January 7, 1333, New Yu Era

Lincang Path, South Gate Tower of Tao City

Wanyan Lie looked anxious, pacing back and forth, occasionally glancing southward like an ant on a hot pan, his restless demeanor infecting Tuoba Tao standing nearby with unease.

"What's making you anxious? The Hou Clan's two hundred thousand troops, attacking twelve cities losses at least a hundred thousand above, even one hundred and ninety thousand troops at fastest, can only reach by night, the Gyeonggi, Shuofeng armies are already on their way back, Pingcheng King is bringing three hundred thousand troops, we only need to hold until dawn for reinforcements to arrive."

Although Wanyan Lie's steps had halted, the anxious look on his face hadn't faded, he turned to Tuoba Tao and said sternly, "You speak lightly, Hou Yuxiao, Chu Kuangren, Lu Kangping, three Sub-Saint of Martial Dao accompanies, hou brothers, Jiangbei Alliance, Lu Family, these three families combined don't lack experts at the broken level, if they charge all at once, holding until dawn, where does your confidence come from?"

Tuoba Tao was momentarily stunned, immediately frowned, "Unlikely, why would the three families use full force just to seize a single Lincang Path, for what purpose? Besides, if indeed, Pingcheng King wouldn't ignore!"

"Retired Emperor is dragged by allied troops at Dongyuan Path, can't spare any men to come, even if one Pingcheng King comes, what can he do, can he fight three warriors and stop Hou, Chu, Lu three Sub-Saint of Martial Dao?"

Upon hearing this, Tuoba Tao's face subtly changed.

Indeed, should Hou Clan, Lu Family, Jiangbei Alliance go all out, bringing out their experts, whether they could hold until dawn is an unknown, although Tao City is strong, can't withstand so many experts, he and Wanyan Lie merely possess cultivation at the broken level, don't speak of Hou Yuxiao three Sub-Saint of Martial Dao, even of the three families' underlings at broken level, they couldn't withstand.

"Why just say now, we should immediately notify Retired Emperor and Youzhou, have hands sent right away, if Hou Yuxiao breaches Lincang Path, both of us can't escape death!"

Wanyan Lie's eyes darkened, whispered, "You think I haven't notified? Sent men to Dongyuan Path and Jin Capital both, logically they would've received news this morning, yet no one has come, why do you think that is?"

...

Upon hearing the first half, Tuoba Tao's expression relaxed instantly, but as he listened further, he froze again, lowered his head in contemplation for a long time, suddenly raised his head, looking with a questioning glance. This chapter was uploaded by the team at M|VLEMPYR.

"You mean, Retired Emperor and Youzhou, intentionally not sending people?"

Wanyan Lie's face was as ominous as blood, saying in a barely audible voice, "Two hundred thousand Red Flame Army already inside Lincang Path region, sending troops to chase is impossible in short time, instead of letting them rove within the three regions, better to use us to hold them, Pingcheng King's three hundred thousand troops, two hundred thousand troops of Gyeonggi, Shuofeng Army, perfectly still on the way, Hou Yuxiao whether or not captures Lincang Path, once both sides encircle, becomes a trapped beast, our role is merely to hold them, as for hold or not, all left to fate."

Upon hearing, Tuoba Tao felt a chill on his back.

He understood, in Retired Emperor and Pingcheng King, even Youzhou's opinion, if Hou Yuxiao wants to attack Lincang Path City, then let them attack, his and Wanyan Lie's task was at any cost keep two hundred thousand Red Flame Army here, if held then everyone rejoice, if couldn't hold and city falls, then still trapped without escape.

Retired Emperor and Pingcheng King, what they worry most is Red Flame Army roving, causing even greater disturbances elsewhere, urgent is to confirm Red Flame Army location, annihilate them, as for he and Wanyan Lie's safety simply not within Great Jin's considerations.

Sending Sub-Saint of Martial Dao here to aid city defense, only makes Red Flame Army retreat, should they shift focus, approaching five hundred thousand Sacred Army on the way too must adjust, not worth the cost.

"Before our notification, Pingcheng King was unaware of Hou Clan's two hundred thousand Red Flame Army movements, this Hou Yuxiao surely has some means to conceal army march, scouts sent to Junyang Prefecture either got killed, or couldn't ascertain any news, Hou Clan came prepared, Pingcheng King and Retired Emperor should know, to avoid losing target again, certainly won't send people, deliberately leaving both of us here to attract Hou Yuxiao's attack!"

Wanyan Lie's face grew worse as he spoke, after all part of Great Jin's twenty-eight lords, just being treated as sacrificial pawn, naturally distressed, Tuoba Tao beside him, after moment of contemplation, expression colored with deeper sorrow.

"Then what... should we do?"

Wanyan Lie turned to see Tuoba Tao's wavering face, immediately darkened, warned, "What else can be done, you and I as Great Jin Lords, naturally must lay down lives for the Holy Dynasty, even absent the Great Emperor, orders from Retired Emperor and the king are as iron decree, otherwise you and I would be going against Jin Laws, end faced by those defying Jin Laws, needless for me to speak?"

Upon hearing Jin Laws, Tuoba Tao shivered instantly, finding it hard to believe he, a master at the broken level, had such reaction just hearing those words.

"Don't misunderstand my meaning, what I mean is, are we just waiting here for Hou Yuxiao to attack, do nothing?"

"What do you intend to do?"

Tuoba Tao whispered, "Should Hou Yuxiao discern Retired Emperor and Pingcheng King's intent, not attack Lincang Path, what then?"