Chapter 247: Taking Seven Territories in Succession

Inside the great tent, the atmosphere was tense.

A group of generals watched Yue Qianshan and Xiao Qingyu as they conducted simulations over the sand table. Not daring to disturb them, they whispered among themselves.

“Has the Great Li Army gone mad? Why the sudden large-scale movement?”

“I heard it’s because of a new Captain in the Fuhu Camp named Lu Bai. After slaying an evil creature, he pursued the Witch Race and, along the way, seized one of Great Li’s Dragon Scale Medicine Gardens.”

“No wonder. This Lu Bai really knows how to stir up trouble. His unauthorized actions provoked this counterattack from Great Li.”

“You can’t put it that way. In the end, it was Great Li who used the Witch Race to kill many of our men from the Fuhu Camp. Lu Bai’s actions were revenge for his brothers.”

“He was trying to establish his authority and secure his position in the army, but instead, he caused us to lose so much territory. His actions are inexcusable.”

As if hearing the discussion below, Xiao Qingyu slowly looked up, glanced in their direction, and said, “Great Li used the Witch Race to snatch a mining area from the Fuhu Camp. If we didn’t retaliate, it wouldn’t be long before our other mining areas were also attacked by Fierce Ghosts. The situation wouldn’t be much better than it is now.”

The generals below fell silent.

Xiao Qingyu was right. If the other mining areas were attacked by Fierce Ghosts, they might not have been able to fend them off either.

For Great Li to mobilize their army in such a short time and attack multiple mining areas and medicine gardens in the Wu Country, they must have planned this long ago. They just happened to seize this opportunity to launch their assault.

Yue Qianshan and Xiao Qingyu stood before the sand table, studying the various mining area strongholds in Longling Canyon and running through their simulations.

“We’ve lost these seven mining areas, and we still don’t know the enemy’s strength or if they have reinforcements.”

Yue Qianshan pointed to several city markers on the sand table and said in a low voice, “I suggest we first focus on defending our remaining mining areas and medicine gardens. As for the lost territories, we shouldn’t rush to attack. It won’t be too late to act once we’ve figured out the details of the Great Li garrison.”

Xiao Qingyu shook his head slightly. “I think we should strike while the enemy has yet to secure their footing. We need to face the Great Li Army head-on in a few major battles. At the very least, we must display the might and ferocity of our Huben and Longxiang armies.”

Yue Qianshan frowned. “We are ill-prepared. A rash counterattack will result in heavy casualties.”

“Report—”

Just then, another message arrived.

The generals in the tent frowned to themselves.

‘It seems another mining area has been attacked, or even captured, by the Great Li Army.’

‘Is Great Li trying to conquer all the mining areas and medicine gardens in Longling Canyon in one fell swoop and absorb them into the Great Li Country’s territory?’

A Huben Army soldier rushed in and shouted, “The No. 8 Middle Grade Spiritual Ore has been retaken by our forces!”

This Huben Army soldier was from the Yinghu Camp.

The Yinghu Camp, one of the eight camps of the Huben Army, was responsible for reconnaissance, infiltration, assassination, and communication. They had Shadow Tiger Soldiers stationed in all the major mining areas and medicine gardens.

“Oh?”

The generals’ eyes lit up.

Yue Qianshan asked, “The No. 8 Spiritual Ore is guarded by Captain Liu Xuan of the Xiaohu Camp, correct?”

“Yes, that’s him! Liu Xuan!” a general below quickly replied.

Xiao Qingyu nodded slightly. “Liu Xuan is a good man.”

The reporting Shadow Tiger Soldier caught his breath before continuing, “Reporting to General Yue and General Xiao, the No. 8 Spiritual Ore had already fallen. It was only because Captain Lu of the Fuhu Camp arrived as reinforcement that the Great Li Army was driven back.”

“Oh?”

A general frowned and asked, “Isn’t Lu Bai guarding the Dragon Scale Medicine Garden? How many men did he take with him? Wouldn’t that leave the Dragon Scale Medicine Garden vulnerable?”

“Captain Lu came alone.”

The Huben Army soldier said, “With just one man and one sword, he tore the Great Li Army to pieces and routed them completely.”

The generals exchanged glances, secretly amazed.

‘This Lu Bai has some real skill.’

Yue Qianshan and Xiao Qingyu looked at each other and nodded in silent approval.

The location of the No. 8 Spiritual Ore was quite strategic, linking several nearby medicine gardens. Reclaiming it would be a huge help for their own reinforcement efforts.

“Report—”

Just then, another military report arrived.

Before long, another Shadow Tiger Soldier entered the tent, his face flushed with excitement. He announced loudly, “General Yue, General Xiao, the Tier Three Profound Iron Ore has been retaken!”

“Excellent!”

The generals couldn’t help but cheer.

Without any reinforcements from them, the front-line garrison alone was able to hold its own against the Great Li Army. This spoke volumes about the combat prowess of the Huben and Longxiang armies.

The Shadow Tiger Soldier continued, “It was all thanks to Captain Lu’s reinforcements. With just one man and one sword, he shattered the Great Li Army.”

“…”

Sudden silence fell over the great tent.

After a long moment, someone couldn’t help but ask, “The same Lu Bai?”

“Yes, Lu Bai. Captain Lu.”

When the Shadow Tiger Soldier mentioned Lu Bai, his eyes shone with admiration.

Another general asked, “Didn’t he just go to reinforce the No. 8 Spiritual Ore?”

“He did.”

The Shadow Tiger Soldier explained, “After helping retake the No. 8 Spiritual Ore, Captain Lu immediately rushed over to the Profound Iron Ore Area without a moment’s rest to help us drive back the enemy!”

“This Lu Bai…”

All the generals in the great tent found it somewhat incredible.

“Report—”

Not long after, another military report arrived.

“The Wolf Fang Mine Area has been retaken with Captain Lu’s help!”

“With Captain Lu’s support, the Yuhua Medicine Garden has been reclaimed!”

“The Great Li Army at the No. 6 Lower Grade Spiritual Ore has been driven back by Captain Lu! The enemy suffered countless casualties!”

“…”

The generals sat in the military tent as report after report came flooding in.

By the time night fell, they had done nothing, yet all seven of the previously lost mining areas and medicine gardens had been reclaimed.

And it was all thanks to Lu Bai!

In half a day, Lu Bai, with just his sword, had fought across seven different locations, helping the Huben and Longxiang armies recover their lost territories!

“This Lu Bai is incredible.”

“An army of one, unmatched by ten thousand men.”

“When did our dynasty produce such a formidable warrior?”

“I heard Duke Chen himself brought him back a few days ago.”

“No wonder. He might be Duke Chen’s favored disciple.”

Yue Qianshan, who had been standing with a grave expression, had returned to his seat at the head of the tent an hour ago, his demeanor now relaxed.

Although he still wore a stern face, the corners of his mouth betrayed a smile he couldn’t quite suppress.

Xiao Qingyu glanced at Yue Qianshan and said wryly, “Congratulations, Brother Yue. Your Huben Army has produced a true tiger of a general. When will you bring him over for me to see?”

“Haha, there will be opportunities in the future.”

Yue Qianshan let out a hearty laugh.

“Report—”

As the night deepened and the generals were about to dismiss, another military report arrived.

They all looked at each other, their hearts sinking.

‘What now?’

“Captain Lu has conquered the Great Li Country’s Red Flame Mine Area! He requests the Huben Army be sent to garrison and defend it!”

The generals were shocked, their eyes wide and jaws dropped.

‘What is this Lu Bai trying to do?’

‘Not only has he reclaimed our lost territories, but he’s also seized a mining area from the Great Li Country?’

“Report—Captain Lu has conquered one of Great Li’s Middle Grade Spiritual Ores! The location is here! He requests the Huben Army be sent to garrison and defend it!”

“Report—Captain Lu has captured the Velvet Antler Fruit Garden! He requests the Huben Army be sent to garrison and defend it!”

“Report—”

“…”

Inside the brightly lit command tent,

the generals kept watch, not sleeping a wink all night.

They waited until dawn as seven consecutive military reports came in. Lu Bai, with just his sword, had swept across Longling Canyon, fighting his way over eight hundred li in a single night, invincible as he conquered seven territories in a row!

The generals felt their heads spin, completely numb with shock.

After a long while, Yue Qianshan finally let out a long breath and murmured, “What a man, that Lu Bai…”