Chapter 643 - 498: Rift (Part 2)
Wu Yan nodded, the Beichui County had always wanted to expand southward, with Sanshan County and Junle County being the first targets. If an alliance could be formed with Beichui County, geographically it would encircle Junle, Dongping, Huaiyou, and Sanshan with Zhongming, Liangxiang, Tieyuan, and Beichui.
Lu Qian coughed lightly: "These grand strategies can be discussed slowly. Right now, the most urgent matter is that the combined forces of the Mingyu Sword Sect and the Huanggen Sect are trapped in Dongping County."
Wang Yu spoke. He was originally resting and healing, his face still pale, but the change in the situation made him pause his recovery and rush over.
"From a power comparison, although the three counties combined far surpass the two sects’ allied forces in total military strength. But with Master Yaoming of Dongping seriously injured, relying only on the Golden Cores of Junle and Huaiyou can’t stop the allied forces. With the capability of Master Cangfeng, he can break out of the encirclement with ease."
"And if he requests our sect’s assistance, it would be a sure victory, and we might even achieve new military results."
"However..." He paused, "It seems that Master Cangfeng will not request assistance from our sect."
Yang Jiye exclaimed in surprise. Lin Le couldn’t help but smile bitterly: "Indeed, transmitting intelligence takes time. By the time we receive the information, it usually means the event has already happened for a while. But we haven’t received any requests for assistance from the Mingyu Sword Sect."
Lu Qian sighed lightly, calculating that the surprise attack in Junle County occurred after he had sent a message to Master Cangfeng, informing him that the Mingyu Sword Sect cultivators led by Cao Mo had been completely wiped out.
What went through Master Cangfeng’s mind after receiving the message, Lu Qian did not know. However, after that message, Master Cangfeng never contacted him again.
Even at this point, there is still no movement from the Mingyu Sword Sect. The situation speaks for itself; Master Cangfeng is inevitably filled with doubt and anger.
"Now, if we are to offer assistance, there are two options," Wang Yu continued. "One is to ignore the battlefield in Dongping County and launch a direct attack on Junle County. With Master Xuanjing leading an expedition, Junle County is left undefended. We could gain significant benefit and force him to retreat for defense, relieving the allied forces."
"The second option is to directly advance into Dongping to join the main battlefield and rescue the allied forces from danger."
Lu Qian thought for a moment and then slowly said: "Attacking Junle County seems promising, but Master Xuanjing will surely have precautions in place. A rash attack might even fall into a trap. Moreover, since we don’t border Junle County, we cannot hold any territory even if we succeed in taking it. At most, we can seize some resources, but our sect’s storerooms are already full, so we lack none of these."
"Whereas actively intervening on the Dongping County battlefield... I’m afraid we no longer have that opportunity."
Wang Yu remained silent, leaving everyone puzzled. Suddenly, Lin Le’s expression changed as he received the latest intelligence. He hurriedly read it and exclaimed: "Half an hour ago, the Mingyu Sword Sect and Huanggen Sect made a fierce breakout, injured Master Xuanjing retreated, and the allied forces successfully withdrew from the encirclement!"
Indeed, Master Cangfeng didn’t hesitate much and directly chose to break out.
"Master Cangfeng didn’t want to see our sect appear on the battlefield," Wang Yu closed his eyes. "Because, now, he can no longer be sure if the Yunshan Sect appearing in Dongping County is there to aid or... to intercept."
"So he simply chose to break out, even if there was a cost, and even if most of the territory they had claimed early in the campaign in Dongping County had to be relinquished."
Lu Qian sighed, this is not about friendship. When it comes to interests, anything is possible. If the roles were reversed, he would also have such concerns.
After all, a partial force of the Mingyu Sword Sect, six Foundation Establishment cultivators, four hundred Qi Cultivation Elites, and eight Floating Battleships had been completely lost with the supposed support of the Yunshan Sect. If another such "support" were to occur, the majority of the allied forces of the Mingyu Sword Sect and Huanggen Sect would be lost in Dongping County, leaving Liangxiang County defenseless, like fish on the chopping board, ready to be butchered.
Could the Yunshan Sect resist such a huge temptation?
Even if Master Cangfeng has utmost trust in Lu Qian and believes in the friendship between both sides, he dare not take this gamble now. So he chose to break out, even if it meant losing most of the spirit veins occupied in the early stages of the war, before the Yunshan Sect entered the scene.
"What are the casualties on both sides?" Yang Jiye asked.
"Specific details are still being compiled, but the losses were not too severe," Lin Le said. "Overall, none of the Golden Cores on either side were killed. The number of Foundation Establishment deaths does not exceed seven, and about five to six Floating Battleships were lost."
Lu Qian breathed a slight sigh of relief. With such total losses on both sides, the share attributed to the allied forces wouldn’t be much. These damages are within an acceptable range. What fears him is if the allied forces suffered great losses, Master Cangfeng and Ye Xiao would be further angered at him, making reconciliation between both sides even harder.
"Master Cangfeng’s breakout was decisive, and Master Xuanjing of Junle County was only here to support and would not forcefully obstruct. Both Dongping and Huaiyou focused on expelling the allied forces rather than engaging in a deadly struggle, so the battle losses aren’t severe."
"Keep intelligence closely monitored and prepare a letter to be sent to Master Cangfeng. Say..." Lu Qian pondered briefly, "Say that I was gravely injured during the Celestial Monarch descent event and will need several years of recuperation, unable to leave the mountain easily. Meanwhile, I feel deeply sorry for failing to protect our fellow Daoists of the Mingyu Sword Sect properly. No spoils from this Dongping battle need to be shared with me, and the Yunshan Sect is willing to provide material support to the Mingyu Sword Sect."
This is to express that he has no intention and also lacks the power to compete for dominance, while also offering compensation? Lin Le mused over Lu Qian’s meaning, memorized the message carefully, and then asked with some confusion: "Celestial Monarch descent?"