Chapter 594: Engaging the Enemy

Chapter 594: Chapter 594: Engaging the Enemy

Yao Tianning knew very well how risky it was to march at night in a war zone, and that doing so would sap the hard-won energy of the soldiers who’d just managed to rest for a day. But he had no choice.

Just that afternoon, as soon as Yao Tianning entered the Jianchuan war zone, he received an order from Jianchuan’s main combat officer, instructing him to quicken his pace and hurry to intercept at the northeast "Fish Stone Military Station." Soon after, another urgent order arrived, demanding he reach "Fish Stone" before dawn.

One followed the other: first "as soon as possible," then "must."

With normal marching, even a forced march would take two days to reach the Fish Stone Military Station, and there was still the "Lianghe Military Station"—the closest after Yao Tianning entered Jianchuan—between them.

So Yao Tianning could only let the soldiers rest in place half an hour ahead of time, then march through the night.

But the stretch from "Lianghe" to "Fish Stone" was full of rocky terrain, and cavalry patrols weren’t suited for night movement, so the vanguard battalion, which needed flexibility and speed most, was replaced by infantry.

Worried this would undermine his main force and lose the ability and confidence to handle emergencies, Yao Tianning didn’t pick his own direct Jingnan Army troops who’d crossed into the border army, but instead chose two garrison camps that had performed well in previous joint drills to replace his cavalry as the new vanguard battalion.

The two vanguard battalions kept a one-mile gap, splitting left and right, probing five miles ahead of central army, then increasing to six miles. Every stick of incense, the two vanguard battalions would send back status reports, confirming the situation ahead. Yao Tianning also rearranged the central and rear armies to maximize conservation of his best direct Jingnan troops’ energy, preparing them for the coming battle.

The main combat officer’s urgency wasn’t spelled out, but Yao Tianning could guess: the front lines had reached their limit, and desperately needed his fresh troops to relieve the exhausted veterans.

...

"Move, move, move! Get your asses up, no squatting! Eat as you go! No time for your whining! Keep up!"

Even the well-trained and tough, after a full day’s forced march, Wu Kai’s soldiers were drenched in sweat, some cramping in their calves multiple times, limping but still struggling to keep pace with the increasingly rapid march.

Just moments ago, Wu Kai ordered a break for one stick of incense. With a nagging sense of urgency—as if something was about to happen—he let the soldiers catch their breath for a moment, hoping to restore some strength.

"Where are we now?"

"Reporting, sir, judging from the landmarks we passed, we’re here. Less than twenty miles to Fish Stone Military Station."

"The brothers can still hold out?"

"We can hold out. Just rested a bit, feeling much better now, but we’re out of water. All water skins are empty."

Wu Kai frowned, waved his hand, and said, "Didn’t we refill a few carts worth of water back at Lianghe Military Station? Why are we saving it? Distribute it now—one water bag for each decurion, let them take it and divide among their teams."

"Sir, isn’t that bad? We said the water was backup. If we give it out now..."

"What’s with the chatter?"

"Understood, sir. I’ll go distribute the water right away."

The deputy didn’t get it, but Wu Kai saw it clearly. Why rush through the night? Because there’s crisis up ahead. Wu Kai guessed that upon reaching Fish Stone, there’s a good chance they’ll be thrown straight onto the battlefield. The troops were already exhausted—if they were dying of thirst on top of that, how would they fight? Might as well send them to their deaths.

Early 3 a.m., by the map, after rounding a small hill, lights became visible in the distance.

"That’s Fish Stone?" Wu Kai’s face was dark as thunder.

"Should... be? But so bright?"

"Hmph—either people are being killed, or the place’s on fire. Send urgent report to central army: Fish Stone ablaze with suspicious fire, left vanguard requests battle!"

At the same time, everyone halt, drink water and rest, wait for further orders!

It’s 3 a.m., in a war zone—why such big lights? Fish Stone is definitely in trouble. But charging in blindly now is obviously unwise and against protocol. Get ready, then await word from central army.

Soon, Wu Kai’s superior, Assistant General Li, relayed the order from central army’s military marshal, Yao Tianning: the right vanguard battalion is to approach and scout immediately. If attacked by the enemy, destroy them!

After receiving the order slip, Wu Kai’s eyes sharpened, he took a deep breath, turned to his deputy whose gaze was burning, and said, "Sound the horn, advance—if we’re blocked, kill!"

"Woo woo, woo..."

The horn rang out. The soldiers, still confused about the sudden water and rest, suddenly realized what was coming: first bewilderment, then faces twisted fiercely, cheeks bulged, killing intent overflowing from their eyes.

That’s how men are. They get nervous, even afraid. But together, their courage multiplies. Especially if they’ve been trained or seen blood, and have a blade in hand, even a mountain of knives and sea of fire won’t make them flinch.

"Rhombus array! Take your positions! Move!"

The simplest formation, but it tested the soldiers’ abilities—could they form up quickly and keep it tight even while charging at speed? That’s the result of daily drills.

Wu Kai mounted his horse and moved to the front-center of the formation. The deputy got squeezed to the rear, replaced up close by a new face—someone who’d never spoken to Wu Kai before—standing guard right beside him.

He was a cultivator from Jingying Prefecture. Judging by the ornament at his waist, he was from Chang Baifeng’s people, cultivation at the middle stage of the Primordial Core Realm, exuding a powerful aura. His mission: keep eyes on Wu Kai and prevent the enemy from taking his head.

There were plenty of such cultivators from Jingying Prefecture—Wu Kai counted at least twenty. They weren’t assigned to him, but to the vanguard battalion; whoever led the vanguard, these cultivators would cooperate accordingly.

Wu Kai said nothing more, just nodded to the cultivator guarding his side, as thanks. Then he composed himself, eyes locked on the surroundings and the flags held by several messengers up ahead.

"Report! One mile ahead, enemy spotted, number unknown, scattered attack coming!"

"Report! Left flank, enemy spotted, number unknown, making a flanking move toward our left rear!"

Trying to pull off a surround and cut-off tactic? Who are they trying to scare?

Wu Kai didn’t believe that, in Jianchuan war zone, right next to a Jingjiu Dynasty main station, the barbarian race would try a siege and cut-off formation here. If it’d come to that, Jianchuan would have fallen already.

"Command flag! Ignore the enemy on the left, charge right ahead! Let’s see what these barbarians are really made of!"

Wu Kai had barely finished when a messenger up front repeated loudly: "Ignore the enemy on the left, charge right ahead!"

Wu Kai confirmed, then the messenger started waving the command flag. Special flashes streaked across the flag, and the captains’ waist tokens in the formation also flashed with matching patterns—orders transmitted down the chain.