Once Dai City was breached, the three hundred thousand Qi army on the east line could sweep south at any time, unstoppable!

Fan Ao flew urgently, and then flew urgently away.

Within the Qi army camp, laughter could be heard. To be able to force back a Divine Ascension expert, a Great Xia Marquis, naturally brought pride and joy.

Xue Rushi slumped onto the ground.

His expression seemed to cry and laugh simultaneously.

It was impossible to say whether it was regret, hatred, or something else.

Fengli Prefecture was still there, Hui Luo Prefecture was still there.

Fan Ao, with the honor of a Country Marquis, regardless of expenditure, fearless of death, rushed east and west, fought across three prefectures, even coming alone to support.

Yet, he had chosen to surrender just before Fan Ao arrived.

The taste of this was truly hard to describe!

Furthermore, regardless of Xue Rushi’s mood, Chong Xuansheng and Bao Bozhao exchanged glances, already reaching a consensus on the next situation.

With Dai City taken down so quickly, the entire Fengli Prefecture was already a flat plain, with no natural defenses to guard.

Furthermore, Chong Xuansheng had destroyed the Tianfeng Ranch, greatly impacting the mobility of the Fengli Prefecture army.

Marquis of Xuanping, Fan Ao, had rationally chosen to retreat, hoping to establish a defense line and stabilize the rear of Fengli. But cruel reality would tell him that he was still doing something futile!

The change of hands in Dai City completely severed contact between Linwu and Fengli. Zhou Ying’s strategy of “fighting while retreating, weaving a net layer by layer” could no longer be woven in Fengli Prefecture. With only one Fan Ao, it was completely wishful thinking to try and accomplish something relying on the Fengli Prefecture army within a short time.

Next…

It would be a feast of plundering military merit.

All they needed to do was seize the time!

So, how important was Xue Rushi’s mood?

“We came from Xin Jie City,” Chong Xuansheng said, getting straight to the point.

His meaning was clear: the road from Xin Jie to Dai City had been opened by him, and he would not allow others to come and pick peaches.

Bao Bozhao had no intention of entanglement. He said directly, “You will advance on the west road, I will advance on the east road. We will try to take down as many cities as possible before other generals arrive. Then… it’s just a matter of individual ability!”

Among the allied armies of the various countries of the Eastern Domain, there were not a few strong cultivators.

Like Yan Po of the Yi Kingdom, Madame Xidu of the Xu Kingdom (the Xu Kingdom had exerted its strength in the Xingyue Plain battlefield, so this time in the Qi Kingdom’s eastern expedition, they were not required to send troops. However, Divine Ascension experts still needed to follow the army), Ouyang Yong of the Rong Kingdom…

They all had demands for military merit, which could later be exchanged for large amounts of resources in the Qi Kingdom, or even win more shares of Opening Pulse Pills. They would absolutely not be polite towards an undefended Fengli Prefecture.

Those present at Dai City at this moment had the advantage of the first move, but how much they could ultimately gain depended on their own ability.

The merit for Dai City had already been allocated. Bao Bozhao simply did not even enter the city, leading his army, which was still in a state of readiness for war, directly to the next city on the east road of Fengli. As for Xie Baoshu, who had cooperated with him, he naturally flew back to the Linwu battlefield to report the military situation and request reinforcements.

In an extraordinary level war, the most important point is the destruction of the enemy’s extraordinary forces.

For the current Qi army, they were targeting the major cities within the Xia Kingdom, aiming to extinguish the nodes of the Xia Kingdom’s City-Protecting Grand Arrays one by one. As for villages and towns, they were not even touched.

Chong Xuansheng, on the other hand, was in no hurry. After confirming the attack route on the west road, he led his people swaggeringly into Dai City.

He even thought of asking Xie Baoshu to conveniently request reinforcements on his behalf, the reason naturally being that having someone higher up would make things easier, and besides, Xie Baoshu and Jiang Wang were still considered neighbors!

Xie Baoshu did not even spare him a glance.

Thus, he simply found a Jade Platform Green Stallion, ordering Qing Zhuan to carry the general’s order to Xie Huai’an to request soldiers and horses.

He himself then took Xue Rushi by the hand, meticulously questioning him about all the details of Dai City. Enthusiastically…

Destroying Dai City’s City-Protecting Grand Array.

And so.

From the twentieth day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of Dao Li, when the north line and east line battlefields simultaneously opened, and the entire territory of the Xia Kingdom descended into chaos, to the ninth day of the twelfth month of Dao Li.

Nineteen days’ time.

The De Sheng Camp traversed the lands of three prefectures, already capturing Xi Ming, Hong Gu, Xin Jie, and Dai, four major cities.

Capturing countless, seizing countless.

Truly the first merit on the east line!

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