mtl008 Chapter 439 Zhao Nuo's Illegitimate Child?
Chapter 439 Zhao Nuo's Illegitimate Child?
"You've fallen into a misconception. Our goal is to block the gate, not to break the formation."
Zheng Qian's words instantly made Zhao Mingxiu and Li Zun realize that they had started a gate-blocking battle, and the choice of how to fight was theirs, not the Three Races Alliance's.
“Yes, we can activate a formation for a few people instead of a large-scale battle, so we don’t have to break their formation.” Li Zun was very excited. If it was a formation for a few people, he was confident that he could lead the disciples of the Heavenly Vein Sect to a winning streak.
"Haha, my array formation skills are not weak either." Zhao Mingxiu was equally confident. He wasn't bragging; given the same level of skill and the same number of soldiers, he dared to fight the Three Races Alliance for three days and three nights.
Zheng Qian pondered for a while before slowly saying, "To avoid a situation of fighting in shifts, we will take turns going into battle. You can choose and mobilize the geniuses and soldiers behind you, but I have one requirement: you must bring back the same number of men you take to the battlefield."
"One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand." Li Zun would consider and care about the lives of his brothers in the Iron Blood Conquest Alliance, but Zhao Mingxiu would not, because he was born into a family of generals and was instilled with different ideas from a young age.
For people like Zhao Mingxiu, the number of soldiers who died was just a number.
Sure enough, as soon as Zheng Qian finished speaking, Zhao Mingxiu frowned slightly: "Zheng Qian, how can people not die on the battlefield?"
Zheng Qian sighed softly, his gaze lingering on the distant horizon where the Three Races Alliance camp stood, dust occasionally rising from the horizon. "Brother Mingxiu, we are not only fighting for victory, but also to protect every inch of land behind us, and every life that trusts us. In this battle to block the gate, we must win beautifully, and we must win with mercy."
“Mercy?” Zhao Mingxiu pondered the word, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination: “Alright, I will try my best to control casualties, but as you know, on the real battlefield, many things are beyond our control.”
"That's precisely why we need to be more cautious in our planning and more precise in our attacks." Zheng Qian's tone was resolute and unwavering. "We will employ elite squad tactics, combining your two expertise in formations, and challenge them to a battle with an equal number of troops. In this way, we can reduce the losses from large-scale battles and hone your experience and ability in leading troops and deploying formations."
The fighting style of sect prodigies differs from that of soldiers. Sect prodigies are more formidable in one-on-one combat than soldiers, but this advantage diminishes in large-scale battles. In large-scale battles, only fearless and valiant soldiers constitute the main force on the front lines.
Upon hearing this, Li Zun's eyes lit up. This tactic not only aligned with his initial intention to protect his disciples but also leveraged the flexibility and adaptability of the Heavenly Vein Sect disciples. "Great idea! We can utilize the Iron-Blooded Conquest Alliance's formations, combined with Minister Zhao's battle formations, to deliver a fatal blow to the demon race."
Although Zhao Mingxiu still had reservations about "reducing casualties," he also acknowledged the tactical brilliance of Zheng Qian's strategy. "Alright, we'll go with your plan. I'll select the most elite soldiers and show the Three Races Alliance what true battlefield art really is."
After Zhao Mingxiu finished speaking, he shouted to the eight hundred soldiers of the Radiant Legion behind him: "Warriors of the Radiant Legion, heed my command!" Zhao Mingxiu's voice echoed in the morning breeze, carrying an irresistible majesty and passion.
"We will achieve the greatest victory with the least cost. Today, we fight not only for victory, but also to prove that even on the brutal battlefield, wisdom and compassion can shine brightly, letting the three races know that humanity is invincible, and the Radiant Legion is invincible!"
Upon hearing this, the eight hundred soldiers' eyes blazed with determination, their chests surging with unprecedented fervor and a sense of honor. They shouted in unison, "Glory be to victory! Glory be to victory!" Their voices echoed through the valley, as if even the sky itself was shaken by their unwavering resolve and determination.
Zhao Mingxiu turned around, his gaze meeting Zheng Qian and Li Zun's again. No words were needed between the three; their tacit understanding and trust had already been established.
Li Zun raised his right hand and roared: "On the path of iron and blood, we are invincible!"
"A bloody and arduous journey, invincible in every battle!" Two hundred alliance members roared, forming an eagle formation on both sides of the Radiant Legion.
In the first battle, Zhao Mingxiu took command, leading 800 soldiers of the Radiant Legion onto the battlefield. Li Zun assisted and provided support as needed, while Zheng Qian oversaw the overall situation.
At the same time, a meeting was also being held in the Star Chess Fortress, and it was a high-level meeting.
General Wu Yin Cang of the Yu Ren race, clad in silver armor, his eyes gleaming with wisdom and determination, spoke slowly, his voice like a cold wind from the abyss, both chilling and carrying an undeniable power: "Humans, those self-proclaimed righteous ants dare to block our doorstep, attempting to shake the majesty of the Star Chess Fortress! Such behavior is absolutely intolerable!"
Shadow Serpent Clan's Star Chess Fortress General, Shadow Scale, was slender and her scales gleamed with a ghostly blue light in the dim candlelight. She slid her cold body close to the ground, her tone laced with amusement and disdain: "Among the human race, though there are countless powerful figures, I have heard of Zheng Qian. Invincible among his peers? Hmph, nothing but the arrogance of a mortal. Before absolute power, all empty titles will vanish like bubbles."
Sitting to one side was the leader of the Yuren race, the Shadow Weaver Yuan Lang, whose face was hidden in the shadow of his cloak, revealing only a pair of sharp, hawk-like eyes. He said in a low voice, "General, what you say is very true. But Zheng Qian is not to be underestimated. We must devise a foolproof strategy to both thwart the arrogance of the humans and ensure the safety of the Star Chess Fortress defense."
Wu Yincang nodded, his gaze sweeping over each of the demon elites present, and continued, "I heard that Zheng Qian single-handedly killed a three-thousand-strong Flame Leopard Clan legion at Huaxu Cliff. He initiated the gate-blocking battle alone and successfully held out for four days. The gauntlet attack was completely ineffective against him."
Yuan Lang sneered: "General, the Huaxu Cliff Fortress was blocked for four days. Naturally, they had to spread the word that Zheng Qiantong was invincible, making him seem like a mythical figure. Otherwise, wouldn't they have become a laughing stock in Youfeng Rift Valley?"
Yin Cang pondered. He didn't believe that Hua Xu Cliff had turned Zheng Qian into a myth; he genuinely believed that Zheng Qian was a prodigy capable of single-handedly initiating a gate-blocking battle and unafraid of group battles and attrition warfare. Three hundred years ago, Zheng Qian's master, Yun Youzi, had similarly defeated them, leaving them utterly humiliated.
The information obtained differs depending on one's level. Yin Cang received accurate information, while Yuan Lang only received hearsay, which is why he had this suspicion. Besides, it's a fact that Lie Yuchen was killed by Yun Youzi, and Yun Youzi took his body away.
Taking a deep breath, Yin Cang's head was buzzing. He believed that Yun Youzi must be protecting Zheng Qian in secret, otherwise he wouldn't have come a second time to start the gate-blocking battle.
At this moment, a guard came in and whispered in Yin Cang's ear, "General, the fiery leopard clan prodigy Lie Yi requests an audience. He says he understands Zheng Qian."
"Oh?" Yin Cang's eyes lit up instantly, and he said, "Let him in."
In the battle to defend the gates of Huaxu Cliff Fortress, Lie Yi was the main commander. However, Zheng Qian blocked the gates for four days, and Ying Mei was killed in battle. As a result, Lie Yi was removed from his command position and sent to Xingqi Fortress to continue training his abilities. Today, he heard that Zheng Qian had started another gate-blocking battle. After thinking for a long time, he decided to meet with General Yin Cang to tell them about Zheng Qian's strength in order to avoid unnecessary casualties.
Lie Yi entered the tent with steady steps. Although the defeat at Huaxu Cliff had added a touch of solemnity to his face, his eyes still shone with an indomitable light. He bowed to the assembled demon generals, especially to Yin Cang, his attitude respectful yet dignified.
"General, esteemed generals, Lie Yi has come here to inform us of the true situation regarding Zheng Qian, so that we can better prepare for the challenges to come." Lie Yi's voice was clear and powerful, echoing throughout the camp.
Yin Cang nodded slightly, signaling Lie Yi to continue. Lie Yi took a deep breath and began to recount his encounter with Zheng Qian at Huaxu Cliff: "Zheng Qian possesses exceptional combat wisdom. His grasp of the battle situation and his understanding of the enemy's psychology are almost divine. What's even more terrifying is that his cultivation level is invincible among those of the same realm, and his explosive power and endurance in battle far surpass ordinary people. I personally witnessed that even the bravest warriors of our Flaming Leopard Clan could not survive under his sword."
“What’s even more shocking is that,” Lie Yi said, his tone tinged with barely concealed awe, “Zheng Qian’s spiritual energy seems inexhaustible. He single-handedly slaughtered three thousand of my Flame Leopard Clan’s guards, and he could easily withstand two days of attrition warfare. It was in such attrition warfare that Shadow Demon perished.”
Upon hearing this, Yuan Lang frowned, clearly surprised by Lie Yi's description. Yin Cang, on the other hand, fell into deep thought, realizing that Zheng Qian's threat was far more serious than he had imagined. If Yun Youzi was indeed supporting him from behind, then this battle would not only be a contest between the demon race and the human race, but also a continuation of the struggle between two generations of prodigies for the fate of their respective races.
"So, in your opinion, how should we deal with this?" Yin Cang spoke slowly, his eyes piercing, as if searching for a possible way to break the deadlock.
After a moment of contemplation, Lie Yi said, "First of all, we must abandon the strategy of head-on confrontation and abandon the battles of the first three days. We will send our experts to fight after four days."
"Secondly, four days later, we will unite with the forces of other fortresses to form a coalition and launch a group battle. With our numerical advantage, we will be able to encircle them. Even if Zheng Qian is strong, he will find it difficult to withstand attacks from all sides. Finally, and most importantly, we must ensure that the formation system we have developed is flawless to prevent Zheng Qian from taking advantage of any possible loopholes to launch a surprise attack."
Yin Cang nodded slowly after hearing this, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He stood up, looked around, and said in a firm and powerful voice, "Everyone, although Zheng Qian is strong, our demon race is not to be underestimated. Today, I have observed three extremely powerful human prodigies: one is Zheng Qian, another is a prodigy in fist techniques, and the third is a prodigy wielding a greatsword. Zheng Qian has been protecting the prodigy wielding the greatsword, which is highly suspicious."
Yin Cang's words silenced the entire meeting. You Lin, as the fortress's second-in-command, was meticulous and said coldly, "The human who wields the greatsword is named Zhao Mingxiu, and he uses a light-attribute soul technique."
Upon hearing You Lin's words, a jolt of electricity ran through Yin Cang's brain, and he made a bold guess about Zhao Mingxiu's identity.
Could it be Zhao Nuo's illegitimate child? Yes, it must be Zhao Nuo and Duan Na's illegitimate child. Those two shameless old hags, hundreds of years old, actually produced an illegitimate child?
Once the thought crossed Yin Cang's mind, it wouldn't stop. The strongest in the Ghost Wind Rift Valley were generally at the second level of the Pseudo-God Realm, and wouldn't exceed that level; this had almost become a tacit rule between the two sides. In other words, Zhao Nuo and Duan Na were already the strongest in the Ghost Wind Rift Valley.
Zhao Nuo and Duan Na are a pair of star-crossed lovers, a fact known not only to the human race but also to the high-ranking members of the Three Races Alliance. Their illegitimate son is the most prestigious and privileged child in the Youfeng Rift Valley, so it makes sense that Zheng Qian, an unparalleled prodigy in the same realm, would protect Zhao Mingxiu.
Moreover, aside from their illegitimate child, how could the human race possibly be willing to use two hundred Rank 3 magic artifacts for battle? And what about the eight hundred of the most elite warriors of the Radiant Legion?
Unbeknownst to Zhao Nuo and Duan Na, Zhao Mingxiu's appearance had already ruined their reputations in Yin Cang's eyes.
Yin Cang sneered inwardly. Since Zhao Nuo and Duan Na dared to put their illegitimate child on the battlefield, then they wouldn't be so ruthless as to punish him. He coldly said, "Avoid battle for the first three days. On the fourth day, let Yin Kuang fight a battle. He is only allowed to lose, not win. On the night of the fourth day, we will launch a surprise attack. The Shadow Serpent Clan is good at stealth and surprise attacks. They can be led by General Shadow Scale to deliver a fatal blow to the human race in the darkness. As for our Yu Human Clan, we will use Yu Mist and illusions to confuse them and disrupt their formation. As for Commander Yuan Lang, your Shadow Weaver troops will be responsible for carrying out precise assassinations at critical moments, striking the human race's vitals and capturing Zheng Qian and Zhao Mingxiu alive."
Ying Youlin's lips curled into a cold smile. Yin Cang could think that Zhao Mingxiu was the illegitimate son of Zhao Nuo and Duan Na, and she had also thought of this possibility. She was quite satisfied with the plan: "General, this plan is brilliant. Let us give those overconfident humans a lesson they will never forget!"
Yuan Lang nodded slightly. Although he didn't say much, the light in his eyes revealed his desire and confidence in victory.
"Excellent!" Wu Yin Cang slammed his hand on the table, stood up, and said in a booming voice, "From this moment on, all races shall prepare. When night falls on the fourth day, that will be the time for our counterattack to begin. Let the world know that Star Chess Fortress is not a place that anyone can easily set foot in!"
Outside the Star Chess Fortress, Zhao Mingxiu was ready for battle. He looked intently at Zheng Qian behind him. Zheng Qian nodded steadily, giving Zhao Mingxiu his strongest support. In that instant, no words were needed; the tacit understanding and trust between the two were perfectly conveyed.
Immediately afterward, Zhao Mingxiu turned his gaze back to the location of the three races' formation beneath the Star Chess Fortress. His voice, like thunder, echoed across the battlefield, filled with an invincible arrogance: "You three beasts, do you dare to come out and fight?"