CHAPTER 1494: CHAPTER 1494: MEETING A WORTHY OPPONENT

On two sides of the round table, the generals who surrendered from Snake Island and the ones originally stationed outside Southern Capital City sat opposite each other.

One side was led by Ji Xiaolian, the other by the veteran General Lei Shicheng.

The forces on both sides presented a subtle balance of power here.

Thus, power would remain firmly controlled within the Commandery Princess Mansion, preventing any trouble from arising due to one side growing too big.

Now Lei Shicheng and others’ army were stationed outside Southern Capital City, while Ji Xiaolian’s former army was stationed along the Huai River.

Both sides reported their current military situation on the sand table, neither looking relaxed.

General Lei Shicheng furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, "We must find a way to quickly solve the issue of the Mechanical Tribe’s Giant Mech, or else our defenses would be ridiculous in front of such a mech."

Ji Xiaolian said, "We have already sent someone there to launch a surprise attack with iron-armored warships, but against such a mech, it’s absolutely no match. For now, there’s only calling upon the Cultivation World’s experts to face them."

He had discussed this matter with the Five Tiger Generals under him.

Yang Xiong, Lv Wei, and others voiced their opinions, "If the Commandery Princess needs it, we can ask our masters to come and help."

Ji Wanrong glanced at Long Fei.

Long Fei shook his head and chuckled, "No need to trouble your masters; it’s just a mech. Not worth such a big mobilization. Tomorrow, I’ll head to the frontline to confront this mech and see if I can capture one for us to study."

The generals looked at each other, unable to suppress their tongue-clicking.

They were all anxious at the sight of this thing, yet Long Fei spoke of capturing one.

Ji Xiaolian advised, "Great Marshal, you may not know. This Giant Mech is made of some unknown material, as strong as Divine Iron. Moreover, it has Formation Patterns that can activate various defense formations. Alone, this mech can battle against Soul Ascension Stage experts. Behind this mech, there are three Soul Ascension Stage experts providing full-range protection, making it impossible even to attempt a surprise attack."

Lei Shicheng also advised, "Marshal, your position is special now; you cannot take such risks. Even if we need to solve this mech, we should find someone else to handle it. As long as we offer substantial rewards, there’s no worry we won’t have anyone to help."

Long Fei observed the goodwill from both sides and nodded in thanks.

He understood both sides were engaging in open and secret competition, hoping to recruit him as a bargaining chip.

Such internal strife for team development is actually very necessary.

It is in this dynamic that the team thrives.

He ordered everyone, "The matter is decided; it’s just a small mech anyway, no need for external help. You should hold your zones; soon our situation with North Yangtze will shift."

Lei Shicheng and Ji Xiaolian looked at each other, unsure of the meaning behind Long Fei’s words.

They all rose, saluted, and quietly discussed as they exited the hall.

Ji Wanrong sipped tea and asked Long Fei, "Is there some breakthrough over at Jingzhou Prefecture?"

Long Fei smiled, nothing could be concealed from this astute woman.

Among the women he knows, Lin Yingying is the most generous, Wang Xiaoya the gentlest, and as for the smartest, it’s Ji Wanrong.

From a young age, she grew up in the Royal Family, well versed in all kinds of palace intrigue and strategy inheritance.

When others say one sentence, she can hear the second.

Long Fei smiles and tells her, "The era of Three Kingdoms is about to come; read ’Three Kingdoms’ more often."

Ji Wanrong covered her mouth with a laugh, "I’ve long worn out that book. According to your idea, are we Eastern Wu now? In ’Three Kingdoms,’ Eastern Wu didn’t end too well!"

Long Fei stood up and said, "You’re wrong; our end will surely be better than Eastern Wu. The ’Three Kingdoms’ conclusion, we will win!"

"You’re so certain?"

Ji Wanrong raised her eyebrows.

Long Fei laughed, "Naturally, Eastern Wu had everything good except lacking me, a handsome Consort Prince. With me here, the conclusion of ’Three Kingdoms’ must differ from what’s outside."

"You narcissistic fellow!"

Ji Wanrong couldn’t help but chuckle out loud, her face blossoming like peach, her eyes shimmering like rippling water, her feminine charm growing more profound.

Along the Huai River defense line, the wind howled, causing the white-background Great Xia flag of South Yangtze Prefecture to flutter and sound.

To distinguish from the opposite Great Xia flag, the "Xia" character on the South Yangtze Prefecture flag was rendered in red, with a Southern Vermilion Bird totem embroidered below.

Long Fei brought a group to the frontline, facing the impressive Great Xia formation, soldiers steady, brimming with vigor, already preparing to forcibly cross the Huai River.

One after another, wooden warships, big and small, carried troops from the Great Xia Army to the water.

Behind these warships stood a mech over a hundred meters tall.

This mech emitted a whitish hue all over, resembling a Giant Ape. Like a great mountain, it stood on the opposite bank, full of imposing presence and metallic feel, easily catching one’s eye.

People on the frontline referred to this thing as the Storm Giant Ape.

Its punch could trigger Wind Element Force, causing surging waves.

Chu Feng stared at the giant ape opposite in amazement, "The technology of Aurelius reached what extent to create such impressive mechs?"

Long Fei chuckled, "It’s merely average; it looks intimidating, just bigger in size. True technology has long transcended the three-dimensional strike level, albeit only the size of an ant, capable of decimating the entire Earth. Aurelius’ technology is probably just a little stronger than Earth’s."

"That’s not technology; that’s science fiction!"

Chu Feng chuckled, rubbing his fists, "How about it, let me be a vanguard?"

Long Fei shook his head, "No need to use Niu Dao to kill chickens; you and I deal with those guarding the mech. That Storm Giant Ape, someone will handle."

Chu Feng joyfully said, "How, have Wang Jie and Murong Chong brothers returned?"

"No, they’ve become senior generals of the Great Xia Army now; they haven’t fully revealed themselves yet, why would they be willing to come back."

Long Fei smiled as he pulled out a landscape painting, preparing to send in a grand entity inside to tackle the mech.

They are a natural matchup, destined adversaries.

Wang Jie and Murong Chong accompanied them to Jingzhou Prefecture, displaying some skills in the enemy camp, successfully infiltrating the enemy troops.

Jingzhou Prefecture goes to war against the Imperial Court, relying entirely on them.

Drumbeats sounded in succession, whistles screamed skyward.

The enormous Storm Giant Ape Mech took the lead, stepping into the massive waters.

Its legs were equipped with water-control devices.

Like a submarine, it could float on the surface of the water independently.

This river water was a hundred meters deep, and its legs only sank a dozen meters, holding a black Mystic Iron knife in its right hand, the blade being fifty meters long; it seemed as though a giant, stride by stride, rushing across to the opposite bank.

The water surface churned, continuously surging waves of over ten meters beneath its feet.

The newly recruited soldiers of South Yangtze Prefecture were filled with dread, being terrified enough by this thing over the past few days.

Ji Xiaolian sent out many experts to confront, all being slain by this thing.

Today, Long Fei and Chu Feng stood at the frontline. Although everyone knew of his invincibility and courage, they couldn’t help but sweat for him, uncertain of the outcome.

On the riverbank, the military drums suddenly roared.

A woman, clad in a crimson Phoenix Embroidered cloak, drummed with both hands to cheer for Long Fei and Chu Feng.

The soldiers on the frontline saw and cried, "Isn’t that the Commandery Princess?"

"Commandery Princess has come to the frontline too!"

"She’s here to cheer for the Great Marshal."

"Great Marshal is invincible, surely he’ll crush this steel monster!"

"Our South Yangtze Prefecture will surely win!"

"..."

Cheering, encouraging, and rallying cries echoed along the South Bank, while the Marshal commanding the army to cross the river opposite furrowed his brows tightly.