War Begins! The Eastern Front Collapses!

Prince Xue Xing let out a sigh.

He knew that no matter what, he had to go along with this battle.

This was a contest between the crown princes of Heaven Dou and Star Luo!

It was also, in the eyes of the world, a contest over the next century of the two great empires.

Having him at his side had already put Xue Qinghe at a disadvantage.

If he followed Prince Xue Xing's arrangements in everything, Xue Qinghe would forever stand beneath Dai Yunzhao.

Unless Dai Yunzhao could be slain in battle!

But White Tiger Pass was one of the greatest strongholds in the world, no less formidable than Jialing Pass.

The chances of killing Dai Yunzhao in battle were simply too slim!

Prince Xue Xing lowered his voice. "Then you will command the central army, Qinghe. I will hold down the main camp on the right flank and assist you. That way, I'll be closer to you."

For Heaven Dou's future, Prince Xue Xing ultimately swallowed his pride and accepted.

Yet Xue Qinghe smiled. "Royal Uncle, our left flank faces the enemy's spearhead forces directly. No one else can win battle after battle as you can."

"If you do not lead the left flank, how can we advance with peace of mind?"

Their army's left flank faced no shortage of perilous terrain.

In truth, Prince Xue Xing had wanted both sides to fight a few casual encounters and leave it at that.

But Xue Qinghe insisted on marching straight for White Tiger Pass.

Prince Xue Xing wanted to argue.

But Xue Qinghe grasped his hand, his words earnest. "Royal Uncle, this is for Heaven Dou. You must not refuse!"

Xue Qinghe had cut off Prince Xue Xing's path of retreat.

He could only let out a heavy sigh.

"Then I shall obey the Grand Marshal's command!"

Prince Xue Xing waved a hand and led several trusted generals away.

The moment they left the camp, one of them spoke indignantly. "Your Highness, how dare that brat speak to you like that?"

"You are the one who truly understands the stakes of this battle. If we let him carry on recklessly, we'll suffer a defeat sooner or later!"

Prince Xue Xing instantly shot him a cold glare.

"The position of marshal has already been decided! How dare you spout such nonsense? If I hear such words again, you will be beheaded!"

The generals all fell silent in terror.

Prince Xue Xing was the younger brother of the current Emperor Xue Ye, and his status was exceedingly exalted.

Yet for the future of the Heaven Dou Empire, he had no choice but to bow his head to Xue Qinghe.

Prince Xue Xing sighed. "You are demoted to scout! Send an urgent dispatch eight hundred li away. Have one of my trusted men deliver it to Heaven Dou City and ask His Majesty to send a military overseer."

He could indulge Xue Qinghe, but he absolutely could not let him use the lives of Heaven Dou soldiers to pad his own achievements.

No one understood Heaven Dou's current situation better than he did. If both the army's morale and the people's hearts scattered, he would become a sinner for all eternity!

A military overseer had to be sent.

The general had originally lowered his head, but at those words, light instantly returned to his eyes.

He immediately accepted the order and left!

Two people followed at Prince Xue Xing's side.

One was Dugu Bo, while the other was Zhao Wuji!

Flender and Zhao Wuji were both people he had saved.

Heaven Dou was short on talent now, while Ning Fengzhi's faction leaned toward Xue Qinghe. He truly had no other choice.

He had to build up some foundations for Xue Beng!

Prince Xue Xing walked forward step by step.

He turned his head toward Dugu Bo beside him. "Senior Dugu, you seem to have something on your mind."

Dugu Bo sighed.

"Yan'er's condition has worsened."

He had personally experienced the poison of the Jade Phosphorous Serpent.

For all these years, he had been treating himself.

But Dugu Yan's condition was clearly different from his.

This time, when he came to the border, he had even brought Dugu Yan with him.

He had tried many methods, but all had failed.

Once the poison within Dugu Yan's body spread, he would have no choice but to ask Dai Yunzhao for help.

Though he had accompanied the army this time, there were too many constraints holding him back!

His poison... he did not dare use it on the battlefield!

What if Dai Yunzhao truly had a solution? Then the bond between the two sides would be severed.

But if he did not use it, how could he repay Prince Xue Xing, his benefactor?

For a time, Dugu Bo found himself caught in a dilemma!

Prince Xue Xing sighed. "Senior Dugu, after this, the debt between us will be settled. I will not trouble you again."

Dugu Bo's brows were filled with unshakable sorrow.

Dugu Yan was his only family in this world. He would rather something happen to himself than see Dugu Yan come to harm.

Dugu Bo raised a hand. "Your Highness, let our carriages depart first. Yan'er cannot endure the jolting for too long."

Prince Xue Xing nodded.

At this moment, Prince Xue Xing increasingly felt that his side was exposed to drafts from every direction.

After the uncle and nephew parted ways, the Heaven Dou army began to mobilize.

For a time, Star Luo's eastern front suffered defeat after defeat!

Report after report of military losses landed before Dai Yunzhao!

It appeared that Star Luo was being completely suppressed by the Heaven Dou Empire.

Dai Yunzhao reclined lazily in White Tiger Hall, pressing down one defeat report after another.

Several dust-covered generals stood before him.

They had barely managed to escape with their lives!

One of them spoke. "Your Highness, we've lost several stretches of natural defenses along the eastern front in succession."

"I heard that you even plan to give up Three Gorges Pass. Such tactics do exist in military strategy, but... isn't this far too costly?"

Dai Yunzhao looked at them.

He gave a long stretch.

During this time, he had been handling affairs while cultivating.

He had even bestowed martial souls upon a number of selected soldiers!

Having worked without rest, he rarely had the chance to relax now.

"You came all this way just to complain to me?"

"Do you have anything else? If not, get the hell back!"

The general pointed at his own nose.

"Your Highness, I heard that those fellows from the Blood Character Battalion are all fierce and capable. You gave them special treatment!"

"Your Highness, the few of us have eaten plenty of dust these past days. You have to give the brothers an explanation."

"We can't keep losing battles like this!"

Dai Yunzhao pointed at the miserable-looking men before him. So they had come to demand benefits.

"That old bastard Xiong Ao can't keep his mouth shut. Just wait until I deal with him later!"

"Of course there are benefits for you. I know each of you brought a thousand elite soldiers back to the pass."

"Before you leave at dawn tomorrow, I guarantee your rewards will be in place!"

The honest-looking general sat before Dai Yunzhao.

"His Highness really treats us well!"

Dai Yunzhao pointed outside.

"Anything else? If not, get out. Are you waiting for me to treat you to a meal?"

"Let me tell you, this time, you came asking for things, and I handed them over with both hands."

"If you go back and can't keep your men under control, slit your own throats!"

The hall erupted in laughter!

Compared to their merriment, Xiong Ao on the other side was fighting with vigor.

Since he had not faced Prince Xue Xing, he naturally kept expanding his gains!

Along Prince Xue Xing's line, the generals suffered defeat after defeat.

Of course, he could sense that something was wrong!

The central army was blocked at Three Gorges Pass, while the right flank was being hammered down by Xiong Ao!

He was the only one winning!

He had originally planned to request that the army rest and reorganize, but a group of generals jointly submitted a petition asking him to expand their gains!

He was being pushed along completely!

"What exactly is Dai Yunzhao trying to do?"