" General Lan, what are you doing?"
The two sides faced off, Lan Shang with a gloomy expression, while Tian Heng on the other side appeared very calm, which made Lan Shang feel very uncomfortable.
Because Tian Heng looked very relaxed at this moment, he didn't seem to be there to fight at all, but rather to take a walk. This attitude made it even harder for Tian Heng to suppress the anger in his heart.
Actually, he knew Tian Heng. He remembered that when he was young, the Lan Family and the Tian Household were related by marriage and had regular contact. At that time, the Tian Household were always quite obsequious when they came to the Lan Family. The reason was simple: the Lan Family was a powerful subsidiary of the powerful Xiao Household family, while the Tian family was an insignificant small family under the Bai Family Tian Household. The Bai Family had already fallen on hard times and was almost reduced to being someone else's vassal, so the Tian Household was naturally even worse off.
At that time, no one expected that the Tian Household would rise to become a ducal family, and that the family would produce the youngest duke.
" General Tian, why ask a question you already know the answer to?" Lan Shang looked at the other party with a gloomy expression. The vanguard's breakout was not going smoothly. He did not expect that five thousand Transcendent cavalrymen would actually be stopped by Tian Heng's army formation. That was before the main army had arrived. Now that the enemy's army was in good formation, it would probably be twice as difficult to break through as before!
"What do you mean by that, General Lan?" Tian Heng said coldly, "You came from the north, bringing with you a large number of demons. We risked our lives to receive you. Ask yourselves, have I ever treated you unfairly? Have the brothers in Jiangnan ever treated you unfairly?"
These words caused the already hesitant imperial soldiers to hesitate.
Back then, they had King Level Heavenly Python behind them, and their situation was extremely precarious. However, the pass in Jiangnan was still opened for them. In the past two months, they have not only been provided with abundant food, but also a small amount of blood essence to replenish their qi and blood. Even the imperial court might not be able to provide such treatment.
If they had ulterior motives towards us, why didn't we just refuse them entry in the first place?
Lan Shang clearly sensed his subordinates' hesitation and immediately said, "Tian, there's no need for these high-sounding words. Your army assembled so quickly; wasn't that planned in advance? What are you pretending to be innocent for? The Princess came here, but you tricked her away, and you still say you didn't have ulterior motives?"
"Who exactly is plotting something?" Tian Heng sneered, "Why didn't Her Highness the Eldest Princess immediately take over military power? Don't you know the answer in your heart?"
"Nonsense!" Lan Shang roared. "A baseless accusation! If you have a clear conscience, then open the city gates and let us out safely. That wouldn't be a loss for Jiangnan, would it? Then inform Her Highness the Princess to come. Once we safely return to the capital, then I, Lan, will admit I misunderstood you. I will then apologize profusely and let you do as you please."
Upon hearing this, Tian Heng sneered inwardly; this man surnamed Lan did indeed possess some quick wit.
So he smiled and said, " General Lan, that sounds nice, but the problem is, if we open the pass, how can I be sure you're not colluding with the demons outside? What if they launch a surprise attack while the pass is open, and then you turn against us? How can I face the people of Jiangnan who trust us?"
"So, General Tian, you mean things can't end peacefully today?"
"I, Tian, swear by blood that as long as you put away your weapons and return to camp, I will never lay a hand on you. Until Her Highness the Eldest Princess returns to power, you can stay in the camp in peace, even if you have to hold your ground. But if you intend to storm the pass, then I'm sorry, for the sake of the people of Jiangnan, I will show no mercy!"
"That sounds nice!" Lan Shang burst into laughter. "Does retreating to camp make it easier for you to surround us? Brothers, did you hear that? They're not giving us a way out here. Since that's the case, we'll have to find our own way to survive!"
"For your own selfish desires, you've coerced soldiers into your service, Lan Shang. Can you live with yourself?" Tian Heng said coldly, "Today, I will kill you!"
"Is that so?" A red glint flashed in Lan Shang's eyes, and his tyrannical aura intensified. "Then today, I will experience General Tian's methods firsthand!"
His father was never quite reconciled before his death. The Lan Family had clearly been superior before, but in just a few decades, he had to bow and address the head of the Tian Household family as "Lord Duke."
He couldn't understand how the Tian Household, with their lowly bloodline, could have fallen to such a state.
This lucky guy who rose with the wind, does he really think he's invincible?
At Lan Shang's command, his deputy immediately waved the military flag, and the powerful military formation of the imperial army instantly sprang into action. The soaring aura of blood and energy immediately made the soldiers of the West Sea Army feel a chill, realizing that this was going to be a tough battle!
I had long heard that the imperial army was powerful, with all of them being at the Transcendent level. Now that the army has assembled, just in terms of the sheer scale of their blood and energy, it is probably twice as strong as our West Sea Army. If it weren't for some of the Four Saints Guard hiding in the army, we really wouldn't dare to take this battle!
Tian Heng was also surprised by the soaring energy and blood, and immediately licked his lips excitedly.
The quality of this army is truly worthy of being a Ghost Army meticulously planned and raised by the Xiao Household at the cost of the nation's fortune. Even if I only take one-third of it, it will be an extraordinary achievement, and it can greatly alleviate the current shortage of troops in Jiangnan.
"Raise your battle formation!" Tian Heng waved his hand, and his men immediately followed suit. The blood and qi of the West Sea Army surged forth. Although their scale was not comparable to that of the imperial army, their quality was incomparably pure. They were not intimidated by the overwhelming momentum of the imperial army.
Lan Shang saw this and grew even more jealous.
These are Tian Heng's own soldiers!!
His own military power came from His Majesty, but Tian Heng's was different. The West Sea Army was basically under the command of his Tian Household, and they were his old subordinates. With such an army, even if Jiangnan was lost, the Tian Household could still earn a place in the chaotic world with this foundation!
This further solidified his belief that he had to control the imperial army and have his own troops to establish a foothold in this chaotic world!
"Kill!"
With a roar, Lan Shang led the charge, igniting the blood and qi of the imperial army. The Flying Dragon Cavalry, who had been at the forefront, immediately followed behind, like a giant halberd, seemingly ready to tear everything apart!
"Attack!" Tian Heng himself was not to be outdone, and directly led a group of cavalry to meet them.
Lan Shang was taken aback. Tian Heng's soldiers were far inferior in quality to his own, yet he dared to charge against him with his cavalry?
But he immediately realized that the cavalrymen around Tian Heng seemed different. They exuded a strange elemental power, and in terms of the quality of their blood and qi, they seemed to be even better than the Flying Dragon Guard!
Are these Tian Heng's personal guards?
That strong?
He could almost immediately sense the strength of the soldiers around Tian Heng. Each one was probably more than the captain level on his side. The terrifying energy emanating from their bodies generated heat like the blazing sun, making it somewhat dazzling to look at.
This guy really wants to catch the kingpin!
Let's go!
Lan Shang's wild instincts were ignited; he really wanted to see what methods General Tian possessed that allowed him to capture him amidst a vast army!