The Prodigal Son

Baoqing County is located in the northwest of Chongyi Prefecture, less than 100 li away from Xining Prefecture.

This is also one of the two essential routes for attacking Xining Prefecture.

At dusk, Zhao Yi and Zuo Jiangyue led 20,000 border troops and 10,000 miscellaneous soldiers to set up camp and rest in Baoqing County.

This force of 10,000 soldiers consisted of faithful followers of the Holy Fire Church who had developed in Chongyi and Lingqiu, as well as some local armed forces.

In terms of combat strength, these 10,000 miscellaneous soldiers are not even as good as the garrison of Chenzhou.

However, the loyalty of these 10,000 miscellaneous soldiers was far higher than that of the 20,000 border troops.

Therefore, Zhao Yi and Zuo Jiangyue arranged for 20,000 border troops to be the vanguard, and the 10,000 miscellaneous soldiers to be the rearguard.

Originally, Zhao Yi wanted to mix the border troops and miscellaneous soldiers.

But time was tight, and they didn't have that much time to do this.

After surveying the camp, Zhao Yi solemnly instructed Zuo Jiangyue: "After nightfall, make sure to increase the number of patrol teams! Anyone who makes any unusual movements will be executed immediately!"

Right now, Zhao Yi's biggest worry is these 20,000 border troops.

By the time they marched toward Baoqing County, several hundred soldiers had already deserted.

Fortunately, he has the status of a prince. If he had only relied on Zuo Jiangyue, probably half of the people would have already fled.

Just as Zuo Jiangyue was about to speak, a sudden commotion broke out in his ears.

The two men's expressions changed, and they simultaneously followed the defensive line from which the sounds of commotion came.

Outside the camp, under the protection of Gui San, Gui Si, and Qi Dachui, Shen Jue held up the gold medal in his hand and roared at the soldiers in the camp.

"Listen up, everyone! I was killed by the traitors Zhao Yi and Zuo Jiangyue, and I am completely unaware of what is happening in the army!"

"I am a subject of the Great Ning, and I would never rebel! I know that you have no intention of rebelling, but are merely being manipulated by treacherous villains!"

"Do you see the gold medal in my hand?"

"The imperial envoy has arrived. His Majesty has decreed: only the ringleaders will be punished; the soldiers in the camp will not be investigated!"

Shen Jue shouted it over and over again.

Hearing Shen Jue's shout and seeing the gleaming gold medal in his hand, the already wavering soldiers wavered even more.

Enraged, Zhao Yi pointed at Shen Jue and roared at the experts around him, "Kill him!"

At Zhao Yi's command, the group immediately moved swiftly and pounced on Shen Jue.

Despite the approaching group, Shen Jue remained calm and continued to shout loudly.

The group was not about to let Shen Jue continue shouting. Their eyes flashed with murderous intent as they attacked Shen Jue together.

Just as they approached, Gui Si suddenly appeared and recognized an acquaintance.

Chen Guanhai!

This person is the sworn brother of Zhao Yi's biological mother.

By all accounts, Zhao Yi should call him uncle.

No wonder Zhao Yi, who was imprisoned back then, was rescued!

I suppose this was also Chen Guanhai's doing?

Although Gui Si's face was covered, Chen Guanhai still sensed a familiar aura emanating from him.

"Have we met somewhere before?"

Chen Guanhai stared intently at Gui Si, seemingly trying to see his face beneath the black cloth.

"Traitor, you deserve to die!"

Gui Si's voice was as cold as ice, filled with murderous intent.

Without further ado, Gui Si immediately launched a fierce attack on Chen Guanhai and the others.

With a swing of the longsword, the blade's energy stirred up a cloud of dust, forming a massive dust blade that slashed fiercely at the group.

The group felt a violent and incomparable gale rushing towards them, and they immediately unleashed their full power to attack.

boom!

As the blade flashed, a seventh-realm expert of slightly lower strength was torn apart by the violent blade energy, turning into a pile of minced meat.

The other two were also shaken and forced to retreat, while only Chen Guanhai, whose strength was infinitely close to the ninth realm, appeared to be calm on the surface.

"Leave this man to me! You all go and assassinate Shen Jue!"

Chen Guanhai roared and broke through the dust, brandishing his long sword as he charged toward Gui Si.

He also longed to fight against a master of the ninth realm!

Perhaps this can even be used to achieve a breakthrough!

"yes!"

The two men accepted the order and immediately turned to attack Shen Jue.

"Senior, you rest. We'll take care of these two!"

Qi Dachui said a few words to Gui San and immediately leaped out.

Gui San smiled calmly and said nothing more.

"kill!"

Qi Dachui roared, and his golden mace whipped up a gust of wind as it slammed down on the enemy.

clang!

With a crisp crack, the enemy's weapon was smashed in two.

"Bang!"

The golden mace continued its momentum, smashing heavily into the enemy's chest once more.

"puff……"

The enemy spat out a mouthful of blood, his body flying backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.

Ok?

Gui San, who was watching the battle, was startled.

He actually managed to severely injure an eighth-realm expert with a single blow?

Is it that strong?

Just as Gui San was in shock, another person attacked Qi Dachui from the side.

Qi Dachui was completely unafraid and immediately engaged in fierce combat with the man.

Even when facing an eighth-level expert, Qi Dachui managed to fight him to a standstill with his innate superhuman strength.

Gui San observed secretly, his heart filled with emotion.

This kid really has the makings of a martial arts master!

Chen Guanhai was also feeling unwell at that moment.

Although his strength is infinitely close to the ninth realm, he is ultimately not at the ninth realm!

Faced with Gui Si's fierce attack, he had little chance to fight back and could only keep dodging.

Seeing the situation was turning against him, Chen Guanhai immediately retreated and shouted to the man fighting the sledgehammer, "Retreat!"

Upon hearing this, the man quickly retreated.

Qi Dachui was about to give chase when Gui Si suddenly blocked his way. "We've achieved our objective! Take Shen Jue and let's retreat!"

Qi Dachui glanced at the man unwillingly before quickly retreating.

"You should have the strength of the eighth realm, right?"

On the way, Gui San couldn't help but ask Qi Da Chui.

"no."

Qi Dachui scratched his head and chuckled, "That guy underestimated me. He's not as strong as me."

Is that so?

Gui San secretly harbored doubts.

However, to be fair, this kid is indeed quite strong.

The group quickly evacuated and met up with Xu Wan and Nan Que'er in a secluded grove.

Shen Jue dismounted and hurriedly bowed to Gui San and Gui Si, "Tonight, I request that you two go to the enemy camp and create chaos, so that those soldiers who wish to leave the rebel army can take advantage of the confusion to escape!"

Are you sure you can do it?

Gui Si asked in a deep voice.

"have!"

Shen Jue was full of confidence: "Most of the soldiers in the army were coerced. As long as the court does not investigate their mistakes, they will not rebel! My biggest concern now is the issue of food supplies."

Even in war, people need to eat!

Those soldiers couldn't possibly have taken the provisions and supplies with them when they fled.

They could gather the deserters, but supplies were a critical problem.

The more soldiers you gather, the more provisions you will need.

"If there's no food, loot!"

A glint of light flashed in Xu Wan's eyes. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! As long as we can capture Jin Suo Pass, everything will be worthwhile!"

Let the troops seize grain?

Shen Jue's heart skipped a beat.

This is not a good thing!

But considering their current situation, Shen Jue finally made up his mind: "That's right, extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

Xu Wan smiled, pursing her lips. "It was stolen by the rebels; it has nothing to do with the imperial court!"

Hearing Xu Wan's words, Gui San and Gui Si couldn't help but turn their heads and mutter to themselves.

When did this girl from the Xu family become so shameless?

It was probably that little bastard from the Qin family who taught her!

However, that's a good idea!

The rebels stole the people's food rations, but once the court quelled the rebellion, they could then use the money to provide relief to these disaster victims...