Little did they know.
Besides Cao Zhengchun joining forces with many martial arts experts from the Ming Kingdom, numerous experts within Dragon Guard Manor had also entered Cao Zhengchun's camp.
Duan Tianya was among them!
Duan Tianya had long since lost faith in Zhu Wushi. In his eyes, Zhu Wushi had always been passive in resisting the enemy. Though Zhu Wushi was the foremost martial arts expert in the Ming Kingdom, he had never once gone to assassinate Zhu Ying.
Moreover, after Cheng Shifei had been killed by Zhu Ying, Zhu Wushi had made no response whatsoever. He had even ordered all martial artists of Dragon Guard Manor not to avenge Cheng Shifei.
Over time, Zhu Wushi had lost the people's hearts as well.
When Duan Tianya learned that Cao Zhengchun had gathered all the martial arts experts and was preparing to resist the Grand Ming Empire together, he naturally felt drawn to the cause.
Afterward, Duan Tianya told Guihai Yidao and Shangguan Haitang about it. In the end, the three of them unanimously decided to join Cao Zhengchun's camp as well!
A few days later.
Led by Lan Yu, Guo Zhen, and Mu Ying, the Grand Ming Empire's army swept through the Ming Kingdom's forces like an autumn wind scattering fallen leaves, crushing them with astonishing speed!
Across every front, the Ming Army suffered defeat after defeat!
In particular, Wu Longhui, the Ming Kingdom's foremost Great General, was utterly defeated by the Grand Ming Empire's army in the battle at Shanhaiguan Pass!
The three hundred thousand Ming Army troops under Wu Longhui's command were wiped clean from the board after that battle—utterly annihilated!
Once Shanhaiguan Pass fell, the Grand Ming Empire's army surged down the northern front like bamboo splitting before an axe, charging straight for the Ming