In the vast expanse between the Zhao and Bai clan territories, a region with undulating terrain, intersecting hills and canyons, and several patches of stone forests jutting out abruptly, stood. At the bottom of the canyons, roaring rivers flowed with turbulent waters and hidden reefs, making it treacherous for even the most skilled swimmers to venture in.
This expansive area was a natural battlefield. Due to its complex terrain and poor accessibility, many places were impassable even for the best off-road trucks. Thus, during the initial stages of the war, neither the Zhao nor the Zhang clans constructed large fortresses in this area, settling for smaller fortifications instead.
At this moment, along a crude path through the canyon, a military unit was advancing towards the Zhao territory. This company of about several hundred soldiers had only a dozen or so trucks, loaded with supplies and wounded. Therefore, most of the troops had to proceed on foot.
Among the marching soldiers, many were bandaged, some still seeping blood. Almost every truck bore bullet holes, with one particularly damaged vehicle missing its roof and half of its engine cover. Each time it encountered a bump, the truck would groan and spew steam, leaving one to wonder if it would break down on the next stretch of road.
Both the trucks and the soldiers bore the Zhang clan’s insignia, indicating that they had just retreated from the front lines. Despite their recent hard-fought battle, they maintained a well-organized formation, and their morale remained high.
On the officer’s command, the unit split, with a few dozen soldiers and a supply truck setting up defensive positions on a hillside. The rest continued their march. Everything was conducted in an orderly manner, demonstrating that though the Zhang clan’s private army might not be as renowned, it was still a formidable and elite force.
After advancing several kilometers, the unit again dispatched a group to construct another defensive position. The remaining soldiers marched nearly twenty more kilometers, where a small mountain appeared on the horizon, and a castle could be faintly seen at its peak.
The Zhang officer raised his binoculars, and the castle gradually came into clear view. It was no mere outpost but a stronghold capable of housing thousands. On the ramparts, several flags fluttered in the wind. Seeing the words “Yōuyàn Zhào” (Noble Zhao of Youyan) on the banners, the officer’s tense face finally relaxed, and he sighed with relief. He ordered, “Send someone back immediately to report to the general that we have arrived in the Zhao clan’s defensive zone.”
The captain beside him instantly got off the command vehicle, retrieved a motorcycle from the back, and drove off, disappearing into a cloud of dust.
In a nearby fortress, a small conference room was crowded with seven or eight generals. Apart from two who wore the uniform of the Imperial Army, the rest bore the marks of the Zhao clan or the Wolf Smoke Corps. This did not diminish their intimidation but rather enhanced it, as the combat prowess of the Zhao clan’s private army and the Wolf Smoke Corps was known to surpass even the main Imperial forces.
Sitting centrally was a graying middle-aged lieutenant general, frowning intensely as he stared at a map spread across the table. To his left sat a young general with sharp, piercing eyes, not yet thirty years old but already a major general. Among the other generals, two were also under thirty, including a brigadier general who looked about twenty-three or twenty-four. The rest were mostly in their thirties or early forties, with very few over forty.
Only the two Imperial Army generals were around fifty, both holding the rank of major general. They gazed at the meditative central figure with a mix of respect and awe.
Zhao Zhuoyan, the fourth son of the Duke of Yan, had been on the battlefield since he was sixteen, fighting for over two decades with few defeats. However, his style was always steady and solid, lacking the flamboyant, volcanic approach of Zhao Wei Huang. Nevertheless, his achievements and combat power were never to be underestimated.
His role in overseeing the Zhao clan’s sector in the floating continent battlefront was a testament to his acknowledged strength.
Although Zhao Zhuoyan was not widely known, those in the Imperial Army recognized his reputation and understood that he was a formidable and vexing opponent.
The two Imperial generals glanced at the other Zhao generals, particularly lingering on the young major general to Zhao Zhuoyan’s left. They exchanged glances, seeing the apprehension in each other’s eyes.
Zhao Junhong, one of the Zhao family’s four dandies, was a model of early success. If not overshadowed by Zhao Jundu, his fame would have been even greater. Unexpectedly, after showcasing exceptional command skills, Zhao Junhong’s combat prowess had surged, reaching Level 12, now rivaling Zhao Jundu.
Next to Zhao Junhong, Zhao Junsu, a brigadier general in his early twenties, took his seat. Thus, all four of the Zhao family’s young dandies had become seasoned generals, moving from needing family protection to being able to stand on their own.
On the other side, Zhao Fenglei, though older compared to Zhao Junhong and Zhao Junsu, was still a major general and part of the younger generation in the Imperial ranks. His peers included Zhao Jundu, Zhao Ruoxi, and Zhao Yuying, all key figures within the clan.
Such was the Zhao clan, far beyond being merely rich in talent.
After a long silence, Zhao Zhuoyan finally raised his head, surveying the room. He said sternly, “This mission to support the Zhang clan is crucial for our nation’s fate, and I need not elaborate on its significance. We will follow Junhong’s strategy, and failure is not an option! Any mistake, regardless of who makes it, will be met with military law, no exceptions!”
His stern tone caused everyone to stiffen, and they responded loudly in unison.
From the map, it was clear that between the Zhao and Zhang clans’ territories, nine fortresses were strategically positioned in a pattern resembling a nine-palace layout.
Zhao Zhuoyan continued, “With the Zhang clan’s retreat, the dark races will not let this go easily. Their forces will surely pursue relentlessly, advancing from multiple directions to encircle and annihilate the Zhang clan before they reach our defensive zone. These nine fortresses are vital; they must delay the enemy as much as possible, allowing the Zhang clan to withdraw safely. Besides the three frontline fortresses, the others must hold for at least three days. Afterward, I will organize reinforcements.”
All eyes focused on the nine fortresses. Even those without military knowledge knew that hastily built fortresses would struggle to withstand the dark races’ assault, making this almost a suicide mission.
Seeing the somber faces, Zhao Junhong suddenly smiled and said, “This battle is not entirely hopeless. To the dark races, pursuing the Zhang clan is more important than capturing a minor fortress. We only need to repel their initial attack, and they will leave a small force to keep us occupied while the main force continues the pursuit.”
The two Imperial generals’ expressions eased, and they nodded in agreement.
Choosing the commanders for these nine fortresses was critical. Zhao Zhuoyan looked around and said, “Generals, please choose which fortress you prefer to defend.”
Some frowned, others pondered, and the room fell silent. Choosing a fortress involved not only personal preference but also the identity of the commanders at neighboring forts. In battle, mutual cooperation and support were key to holding the line. The three frontline fortresses, facing the initial assault, required two generals each. After fulfilling their tasks, the frontline troops would retreat to the second-line forts, and so on.
At this moment, Zhao Junsu stood up, about to point to one of the three frontline fortresses.
Before he could speak, Zhao Zhuoyan said, “Junsu, you will defend Fortress Seven.”
Zhao Junsu was taken aback. “Why?”
Fortress Seven, located in the third line, was closest to the Zhao base and faced the least defensive pressure. Although some dark race forces would likely encircle it, they would be weaker than the main force pursuing the Zhang clan. With support from the flanks, defending it should be manageable.
Zhao Zhuoyan’s expression darkened. “Military matters are not a game. Do you have the capability to hold the front lines?”
Zhao Junsu’s face flushed with anger, but he dared not openly defy Zhao Zhuoyan’s command. Sullenly, he sat down.
Following Zhao Junsu’s lead, several generals spoke up, choosing their fortresses. Zhao Zhuoyan himself would coordinate from the center, while Zhao Junhong, Zhao Fenglei, and the two Imperial major generals selected the three frontline fortresses.
At this moment, Zhao Fenglei interjected, “No matter how we arrange it, our defense is still weak. We don’t have enough manpower.”
Zhao Zhuoyan remained calm. “Tomorrow, Yuying will arrive, accompanied by two more generals from the family.”
Zhao Fenglei shook his head. “Even with Yuying, it’s still not enough.”
If Zhao Fenglei could see this, how could Zhao Zhuoyan not? He sighed and said, “There’s no easy solution. The dark races’ forces are vast, and even the Zhang clan was defeated. Where will we find an easy fight? The outer void fleets are engaged in fierce battles, and perhaps only when they decide the outcome, preventing the dark races from sending more troops to the floating continent, will things ease up.”
If the Imperial fleets were defeated? More than one person had this thought, but none dared to voice it. If the fleets lost, the tens of thousands of troops on the floating continent would surely be annihilated, with only a few noble scions and powerful individuals escaping.
Zhao Fenglei suddenly said, “This battle is critical, but it seems we haven’t utilized all our strength.”
All eyes turned to Zhao Fenglei. Zhao Zhuoyan’s expression remained unchanged, asking, “What do you mean?”
Zhao Fenglei took a breath. “Have you forgotten Qian Ye?”
Zhao Zhuoyan’s brows furrowed, and he remained silent for a moment.
Zhao Fenglei continued, “If Qian Ye were here, with him and Jundu supporting us, the dark forces would be divided, unable to fully besiege the fortresses. Our defensive pressure would be significantly reduced.”
Zhao Zhuoyan’s brows rose, showing some interest, but he sighed. “Qian Ye chose free hunting and is currently fighting for the Li clan. He is not a member of the Zhao clan and holds no position in our army, so I have no authority to dispatch him.”
Zhao Fenglei sneered. “How can he not be a Zhao? Remember, he is officially listed in the records of the four dandies. Furthermore, while we are fighting for our lives, he is battling for the Li clan’s rewards. Isn’t that unacceptable? I believe, in this critical situation, for the greater good, we should issue a summons to Qian Ye, ordering him to return immediately!”
Zhao Junhong stood up abruptly, shouting, “Impossible!”
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