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Outside Wu'an City, Star Luo Empire
The sky was densely overcast, the heavy clouds pressing down on the earth like a suffocating shroud.
The four gates of Wu'an City were tightly shut. Eleven thousand soldiers stood in two neat echelons outside the northern gate.
Behind them, ten thousand soldiers clad in black armor formed a steel wall, standing solemnly in formation.
Their cold armor gleamed with a chilling light under the dim sky. Spears stood like forests, and banners fluttered fiercely in the wind.
At the very front of the formation stood a thousand peculiar "soldiers."
Some wore tattered laborer's clothes, others dressed in common civilian attire. Though they lacked uniformity, each one stood tall, their murderous intent radiating like a tangible force.
Compared to the armored soldiers behind them, their presence was even more formidable. Clearly, they were the elite among elites.
At this moment, Dai Xuan, clad in yellow robes and somewhat overweight, stepped onto the city walls.
His gaze swept over the thousand unarmored soldiers below, his eyes filled with calculation and amusement. He then raised his voice and shouted:
"Soldiers!"
"Today, I've ordered you to stand ready because a group of traitors from the Star Luo Empire is coming to our Wu'an City!"
"If any of you can kill that traitor, you'll be promoted five ranks and rewarded with a thousand golden spirit coins!"
"Promotion by five ranks and a thousand golden spirit coins?!"
Under such a generous reward, there would surely be brave men willing to act.
Almost instantly, greedy flames ignited in the soldiers' eyes. Many tightened their grip on their weapons, their breathing quickening.
Seeing this, Dai Xuan nodded in satisfaction. After a brief pause, his gaze fixed directly on the unarmored elite soldiers at the front.
"And as for those thousand of you!"
"I know you're dissatisfied, thinking you're the most elite troops here!"
"Now, I'm giving you a chance to prove yourselves!"
His voice rose sharply, carrying an almost hypnotic allure. "If you can kill that traitor, not only will I reinstate all of you into the army, but the rewards will remain the same—and your monthly stipend will triple!"
"How's that sound?!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
In an instant, the eleven thousand soldiers erupted into deafening shouts.
The sound waves surged upward, shaking the heavens.
However, everyone was curious—who exactly was this so-called traitor that made the governor go to such lengths?!
While the crowd murmured amongst themselves…
Dai Xuan turned to the black-robed figure beside him. "Master, let them wear down Dai Chengfeng and his companions first. Then it'll be your turn."
The black-robed figure gave a faint nod. "Zhu Fan alone won't be a match for me."
"If it weren't for Ye Renxin and that unknown elder, I would have acted directly!"
"However…"
Here, a flicker of confusion passed through the black-robed figure's eyes. "You intend to kill Dai Chengfeng outright?"
"Aren't you afraid of Emperor Dai's wrath?"
Dai Xuan smirked confidently. "Crown Prince Dai Weisi and Dai Chengfeng are rivals for the throne. I serve Crown Prince Dai Weisi—so killing Dai Chengfeng is perfectly justifiable, isn't it?"
And besides…
The more chaos in the Star Luo Empire, the better, wasn't it?!
Of course, he didn't say the last part aloud.
Meanwhile, as the two discussed…
Far down the official road,
Several figures on horseback galloped toward Wu'an City.
"Dai Chengfeng… He didn't call upon the army from Wu Ping City?"
Seeing this, a flicker of doubt crossed Dai Xuan's eyes.
But soon, his eyes burned with fervor and excitement. "Since you're so arrogant, today will be your doom…"
---
At the same time,
On the official road leading to Wu'an City, Ye Lingling, facing the sight of over ten thousand well-prepared soldiers of Wu'an City for the first time, felt nervous.
"Chengfeng, are we really not calling upon reinforcements? It's just the eight of us?"
"It's not too late to retreat now."
Ye Renxin also nodded, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.
After all, although Dugu Bo—a Title Douluo renowned for his prowess in group battles—was with them, making victory seem certain, what if someone on the opposing side managed to restrain Dugu Bo? The outcome would be…
Certain death.
However, Dai Chengfeng merely smiled faintly and turned to Dugu Bo. "Elder Dugu Bo, if no strong opponents emerge from their side, there's no need for you to act."
"I don't need to act either?"
Dugu Bo's eyes brimmed with barely concealed confusion. "Then how do you plan to deal with these ten thousand ferocious soldiers?"
Dai Chengfeng's lips curled slightly upward into a calm smile. "But in my eyes, I don't see a single enemy!"
Dai Chengfeng gently nudged his horse's flanks.
Neighhh—
The warhorse reared up, its front hooves high in the air, letting out a shrill whinny.
With that, Dai Chengfeng, riding alone, charged forward like an arrow, one man against thousands!
Until, he arrived alone before the army formation.
Without a trace of fear or worry, he slowed his pace, acting as though the ten-thousand-strong army before him was nothing, and continued onward.
The thousand soldiers at the front watched Dai Chengfeng, their eyes filled with uncertainty.
But without exception, the murderous intent in their eyes had vanished, replaced by excitement and anticipation.
On the city walls,
Dai Xuan's face flushed with excitement as he watched Dai Chengfeng ride forward alone, already within range of a rain of arrows. He could no longer contain his exhilaration.
"All soldiers of Wu'an City, the time to achieve glory has come!"
"Kill the traitor of the Star Luo Empire, Dai Chengfeng! Gain promotion, riches, and honor! Kill!"
Instantly, Dugu Bo and the others tensed, their expressions grave as they rapidly circulated their soul power around their bodies.
If Dai Chengfeng were to encounter any danger, they would charge into the enemy ranks without hesitation to protect him.
However, the scene they anticipated—of deafening battle cries and soldiers charging at Dai Chengfeng like ravenous wolves—did not occur.
The entire battlefield fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the banners flapping fiercely in the wind.
For a moment, confusion filled their hearts.
Only Dai Chengfeng remained unfazed.
Seated atop his warhorse, his posture upright, his golden hair billowing in the wind, he looked down at the thousand men before him with an air of triumph.
"Gentlemen, will you bow to this prince?!"
Boom—
In an instant, the peak of excitement and anticipation reached its zenith among the thousand elite "soldiers" at the front.
Weapons were placed on the ground in perfect unison, causing the earth to tremble faintly, like rolling thunder.
Swoosh—
Then, all of them knelt on one knee, their movements swift and decisive.
"We pledge to stand with His Highness and save the empire from ruin!"
The thousand voices rang out in unison, their roar drowning out the howling wind and the flapping banners.
"And gentlemen, are you willing to fight against your generals, against your prince?!"
Dai Chengfeng gazed at the ten thousand black-armored soldiers behind the thousand.
"No!!!"
"Then what are you waiting for?!"
Boom—
Swoosh—
The soldiers at the front row were the first to kneel, slamming their spears heavily onto the ground, sparks flying as iron met stone.
This seemed to trigger a chain reaction. Like a tidal wave, the kneeling spread rapidly from north to south, sweeping across the plain like a black tsunami.
The sound of ten thousand suits of armor clattering together drowned out even the distant rumble of thunder.
"Open the gates!"
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