Chapter 146: Breaking the Encirclement

Within the dense forest, the Black Tiger Army set up camp.

The grueling defense of Jincheng, followed by the chaotic urban warfare, and culminating in their desperate breakout, had left them utterly exhausted.

Even with Shen Changqing covering their retreat, the Black Tiger Army couldn’t push forward indefinitely.

Finally, after their scouts located a relatively safe and concealed area, the two thousand-plus soldiers of the Black Tiger Army temporarily settled down.

A few were dispatched to keep watch, while the remaining soldiers, still in their armor, rested where they were, pulling out their prepared dry provisions and washing them down with clear water.

Chu Ding and the other commanders received similar treatment.

As night deepened, a faint fire was lit, providing some illumination without attracting attention from too far away.

On the dry earth, a crude sand table was carved.

Chu Ding, using a tree branch, pointed at the terrain depicted on it before looking up at the others.

"Our current location is roughly here. The barren lands lie to the south, and the Barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture began with a southward to northward advance. According to intelligence, the Barbarian army is now divided into five routes.

The Barbarians attacking Jincheng were only one of these routes; the other four Barbarian armies are positioned here."

As he spoke, the branch tapped at several other points.

Those points connected with Jincheng, forming a perfect arc.

"As you can see, the Barbarians intend to expand their occupied territory in an arc, then contract inward, crushing our forces and further encroaching on Dahuang Prefecture.

Therefore, if we retreat outwards, we’re likely to run into other Barbarian armies. Only by heading north along the Barbarian encirclement can we join up with our other forces."

Hearing this, Nie Xu frowned.

"The Barbarians’ current strategy is essentially herding us together, but why would they do that? Frankly, with the Barbarians’ strength, it’s impossible for them to occupy Dahuang Prefecture.

Even if the Barbarians somehow manage to occupy Dahuang Prefecture, it will only be temporary.

With the Imperial Court’s power, what qualifications do the Barbarians have to contend?

Once the Imperial Court reacts and the army marches south, the Barbarians will have no choice but to abandon Dahuang Prefecture and flee."

As he spoke, he moved his shoulder, which immediately aggravated his wound, causing a piercing pain that made his complexion pale.

After taking a cold breath to alleviate the pain, Nie Xu’s gaze returned to the sand table.

"The Barbarians have repeatedly attacked Dahuang Prefecture, all for the sake of plundering winter supplies. Right now, there’s still some time before winter. The Barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture is too early.

But to say that the Barbarians are aiming to occupy Dahuang Prefecture would be a joke."

Many people were quite clear about just how strong the Barbarians were.

If they want to contend with Great Qin, the difference is not a bit.

Over the years, the number of Barbarians who have died at the hands of Great Qin far exceeds the number of Qin people who have died at the hands of the Barbarians.

Even with Great Qin’s weakened national strength, it’s not something the Barbarians can contend with.

To put it bluntly, even now, if it weren’t for the advantage of the barren lands, Great Qin could still muster its strength and completely annihilate the Barbarians.

"The Barbarians have always been arrogant. Perhaps they think that Great Qin’s strength has declined, and we can’t do anything to them. That’s not necessarily true."

Chu Ding shook his head, harboring a great hatred for the Barbarians.

"But no matter what, the Barbarians’ current aim is definitely not as simple as looting. Although it’s not clear where their current confidence comes from, this matter is beyond what you and I can manage.

The Barbarian invasion of Dahuang Prefecture, whether they retreat later or not, Dahuang Prefecture is destined to suffer heavy losses.

From last night until now, it’s been about a day and some hours. It’s likely that the news has spread quite a bit. Even if Dahuang Prefecture hasn’t fully reacted, it’s almost there.

We’ll rest for a few hours and then prepare to join up with other Black Tiger Army stationed in other places."

After calculating the time, the news should have spread by now.

Afterward, he looked at Zhong Chi, who was beside him.

Like Nie Xu, Zhong Chi had also suffered minor injuries.

After all, rushing into battle with the army and breaking through the encirclement meant that it was impossible to escape without any injuries.

A martial artist in the Meridian Opening Realm wasn’t qualified to protect himself completely in the midst of a chaotic battle.

If it weren’t for someone protecting him, Nie Xu might have already died in the chaotic army.

"From the Heavenly Inspection Guard, is there any information now?"

"I have no way to contact the Heavenly Inspection Guard much right now."

Zhong Chi shook his head.

The Heavenly Inspection Guard’s intelligence network was dense, but it didn’t mean it was truly omnipresent.

Now that Jincheng had been breached, the Heavenly Inspection Guard in Jincheng had suffered heavy losses. He couldn’t even be sure how many of the survivors were still alive.

In addition, he was now following the Black Tiger Army’s retreat, which meant he was temporarily disconnected from the Heavenly Inspection Guard.

As a result, he had no way to gather intelligence.

Hearing this, Chu Ding’s expression was somewhat disappointed.

If they had the Heavenly Inspection Guard’s intelligence, plus the Black Tiger Army’s own intelligence, they might be able to learn more about the situation.

But he also understood.

The Heavenly Inspection Guard wasn’t omnipotent, and Zhong Chi’s current situation wasn’t much better than his own.

Under the dim firelight, everyone’s complexion was not very good.

Zhong Chi suddenly sighed.

"I wonder how Lord Shen is doing now. Blocking the Barbarian army with the strength of one person, even a Tiger Roar Leopard Thunder expert, I’m afraid there’s no way to cope!"

Shen Changqing’s strength was great, but the Barbarians were also not weak.

In addition, Mierba was a Grandmaster Middle Stage expert. Even if he wasn’t as good as a Grandmaster Late Stage, Tiger Roar Leopard Thunder expert, he wouldn’t be too far off.

To be honest.

He didn’t have much confidence in Shen Changqing.

If Shen Changqing were to perish at the hands of the Barbarians, the Demon Suppression Division would definitely be furious.

An expert of the Tiger Roar Leopard Thunder level was not something that the Demon Suppression Division could arbitrarily lose.

Chu Ding’s expression was calm.

"Since Lord Shen dared to cover the retreat alone, his strength is beyond what you and I can estimate. Although there are many Barbarian troops, it’s impossible for them to keep him here. After all, experts at that level are not comparable to ordinary martial artists.

Even if Mierba makes a move, the probability of the Barbarians surrounding and killing him is not high.

Perhaps at this time, Lord Shen has already retreated."

"I hope so!"

Zhong Chi sighed deeply again.

Immediately.

The scene fell silent.

The two thousand-plus Black Tiger Army soldiers were stationed in the dense forest, without any extra sounds coming out. Unless someone saw it with their own eyes, they would never believe that there were more than two thousand people hiding inside.

Time passed slowly.

The Black Tiger Army soldiers keeping watch outside didn’t dare to relax in the slightest.

Right now, the Barbarians’ momentum was arrogant, and you couldn’t guarantee when they would send people to kill them.

At this time.

The scouts could play a big role.

Suddenly.

In the dim vision, a black shadow slowly approached, and a strong bloody smell spread out with it.

Instantly.

A sound like a night owl resounded, echoing in the silent night sky.

Soon, other night owl sounds intertwined and resounded.

"Someone’s coming!"

"Quickly notify the others!"

The sentries hiding in other places, as well as the Black Tiger Army soldiers stationed for rest, received the news at the first moment.

Chu Ding said in a deep voice: "Everyone, don’t act rashly. Wen Ce, come with me to see what’s going on."

The sentry’s signal was also divided into many kinds.

If it was an army attack, it would be a very urgent signal.

Although the signal had sounded now, it was not urgent, obviously someone was coming, but not many people.

In this case.

If the Black Tiger Army was all alarmed, it would undoubtedly expose themselves. It would be better for him to take some people over quietly. If it was really a Barbarian, they could be killed with thunderous force, and other Black Tiger Army soldiers could be avoided from being exposed.

"I’ll go with you to see."

Zhong Chi got up.

Seeing this, Chu Ding did not hesitate.

Nie Xu was very self-aware and didn’t intend to follow.

"This official’s strength is low, so I won’t go and hold you back. Be careful."

"Well, Lord Nie, stay here and rest well!"

Chu Ding also didn’t want to let Nie Xu follow. What role could a martial artist who wasn’t even in the Meridian Opening Realm play by following him?

At a critical moment.

It might really be a drag.

After sending out the signal, the sentry didn’t act rashly, but quietly stayed in the tree, hiding himself with the help of the surrounding dark environment, and silently watched the black shadow approach.

As the other party approached, the bloody smell became more and more intense, making people feel like vomiting.

When the black shadow completely came under the tree, the sentry could see clearly what the person looked like.

Tattered bloodstained clothes.

A long saber was slung around his waist, and the scabbard was no longer visible in its original color, replaced by the black and red color after the blood had solidified.

Looking at that face full of blood stains, his heart shook.

"Lord Shen!"

After seeing who it was, the sentry immediately appeared from the dark and landed in front of Shen Changqing.

Seeing someone appear.

There was no unexpected look on Shen Changqing’s face.

With his perception, he had already known that there was someone in the tree.

"Are you from the Black Tiger Army?"

Looking at the clothes on the other party, Shen Changqing understood.

After breaking through, he followed the faint traces of the Black Tiger Army’s retreat. Originally, he didn’t dare to be 100% sure that the Black Tiger Army would stay here, but seeing the person in front of him, he really confirmed it.

The Black Tiger Army soldier looked excited.

"Lord Shen, you’re okay, that’s really great!"

All the Black Tiger Army soldiers saw Shen Changqing covering the rear, and he felt sincere admiration for this Lord of the Demon Suppression Division.

Now that the other party has appeared, it is equivalent to saying that he did not die in the hands of the Barbarian army, which is obviously a gratifying thing.

At this time.

Chu Ding also came with people.

Seeing this, the Black Tiger Army soldier was worried that there would be some conflict between the two sides, and hurriedly said.

"The person who came is Lord Shen Changqing!"

After the words fell.

The accompanying team immediately became commotion.

The leaders, Chu Ding and Zhong Chi, used their ability to see in the dark and saw Shen Changqing’s face not far away.

That face.

Even if it was covered with blood stains, they could still recognize it.

"It’s really Lord Shen!"

Their hearts shook wildly, and then joy appeared on their faces.

Soon.

The accompanying Black Tiger Army soldiers all walked out of the dark.

End of Chapter