Chapter 293 - 292: Ambushed in the North

Chapter 293: Chapter 292: Ambushed in the North

After examining the elixirs, Xia Wuyang took out a Qi Nourishing Pill and put it in his mouth.

The elixir dissolved the moment it entered his stomach, transforming into a vast yet gentle wave of Spiritual Qi that surged into his Dantian.

His Dantian absorbed it greedily, strengthening at a visible rate, and his first Spiritual Vein extended a tiny bit further.

Even better, the medicinal power was gentle and long-lasting. It took several full hours to be completely absorbed, enough to support more than half a day of Cultivation.

’Taking one pill increases my Cultivation Speed several times over, and it lasts for a few hours...’ Xia Wuyang calculated. ’If I take two a day and combine it with my Cultivation in the True Realm, my Cultivation Speed will be about ten times that of an ordinary True Monarch.’

What did that mean?

For an ordinary True Monarch to break through from One Spirit to Two Spirits, it would take decades at the minimum, and centuries at most.

But for him, it might only take a few years.

’With this Alchemy Genius Companion Talent, I can not only refine Qi Nourishing Pills, but also attempt to create even more High Level Spirit Pills. I could even develop an antidote for Pan Mo’s Heart-devouring Poison.’ A sharp glint flashed in Xia Wuyang’s eyes.

He carefully stored the remaining Qi Nourishing Pills, his mind already planning his next alchemy session.

But just as he was delightedly planning his future, a disaster was quietly unfolding in the distant Northern Territory.

Iron Wall City, the Northern Territory’s foremost stronghold and the key fortress blocking the Da Kuo Royal Court.

The city was built between two steep mountain peaks. Its walls, towering dozens of yards high, were constructed entirely from black Basalt, making them indestructible and incredibly difficult to breach.

On the battlements, banners snapped in the wind. The defenders’ weapons were a forest of blades and spears, glinting coldly under the harsh sun.

But at this very moment, the atmosphere within the city was as heavy as iron.

Inside the Central Army Tent, the Vice Grand General of the Imperial Guard, Zhao Rui, stared at the sand table on the desk, his brow deeply furrowed.

A dozen or so generals stood behind him, each with a grim expression.

A general with a full, bushy beard couldn’t help but speak up. "Grand General Zhao, the Northern Desert barbarians have been outside the walls hurling insults for days! They’re calling us cowards who only dare to hide in the city, saying we’re worse than women. The men are about to burst from anger. Why don’t we go out and teach them a lesson?"

"Yes, Grand General Zhao! We have two hundred thousand Imperial Guards, the most elite troops of Great Xia! Are we really going to let a few hundred thousand Northern Desert Riding Patrols keep us pinned in the city? They don’t even outnumber us by that much! If word of this gets out, what will become of Great Xia’s honor?" another, younger general added.

Zhao Rui remained silent. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go out and fight.

But Tantai Zhan’s orders were to hold Iron Wall City at all costs and not to engage rashly.

The Northern Desert Iron Cavalry moved like the wind and excelled at open-field battles. If they charged out rashly, they would likely fall into an ambush, and the consequences would be dire.

But the soldiers’ morale was dropping lower and lower, which was undeniably a problem.

For some time now, they had been continuously harassed by the Northern Desert Riding Patrols. Their supply lines were cut, their scouts were killed, and even soldiers who left the city were often met with sneak attacks by archers.

The defending army was simmering with pent-up frustration but had no outlet. If this continued, their morale would eventually collapse. Worse, their provisions were running low. If supplies weren’t replenished, they would crumble even without a major enemy offensive.

"Report!"

A scout stumbled and scrambled into the tent, his voice hoarse. "Grand General Zhao, the Northern Desert... the Northern Desert’s main force has withdrawn!"

"What?" The generals were all stunned, their faces filled with confusion.

Zhao Rui shot to his feet. "Explain in detail."

The scout said, panting heavily, "Yes, sir! An hour ago, the Northern Desert camp suddenly struck their tents. Several hundred thousand Iron Cavalry all pulled out, leaving only three thousand old, weak, and sick soldiers outside the walls to hurl insults. Judging by their direction, they’re heading toward the Black Water River!"

The Black Water River?

Zhao Rui strode to the sand table, his gaze falling on the location of the Black Water River. It was an important supply transfer point for the Northern Desert, about forty miles from Iron Wall City—not too far.

"Could something have happened in the Northern Desert’s rear?" a general guessed.

"Or maybe their supplies ran out, and they had no choice but to retreat?" said another.

The generals broke into a flurry of discussion, flames of hope igniting in their eyes.

After all, it was common knowledge that the Northern Desert Da Kuo Royal Court was perennially short on food and clothing and wasn’t skilled in wars of attrition. They had been laying siege for some time now with no gains; a retreat would be logical.

But Zhao Rui’s brow remained furrowed. This was too much of a coincidence.

The Northern Desert forces had besieged the city for days, and their morale was high. Why would they suddenly retreat? Could their supplies really have run out so quickly?

And they were specifically retreating toward the Black Water River, a region with complex terrain, full of swamps and dense forests—perfect for an ambush. Yet, the scout’s report was undeniable.

Zhao Rui said in a low voice, "Scout again. Send three teams out. One toward the Black Water River, one toward the Northern Desert Royal Court, and one to the western front. We must ascertain the Northern Desert’s true movements and find out what they’re up to."

"Yes, sir!" After the scout withdrew, silence once again fell over the tent.

After a long while, the bearded general couldn’t hold back any longer. "Grand General Zhao, opportunity knocks but once. If the Northern Desert forces have truly retreated, we should seize this chance to retake our lost territory, or even strike straight at their heart and wipe out this elite Da Kuo force."

"Yes, Grand General! His Majesty has been pressing for progress. If we can achieve a victory, it will relieve the pressure on the Imperial Court. We are the elite of the elite in Great Xia. Surely we aren’t afraid of a few hundred thousand Da Kuo Iron Cavalry?" the young general said excitedly.

Zhao Rui stared at the sand table, his heart a battlefield of conflicting thoughts.

If he sortied, he might fall into a trap.

If he didn’t, he would miss a strategic opportunity, morale would collapse, and he would have no way to answer to His Majesty. Furthermore, their own provisions were running low.

Finally, he gritted his teeth. "Pass down my orders! The Vanguard Camp’s ten thousand cavalry will leave the city and trail the Northern Desert army, maintaining a distance of about ten miles. If it’s confirmed that they are truly retreating, you are to harass their rear at your discretion. Do not get entangled in a prolonged fight. If you encounter an ambush, retreat immediately!"

"We receive your orders!" the generals replied in unison.

What they didn’t know was that just fifteen miles east of Iron Wall City, tens of thousands of Northern Desert Iron Cavalry lay waiting silently in a dense forest. As for the departing Iron Cavalry, they were merely a diversion created by newly arrived reinforcements.

The general leading them was none other than the Northern Desert’s Left Prince, Huyan Zhuo.

The veteran general was currently stroking his mount’s mane, a cunning light glinting in his eyes.

"Great Xia’s scouts should have seen us ’retreating’ by now, yes?" he said softly.

His adjutant replied respectfully, "My Prince, we have let all of Great Xia’s scouts pass. According to the plan, they will find us moving provisions at the Black Water River and report back to Tantai Zhan."

"Good. Zhao Rui is a cautious commander; he won’t commit his entire army. But he will definitely send his Vanguard Camp. Once the Vanguard Camp enters our ambush, we will devour it. Without its vanguard, Iron Wall City will be a toothless tiger, and much easier to deal with," Huyan Zhuo said with a nod.

"A brilliant plan, my Prince!" the adjutant said with a smile.

Everything went just as Huyan Zhuo had predicted. That afternoon, ten thousand cavalry from Iron Wall City’s Vanguard Camp surged out of the city, following the trail of the "retreating" Northern Desert army.

They cautiously maintained their distance, sending scouts out about three miles ahead and behind to ensure their safety. Every move they made was exceedingly careful.

But they didn’t know that the tracks had been intentionally left by the Northern Desert army to lure them in.

The real ambush was set in Wolf Fang Valley, about six miles ahead—a perfect place to lay a trap.