Firefly Journey

Chapter 148 Rescuing the Journalists in Action (5)

Tundra, front line of Tongyun Fortress.

The Imperial Army marched north, pushing its battle line nearly a hundred kilometers ahead. The Tongyun Fortress was a stronghold located at the very front.

The Imperial Army was well-equipped, had a numerical advantage, and had undergone systematic training, making its combat effectiveness far superior to the disorganized mob on the tundra.

The orc tribes are treacherous and cunning, and they generally don't form alliances unless it's a matter of annihilation. A coalition of several tribes like this is unprecedented.

Tongyun Fortress was, after all, just a small town on the imperial army's expedition route, and it was impossible to deploy too many troops there. Its greatest role was simply to consolidate the territory that the empire had already conquered.

Looking at the dark mass of tents outside the city, the commander of Tongyun Fortress was filled with worry. On the surface, the number of troops in the tribal alliance was several times that inside the city, which was worrying.

If they were to launch a full-scale attack on the fortress, regardless of casualties, the city's small force would be utterly unable to hold it.

The fatal flaw was that Mond Toby was extremely strict in his military discipline and never showed favoritism or bent the law. Not to mention a minor commander, even his own son would be beheaded or subjected to military law if he committed serious dereliction of duty.

The anxious Commander Tongyun sent a battle report to the city of Seror immediately after the allied army pressed in. However, the commander did not seem to be in a hurry, and the reinforcements were slow to arrive.

Fortunately, the allied forces seemed to be waiting for something as well. Although they launched occasional attacks, they were only minor skirmishes and did not use their full strength for the time being.

The feeling of impending doom was so oppressive that General Tongyun could hardly breathe.

Yes, the tribal coalition is slow to attack, and you, Commander, are not in a hurry. But what should I do when they really go all out and the city falls?

If the city falls and you die, you'll at least have the honor of dying for your country. But if you're lucky enough to escape and survive, you'll certainly be dealt with according to military law, with no chance of survival.

Even if one were to live in anonymity and never set foot on imperial soil again, the imperial intelligence network, spanning the entire continent, would remain operational at all times. To spend one's entire life in the shadows is no different from being dead.

"Keep your spirits up! Reinforcements are on their way. Those ants outside the city have been routed by us over the years, and they won't be any different this time!"

Bert, the garrison commander of Tongyun Fortress, was terrified, but he still tried to remain calm and offered words of encouragement as if they were free. As for the effect, that was anyone's guess.

In a one-on-one fight, even with their superior equipment, humans are no match for orcs, who are several times stronger than themselves. Moreover, they are currently outnumbered, and every soldier's face is deathly still.

Outside the tribal coalition camp, the Neel brothers gazed at the city walls.

The lizardman brother said, "We've been here at Tongyun Fortress for three days now, but there's still no movement from Selyol City. They haven't sent any reinforcements. Have they... noticed something amiss?"

As the commander-in-chief of the Imperial Northern Expeditionary Force, Mondl was no ordinary man. The fact that the Northern Expeditionary Force advanced triumphantly under his command demonstrates that his abilities were absolutely top-notch.

He could guess that this was a feint, which didn't seem so unbelievable.

Compared to his brother, Nem the Crocodile is more skilled in combat and not very helpful in analyzing situations, so Nem's words seem more like he's talking to himself.

“I should have thought of that… Hugh said, never treat others as fools, or you'll be the biggest fool yourself.” Nell fell into deep thought.

A moment later, a resolute glint flashed in his eyes.

"Nem, gather the men. We'll attack the city at dusk."

Nem, thinking it was another harassment attempt, asked, "How much do you want?"

Neil said, "All of them."

"All of them?" Nem was taken aback. Wasn't the purpose of the allied forces coming to put pressure on the city so that the people in Selyol could take the opportunity to rescue the reporter? How did it turn into a real siege?

Neil didn't expect his blockhead brother to understand the mystery, but firmly said, "Go if I tell you to."

Finally, he added, "Let our men go first. The Black Mountain tribe is an ally after all, and their chief is not here. It would be difficult to explain if there are serious casualties."

Nem looked troubled: "Brother, the Wagri Alliance isn't our property. Shouldn't we ask His Excellency the 'Great Teacher' about planning such a military operation?"

Nell said, "It takes too long to travel from Fortress of the Clouds to Ibiza and back. The main purpose of His Excellency the Great Teacher's secret efforts to foster an alliance in the North is to integrate all peace-loving forces to build a true utopia."

That reporter willingly suffered for the sake of unrelated tundra orcs; how can we bear to watch him be tortured? Even if His Majesty the Great Teacher finds out, he won't blame us. And if we are to be punished, it was my order, and I will bear the consequences alone.

"elder brother!"

"Go!"

Nem snorted heavily, picked up his large axe, and walked towards the military camp behind him.

Neil then took out a small clay figure and sent a letter to Cassius Bello, who was far away in Ilham.

Everything is urgent, the opportunity will be fleeting, there's no time to wait for your message. Afterwards, you may punish or beat me as you see fit.

……

……

The Great Chu, the Imperial Palace.

Lu Hongxiu returned after finishing her soup, bringing someone with her.

The swordsman in green robes strolled leisurely through the red-brick and green-tiled pavilion, as if he were going to a market.

The royal soldiers stationed and patrolling did not dare to obstruct them.

Firstly, there was a little princess jumping around in front of him, and this person was clearly her guest.

Secondly, there are well-known reasons.

Rumor has it that the emperor's brother-in-law, who reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship, usually wore blue robes and had a jade pendant hanging from his waist. He was also known for his elegant demeanor, like a banished immortal.

The royal soldiers looked at it and thought, "Doesn't this match perfectly?"

The legend of the Green-Clad Sword Saint was something that children in the Chu Kingdom had heard since childhood, and even the younger soldiers showed excited and fanatical expressions on their faces.

That was the Sword Saint, a man admired by ninety percent of the men in Chu. They were too busy worshipping him to even try to stop him.

The little princess walked ahead, not returning to her own palace, but going to the East Palace instead.

Once the task is completed, of course you should collect your payment.

Since Crown Prince Zhaowen left home at the age of seven, the Eastern Palace has been empty. Although palace servants clean it regularly, it has always been deserted. Today is different.

As her younger sister, she knew best where Lü Jianming hid his valuables, and headed straight for the study with practiced ease. Following the young girl's pace, Chen Qingchen trailed behind at a leisurely pace.

Just looking at her back view was enough to make me feel very satisfied.

The sound of arguing came from the study, and Lü Hongxiu's legs felt like lead, and she stood rooted to the spot.

Chen Qingchen smiled slightly, judging from the voice that the little princess had stopped.

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has not returned to the country for a long time, yet the expenses of the Eastern Palace remain unchanged. This is far too wasteful."

Your Majesty, I humbly request that you reduce the expenditures of the Crown Prince's Palace and use the funds to replenish the national treasury.

"Our great Chu is rich in natural resources and talented people. With all the taxes collected from the whole country, how could it not support a small Crown Prince's residence? If word got out, people would laugh at us."

"It's not that I can't, but that it's unacceptable. This old minister speaks frankly and remonstrates with Your Majesty. If Your Majesty insists on going your own way, I will smash my head against this bookshelf and die!"

"Go crash your car home if you want, don't die in front of me."

"In that case, this old minister shall depart!"

"No, you old fool, are you serious?"