Chapter 32: The Fiery Blaze at Emerald Cloud Mountain (4)
A raging inferno swept across Emerald Cloud Mountain, billowing smoke rising fiercely into the sky.
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At the foot of Emerald Cloud Mountain.
Before the encampment of the Black Armored Army.
The Grand Commander stood, his brow furrowed deeply as he watched the thick smoke rolling in all directions.
“Grand Commander, your wisdom is unmatched! Thanks to a handful of spies, you uncovered the Yan Army’s plot and foresaw they would set the mountain ablaze.”
“Indeed, the Grand Commander’s intelligence is unrivaled; such petty tricks are easily seen through!”
“Grand Commander, your wisdom shines!”
“How could a mere fledgling possibly challenge the Grand Commander?”
...
A chorus of generals showered him with praise.
Listening to their flattery, the Grand Commander felt a surge of satisfaction. He nodded and said, “Since that boy has started burning the mountain, he must already be nearby. Increase our forces—search thoroughly and find where they’re hiding!”
“Yes, sir!” the generals responded in unison.
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Above the valley where Yan Chuan stood.
“Loose the arrows!” Huo Guang commanded.
A torrent of arrows whistled through the air, raining down upon the valley.
Cries echoed—anguished and desperate.
---
Within the valley, screams echoed in succession.
Yan Chuan stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing down at the scene of utter slaughter. From this lofty vantage, the trapped foe were like fish in a barrel, cut down by the storm of arrows. Here lay the death ground of the Black Armored Army.
“Let none escape,” Yan Chuan said in a deep voice.
“Rest assured, Your Highness—I have stationed men all around,” Huo Guang replied respectfully.
Yan Chuan nodded.
Below, the Black Armored Army was swiftly exterminated.
A thousand Silver Armored soldiers surged into the valley, quickly removing the bodies and sweeping the blood-soaked earth with branches and leaves.
Soon, the valley returned to its original state. Only the lingering scent of blood remained, but a breeze soon carried it away.
“Wait for the next wave,” Yan Chuan said calmly.
“Yes, Your Highness,” Huo Guang answered, bowing.
---
Emerald Cloud Mountain.
The fire had raged for an entire day and night, yet the mountain was so vast that even after all that time, the flames had not reached halfway up its slopes.
At the foot of the mountain, the Black Armored Army camped.
“Grand Commander, we still haven’t found them! The Yan Army are like turtles hiding in their shells—no one knows where they’ve retreated!” a general reported, his face grim.
“Keep searching, fools! Where could three thousand Silver Armored soldiers possibly hide?” the Grand Commander snapped.
“Yes, sir!” the generals replied once again.
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Where Yan Chuan was.
“Loose the arrows!” Huo Guang ordered.
Arrows whistled through the air.
---
The terrain offered a natural advantage. Wave after wave, they ambushed the incoming Black Armored reinforcements.
“Your Highness, it’s been two days. We’ve slain five thousand enemy troops, but two thousand remain—who knows when they’ll arrive?” Huo Guang said, frowning.
“That’s enough. There shouldn’t be any more,” Yan Chuan replied, shaking his head.
“Huh?”
“We’re not far from the Feng Shui formation. If in two days they haven’t returned, it means those two thousand soldiers aren’t coming back,” Yan Chuan explained, shaking his head again.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Once this group is annihilated, let the soldiers rest for an hour. Prepare them to face the Grand Commander of Great Zheng,” Yan Chuan said in a grave voice.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
---
At the foot of Emerald Cloud Mountain.
“Grand Commander, it’s been two days and still no news!” a general said anxiously.
“Yes, Grand Commander, the fire’s already reached halfway up the mountain. Are the devotees at the summit truly unharmed?”
“I wonder if Deputy General Zhang and his men have any word?”
“Indeed, if Deputy General Zhang sees Emerald Cloud Mountain ablaze, he would surely return to aid us, only...”
“Return to aid us?” the Grand Commander snapped, raising his head in irritation.
Thick smoke billowed skyward.
“Damn it!” The Grand Commander’s face changed dramatically.