Son-in-law Heaven Emperor Xiao Yi

That night.

Xiao Yi and his men spurred their horses, rushing toward Zhenxi City at top speed.

Eight hundred li.

For this carefully selected elite force of a hundred thousand, it was but a three-hour journey.

As the dawn's first rays appeared the following day.

The defending army within Zhenxi City was shocked to find that the army of the Tianqing Kingdom had already set up camp ten li away from the city, and all this had been accomplished right under their noses without drawing the attention of the Zhenxi City's defenders. This indeed caused Zhao Qiankun inside the city to wipe away a cold sweat as he went personally to the top of the city wall.

Clatter clatter clatter!

Zheng Le, carrying a command flag, rode a tall horse to the gates of Zhenxi City.

"Is General Zhao Qiankun there?" Zheng Le called out loudly.

Atop the city walls.

Zhao Qiankun narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

"I am Zheng Le, the vanguard officer serving directly under His Highness Xiao Yi, the Martial King of Tianqing Kingdom. I have come to deliver a message to General Zhao!" Zheng Le's voice was loud and solemn, booming like a large bell, resounding thunderously.

Zhao Qiankun narrowed his eyes and deliberately said, "What Martial King Xiao Yi? Who is this youngster whose hair hasn't even grown fully? I have never heard of him."

"Then that indicates your ignorance!"

Unangered, Zheng Le laughed heartily and then continued, "My lord has stated, limit General Zhao to surrender within three days to spare your life. Should you still stubbornly resist after three days, my lord will lead the great army of the Tianqing Kingdom to crush through Zhenxi City. Anyone who obstructs the Tianqing Kingdom's army shall be killed without mercy!"

"Arrogance!"

"You scoundrels of Tianqing Kingdom, we don't need three days, if you dare, attack now!"

"We shall see whether it is your Tianqing Kingdom's soldiers that are sharp, or if our Zhenxi City is more impenetrable!"

One by one, the generals under Zhao Qiankun loudly taunted.

With a sneer, Zhao Qiankun said, "Go back and tell your master, if he kneels and begs for mercy, I might spare your lives!"

Bang!

Zheng Le abruptly planted the command flag into the ground and proclaimed, "By the orders of my lord, this flag stands here. From this moment on, each day you fail to surrender, we will execute one of your generals and hang their head from this flag! After three days, our army will launch a full assault and flatten your Zhenxi City!"

Clatter clatter clatter!

Zheng Le immediately rode his tall horse, leaving swiftly.

Atop the city walls.

The Tianlan Kingdom's generals were utterly furious: "Damn it, these bastards from Tianqing Kingdom, they've gone too far!"

"Are they suggesting that Zhenxi City has no one capable?"

"Send orders down, implement the original plan and double the patrols and defenses!"

Zhao Qiankun coldly snorted and with a casual flick, shot an arrow that split the command flag, and squinting, he looked toward the distant encampment of Xiao Yi and his men, "My Zhenxi City is a net of heaven and earth, I would like to see how you would execute my generals!"

But as for Zheng Le...

When he returned to the camp, he guzzled down water, wiped his lips, and looked at Xiao Yi with a wry smile: "My lord, please don't send me to do such things in the future. You didn't see the look in those generals' eyes under Zhao Qiankun's command; they looked like they wanted to eat me alive!"

Xiao Yi said indifferently, "If that's the case, then you're relieved from your position as vanguard officer and can become the quartermaster instead!"

"No, my lord!"

Zheng Le became anxious and quickly said, "I only spoke off the cuff!"

"Hahaha..."

Both Xiao Yi and Zhang Baisheng laughed heartily.

Causing Zheng Le to look embarrassed.

Xiao Yi said in a serious tone, "What is the state of Zhenxi City's defenses?"
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"Extremely stringent!"

Zheng Le also turned serious and said in a deep voice, "Based on the defensive setup I saw, it is indeed identical to the one shown on that defense map."

"So it seems that the defense map is indeed credible!" Xiao Yi nodded.

Of course, they could not simply believe in the authenticity of the defense map based on just a few words from a minor eunuch.

This time, they had sent Zheng Le to provoke the enemy, firstly to disrupt the enemy troops, and secondly to confirm the authenticity of the defense map.

Zhang Baisheng said, "My lord, you had Zheng Le set up that commanding banner and even claimed that every day a head of an enemy soldier would be hung on it, are you going to take action personally?"

"Mm!"

Xiao Yi nodded.

Zheng Le frowned and said, "By doing so, although we can disturb their military heart, it will also make Zhao Qiankun become alert. He might increase his defensive forces, which is not advantageous for us!"

Zhang Baisheng gave him a glare and said, "Do you think you're the only one who can think of that?"

"Ah?"

Zheng Le was stunned.

Zhang Baisheng revealed a meaningful smile, "In military strategy, direct confrontation is inferior, psychological warfare is superior. His Highness has a well-thought-out plan. Let's just wait and enjoy the show!"

That very night.

Within the western city, a group of generals gathered together.

General Zhang Ti was one of Zhao Qiankun's fierce generals, with a cultivation at the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, and possessed Innate Divine Strength. Fierce and fearless in battle, he had established a mighty military record. However, his temper was too impulsive, suitable as a general but not as a commander, unable to hold his ground alone.

Witnessing Zhao Qiankun increase the defensive forces overnight, Zhang Ti was very dissatisfied, muttering, "My lord, Xiao Yi is nothing but a green youth. Why such a fuss over his words?"

"Shut up!"

Zhao Qiankun sharply interrupted, "Carry out the defense and guard according to plan, and also pay attention to your own safety. Xiao Yi is the top talent of the Tianqing Kingdom. Even the national master was defeated by him. Do not underestimate him, lest he takes your heads!"

"Rest assured, my lord, we have been fighting wars for years, and we will not make such a novice mistake!"

"If he dares to come, I will ensure he does not return!"

The men swore their oaths earnestly.

Watching the men leave, Zhao Qiankun squinted up at the star-filled sky, rubbing his brows, "I hope... these are only my misgivings!"

The next day, at dawn.

Zhao Qiankun suddenly awoke from deep sleep, his forehead drenched in cold sweat. He looked around and then let out a long breath, "Good, it was just a nightmare..."

As soon as those words fell.

An urgent knocking sound came from outside the door, "My lord, something terrible has happened; General Zhang Ti's head has been hung on the flag outside the city gate!"

"What?"

Zhao Qiankun was shocked, his body springing up from the bed, rushing out the door.

Along the way, he could continuously hear whispers among the military and civilians, "Did you hear? General Zhang Ti had his head cut off and hung outside the city gate. Even the general's wife lying beside him didn't realize until she woke up this morning."

"I heard it too... Some say that our Tianlan Kingdom has incurred the wrath of the heavens, and that deities are aiding the Tianqing Kingdom!"

"Alas... why bother with such a battle? The Tianqing Kingdom never took the initiative to provoke us, and now, it has made everyone panic..."

Hearing the murmuring of the people.

Zhao Qiankun's face turned exceedingly grim.

He faintly understood the purpose behind Xiao Yi's move; it was to scatter the hearts of the military and civilians of the western city!

When Zhao Qiankun reached the top of the city wall, he saw yet another banner erected below.

On the banner hung the head of Zhang Ti.

The blood had already dried, but his face still bore the peaceful expression of deep sleep.

Bang!

Zhao Qiankun smashed a brick on the city wall with his palm, his face somber as he looked towards his subordinates, "Increase the guard forces by fivefold. Additionally, combine the generals in pairs to stay together, all centralized in the city lord's residence. I want to see how Xiao Yi will kill under my watch..."