Chapter 676 - 479: Too Much Nonsense (Part 2)

"Marshal Luu, my Uncle Wang has already submitted the memorial. I believe the Holy Decree to confer upon you the title of Duke will arrive soon."

"But before that, there’s something we need Brother Luu’s help with. Recently, there have been many insurgents rebelling, and we hope Brother Luu could..."

Before Zhao Ying could finish his sentence, Zhou Kunshan had already pounded his chest and boldly promised, "Brazen rebels, daring to oppose the Imperial Court. Where are they? I’ll go and wipe those fellows out right now."

Three days later.

With panda eyes, Zhao Ying walked forward numbly.

He wanted to ask Luu Dafei, "How exactly are you commanding this army?"

This army in front of him was less like an army and more like a group of hooligans gathered together.

During the morning march, they had only progressed about ten miles before the complaints began incessantly.

With grievances in the army, Zhao Ying didn’t dare force them to march.

After all, Zhao Ying had personally experienced their combat effectiveness.

If something were to go awry...

The consequences, Zhao Ying didn’t even dare to imagine.

Not only was the march slow, but these guys also had too many demands. First, it was the food not to their liking, then there were too few toilets, and they couldn’t find a place to relieve themselves, and so on.

If it were his own subordinates doing such annoying things, he would definitely make them understand the majesty of military law.

They were previously ahead of the Imperial Court’s main force, but now they had fallen far behind.

"Brother Luu, we are now part of the Imperial Court’s army. Military discipline must be enforced; we can’t be as lax as before," Zhao Ying couldn’t help complaining to Zhou Kunshan.

Zhou Kunshan yawned, "Brother Zhao, I understand your point. But the brothers are used to their freedom, and these habits can’t be changed overnight."

"Rest assured, I will definitely speak to the brothers and ask them to temper their behavior."

Zhou Kunshan’s words had some effect.

At least now, the bandits’ marching speed was barely able to keep up with the Imperial Court’s army.

After another day of marching, the Imperial Court’s army was blocked.

It was none other than Zheng Yi leading the Strong Xingmin Army.

"You rebels are truly audacious. The Imperial Court’s army has arrived, yet you don’t think of escaping, even daring to block the army. Truly unaware of your impending doom!" Zhao Kongqing was fretting over how to find the rebel main force, only to have them present themselves.

Zheng Yi wasted no words, "Full attack!"

The mountains and fields were filled with snarling Xingmin Army zombies charging at the Imperial Court’s troops.

Though they appeared formidable, Zhao Kongqing remained indifferent, "Fools courting death."

Although the Xingmin Army seemed overwhelming, it was just because they had no formation. They looked like a vast expanse, but their actual numbers were not more than the Imperial Court’s army.

Soon, the soldiers on both sides collided, and a bloody battle ensued.

The fight in the Cangyan Realm was even more brutal than what Zheng Yi had experienced before in the Canglan Realm.

After all, the tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides each had at least the Qi Refining Stage’s cultivation.

Their strength was decent, but limited by the battlefield’s size, they couldn’t evade effectively.

The only option was to kill all the enemies in front of them.

Due to their formation, the Xingmin Army initially took the advantage in the clash.

The spaces between them were larger, allowing for effective evasion of attacks.

However, as more surged forward, they could only trade life for life with the enemy.

This situation persisted for a full hour.

Zhao Kongqing suddenly noticed, to his shock, that his side’s line was gradually retreating.

"Relay my order to the supervisory troops: from now on, those who retreat a step shall die!" Zhao Kongqing commanded with deadly resolve.

Almost immediately after the order was conveyed, dozens of soldiers who had retreated under pressure were beheaded on the spot by the supervisory troops.

The Imperial Court’s slowly retreating line was stabilized in due time by Zhao Kongqing’s swift actions.

"I’ll see how long you can hold on," Zhao Kongqing thought, watching from a distant hilltop as the number of Xingmin Army emerging showed signs of dwindling.

He summoned a runner and commanded, "Go tell Zheng Yi to take his bandits and cut off the rebels’ retreat. Don’t let them escape easily!"

At the center of the battlefield, the slaughter continued.

The blood had dyed the ground red, with pools of blood forming in several areas.

The Xingmin Army’s morale remained high, seemingly unaffected by the brutality of the battle.

Conversely, despite the supervisory troops’ deterrence, the Imperial Court’s line began to retreat again.

Zhao Kongqing furrowed his brow, "Haven’t those bandits’ troops arrived yet? They don’t need to attack the rebels from the flank or rear."

"Tell Luu Dafei if he still wants to become Duke..."

"Kill!" A thunderous cry rang out from the rear of the Imperial Court’s troops.

The sudden change left Zhao Kongqing at a loss.

"Damned, I knew those despicable bandits were untrustworthy; they have no credibility whatsoever!"

Zhao Kongqing suppressed his panic, rallying troops to fend off Zhou Kunshan’s surprise attack.

"It’s fine, don’t worry; the rebels’ army isn’t large, they won’t last long. As long as there’s no other..."

Perhaps Zhao Kongqing forgot to check the almanac before stepping out today?

Zhou Kunshan’s side wasn’t resolved yet when suddenly, another army attacked from the left.

"Damned, where did these guys come from?"

He soon understood their intent.

"Ten Thousand Immortals Sect, so you had plans all along."

Upon discovering that a sect like the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect existed under his rule, Zhao Kongqing immediately realized the threat it posed to the Zhao Family’s dominion.

So, even at great cost, Zhao Kongqing mercilessly and bloodily suppressed the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect.

From then on, he ruthlessly cut down any news of the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect that surfaced.

Initially, he thought that even if the Ten Thousand Immortals Sect wasn’t completely eradicated, it would be severely weakened. But now it seemed that the results were not as effective as he had imagined.

In fact, despite the ongoing battle, the Imperial Court’s troops still outnumbered Zheng Yi and his forces.

Yet, due to the continuous reinforcements of their enemy, the Imperial Court’s morale plummeted.

Initially only retreating slowly, soldiers were now discarding weapons and fleeing.

If the supervisory troops hadn’t decapitated over a dozen heads, the line might have collapsed already.

"Zheng Yi, I am the Eastern King, Zhao Kongqing. If you have guts, come out and face your death!" Zhao Kongqing gritted his teeth, flew into the air, and shouted enraged toward Zheng Yi.

"And Zhou Mingg, Luu Dafei, you vile schemers, come out together."

Zheng Yi broke through the air, meeting Zhao Kongqing.

The Imperial Court’s troops still had strength left. If the Eastern King was killed, the army would surely crumble.

This way, their losses could be greatly minimized.

"Mere rebels dare stand before me. I must admit, your courage is still worth..."

"When the Emperor is infuriated, corpses will lie among millions!" Zheng Yi didn’t give Zhao Kongqing a chance to speak, immediately unleashing his self-invented move.

The Sword Qi, radiating regal majesty, slashed unobstructed across Zhao Kongqing...

The latter didn’t even have time to mount a decent defense before being struck down by Zheng Yi’s single blow.

"In battles between two armies, thousands of soldiers die every moment; there’s no time to quibble with you."

Zhao Kongqing’s pupils dilated, his face full of disbelief.

He seemed unable to comprehend that the battle would end in such a manner.

Zhao Kongqing’s corpse plummeted to the ground with a resounding crash.

The main commander was slain on the spot, and the struggling Imperial Court troops could no longer hold on, collapsing in disarray.