Zi Shou knew that Lu Xiong would probably lose if he defied the imperial decree and insisted on an all-out assault. After all, Lu Xiong's enemies included not only Nangong Shi, but also Lei Zhenzi. Who knew what tricks those cultivators might pull? Even if they stayed out of the fighting and merely split open a mountain nearby, that would probably terrify plenty of soldiers.
That was why Zi Shou had always wanted Lu Xiong to withdraw for a while, lie low, and wait for his foolishness value to build up.
What he had not expected was for Lu Xiong to lose so quickly, and so catastrophically.
After Dou Rong had sacrificed his life to set that fire, Sishui Pass was already half in ruins. With Lu Xiong's command skills and numerical advantage, taking the ruined pass should have been only a matter of time. Yet Lei Zhenzi had led a small force around to stab him in the rear, and he had lost.
Zi Shou's face darkened. Shang fell, Zhou rose-even after he had changed so much, was defeat still inevitable? This was a brutal blow straight to the head!
"Lei Zhenzi led a surprise attack against our rear. The troops guarding the gate were caught unprepared and wiped out, cutting off our retreat. Then Nangong Shi led the troops lying in ambush inside the pass and joined Lei Zhenzi in attacking us from both front and rear, killing countless soldiers along the way. Fortunately, General Lu had the resolve to sever his own wrist to save his life and immediately ordered a breakout. After we forced our way through, the Zhou Army's offensive finally eased for a time. The casualties in this battle..."
Lu Renjie's account carried a hint of excuse-making for Lu Xiong. He was his uncle,