Wu Pingnan was dead, his command banner had fallen, and the remnants of his cavalry, fewer than two thousand strong, began to rout...
It was a rout, not a retreat.
In the Imperial Court's central formation, Commander-in-Chief Zuo Xuan's gaze was icy and his expression calm, but inwardly, he was profoundly shaken.
Even if he truly possessed miraculous foresight, he could never have anticipated that Wu Pingnan, a first-tier Martial Artist protected by a Body-Protecting Golden Ring, would be slain by a single enemy despite the protection of nearly four thousand cavalrymen.
His face looked composed, but veins had already bulged on his forehead.
"Report! General Wu... General Wu has fallen!" A messenger rode over in disarray, shouting through tears.
Holding his reins, Zuo Xuan decisively adjusted his orders. "Beat the drums and relay my command. The four guard units of cavalry on the left and right wings that have already left the central formation are to envelop the enemy cavalry remnants from both sides. Together with the two thousand cavalry reinforcements from the center and five hundred Celestial Surveillance Bureau Daoists, annihilate the enemy on the central battlefield. If they escape, the commanding officers will face military justice."
"Yes, sir!"
"Relay my command. The four thousand Divine Engine Battalion troops reinforcing Wu Pingnan from the front are to move to either side, bypass the central battlefield, and advance on Canyon Pass. Meanwhile, line up all the army's drum carts and move them slowly forward. Give the routed soldiers a sound to guide them back, so they can follow the drums and return. Prevent the rout from spreading. Any returning soldier who dares speak of the enemy's valor is to be executed on the spot."
"Yes, sir!"
"Relay my command. The center and rear armies are to move out in