Chapter 2117: The Imminent Major Battle

He didn’t fully explain the full story to He Yue. But Fu Shanyue himself understood that there were two reasons for the Ya Kingdom's retreat: first, the resistance on the Golden Flash western front was too fierce, yielding them little gain; second, they were forced to withdraw due to the threat from the Mou Kingdom.

The more this was the case, the more they wanted to assert their dominance verbally.

"So, after a brief period of consolidation following the establishment of his state, He Xiao found a pretext to challenge the Ya Kingdom," Fu Shanyue said, placing several small flags on the sand table to illustrate the advance route of the Cangyan Kingdom.

He Yue looked at it and saw flags extending from Bailei territory all the way into the Ya Kingdom:"Did they fight their way back?"

"That's right. The Cangyan Kingdom dispatched three armies to swiftly reinforce. Your brother personally led the central army, entering Bailei through Tongzi Pass. The Ya army was completely unprepared for this; they were attacked from three directions, and their main camp was also overrun."

Fu Shanyue recalled the scout's report, which described the Ya army as utterly shocked.

They had assumed that once the Mou army retreated, Bailei would become theirs for the taking, to do with as they pleased. Thus, they dispersed their forces, plundering and rampaging throughout Bailei. After all, Luqingbang's main forces consisted of only two or three divisions, utterly incapable of handling the enemy's widespread attacks.

However, as a result, the Ya army's forces were also dispersed. After encountering a lightning-fast surprise attack from the Cangyan army, they were defeated piecemeal and were even too weak to mount a proper defense.

The secret to the Dragon God Army's successful ambushes against the Ya army within Bailei territory was encapsulated in five words: "Completely unexpected."

At this point, the Bailei army also sallied forth to assist. The two armies successfully dismantled the enemy's main camp, and the Ya army had no choice but to swiftly flee south, retreating back into their own territory.

They fled so quickly because the pursuers were hot on their heels, and without stopping, they chased the Ya army directly into Ya Kingdom territory!

The directive from Emperor Jiuyou was clear: This war must proceed swiftly!

"The Dragon God Army did not stop for a moment after coming to Bailei's aid. They fought their way from north to south, all the way to Baiqiuyuan. Then, they divided their forces and fought east from Baiqiuyuan to the Golden Flash Plains, securing this vital route and killing several high-ranking Ya Kingdom generals." Fu Shanyue's finger moved across the sand table. "Once cleared, supplies can be transported directly from the Golden Flash Plains to Baiqiuyuan."

Emperor Jiuyou donned his armor and personally entered the fray. The Dragon God Army's southward advance was incredibly swift, astonishing all observing powers.

"I hear Baiqiuyuan is the birthplace of multiple Ya Kingdom tribes and is also known as a sacred land. Look, the two major rivers that converge here practically flow through the entire Ya Kingdom."

He Yue blurted out, "A strategic military location."

From both a geographical and historical perspective, Baiqiuyuan holds immense significance for the Ya Kingdom; it cannot be lost.

"Once they reached Baiqiuyuan, the pace of the war slowed down. Based on the news I received two days ago, a major battle might soon erupt here," Fu Shanyue explained to him. "Baiqiuyuan is certainly the main battlefield, but fighting isn't confined to it. Around these few locations—"

He drew a few circles. "—the fighting is also fierce."

Three of these circles were to the east of Baiqiuyuan, which meant—

"The Dragon God Army's rear," He Yue realized with a start. "The Ya Kingdom wants to cut off the Dragon God Army's supply lines!"

Although his brother led the army deep into the Ya Kingdom, even with protective flanks, they were essentially isolated deep in enemy territory. Most of their supplies would have to be transported from Golden Flash. Moreover, he attacked a sacred land of the Ya Kingdom, instantly igniting their fury and immediately escalating the war to its peak intensity.

"They say a general should not lightly expose himself, yet your brother personally led the expedition, taking his troops deep into enemy territory," Fu Shanyue said. "The people of Ya Kingdom must be very eager to keep him as a guest."

After explaining everything, he turned to He Yue. "Your timing for this visit is unfortunate, as it coincides with wartime. I'll dispatch a guard contingent to escort you to the Cangyan Kingdom's capital. Wait there for some time, and He Xiao should return to court."

He Yue, however, pointed toward Baiqiuyuan. "I'd rather go to the battlefield."

Previously, he had only fought in the Yuan Kingdom. This was another fierce battle, thousands of miles away, and one initiated personally by his elder brother.

He Yue felt it was imperative to witness it firsthand.

Fu Shanyue quickly waved his hand. "Hey, the battlefield is merciless. If anything were to happen to you, He Xiao would come looking for me to settle the score."

"Your Highness needn't send an escort; I'll go by myself," He Yue said, staring at Baiqiuyuan on the sand table. "This matter has nothing to do with Your Highness."

"You've been to my office and seen the sand table; how could it have nothing to do with me?" Fu Shanyue scratched his head, then suddenly said, "Peach, you escort him on this trip."

"Oh, okay." The young girl beside him crisply agreed.

"Finally, I can go ashore for a walk!" Peach's almond eyes curved into crescent moons. She was thoroughly tired of staying on the island all day.

He Yue quickly said, "That's unacceptable!"

"Don't let her youth fool you," Fu Shanyue casually ruffled Peach's hair. "She could twist your head off in an instant without batting an eye. Besides, the Ya Kingdom people are fiercely martial, and your meager guard needs reinforcement."

"She will take you ashore at Bladeport and then head east. There's a refugee path that leads directly into Ya Kingdom territory; it was one of the secret routes the Bailong people used to escape the Ya Kingdom back then."

His words held an undeniable authority. He Yue found it difficult to refuse such a strong offer and could only say, "Thank you, Your Highness. I'm afraid Miss Peach will have to endure some hardship on this journey."

Peach tilted her head. "It's nothing."

Fu Shanyue then added, "I'll inform He Xiao so he can send someone to meet you."

He Yue could only express his gratitude, and then, guided by Guan Ke, he went to make preparations for his departure.

After He Yue left, Fu Shanyue stretched. "He Xiao's brother, he seems like a normal person."

"Is that a compliment or an insult, Your Highness?" Peach couldn't tell for a moment.

"His father carved out a kingdom, no matter how small Shen Kingdom was. As for He Xiao himself, it goes without saying that he unified the Golden Flash Plains, which had been divided for nearly a thousand years. If not for his brother's gentle and respectful demeanor and upright appearance, I would have thought this whole family was inherently rebellious."

Peach blinked. "Aren't you one to talk?"

"Who's the truly rebellious one, I wonder?"

Fu Shanyue ignored her. He walked to the sand table and gazed at it distractedly for a while.

Peach asked him, "Your Highness, are you worried about Emperor Jiuyou?"

Fu Shanyue did not mince words. "His previous incursions into Bailei and surprise attacks on the Ya army relied heavily on the element of surprise, which allowed the Ya Kingdom to suffer a major defeat. Why doesn't he quit while he's ahead? Now that he's advanced into the Ya Kingdom, he's fighting on their home ground, like being stuck in a quagmire. Our generals used to say that even combining the combat capabilities of all the Golden Flash states, including the Yao Kingdom, wouldn't match the Ya Kingdom's. Of course, that was before the Cangyan Kingdom was established."

Peach, hearing this, also grew concerned. "Will the Emperor lose?"

Fu Shanyue did not directly answer the question. "That fellow is craftier than a ghost. Though he often acts strangely or erratically, he rarely undertakes anything without being sure of success. Didn't he swallow the vast Golden Flash Plains in one gulp? However, war is full of variables. Against a powerful nation like the Ya Kingdom, how can one truly secure victory?"