First Clash with the Yue Army

Fanyu Royal City had essentially been designated by the Huan Kingdom as the battlefield for the decisive clash with the Yue Army, but preparations could not be completed overnight. At the very least, they had to wait for soldiers and civilians retreating from every direction to arrive.

Facing the Yue Army sweeping in from almost every direction, blotting out the sky and covering the earth, and the constant reports of soldiers and civilians being slaughtered in vast numbers, the royal city was steeped in grief and fury. Yet they were powerless to act; even mounting a rescue was exceedingly difficult.

After reviewing the latest intelligence, Jian Shang did not even rest. He promptly led thirty thousand highly mobile troops from the Ravenous Wolf Guards and Fire Ox Berserk Cavalry, along with Qi Ji, Yu Ji, Hua Qiandai, the Four Dharma Kings, and other experts, intending to head south and block the Vietnamese army pursuing the retreating soldiers and civilians.

As they traveled through the streets, the boundless expanse of Fanyu Royal City was packed with a sea of people, most of them refugees, Otherworlders, and Jianghu figures. Discussions sounded everywhere, and the vast majority hurried along. The ordinary civilians, meanwhile, were mostly bewildered, anxious, or terrified.

Fanyu Royal City was an ancient city, formerly the main stronghold of Lingnan Baiyue. It ranked among the least populous royal cities in the Huan Kingdom, and even in all of China. Now, it could be said that its population had reached the highest concentration in its entire history.

On the way to the city gates, they saw countless laborers and soldiers busily transporting stone, hardwood, and other materials. Aside from the Heaven-Sacrificing Altar being constructed at full speed, densely packed arrow towers, archery platforms, and other military installations covered the city. These were