Shrek Academy: Yu Xiaogang (2)

Their Vengeance Legion also suffered heavy losses, with nearly a thousand casualties, making it the deadliest they had ever suffered.

There was no other way; reinforcements from the Spirit Hall Empire would arrive in two hours at most. To buy time, they had no choice but to sacrifice lives.

Otherwise, once the Spirit Hall Empire catches their eye, the only outcome will be certain death.

Yu Xiaogang suppressed his sadness; now was not the time to dwell on past sorrows.

They took as much of the supplies as they could, and destroyed anything they couldn't take on the spot. They had limited time and couldn't afford to delay.

Afterwards, they would need to set up a diversionary tactic to disrupt the Spirit Hall Empire's ability to determine their location.

Only after they had completely left the area could they be considered barely safe, and only then could they get a good night's sleep without worrying too much about the pursuers.

"Captain Wang, set up a perimeter of twenty miles around the perimeter. If any unusual activity is detected, fire a signal flare to warn others."

Captain Wang: "Yes, strategist, I will personally go and make the arrangements."

"Captain Yu, you leave and lead the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect to set up decoy formations in the southeast and southwest directions to delay the Spirit Hall Empire from locating our true position."

Yu Tianheng: "Yes, strategist, I will not fail in my mission."

"Captain Qi, immediately arrange for people to clean up the battlefield. Take everything you can, and destroy anything that can't be taken and will slow us down."

Captain Qi: "Yes, strategist, this subordinate obeys."

Yu Xiaogang issued orders to the team captains. He had done this many times before, remaining calm and composed, never letting the joy of victory cloud his judgment.

Driven by personal and national hatred, Yu Xiaogang has truly transformed into a wise man.

He would remain unmoved even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, and his eyes would not blink even if a deer ran past on his left.

Because of his existence, the Spirit Hall Empire's Soul Master army has repeatedly suffered. The Spirit Hall Empire has long regarded him as one of its top targets, and its determination to kill him is even greater than that of the Vengeance Legion's commander.

Yu Xiaogang is already famous throughout the continent for the damage he caused to the Spirit Hall Empire, truly earning respect and fear without relying on strength.

But if he could, Yu Xiaogang would prefer to forgo any so-called fame, for it is worthless to his family.

Only when we lose something do we realize what is truly important, and Yu Xiaogang is no exception.

When the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect was destroyed, Yu Xiaogang matured overnight and figured out many things.

Looking back at my past self, it seems somewhat laughable, but unfortunately, everything is gone forever.

An hour has passed since the logistics troops were attacked, and messengers who have broken through the defenses have arrived at the Spirit Hall Empire's army camp.

"Report! The Tian Mountain Valley has been attacked by the Vanguard Legion of the Heaven Dou Empire. Please send troops to its rescue immediately, sir."

Chrysanthemum Douluo: "Okay, I understand. You may leave. I will send someone over."

"Yes, I'll take my leave."

Chrysanthemum Douluo said in a sinister tone, "Old Ghost, this time it's up to you. This is the way to contact the Heaven Dou Empire, so it's your responsibility. It's time to hunt down these prey; they've lived far too long, even His Holiness the Pope is tired of them."

A voice came from the shadows in a corner. "Yeah! With me here, you won't get lost."

The shadow then disappeared, presumably having departed.

Chrysanthemum Douluo then leisurely summoned the legion commanders and instructed them, "Legion Commander Li Huo, please make a trip and see if you can catch them by the tail."

Legion Commander Li Huo: "Yes, Elder, I obey."

"Haha, that was exhilarating! We wiped out a lot of those bastards from the Spirit Hall Empire and took away so much of their military supplies. I can already picture the furious faces of those scoundrels from the Spirit Hall Empire. Haha, drink! Let's celebrate properly today!"

Seeing that the legion commander had drunk so much, Yu Xiaogang couldn't help but lower his voice to remind him, "We're still in the heart of the Spirit Hall Empire, so we should try not to..."

The legion commander frowned. If anyone else had dared to spoil the mood like that, he would have slapped them across the face. But since the other party was a major contributor to the battle, the legion commander couldn't say anything and simply lowered his head to drink.

Seeing the atmosphere was a bit somber, Su He stepped in to ease the tension. "Haha, the strategist is as cautious as ever. It is precisely because of the strategist's caution and prudence that we have achieved such results. The greatest credit belongs to the strategist. Haha, let me toast the strategist first."

"Respect, Strategist..."

Seeing this, the others also raised their glasses to pay tribute to Yu Xiaogang.

Yu Xiaogang understood that it wouldn't be good to refuse at this moment, so he raised his glass and drank heartily. "To everyone, may Heaven Dou prevail..."

The others also downed their drinks in one gulp. "Heaven Dou will surely prevail..."

Intelligence chief Su He then explained to Yu Xiaogang in a low voice, "Although we killed a lot of bastards from the Spirit Hall Empire and destroyed their important resources today, we also suffered heavy casualties. Many of our relatives and friends died, and the legion commander also lost a nephew. Everyone is in a bad mood. What seems like a celebration is actually just a way to relieve pressure and feel good."

Yu Xiaogang remained silent.

Then, after a while, he said, "Today, everyone should drink to their heart's content, so let's forget about all those damn military regulations."

"Haha, the strategist is truly awe-inspiring!"

"Respect to the strategist."

"It's a rare treat to drink to my heart's content; I'm going to drink three huge jars of it today."

Seeing that they were drinking to their hearts' content, Yu Xiaogang couldn't bear to disturb them. Instead, he went out alone. Drinking was fine, but tonight they had to strengthen their vigilance and extend the perimeter. Otherwise, if the bastards of the Spirit Hall Empire discovered them, the entire legion would be annihilated.

Just as Yu Xiaogang was about to instruct people to patrol and keep watch, Su He also came out.

"Strategist, where are you going?"

Yu Xiaogang said calmly, "We can't ban alcohol tonight, but we can't be careless. I plan to have people expand the security perimeter so that the brothers can have a good drink and a good night's sleep."

Su He's eyes flickered slightly, and he chuckled, "Strategist, you are the greatest contributor to this battle. How can the main character like you be absent from this victory celebration? Besides, there are people waiting for you. A moment of bliss is worth a thousand pieces of gold! Leave these matters to me; I'll arrange them."

Yu Xiaogang hesitated for a moment, then blushed. "Erlong and I..."

Su He gave him a knowing look. "Oh, I get it, I get it, we're all men, after all."

Yu Xiaogang didn't think too much about it. Usually, setting up warning lines and hidden posts was done by either him or Su He, so he didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Yu Xiaogang: "Alright then, I'll leave it to you."

Watching Yu Xiaogang leave and disappear from his sight, Su He finally let go of his smile, his expression turning gloomy as he walked towards the outskirts of the camp.

After leaving the outer perimeter of the camp, Su He went to a secluded corner and said, "Come out, people from the Spirit Hall Empire."

"Heh heh, I wonder what their expressions will be if they know they've been betrayed by the Heaven Dou Empire. I'm really looking forward to it."

Su He: "Hmph."

"If I hadn't seen the token in your hand, I wouldn't have believed that His Majesty had truly betrayed the Vanguard Legion."

Ghost Douluo: "Oh, so what's your choice? Will you inform them, or will you complete the mission assigned to you by the Heaven Dou Empire?"

With a solemn expression, Su He solemnly swore. "Su He will forever be loyal to His Majesty and to the Heaven Dou Empire."

Ghost Douluo shook his head. "I thought I was going to hear an interesting answer."

Ghost Douluo: "I wonder what abilities these people have that have allowed them to hold off my Spirit Hall Empire's army for so long. They don't seem to have three heads and six arms."

Su He: "Hmph, if it weren't for His Majesty's orders, they could have stopped you much longer. Underestimate them, or you'll suffer a great loss."

Ghost Douluo scoffed, "You don't really think they can stop the southward advance of my Spirit Hall Empire's Soul Master army, do you? If my Spirit Hall Empire wants to march south, do you really think those few cities can stop us? Or are you saying that destroying a few of our supply depots will bring our army to a standstill?"

Su He frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Ghost Douluo's mischievous side kicked in. "Why don't you take a guess?"

Su He asked suspiciously, "Don't you plan to take this opportunity to attack my Heaven Dou Empire?"

Ghost Douluo: "The answer is quite interesting, but feel free to use your imagination."

Recalling the intelligence he had received over the past few months, Su He's mind raced, then a sudden inspiration struck him, and he was startled—could it be?

Su He looked at Ghost Douluo in disbelief. "You have no intention of attacking the Heaven Dou Empire at all. His Majesty made an agreement with you long ago. Your target is not the Heaven Dou Empire, but the Star Luo Empire. As for the so-called Vanguard Legion, it is just a prize for you, and a gift from His Majesty to show his goodwill."

From beginning to end, the Star Luo Empire was kept in the dark. The Heaven Dou Empire had actually made a secret agreement with the Spirit Hall Empire that, regardless of whether there was Vengeance Legion or not, the two empires would not set foot in the heart of the Heaven Dou Empire. At most, they would only take a few border fortresses or cities. All of this was an act for the Star Luo Empire to see.

Ghost Douluo clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Truly worthy of being the talent that person has taken a liking to! You can see through our strategy just from these clues. No wonder your Emperor Xue Qinghe specifically named you to protect you. Even without Yu Xiaogang, you probably wouldn't have been caught by us so easily."

Su He didn't say anything, but he was in great inner turmoil.

Even though he knew all along that the Vengeance Legion was destined to be wiped out, Su He found it hard to accept the outcome if it ended in such a betrayal.

In Su He's view, the Vengeance Legion could perish, but they would die on the battlefield, not in this humiliating way.

With 6,000 against 40,000, plus hundreds of thousands of regular troops, the Vengeance Legion was doomed to die; the only question was how long it could hold out.

But Su He felt nothing but torment at the Emperor's kindness in recognizing his talent.

Su He took out a pre-prepared defense map from his storage bracelet and prepared to hand it to Gui Mei, but his fists were clenched tightly, and he refused to let go.

The Gui Mei wasn't in a hurry; it simply watched quietly.

Su He closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face.

"For you."

After handing over the defense map, Su He felt as if all his strength had been drained, and he was so weak that he almost collapsed.

Looking at the deployment map, Ghost Douluo was also surprised to see so many hidden sentries and such a long perimeter.

In addition, there are various prepared escape routes. In the event of an accident, only a small number of people are needed to temporarily hold off a large number of people, while the rest can escape calmly through other escape routes.

This defense map is absolutely brilliant; it's practically a work of art.

The Gui Mei couldn't help but ask, "Did you design this camp too?"

Su He calmly replied, "Does that matter?"

Gui Mei chuckled, "That's true, anyway, this stumbling block will be gone soon."

No wonder we managed to catch you several times, but you still managed to escape. Yu Xiaogang, you're really something else; even His Holiness the Pope wanted to capture you alive.

At this moment, inside the Vanguard Legion's camp, everyone was already drunk and sprawled out in a heap.

Even Yu Xiaogang, who is usually stern and composed, was lying drunk on the ground, holding Liu Erlong in his arms.

The warning flare was only raised in the air when the army of the Spirit Hall Empire was less than a mile away from their camp.

But it was too late. The army of the Spirit Hall Empire had already surrounded them, and even their escape route was ambushed.

Everyone was awakened at this moment, either by a sudden noise or by being woken up by their companions. They prepared to escape along the predetermined route.

The first thing Yu Xiaogang did after getting up was to ask how many enemies were there and how far away they were.

He was stunned when he learned that the enemy was only a mile away.

How could that be? That's a security system I painstakingly developed; how could the other side possibly break through it?

The next moment, Yu Xiaogang thought of someone: Su He.

An ominous premonition arose in his heart.

Yu Xiaogang grabbed the person next to him and asked, "Where's Su He? Where is he?"

"No, I don't know."

Yu Xiaogang: "What about you? Have you seen him?"

"No, I didn't see Officer Su."

Seeing that no one knew where Su He had gone, Yu Xiaogang could no longer hide his disappointment and helplessness.

Legion Commander: "Is this related to Su He?"

Yu Xiaogang said dejectedly, "Su He may have betrayed us, or perhaps it wasn't just Su He, but..."

Upon hearing that Su He might have betrayed him, the legion commander couldn't help but curse, "How dare he? Don't let me find him, or I'll tear him apart!"

Just as Yu Xiaogang was about to say something, bad omens began to arrive one after another.

"It's terrible! Strategist and Legion Commander, our retreat has been blocked! Captain Yu led his men to break through through a small path in the woods, but they were ambushed by the Spirit Hall Empire and have been completely wiped out."

Upon hearing this news, Yu Xiaogang nearly fainted. The team led by Yu Tianheng consisted almost entirely of members of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. If they were all wiped out, wouldn't that mean the complete extinction of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan?

"Xiaogang, pull yourself together! If you fall, how are we supposed to fight the Spirit Hall Empire?"

Yu Xiaogang remained silent, muttering to himself repeatedly, "There's no hope, no hope. We're completely surrounded. There won't be any more miracles."

Seeing his condition, Liu Erlong had no choice but to temporarily carry Yu Xiaogang and break out from another direction.