After a long while, Ying Guang let out a long sigh and slowly sat down.
The grievous news this time was much worse. When he first heard it, he felt as though his mind was about to explode. His mind went blank and he could not even breathe. The last time he was so shocked was when Shen Lang openly stole two Regret of the Dragon.
This time, it was even more shocking. Fifty thousand of the hundred thousand allied troops were lost. Half of the powerful fleet was destroyed. Most importantly, his son, Ying Wuque, was also dead.
Prince Lian said, "Prince Ying, perhaps the Second Prince was only captured and is still alive."
Ying Guang shook his head. "Shen Lang is a lunatic. He is different from others. My men will definitely die in his hands."
He poured himself a cup of tea and quickly calmed down.
So what if he was shocked? Could it be compared to the shock twenty years ago?
Jiang Li's sudden death and the Great Qian Empire's destruction.
What else could be compared to that?
It was a pity that his son, Ying Wuque, was dead. However, he still had a few sons, especially Ying Wuming. He was his true pride and heir.
"Prince Lian, do you want to stay here or return to the capital immediately?" Ying Guang asked calmly.
Ying Guang did not show any signs of grief. Even his shock had disappeared without a trace. There was even a hint of mockery in his words.
The Great Yan Empire was probably the most optimistic about the outcome of this war. Raging Tide City was not destroyed. Instead, Ying Guang and Stupa Mountain suffered heavy casualties.
The Great Yan Empire was most worried about one thing. First, Shen Lang had fallen into the hands of Stupa Mountain and Ying Guang. That way, Stupa Mountain would have absolute strategic deterrence.
Now that Shen Lang had returned to Raging Tide City, he was completely out of Stupa Mountain and Ying Guang's control. From now on, the Great Yan Empire would no longer be threatened by Ying Guang.
The one thing that the Great Yan Empire hoped for the most was for Shen Lang, Stupa Mountain, and Ying Guang to mutually injure each other or even perish together.
Prince Lian said, "Prince Ying, do you have anything to discuss with me?"
His meaning was very clear. Now that the Great Yan Empire has lost the battle at Raging Tide City, is there a need to renegotiate some things with the Great Yan Empire? For example, a signal of political compromise?
Ying Guang said, "There's nothing to discuss."
He didn't even express his condolences for Commandery Prince Min's death, which made him look extremely arrogant.
"I'll take my leave then," Prince Lian said.
After that, he rode on the eagle and left Dark Castle with the envoys heading north.
… …
Inside the giant Ancient Relic, in front of the energy whirlpool.
Stupa Mountain's Sect Master Ren stared at the flickering and rolling vortex. On the other side of this vortex was the Vajra Peak's ancient ruins, where tens of thousands of Prince Jin's men were trapped.
"Shen Lang fled back to Raging Tide City and fired a Regret of the Dragon. Half of our hundred thousand soldiers died, and half of our fleet was lost. Elder Wu, Ying Wuque, and the empire's Prince Min are all dead."
Stupa Mountain's lord's face twitched. He had already heard Wu Jue's report, and now that he heard Ying Guang repeat it, he closed his eyes.
"That Shen Lang kid is incredible …" Stupa Mountain's lord said, "Brother Ying Guang, do you think Jiang Li would've lost if he was as shameless and vicious as he is now?"
"A monstrous mind and an invincible martial art. Perhaps there's only one choice. If Jiang Li was as shameless and vicious as he is now, he wouldn't have reached his current level of cultivation, nor would he have earned his reputation."
Stupa Mountain's lord took another deep breath. The air he inhaled was so cold that it felt like it could cut a person's heart.
Out of a hundred thousand soldiers, fifty thousand were lost. That was half of the fleet.
Even for the wealthy Stupa Mountain, this was a heart-wrenching loss.
"The past is the past. The most important thing now is what to do next." Sect Master Ren said, "Shen Lang rode a very special flying beast out of the ancient ruins of Vajra Peak. That exit should be a few hundred li around Vajra Peak. Because Shen Lang's physical strength is too weak, he can't walk more than three hundred li. Moreover, he was the only one who came out. That proves that the passage he took is very special, and no one else can pass through it. Therefore, Prince Jin and the tens of thousands of people should still be in the ancient ruins of Vajra Peak. "
Everyone present nodded.
Stupa Mountain's lord said, "Based on Shen Lang's personality, he will definitely think of a way to rescue Prince Jin. He definitely will!"
Ying Guang said, "The key is which method he will use to rescue Prince Jin and the others."
Stupa Mountain's lord said, "No matter what method he uses, he will have to come personally. Because only he can enter and exit these ancient ruins, and only he can open the entrance and exit of these ancient ruins. For us, the most important thing is to capture him again. "
This was especially important. Right now, both Ying Guang and Stupa Mountain were in a dangerous situation. The Great Yan Empire already knew that Shen Lang had escaped, so they no longer had the ability to launch Regret of the Dragon. They could no longer use it as a strategic deterrent against the Great Yan Empire.
"Right now, everything else is not important. The fifty thousand people who died in battle are not important, and the half of the fleet that we lost is also not important." Stupa Mountain's lord said, "Whether Elder Wu was killed or captured, or Ying Wuque, none of it is important! Capturing Shen Lang is the most important thing. "
"We must capture Shen Lang at all costs."
"Outside Vajra Peak, we have deployed a large number of troops. Thoroughly search the area within three hundred li of Vajra Peak. We must find the exit that Shen Lang escaped through, and then continue to deploy the heavily injured troops. "
"Monitor the sea and the sky. Once you find any traces of Shen Lang, report immediately."
"Right now, I really want to know what method Shen Lang will use to rescue Prince Jin."
… …
In just two days, Stupa Mountain's men had already discovered the exit. It was the exit that Shen Lang had escaped from on Big Chao.
As expected, it was very well hidden. It looked exactly like an ordinary rock surface.
Stupa Mountain's lord ordered, "Send three hundred special warriors and ten thousand soldiers from hell to guard this secret exit. Also, lay an ambush underground."
"Yes!"
After the battle of Raging Tide City, Ying Guang and Stupa Mountain did not retreat. Instead, they deployed even more troops to seal off the three exits of the Vajra Peak ruins.
Following that, Ying Guang issued another order.
"Assemble the army and prepare to attack the Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms."
"Ask Crown Prince Ying Wuming to return and prepare to lead the war against the Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms."
Following Ying Guang's order, hundreds of snow eagle cavalrymen flew out in all directions.
Some went to Stupa Mountain to assemble the army, while others went to the New Qian Kingdom to convey Ying Guang's order and assemble the army. Another group flew to the Flame Capital to ask Crown Prince Ying Wuming to return.
… …
Following Ying Guang and Stupa Mountain's orders.
The world was in turmoil once again. The Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms that had just been at peace for more than half a year were once again engulfed in the clouds of war.
Of course, the New Qian Kingdom was not as powerful as the Great Yan Empire. It could not directly deploy a million soldiers to surround the three kingdoms.
However, the New Qian Kingdom had an astonishing number of soldiers from hell and all kinds of ancient weapons and equipment.
The Great Yan Empire was like a giant dragon that shook the heavens and earth when it went to war.
The New Qian Kingdom was like a poisonous snake. Once the war started, it would immediately launch a surprise attack and wipe out the entire kingdom.
Even the armies of the Xingqian Kingdom and Stupa Mountain were assembled in silence. It was impossible to know when they had finished assembling, when they would launch an attack, or which country they were going to attack.
On the 28th of November, the Crown Prince of the New Qian Kingdom, Ying Wuming, left the Flame Capital and returned to the Qian Capital!
Before leaving, Ying Wuming hosted a banquet and publicly announced that the New Qian Kingdom would forever be loyal to the Great Yan Empire. There was only one Great Yan Empire and one Emperor in the world.
However, after Ying Wuming returned to the New Qian Kingdom, he disappeared without a trace.
This news made people even more uneasy.
Soon after, many obscure pieces of information were leaked. The New Qian Kingdom and Stupa Mountain's armies were gathering more and more troops.
It seemed like they were preparing for a war of annihilation. However, no one knew which kingdom would be annihilated.
The Wu Kingdom, the Chu Kingdom, or the State of Yue?
… …
Ying Guang and Stupa Mountain had already set up an inescapable net outside Vajra Peak.
Now, it was not only Ying Guang and Sect Leader Ren who were curious about how Shen Lang would save Prince Jin and the others.
The three entrances had been heavily guarded and were just waiting for Shen Lang to walk into the trap.
Moreover, Prince Jin had tens of thousands of subordinates. Once they left the ancient ruins of Vajra Peak, Shen Lang could not possibly put them in a bag and bring them away secretly.
Initially, he thought that Stupa Mountain would retreat once the battle at Raging Tide City ended. However, not only did they not retreat, but they even reinforced Vajra Peak.
Now, it seemed like it would be harder for Shen Lang to save Prince Jin and the others than to ascend to the heavens.
From the enemy's point of view, Stupa Mountain and Ying Guang racked their brains to come up with a solution for Shen Lang. Then, they checked the loopholes and made up for it.
… …
It wasn't just Ying Guang and Sect Leader Ren. Even Shen Lang's subordinates could not think of a way for Shen Lang to save Prince Jin.
Zhang Chunhua said, "Husband, I know you value relationships. I also know that Prince Jin's subordinates are the most loyal to you, but I don't want you to put yourself in danger for them. I'm a petty person, so I can speak more clearly. Jun Jin's tens of thousands of people are very valuable to us, but without them, our business can still continue. "
"One more thing, Prince Jin and the others are very safe in the ancient ruins of Vajra Peak. They can wait for a few years. After we defeat Stupa Mountain and Ying Guang, we can rescue them." Zhang Chunhua added.
Shen Lang said, "They don't have a few years left, at most three months. That's because the energy core of the ancient ruins of Vajra Peak is about to be exhausted. Once it's exhausted, there will be no air inside, and everyone will die. Prince Jin, Lan Bao, Lunatic Lan, Wu Lie, and Baby Lan Mu, who is a few months old. "
Zhang Chunhua fell silent. No matter how realistic she was, she couldn't say the words to send these people to their deaths, especially when there were a few children among them. Moreover, she was prepared to get pregnant and give birth to a baby once she was done with her work.
All of Shen Lang's subordinates were trying their best to come up with a plan to rescue Jin Jun. However, none of their plans were feasible.
No matter what, no matter what, they would all end up in a dead end, and there would always be great danger.
"No matter what, we definitely won't let you put yourself in danger again." Zhang Chunhua said.
Shen Lang smiled. "Don't worry, I won't."
… …
Black Water Platform's Wu You knelt in front of Shen Lang and said, "Your Majesty, the New Qian Kingdom has gathered more than 350,000 soldiers, including a considerable number of Hell's troops. Stupa Mountain has also gathered a shocking number of special troops, but the specific target is unknown. We don't know if it's Wu Kingdom, Chu Kingdom, or the State of Yue. That's because we have very few spies in the New Qian Kingdom, and none in Stupa Mountain. "However, I feel that Chu Kingdom is the most dangerous because it's bordered by Stupa Mountain and the New Qian Kingdom."
General Lan Feng said, "According to our simulations, once the New Qian Kingdom starts a war, they might use a blitzkrieg to wipe out the Chu Kingdom's capital. It'll be like a sudden clap of thunder. Only then will they be able to shock us and the entire world."
In the eyes of everyone in the world, especially those in Raging Tide City, Shen Lang was definitely facing great pressure.
Stupa Mountain and Ying Guang had just suffered great losses, losing tens of thousands of people, Ying Wuque, and Elder Wu. They would definitely retaliate crazily.
Now, not only did Shen Lang have to save Prince Jin, but he also had to protect the Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms. There was nothing he could do.
Moreover, under the New Qian Kingdom's deliberate manipulation, public opinion had already started to ferment.
Countless people already knew that Prince Jin and the tens of thousands of people were currently trapped in Vajra Peak, waiting for Shen Lang to rescue them. These people were the most loyal to Shen Lang. When Shen Lang's identity was exposed, they traveled thousands of miles to pledge their loyalty to Shen Lang. Later on, they followed Prince Jin and risked their lives for Shen Lang.
If Shen Lang abandoned them, he wouldn't be worthy of being the Great Qian Emperor and wouldn't be worthy of the loyalty of everyone in the world.
If there were no surprises, this battle of public opinion should be directed by the New Qian Crown Prince, Ying Wuming. He was the best at this.
The news spread very quickly, and they all used a tone that sympathized with Shen Lang's side. They said how pitiful and loyal the people in the ancient ruins of Vajra Peak were. There were even thousands of children among them. If Shen Lang didn't rescue them, they would all die inside.
On one hand, they used public opinion to attack the Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms. On top of that, they adopted a blitzkrieg stance. It was as if they could easily take down any of the capital cities of the Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms if they wanted to.
For a time, countless people's gazes were focused on the Nu Tiao City and Shen Lang.
How should Shen Lang deal with the Ying father and son's counterattack and this crisis?
… …
"Finally, it feels like a game of the world." Shen Lang smiled and said, "The Ying father and son have made two moves, one in the south and one in the north."
The move in the north was Stupa Mountain and Ying Wuming's army maintaining a huge deterrent against the Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms. They were prepared to launch a blitzkrieg attack and destroy one of the capital cities.
The move in the south was Prince Jin, who was trapped in Vajra Peak.
As long as Shen Lang lost one of these two moves, his legend would be shattered. Moreover, he would have to suffer an immeasurable loss.
Tens of thousands of Prince Jin's people would die? Shen Lang couldn't bear it.
One of the capital cities of the Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms would be destroyed? Shen Lang couldn't bear it either.
"Their goal is very simple. They want to force me to appear and make me a prisoner of Stupa Mountain again. I will continue to fire Regret of the Dragon for them and maintain a strategic deterrent," Shen Lang said.
The current development was something that Shen Lang and Ning Yuanxian had discussed previously. It was almost the same.
"Your Majesty, we don't have much time." Zhang Chong said, "His Majesty, King Yue, asked me to bring a message. If necessary, he can make any sacrifice. He can transfer the State of Yue's Secretariat and Bureau of Military Affairs to Nu Tiao City."
Li Xuanqi, the tutor of the Chu Crown Prince, said, "His Majesty, King Chu, also asked me to bring a message. If necessary, he can also make any sacrifice. In any case, the Chu Kingdom has already fallen once. It doesn't matter if it falls again."
The Wu Kingdom's Bureau of Military Affairs, Wu Zhi, said, "His Majesty, King Wu, also asked me to bring a message. If necessary, he can also make any sacrifice. Since the Wu Kingdom has already fallen once, it doesn't matter even if it falls again."
The stance of the three kings was very touching. They were definitely not willing to put Shen Lang in a passive position or even in danger because of them.
From the looks of it, the Xingqian Kingdom and Stupa Mountain were using the three kingdoms as hostages to force Shen Lang to compromise.
And these three kings would rather die than become hostages. From the start, they didn't lack the determination to fight to the death.
Shen Lang smiled and said, "Not necessarily, not necessarily."
… …
On the fifth day of the twelfth month, Shen Lang sent a messenger to the castle on the Black Rock Island.
"I am the messenger of the Great Qian Kingdom. Greetings to Sect Leader Ren and Prince Ying."
Ying Guang said plainly, "What is your name?"
The messenger replied, "I am Zhu Wenhua."
Ying Guang had never heard of this name because Zhu Wenhua was indeed a small character to him. Immediately, someone beside him whispered and revealed the background of Zhu Wenhua.
Ying Guang was stunned. This Zhu Wenhua was actually Shen Lang's enemy and even had a feud with him for killing his father. Furthermore, this Zhu Wenhua was castrated by Shen Lang. Now, he actually became the messenger of the Great Qian Kingdom?
Zhu Wenhua said, "I am an official from Yue, the Chamberlain of Chamberlain. His Majesty Shen Lang needs a messenger and His Majesty, King Yue, recommended me. I have already been stripped of my power and my life is the most worthless and worthless. Therefore, I will be the messenger. "
The meaning was very clear. If he was a very valuable messenger, he might have already been detained by Stupa Mountain.
Ying Guang said, "Speak, what does Shen Lang want me to say?"
Zhu Wenhua said, "His Majesty wants me to tell Prince Ying to unconditionally withdraw all your troops from Jingang Peak before the 29th of December. When Prince Jin and his men leave, you are not to send any troops to stop or follow them. Otherwise, you will suffer a destructive attack. Don't say that I didn't warn you."
"On the 29th of December, withdraw from Jingang Peak and lift the siege on Prince Jin and his men?" Ying Guang said, "Is this what you mean?"
"Yes!" Zhu Wenhua said.
Ying Guang said, "If we don't withdraw our troops and release Prince Jin and his men, they will carry out a destructive attack on us. May I ask what kind of destructive attack it is? If I remember correctly, Shen Lang only has one Regret of the Dragon, which is used to protect Nu Tiao City. It can't be used anymore. "
Zhu Wenhua said, "This is a secret. It's not something a lowly subject like me should know. But I do know that all of His Majesty Shen Lang's threats have come true. His Majesty never makes empty threats. "
Ying Guang said, "29th of December, right?"
Zhu Wenhua said, "Yes."
Ying Guang said, "Then please tell Shen Lang to appear before us before the 29th of December. Bring the remaining Regret of the Dragon to Dark Castle and become our captive again. Otherwise, we will carry out a destructive attack on any city in the Wu, Chu, and Yue Kingdoms. Don't say that I didn't warn you. "
Zhu Wenhua said, "I'll tell His Majesty. If there's nothing else, or if you don't plan to detain me, kill me, or humiliate me, I'll go back to report."
Ying Guang said, "Please!"
Zhu Wenhua left Black Rock Island and rode on a snow eagle back to Nu Tiao City.
There are snow eagles in Nu Tiao City too?
There were about a dozen of them, spoils of war from the last battle. Many of the eagles were far away when the Regret of the Dragon exploded, but they were still injured and died. Only a dozen of them were rescued.
… …
In order to create a strong pressure on Shen Lang,
Ying Guang and Stupa Mountain immediately publicized the negotiations and even used snow eagle knights to teleport people all over the world.
Everyone knew that Shen Lang was going to threaten them again.
On the 29th of December, Ying Guang and Stupa Mountain had to retreat from King Kong Peak and lift the siege on Prince Jin's army. Otherwise, they would be dealt a devastating blow.
Under the influence of the New Qian Kingdom, the rumors became more and more heated.
Everyone was waiting for the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth month. If Ying Guang and Stupa Mountain did not retreat by then, and Shen Lang was powerless to do anything, then his reputation would be ruined, and he would become a braggart.
… …
On the 7th of December, Zhu Wenhua returned to Nu Tiao City.
"Your Majesty, Ying Guang said that on the 29th of December, if you don't appear before him with the Dragon's Regret and become a captive of Stupa Mountain again, the New Qian Kingdom's army will destroy any of the cities in the three countries."
"The 29th of December, right?" Shen Lang asked. "There are only 22 days left. I'm really looking forward to it!"
The Grand Chancellor of the Great Qian Empire, Suo Xuan, wanted to say something but hesitated. "Your Majesty, this … this is too risky. If you don't fulfill your promise on the 29th of December, it will be a devastating blow to your prestige. The Great Qian Emperor's words are like gold and jade. This concerns the prestige of the entire Great Qian Empire. "
Shen Lang nodded.
Suo Xuan continued, "I have no intention of spying on the empire's secrets, but the entire world is saying that we only have one Regret of the Dragon left, right?"
Shen Lang smiled noncommittally. Indeed, he only had one Dragon's Remorse left, and it was impossible for him to fire it.
Suo Xuan said, "And this Regret of the Dragon is to protect Nu Tiao City, so it's impossible to fire it. So, how will Your Majesty fulfill your promise and deal a devastating blow to the New Qian Kingdom? In my opinion, this devastating blow must be of a very high level and definitely not inferior to the Regret of the Dragon. Otherwise, it won't be able to bring about deterrence, right? "
"Yes, it must be a devastating blow with shocking power," Shen Lang said.
"Since Your Majesty is so confident, then I'll wait and see."
… …
Note: I'm sending the first update, begging for my brothers' monthly votes. Thank you so much, please, please!
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