Undying Life

Chapter 272: The Current Situation

Two months had passed, and Zhong Shan had thoroughly consolidated his control over his regiment. At this point, even if Zhao Chuan, the deputy general, attempted to incite a mutiny, no one would follow him. This was a testament to Zhong Shan's prowess. The 200,000-strong army was now entirely loyal to their commander. Within just two months, they had come to the point where they would follow no orders except those from the Emperor or the King of Da Xuan.

As they neared Wushuang City, the regiment halted in a valley. Zhong Shan stood atop a peak, accompanied by his bodyguard Ah Da and Zhao Chuan, who was now always ready to execute Zhong Shan's orders. Over the past two months, Zhao Chuan had developed an immense respect for Zhong Shan's leadership abilities, recognizing him as a truly formidable commander.

Approaching Wushuang City directly would be folly. Zhong Shan understood its strategic significance well. Previously, it had been defended by an army of 1.2 million, yet even they had failed to hold the city. The forces that had besieged and taken Wushuang City numbered at least a million, possibly two million. Considering the natural defenses of Wushuang City, attacking with his 200,000 troops would be nothing short of suicidal.

Zhong Shan had dispatched numerous scouts to gather intelligence on the surrounding areas. He understood that mastering the local terrain and the enemy's positions was crucial to formulating a successful strategy. He already had a firm grip on his own forces and now sought to understand the Da Yu army's disposition.

A scout soon returned, delivering a memory crystal. Zhong Shan read its contents, learning about the local terrain, and then returned the crystal to the scout, who went back to further reconnaissance.

"General, if we don't scout in the direction of Wushuang City, will checking the surroundings really be useful?" Zhao Chuan asked, puzzled.

"Scouting near Wushuang City would result in instant death from a hail of breaking arrow bolts. Besides, why knowingly walk into a trap?" Zhong Shan responded calmly.

"Uh..." Zhao Chuan was baffled, not fully grasping Zhong Shan's strategy. Was he suggesting they avoid confronting the enemy at Wushuang City altogether?

At that moment, two figures appeared in the distance. One was another scout sent by Zhong Shan, and the other, though looking slightly disheveled, was a familiar face.

It was Shui Wuhen, the second senior disciple of the Kaiyang Sect, and once Zhong Shan's colleague in Wushuang City under Elder Zi Xun. Shui Wuhen, now appearing more weathered and serious than the graceful gentleman he once was, had clearly endured significant hardship.

"Reporting to the General, I encountered this person on the road. He claims to be the son of the former city lord of Wushuang City and requests an audience with the commander," the scout reported.

"General Zhong...?" Shui Wuhen started, but seeing the scout bowing respectfully to Zhong Shan, he quickly corrected himself, "Commander Zhong, is that really you?"

"Senior Brother, how come you are here?" Zhong Shan greeted him warmly.

Seeing Zhong Shan still addressing him as "Senior Brother," Shui Wuhen felt a surge of warmth and emotion. Zhao Chuan, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow—this man was the General's senior?

"Zhong Shan, are you really the commander of the forces aiding Wushuang City?" Shui Wuhen asked, uncertain.

"Indeed, the Da Xuan Army's First Regiment is currently camped in this valley. I was just looking for someone from Wushuang City to inquire about the internal situation, and here you are. I've heard about your father. You have my condolences," Zhong Shan said sincerely.

Shui Wuhen, deeply moved by Zhong Shan's words, nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Zhong Shan. The situation in Wushuang City is dire. After my father fell, the city has been under the iron grip of the Da Yu forces. It's now a stronghold, heavily fortified and nearly impenetrable from the outside."

Zhong Shan listened intently, his expression thoughtful. "What can you tell me about their forces and defenses? Any information could be crucial in planning our next move."

Shui Wuhen took a deep breath, organizing his thoughts. "The Da Yu army has bolstered the city with numerous soldiers and defensive mechanisms. Their numbers are overwhelming, and they've set up powerful formations to ward off any direct assault. However, not all is lost. I've learned that their supplies are stretched thin, and there's growing discontent among the troops. If we could find a way to exploit these weaknesses, we might stand a chance."

"Good," Zhong Shan said, nodding. "We'll use this information to devise a strategy. Our first priority is to avoid direct confrontation and instead, disrupt their supply lines and lower their morale. If we can weaken them from within, our chances of reclaiming Wushuang City will increase significantly."

Zhong Shan turned to his officers. "Prepare the troops. We move at dawn. Our mission is to scout the enemy's supply routes and find any weak points we can exploit."

"Yes, General!" the officers responded in unison, their voices filled with determination.

Zhao Chuan couldn't help but feel a growing respect for Zhong Shan. In just two months, Zhong Shan had not only solidified his command but had also devised a clear plan to undermine the enemy's strengths and exploit their weaknesses. His leadership had already started to transform the once demoralized and fragmented regiment into a cohesive and determined fighting force.

As the camp settled down for the night, the soldiers' spirits were high, bolstered by the confidence that their new commander inspired. With Zhong Shan at the helm, they felt ready to face any challenge that lay ahead.

Shui Wuhen smiled bitterly and said, "Despite all your efforts, my father managed to become the City Lord of Wushuang City. But ultimately, the war crisis became a reality. The Dayu Empire tore up the treaty and launched an attack."

"Hmm, how many soldiers did they send? Wushuang City is a natural fortress. How could it have fallen?" Zhong Shan frowned.

"Traitors, traitors everywhere. Who would have thought that the bodyguard my father spent a fortune hiring was actually an agent sent by the Dayu Empire? My father was destined not to hold Wushuang City. When the Dayu Empire arrived with four hundred thousand troops, despite Wushuang City's formidable defenses, internal treachery prevailed. Mo Baili, after being abandoned by the Great King of Da Xuan, defected to the Dayu Empire. He opened the city gates while we were defending to the death. Four hundred thousand troops! There was no stopping them, simply no stopping them," Shui Wuhen recounted with sorrow.

"Who led their army?" Zhong Shan asked, his frown deepening.

"King Julu!" Shui Wuhen replied.

"King Julu?" Zhong Shan exhaled heavily.

"Yes, but King Julu is no longer in Wushuang City. He has moved to another location. The current supreme commander in Wushuang City is a general named 'Wu An'," Shui Wuhen explained.

"Wu An?" Zhong Shan's frown deepened. Wu An was known to be a loyal follower of King Julu.

"Yes, Zhong Shan, my father's body is still in Wushuang City. I beg you, please retrieve my father's remains for me," Shui Wuhen pleaded earnestly, looking at Zhong Shan with a face full of hope.

"Senior Brother, don't worry. We are here to take back Wushuang City," Zhong Shan assured him solemnly.

"Thank you! Thank you!" Shui Wuhen said, his voice trembling with gratitude.

"With Wu An commanding now, how is the city's defense?" Zhong Shan asked, his brow furrowed.

"Although Mo Baili betrayed us, he knew all the defensive measures. So Wushuang City is still as fortified as ever, and it now houses an army of 1.5 million. How many troops did you bring?" Shui Wuhen asked, looking at Zhong Shan expectantly.

"Two hundred thousand," Zhong Shan replied.

"Two hundred thousand? Only two hundred thousand?" Shui Wuhen's face fell immediately.

However, as if suddenly remembering something, Shui Wuhen quickly said, "My father used to say there's nothing you can't accomplish. You will surely find a way to breach Wushuang City, won't you?"

Shui Wuhen looked at Zhong Shan with intense anticipation. What else could Zhong Shan do but nod?

Seeing Zhong Shan nod, Shui Wuhen became excited.

"That's great, that's great!" Shui Wuhen murmured to himself.

Seeing Shui Wuhen's demeanor, Zhong Shan sighed softly. Shui Wuhen had suffered too great a blow. With his father's death, his emotions had changed drastically, but this also indicated that Shui Wuhen deeply valued loyalty and emotions.

Loyal and righteous, this was the kind of person Zhong Shan needed.

"Senior Brother, why don't you stay in our camp for now? Later, you can join us in retaking Wushuang City and reclaiming your father's remains," Zhong Shan suggested.

"Alright," Shui Wuhen nodded.

"By the way, with Wushuang City fallen, what happened to the city's civilians and the remnants of our forces?" Zhong Shan asked, frowning.

"The remnants of our forces were divided into three groups, each fleeing with injuries. I know the location of one of them. I'll take you there," Shui Wuhen said.

Zhong Shan considered this for a moment and said, "Alright!"

"Zhao Chuan, notify everyone to prepare for departure," Zhong Shan instructed Zhao Chuan, who was standing behind him.

"Yes," Zhao Chuan responded promptly and went to relay the orders.

"How many combat-capable soldiers remain in the group you know about?" Zhong Shan asked Shui Wuhen.

Shui Wuhen explained, "We have around one hundred thousand people, but most of them are injured. At best, only thirty thousand can actually fight."

"Thirty thousand out of one hundred thousand?" Zhong Shan nodded, noting the figures.

"However, that General Wu An is currently searching everywhere, trying to eliminate all remnants of our forces," Shui Wuhen said worriedly.

"Don't worry, I'm here. What about the civilians in the city?" Zhong Shan asked again.

"The majority of the civilians have escaped the city, only a small portion remain," Shui Wuhen said with resentment.

"Those who stayed?" Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, around two hundred thousand of the more unruly citizens remained. After Wushuang City fell, they willingly gave up their Da Luo Heavenly Dynasty citizenship and accepted the Dayu Empire's rule," Shui Wuhen said, full of anger.

"People act in their own interest. These unruly citizens probably saw an opportunity in the shops left behind by those who fled. By declaring themselves citizens of the Dayu Empire, they could take over the abandoned properties," Zhong Shan said with a cold smile.

"Exactly. Small items can be carried away in storage bracelets, but the space in these bracelets is limited. Not everyone has large storage space, so many belongings were left behind in the city. Most of these have likely been given to those two hundred thousand opportunists," Shui Wuhen said.

"The expansion of the empire isn't just about territory, but also people. The Dayu Empire likely plans to win over these people. What about the six hundred thousand who escaped?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Many of those who escaped have left the area, but some are still lingering around the mountains and sects near Wushuang City, hoping that one day the Heavenly Dynasty will reclaim the city, and they can recover their possessions," Shui Wuhen replied.

"Oh, that's good. This way, we potentially have an additional three hundred thousand troops at our disposal," Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"Senior Brother, even if you can gather those three hundred thousand people, their cultivation levels are very low, mostly at the innate stage, and they haven't undergone formal military training. In a battle, they would be no match for a regular army and would be like grass before a scythe. They wouldn't be of any help in storming the city. Besides, Wushuang City is so well-fortified that it seems impossible to capture it. This would be a suicidal mission. Do you think the people will agree to it?" Shui Wuhen said with concern.

"Whether the people agree or not doesn't matter, as long as I agree," Zhong Shan said confidently.

"You agree?" Shui Wuhen looked at Zhong Shan with a puzzled expression.

"Yes, if I agree, it means the people will agree, and even the sects hiding them will agree. Do you think the people will lack courage?" Zhong Shan said with a smile.

"In the face of an army, common people are like grass. They've never participated in combat before. If a battle breaks out..." Shui Wuhen was extremely worried.

"Don't worry. I guarantee that when the time comes, the common people will fight more fiercely than the soldiers. This is great news. With millions of 'troops' here, how can we not make use of them? Let's go. Zhao Chuan's forces should be ready by now. We'll head to where you know the remnant forces are located, gather them, and then plan our next steps," Zhong Shan said.

"Alright." Shui Wuhen could only nod, still full of doubt.

(To be continued)