Retreat

"The situation is becoming more and more troublesome."

After the two left, Li Xuancang frowned deeply, feeling an ever-growing sense of urgency.

With Cloud Prefecture's rebellion, Peace Prefecture had lost contact with the Imperial Court and could no longer receive its support.

Now, they not only had to face the Barbarians and the demons, but might even have to face an attack from Cloud Prefecture. The situation was far from optimistic.

"I just hope there's still enough time for me to steadily increase my strength."

Li Xuancang was merely a humble Hundred-Man Commander. To ordinary people, he was already an untouchably important figure.

But within the Great Flame Dynasty, he was nothing more than a slightly larger ant, able only to drift with the current and liable to be crushed to death at any moment.

All he could do now was make himself stronger. In these chaotic times, only one's own strength was the greatest support.

He could only hope that war would break out later, giving him enough time to grow stronger.

Inside the army's command tent, eleven Battalion Commanders and six Thousand-Man Commanders had gathered.

After several major battles, the army had suffered grievous losses. Some Battalion Commanders and Thousand-Man Commanders had died in battle, and their ranks had yet to recover.

Zhou Xingzhan sat in the seat of honor. His gaze swept across everyone as he said in a deep voice, "The Commandery Governor's Residence has ordered us to abandon Azure Cloud Ridge and withdraw to the commandery city."

The moment those words were spoken, the crowd instantly erupted. Some people sprang to their feet in agitation.

"My lord, how can this be?"

"My lord, absolutely not!"

"My lord, we cannot abandon Azure Cloud Ridge!"

"..."

Everyone spoke up in protest, insisting that they could not obey the Commandery Governor's Residence's order.

Azure Cloud Ridge was a crucial line of defense against the Barbarians and the Demon Race. Once it was abandoned, the Demon Race and the Barbarians would be able to drive straight in without resistance.

By then, all nine counties of Profound Sun Commandery would become hunting grounds for the Demon Race and the Barbarians.

If the nine counties fell, even if they retreated to Profound Sun Commandery City, they would face only death. Under the siege of the Demon Race and the Barbarians, they would not be able to hold out for long.

How could Zhou Xingzhan not understand this? But he was in a difficult position as well.

They could not disregard the Commandery Governor's Residence's orders. Otherwise, the Commandery Governor's Residence would cut off the army's supply of resources.

Falling out with the Commandery Governor's Residence would be extremely disadvantageous for them.

"My lord, why not report this to Lord Garrison Commander and ask him to decide?"

Zhou Xiong spoke up.

The highest military commander of Peace Prefecture was the Garrison Commander, who commanded the thirty thousand troops within Peace Prefecture. Azure Cloud Ridge was also subject to his orders.

Whether they stayed or left could be entirely decided by the Garrison Commander.

"That is our only option."

With no other solution, Zhou Xingzhan could only accept Zhou Xiong's suggestion.

"The matter of Cloud Prefecture's betrayal cannot be concealed. The demons and the Barbarians will soon learn of it, and they will never let this opportunity slip by. During this time, you must all remain vigilant."

Zhou Xingzhan reminded them that they had to guard against the Barbarians and the demons.

They were Profound Sun Commandery's most important military force. Nothing could happen to them.

"Yes, sir."

Everyone accepted the order with a resounding shout. They all understood the gravity of the situation, and no one dared let down their guard.

Half a month soon passed. News of Cloud Prefecture's rebellion had spread through the camp, leaving everyone anxious and filled with worry.

Bang!

Li Xuancang threw a punch, shattering a fist-sized stone with a single blow.

"Very good. My current strength is enough to rival the Bone Forging Realm. Even among Bone Forging Realm cultivators, I'm no weakling."

It had been nearly half a year since Li Xuancang arrived in this world. His strength had reached more than six times what it once was, completely surpassing the limits of humanity.

With more than a ton of force behind his punches, he could easily blast through a reinforced concrete wall dozens of centimeters thick, effortlessly lift objects weighing two or three tons, and leap more than ten meters into the air. Ordinary blades and swords could no longer harm him.

"The further I progress, the faster my strength grows. Every day, I'm shedding my mortal frame and exchanging my bones."

Li Xuancang was extremely satisfied with his current strength.

A daily increase of one percent was somewhat slow in the early stages, to the point where changes might not even be noticeable. But later on, every day brought rapid, earth-shaking progress.

Based on Li Xuancang's understanding of Bone Forging Realm experts, not a single one had ever been able to compare to him.

Even if some people could rival him in strength, there was still a vast gap between their speed and his. Their physical bodies were even less fit to be mentioned in the same breath.

"With my current strength, even against someone in the Blood Condensation Realm, it's not impossible for me to fight."

Li Xuancang urgently needed a great battle to test his own strength.

After half a year in this world, he had finally gained the power to protect himself.

Inside the main command tent, Zhou Xingzhan once again summoned the Battalion Commanders and Thousand-Man Commanders for discussion.

"Lord Garrison Commander has issued an order. We are to abandon Azure Cloud Ridge and defend Profound Sun Commandery City to the death."

As soon as his words fell, the command tent became deathly silent. Not even a crow or sparrow could be heard. No one had expected such an outcome.

"Go make your preparations! We withdraw in three days."

Military orders were as unshakable as mountains. Even if Zhou Xingzhan did not wish to abandon Azure Cloud Ridge, he still had to carry out the order.

"How could this happen?"

Everyone found it difficult to accept this outcome. This retreat might well bring catastrophe from which there was no return, leaving them unable to contain the Barbarians and the demons any longer.

"Go carry out the order."

Zhou Xingzhan looked haggard as he waved them away to execute the command.

Their faces dark, everyone withdrew without saying a word.

Before long, the entire camp knew that they would soon retreat to Profound Sun Commandery City.

"Hahaha, wonderful! Retreating to the commandery city is much safer than staying here."

"The commandery city has high walls and abundant resources. The Barbarians and demons will find it difficult to breach."

"Retreating to the commandery city is a wise move."

"..."

Most soldiers had no objection whatsoever to retreating to the commandery city. Instead, they were delighted.

As far as they were concerned, they only wanted to preserve their own lives and protect their families.

Azure Cloud Ridge was the front line, where they could face attacks from the Barbarians and demons at any moment.

After retreating to Profound Sun Commandery City, it would be equivalent to withdrawing to the rear. They would not have to face the demons directly.

Not only would their lives be protected, but they could also enjoy themselves in the prosperous commandery city. It was far better than living from one uncertain day to the next at Azure Cloud Ridge.

Only the Battalion Commanders and Thousand-Man Commanders wore troubled expressions. Abandoning Azure Cloud Ridge meant giving up every territory apart from Profound Sun Commandery City. The consequences would be unthinkable.

"If the army withdraws to Profound Sun Commandery City, won't Azure County be left exposed to the blades of the Barbarians and demons?"

After receiving the order to retreat, Li Xuancang's first thought was of his family far away in Azure Creek Village.

Once the army withdrew, there would be nothing to stop the Barbarians and demons. They would inevitably unleash a towering slaughter, a catastrophe that would wipe out the common people.

"Nangong Zhan."

Li Xuancang would never allow his family to die miserably. He called Nangong Zhan over loudly.

"My lord, what are your orders?"

"Go to Azure Creek Village at once. Have the local authorities cooperate and bring my parents and my eldest sister's family to Profound Sun Commandery City for settlement."

Li Xuancang needed to act in advance and bring his family to Profound Sun Commandery City. Only then could he rest easy.

"My lord, what if the authorities refuse to cooperate?"

Nangong Zhan voiced his concern.

He was merely a battle soldier. Even though he represented Li Xuancang, Li Xuancang himself would not be there in person. The authorities might well evade responsibility and refuse to cooperate.

"My Military Merit Medal has already been sent back home. When the time comes, use the Military Merit Medal directly. The authorities will not dare refuse."

Li Xuancang was no ordinary Hundred-Man Commander. He possessed a Military Merit Medal, and the authorities would not dare offend him.

"Yes, sir!"

Upon hearing this, Nangong Zhan had no further doubts. With the Military Merit Medal, he would surely sweep through all obstacles.

Li Xuancang wrote a personal letter and handed all the silver on him to Nangong Zhan, telling him to take it with him.