"Welcome, Mr. Ximen."

Outside the City Lord's Mansion, Yuan Shouyi had been waiting at the gate early, not daring to utter a single complaint even though he had waited for over half an hour.

After all, the guest was Ximen Piaoxue, a Saint Realm powerhouse renowned throughout the world. Not just him, even Prince Yu would have to treat him with respect. Moreover, this Mr. Ximen had a prideful nature, a ruthless demeanor, and an unscrupulous manner of doing things. Even among Saint Realm experts, he was an exceptionally troublesome figure, far more terrifying than Feng Chen, who had died at the Profound Moon Sword Sect earlier.

It was said that this Mr. Ximen's real name was Ximen Piaoxue, but because of his immense strength and ruthless swordsmanship — his sword always drawing blood — he was dubbed Ximen Piaoxue. He himself was quite pleased with this title and consequently changed his name completely.

"There's no need for pleasantries. I have come at Prince Yu's invitation and will do my utmost!"

With an indifferent expression, Ximen Piaoxue calmly instructed, "When you need me to take action, I will do so on my own. Do not bother me at other times."

Without waiting for Yuan Shouyi's response, Ximen Piaoxue walked straight into the City Lord's Mansion as if he were the master here.

Greeting him with a smile as he entered the mansion, Yuan Shouyi's face turned gloomy only after Ximen's figure vanished from sight.

The reason he chose to side with Prince Yu was to completely grasp control over the Northern Domain and become an exalted figure like the King of Changlin, not to play the role of a subordinate, bent and submissive.

Even if the other party was a Saint Realm powerhouse, it was somewhat excessive to give him no face at all. After all, he was also a ruler guarding one side!

If faced with the King of Changling, would Ximen Piaoxue still dare to be so arrogant?

In this aspect, the Four Symbols Sect was actually much better than Prince Yu. Unfortunately, those incompetents of the Four Symbols Sect were unexpectedly defeated by Zhou Dongfei, leaving him no choice but to choose Prince Yu.

Forget it, for now, he still needs the other's strength, so it's best to endure. After all, Mr. Ximen couldn't possibly stay in the Northern Domain forever. Once he secures the Northern Domain, there will be many opportunities to regain his dignity in the future.

Of course, Prince Yu hasn't just sent Ximen Piaoxue; besides him, there are also over ten experts of the Heaven-Stepping Realm or higher whom he can command.

Actually, with the current strength available, it is already enough to defend Jubei City, but... his goal is not just to defend the city.

...

"Lord Jing Yuan, shall we withdraw the troops?"

On the Deserters' side, they naturally also received the news that the court had sent people to support Jubei City. Judging by the aura, there were many experts. If they continued to drag the situation out, it might also be difficult to capture Jubei City.

The most critical point was that the goals of this battle had long since been achieved. The Deserters had already plundered enough resources and heavily damaged the Profound Moon Sword Sect. Many Deserters were actually no longer interested in continuing the fight.

After all, no one really wanted to conquer the Northern Domain!

"Can you withdraw?"

With a calm expression, Jing Yuan asked in return, "If you were Yuan Shouyi, in this situation, would you let the Deserters withdraw easily?"

"This..."

In an instant, the surrounding Deserters fell silent.

Those who could sit here were the elite of the Deserters; naturally, they weren't fools and couldn't completely lack situational judgement.

If they really let the Deserters withdraw now, wouldn't that give the Profound Moon Sword Sect the opportunity to rest and recuperate for no reason, rendering all previous efforts meaningless?

After all, without the threat from the Deserters, there would be no reason for anyone to attack the Profound Moon Sword Sect directly. Besides, with the Sword Intent sealed within Sword Peak and Zhou Dongfei present, even if Saint Realm experts took action, they might not be able to conquer the Profound Moon Sword Sect.

But as long as they continued to fight the Deserters, they could continually expand their influence over the Northern Domain, possibly even forcing the Profound Moon Sword Sect to take action again and attack the Deserters together.

The court's people, the Four Symbols Sect's people, and Yuan Shouyi, the Defender of the North, were all resisting desperately. There's no reason for the Profound Moon Sword Sect to just watch from the sidelines, right?

If they really did that, stirring up some public opinion would give a reason to challenge the Profound Moon Sword Sect. Once they lost popular support completely, who could still support the Profound Moon Sword Sect in controlling the Northern Domain?

But as long as the Profound Moon Sword Sect people are drawn out, by leveraging the battle with the Deserters, there's a possibility to seize the opportunity to trap and kill the experts of the Profound Moon Sword Sect once again, or even... directly kill Zhou Dongfei.

In this situation, you want the Deserters to withdraw?

You think you can just stop fighting, just like that?!

"Then... you mean we should continue the siege?"

With some headache, a Deserter looked at Jing Yuan and couldn't help but ask again, "But we also can't capture Jubei City. Continuing will only add to the casualties."

After a long and fruitless siege, the Deserters' morale was already low, and it's not something a forced order could change.

"No, we withdraw!"

Looking up, Jing Yuan spoke again.

"???"

In an instant, everyone was taken aback.

What? Weren't you the one who just said we can't withdraw?

"Is that hard to understand?"

Shrugging, Jing Yuan smiled, "Since we can't take Jubei City, then... we'll change the battlefield and draw them out to fight!"

With a thought, the Deserters finally realized.

Of course, truly withdrawing wasn't feasible, but a deceptive withdrawal to draw the opponent out of Jubei City was definitely a good idea.

After all, the Deserters are best at field battles, not sieges!

Especially the Great Snow Wolf Riders, who can truly showcase their dominance over human cavalry in the wilderness.

Only that under normal circumstances, the human race would never engage in major battles against the Deserters on the plains.

"Good plan!"

Instantly, a Deserter jumped up excitedly, saying, "As long as the human race dares to chase, I'm confident I can crush their miserable cavalry. If we can annihilate the main force of the human race, we might have a chance to turn around and attack Jubei City!"

"Indeed, these humans excel at infighting. As long as they start fighting internally, we might win!"

Nobody doubted that the humans would start fighting themselves; the Profound Moon Sword Sect battle had already proven that.

"Not so fast, it's still necessary to wait a bit..."

Squinting slightly, Jing Yuan said slowly, "The people of the Profound Moon Sword Sect haven't come back much yet... We have to wait until they have more manpower, otherwise, they may not dare to leave Profound Moon Mountain."

The plan was set, and all that remained was to wait for timing.

Whether it's the Profound Moon Sword Sect or Yuan Shouyi, both are waiting for reinforcements. Only when both sides are ready can the battle truly begin.

If this timing isn't grasped well, perhaps the Deserters will be the ones to suffer.

"Haha, we'll follow your lead in everything."

Already understanding Jing Yuan's plan, the Deserters naturally had more patience now.

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