Time passed bit by bit.
As Yan Qing and the others withdrew, the atmosphere in Shui Po Liang Shan grew solemn as well.
"Chief, according to the scouts' reports, Tie Yunpeng has mobilized over two hundred thousand men this time."
White-Faced Scholar came before Jiang Shan to report the situation.
Hearing this, Jiang Shan looked up at him. "Has anyone in the fort tried to flee?"
"A few, but they've already been captured and brought back."
"With a great army pressing down on us, it's only natural that some fear death. Deal with them according to the fort's Rules."
"Also, don't be too harsh on the brothers lately. Be lenient where you can."
With that, Jiang Shan waved for White-Faced Scholar to leave.
Yet interestingly, White-Faced Scholar remained where he was, unmoving.
"Is there something else?"
Jiang Shan asked curiously. White-Faced Scholar said softly, "Chief, do you truly intend for all of us to die here?"
Those words immediately piqued Jiang Shan's interest.
"Why would you ask that?"
White-Faced Scholar pondered for a moment before saying, "The martial world says that I, White-Faced Scholar, never miscalculate. But after meeting Chief and Young Master, I came to understand just how insignificant my little bit of wisdom truly is."
"Still, though I am dull-witted, I can more or less see through some things."
"The true core of this entire fort is not the eighty thousand soldiers painstakingly trained over the years, nor those Immortal King Realm experts."
"It is the seemingly inconspicuous schoolhouse, and those who emerged from it."
"Some time ago, Chief sent all those people away. Clearly, you intended for people like us to defend Shui Po Liang Shan to the death."
"Perhaps with Chief's wisdom and our fearlessness in the face of death, we may win a temporary victory.