My Cultivation Starting from Archery

"I second that!"

"..."

Officials from sect families expressed their agreement one after another.

Those who came from Beiliang, like Fu Kejin, also remained silent.

They indeed can't afford to lose!

The New Dynasty seems aggressive, but they only have about three to four hundred thousand troops in total, and they need to garrison various states, leaving only twenty thousand or so that can be mobilized.

If all were to fall at Chibi, not to mention sieging cities, even self-preservation would be extremely difficult, and they would likely be gradually devoured by the imperial army.

"What you said, my dear minister, is very true."

The rightful Emperor nodded and said, "I will issue an imperial decree at once."

As he knew,

His twelfth brother, King Yan Cao Zhi, and the Guiyuan Sect were secretly plotting something, and as long as they preserved their strength, they might be able to deal with the Foundation Establishment Emperor in time.

But the prerequisite is...

They must survive until then.

If victory is not certain, the strategy of preserving strength is inevitable, better than complete annihilation.

The imperial edict from Youlan Capital quickly reached the army.

Aboard the central army ship.

The White Robe and numerous generals listened to the decree, each with different expressions.

Currently.

They indeed faced a crucial decision.

Either retreat quickly, shrink back to Beiliang.

Or continue to fight, which means there's no turning back.

"Otherwise..."

Guiyuan Sect cultivator Qian Qiren said, "Brother Chen, shall we retreat first? And you need not feel any burden, after all, the opponent has a second-tier array capable of dealing with Foundation Establishment cultivators, far beyond our ability."

"What Fellow Daoist Qian says makes sense."

Cui Zhichen took out several secret letters and said, "Zhou Rong has already started deploying more naval forces to cut off various tributaries; if we withdraw now, it might still be in time, but if we drag on further, we won't be able to leave at all."

"Are you joking?"

Wang Zhi said without hesitation, "My Beiliang Iron Cavalry has gone through countless hardships to come south from the Northern Territory, burning through countless supplies; if we retreat now, wouldn't this year have been fought in vain?"

"Don't forget one thing."

Second Senior Brother Cheng Wei said, "If we delay like this, the Old Emperor is going to cross the pass!"

"You think we don't understand all this? But there's no choice."

Cui Zhichen said, "Even if retreat means a slow death later, it's better than all dying here at once. Living one more day brings one more chance, and who knows, a turning point might appear."

"Brother Chen."

Qian Qiren emphasized, "Let's retreat. In a few days, the Guiyuan Sect can also send array masters, why knowingly confront a stronger enemy when we're weaker, isn't it like smashing an egg against a rock?"

Under everyone's expectant gazes.

Chen Sansi finally made a decision: "Not a step back."

"Inform the entire army!"

"Be ready for a decisive battle with the enemy at all times!"

"..."

Not a step back, prepare for a decisive battle.

As these words were spoken.

The cabin fell into silence for a long time.

This is...

To act willfully!

"Brother, brother."

King Yan Cao Zhi approached and whispered, "Listen to me? The battlefield changes rapidly, and the situation is different every day, you should understand this better than I do.

"In the past, we indeed needed to race against time with my father the Emperor.

"But now, there's no need for that.

"I can tell you that if we wait a little longer, the Guiyuan Sect might be able to assist us greatly.

"So, why risk your life?

"Your Highness, no need to say more, my mind is made up."

Chen Sansi gave no further opportunity for others to speak: "Anyone who speaks of retreat will be executed without mercy."

After speaking.

He left alone.

"If the Commander says fight, then we fight! What is there to fear?!"

Zhao Kang contemptuously glanced at Cui Zhichen and the others, then left with the Beiliang Generals.

In the cabin, only those sent by the court remained.

"Isn't he... is he defying the decree?"

A general from a noble family was somewhat bewildered.

This time.

Clearly, the court had decreed to retreat.

It's an imperial edict!

Yet why do they need to discuss with White Robe, even the decree has to be discussed with him?

Moreover, Chen Sansi openly defied the decree, completely ignoring the court's military orders.

But...

The court truly was powerless!

The title "Beiliang King" isn't just ornamental; the Beiliang Army truly only listens to the king's command, not imperial decrees.

If Chen Sansi insists on not leaving, no one can move the Beiliang Army.

They might be able to withdraw the court's own troops, but that would mean falling out with the Beiliang Army, which wouldn't benefit the situation at all.

The White Robe doesn't leave.

Everyone can only stay and accompany!

"This..."

Qian Qiren, quite wary of the opponent's array, looked around and said, "Can't you try to persuade him again?"

"Can't persuade him."

King Yan Cao Zhi sat in the commander's seat, took a sip from a purple clay pot, and then looked at the pitch black outside the cabin, said helplessly, "My brother wants to risk his life, we can only accompany him.

"Besides, who knows.

"Maybe he's using some strategy, just hasn't told us."

"Let's hope so."

"..."

Everyone fell silent again, and after a few breaths.

Cui Zhichen resolutely said, "Then prepare for battle to the death."

Meanwhile.

The punishment of suspension for three days with iron chains finally ended.

Wang Zhi and others removed the Mystic Iron Chains.

"Thud!"

Simayi, body full of bloody holes, fell heavily to the ground.

Using Mystic Iron Chains and iron nails to penetrate the key acupuncture points of the body, even for a Martial Artist of the True Power Realm, this punishment is an unbearable torment.