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"General, what do you think...?"

Outside the camp of the Capital City, in the dead of night, bursts of Buddha Light suddenly illuminated the darkness!

The spectacle was so grand that it alarmed many night-watch soldiers, who immediately reported it to their superiors. Tian Heng, ever vigilant, was naturally the first to notice, but even when his subordinates came to report, he refrained from taking any reckless action.

"Brazen enough..." Tian Heng gazed at the Buddha Light shimmering in the sky, his eyes glinting with icy coldness.

"Shall we make a move, General?" the deputy general whispered.

According to the prior plan, they would accuse Lan Shang and others of being tainted by ancient corruption, seize them first, and then pressure the Imperial Army to surrender.

Temporarily taking command would allow the Princess Royale to reclaim military authority only depending on future circumstances.

"Wait a moment..." Tian Heng recognized this as a golden opportunity, but an inexplicable unease churned in his heart. He felt that a single misstep this night could lead to the total annihilation of the Western Sea Army...

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"Commander, why hasn’t that Tian fellow acted yet?"

Several deputy generals were comforting their soldiers while staring intently outside. They were waiting for Tian Heng’s move.

After Lan Shang’s return and his encounter with Tian Heng, the commander had known what Tian was plotting. He wasn’t na?ve; Tian’s deliberate suggestion for the Princess Royale to head to Daqing Mountain rather than promptly reclaiming command to remove him was reason enough to remain wary.

Thus, the commander turned the plot back on him.

This forged Dream Stealing Technique couldn’t compare to the authentic Divine Skills of the Buddha Kingdom.

In the Great Dream Realm created by the Buddha Kingdom, it truly felt like reliving a past life with no temporal dissonance—decades of detailed recollection would convince you wholeheartedly of its authenticity, returning you to your prior state of mind.

But this forgery was different. It couldn’t replicate the authentic dream’s temporal immersion; in just two short hours, it tried to convince the soldiers they had been esteemed figures in a past life.

The impact was far weaker. Relying on such a collective dream to drive the soldiers to outright rebellion wasn’t reliable.

After all, the soldiers were numerous, and any collective doubt could quickly backfire, leaving the commander in a passive position.

By comparison, external pressure—such as Tian Heng issuing a military attack—would be far more effective. The commander could then step forward, framing Tian as an extremist persecuting them as heretics. Under such circumstances, uncertain soldiers would unite quickly.

Once the first charge was launched, there would be no retreat. These Transcendent soldiers would become his men!

Yet, for reasons unknown, that Tian was holding steady at such a time. This wouldn’t do...

Lan Shang took a deep breath and immediately ordered his deputy general, "Pass the word: Tian Heng’s troops are already planning to encircle us. Rouse all the soldiers—we’re on high alert!"

"Understood!"

The deputies moved swiftly. In less than half a quarter-hour, most soldiers had been roused from their sleep. Still immersed in the dream they just experienced, the news of being surrounded left them utterly shaken!

Barely able to gather their thoughts, they were already being herded into formation by their officers’ shouts.

"Brothers!" Lan Shang stood atop a platform, his expression stern. "I’m sure you’ve all dreamed of something, haven’t you?"

The soldiers exchanged glances, their faces complex, their eyes reflecting astonishment, doubt, and a faint trace of excitement.

The astonishment came from realizing their fellow comrades had shared the same experience. The doubt arose from suspicions—wasn’t this all too coincidental? And the excitement... stemmed from their past lives.

Though they were regarded as above-average in this Ghost King’s army, they were still mere foot soldiers. Yet, in the dream, they were towering figures with commanding power. Thinking back to their former magnificence brought undeniable exhilaration.

"We... are Heaven’s chosen children. Our coming together is the will of the heavens. But sadly, to outsiders, all this is seen as heretical poison."

"Intelligence reports say Tian Heng has already dispatched forces to surround us. Brothers, are we to sit here and await death?"

This...

The soldiers reacted differently. Some instinctively shouted, "No, we won’t!"

Others hesitated. The hesitant ones were mostly those who had recently been in close contact with the Western Sea Army, hearing about their lives in Jiangnan over the past few years. They harbored some envy and longing for that lifestyle.

In this land, soldiers were a noble profession, admired and respected. Maidens eagerly sought to marry these valiant men.

In Great Jin, though the Emperor favored military might over literature, he valued noble families, the vassals’ offspring.

As lower-ranking soldiers, while they might have some diluted bloodline, they could only posture amongst other common troops.

Their actual societal standing... amounted to nothing.

Ordinary families wouldn’t even consider marrying off their daughters to them, treating them with disdain.

But here in Jiangnan, the soldiers enjoyed privileges and respect they had never dreamed of.

Could a society that so valued and respected soldiers truly seek to persecute them out of jealousy?

Would they truly oppress and suppress them as heretics simply because of a dream?

After all, Jiangnan had Hell and the belief in reincarnation was commonplace.

Their gods were transformed demons, which meant attitudes towards demons were far from black-and-white.

Just days ago, they had fought side by side as trusted allies.

Would a mere dream really provoke cries for their deaths?

To be honest, many felt skeptical.

But seeing the commander’s air of conviction, it didn’t seem like he was lying.

Although many remained uncommitted, Lan Shang raised his voice without hesitation: "We bear no intention of harming anyone. It’s just that Jiangnan has pushed us too far!

Now, we merely seek to survive. Comrades, take up your weapons—not for conquest, but for survival!

We were heroes once in another life; shall we perish here in vain? "

These words stirred more responses than before. With passion rising in the ranks, even the hesitant soldiers began joining the cries of defiance. Human nature is such—most people simply follow the crowd!

Seeing the momentum build, Lan Shang unsheathed his sword.

"Form ranks! Flying Dragon Cavalry, lead the way!

Crossbowmen, bring up the rear! Light Cavalry, guard the center!

Move quickly—we must break out of the city before the enemy reacts.

Under no circumstances can we allow ourselves to be encircled. Deputy General Lan Shan, are you here?"

"Present!" A towering man with a striking resemblance to Lan Shang instantly stepped forward.

"Take 5,000 Flying Dragon Cavalry and lead the vanguard. You must carve out an opening immediately!"

"Understood!"

"Hou Lie, where are you?"

"Here!"

"Take 5,000 Divine Archers. Cover the rear and focus on eliminating enemy Cavalry Captains to protect the army’s advance."

"Understood!"

.......

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"Too late!"

In the distance, Wei Gongcheng had arrived at the Border Pass ahead of time.

After the previous incidents, the Shen Family had hastily constructed a Hell Ruler Temple at the Border Pass.

All five Lords of the Hell could enter and exit through this temple.

Though this further expanded the Shen Family’s influence, it was a necessary action in extraordinary times.

As one of the most senior figures in Hell, Wei Gongcheng naturally had access. Otherwise, it truly would have become a Shen Family monopoly.

For this reason, Wei Gongcheng and Wei Gongzhan arrived far faster than the other two. But even so...

The worst-case scenario had unfolded far sooner than expected...