Chapter 756: Chapter 306: Rebel Collaborators, Chaos and Opportunism, Long Mountain Changes Hands
Xia Hong’s expedition to the north never intended to capture Long Mountain in one go from the start.
His sole purpose was to besiege Long Mountain to force Li Xuanling to withdraw his troops.
By inserting more than three hundred insiders among Hou Jing’s over five thousand men in Zhaoyang, the initial plan was merely to create a small issue in Longshan City’s defenses. Who would have thought that Li Hu and Yang Zhong were so clever, managing to incite defectors among the Earth-digging Realm from Yucheng, Changning, and Song Yuan?
The situation of shifting loyalties in Long Mountain is truly terrifying.
Compared to three hundred insiders, the impact of more than three thousand rebels is worlds apart.
Xia Hong originally planned to attack Long Mountain on the evening of the fifth day, but after learning there might be three thousand rebels, he changed his mind, granting Li Yang and others an extra day.
Amazingly, it really worked.
Long Mountain was destroyed directly!
"I thought we’d be fighting with Long Mountain for a few more years, but plans can’t keep up with changes. Since Long Mountain’s morale crumbled so quickly, I need to change strategies from here on!"
After pausing for a moment, Xia Hong turned to ask Liu Yuan, "How long has Yuwen Dao been gone?"
"A little over an hour. At his speed, he should have reached the Beehive by now. He took both the severed arm and the head over. If nothing unexpected happens, Li Xuanling should have withdrawn his troops already. I’m just not sure how heavy the casualties are on the Minister’s side."
Hearing Liu Yuan’s response, Xia Hong’s expression slightly tensed.
He knew the difficulty of nine thousand five hundred Earth-digging Realm defending against the three thousand Longyou Army.
It’s fine if the iron wall of the Beehive hasn’t been breached, but once it has, losing the barrier won’t yield favorable results, especially with Li Xuantiang present. Even though Cold Ruins Tripod was left for Xia Chuan, Xia Hong was not entirely confident.
"Although the Cold Ruins Tripod can deal with the eerie entities, it is too tempting for Cold Beasts. Of the ten wooden mannequins, they can only exhibit intermediate Cold Beast strength so far. Once ignited in the Beehive, it will be hard to control..."
Xia Hong took a slight breath and looked toward the west, furrowing his brow.
The battle toward the western main building continued, with Hou Jing and other Cold Resistance level individuals rapidly approaching, but the massive army of over ten thousand Earth-digging Realm stayed at a distance of about four hundred meters, apparently blocked by the Longshan Garrison.
Moreover, with more people from Long Mountain charging below the main building, the army showed signs of retreating.
Liu Yuan glanced in the direction Xia Hong was looking, immediately understanding why he furrowed his brow, and softly spoke, "Leader, there are too many people in Long Mountain. Even if you exclude the three families that have already defected, there are still over seventy thousand staunch followers of Long Mountain, including many in the Earth-digging Realm, up to now there’s estimated to be over eight thousand."
Indeed, Long Mountain is a huge powerhouse!
Xia Hong shook his head with a slight sigh, considering that after breaching the iron wall, they had at least killed three to four thousand Earth-digging Realm, Long Mountain still has over eight thousand remaining.
In other words, without those three thousand rebels, the Earth-digging Realm originally garrisoning Long Mountain would have numbered over fifteen thousand.
This Earth-digging Realm population is truly enviable.
Even the Great Xia might not have this amount.
"Leader, I still have more than six hundred active soldiers in the Cloud Dragon Army. Let me lead them up and cooperate with Hou Jing’s ten thousand to break through the main building. It shouldn’t be difficult."
Seeing no progress on the western battlefield, Liu Yuan couldn’t help but directly offer his service.
However, Xia Hong rejected him outright without a second thought, gesturing, "Long Mountain has already lost, we don’t need you. In the battles of White Abyss and Xiling, combined with tonight’s siege, the Cloud Dragon Army has already lost over three hundred men. Such resources cannot be squandered further. Stay here and rest with them. Peng Bo will come with me, and you too..."
Although Liu Yuan was somewhat disappointed, he knew Xia Hong’s words were true and could only nod, watching Xia Hong, Peng Bo, and the eventually named Yang Zhong leave.
"Leader!"
"Salute the leader."
"Salute the leader..."
.........
As Xia Hong descended the stairs, he saw many recuperating Cloud Dragon Army soldiers who stood and saluted him, to which he immediately waved them to relax, smiling, "All of you stay lying down and take care of your wounds. No need to get up. The Cloud Dragon Army deserves the greatest credit for capturing Long Mountain this time. Just wait to go back to Xia City for rewards!"
Upon hearing this, the Cloud Dragon Army soldiers became visibly excited.
This time, for taking Long Mountain, the Cloud Dragon Army truly deserves the foremost credit.
Hearing such a statement personally from Xia Hong lent it substantial weight.
Contribution Value, Martial Arts Hall, Dan Medicine, Weapons, Supplies, Cultivation Resources...
All the soldiers fell into a reverie.
Without disturbing them further, Xia Hong continued toward the west battlefield, noticing Yang Zhong behind him, always looking worried. He immediately smiled and said, "So, do you not believe me when I say Li Tiancheng won’t kill Li Hu?"
Yang Zhong was momentarily taken aback, hesitated for a moment, but then nodded with a hint of confusion, "Leader’s words, I dare not disbelieve, but..."
"Li Xuanling’s three thousand Longyou Army can’t cause much trouble, the Longshan Li Family will soon become history, Li Tiancheng won’t let the Li Family end with no heirs!"
Won’t let the Li Family end with no heirs?
Yang Zhong pondered for a moment, trembling slightly with understanding.
............
"Where is the leader’s army? Why haven’t they returned to aid?"
"Only over three hundred meters left from the main building, the Xia Army is about to charge over."
"There is hope. We have tens of thousands here; Hou Jing can’t break through."
"What hope? That Golden Armor Army from Great Xia hasn’t moved yet; they’ve been resting and watching at the back. Once they attack, we’re finished."