"Young Master, after eight consecutive days of marching, our army has shaken off all Star Luo forces attempting to block us."
Beside a secluded hill, Zhou Long walked over holding a box of instant noodles, reporting.
"But the Thorn Legion's forces have almost all been left behind."
To deceive the enemy, the Thorn Legion had dispersed along the way.
Of the original twenty-thousand-man formation, fewer than five thousand now remained following behind.
Under the mulberry tree, Ye Tian was studying a map intently.
"There are many hidden aristocratic families and sects around Star Luo City!"
"Yes, we're now less than a hundred li from Star Luo City. Why haven't we seen them mounting large-scale resistance?" Zi Zhenzhu, who was beside him resting her chin on her hand, suddenly realized.
As the former Spirit Hall Saintess, Zi Zhenzhu had undergone systematic training.
She knew that aristocratic families and sects were deeply bound to the imperial family, sharing the nation's fate.
Now they had reached the doorstep, yet no armed force had come to harass them.
This was truly contrary to reason.
Sea Witch pondered briefly. "Could they have been conscripted by the Star Luo Emperor?"
She had once assisted Thirteen in handling intelligence work for a period.
She remembered that two months ago, the Star Luo Empire had organized a Southern Expedition Army.
The main composition of this army was sect forces.
"That's unlikely." Zhou Long shook his head, refuting Sea Witch's words.
"Local sect forces and sect forces near the imperial capital are fundamentally different."
"The sect forces around the imperial capital are individually weak and easily controlled by the imperial family."
"It could be said they are the Star Luo imperial family's natural cannon fodder shield."
If they were cannon fodder but weren't coming to die, that was a big problem.
"I suggest the army stop advancing and send scouts to investigate first." Zhou Long turned to look at Ye Tian.
He only made suggestions; all final orders required Ye Tian's approval.
Ye Tian looked up at the sky, then down at the map again.
He pointed to a blue marker on the map. "Here is the Danube River, with abundant water sources. Let our army camp here for now."
"I volunteer to lead scouts to investigate." Xiao Bai stood up, taking the initiative.
All along, she hadn't had a chance to take charge independently.
Now was the time to prove herself.
"Good, be careful along the way." Ye Tian nodded lightly, agreeing.
...
The next morning.
Xiao Bai, with fine sweat on her forehead, came to Ye Tian's tent and shook her head.
"Forget about resistance forces—going ten li deeper, any village with even a bit of strength has been completely abandoned."
"What?" Zhou Long's eyes widened.
"You mean within ninety li of Star Luo City, it's become virtually a wasteland?"
"Mm." Xiao Bai nodded gently.
"It seems the Star Luo Emperor has some ability." Zhou Long sighed.
Ye Tian chuckled lightly. "Anyone who can become emperor is naturally no fool."
"We can't expect the enemy to be as stupid as pigs and then easily deal with them."
"This way, we won't be able to obtain grain supplies from the surrounding areas."
This was Zhou Long's greatest concern.
To accomplish a strategic surprise attack, the Heavenly Strategy Army had sacrificed much.
Even ammunition was only carried at eighty percent capacity, stored in spatial spirit tools.
As for food, they had only brought half a month's worth.
Today was already the ninth day.
It would take another day to reach Star Luo City.
In other words, even counting rest time, the Heavenly Strategy Army only had five days to attack Star Luo City.
If they could break through, all would be well.
If they couldn't, then trouble would be great.
As everyone discussed strategy.
Several more scouts returned.
The scouts brought information gathered by local intelligence personnel.
"General Ye, the local intelligence personnel say."
"The Southern Expedition Army has already departed, but they're not heading south."
"Rather, they're heading for Star Luo City, seemingly coming to rescue the capital."
At these words.
Everyone in the tent fell silent.
It must be said, the Star Luo Emperor's turtle-like strategy was perfectly timed.
It seemed the Star Luo Emperor knew well that once Star Luo City fell, the entire Star Luo Empire would be finished.
"Where is the Southern Expedition Army, how many men, when can they reach Star Luo City?"
Zhou Long asked the scouts a series of questions.
The scout, dressed as a commoner, only thought briefly before responding:
"The Southern Expedition Army is currently in the Sisku Province region, five hundred li from Star Luo City, with approximately 150,000 men."
"At their current marching speed, the Southern Expedition Army would need at least eight days to enter Star Luo City's vicinity and pose a threat to our forces."
"We can't view this conventionally." Ye Tian shook his head, his gaze deeply sweeping over everyone. "The Southern Expedition Army wants to rescue their imperial capital, Star Luo City."
If anything went wrong, everything the Southern Expedition Army had done would be wasted.
"Have you considered that the Southern Expedition Army might do as we did—abandon some soldiers, select elite troops, and rush to support with full force?"
"Very likely!" Sea Witch suddenly raised her head, her expression grave. "We may have concerns about supplies, but the Southern Expedition Army absolutely won't have this problem."
"They're fighting on home ground and can requisition supplies nearby."
"When the Southern Expedition Army reaches Star Luo City, they'll have the capital's resources as guarantee."
"So regarding marching speed, eight days is quite generous."
Zhou Long shook his head and sighed lightly. "It seems we don't have much time!"
"Indeed not much, but it's enough."
Ye Tian smiled slightly, his face showing confident eyes.
"Order the army to continue advancing."
"Yes, Young Master." Zhou Long nodded solemnly. Having come this far, retreat was impossible.
It must be said, both sides could no longer play by conventional rules.
There was somewhat a flavor of strategic gambling.
The next afternoon.
Ten thousand Heavenly Strategy Army troops plus five thousand Thorn Legion soldiers successfully arrived beneath Star Luo City.
During this time, they encountered no obstruction.
They couldn't even find any civilians.
Only upon reaching Star Luo City did everyone understand what the Star Luo Emperor had done for defense.
First, all buildings outside Star Luo City had been burned.
Surrounding forests had also been completely cleared.
Not leaving the Heavenly Strategy Army a single blade of grass or tree.
Outside the high moat, trenches connected one after another.
If they wanted to use cold weapon troops to charge.
Then these trenches would all need to be filled.
The time and manpower this would consume was self-evident—enormous.
Moreover, they couldn't fill the trenches quietly.
Because not far away stood the fifty-meter-high Star Luo city walls.
The fifty-meter walls were like a natural barrier, standing straight before the Heavenly Strategy Army.
On the walls, well-equipped Star Luo soldiers were densely packed.
Groups of seven or eight, holding swords, spears, bows and stones, each with their duties.
Giving an overwhelming sense of immovable pressure.
Zhou Long gazed at the densely packed soldiers on Star Luo's walls and sighed in amazement:
"The defensive forces mobilized by Star Luo City number at least two hundred thousand!"
Of course, these two hundred thousand weren't all soldiers.
A considerable portion were able-bodied men who had only held weapons for a few days.
But this was still terrifying enough.
If this were a war of annihilation launched by the Heaven Dou Empire, to break through Star Luo City would require at least three times the military force, besieging for several years to accomplish.
Regarding Zhou Long's amazement, Ye Tian narrowed his eyes, extremely confident. "Two hundred thousand versus fifteen thousand—the advantage is ours."
(End of Chapter)