Techniques dissolved into drifting clouds and smoke; soldiers marched through the open sky; Dharma Treasures loomed like mountains, poised to crush the city.
The Old General lowered his head and bent his back.
"All forces, heed my order: Cease hostilities!"
As the shout faded, the generals who had pleaded for Li Tianyue joyfully ordered the retreat horns to be blown.
Dongfang Liancheng lowered his head to overlook the gathering armies.
There he saw the Blood-Robed General—the woman who had braved death alongside him for over three hundred years, the one whose very name struck terror into Duskwild Prefecture—calmly arranging her battle formations.
At that moment, Dongfang Liancheng felt all strength drain from his body.
As a clear breeze brushed past, he caught sight of his own mottled white hair.
On the execution grounds, as the retreat signal rang out, Tang Miao's expression changed drastically.
Shouts erupted from all directions.
"Order from the Imperial Capital's Ministry of War: All forces retreat!"
"Order from the Imperial Preceptor: This was a surprise drill! Your reaction was swift and worthy of praise!"
"The Eastern Expedition Army is to return to normal operations. All units return to your posts immediately without error!"
The soldiers looked at one another in blank dismay.
In the short span of 20 minutes, thirty percent of the troops had been mobilized.
Even the border walls had been placed on the highest level of alert.
There had even been soldiers fighting over control of the city gates, war artifacts, and logistics; the soldiers guarding the supplies had been moments away from unleashing alchemical fire to destroy the warehouses.
If this was a drill, it was simply far too realistic.
But the military order had arrived, so the soldiers could only exchange glances and withdraw.
Tang Miao stared blankly at the retreating soldiers.
When he caught a glimpse of the man beside Dongfang Liancheng—a man of extraordinary bearing who wore a playful, mocking sneer—he suddenly understood, though he could hardly believe it.
"An order from the Crown Prince? An order from the Imperial Preceptor?
The Li Clan... is their influence truly so powerful that they can alarm even the Ministry of War and the Imperial Preceptor?!!"
Immediately, his eyes darted around in calculation.
A trace of resentment flashed in his gaze as he glanced at Li Tianyue, but he quickly suppressed it and flew up into the clouds toward Dongfang Liancheng, feigning ignorance of Li Kuangren's identity.
Tang Miao sighed.
"Old General Dongfang, it turns out it was merely a false alarm.
I have always said that even if everyone else in the Eastern Expedition Army rebelled, General Yue would never betray us.
I presume the rebellion of those thousand subordinates was also a stratagem arranged by you, Old General.
This is for the best; it demonstrates that our army is united in heart and mind."
His tone was light and relaxed, but inwardly, Tang Miao was terrified to the extreme!
In this moment, he knew true fear.
He was afraid Li Tianyue would settle the score with him once the dust settled.
Previously, he had been confident that Li Tianyue lacked evidence of his secret persecution.
But now... the Li Clan could influence even military orders from the capital; would they hesitate to kill a mere Tang Miao?
He could only gamble.
He had to gamble that Dongfang Liancheng would still prioritize the "greater picture," take all the responsibility upon himself, and preserve him—a powerful Void Refining stage combatant—for the sake of the army.
He soon breathed a sigh of relief; he had won his gamble!
Dongfang Liancheng did not spare him a single glance, and Li Kuangren was even more dismissive.
"Heh."
Ignoring the two of them, Li Kuangren descended from the sky.
Saying anything more to the likes of them would be a sheer waste of breath!
...
The defensive formations of the two hundred thousand soldiers were deactivated, and her nephew landed by her side.
Li Tianyue raised her head, gazing once more at the Old General, who seemed to have aged decades in an instant.
All that remained in her heart now was estrangement and anger.
The besieging troops had retreated, yet the surroundings were a scene of devastation—the scars of battle.
The Spiritual power unleashed by their fellow soldiers had not only struck the earth; she feared it had also struck a blow to her heart and the hearts of the subordinates under her command.
"All forces, heed my command: Set up camp in the West City and await further orders."
"Yes!"
The two hundred thousand soldiers marched toward the West City in a vast, mighty stream.
They walked with their heads held high and their chests stuck out.
They had not fought against an enemy in this battle, yet they had emerged victorious.
They were not rebels; they had fought to reclaim their dignity as human beings.
At the very least, they had shown those heartless people that they had once resisted foreign invaders on this land with a clear conscience and an open heart!
At this moment, saying anything more to Dongfang Liancheng would seem feeble.
Li Tianyue was never one for many words.
She waved her hand at Li Kuangren. "Kuangren, let's go."
"Yes, Aunt!"
Li Kuangren responded, casting a sidelong glance at Dongfang Liancheng, who had landed with his subordinates, before brushing past them.
Dongfang Liancheng looked as if he wished to speak but stopped, finding it too shameful to open his mouth.
The Li Clan had previously been on familiar terms with Dongfang Liancheng, but after this incident, Li Kuangren saw the man for who he truly was.
There were always people like this in the world; they weighed the pros and cons, always convinced of their own righteousness.
For that end, they would abandon not just old friends, but even their own kin.
Three hundred years of loyalty to him—consider it thrown to the dogs!
"No."
Li Kuangren looked toward the subordinates who obeyed only his aunt, his eyes lighting up.
"Aunt, you have over two hundred thousand troops here.
Among them are four Divinity Transformation stage cultivators, and there are many other generals in the army whose hearts are with you..."
Li Tianyue furrowed her brows.
"I have similar thoughts. After this battle, they have become outcasts within the Eastern Expedition Army.
If I were to leave them here, I would only be getting them killed.
However, military discipline is strict.
I can extricate myself, but if they were to leave just like that, they would be branded as deserters."
"This matter is complex, yet handling it will not be difficult."
Li Kuangren could hardly hide his delight as he looked at this vast army.
Just moments ago, these two hundred thousand soldiers had shown absolutely no fear; every last one of them possessed nerves of steel.
"To the Crown Prince and Min Youguo, these men are simply soldiers on a board.
Whether they fight in the Eastern Border or on another battlefield... as long as it does not disrupt the war effort, they will happily open the door for us.
This is especially true now that the border of Shadowfell Prefecture is in critical condition and the Crown Prince plans to lead a campaign personally.
He would be overjoyed to have you, Aunt, proceed to Shadowfell Prefecture."
"As for Duskwild Prefecture..."
Li Kuangren smiled faintly.
"I went to mediate with Fourth Prince this time, and he has already agreed to make concessions. We can discuss the specifics after we see the Old Ancestor."
"He agreed to make concessions?"
A trace of disbelief flashed through Li Tianyue's eyes.