Chapter 1399 - 50: Wang Shouzhe, the Great Villain? (Part 3)

"Could it be that Patriarch Shouzhe used some kind of off-the-board move?" Prince Ning’s expression gradually showed a look of admiration, "So impressive, Patriarch Shouzhe indeed has remarkable means, being able to indirectly ’control’ Murong Kaifong’s strategic decisions from miles away. Such planning can truly be called a brilliant scheme."

"Thank you, Prince Ning, for praising the family ancestor. However, my grandfather always believed that war is merely a means to an end. The so-called strategy is nothing more than a helpless measure when one’s strength is insufficient," Wang Shizhao said. "He often says that the best means to prevent war is to make oneself stronger, so strong that enemies dare not even think of offense. And being strong is for the people and family to live more peacefully."

Prince Ning admired, "Patriarch Shouzhe’s foresight makes Wu admire him. In any case, I, Wu Yingjun, will follow Shi Zhao’s arrangements from now on."

After a pause, he added, "However, although Murong Kaifong has advanced recklessly this time, he disregarded the three battalions we used as bait and instead led with the slow-moving Corpse Puppet Legion, advancing cautiously one step at a time."

"Such a tactic truly resembles a turtle, making it difficult to bite. Moreover, once we are trapped by the Corpse Puppet Legion, it will be hard to break out again."

Listening to Prince Ning’s complaints, Wang Shizhao remained calm: "This also proves Murong Kaifong’s experience in marching and warring. However, besides acting as bait, our three battalions also serve to ’create confusion,’ attracting Murong Kaifong’s attention."

"Since we can no longer ambush the vanguard of Southern Qin, then we retreat."

"Alright." Prince Ning said solemnly, "When retreating, should we make a lot of noise?"

"No. Retreat professionally, just like when we were lurking, leaving subtle traces inadvertently," Wang Shizhao commanded confidently. "We must not let Murong Kaifong see any signs of us acting."

"Alright. Then we will truly order a covert retreat," Prince Ning realized and said, "As for some flaws, they will be executed by trusted aides."

Time quietly slipped by for several days.

The Southern Qin army, advancing cautiously, had over half of their Corpse Puppet Legion into Nether Gate Ridge.

Among the elephant houses carried by Giant Armored Elephants, Prince Beimian slipped into one like a wisp of smoke, reporting to Southern Qin’s Grand Marshal Murong Kaifong: "Grand Marshal, the East Qian battalion responsible for the ambush withdrew two days ago. They left very quietly, and if my sons weren’t watching carefully, they would have slipped by us."

Murong Kaifong pondered heavily, "Having lost the chance for an ambush, and our army is no longer in concealment, their retreat is a wise choice at this time, otherwise, if trapped by the Corpse Puppet Legion, escape would be impossible even with wings."

"Grand Marshal Murong," the old eunuch, Eunuch Gou, who was responsible for military supervision, urged sharply, "since the danger of ambush is lifted, shouldn’t we quickly speed up the march and strive to reach East Qian’s Sword Ridge Pass soon?"

"Eunuch Gou," Murong Kaifong’s face tightened, "the terrain in Nether Gate Ridge is treacherous, and once we speed up the march, the distance between the front and rear armies will inevitably stretch, potentially leading to unexpected dangers. We must act cautiously, as East Qian Kingdom might have arranged other ambush methods."

"Oh dear Grand Marshal, the greatest danger now is you dragging it out any longer," Eunuch Gou’s eyes rolled, whispering, "I hear that significant figure has already lost patience, and Your Majesty is under immense pressure in the palace. If it weren’t inconvenient for that person to appear, they might have come to the front lines to execute you and replace the marshal."

"How can marching and warring be like this..."

Murong Kaifong wanted to speak more, but Eunuch Gou’s face had already turned icy: "Grand Marshal, do you really want to force this servant to wield His Majesty’s Imperial Sword?"

This matter concerned his life and death, leaving no room for Murong Kaifong to dawdle further.

"Grand Marshal, my scouts have swept Nether Gate Ridge several times, and I personally inspected it twice as well," Prince Beimian also said, "aside from the ambush battalion, there are no other anomalies. The East Qian Kingdom should not have any other hidden tricks."

"In that case, speed up the march, quickly pass through Nether Gate Ridge, then directly target Sword Ridge Pass."

Under pressure from all sides, Murong Kaifong finally made up his mind.

With the Grand Marshal’s order.

The speed of the Southern Qin’s Anti-Emperor Army suddenly increased, and even the reconnaissance teams, including Prince Beimian, operated at full capacity to prevent East Qian Kingdom from having backup plans and falling into another ambush.

However.

What they did not anticipate was that Daqian’s real contingency was not at all on the ground. No matter how diligently they scouted or how cautiously they marched, it was all meaningless.

Just as the Southern Qin’s Anti-Emperor Army fully entered Nether Gate Ridge, in the depths of the earth, at the critical nodes of the intricately intertwined underground lava tunnels like a spider web.

Some men in black received the signal and began to form the hand formulas to activate the array.

They worked in groups of six, and beneath each group was a concealed array.

These arrays were named "Delayed Explosion Arrays," specially developed by the Array Master Jii Wuchen at Wang Shouzhe’s request.

After decades of setup, these arrays had almost blended into the surrounding environment, deep underground. Even with specialized reconnaissance methods, it was difficult to detect their traces.