Rebel Army? Reinforcements!

Wooo—

As the deep blast of the horn resounded through the skies, an army of one hundred thousand spread across the open ground outside Chaoge like a black sea. The cold wind of early spring swept over the soldiers' armor, producing faint metallic scrapes, yet it could not cool the blazing fighting spirit in their eyes.

Wen Zhong stood atop the thirty-foot command platform, his silver armor gleaming beneath the morning sun as though a heavenly god had descended. The Twin Male-and-Female Whips in his hands crossed before his chest, while his lightning-sharp gaze swept over every formation below. Though this veteran of three dynasties was already past sixty...

Because he cultivated both the Martial Dao and the Immortal Dao, attaining the Taiyi Realm and Half-Step Divine Ability respectively, his face showed not the slightest sign of age. Not a single wrinkle marked it. His back stood ramrod straight, the short beard beneath his chin fluttering lightly in the wind, and his very presence commanded awe without anger.

"Ji Chang of Xiqi colluded with rebels and deliberately plotted treason!" Wen Zhong's voice crashed like thunder across the wilderness. "Today, I march by royal command. I swear to destroy this scoundrel and uphold our nation's might!"

"Destroy the rebels! Uphold our nation's might!" One hundred thousand soldiers roared as one, their cries making the banners on the distant walls of Chaoge snap wildly in the wind. Dressed in dark iron armor that glinted with a cold black sheen beneath the morning light, they raised dense forests of spears and halberds, their killing intent soaring into the heavens.

Wen Zhong raised his right whip, and the entire field instantly fell silent. Only the uneasy neighing of warhorses and the faint clink of armor remained.

"I swear here and now: unless Xiqi falls,