Immortal Fairies Always Have Designs on Me-Chapter 957 - 400: The Advantage Is Mine!

Southwest of the Dynasty, outside Lingshi City, north of Jianyuan State.

Inside the military tent, Peace Chaos Grand Marshal Chang Shi, who commanded the troops in three states, stood in front of the map, his expression somewhat sombre.

Since leading the troops of Shang, Jing, and Tong states into the southwest, everything had been smooth sailing. Everywhere they went, they conquered cities and seized territories, hardly ever encountering a tough battle.

However, the battle-hardened Chang Shi couldn't feel any joy.

Because with each city they captured along the way, not one had a large garrison... Did King Qin really just abandon these cities, leaving only the city folk behind?

Now that they had seized several states in the southwest, Chang Shi still couldn't figure out what kind of scheme King Qin was plotting.

The feeling of punching cotton left Chang Shi extremely frustrated. He often felt like massacring the cities to vent his anger, yet the city-dwelling people displayed a scene of welcoming the Royal Army...

In such circumstances, who would dare to sack a city?

Even if he wanted to, what about his soldiers?

Ever since entering the city, the enthusiasm of the city dwellers was excessive, providing food and clothing... who dared to act recklessly?

So he had to leave some troops stationed there and continue leading the main army forward. In no time, they captured Lingshi City, only a few hundred miles away from King Qin's base, Jiangde City.

Still, there was no large-scale resistance, and the city remained in a joyful welcome of the Royal Army... But Chang Shi felt something strange that he couldn't quite put a finger on.

As he pondered, a Deputy General quickly walked into the tent, cupped his fists, and said, "Reporting to the Marshal, some soldiers have deserted again..."

Deserters...

Chang Shi's eyelids twitched; this was not the first incident. Whenever they occupied a new city, someone would desert. He had sent people to investigate, but the results were unsatisfactory.

All they heard were things like, "Do you have a house? Do you have land? Do you have money... if not, why risk your life?" from the city dwellers and garrison soldiers during chats.

He had also tried killing to extract information, but got no further answers, so he had no choice but to let it slide.

Though Chang Shi had heard about King Qin's reforms in the southwest, it still seemed impossible for all the citizens to revere her like a God...

Very strange indeed.

Fearing deception, he deliberately slowed their advance, but the rear was peaceful, with nothing out of the ordinary.

"Were they caught?" Chang Shi asked in a deep voice.

"No," the Deputy General shook his head, "But I dare say the deserters are hiding in a household within the city, but it's difficult to conduct a thorough search."

Chang Shi took a deep breath and was about to speak when another bloodied aide-de-camp rushed in, "Reporting to the Marshal, the provisions have been plundered again!"

"Understood." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

This was not the first time either, so Chang Shi's expression remained unchanged as he asked, "What about Prince Ning, still not back yet?"

"Not yet..."

"Were you looking for me?"

The Deputy General hadn't finished speaking when a strong voice rang out from outside the tent, followed by Dongfang Zhen lifting the curtain and stepping in, his face full of cheer.

Ever since arriving in the southwest, he always managed to capture various isolated members of the royal family with the Qin Army, mostly the old and sickly, but after so many days, he had absorbed the Dragon Qi of tens of thousands of royals.

He felt truly satisfied!

Looking at Dongfang Zhen, Chang Shi showed genuine respect, for although Prince Ning had brought his army here, he never interfered in military affairs, greatly improving Chang Shi's impression of him. "Reporting to Your Highness, a letter from Shengjing."

With that, he handed over the letter.

As Dongfang Zhen glanced at it, his jubilant expression instantly darkened, and the killing intent in his eyes seemed almost tangible.

His Hechang City was actually set aflame?

That wench Prince Hui and Dongfang Yaoe had actually taken Lai State?

Was it done by the Jinyi Guard who betrayed Dongfang Xinglan and Shengjing?

This is utter nonsense!

With just the lowly Jinyi Guard, how could they contend with his Eastern Mansion Army? How could they help the disarmed Dongfang Yaoe take over the whole of Lai State?

Could it be...

Dongfang Zhen's heart sank as he looked back at the letter in his hand, realizing it seemed to warn him not to be too greedy with the royal family's Dragon Qi?

If it were Shengjing's forces, they indeed could accomplish what was described in the letter, but Dongfang Xinghe, who just ascended the throne and founded the Yuan Chengtian reign, wouldn't be that foolish.

Dongfang Zhen crushed the letter into powder and looked at Chang Shi, saying, "Advance on Jiangde City, capturing this state capital will eventually strike a blow to King Qin's morale."

Chang Shi hesitated and asked, "Your Highness, you've been outside all this while. Is it true that the rebellious King Qin summoned a True Dragon? Is it true there are rumors of two Dragons ruling together?"

Seeing Dongfang Zhen silent, Chang Shi's heart sank, and he continued, "Originally, after the Crown Prince ascended the throne, morale increased greatly, but now King Qin also bears an imperial appearance..."

"Take Jiangde City," Dongfang Zhen interrupted Chang Shi, "For it's the foundation of King Qin, just as Shengjing is for His Majesty. Capture Jiangde City, and the strength or weakness will be plain to see."

"Indeed..."

"I will lead the five hundred thousand troops I brought," Dongfang Zhen exhaled lightly, "We will surely win this battle."

Saying this, Dongfang Zhen turned and left the tent. Now that Dongfang Xinglan had returned from the south, her first action would undoubtedly be to secure the royal family. Unfortunately, he already knew from his spies where she had placed them.

Once he captures the royal family and attacks from the rear, what could she win with?

Chang Shi exhaled lightly, giving orders to the Deputy General, "In an hour, the entire army will attack Jiangde City, a decisive battle!"