The Yu State Army is a local force of the Yu State, although managed by Liang Song, it operates under the control of the Court, and the Profound Leopard Cavalry is a cavalry unit within it, totaling five thousand men. Although publicly a force of the Court, in reality, it is the Liang Family's private army.

Out of the five thousand Profound Leopard Cavalry, Liang Song oversees two thousand, while the other three thousand are commanded by generals below him, with support from other infantry of the Yu State Army.

In other words, the force Chen Mo defeated tonight was the elite troops of the Yu State, a group of seasoned soldiers.

Such a well-trained force is not comparable to the two Guards, as those soldiers have only been trained for a few months, whereas this group of elite soldiers has trained for a few years at the very least.

Simply killing them would be too wasteful.

Yet, when considering their integration, food is a key issue, followed by how to win them over...

After pondering for a moment, Chen Mo said: "Zhi Ning is right, killing the captives only solves the immediate problem, but for long-term development, we must not kill them."

Chen Mo's ambitions are quite grand; if the news of killing captives gets out, it would hinder his future development.

Since Chen Mo decided not to kill the captives, the others no longer discussed it and shifted to discussing how to integrate them.

"If we are to integrate them, we must first weed out the troublemakers and reduce the number of agitators. From the Court's perspective, we are rebels; they are officials. Even if integrated, we shouldn't expect them to submit in the short term, so they can't be heavily relied upon for now..."

Sun Meng's words were subtle, but Chen Mo understood — in the next battle, these people would be sent to the front lines, essentially as cannon fodder.

Throughout history, this has been the method used for integrating surrendered captives.

Chen Mo nodded lightly, and then instructed: "First, interrogate the captured Deputy General to ascertain his identity, then select the Centurions, Captains, and even Captains of the Xuanbao Cavalry from among the captives. After arranging for the changing of the guard, get some rest early."

The daytime rest was short, and after experiencing a fierce battle at night, the soldiers were physically and mentally exhausted.

"Understood." Sun Meng and the others retreated one after another.

Xia Zhining looked at Chen Mo, her face a mix of shyness and annoyance, biting her lip.

She had previously promised Chen Mo that if they could get out safely, she would allow him to do as he wished.

However, tonight Chen Mo clearly had no such intentions; both of them were covered in enemy blood, stinking of it, and after tonight's exertions, they were somewhat tired.

"Wash up and rest early."

...

On the other side.

After coming up empty in Yangcheng, Qin Lang did not delay and continued to pursue in the direction of Celestial Water Town.

But he wasn't as relentless as Chen Mo and his people, traveling both day and night without rest, so he moved at a stop-and-go pace.

Of course, besides necessary rest, Qin Lang didn't delay at other times. Even now at night, he continued to lead his troops on the march, hoping to reach Celestial Water Town by dawn if they moved quickly.

"Watch out for any sparks, don't set the mountains on fire," Qin Lang ordered.

Just then, a scout from the vanguard reported the approach of an unidentified group towards them.

Upon hearing this, Qin Lang's expression changed, and he immediately ordered the troops to form up.

However, when this group got closer, he realized they were Xu Jie's subordinates, his own people.

Qin Lang breathed a small sigh of relief but his face changed drastically upon learning that these were deserters from a defeated battle, and their leader Xu Jie had been killed.

Among the three of them, Xu Jie had the best prospects of becoming a Fifth-Grade Martial Artist first, but now he had been killed, cut down with a single strike.

This indicated that the enemy's strength was Fifth Grade or even higher.

"How were you defeated?" Qin Lang asked.

"The... the rebel army was aided by Duke Lei, who could summon thunderous roars, killing countless, and terrifying the warhorses."

"Duke Lei?" Qin Lang's mouth twitched but he could guess it was someone who practiced Thunder Technique, immediately thinking of the Celestial Master Thieves' head direct lineage.

"Did you see what the person looked like?" Qin Lang asked.

"A young man wielding dual blades, youthful in appearance and fair-faced."

"A youth?" Qin Lang was taken aback, instinctively thinking they had seen wrong, as someone who could cut down Xu Jie with a single strike should not be so young.

Skeptical, Qin Lang questioned several more people for verification, only to be forced to accept this fact, then asked: "How many are in the rebel army?"

"Too late to see clearly, probably no less than three thousand." Experienced soldiers have their ways to estimate enemy numbers, but given it was so late, they could only make a rough estimate.

Hearing this, Qin Lang could only halt his troops. The forces he commanded were fewer than Xu Jie's, and now Xu Jie had been defeated, meaning the rebel army had already left the trapped area, and relying on his single army alone wouldn't be enough to overcome the rebels; he had to wait for reinforcements from behind.

While setting up camp, Qin Lang immediately sent a courier to relay the information ahead to Liang Song.

...

August 27, morning.

After last night's interrogation, it was learned that the captured Deputy General was named Xu Guangdong, a relative of the main commander Xu Jie, with the rank of Vice General, thirty-five years old, a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, with wives, concubines, and children.

Chen Mo drew a cross over his name.

Thirty-five years old, a Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, and considered promising in youth, having family, and related to the slain main commander; such a person was destined to be beyond Chen Mo's persuasion.

Wu Rang, forty-six years old, Captain of the Second Battalion of the Profound Leopard Cavalry, Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, a fallen noble with a family.

Shao Jinneng, fifty-one, Centurion of the Second Battalion of the Profound Leopard Cavalry, Seventh-Grade Martial Artist, from a humble background...

Chen Mo scanned these leaders with a keen eye, finally instructing, "Bring Xu Guangdong, Wu Rang, and Shao Jinneng up here."

Xu Guangdong, Wu Rang, and Shao Jinneng were brought forward, tightly bound.

Chen Mo took a closer look; although all three were Seventh-Grade Martial Artists, the red numbers on their foreheads were different.

Among them, Xu Guangdong had 119, Wu Rang had 109, while Shao Jinneng only had 97.

This discrepancy was due to the strength of the Cultivation Techniques they practiced.

Among the three, Shao Jinneng was the tallest and most robust, with a ferocious look, but he wore an expression of panic, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

Xu Guangdong stared intently at Chen Mo, as if trying to get a good look at the culprit.

Wu Rang was much like Xu Guangdong.

Chen Mo had an idea in mind and smiled, "Are you willing to surrender?"

The one who exploded with anger was unexpectedly not Xu Guangdong, but Wu Rang. He straightened his back and cursed at Chen Mo, "You treacherous rogue, so young yet you do not serve the country, and instead raise a flag of rebellion; everyone would wish to execute you. I wish I could eat your flesh alive!"

"Still a loyalist," Chen Mo commented as he turned to look at Xu Guangdong and Shao Jinneng, "And what about you two?"

"Please, General, spare me; I am willing to surrender," Shao Jinneng said.

"Fine, Shao Qianfu, I will give you a chance to live."

Shao Jinneng raised his head quickly, just about to express his gratitude.

But the young man continued, "Later, I'll send the three of you outside. I'll give you a saber, and in front of the other captives, you'll cut off the heads of these two and show them to me. Then you won't have to die."

Shao Jinneng was shocked, instinctively glancing at Xu Guangdong and Wu Rang. Wu Rang had some backbone and started cursing at Shao Jinneng, "You have received the trust of the Court, hold the position of Centurion, and eat the royal grain, yet you do not think of repaying the country, but consort with rebels, disgracing the role of a minister."

Shao Jinneng's face turned blue then white from the cursing.

Clang!

Han Wu drew his Hand Blade, just about to step forward, when Chen Mo gestured with his hand.

Wu Rang looked again at Xu Guangdong, saying, "Vice General Xu, it is my honor to die with you today."

Then he glared at Chen Mo, "Why waste words, rebel? Death is all that awaits today. If I so much as flinch, I'll take your surname instead."

Clap, clap.

Chen Mo clapped his hands, then turned to Han Wu and said, "He won't need to go outside later. Spread the word that Captain Wu Rang of the Profound Leopard Cavalry surrendered to our army and was killed in anger by Vice General Xu Guangdong. Then, have Shao Qianfu execute Xu Guangdong to avenge Captain Wu."

Wow!

This statement brought a flash of panic to Wu Rang, who was ready to die courageously. He shouted angrily, "Traitor, how dare you attempt to obscure the truth. Justice and fairness speak for themselves; do you really think everyone will believe your nonsense? I have a clear conscience."

"Then bet on whether Prefect Liang and the Court will believe it," Chen Mo said, giving Han Wu a glance.

Understanding, Han Wu used his Hand Blade to slit Wu Rang's throat.

Blood gushed out, startling both Shao Jinneng and Xu Guangdong. The latter struggled desperately, panicking, "General, I surrender, I surrender too."

"Take them away," Chen Mo waved his hand.

Soon, Han Wu had people drag Xu Guangdong, Shao Jinneng, and Wu Rang's corpse out. In front of everyone, he relayed the story of Wu Rang's death as Chen Mo instructed.

Then, Han Wu handed a Great Saber to Shao Jinneng. After a moment's hesitation, Shao Jinneng decapitated Xu Guangdong, then brought Xu Guangdong's head before Chen Mo, kneeling, "Here is Xu Guangdong's head."

"Very good," Chen Mo said, patting Shao Jinneng's shoulder happily, personally helping him up, "The surrendered soldiers outside will now be under your command; call them the Xianzhen Guard."

"Understood," Shao Jinneng said, his voice trembling. Having killed a family member of Xu Jie, who was of the Liang Family, he had completely cut off his way back and had no choice but to work diligently for Chen Mo.

"From now on, just call me County Magistrate like the others," Chen Mo understood, surrendered soldiers should be managed by someone from amongst themselves.

After some simple training of the Xianzhen Guard, that afternoon, Chen Mo withdrew from Celestial Water Town with the Three Guards, retreating in the direction of Quanyang County.

Yu State, not a place to stay long.

Meanwhile, the three thousand under Shi Meng's command joined forces with Qin Lang.

...

On August 28, after learning that the Rebel Army had left Celestial Water Town, the armies of Qin Lang and Shi Meng temporarily ceased their pursuit, awaiting orders from Liang Song.

By the end of August, Qin Lang received a letter from Liang Song, instructing them to temporarily halt the pursuit and turn to eradicate other Celestial Master Thieves still in the heart of Yu State.

On September 1, Chen Mo, leading the Three Guards, fully retreated from the heart of Yu State but did not continue towards Quanyang County. Instead, they moved eastward, launching a surprise attack on a town called Chaohu County for supplies.

As to how to acquire supplies, Chen Mo had no choice but to take from the suffering people.

On September 2, Chen Mo continued his retreat with the Three Guards towards Quanyang County.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.