A Flame Clan soldier fired a rifle at Leige. The bullet hit him, but he was completely unharmed. With Leige's current battle power, even energy blasts from someone weaker than him couldn't hurt him, let alone a bullet. Though bullets on Ice Flame Planet were more powerful than those on Blue Planet, where Leige had lived in his previous life, they still couldn't faze someone with a battle power of eight hundred thousand.
"Boom!"
"Rumble!"
Leige fired an energy blast from his hand, killing hundreds of Flame Clan soldiers.
"I'll say it again: surrender and you will be spared. Resist to the bitter end, and you will die!"
Leige shouted.
When he finished speaking, the many Flame Clan soldiers laid down their weapons and surrendered to the Ice Clan. In their eyes, surrender might at least keep them alive for a while. Even if only temporarily, a day alive was still a day.
An hour later.
"How are the casualties?"
Leige looked at Xue Xing and asked.
"Reporting, my lord. Our army suffered 950 casualties, including 350 soldiers killed in action. Another 600 were wounded, both lightly and seriously. We killed 20,000 enemy soldiers and captured 450,000. In addition, my lord, you killed the Flame King, Huo Yi, and the Flame Clan's eldest prince, Huo Shi. That's a great achievement. Should we report it to the king?"
Xue Xing said.
Xue Xing hadn't expected that their three thousand soldiers could defeat 470,000 Flame Army troops and capture 450,000 of them.
"Xue Xing, send a report to the king. Our army wiped out 20,000 enemies in Snow Ridge Valley and captured 450,000. Our soldiers worked together to kill the Flame King, Huo Yi, and the Flame Clan's eldest prince. Also, ask the king how to deal with the 450,000 Flame Clan prisoners."
Leige said to Xue Xing.
"Yes."
Xue Xing replied.
Five minutes later.
"Reporting, Your Majesty. Duke Leige has sent a dispatch. His forces wiped out 20,000 Flame Army troops in Snow Condense Valley and captured 450,000. The Flame King, Huo Yi, and the Flame Clan's eldest prince, Huo Shi, were also killed by our army. Duke Leige asks how Your Majesty wishes to deal with the 450,000 Flame Army prisoners."
A soldier came up beside the tank Xue Li was riding in and reported.
"Bring the march to a halt. The entire army will rest for two hours."
Xue Li shouted.
"What do you think I should do with these 450,000 prisoners?"
Xue Li asked Snow Wolf and the others.
"Your Majesty, I recommend executing all the Flame Army prisoners."
Snow Tiger said.
"That's more than 400,000 people. If you kill them all, aren't you afraid they'll come looking for you tonight, Snow Tiger?"
Snow Lion asked.
"Then what do you suggest, Snow Lion?"
Snow Tiger replied.
"Your Majesty, I recommend using the Flame Army prisoners as cannon fodder when we attack the Flame Clan."
Snow Lion said.
"Snow Lion, aren't you afraid the Flame Clan prisoners will switch sides in the middle of battle?"
Snow Tiger asked.
"Snow Wolf, tell me what you recommend."
Xue Li looked at Snow Wolf and said.
"Your Majesty, I agree with Snow Lion. When our army attacks the Flame Clan, we can have the Flame Army prisoners charge at the front. With Duke Leige there, we don't need to worry about them switching sides. Even if they do, with Duke Leige on our side, we can still wipe out the Flame Clan."
Snow Wolf said.
"With Big Brother here, I'm not worried about the prisoners, whether there are 450,000 or even a million of them. Send a dispatch to Big Brother. Since he led his forces to defeat the Flame Army and kill Huo Yi and Huo Shi, I appoint him Great General. He can decide how to reward the officers under his command. Also, ask him to lead his troops and the Flame Army prisoners as the vanguard in an attack on the Flame Clan's Border City."
Xue Li said to the soldier beside him.
"Yes."
The soldier replied.
"By my order, once the rest period is over, the entire army will head straight to the Flame Army's Border City to support Duke Leige."
Xue Li said.
"Yes."
Snow Wolf and the others replied.
Five minutes later, at Snow Condense Valley.
"My lord, the king has sent a dispatch. He has appointed you Great General. He also said that you may decide how to reward the officers under your command."
Xue Xing said as he walked over to Leige.
"What did the king say about the prisoners?"
Leige asked.
"The king wants you, Great General, to lead your troops and the Flame Army prisoners in an attack on the Flame Clan's Border City. The king's army will hurry to reinforce us."
Xue Xing said.
"Xue Xing, you fought bravely at Snow Condense Valley. I hereby appoint you commander of the First Division, Fifteenth Army. I hope you'll distinguish yourself again in the attack on the Flame Clan."
Leige looked at Xue Xing and said.
"Thank you, Great General."
Xue Xing replied.
"Tell the men we'll set out to attack the Flame Clan's Border City in three hours."
Leige said.
"Yes."
Xue Xing replied.
February 17, 8:00 a.m., fifty miles north of the Flame Clan's Border City.
"Flame Clan soldiers, you were supposed to be executed, but my king is merciful and has decided to spare your lives."
Xue Xing said to the assembled Flame Army prisoners.
"Sir, does this mean we can go home?"
A Flame Clan general asked.
"You attacked our clan and killed so many of our brothers. My king has spared your lives, but shouldn't you repay his kindness? If you help our army take the Flame Clan's Border City and Red Flame City, you can go home, and each of you will receive one tael of gold. Of course, if you're unwilling to repay my king, I believe our soldiers will avenge their fallen brothers, even if they risk punishment from my king."
Xue Xing said.
"Sir, we're willing to help the Ice Army take the Border City and Red Flame City. We only hope you'll keep your promise and let us go home."
The Flame Clan general said.
"I, Xue Xing, always keep my word. Also, have the Flame Army prisoners tie white cloth around their right arms so they won't be mistaken for enemies and hit by friendly fire."
Xue Xing said.
After speaking, Xue Xing had the Flame Clan general lead a thousand prisoners to trick the Border City guards into opening the gates. Xue Xing followed close behind with a thousand Ice Clan soldiers. Before setting out, he had those soldiers tie white cloth around their right arms as well.
"Stop! Who are you?"
A company commander in uniform among the Border City defenders shouted at the group approaching from afar.
"Huo Qing, don't you recognize me? I'm Huo Ying."
Huo Ying shouted to the Flame Clan company commander.
"Huo Ying, weren't you with the king attacking the Ice Clan? Why are you back at the Border City?"
Huo Qing asked.
"The king has already taken Ice City. He sent me back to inform the Second Prince. The eldest prince's troops are right behind me, too. Hurry and open the gates."
Huo Ying said.
"Wonderful! The king has finally taken Ice City, just as he wanted. Open the gates!"
Huo Qing said.
In his view, Ice King Xue An had just died, and the Ice Clan no longer had anyone capable of standing against Huo Yi. It was only a matter of time before Huo Yi's 600,000-strong army took Ice City. He hadn't expected Huo Yi to take it so quickly.
"Attack!"
Xue Xing shouted when the Flame Clan's Border City gates swung open.
The Ice Clan soldiers and Flame Army prisoners rushed toward the gates.
"Rat-a-tat-tat!"
After the Ice Clan soldiers charged into the Flame Clan's Border City, they met resistance from the Flame Army.
"Huo Ying, what are you doing? Have you rebelled?"
Huo Qing shouted at Huo Ying from behind cover.
"Flame Army soldiers, listen up! Surrender and you will be spared. Resist to the bitter end, and you will die!"
Xue Xing shouted.
"Damn it! Brothers, kill these traitors! Give them everything you've got!"
Huo Qing shouted.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
"Rumble! Rumble!"
The Flame Army soldiers wheeled out two grenade launchers and fired at the Ice Clan soldiers and Flame Army prisoners.
"Huo Ying, take a few men and blow up those two guns."
Xue Xing said to Huo Ying.
"Yes. Fifth Company, follow me!"
Huo Ying shouted.
"Rat-a-tat-tat!"
"Pfft! Pfft!"
The Flame Army soldiers guarding the grenade launchers fired machine guns at the Flame Army prisoners charging toward them.
"Give me a grenade."
Huo Ying said.
"Cover me. I'm going to blow up those two guns."
Huo Ying said.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The Flame Army prisoners laid down rifle fire to cover Huo Ying. The Ice Clan had taken all their machine guns and heavy machine guns, so they had only been issued rifles and grenades for the attack on the Border City.
"Rat-a-tat-tat!"
The machine gunners fired at Huo Ying, but he dodged their shots.
"Boom!"
Huo Ying seized his chance and threw a grenade beside the grenade launchers.
An hour later.
Xue Xing had taken the Border City, but he had also lost a considerable number of his thousand soldiers. Only a little over a hundred of the thousand Flame Army prisoners remained.
"Xue Xing, you fought well. Thanks for all your hard work."
Leige said, looking at Xue Xing.
"You flatter me, Great General."
Xue Xing replied.
"The king just sent a dispatch. He has already ordered the air force to bomb Red Flame City. Once his army arrives, we'll be able to attack Red Flame City."
Leige said.
February 18, 3:00 a.m., Ice Army temporary headquarters in the Flame Clan's Border City.
"By my reckoning, Tagoma and the others should be here soon."
Leige said.
After speaking, Leige switched on his Scouter.
"Prince Leige, what happened on your end? Your Scouter has been switched off the whole time."
Tagoma asked.
"Nothing happened. The Ice Clan people on Ice Flame Planet took my Scouter earlier. They might have hit the power button and switched it off. I got it back afterward. How much longer until you reach Ice Flame Planet?"
Leige said.
"Prince Leige, we'll arrive at Ice Flame Planet in two hours. Where are you now?"
Tagoma asked.
"Use the navigation system aboard your spaceship to find Blazing Fire City, then wait outside the city for me."
Leige said.
"Yes."
Tagoma replied.
Leige then switched off his Scouter.
"Reporting, Great General. The king's army has arrived."
A soldier entered the command post and said.
"I know. You may leave."
Leige said.
The soldier left the command post.
Five minutes later, outside the city.
"Xue Li, you've finally arrived."
Leige said, looking at Xue Li.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Big Brother."
Xue Li replied.
"Let's go into the city first, Xue Li."
Leige said.
"Station the troops outside the city, and keep a close watch on the Flame Clan prisoners."
Xue Li said to Snow Tiger beside him.
"Yes, sir."
Snow Tiger replied.
Five minutes later, at the Ice Army's temporary command center.
"Big brother, how do you think we should attack Red Flame City and Blazing Fire City next?"
Xue Li asked Leige.
"After the air force's bombing, it's only a matter of time before we take Red Flame City. So I suggest we bypass it and make straight for Blazing Fire City."
Leige said.
"Good, I'll follow your lead, big brother. Pass on my order: the army will set out in two hours. We'll bypass Red Flame City and make straight for Blazing Fire City."
Xue Li said to the officer beside him.
Blazing Fire City, the royal palace.
"Second Prince, soldiers in the Border City just sent word that they've come under attack. Also, Red Flame City has been bombed by the Ice Army's bombers."
A Flame Clan general said to a young man dressed in red.
"It seems Father has been defeated. The Ice Army will probably attack our clan soon. Huo Qi, pass down my orders: Blazing Fire City is under martial law effective immediately. Have all the warriors prepare for battle."
The young man said.
"Yes, sir."
Huo Qi replied.
At eight o'clock, outside Blazing Fire City.
"Flame Army in the city, listen up! My king gives you one hour to come out and surrender. Otherwise, when our army breaches the city, we won't spare a soul!"
A soldier drove a tank to the outskirts of Blazing Fire City and shouted through a loudspeaker.
The royal palace, main hall.
"Your Highness, the Ice Clan has reached the royal city. They're demanding that we open the gates and surrender."
A soldier entered the hall and reported to the young man in red.
"Father is away, and Huo Zhao is young and inexperienced. Does anyone have a plan to repel the enemy?"
Huo Zhao asked the gathered officers.
"Your Highness, our clan still has a million soldiers. Why should we fear the Ice Clan? I suggest we fight them to the death."
A Flame Clan general said.
"Your Highness, I agree."
Another Flame Clan general said.
"Your Highness, I think our army should open the gates and surrender."
A Flame Clan general said.
"Huo Bu, you coward! If you dare surrender, I'll kill you myself!"
The Flame Clan general who had spoken earlier said.
"Huo Yong, calm down. Huo Bu, do you think our million soldiers can't defeat the Ice Clan?"
Huo Zhao looked at Huo Bu and asked.
"Your Highness, you know how powerful the king is. Even he was defeated by the Ice Clan, which proves that they have experts besides Xue An. Your Highness, even if our army fights the Ice Army to the death, we might manage to defeat them. But if that expert gets involved, the more than five million people in Blazing Fire City will suffer."
Huo Bu said.
"For the sake of the people in the city, I'll surrender to the Ice Army."
Huo Zhao said.
"Your Highness, you can't surrender! You'll be reviled for generations."
Huo Yong urged him.
"If we don't surrender, the Flame Clan will be wiped out. Surrendering is the only way to save it. Pass down my order: open the gates and surrender."
Huo Zhao said.
Five minutes later.
"Huo Zhao, Second Prince of the Flame Clan, leads the Flame Clan ministers in surrendering to the Ice King."
Dressed in mourning clothes, Huo Zhao knelt before Xue Li with the Flame Clan ministers.
"I accept your surrender. May the Ice and Flame Clans become as close as family and never again take up arms against each other."
Xue Li helped Huo Zhao to his feet and said.
"Long live the king!"
Huo Zhao shouted.
"Long live the king!"
"Long live the king!"
The Flame Clan ministers shouted as well.
"What a pity. We haven't even had a chance to fight."
A bald man with purple skin said beside Leige.
"Tagoma, you'll get your chance another time."
Leige said to the bald man.
This bald man was Tagoma, a member of the Frieza Force who could match Zarbon and Dodoria.
On Leige's advice, Xue Li had Huo Zhao sign the Blazing City Treaty. The treaty stipulated that the Flame Clan would pay the Ice Clan an annual tribute of 100,000 taels of gold and 200 tons of energy stones; that the Flame Clan's army could not exceed 200,000 troops; that it could not produce heavy weapons; and that the Ice Army was allowed to garrison Red Flame City and the Flame Clan's Border City. Faced with such terms, Huo Zhao could only grit his teeth and accept.
At twelve o'clock, Ice City.
"Big brother, these 50,000 taels of gold and two tons of energy stones are my gift to King Frieza. I hope King Frieza will look after Ice Flame Planet in the future."
Xue Li said, pointing to five large chests of gold and five large chests of energy stones.
"Of course, of course. I'll ask King Frieza to look after Ice Flame Planet. Xue Li, until we meet again."
Leige said.
"Until we meet again, big brother."
Xue Li said.
Then Leige boarded the spaceship with Tagoma and the others and left Ice Flame Planet, heading for Frieza Planet No. 2.
Before you continue