EBE Chapter 468 - 343: Prince Cui’s Review, The Two Armies Face Off! (Double-Length)
Chapter 468 - 343: Prince Cui’s Review, The Two Armies Face Off! (Double-Length)
On the plains, a river meandered by.
In the distance, there were groves, shrubs, and a towering peak, occasionally visited by flocks of birds and beasts, roaming in search of food and gazing around.
"Kill!"
With the sound of war drums and horns, formations on the plains began to move, forming varying sizes of Battle Arrays, engaging in fierce combat.
Atop the peak, a group of people watched the intense competition below, vying for victory.
Among them were Yang Zhen, Wang Shifu, and other Little Flag Masters, each closely observing the battle status of their respective armies, frowning at times, smiling at others.
In front of these Little Flag Masters was a temporarily erected high platform.
The platform was sturdy, adorned with their respective Military Flag numbers, and arranged with forty-eight Grand Marshal chairs, seated by the forty-eight Main Flag Masters of the Cuiqi Army.
They either engaged in lively conversations, remained silent, or simply closed their eyes to rest, their expressions varied.
Without exception, these army Grand Marshals exuded powerful auras and an overwhelming presence, their formidable strength unfathomable.
They were the true top combat power of the Military Department, seldom seen in action unless facing formidable enemies.
In front of these Grand Marshals was also a King’s throne.
The one who could occupy this position was undoubtedly the true king of Cui Bai Dao, Prince Cui, Hu Yuanzhen.
Wearing the King’s Robe, his presence was imposing without anger, his aura returning to simplicity, veiled and unobtrusive.
He leaned on one hand, slightly narrowing his eyes, scrutinizing the military strength displayed by each army expressionlessly.
No one knew what their king was pondering at the moment, whether satisfied with the army’s performance.
Beside the King, there were several hundred officials from the Prince’s Mansion, dressed in dark, wide Official Uniforms and Hats, similarly looking down at the plains solemnly, writing and jotting something, unknown what they were recording.
"Brother Yang, do you think the strength of our 41st Army can rank in the top this time?" Wang Shifu asked the person next to him.
Yang Zhen exhaled lightly, showing a slight smile, "It should be good. Our army’s overall strength has significantly improved these past few years. We were in the middle ranks last time; we should be able to rise a few places this time."
It was evident he was quite optimistic about his army’s strength.
"If it’s true, that’s indeed good." Gao Shuxi crossed his arms, but didn’t show much of a smile.
"However, the military system changed earlier. I heard many Fanqi Army forces have later surpassed us, and we might be the targets to overtake..."
Undoubtedly, as a fellow Little Flag Master in the military, he wasn’t as optimistic as Yang Zhen.
His words implied it would already be fortunate if the 41st Army did not drop in ranking compared to before.
"Brother Gao, you’re boosting others’ morale while undermining your own confidence." Beside him, another Little Flag Master, Yan Dingjin, shook his head.
"I’m just speaking the truth." Gao Shuxi said calmly.
"We’ll know the result soon enough." Wang Shifu looked at Gao Shuxi, saying no more.
On the plains, two armies, each with ten formations, were engaged in fierce combat.
Inner Qi and Innate Qi Aura turned into torrents of energy, either wearing each other down or directly clashing and exploding, turning the whole plain upside down.
Although this was a parade procedure, the scene of the two armies clashing was just like a real battlefield.
In the distance, on the eastern side of the plains, Song Changming stood before the thousand-man formation he led, quietly observing the distant battlefield and waiting.
Along with him, other troop formations of the 41st Army, neatly arranged like his own, also waited.
In addition, all other Cuiqi Army troops were on site.
If one elevated the perspective to overlook, they would see the vast plains already teeming with people, densely scattered like ants.
The total number of warriors gathered amounted to over five hundred thousand!
This gathering of all forty-eight branches of the Cuiqi Army was a rare scene, only to be witnessed at today’s grand parade attended by Prince Cui in person.
"The Ninth Army is indeed formidable, overwhelming them completely. The Seventeenth Army is unfortunate to run into such a strong army right off." Guan Yuntai stood beside Song Changming, observing the battle, clicking his tongue.
"The Ninth Army is indeed very strong." Feng Xingzhuo also nodded beside him.
On the field, the two armies faced off, and from the start, it was one-sided suppression.
The Seventeenth Army showed no signs of a counterattack, proving the disparity in strength between the two armies. Their defeat was merely a matter of time.
Song Changming remained silent. He was well aware of the Ninth Army’s strength.
His impression of the Ninth Army’s Grand Marshal, Hu Xuzhi, also remained strong.
During the demon disaster, when defending Mingju City, it was the powerful reinforcement from the Ninth Army that helped hold the city and drive the demon crowd to a hasty retreat.
He still hadn’t forgotten that battle to this day.
"If our army were to face the Ninth Army, the odds of winning wouldn’t be high." Song Changming contemplated privately.
Whether in terms of the quality of soldiers, the power of constructed Battle Arrays, or the prowess of generals, his 41st Army was at a disadvantage.
He estimated that against this battle-hardened army, his side would be fortunate to have a thirty percent chance of victory.
"In previous grand parades, from opening to conclusion, the event lasted an entire month. I wonder if we’ll have a turn today." Guan Yuntai propped a Long Spear, speaking with a hint of eager anticipation.
"Hopefully, we can spar early; it’s truly dull just watching idly like this." Feng Xingzhuo spoke with genuine enthusiasm.
The generals under Song Changming’s command were not timid in battle; in fact, they possessed a war-loving trait.