World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 654 - 326: The Linhai Army is annihilated! Save Turing Si!_2

Chapter 654: 326: The Linhai Army is annihilated! Save Turing Si!_2

An hour and a half later, Gui Qinbi, the Princely Heir of Linhai City, received a hawk-message.

"An army of over twenty thousand from Tianshui City is attacking, Nanlin Fort has fallen, and all fifteen thousand troops have been annihilated."

Upon receiving this secret letter, Gui Qinbi stumbled, a complete chill enveloping him as he collapsed onto a chair.

How, how is this possible?

The Su Family of Tianshui City was on the verge of destruction, so why dare mobilize over twenty thousand troops to march north and attack Linhai City?

Of course, this was entirely legitimate.

It was the Gui Family of Linhai City who had declared war first, and Tianshui City had been forced to meet the challenge.

So, even if both sides bashed out each other’s brains and stabbed one another until the rivers ran red with blood, there would be no complaints. This was a formal war of nobles sanctioned by the royal family.

But still...

Did not Suo Ningbing realize that her real enemies were Zhi Wei’s forces numbering over a hundred thousand and Duke Turing Tuo’s army of two hundred thousand?

The Gui Family of Linhai City might have cried out mightily, but in the end, their victory was limited to seizing Chaos Stone Island.

After taking Chaos Stone Island, Linhai City was out of the game. Even if you, the Su Family, were to wipe out my fifteen thousand troops from Linhai City, what good would it do? Can you defeat Zhi Li’s army of four hundred thousand? Aren’t you still doomed?

Gui Qinbi knew that Suo Lun was dead, and Zhen Yan Princess had disappeared. Now, Tianshui City was ruled by Suo Ningbing and Yan Nai’er.

Women, utterly mad and foolish women, acting utterly without regard for the consequences.

Gui Qinbi clenched his teeth in anger. His own sister, Gui Qinshao, was the same. Her decisive action brought satisfaction, but she almost doomed the Gui Family of Linhai City. Otherwise, why would the Gui Family have taken the risk to fetch chestnuts from the fire for Zhi Li?

In his estimation, it must have been Suo Ningbing and Yan Nai’er acting recklessly, disregarding Zhi Li’s Forces altogether, and venting their anger by throwing everything in to march north and attack Linhai City.

However, what Gui Qinbi could not comprehend was how Nanlin Fort, with its strong garrison of fifteen thousand, not to mention several hundred thousand pounds of fish oil and countless arrows and strong defensive fortifications, could fall. How did it fall in just half a day to an attack from over twenty thousand of Tianshui City’s elite troops, when it could not have been breached in seven or eight days?

His own brother, Gui Qinqu, although not particularly outstanding, was at least of average intelligence. How could he suffer such a disastrous defeat?

The annihilation of the fifteen thousand troops was more than just a serious injury; it was agony to the bone!

"Suo Ningbing, Yan Nai’er, you two mad women, determined to bite Linhai City even in your dying breath, truly cut to the bone," Gui Qinbi thought bitterly. "The day I conquer Tianshui City, I will make sure you are tormented to death."

But that day would come later, what should he do now?

In all of Linhai City, there were only five thousand troops, and all were second-line forces. Could they hold off the advance of over twenty thousand of Tianshui City’s army?

Now facing Gui Qinbi were two choices: The first was to arm all citizens and defend Linhai City while sending a message to Gui Xingfu to bring his forces for immediate aid.

The second was to lead the officials of the City Lord’s mansion, including his mother Turing Si, to evacuate Linhai City immediately and reunite with his father Gui Xingfu at sea.

Without a doubt, the second option seemed extremely cowardly and would be harmful to his reputation.

After all, he prided himself as a young talent of the Rage Wave Kingdom, ranking among the top among the young nobles. Losing Linhai City without a fight would stain his name greatly.

Gui Qinbi faced a difficult choice!

Time was running out; after dawn, the Su Family’s army of over twenty thousand would continue its march north.

Should he stay and defend the city with five thousand second-line troops while waiting for aid? Or should he take the initiative to abandon Linhai City, evacuate to the sea, and reunite with his father?

"Summon the Minister of the Interior," Gui Qinbi ordered.

"As you command, Princely Heir!" the samurai answered and set off.

Fifteen minutes later, Yan Tingyi, the highest civil officer of Linhai City and a nephew of Prime Minister Yan Wujie, entered the City Lord’s mansion.

"I bow before the Princely Heir," said Yan Tingyi. "What instructions do you have for summoning me in the dead of night?"

Gui Qinbi handed over the secret letter about Nanlin Fort’s fall.

After reading it, Yan Tingyi’s whole body trembled, and looking incredulously at Gui Qinbi, he said, "How, how is this possible? Tianshui City is on the brink of destruction; they must be mad to attack Linhai City. Don’t they know that Linhai City is merely a decoy and that the true forces seeking to destroy the Su Family are nearly four hundred thousand troops led by Duke Zhi Wei and Duke Turing Tuo. What use is attacking Linhai City to them?"

Gui Qinbi replied, "Suo Lun is dead. Now, Tianshui City is in the hands of Suo Ningbing and Yan Nai’er. Once women become foolish, they know no bounds and only care about venting their anger, regardless of the consequences."

"No wonder..." mused Yan Tingyi to himself.

Indeed, women’s folly knows no consequences. Was not Gui Qinshao, the prized daughter of the Gui Clan, a living example? If not for her reckless daring, why would that old fox Gui Xingfu be in such a bind?

Gui Qinbi continued, "Now we have two paths, the first is to hold Linhai City, waiting for my father’s reinforcements. Doing so, I might end up as a captive or even under the executioner’s blade. The second path is to immediately leave with my mother and all the key officials of Linhai City, rendezvous with my father at sea, and willingly give up Linhai City. This would greatly damage my reputation."

Taking a deep breath, Gui Qinbi turned to Yan Tingyi, "Minister of the Interior, which of these two paths should I take?"

Yan Tingyi fell silent for a long moment before responding, "It’s a matter of great importance. Tingyi does not dare to speak rashly; I follow the Princely Heir’s lead."

Gui Qinbi looked coldly at Yan Tingyi for a moment, this old fox, unwilling to take any responsibility.

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