World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 315 - 181: Attack Tianlang Pass!

Chapter 315: 181: Attack Tianlang Pass!

How could this be? How is this possible?!

Suo Lun’s fifteen-thousand-strong army was all below Tianlang Pass; how many men could he have had for a surprise attack from the sea on the Tianshui City Territory? At most a thousand men — that would be quite something, and the combined defense forces of Chaos Stone Island didn’t even number three thousand.

Even if he had spent a fortune in Gold Coin to hire more than ten thousand good-for-nothings and riffraff, they would still be a disorganized mob.

Moreover, a previous carrion bird message made it crystal clear that Suo Hanyi, with just one shout, had sent these thousands of riffraff scurrying in terror, then he led two thousand cavalry to slaughter them, leaving corpses strewn across the fields.

Then, Suo Hanyi led two thousand cavalry in pursuit of Suo Lun. As for Suo Lun, who was fleeing, he had only a little over a hundred Samurai by his side.

Even with one’s eyes closed, even if figured out with one’s toes, Suo Hanyi was sure to win. Suo Lun was bound to die or be captured — there was no second outcome.

Indeed, the next day’s carrion bird message flew in, stating clearly that Suo Hanyi had returned in great victory, Suo Lun had been captured alive and would be brought to Tianlang Pass shortly. (This carrion bird message had been sent under duress, for Zhi Ning’s entire secret base had been captured.)

Thus, no one paid any attention to Tianshui City and Suo Lun anymore; all their focus was on Yan Yan’s Army beneath Tianlang Pass.

How could the situation have changed so abruptly, becoming Suo Hanyi’s death in battle, with Suo Lun seizing control of Heavenly Water Main City.

Furthermore, Suo Lun was leading several thousand troops southward, intending to attack Tianlang Pass from behind.

How could this have happened?

Suo Lun had only a hundred men by his side; how could he possibly have defeated Suo Hanyi?

Could he be a god?

Not just Zhi Ning, but everyone within Tianlang Pass seemed completely stunned, utterly unwilling to believe this outcome.

So, they dispatched spies immediately to ascertain the truth of this news.

There was no need to wait for the reports from these spies, as the surviving spies within Tianshui City also fled to Tianlang Pass, confirming the veracity of this news.

Suo Lun had completely seized Heavenly Water Main City, and all six thousand City Defense Army soldiers had pledged allegiance to him. The four thousand troops left in Tianshui City by the rebellious lords had been captured, all Centurions and higher-ranked officers had been killed, including Nurdan’s son Nuda Hai.

Upon hearing this news, Nurdan went dark in the eyes and spurted out a mouthful of blood, roaring, "Suo Lun, you and I are irreconcilable! I swear I will cut you into a thousand pieces."

Within a short time, the entire Tianlang Pass was enveloped with anxiety and morale drastically fell.

Because the messenger who rushed into Tianlang Pass was already gasping with his last breath and couldn’t report to Zhi Ning in person before crying out, many people heard the news of Tianshui City’s fall and Suo Hanyi’s death in battle.

Word of mouth spread from one to ten, from ten to a hundred, from a hundred to a thousand.

In the end, all the troops within Tianlang Pass knew of this news, and it was exaggerated beyond belief.

They described Suo Lun’s martial prowess reaching the apex, single-handedly defeating two thousand cavalry and killing Suo Hanyi.

In short, they portrayed Suo Lun like a Celestial Deity descending to earth, and the people were in a panic, the situation spiraling into utter chaos.

...

Upon awakening, Commandery Princess Zhi Ning convened a four-person council at the first opportunity.

Nurdan, Gui Qinqu, Turing Duo, Zhi Ning.

"Regardless of how shocking and appalling it is, this event has already occurred," Zhi Ning said. "What should we do next?"

The other three fell into silence.

"Suo Lun is less than two hundred li away from us," Zhi Ning said. "In a little more than a day, he will appear at our back. We need to decide where to go and what to do."

No one still opened their mouths.

Zhi Ning called upon one by name, "Nurdan, you’re the only one here from Tianshui City, you speak."

Nurdan took a deep breath and respectfully said, "We shouldn’t do anything. We should continue to hold the fortress and wait for Suo Lun and Yan Yan’s Army to attack us."

Zhi Ning said, "But then we’d be caught between attacks from both front and rear."

Nurdan replied, "Yes, caught between front and rear. But we still have nineteen thousand men in our hands, while Suo Lun and Yan Yan combined have about the same, nineteen thousand."

Zhi Ning said, "Don’t forget how weak the rear defenses of Tianlang Pass are. If we truly end up caught between attacks from both sides, it will be too late!"

Nurdan opened his mouth as if to continue, but eventually nodded and respectfully said, "This servant is dull of wit."

"Turing Duo, what say your military officers?" Zhi Ning asked.

Turing Duo said, "We feel we should send out a select troop to make the first move and attack Suo Lun."

Zhi Ning asked, "Who would you send to fight Suo Lun?"

Turing Duo replied, "Four thousand from the Black Cloth Army and five thousand from the Linhai Army. These nine thousand troops should head north to strike at Suo Lun. Nurdan and the other lords’ ten thousand troops should stay behind to defend Tianlang Pass."

Zhi Ning said, "Nine thousand against Suo Lun’s five to six thousand—can they win?"

After a moment of thought, Turing Duo nodded and said, "Possibly win."

Zhi Ning asked, "But can they kill Suo Lun?"

Turing Duo shook her head and said, "Unlikely, we can only alleviate the immediate danger and prolong the war."

Zhi Ning nodded and then turned to Gui Qinqu, "Your thoughts?"

After pondering, Gui Qinqu said, "Now that Heavenly Water Main City is vulnerable, we should dispatch the majority of our forces to withdraw from Tianlang Pass, avoiding Suo Lun’s army, and take a detour to attack Heavenly Water Main City."

"A detour? Is there a way?" asked Zhi Ning.

Nurdan said, "There is a way, but it’s a mountain path, difficult to traverse, and unsuitable for cavalry."

Zhi Ning closed her eyes. All three plans were extremely poor, each one fraught with the risk of complete ruin.

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