At dusk, the Blackstone Empire's Ashen Flame Corps slowly retreated, giving the Yihe Nation a chance to catch their breath. However, the dense number of corpses on the battlefield was like a gloomy cloud that shrouded everyone's hearts.
In the main camp.
"How's the situation?" Qin Yi asked with an ashen face.
Long Qianlin's face was full of smoke, but he couldn't care less. He cupped his fists and said, "Commander Ding blocked the Ashen Flame Corps' attack five times in a row. Their sudden arrival caught us off guard. Commander Ding has already done a pretty good job."
"Pretty good?"
Marquis Man Ning sneered, "Marshal Long thinks too highly of Ding Xi. The casualty ratio between us and the enemy is as high as 1: 5. We have to sacrifice five warriors in order to kill one of the enemy's men. Is this not bad? In my opinion, Ding Xi is really old. He's actually fighting such a powerful enemy head-on. He's simply courting death. "
"Is that so?"
Long Qianlin raised his eyebrows. "Marquis Sunset's words are so convincing. Why don't you personally go into battle with the Blackstone Empire's army? I'd like to see how Marquis Sunset will turn the tide and save the Yihe Nation from the edge of the cliff. "
"You!"
The fat on Man Ning's face trembled slightly. "Commander Long's words are too sharp and unkind."
Long Qianlin sneered. "Ding Xi is bathing in blood at the front, but someone is deliberately slandering him from the back. I just can't stand it. As a soldier, I definitely won't tolerate this."
"Good, very good of you …" Man Ning put on a fake smile and didn't say anything else.
Ding Xi was Long Qianlin's only military competitor in the Yihe Nation. Man Ning had thought that suppressing Ding Xi would get Long Qianlin's help. Who would have thought that this would be the result? Long Qianlin actually repeatedly spoke up for Ding Xi. These soldiers were really incomprehensible.
"Stop arguing." Qin Yi placed the teacup heavily on the table, and his aged face was covered in worry as he said, "Let's talk about what we should do now. The Darkstone Empire's army is pressing down on our borders, what should we do?"
Qin Huan cupped his fists. "Royal Father, the Blackstone Empire came from afar just to conquer. What they need is land and submission. Everything in the Shattered Cauldron Realm will eventually be conquered by the Celestial Pole Continent, be it us or the Qin Empire."
"Huan 'er, what do you mean?"
"This child believes that there are two possible methods. The first is to negotiate peace with the Blackstone Empire. However, we must intimidate them with military might. Otherwise, it won't be a peace negotiation, but a surrender and submission. The second is to give up on Dragon-shaped Island and head to the Empire's territory to seek help from the Empire."
"The second option is definitely not feasible." Qin Yi shook his head. "Back then, Yihe Country killed Qin Jin during the chaos in Lanyan City. Qin Jin is Lin Muyu's adoptive father. We're like a fishbone stuck in his throat. Lin Muyu will never tolerate us. Let's talk about the first method!"
Man Ning said, "Marshal Ding fought the enemy at the front and lost 30,000 warriors of Yihe Country in less than a day. How much food and gold coins will we have to spend to exchange for these 30,000 warriors? In this way, even if we fight to the death and intimidate the enemy, I'm afraid that we'll only be left with a group of people with one foot in the grave. It'll be meaningless to the Blackstone Empire. Will they still negotiate peace? "
Qin Yi muttered to himself.
After a while, he raised his head and asked, "Marshal Long, what do you think?"
Long Qianlin was the pillar of Yihe Country. Qin Yi knew that asking Long Qianlin when he couldn't make a decision wouldn't be wrong.
"Commander."
Long Qianlin said respectfully, "If we can fight, we might be able to win back our dignity. If we surrender without a fight, Yihe Country will become a vassal of the Blackstone Empire. I've long heard from the merchants from the Celestial Pole Continent that the imperial family of the Blackstone Empire is cruel and heartless. The emperor, Shi Yuan, doesn't even hesitate to use the blood essence of young boys and girls to cultivate. Furthermore, the Blackstone Empire keeps a large number of mercenaries and the common people suffer unspeakably. If we surrender to such a cruel and heartless empire, what will happen to His Majesty?"
As he spoke, Long Qianlin put his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist and said, "His Majesty has three Royal Highnesses in addition to Young Prince Qin Huan. The youngest is only 11 years old. Does His Majesty want to see his children become slaves and servants? Even the Royal Highnesses may become the exclusive toys of the Blackstone Empire's imperial family?"
"Long Qianlin!"
Man Ning trembled with anger and pointed at Long Qianlin's nose. "You … you're treacherous! How dare you say such arrogant words? Do you still have any Commander in your eyes? "
Long Qianlin glanced at him coldly and didn't say anything.
At this moment, the two old generals cupped their fists together. "Commander, Commander Long's honest words are unpleasant to the ear. I hope Commander Long will consider them!"
Qin Yi nodded and muttered to himself.
The smoke from the incense burner lingered. After a long time, Qin Yi raised his head. His eyes were slightly red as he said indifferently, "I fully support Marshal Ding Xi. This battle concerns the future of Yihe Country. We must not show weakness!"
"Commander is wise!" Long Qianlin cupped his fists.
Everyone expressed their agreement.
Man Ning trembled with anger. "A bunch of fools, a bunch of fools!"
"All of you can leave. I want some peace and quiet." Qin Yi waved his hand. "Commander Long, stay. I have something to say to you."
"Yes!"
Everyone left, leaving Long Qianlin standing on the red carpet with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Commander Long."
Qin Yi's voice was a little hoarse as he asked, "Is Yihe Country's destiny really over?"
"God disposes, but man proposes."
Long Qianlin didn't answer his question. He said, "To achieve great things, one needs extraordinary courage and skill. Commander Long missed the opportunity to become a King, but he has been diligent and loved the people ever since he came to Dragon-shaped Island. This is something that everyone can see. Now that Commander Long has won the hearts of the people, there is no need to hesitate anymore. Let's fight this battle. The winner will be remembered for generations to come. The loser will retreat bravely."
"Retreat bravely?"
Qin Yi was stunned. "What does that mean?"
Long Qianlin smiled. "It is time to plan for the future."
"Commander Long, what do you mean by that?"
"Commander Long, there are currently around 300,000 Yihe Country troops on Dragon-shaped Island. I have given Marshal Ding Xi a total of 150,000, which means that there are still 150,000 troops in my hands."
"What does Commander Long mean?"
"It's like this. We have been forging warships for many years, but we have only built a thousand warships. Based on the number of people each warship can carry, at most, 150,000 people. Thus, even if we abandon Dragon-shaped Island and retreat, we will not be able to take 300,000 soldiers with us. That means we can only leave behind 150,000 soldiers, sacrificing the rook to protect the general."
"You …" Qin Yi was stunned. "Commander Long, you want to leave Marshal Ding Xi and the 150,000 soldiers to fight alone on Dragon-shaped Island?"
"Yes."
Long Qianlin's gaze was cold. "Commander and Young Prince, please immediately lead our army to leave Dragon-shaped Island. This subordinate has already prepared everything. We will head to the southern coast of the Soaring Sky Province. There are no imperial troops there. Only by preserving enough troops will we have a future."
"Then what about Marshal Ding Xi and the 150,000 soldiers?" Qin Yi slapped the table and stood up. "Do you want me to abandon them?"
"If not for them delaying the nearly 300,000 soldiers of the Blackstone Empire, we would not have had the possibility of retreating."
Long Qianlin cupped his fists and said, "Commander and Young Prince, please lead everyone away. This subordinate will lead the Guards to the battlefield and defend against the enemy with Marshal Ding Xi. We will either return alive or die on the battlefield. This is the final destination of the Two Marshals of the Yihe Nation. This is also what Marshal Ding Xi and I want. Commander, please do not hesitate. Every minute and every second is extremely precious to us."
Qin Yi's entire body trembled. "Commander Long, you …"
"This subject deserves to die for his loyalty."
Long Qianlin knelt on one knee and raised his head to look at the aged Qin Yi. "When Long Qianlin was in dire straits, the Southern Protector King took him in. Since Your Highness has acknowledged me as your commander, how can Long Qianlin not repay you? Your Highness, quickly leave. No matter what happens in the future, Long Qianlin will die without regrets. This is the last thing Ding Xi and I can do for the Yihe Nation."
Qin Yi raised his head and tears streamed down his aged face. His trembling palm touched Long Qianlin's shoulder and said, "If I, Qin Yi, had a son like Commander Long, I would die without regrets. It's just a pity …"
"Your Highness, say no more. Time is precious."
Long Qianlin stood up and turned to leave without looking back. His last words reverberated in the wind. "It's not too late to repay the mistakes made in the past. If Qin Yin returns alive, this subordinate would rather see His Majesty submit to her and atone for the mistakes made in the past. As for this subject … I am not willing to die under the swords of the Blackstone Empire. Now that a powerful enemy has arrived, I, Long Qianlin, will die under the iron hooves of the Blackstone Empire without regrets."
Qin Yi stood in the tent and suddenly let out a sorrowful cry.
…
In the Land of Exile, there were many huge iron chests lying in the wilderness. There were close to a hundred of them, and each chest contained about a hundred members of the banished army. Experts who were either radiated or cursed were hiding in the chests. Many of them stuck their heads out, wanting to see the situation outside. They seemed to be very impatient.
"There are still ten minutes before the wheel of time points towards the Celestial Pole Continent."
Tarilyn confidently puffed out her full chest and smiled. "This is also the beginning of our Banished Angel Squad's mission. As for which corner of the Celestial Pole Continent we will be teleported to, that's hard to say."
Dora sneered from afar.
Lake frowned and said, "Lord Xiyin, are you really going to bring all these dregs of the Land of Exile to the Celestial Pole Continent?"
Xiyin nodded and said nothing.
"Then how are you going to send these huge chests? You should know that the direction of the Wheel of Time changes very quickly. You only have 15 minutes at most. "
"That's my problem. Don't worry. Tarilyn, when the time is up, immediately help me open a plane crack. The bigger the better. Do your best. "
"Yes, Xiyin!"
Ten minutes later, Tarilyn's expression turned cold. "We're here!"
She let out a shrill cry and transformed into a level 6 Blood-Winged Battle Angel. A pair of beautiful blood wings spread out behind her, and she raised her sword and slashed towards the sky!
"Boom!"
The plane was forcibly torn apart, and a huge black hole appeared.
Xiyin's voice was cold. "Close all the chests and everyone close their eyes!"
"Yes!"
With clanging sounds, all the chests were closed.
Xiyin closed her eyes and said to Dora, Dory, and the others, "You guys go first. I'll catch up later."
Although Dora was unwilling, she had no choice but to do so. She immediately led everyone through the plane.
After the nine Banished Angels left one after another, Xiyin opened her eyes. Immediately, a pair of beautiful starry eyes surrounded by golden flames appeared between heaven and earth. A pair of golden wings of light spread out behind her. Like a miracle, she gently lowered her palm. Immediately, nearly a hundred chests trembled and flew away under an invisible force, projecting into the alternate space.
All Xiyin could do was send them away. As for whether they could survive the erosion of the sands of time, that was their problem.
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