"Lu Zhi Zong, let go of me!"
Yu Zi was pinned in place by Lu Ji's powerful grip.
Her eyes were bloodshot, filled with hatred.
How could she accept retreating like this, fleeing in such a sorry state?
Lu Ji knew why Yu Zi was so furious, but she still had her wits about her. She knew this was no time to act on impulse. No matter how many trump cards Gongshu Wu had, the gap between him and an Eighteenth Rank Da Shuchang was simply too great. Even if he staked his life, he couldn't buy them much time to retreat. Delaying now would waste more than just time—it would cost Gongshu Wu his life. Lu Ji suppressed the convulsive churn in her throat and said gravely, "Wei Heng, stay alive!"
Yu Zi stopped struggling.
But Lu Ji heard the person in her arms make a muffled, restrained sound. She could even hear her molars grinding together. "How long can Great General Gongshu hold out? The Eighteenth Rank Da Shuchang will still come after us. Can our army outrun him? Lu Zhi Zong, I'd rather die charging into battle than die worn out from running. We're dead either way. We might as well turn back and fight!"
"I obey Great General's orders!"
Lu Ji was torn, caught between two warring sides within herself.
Of course she understood the situation. She knew full well that retreating now was meaningless. But this was Gongshu Wu's order—what difference was there between ignoring his final command and betraying him? Retreating would leave them a sliver of hope. She could lead the troops Gongshu Wu had poured his heart and soul into and break through the encirclement. But if they turned to face the enemy, the entire army would surely be wiped out.
She