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Chapter 142: Retreat
After the statistics were compiled, Ye Huan's forces had not killed many, only around two thousand people. The number of injured was even fewer, with just over three thousand. Altogether, this barely accounted for one percent of the million-strong army. What truly pained Xuan Ziming, however, were the hundreds of generals he had lost before leaving, among them at least a dozen Warlords, all top-tier Professionals.
He tossed the document detailing the troop statistics onto the table with a sense of dejection. As an emperor, it would be a joke if he let such matters bring him down completely.
Reclining in a chair made of beast hide, he rubbed his aching temples and glanced at Lingxiao, the man who had been outsmarted by Ye Huan. "Lingxiao, what do you think I should do?" he asked.
What to do? Honestly, Lingxiao didn't think it was wise to go against a Golden Core Stage Cultivator. Yet he also knew that Xuan Ziming would never be satisfied until he conquered Huaxia Nation. Furrowing his brow deeply, he hesitated before saying, "Actually, taking the Capital of Huaxia isn't impossible; it's just..."
"Just what?"
Hearing there was still hope made Xuan Ziming instantly excited. He sprang to his feet as if sitting on that beast hide chair for another second would be unbearable, startling Lingxiao.
Understanding that Xuan Ziming was struggling to contain his joy, Lingxiao refrained from dousing him with cold water and continued with what he had left unsaid: "It's just that you must retreat for now."
Retreat?
The word struck Xuan Ziming like a heavy hammer to his heart, leaving him momentarily breathless. After finally stabilizing his emotions, he spoke with unprecedented seriousness as the emperor of the Southern Xiongnu Empire, voicing the question that represented his deepest confusion: "Why?"
"If you really want to take the capital, just dealing with Ye Huan will probably pose quite a challenge. Even I can't say for sure that we would win against him, considering he possesses numerous strange devices that can spew flames and have lethal power. Therefore, I plan to return to the Eastern State and call a few friends to come over. With their assistance, taking down Ye Huan will be a piece of cake."
Having reached the Golden Core Stage, Lingxiao was certainly not a fool. Even when facing the ambitious emperor Xuan Ziming, he spoke calmly. However, unlike before, he no longer underestimated Ye Huan; his words lacked the previous disdain.
After pondering for a moment, Xuan Ziming realized that Lingxiao was indeed correct. With Ye Huan around, even if the capital's walls were riddled with holes, he alone could likely save the lives of five hundred thousand soldiers. Not to mention the possibility of other nations spying on them; if Ye Huan managed to escape, even if he became the greatest emperor in the history of the Southern Xiongnu Empire, he wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
Thus, Xuan Ziming nodded and asked Lingxiao, "How long do you think this will take?"
"Although I don't know how Ye Huan crossed the Barrier between the Nine Provinces and the Eastern Continent, I discovered several weak points in the Barrier during my last visit. It shouldn't be too difficult to pass through smoothly. It will take about three to five months at most, no longer than a year and a half."
Lingxiao answered with a smile, looking quite proud of himself. After all, he wasn't Ye Huan, who could traverse the Barrier that had stumped countless cultivators; that alone was quite an achievement.
Three to five months? A year and a half?
Upon hearing Lingxiao's words, Xuan Ziming lowered his head, contemplating whether to send Lingxiao to the Eastern State for external assistance. After all, that duration was far too long—long enough to change the course of a war…
After a long silence, when Xuan Ziming lifted his head again, a glint of determination flashed in his sinister eyes as he coldly declared, "Lingxiao, do as you said. I will withdraw our troops immediately!"
…
Standing on the crumbling walls of the capital for over two hours, Zhao Ziyu and Ye San watched as flickering flames occasionally appeared in the distance at the Southern Xiongnu Empire's camp. They couldn't help but feel anxious; with a hundred men against a million, only a madman would dare such odds. However, when they witnessed thirty-five Type 99 main battle tanks crushing through the snow towards the capital's direction, they collectively cheered—a much-needed morale boost for the citizens who hadn't heard cheers in a long time.
Arranged in five rows, the thirty-five tanks thundered through the gates of the capital. Ye Huan leaped down from the lead tank with a smile on his face. Although he hadn't managed to kill Lingxiao—who had once forced him into retreating to the Eastern Continent—his actions amidst this million-strong army were enough to vent some of his frustrations.
As soon as he landed, a woman leaped into his arms. Even without looking, Ye Huan could feel the softness of her body through his hands resting on her hips, and he knew without a doubt that the newcomer was none other than Princess Zhao Ziyu. Following the principle of taking advantage of a good opportunity, he discreetly squeezed her ample backside while glancing around with a smile, as if he had done nothing wrong. In response, Zhao Ziyu pinched him hard at his waist, causing him to grimace in pain and hurriedly retract his hand.
In contrast to Zhao Ziyu's excitement, Ye Huan's teacher, Durei IV, remained much calmer. When their eyes met, he simply said, "It's good that you're back," before returning to his own tasks, as if Ye Huan leading hundreds into the million-strong Southern Xiongnu Empire army was no big deal.
This was not surprising for Durei IV. From the first time he assisted Ye Huan with a physical examination, he understood that Ye Huan was someone who would not stop until he had scared everyone half to death. With extraordinary talent and rapidly rising levels, along with various strange Arms, it was hard to imagine that Durei IV would react any differently even if Ye Huan had single-handedly defeated the million-strong Southern Xiongnu Empire army. He would likely just say one word: "Good!"
Holding the princess and leading a large group of people, Ye Huan resembled a gang leader as he ascended the city wall. No matter who saw him, they almost all wore smiles. The reason was simple: during Huaxia Nation's most perilous moment, it was Ye Huan who had prevented the tragedy of national destruction and dared to charge against a million-strong army with just a hundred men. Which soldier wouldn't admire him?
Good news kept pouring in. Just after reaching the city wall, a soldier responsible for observing movements from the Southern Xiongnu Empire hurriedly approached Ye Huan and Zhao Ziyu, reporting to Zhao Ziyu, "Princess, the Southern Xiongnu Empire has retreated!"
Like a bolt from the blue, nearly everyone was stunned by this news. After a moment of silence, they erupted into thunderous cheers, embracing each other in tears. The only one remaining relatively calm was Ye Huan. Upon hearing about the Southern Xiongnu Empire's retreat, a strange expression crossed his face as he muttered softly to himself, "Retreat? Did Xuan Ziming really just retreat?"
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