Something's wrong. Something's very wrong!
He couldn't give a specific reason, but the whole incident just happened to be unusually strange.
The head of the guard is the most calm and composed person. He was the leader who opposed the Fusion of Ziyue back then. However, because he had done it himself, he did not have much persuasive power and ultimately chose to compromise under the will of the people. But he knew very well that he had been wary of Ziyue since he was old enough to understand.
On several occasions, he chose to kill or imprison Ziyue, but because of Ziyue great contributions and royal status, she was ultimately placed under surveillance, and he did not act rashly.
But no matter what, they wouldn't so easily hand over half the command of the elite guard to her, would they?
But this lieutenant wouldn't lie.
Zhang Xiaoyun knew very well that this deputy general was the son of the former Grand Elder and a staunch follower of the Chief of the Guards. He would never betray the Chief of the Guards, nor would he lie.
So, whose problem is it?
Zhang Xiaoyun was extremely anxious, feeling that if she didn't do something soon, something terrible would happen!
" The West Sea Army did indeed head towards the White Tiger Palace?"
The lieutenant showed great respect for Ziyue.
"Could you please have the priest retreat immediately?" Ziyue asked in a deep voice.
The lieutenant shook his head slightly. "The High Priest is in charge of military affairs, and even the High Priest has no authority to order him back during command."
"It's quite strange that our clan has survived for so long without a unified leader," Ziyue with a slight sneer.
These words startled the deputy general slightly. He had heard these words before. A long time ago, when Ziyue was still quite naive, she had said them in public. At that time, she offended many elders from various factions, but the head of the guards had secretly praised her, saying that this young girl was capable of saying such things at such a young age and would surely achieve great things in the future.
I never imagined that after all these years Lord Ziyue would still be the same.
The lieutenant bowed slightly. "Your Highness, please make a decisive decision!"
He now understood why the head guard had given her command. Such a promising member of the royal family, who might become the leader of the Ancient Demon Clan in the future, certainly needed to be tempered at this crucial moment.
"Protect the High Priest immediately!"
"Really?"
The lieutenant was stunned. He hadn't expected that the person the other side had asked for his support was actually that greedy and reckless priest!
"Your Highness, what is this?"
Zhang Zhiyun, standing to the side, also frowned. "Your Highness, the head guard's side is clearly in more danger."
"The guard captain's side isn't in danger." Ziyue shook her head. "You know the guard captain's abilities better than I do. With the strength of the guards and the guard captain's support, if they want to break through, simply having more troops won't stop them. Besides, the guard captain isn't like that idiot priest; he knows his limits and knows how to advance and retreat."
The deputy general and Zhang Zhiyun exchanged a glance, seemingly finding the argument quite reasonable.
"Time is running out," Ziyue said, glancing at the priest. "Immediately gather your men and send reinforcements!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Wait!" Zhang Xiaoyun immediately called out to stop them!
"What do you want to say?" Ziyue turned around, her brows furrowed, her eyes gleaming coldly. Her imposing presence made Zhang Xiaoyun's heart skip a beat, giving her the feeling of facing a high priest.
"This place can't be left unguarded!" Zhang Xiaoyun said coldly, regaining her composure. "Don't tell me you don't know what's here!"
"Of course I know," Ziyue said softly, "But if the three factions join forces, with our small force, who do you think can hold this place? Only by recalling the Four Saints Army can we deter all sides!"
Zhang Xiaoyun: "."
It sounds reasonable, but something feels off.
"Priest." On the other side, the anxiety on the face of the deputy general of the Four Saints Army was very obvious.
The Sixteenth Route Four Saints Army have begun to suffer significant casualties, but the commander still shows no intention of retreating!
The priest, his face flushed and panting heavily, looked every bit like a gambler caught up in the moment. "Just a little longer, just a little longer, it'll be over soon! His strength is completely depleted!"
The deputy general nearly choked upon hearing this. The Four Saints Army were already suffering casualties, clearly showing signs of exhaustion and hindered advance. If the situation dragged on any longer, the sheer number of dead and wounded would overwhelm their basic formation, and they would be instantly overwhelmed by the surrounding forces. Such a huge risk, and they still wanted to gamble?
But then a question arose: in my memory, the priest wasn't such a reckless person, was he? What's wrong with him today?
Just as he was about to reprimand the other party for insubordination, a familiar presence suddenly came from behind him. He turned around abruptly and was immediately overjoyed.
They're reinforcements!
So, even the captain of the guards couldn't stand it anymore?
But what if the main palace is attacked if so many people are sent to provide support from such a far distance?
The most precious things are found there.
"What are you doing here?" The priest, upon seeing the reinforcements, showed none of the joy his lieutenant had; instead, he grew even more agitated.
What does the head guard mean? When did he ask for help?
And doesn't he know his duty? How dare he send his guards over so easily? Has he gone mad?
Suddenly, the priest looked at the leader with confusion. It wasn't the head guard, but Princess Ziyue?
How could that be?
Of all the elders, the head of the guard probably distrusts Ziyue the least. Why would he entrust her with command of the guard?
"Why has Your Highness come here?"
Coming to his senses, the lieutenant stepped forward, saluted, and asked.
"It's because of you, of course!" Ziyue said as soon as she stepped forward. "The battle is at a stalemate, and the soldiers are exhausted. Why aren't we retreating?"
The lieutenant wore a bitter smile. He had wanted to retreat for a long time, but the priest was like a gambler with bloodshot eyes, and no amount of persuasion could change his mind.
"Your Highness." Faced with the question, the priest was momentarily speechless. Ziyue's sudden outburst had extinguished much of the nameless anger that had risen in his heart, leaving him with a shiver.
What am I doing?
A sudden chill ran through the priest. What had just happened? How had he acted as if he had completely lost his senses?
He was only slightly unwilling and decided to wait a little longer, but how did things get to this point?
"High Priest!" Ziyue stepped forward and bowed, "Your command is quite worrying."
Faced with the junior's questioning, the priest's previously calmed mind was instantly filled with renewed anger. He coldly replied, "What advice does Your Highness Ziyue have? I am the War Priest, appointed by all the elders. Military affairs are decided by me. Even if the High Priest were still alive, he would have no right to interfere!"
Everyone: "."
Seeing everyone staring at him in astonishment, the priest's anger flared. Pointing at the Quefeng darting wildly through the ranks, he said, "That man is at his last gasp. If he holds on just a little longer, he will surely collapse. Once he collapses, the entire formation will crumble. My Four Saints Army can shred the human army's formation in an instant. By the way, since you've come to support us, give me the guards. They'll put even more pressure on us!"
A group of guards stared wide-eyed, including the lieutenant. Had this priest gone mad?
He didn't even repent after coming to our aid; he actually wanted to seize power?
Meanwhile, the deputy general of the Four Saints Army, who was always with the priest, looked at his Laoda strangely, feeling that something was amiss.
--
Where are they?
Just as Ziyue led her troops to reinforce the Vermilion Bird Palace, another deputy general who had always been by the side of the guard captain returned from the guard army. He was stunned to find only a dozen or so guards left behind and Zhang Xiaoyun.
"Didn't the head of the guards give command to that woman?" Zhang Xiaoyun said sinisterly, "What's there to be surprised about now?"
"What?" The lieutenant was taken aback. "Who said that?"
Zhang Xiaoyun: "."