Yang Xiao left Eastern Province with Gong Yu and He Hui, who had gathered 10,000 elite troops ready to support Yang Xiao's next move at any time.

Upon returning to Nanmu City, Yang Xiao again called a meeting with personnel from North City and Kongming City to discuss the attack on Luoying City and Han Capital.

"I have decided to first conquer Han Capital and the other cities in North City. These places are weaker compared to Luoying City. More importantly, once we conquer all of North City, Luoying City will be surrounded by North City, Kongming City, and East City. We can then split our forces into three, and capture Luoying City in one fell swoop. What do you all think?"

Xia Luo, Xiao Zhe, Huang Wen, Long Yongjun, Lan Xin, Ben Yin, and others all agreed that this was a better plan, finding that conquering Han Capital would be easier.

After thinking for a moment, Xia Luo said:

"Could Green Dragon City and Du Tianxing's Tuocang City take this opportunity to snatch Luoying City?"

Yang Xiao smiled and replied:

"Chi Lin of Green Dragon City definitely wouldn't dare. As for Du Tianxing, as long as we quickly resolve Han Capital and others, forming a three-front encirclement around Luoying City, I estimate he won't dare to attack Luoying City. Therefore, we need quick and decisive actions now."

Xia Luo and others nodded.

"Boss, just give the order. With the 10,000 troops from Eastern Province and now 13,000 in Xiangfan, plus another 10,000 troops from Kongming City concentrated in Shanyun City, we can certainly take down Han Capital quickly."

Three days later, Huang Wen, Lan Xin, Ben Yin, and Zhou Qiang led 10,000 troops into Shanyun City, aiming directly at the nearby North City.

He Hui had summoned 10,000 elite troops from Eastern Province to Xiangfan City, combining with the originally more than 10,000 people in Xiangfan, led by Yang Xiao, Xia Luo, and Xiao Zhe, moving towards Han Capital. Along the way, all smaller cities and strongholds simply surrendered at the sight of their approach.

The City King guarding Han Capital was named Zhang Zhiyong, with advanced Enhanced Gene cultivation.

These days had been extremely worrying for Zhang Zhiyong.

Yang Xiao sent 10,000 elite troops from Shanyun City, and dispatched over 20,000 elite troops from Xiangfan, conquering cities along the way, their momentum unstoppable like a bursting bamboo.

"What should we do? Think of something, everyone?"

Zhang Zhiyong's close aides looked at him, their faces somber and shaking their heads in silence.

One of them said:

"Brother Zhang, we have no other options now. Think about Yang Xiao, who in one night travelled a thousand miles and took over the entire Eastern Province, let alone our small Han City?"

"Yes, a few days ago when Yang Xiao attacked Eastern Province, he deployed only 20,000 troops, and this time, he has dispatched over 30,000 troops. Tell me, can our small Han City resist?"

"In my opinion, East City, Kongming City, North City, they are all like fish in Yang Xiao's pond. With the power of three provinces, Yang Xiao is bound to become the regional King. In the future, he will stand alongside Gu Beifeng of Wentian City and Du Tianxing of Magic City. Resisting is pointless; we might as well surrender outright and follow Yang Xiao to achieve great things, that's the best strategy."

"I heard that wherever Yang Xiao conquers, he treats the local people very well. Now Eastern Province only needs to pay a third of their resources to Yang Xiao. Who wouldn't support such a person?"

...

Zhang Zhiyong's subordinates discussed fervently, all inclined to surrender, and in their words, they admired Yang Xiao and hoped to follow him to achieve great things.

Zhang Zhiyong, realizing the overwhelming tide against him, sighed and said:

"Alright, since everyone thinks this way, I alone cannot resist. Let's surrender to Yang Xiao."

"Brother Zhang is wise!"

...

Yang Xiao led over 20,000 people, stationed at Xiaogan, a stronghold over a hundred kilometers from Han City, while also having Huang Wen and others' troops stationed at another stronghold more than a hundred kilometers from Han City.

"Boss, let's just go straight for it. I guarantee we can take Han City before nightfall."

Xiao Zhe said.

Yang Xiao smiled and asked:

"If you were the City King of Han City, seeing my two major forces encircling, what would you do?"

Xiao Zhe was stunned, and Xia Luo laughed and said:

"I would definitely surrender. Only a fool would resist."

Xiao Zhe suddenly realized and laughed:

"Boss, are you waiting for the City King of Han City, Zhang Zhiyong, to surrender?"

Yang Xiao laughed:

"You tell me? Haha!"

Before the laughter had ended, they heard a guard report from outside:

"Boss, Han City's King, Zhang Zhiyong, leading over a hundred people, has come to surrender and requests to see you, boss."

Xiao Zhe was surprised, his mouth agape, unable to close it for a long time.

Yang Xiao laughed and said:

"That was quick! More enlightened than I imagined."

Zhang Zhiyong entered Yang Xiao's temporary office with a dozen of his subordinates and knelt down.

"Han City's King, Zhang Zhiyong, along with his subordinates, has come to pay respects to Brother Yang. We are willing to surrender to you."

Yang Xiao quickly helped Zhang Zhiyong up and said:

"I'm glad that you came on your own. Now that you are here, we are all brothers, one family. After this, Xiao Zhe will control the entire North City. You will assist him as his deputy."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiyong hastily expressed his gratitude:

"Thank you, Brother Yang, for your trust and kindness. I will certainly not let you down."

"Good, I have a very important task for you to handle right now."

Zhang Zhiyong was stunned,

"What task?"

"How many troops do you have under your command?"

"In Han City's three towns and the five or six surrounding cities, altogether we have 20,000 elite soldiers."

"Excellent, immediately gather these 20,000 elite soldiers. Together with my own 20,000 troops, we will advance into Luoying City and attack Nanchang."

"Ah?"

Not only was Zhang Zhiyong surprised, but so were Xiao Zhe, Xia Luo, and others.

Xia Luo promptly said:

"Boss, are we really going to attack Luoying City now?"

Yang Xiao nodded,

"Speed is of the essence in military operations. Both Luoying City and Tuocang City are observing our attack on Han City. Currently, information is not flowing smoothly, and they are still unaware that we have conquered the three towns of Han City and seized the entirety of North City. At this moment, if we suddenly appear at the border of Luoying City and Han City and strike directly, taking Nanchang in one swift action,

as long as we capture Nanchang, it will cut off Tuocang City's path to Luoying City. At that point, even if Du Tianxing wants to attack Luoying City, he will no longer have the opportunity unless he wants to have a complete falling out with me."

"Boss, what if Du Tianwang turns against us?"

"He won't. Once I control four provinces, he wouldn't turn against me. If he does and even if he manages to defeat me, it would greatly weaken his strength and that would give Gu Beifeng from Wentian City an excellent opportunity. Du Tianxing is not that foolish."

Xia Luo, Xiao Zhe, and Zhang Zhiyong and others fell silent, eventually nodding.

Deeply inside, they admired Yang Xiao's decision. Although it was risky, how could one win surprisingly without taking risks?

Han City's three towns, controlled by Zhang Zhiyong, covered half of the North City. Now with Zhang Zhiyong's surrender, most of North City had fallen into Yang Xiao's hands.

Zhang Zhiyong mobilized his 20,000 elite troops over night. Along with Yang Xiao's 20,000 elites, forming a total force of over 40,000, they appeared at the border of Luoying City before dawn and directly struck Nanchang with overwhelming force.

The King of Luoying City, Lu Ming, an Advanced Enhanced Gene cultivation warrior, never dreamt that upon waking up, the entirety of Nanchang would be surrounded by Yang Xiao's forces.

Knowing that the previous boss Jiang Tao had been killed by Yang Xiao and recognizing he was no match for Yang Xiao, he readily surrendered.

Thus, with the speed of lightning, Yang Xiao swiftly conquered North City and Luoying City. When the remaining cities in North City and Kongming City saw this momentum, they too readily surrendered to Yang Xiao.

Consequently, Yang Xiao became the King of four provinces: Kongming City, East City, North City, and Luoying City.

Gong Yu was stationed in Eastern Province, Xia Luo in Luoying City, Xiao Zhe in North City, and Huang Wen in Kongming City.

(Today is New Year's Eve, I need to spend time with my family, hence only two updates, please understand. Wishing everyone a happy Lunar New Year, and may all be well. Thanks to the book friend for the low-key 6000 Qidian Coin reward and 3K Tai Lang for the 100 Qidian Coin reward, thank you for your support!)