Song Zining no longer dwelled on the past and began issuing a series of commands. The entire base instantly burst into chaos, with everyone busily scurrying about. Wei Potian, having nothing to do, simply followed behind Song Zining.
Seeing the soldiers carrying crates of ammunition out of the warehouse and onto the turrets, and some troops that were supposed to be resting marching to their battle positions, Wei Potian couldn’t help but ask, “Is there going to be a battle here?”
“But didn’t we just have one? Why can’t there be another battle here?”
“Didn’t you plan to build this place as a supply base?”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
Wei Potian was taken aback, “How can you change it so casually?”
Song Zining stopped, looked at him, and said, “There’s no choice. You few, pack the remaining supplies in the warehouse onto the transport ships!”
Several officers responded and went off. Wei Potian scratched his head, not knowing what to say, and finally managed, “Are we really running away from her like this?”
Song Zining halted, his face serious, “If you don’t want to die, don’t mention her to anyone, and definitely don’t talk about that thing being in her hands. Not only you, but make sure your men keep their mouths shut. Otherwise, it won’t just be you who will suffer, but the Wei family as well!”
Wei Potian was startled, “That serious?”
“It’s that serious. Pack up now; there are still a few empty ships over there. Your men should be able to squeeze in. Return to the Empire immediately and bring the next batch of reserve troops.”
“But—”
“This is an order!”
Song Zining’s sudden sternness left Wei Potian at a loss. He could only say, “Fine, I’ll comply. But what should I do after I go back?”
“Go to the Far East, Floating Land, Beyond Land, or the Western Land. Do whatever, just don’t come back here.”
Wei Potian opened his mouth, then suddenly seemed to think of something. Uncharacteristically, he did not argue, but instead summoned the Wei family’s private army and headed towards the airship.
The two private army commanders, seeing no outsiders around, spoke with somber faces, “Young Master, are we really returning?”
Wei Potian glared, “What else would we do, wait for execution? Commander Song has given a military order. Do you think I can defy a military order?”
Another general said, “We’re not suggesting that Young Master defy the order, but how can we hold our heads high when we return to the Empire?”
“How can we not? We’ve earned plenty of military merits and haven’t lost many men.”
The general replied, “Young Master, that may be true, but we really lost too badly this time. Our brothers’ armor was stripped off, and some even returned barefoot. Do you know what people in the base are saying about us? They’re saying, ‘Why didn’t they come back naked?'”
Wei Potian flew into a rage, shouting, “Which scoundrel is mocking me behind my back?! If I weren’t so good at fighting, do you think they’d let us return?”
His voice was so loud that half the base could hear him.
Everyone in the base knew that Wei Potian was close friends with Song Zining and Zhao Jundu, and that the Wei family was also a powerful force, with a Divine General. So, they all pretended not to hear Wei Potian. It was one thing to joke about the Wei family’s private army, but joking about Wei Potian himself was tantamount to signing a death warrant.
Wei Potian looked around and, seeing no one respond, asserted his authority and waved, “Come on, get on the ship. There’s important business to attend to after we return!”
The Wei family’s private army roared in response and rushed towards the airship. Some disgruntled officers muttered, “Still so arrogant even after losing. Such a rare sight.”
Their words were not too loud, and some of the Wei family’s soldiers heard, but they felt embarrassed to argue and simply hurried past.
Just as this little incident unfolded, a commotion erupted outside the base. Someone shouted, “Quick, get the doctors ready! The front-line troops are retreating, with many… many wounded soldiers!”
At that moment, a burning airship stumbled and crashed onto the open ground outside the fortress. The cabin door wouldn’t open, so someone kicked it off. A burly man emerged, carrying a bloodied soldier, and shouted, “Doctor! Where are the doctors? Many of our brothers are dying!”
Without a word, Wei Potian rushed over and helped carry the wounded. The entire airship was filled with wounded soldiers, many of whom had already ceased breathing by the time they were carried out.
The airship was still on fire, and there was a risk of explosion. Wei Potian grabbed a war axe, swung it with all his might, and hacked at the cabin wall. After several strikes, he created a large opening. Then he dropped the axe, grabbed two wounded soldiers, and ran towards the hospital. After a few trips, he realized he could use a truck and quickly drove it to the airship.
Many others reacted faster than Wei Potian, and dozens of vehicles were already shuttling the wounded. By the time the last batch of wounded was delivered, the hospital was overflowing, and dozens of doctors were drenched in sweat. There weren’t enough nurses, so soldiers had to be called in to help.
Though this hospital was quite large for a field hospital, it was still unable to handle the influx of over a thousand wounded soldiers.
Wei Potian found a moment to pull aside a lightly injured general and asked, “Which unit are you from? How did you end up like this?”
The general recognized Wei Potian and saluted, “We are under General Zhang Shixuan. We were planning to harass the dark race’s supply lines, but they suddenly appeared, and there was a very powerful woman. She used some unknown means to take down two of our airships. General Zhang ordered the airships to land to rescue the crew, leading his personal guard to cover the retreat. Then…”
Wei Potian’s heart sank, “Was it that woman who acted?”
The general shook his head, “She hadn’t acted yet. But she had over a dozen Marquises under her, and General Zhang couldn’t resist. We fought to the death to save as many of our brothers as we could…”
It must be Qian Ye, only she would have such a formidable force.
At that moment, Song Zining hurried by, saw Wei Potian, and urged, “Why are you still here? Go quickly!”
Wei Potian said, “I’m not leaving.”
Song Zining was shocked, “Why stay? Are you looking for death?”
Wei Potian pointed to the camp full of wounded, “Look at them. Do you think I can leave?”
Song Zining said, “You’re being foolish! How are you the same as them? People die on the battlefield every day. They might not be exterminated, but if you go, do you think you can return alive?”
“Once on the battlefield, no one can live forever. If I die, so be it.”
“Your death doesn’t matter, but if you go, your entire force will be wiped out! You’re forcing her to act!” Song Zining’s voice rose.
“What if we can’t win? Should we hide and never fight again?”
Seeing that the argument was fruitless and people were starting to look their way, Song Zining said, “Stay if you want, but leave half of your force. The Wei family needs to retain some strength!”
Wei Potian remained silent, “Let a third stay, or let them all return.”
The Wei family’s elite were all here. If they were all wiped out, the Wei family would be severely weakened, and if Wei Potian died, the family would be without a successor. It would be difficult to find a young disciple with the potential of a Divine General, and the vast territory and interests would become a burden.
Wei Potian understood this, and as he grew older, he realized that he could no longer act rashly.
Song Zining looked at him, “The true foundation of the Wei family is you. Wouldn’t it be a pity to die before becoming a Divine General?”
Wei Potian lowered his head in thought, then slowly raised it, “A man acts without fear. If I were afraid of everything, I wouldn’t have achieved anything. Don’t say more. Fate will decide. If I’m destined to die by her hand, so be it!”
Song Zining patted his shoulder, “Alright, stay. But remember to follow orders and don’t act recklessly.”
“Understood. I don’t want to die yet.”
“If you die, Yu Ying will remarry.”
Wei Potian was furious, “Shut up, you jinx!”
Song Zining laughed, slapped his back, and walked away.
The small joke did little to lighten the mood. As another damaged airship returned, the base fell into despair and frantic activity.
The field hospital was already overflowing with wounded, and the surrounding area was filled with groaning soldiers. Doctors hurried back and forth, hastily examining each wounded soldier and instructing nurses on what to do next.
Medicines ran out quickly, and even using bed sheets for bandages wasn’t enough. The smell of blood filled the air, and the occasional scream of a dying soldier made the atmosphere particularly grim.
Suddenly, a green light shimmered above the hospital, and a light rain began to fall. The rain brought relief to the wounded, easing their pain and making them feel drowsy.
Song Zining turned to see a refined, gentle middle-aged man approaching and said, “Duke Qingyun.”
Duke Qingyun said, “I can only do my part to alleviate their suffering. But how did it come to this?”
Duke Qingyun was well-known in the Empire, his domain covering a wide area with a soothing effect. Though not very powerful, it was effective in weakening the enemy. Now, it was helping the wounded, though it only provided pain relief and no actual healing.
Song Zining suddenly remembered something, “Where is Prince Dingxuan?”
Duke Qingyun, a confidant of Prince Dingxuan, replied, “The Prince sensed something and went to the front line. Before he left, he said that this trip might yield a target more valuable than Yehuo. That would satisfy his heart’s desire.”
“That’s good.” Song Zining’s reply was somewhat insincere.
Duke Qingyun noticed Song Zining’s unease and asked, “What do you think, Zining?”
“Naturally, I hope the Prince’s trip is fruitful.”
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