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"General Lan, what are you planning to do?"

The two armies faced each other in a tense standoff. Lan Shang’s expression was dark and stormy, while across from him, Tian Heng appeared calm and composed. This contrast only fueled Lan Shang’s growing sense of unease.

There was an almost leisurely demeanor about Tian Heng, as if he wasn’t here for a battle at all but rather for a casual walk. This attitude gnawed at Lan Shang, further stoking the violent rage simmering in his chest.

In truth, Lan Shang knew Tian Heng well.

He vividly remembered how, in his youth, the Lan Family and the Tian Family were even bound by an alliance through marriage.

Back then, their families interacted frequently, but the relationship was imbalanced.

Whenever the Tian Family visited the Lan Family, they behaved with utmost deference.

The reason was simple: the Lan Family was a prominent vassal of the powerful Siao Family, while the Tian Family.

.. at the time, was a modest, insignificant family under the declining Bai Family.

The Bai Family was already on the brink of becoming someone else’s vassal, and the Tian Family’s position was naturally even more precarious.

No one could have predicted that the Tian Family would one day rise to become the household of a Duke and produce the youngest Duke in the empire’s history.

"Why ask questions you already know the answer to, General Tian..." Lan Shang said darkly, his gaze fixed on his opponent. Their vanguard was struggling to break through—he hadn’t anticipated that five thousand extraordinary cavalry would be so thoroughly held back by the military formation Tian Heng had orchestrated. And this was before Tian Heng’s full army had even arrived.

Now that the opposing forces were arrayed in a tight formation, breaking through would likely be twice as difficult as before!

"What do you mean by that, General Lan?" Tian Heng retorted coldly. "You came from the North and brought along hordes of demons. We risked everything to take you in, yet you have the audacity to accuse us? Have I, Tian Heng, ever wronged you? Have the brothers of Jiangnan ever wronged you?"

These words caused hesitation to ripple through the Imperial Army soldiers, whose morale was already wavering.

When they had been pursued, with even a King-level Celestial Serpent on their tails, their situation had been dire.

But Jiangnan’s gates had been opened to them.

Over the past two months, not only had they been provided with ample food supplies, but they had even been given small amounts of blood essence to replenish their vitality.

Such treatment was unheard of—even the Imperial Court itself might not be able to offer such generosity.

If Tian Heng had harbored ill intentions from the start, wouldn’t it have been easier to simply deny them entry?

Lan Shang could clearly sense the hesitation among his subordinates.

He quickly rebuked, "Stop with the righteous-sounding nonsense, Tian! Your army assembled so swiftly—are you telling me this wasn’t premeditated?

What’s with the innocent act? The Princess Chang came here, and yet you deceived her and took her away.

Are you honestly going to stand there and claim you have no ulterior motives? "

"Who’s the one with ulterior motives here?" Tian Heng sneered. "Why didn’t Princess Chang immediately take command of the military? Don’t tell me you don’t know the answer to that already!"

"Nonsense!" Lan Shang barked furiously. "Baseless accusations! If your conscience is clear, then open the gates and let us leave safely. It won’t harm Jiangnan at all, will it?

Summon Princess Chang to come here, and if we retreat safely to the Capital City, I, Lan Shang, will publicly admit my mistake and offer myself up for punishment. How about it?"

Tian Heng’s heart soured with subtle disdain at these words. This Lan truly had a sharp tongue.

He laughed softly and replied, "General Lan, you paint a pretty picture. But answer me this: if we open the gates, how can I be sure you won’t collude with the demons outside?

What if you take advantage of the open gates to launch an ambush and then switch sides?

How could I ever face the people of Jiangnan again? "

"So is General Tian saying there’s no way to resolve this peacefully today?"

"I, Tian Heng, swear a blood oath: as long as you lay down your weapons and return to your camps, I will not act against you. Until Princess Chang returns to take command, you can rest easy in your camps, even if you decide to fortify your position there. But if you try to force the gates, then with the lives of Jiangnan’s people hanging in the balance, I will show no mercy! "

"Such noble promises!" Lan Shang roared with laughter. "Retreating to our camps will just make it easier for you to surround us, won’t it? Brothers, did you hear that? It’s clear they’re leaving us no room to survive. If that’s the case, we’ll have to carve out a path for ourselves!"

"Driven by personal greed, recklessly dragging soldiers into this—Lan Shang, how can your conscience be at peace?" Tian Heng’s voice was cold and cutting. "Today, I will kill you!"

"Is that so?" A crimson light flickered in Lan Shang’s eyes as the air around him seethed with escalating violence. "Then today, I’ll see for myself what General Tian is truly capable of!"

His father had died bitterly, unable to accept the reality of the situation. The Lan Family had once been ahead, but in just a few decades, the Tian Family’s head now commanded salutes and was addressed as Duke.

The Tian Family’s lowly bloodline, rising to such heights—it was incomprehensible to him.

Fortunate fools riding the winds of destiny—did they really think themselves invincible?

With a single command from Lan Shang, his deputy general immediately unfurled the military flags.

The Imperial Army’s formidable formation roared to life, their collective vitality surging into the sky.

The sight sent a chill through the hearts of the Western Sea Army soldiers, who immediately realized this would be a brutal fight.

The Imperial Army’s strength was legendary.

All its soldiers were at an extraordinary level, and when their formation coalesced, the sheer vitality they exuded was nearly double that of the Western Sea Army.

If not for the covert presence of some Four Holy Guard troops within their ranks, this would’ve been too daunting a battle to even consider fighting.

Tian Heng, too, was astonished by the overwhelming vitality rising skyward. Excitement flickered in his eyes as he licked his lips.

This army’s quality—it truly lived up to the Siao Family’s meticulous planning, cultivated at the cost of their nation’s destiny into an unyielding Ghost Army.

Even if he could claim just one-third of it, it would be an unprecedented achievement.

It would also go a long way in remedying Jiangnan’s current shortage of troops.

"Form the array!" With a wave of Tian Heng’s hand, his subordinates immediately executed his commands. The Western Sea Army’s vitality erupted violently.

Though their energy levels couldn’t match the scale of the Imperial Army’s, their purity was undeniable, and they showed no fear in the face of its tidal wave-like aura.

Lan Shang observed this scene, his heart consumed with envy.

These... were Tian Heng’s own troops!

Lan Shang’s authority came from the Emperor, but Tian Heng’s was different.

The Western Sea Army answered almost exclusively to the Tian Family.

These were old comrades-in-arms—such troops could ensure that even if Jiangnan fell, the Tian Family would still have the foundation to secure a foothold in the chaotic times ahead.

This only strengthened Lan Shang’s resolve: he had to seize control of the Imperial Army. With his own loyal troops, he could establish his dominion in the coming turmoil!

"Charge!"

With an enraged roar, Lan Shang led the charge. The Imperial Army surged forward, their vitality ignited. The Flying Dragon Cavalry followed closely behind him, like an enormous halberd aimed at piercing through everything in its path!

"Advance!" Tian Heng refused to falter, personally leading his cavalry forward to meet the attack.

Lan Shang was briefly taken aback. Tian Heng’s soldiers were individually weaker than his own, yet he dared to engage his cavalry head-on?

But he quickly realized something unusual—there was something different about the cavalry around Tian Heng. They radiated a strange aura of elemental power, and their vitality seemed even more potent than his Flying Dragon Guard!

Were these... Tian Heng’s personal guards?

And they were this strong?

In a single moment, Lan Shang could clearly sense an overwhelming power emanating from these soldiers. Each one appeared to surpass the ranking of his own colonels, their bodies radiating intense heat like blazing suns, their energy so dazzling it left one’s eyes momentarily disoriented.

This guy... did he really intend to capture the general to win the war?

Then so be it!

Lan Shang’s primal instincts surged to the surface. He had to see for himself—would Tian Heng, the so-called great general, truly have the ability to pluck him out from a sea of soldiers!!