"Oh? Yuan Fei and the others have arrived?"
In a majestic mansion within Heavy Cloud City, Gao Wenyong, clad in black robes, wore a cold smile on his thin, elongated face.
"Lord! They're here, right outside the city now, clamoring to enter and seek refuge."
Below the hall, a general in black armor sneered.
"Lord, this Yuan Fei has always been arrogant. Relying on Ning Tiance's lingering prestige, he never respected you. Why not take this opportunity… to eliminate him?"
"Fool!!"
Gao Wenyong glared fiercely. "Am I that narrow-minded?"
"Hehehe, yes, yes… no, no, no! This lowly general spoke out of turn!"
"Go, open the city gates, let Yuan Fei and the others in. Then activate the city defense formation and defend Heavy Cloud City to the death."
Gao Wenyong shouted coldly, turned, and sat in the large chair in the hall, his gaze somewhat gloomy.
Of course, he wanted to kill Yuan Fei given the chance, but…
Now, with a great enemy at their gates, not to mention Yuan Fei himself was a Divine Emperor, his combat power stronger than his own. Having him around added some strength.
Moreover, the Northern Frontier soldiers always respected Yuan Fei's character. If he killed the latter, he would inevitably become the target of public criticism.
Over the years, although he had been in close contact with the Zhou Emperor, on the surface, he still acted as Ning Tiance's die-hard loyalist, only daring to play tricks behind the scenes.
Gao Wenyong knew clearly that no matter how much time passed, as long as Ning Tiance lived, the Northern Frontier would always belong to the War God.
What he needed to do was strive to please the Zhou Emperor, get transferred away from this place as soon as possible, and surely rise rapidly in the future.
He had already sent someone to deliver the battle report to the Zhou Emperor. A response from the court should arrive soon.
As long as they defended Heavy Cloud City to the death, even if it was Qiao Yunli, what could he do?
When the imperial army arrived, he would then showcase his skills a little, bravely earn military merits, return to the capital to receive titles, and reach the peak of his life.
Hehehe.
I, Gao Wenyong, truly live up to my origins as a strategist!!
The situation in Great Zhou is entirely under my control!!
Boom!
The gates of Heavy Cloud City swung open.
Ling Xiao entered the city along with Yuan Fei and the others, all wearing heavy, desolate expressions.
The moment the generals stepped into the city, Ling Xiao could clearly feel the power of a formation enveloping them from above, completely sealing the entire city.
"Hahahaha, if it isn't the ever-victorious General Yuan?"
Gao Wenyong's figure descended from the sky, landing in front of Yuan Fei.
Behind him were several Great Zhou generals. Their looks towards Yuan Fei and the others held emotion, indifference—in short, they were complex.
Ten years ago, they were all Ning Tiance's die-hard loyalists.
Serving the imperial dynasty, slaying enemies on the vast battlefield.
Though tempered through life and death, they had no regrets, filled with passion.
But the War God returned to the capital, laid down his arms overnight. Though loyal and valuing sentiment, it was somewhat disheartening.
Especially over the past ten years, the Northern Frontier wars continued incessantly, old comrades died tragically, and the imperial court turned a blind eye. Gradually, some soldiers began to harbor resentment.
If Ning Tiance hadn't left, or even raised troops against the court, why would they now suffer targeting and die for nothing?
Being wrapped in a horsehide shroud is a soldier's destiny, but who wants to die, meaninglessly?
And this was why Gao Wenyong's influence grew daily.
They longed to leave this once-beloved land—not betrayal, just… weariness.
"Gao Wenyong."
Yuan Fei's expression was dark, his eyes flickering with contemplation.
Ling Xiao's plan, though ruthless and cruel, directly sentenced him to death.
But… if not for this, breaking through Heavy Cloud City would be very difficult, and the imperial court wouldn't send God Ning back.
Everything was for the War God, for the million soldiers of the Northern Frontier!!
"General Yuan, you abandoned your city, caused Commander Zhang's death at the hands of the Xia rebels. Tell me, should I capture you or let you go?"
Gao Wenyong already held great resentment towards Yuan Fei. Years ago, the latter had even publicly questioned his sinister intentions.
Although he didn't dare kill him on the spot now, a few taunts were naturally unavoidable.
"Gao Wenyong, do you think hiding here means you can hold Heavy Cloud City? I advise you not to be careless. The Great Xia Grand Tutor is here personally, sixth-grade realm. With just you, I'm afraid you can't stop him. You'd better quickly report to the court and request military aid. Otherwise, you might not even know how you die."
Yuan Fei retorted sarcastically, deliberately provoking conflict as Ling Xiao instructed.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Gao Wenyong's face instantly darkened. "General Yuan, with the two armies engaged, you shake military morale at this time? Hmph, men, take General Yuan's command talisman and escort him to the General's Hall to rest."
"Gao Wenyong!! How dare you!!"
The people behind Yuan Fei instantly became agitated, gathering protectively around him. Spiritual light surged around them, stirring the winds for ten thousand miles.
"Gao Wenyong, we are both God Ning's old subordinates. Don't forget the rules God Ning established: the Northern Frontier comes first."
"God Ning? Hehehe, where is God Ning now while we fight to the death here? Probably drinking and eating meat in the capital, living the good life, right?"
Gao Wenyong sneered coldly, his face twisted.
With Tiance City fallen, the faith in the War God wasn't as firm as before.
Now, with Yuan Fei defeated and seeking refuge, it was the perfect opportunity to incite Ning Tiance's loyalists to defect.
Hearing his words, a trace of desolation flashed in the eyes of many Northern Frontier generals.
"Gao Wenyong, you dare insult God Ning? You seek death!!"
Yuan Fei laughed coldly inwardly, but his face showed furious expression. He immediately stepped forward, about to pounce on Gao Wenyong.
"Audacious!! In my Heavy Cloud City, do you wish to rebel?"
As Gao Wenyong's words fell, countless black-armored figures emerged on the surrounding city walls, their spiritual bows drawn taut, firmly aimed at Yuan Fei and the tens of thousands of soldiers behind him.
"You…"
"Seize him!"
A sinister curve lifted the corner of Gao Wenyong's mouth. Although Yuan Fei was a Divine Emperor, powerful in cultivation, the soldiers behind him were mostly low-level cultivators.
And the reason General Yuan was so beloved was precisely because he treated his soldiers like his own children. So…
Gao Wenyong believed he definitely wouldn't act rashly.
"Everyone, stop!! Remember, the Northern Frontier comes first!!"
Yuan Fei gritted his teeth fiercely, finally dispersing his Emperor aura and sighing lightly.
Boom.
Two Divine King experts stepped forward, cautiously apprehending Yuan Fei and escorting him towards a distant black hall.
"You defeated troops, go station yourselves in the northern part of the city. From now on, you will follow the unified commands of Heavy Cloud City. Those who disobey, those who dare move freely within the city without permission, will be executed immediately!"
Gao Wenyong gave everyone a deep look, then turned and left.
"General!!"
The generals from Tiance City gnashed their teeth in fury, but Ling Xiao slightly shook his head. "Everyone, remain calm. Tomorrow, when I dispatch the main army, I will still need your cooperation from within. If you are confined now, I'm afraid it will affect the grand plan for the War God's return."
"Yes!!"
Hearing this, the generals finally gritted their teeth, reluctantly heading towards the northern part of the city.
Watching Yuan Fei being taken into the city by Gao Wenyong, a smile instantly curled on Ling Xiao's lips.
A mere Heavy Cloud City wasn't something he cared about.
Going to such lengths to set up this scheme wasn't, of course, just to break through this pass, but for… the Dao Principle of Divine Wood on Yuan Fei!
After all, the latter was Ning Tiance's old subordinate, his right-hand man.
If he killed him recklessly, it would inevitably arouse suspicion and chill the War God's heart.
Using another's hand to kill, one arrow, two vultures.
Why not?