The Great Ice Flame War (Part 2)

"Captain, Frost Flower City is right below us. Shall we commence the bombardment?"

An air force soldier inside the bomber asked the squadron leader via the communication system.

"Bombard!"

The squadron leader replied without a moment's hesitation.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

Three thousand bombers dropped their payloads onto Frost Flower City below.

"Boom! Boom!"

"Argh!"

The Flame Army, currently in the midst of slaughtering the Ice Clan populace, suffered heavy casualties from the explosions, and the Ice Clan civilians did not escape unscathed either.

"Is this a bomber? Those damnable Ice Clan people! They can't beat us head-on, so they resort to bombers. How despicable! Quickly, find cover!"

A Flame Clan general shouted.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

The Ice Clan bombers in the sky continued to rain bombs down upon Frost Flower City.

"My King, it's bad! The north, south, east, and west walls have all been breached in several places by the Ice Clan bombers."

A Flame Clan general ran into the underground Flame Army command center and reported to Huo Yi.

"Damn them! You lot, come with me and wipe out those Ice Clan bombers."

Huo Yi commanded the soldiers beside him.

With that, Huo Yi led several dozen powerful Flame Clan soldiers out of the underground command center and took flight into the sky.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

The Flame Army soldiers led by Huo Yi and the Ice Clan air force engaged in a fierce battle in the skies.

"Chain Fireball!"

Huo Yi roared.

He launched over a dozen energy projectiles from his hands, destroying a significant number of Ice Clan aircraft.

"18th Battalion, 23rd Battalion, pin him down! 12th Battalion, 16th Battalion, follow me and wipe out the Flame Clan soldiers in the air!"

The squadron leader shouted.

"Yes!"

The battalion commanders replied in unison.

"Rat-tat-tat."

"Ah! Argh!"

The 18th and 23rd Battalions successfully pinned Huo Yi down, while the squadron leader led the 12th and 16th Battalions to successfully eliminate the dozens of Flame Clan soldiers Huo Yi had brought with him.

"Go to hell, all of you! Blazing Prairie Fire!"

Watching his Flame Clan soldiers being picked off one by one by the Ice Clan aircraft, Huo Yi roared in fury.

He unleashed a wave of energy at the Ice Clan planes, destroying hundreds of them in an instant.

"Scatter and retreat! Regroup at the Snow Well Mountain airfield!"

The squadron leader shouted to the battalions over the communication system.

Upon receiving the order, the Ice Clan air force scattered and retreated.

"Damn it!"

Huo Yi cursed in rage.

He wanted to pursue and wipe out the Ice Clan air force, but since they had scattered in different directions, he could at best destroy a few of them; he could not eliminate them all. He would have to wait for another opportunity to wipe them out.

"Company Commander, the Flame Clan pursuers are less than ten kilometers away from us."

A soldier ran up to Xue Xing, who was currently resting, and reported.

"Damn it! Those accursed Flame Clan people! We'll fight them to the death. Prepare for battle!"

Xue Xing ordered.

Ten minutes later.

"Fire!"

Xue Xing shouted.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The Ice Clan soldiers engaged in battle with the pursuing Flame Clan soldiers.

Five minutes later.

"Company Commander Xue Xing, take your men and retreat. Ninth Platoon and I will cover you."

Xue Hua said to Xue Xing.

"Brother, if we are to die, we die together. I have already avenged our eldest brother; I am ready to go see him now."

Xue Xing replied.

"Company Commander Xue Xing, give me a chance to repay my debt of gratitude. I beg you, retreat quickly! General Xuegao's family line cannot end here!"

Xue Hua pleaded.

"Brother, I thank you. Let us be brothers again in the next life. Retreat!"

Xue Xing said, his eyes brimming with tears.

As soon as he finished speaking, the soldiers pulled Xue Xing away to retreat.

"Order the mortar company to open fire and wipe out the remnants of the Ice Clan army!"

Huo Shi said to the adjutant beside him.

"Yes, sir."

The adjutant replied.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

"Boom! Boom!"

"Argh!"

Xue Hua and his men were subjected to a fierce bombardment, sacrificing their lives to buy five minutes of time for Xue Xing and the others.

"Send a telegram to the King. Your son, Huo Shi, has fulfilled his mission and completely annihilated the Ice Clan remnants in Frost Flower City."

Huo Shi said to the adjutant.

"Yes, sir."

The adjutant replied.

One hour later, Xueling Mountain.

"Which unit are you from? Who is your commanding officer?"

Just as Xue Xing and his men arrived at Xueling Mountain, they encountered a force of three thousand soldiers, and one of the soldiers asked them this.

"I am Company Commander Xue Xing of the 5th Company, 3rd Battalion, 27th Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 15th Army of the Frost Flower City garrison. Which unit are you from, and who is your commanding officer?"

Xue Xing asked.

"It seems we are allies. I am Leige, a Duke newly appointed by the new King, Xue Li. Company Commander Xue Xing, did you break out from Frost Flower City, or...?"

Leige said.

Leige had led three thousand soldiers on a forced march of several hundred miles to reach Xueling Mountain, located two hundred miles from Frost Flower City.

"Why should I believe you are a Duke appointed by Xue Li?"

Xue Xing looked at Leige and asked.

"By this!"

Leige said.

After speaking, Leige produced the token given to him by Xue Li.

"This subordinate pays respects to you, Lord Duke. In response to your question, my men and I fought to the death to break through the Flame Army's encirclement. Now, there are only a little over a hundred men left of the 15th Army."

Seeing the token, Xue Xing hurriedly knelt on one knee and said.

"Rise."

Leige said.

"Thank you, my Lord."

Xue Xing replied.

"Who else among you is from the 15th Army?"

Leige asked the soldiers behind Xue Xing.

"Reporting to you, my Lord, I am Xue Ren, Deputy Platoon Leader of the 1st Platoon, 3rd Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 1st Division of the 15th Army."

An officer wearing the uniform of a deputy platoon leader walked to Xue Xing's side and said to Leige.

"My Lord, I am a Deputy Squad Leader from the 2nd Division. The entire 2nd Division has only one squad of soldiers left."

Another officer in the uniform of a deputy squad leader also came to Xue Xing's side and said to Leige.

"Brothers of the 15th Army, you have suffered. We are the vanguard force sent by the King to retake Frost Flower City. The King is personally leading an army of three hundred thousand right behind us. Brothers of the 15th Army, are you willing to follow us and take Frost Flower City back from the Flame Army?"

Leige looked at Xue Xing and his men and asked.

"Reporting to you, my Lord, we are willing."

Xue Xing said, taking the lead.

Xue Li was right behind him; wasn't this the perfect chance to show off? Xue Li had just ascended the throne and didn't have many capable people under his command yet. If Xue Li saw him fighting so heroically, perhaps he would want to take him on as a trusted aide. If he then pledged his loyalty to Xue Li, with a bit of luck, Xue Li might even grant him the title of Count.

"Yes!"

Xue Xing and the others replied.

14:00, Frost Flower City.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Huo Shi returned with his men and asked the garrison soldiers upon seeing the devastated state of Frost Flower City.

"Reporting to the Prince, at 13:00, we were struck by Ice Clan bombers. Nearly fifty thousand brothers were killed in action, with over sixty thousand more suffering light or heavy injuries. Fortunately, the Great King intervened and repelled the Ice Clan air force. The Great King is currently in the underground command center discussing matters with the generals."

A general said to Huo Shi.

"Damn the Ice Clan! This time, our race must completely annihilate them."

Huo Shi said.

Having said that, Huo Shi headed straight for the underground command center.

Underground command center.

"Great King, this subordinate suggests that our army should immediately march to attack Ice City."

An Flame Clan general said.

"Great King, I second that."

Another Flame Clan general said.

"Great King, I believe that since our army has traveled a long distance to attack the Ice Clan, our supply lines are already stretched too thin. Furthermore, Ice City is the royal capital of the Ice Clan; having been fortified by generations of Ice Kings, it is as solid as a rock. If we fail to take it after a prolonged siege, I fear our provisions will not hold out. It would be better to first reinforce the border cities and Frost Flower City, then attack Ice City once we have accumulated sufficient supplies."

A Flame Clan general said.

"Ice King Xue An is dead; there is no one left among the Ice Clan who is a match for This Seat. Even if Ice City is as solid as a rock, This Seat can easily shatter it. Pass on my order: the army departs at 18:00 to attack Ice City. This battle will surely annihilate the Ice Clan!"

Huo Yi said.

In his view, Xue An, the only one in the Ice Clan capable of contending with him, was dead. Now, in the entire Ice Clan—no, the entire Ice Flame Planet—there was no one left who was his match. Once the Ice Clan was destroyed, the Flame Clan would be the only race on the Ice Flame Planet, and he, Huo Yi, would be the sole Great King of the Ice Flame Planet.

18:00, Xueling Mountain.

"Move out!"

Leige watched the assembled Ice Clan soldiers and shouted.

Frost Flower City.

"Warriors, after we annihilate the Ice Clan in this battle, the entire army will be granted two months of leave, with full pay during that time. Destroy the Ice Clan! Long live the Flame Clan!"

Huo Yi looked at the more than four hundred thousand assembled Flame Army soldiers and shouted.

"Long live the Flame Clan! Long live the Great King!"

"Long live the Flame Clan! Long live the Great King!"

The Flame Army soldiers shouted.

"Move out!"

Huo Yi shouted.

After shouting, Huo Yi led the more than four hundred thousand Flame Army troops straight toward Ice City.

20:00.

"Sir, scouts have discovered a large number of Flame Army soldiers heading toward Ice City. They will pass through Snow Condense Valley in thirty minutes."

A communications soldier came to Leige's side and said.

"It seems the Flame Army intends to take Ice City directly. Pass the order: the rear guard becomes the vanguard, and the entire army is to head to Snow Condense Valley to set an ambush."

Leige said.

Thirty minutes later, Snow Condense Valley.

"Sir, the Flame Army's vanguard has entered the valley. Shall we strike?"

Xue Xing watched the Flame Army's vanguard entering the valley and said to Leige.

"Tell the brothers to let the Flame Army's vanguard pass and strike their center."

Leige said to Xue Xing.

"Yes."

Xue Xing said.

Fifteen minutes later.

"Fire!"

Leige shouted.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Ice Clan soldiers hammered the Flame Army's center with rifles and machine guns.

"Father, we've been ambushed! What do we do?" Huo Shi asked Huo Yi.

"Warriors of the Flame Clan, follow me and break through!" Huo Yi commanded.

With that shout, Huo Yi led his soldiers, charging toward the valley entrance through a hail of bullets.

"Xue Ni, the Flame Army is heading for the valley entrance. Order the mortar company to open fire, and tell the heavy machine gun company not to hold back—fire with everything they've got!" Leige said into his radio.

"Understood," Xue Ni replied from the other end.

"Xue Xing, follow me." Leige said to Xue Xing.

Leige finished speaking and flew rapidly toward the valley entrance where Xue Ni was stationed.

"Wait for me, sir!" Xue Xing cried out.

Xue Xing then flew toward the valley entrance with all his might.

"Company Commander Xue Ge, order the mortar company to fire!" Xue Ni commanded over the radio.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" Dozens of mortars launched their shells.

"Boom! Boom!"

"Argh!"

The Flame Army soldiers rushing toward the valley entrance suffered countless casualties from the shelling.

"Warriors of the Flame Clan, do not fear! Follow the King and we will break out!" Huo Shi shouted.

Huo Shi took the lead, continuing his charge toward the entrance, and the Flame Army soldiers followed, braving the bombardment.

"Order the heavy machine gun company to open fire. Do not stop until I give the command," Xue Ni said to the officer beside him, watching the Flame Army soldiers rushing toward the entrance five hundred meters away through his binoculars.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

"Splat!"

Hundreds of Flame Army soldiers five hundred meters away were instantly killed or wounded.

"Find cover, quickly!" Huo Yi shouted.

"Father, there are Ice Clan heavy machine gunners ahead! We can't break through!" Huo Shi told Huo Yi.

"Damn it! Damned Ice Clan, go to hell! Chain Fireball!" Huo Yi roared in fury.

"Boom!" Huo Yi launched several fireballs in the direction of the Ice Clan machine gunners.

"Boom!" The fireballs exploded just before reaching the machine gunners.

"Warriors of the Flame Clan, charge! Wipe out the Ice Clan!" Huo Yi shouted.

Seeing the explosion, he assumed the Ice Clan machine gunners had been killed.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

"Splat!"

The Flame Clan soldiers had barely charged two hundred meters before hundreds more were killed or wounded by the Ice Clan machine gunners.

"Damn it! Blazing Prairie Fire!" Huo Yi roared.

Huo Yi launched a wave of energy toward the Ice Clan machine gunners.

"Blazing-Flame-Impact-Wave!"

A red energy wave slammed directly into Huo Yi's Blazing Prairie Fire, pushing it right back.

"Who are you?"

Huo Yi stared at the child three hundred meters away and asked.

"I am Frieza's adopted son: Leige."

Leige replied.

"You are Frieza's adopted son?"

Huo Yi asked.

"It is indeed this prince. Scared yet? If you're scared, then get lost!"

Leige said.

"At worst, after I kill you, I'll just pay Frieza a few tens of thousands of taels of gold and hundreds of thousands of energy stones. Whoever can take this Leige's head will receive one hundred taels of gold. Kill him!"

Huo Yi commanded.

"Whoever can take this Flame Clan member's head will receive ten taels of gold. Kill him!"

Leige shouted.

"Baka! This King will slaughter you!"

Huo Yi roared in anger.

He had offered a bounty of one hundred taels of gold for Leige's head, yet Leige had only offered ten taels for his. This was an insult, a grave insult; if he could endure this, he wouldn't be Huo Yi.

"You son of a bitch! Let's see who slaughters whom!"

Leige also roared in anger.

"Bang!"

Leige and Huo Yi charged toward each other at high speed, their fists colliding.

The soldiers of the Ice and Flame clans also began to clash.

"Bang!"

Huo Yi landed a punch on Leige's face.

"Smack!"

Leige whipped his tail out and sent Huo Yi flying.

"Chain Fireball!"

Huo Yi fired five fireballs at Leige.

"Boom!"

The five fireballs struck Leige dead-on and exploded.

"Don't be so arrogant in your next life," Huo Yi said.

"Swish!"

"Argh!"

An energy beam pierced through Huo Yi's left arm.

"How are you completely unharmed?"

Huo Yi stared at the unscathed Leige and asked.

"Don't you know what it means to be 'unharmed by smoke'?"

Leige laughed.

"Bang!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Leige arrived in front of Huo Yi and punched him, sending him flying over a hundred meters away.

"Damn it! Xue An is already dead, and this King is the strongest king on Ice Flame Planet! Why? Why can't this King defeat a child!"

Huo Yi bellowed.

Huo Yi charged at Leige once more; he was determined to kill him.

"Today, I will show you that there is always someone better," Leige said.

"Bang!"

Their fists collided once again.

"Blazing Prairie Fire!"

Huo Yi shouted.

Huo Yi fired a powerful energy wave toward Leige.

"I've had enough fun. Go meet the King of Hell! Flame Impact Wave!"

Leige spoke.

Leige also fired a red energy wave toward Huo Yi.

"Boom!"

The two energy waves collided, and in the end, Leige's Flame Impact Wave pushed back Huo Yi's Blazing Prairie Fire.

"Boom!"

"Argh!"

Huo Yi was swallowed whole by Leige's Flame Impact Wave, leaving not even a scrap behind.

"Father!"

"Leige, I'm going to kill you!"

Watching Huo Yi get swallowed by the Flame Impact Wave, Huo Shi shouted at Leige.

After shouting, Huo Shi rushed toward Leige at high speed.

"Your Highness, it's dangerous! Don't go!"

A Flame Clan general shouted urgently as he watched Huo Shi charge at Leige.

"Bang!"

Leige sent Huo Shi flying with a single punch.

"Wild Bombardment!"

Leige fired dozens of energy spheres at Huo Shi, and Huo Shi was instantly engulfed by the blasts.

"Your Highness!"

The Flame Clan general shouted as he watched Huo Shi get swallowed by the energy spheres.

"Surrender and live, resist and die!"

Leige flew into the air and shouted.

"Bang!"