The veteran general Song Yan spoke then, looking equally puzzled:
"Taiping Divine General, setting aside whether the strength of our Zhenwu Demon-Slaying Army could threaten Yanyuntai."
"The tens of thousands of li between us and Yanyuntai alone are beyond our ability to overcome."
Gu Huai agreed:
"The distance alone is tens of thousands of li, but marching those tens of thousands of li would take us through at least three Demon Grotto strongholds of the Nine Abysses Demonic Army."
"By the time we reached Yanyuntai, our fighting strength would inevitably be severely depleted."
Song Yan gave a bitter smile:
"To be honest, going directly to Xueji City's aid would be less difficult than attacking Yanyuntai."
With that, both men looked at Xu Taiping.
As though he had anticipated their reactions, Xu Taiping merely looked calmly back at them and said with a smile:
"You both make valid points."
He immediately changed tack:
"But there is one thing you may both have forgotten."
Puzzled, Song Yan asked Xu Taiping:
"What is it?"
Xu Taiping said solemnly:
"The Demon Grotto exit sealed beneath Heavenly Thunder City leads straight to Yanyuntai."
"And the Zhenwu Demon-Slaying Army is unaffected by the seal."
At those words, Song Yan and Gu Huai both froze.
Only after a long while did Song Yan say, his face filled with shock:
"Taiping Divine General, you-you intend to launch a counterattack on Yanyuntai through this passage?!"
Xu Taiping asked in return:
"What do you two think?"
Song Yan and Gu Huai immediately fell into thoughtful silence.
Clearly, after Xu Taiping's reminder, they too felt this was a feasible course of action.
After a long while, Gu Huai drew a deep breath and glanced at Song Yan beside him, his gaze flickering as he said:
"Eldest Brother Song, I think the