The Ice Flame War (Conclusion)

A Flame Clan soldier fired a bullet at Leige from his rifle. The bullet struck him, yet Leige remained completely unscathed. Given his current combat power, even energy blasts from those weaker than him would have no effect, let alone a mere bullet. Although bullets on Ice Flame Planet were more powerful than those on the Blue Planet from his past life, they felt like nothing to Leige, who possessed a combat power of 800,000.

"BOOM!"

"RUMBLE!"

Leige fired an energy blast from his hand, obliterating hundreds of Flame Clan soldiers.

"I will say this one more time: surrender and be spared. Those who resist to the end shall die!"

Leige shouted.

As soon as Leige finished speaking, the numerous Flame Clan soldiers dropped their weapons and surrendered to the Ice Clan. In the eyes of the Flame Clan soldiers, surrendering might temporarily save their lives; even if it was only a temporary reprieve, living one more day was better than nothing.

One hour later.

"What are the casualty figures?"

Leige asked, looking at Xue Xing.

"Reporting to you, My Lord, our army suffered 950 casualties, with 350 soldiers killed in action. Between light and severe injuries, there are 600 wounded. We killed 20,000 of the enemy and captured 450,000. Furthermore, you killed the Flame King Huo Yi and the Flame Clan's First Prince Huo Shi. This is a monumental achievement; shall we report it to the King?"

Xue Xing said.

Xue Xing himself had not expected that their 3,000 men could defeat 470,000 Flame Army troops and even capture 450,000 of them.

"Xue Xing, send a report to the King. Our army annihilated 20,000 enemies at Snow Ridge Valley and captured 450,000. The soldiers worked together to kill the Flame King Huo Yi and the Flame Clan's First Prince. Additionally, ask the King how he wishes to dispose of the 450,000 Flame Clan prisoners."

Leige said to Xue Xing.

"Yes."

Xue Xing replied.

Five minutes later.

"Report! Your Majesty, Duke Leige has sent a telegram. They annihilated 20,000 Flame Army troops at Snow Condense Valley and captured 450,000. The Flame King Huo Yi and the Flame Clan's First Prince Huo Shi have also been killed by our forces. Duke Leige requests instructions on how to handle the 450,000 Flame Army prisoners."

A soldier approached the tank Xue Li was riding in and said.

"Halt the march. The entire army will rest for two hours."

Xue Li shouted.

"Tell me, how should this King handle these 450,000 prisoners?"

Xue Li asked Xue Lang and the others.

"Your Majesty, my suggestion is to execute all the Flame Army prisoners."

Xue Hu said.

"That is over 400,000 people. If you kill them all, Xue Hu, aren't you afraid they will come looking for you in the afterlife?"

Xue Lion said to Xue Hu.

"Then what do you suggest, Xue Lion?"

Xue Hu asked Xue Lion.

"Your Majesty, my suggestion is that when our army attacks the Flame Clan, we use these prisoners as cannon fodder."

Xue Lion said.

"Xue Lion, aren't you afraid those Flame Clan prisoners will turn their blades against us at the critical moment?"

Xue Hu said.

"Xue Lang, give us your suggestion."

Xue Li looked at Xue Lang and said.

"Your Majesty, I support Xue Lion's suggestion. When our army attacks the Flame Clan, we can have the prisoners charge at the very front. With Duke Leige present, there is no need to worry about them turning against us. Even if they did, with Duke Leige here, we could still wipe out the Flame Clan."

Xue Lang said.

"With my Big Brother here, I wouldn't worry even if there were a million prisoners, let alone 450,000. Send a telegram to Big Brother: he led the army to a crushing victory over the Flame Army and killed Huo Yi and Huo Shi. This King appoints Big Brother as Grand General. He may arrange the rewards for his officers as he sees fit. Furthermore, ask Big Brother to lead his troops and the Flame Army prisoners as the vanguard to attack the Flame Clan's Border City."

Xue Li said to the soldier beside him.

"Yes."

The soldier replied.

"Pass on this King's order: once the rest period is over, the entire army is to head straight for the Flame Army's Border City to support Duke Leige."

Xue Li said.

"Yes."

Xue Lang and the others said.

Five minutes later, at Snow Condense Valley.

"My Lord, the King has sent a telegram. He has appointed you as Grand General, and he says that you may arrange the rewards for your officers as you see fit."

Xue Xing walked up to Leige and said.

"What did the King say regarding the prisoners?"

Leige asked.

"The King has ordered you, Great General, to lead your troops and the Flame Army captives to attack the Flame Clan's Border City. The main force led by the King will arrive to support us as soon as possible."

Xue Xing said.

"Xue Xing, you fought with great valor in the battle at Snow Condense Valley. I now appoint you as the Division Commander of the 1st Division, 15th Army. I hope you can distinguish yourself once again in this assault on the Flame Clan."

Leige said, looking at Xue Xing.

"This subordinate thanks you, Great General."

Xue Xing said.

"Tell the brothers we depart in three hours to attack the Flame Clan's Border City."

Leige said.

"Yes."

Xue Xing said.

February 17th, 08:00, fifty miles north of the Flame Clan's Border City.

"Flame Clan soldiers, you were all meant to be executed, but our King is benevolent and has decided to spare your lives."

Xue Xing said, looking at the assembled Flame Army captives.

"Officer, does this mean we can go home?"

A Flame Clan general asked.

"You attacked our clan and killed so many of our brothers. While our King has spared you, shouldn't you repay his kindness? As long as you help our army take the Flame Clan's Border City and Red Flame City, not only can you go home, but each of you will receive one tael of gold. Of course, if you are unwilling to repay our King, I believe my soldiers would rather risk the King's punishment than fail to avenge their fallen brothers."

Xue Xing said.

"Officer, we are willing to help the Ice Army take the Border City and Red Flame City. We only hope you will keep your word and let us go home."

The Flame Clan general said.

"I, Xue Xing, keep my word. Furthermore, have the Flame Army captives tie white cloth around their right arms to avoid friendly fire."

Xue Xing said.

After speaking, Xue Xing ordered the Flame Clan general to lead one thousand Flame Clan captives to trick the Border City gates open. Xue Xing led one thousand Ice Clan soldiers close behind; before departing, he also had these soldiers tie white cloth around their right arms.

"Halt! Who goes there?"

A soldier in the Border City garrison, wearing the uniform of a company commander, shouted at the group approaching from the distance.

"Huo Qing, don't you recognize me? It's me, Huo Ying."

Huo Ying shouted back at the Flame Clan company commander.

"Huo Ying, aren't you supposed to be with the King attacking the Ice Clan? Why have you returned to the Border City?"

Huo Qing asked.

"The King has already taken Ice City. He ordered me to return and inform the Second Prince. Besides, the First Prince's troops are right behind us. Open the gates quickly!"

Huo Ying said.

"That's wonderful! The King has finally succeeded in taking Ice City. Open the gates!"

Huo Qing said.

In his view, with Ice King Xue An recently dead, the Ice Clan had no one left who could contend with Huo Yi. It was only a matter of time before the six hundred thousand troops led by Huo Yi took Ice City, but he hadn't expected Huo Yi to succeed so quickly.

"Attack!"

Xue Xing shouted as he watched the gates of the Flame Clan's Border City swing open.

The Ice Clan soldiers and Flame Army captives rushed toward the gates.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

Once the Ice Clan soldiers charged into the Border City, they encountered resistance from the Flame Army.

"Huo Ying, what are you doing! Are you rebelling?"

Huo Qing shouted at Huo Ying from behind cover.

"Flame Army soldiers, listen! Surrender and be spared; those who resist will die!"

Xue Xing shouted.

"Damn it! Brothers, kill these traitors! Give them everything you've got!"

Huo Qing shouted.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

"Boom! Boom!"

The Flame Army soldiers rolled out two howitzers and began shelling the Ice Clan soldiers and the Flame Army captives.

"Huo Ying, take a few men and blow up those two cannons."

Xue Xing said to Huo Ying.

"Yes, 5th Company, follow me."

Huo Ying shouted.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

"Pfft! Pfft!"

The Flame Army soldiers guarding the howitzers opened fire with machine guns at the Flame Army captives charging toward them.

"Give me a grenade."

Huo Ying said.

"Cover me, I'm going to blow up those two cannons."

Huo Ying said.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The Flame Army captives used rifles to cover Huo Ying. The Ice Clan had confiscated their machine guns and heavy machine guns, leaving them with only rifles and grenades for this assault on the Border City.

"Rat-tat-tat!"

The machine gunner fired at Huo Ying, but Huo Ying dodged every shot.

"Boom!"

Seizing the perfect moment, Huo Ying tossed the grenade right next to the howitzer.

One hour later.

Xue Xing had captured the Border City, but he had lost a significant number of his own thousand soldiers, and only about a hundred of the thousand Flame Army captives remained.

"Well fought, Xue Xing. You've worked hard."

Leige said, looking at Xue Xing.

"You flatter me, Great General."

Xue Xing replied.

"The King just sent a telegram. He has ordered the Air Force to bomb Red Flame City. Once the King's main army arrives, we can proceed to attack Red Flame City."

Leige said.

February 18th, 3:00 AM, Flame Clan Border City, temporary Ice Army command post.

"Calculating the time, Tagoma and the others should be arriving soon."

Leige said.

After speaking, Leige activated his detector.

"Prince Leige, what happened on your end? Why has your detector been turned off this whole time?"

Tagoma asked.

"Nothing happened. My detector was confiscated by the Ice Clan on Ice Flame Planet earlier; they probably bumped the switch and turned it off. I managed to get it back later. How much longer until you reach Ice Flame Planet?"

Leige said.

"Prince Leige, we will arrive at Ice Flame Planet in two hours. Where are you currently located?"

Tagoma asked.

"Use the navigation system on your spaceship to search for Blazing Fire City and wait for This Prince outside the city walls."

Leige said.

"Understood."

Tagoma said.

Leige turned off the detector.

"Reporting to the Great General, the King's main army has arrived."

A soldier entered the command post and said.

"This General is aware. You may leave."

Leige said.

After Leige spoke, the soldier left the command post.

Five minutes later, outside the city.

"Xue Li, you've finally arrived."

Leige said, looking at Xue Li.

"I have kept you waiting, Big Brother."

Xue Li said.

"Let's head into the city, Xue Li."

Leige said.

"Order the troops to station outside the city, and keep a close watch on those Flame Clan prisoners."

Xue Li said to Snow Tiger beside him.

"Yes."

Snow Tiger replied.

Five minutes later, at the temporary command post of the Ice Army.

"Big Brother, how do you suggest our army should attack Red Flame City and Blazing Fire City next?"

Xue Li asked Leige.

"After the air force's bombardment, taking Red Flame City is only a matter of time, so I suggest we bypass Red Flame City and strike directly at Blazing Fire City."

Leige said.

"Very well, I will listen to you, Big Brother. Pass on this King's order: the main force will depart in two hours, bypass Red Flame City, and strike directly at Blazing Fire City."

Xue Li said to the officer beside him.

Blazing Fire City, Royal Palace.

"Second Prince, the soldiers at the Border City just sent a telegram saying they have been attacked. Furthermore, Red Flame City has also been bombarded by the Ice Army's bombers."

A Flame Clan general said to a young man dressed in red.

"It seems Father King has been defeated. The Ice Army will likely attack our clan soon. Huo Qi, pass down the order: Blazing Fire City is under martial law starting today. Have the warriors prepare for battle."

The young man said.

"Yes."

Huo Qi said.

8:00, outside Blazing Fire City.

"Listen, Flame Army inside the city! Our King gives you one hour to leave the city and surrender. Otherwise, when we breach the city, not a single living soul will be spared!"

A soldier rode a tank to the outskirts of Blazing Fire City and shouted through a loudspeaker.

Royal Palace Main Hall.

"Report to the Second Prince, the Ice Clan has reached the royal city. They are demanding we open the gates and surrender."

A soldier entered the main hall and said to the young man in red.

"Father King is away, and Huo Zhao is young and ignorant. Does anyone have a good strategy to repel the enemy?"

Huo Zhao looked at the gathered officers and said.

"Second Prince, our clan still has a million-strong army; why fear the Ice Clan? I suggest we fight the Ice Clan to the death."

A Flame Clan general said.

"Second Prince, I second that."

Another Flame Clan general said.

"Second Prince, I believe we should open the gates and surrender to their army."

A Flame Clan general said.

"Huo Bu, you coward! If you dare to suggest surrender again, I will kill you first."

The previous Flame Clan general said.

"Huo Yong, calm down for a moment. Huo Bu, do you think our million-strong army cannot defeat the Ice Clan?"

Huo Zhao asked, looking at Huo Bu.

"Second Prince, you know how strong the Great King's combat power is. Even the Great King was defeated by the Ice Clan, which proves that besides Xue An, there are other experts among the Ice Clan. Second Prince, even if our army fights the Ice Army to the death, we might only be able to defeat their soldiers, but if that expert intervenes, the five million-plus citizens of Blazing Fire City will likely suffer."

Huo Bu said.

"For the sake of the people in the city, this Prince shall surrender to the Ice Army."

Huo Zhao said.

"Second Prince, you cannot surrender! You will be cursed for eternity."

Huo Yong urged.

"If we do not surrender, the Flame Clan will be wiped out. Only by surrendering can we preserve the Flame Clan. Pass on this Prince's order: open the gates and surrender."

Huo Zhao said.

Five minutes later.

"Second Prince of the Flame Clan, Huo Zhao, leads the Flame Clan ministers to surrender to the Ice King."

Dressed in mourning clothes, Huo Zhao led the Flame Clan ministers to kneel before Xue Li.

"This King accepts your surrender. May the Ice and Flame clans be as one family and never take up arms against each other again."

Xue Li said as he helped Huo Zhao up.

"Long live the Great King!"

Huo Zhao shouted.

"Long live the King!"

"Long live the King!"

The ministers of the Flame Clan also shouted.

"What a pity, we haven't even had a chance to make a move yet."

A purple-skinned, bald man standing next to Leige said.

"Tagoma, there will be opportunities for you to make a move in the future."

Leige said to the bald man.

This bald man was Tagoma, a member of the Frieza Force who could rival Zarbon and Dodoria.

Under Leige's suggestion, Xue Li made Huo Zhao sign the Blazing City Treaty. The Blazing City Treaty stipulated that the Flame Clan must pay an annual tribute to the Ice Clan of one hundred thousand taels of gold and two hundred tons of energy stones. The Flame Clan's army could not exceed two hundred thousand, they were forbidden from producing heavy weapons, and the Ice Army was permitted to station troops in Red Flame City and the Flame Clan's Border City. Faced with such a treaty, Huo Zhao could only grit his teeth and accept it.

12:00, Ice City.

"Big Brother, these fifty thousand taels of gold and two tons of energy stones are a small token of respect from your little brother to King Frieza. In the future, I ask that King Frieza please look after Ice Flame Planet."

Xue Li said, gesturing toward five large chests of gold and five large chests of energy stones.

"Easily done, easily done. I will request that King Frieza look after Ice Flame Planet. Xue Li, we shall meet again."

Leige said.

"Big Brother, until we meet again."

Xue Li said.

Afterward, Leige boarded the spaceship with Tagoma and the others, leaving Ice Flame Planet and heading toward Frieza Planet No. 2.