Chapter 813: Repelling the Reinforcements

Sure enough, following Zhu San's declaration, his enforcer army surged forward with unbridled ferocity, rushing headlong towards the enemy lines. Each soldier seemed filled with adrenaline.

Despite the enemy numbering 200,000, their morale swiftly plummeted upon witnessing the extraordinary bravery of Zhu San's warriors. Even before direct engagement, profound fear had already seized control of most of their emotions.

It's vital to remember that while strength is important on the battlefield, courage and confidence often prove more decisive. Unlike individual duels, large-scale battles are deeply influenced by emotions, which are highly contagious and have a significant group effect. If a unit possesses an exceptionally strong will to fight and palpable killing intent, their collective combat capability will soar. Conversely, if individual timidity prevails, the unit's fighting strength will become negligible.

Though seemingly outnumbered, once the armies clashed, Zhu San's forces, with him leading from the front, utterly decimated the 200,000 Law Enforcer Alliance reinforcements, shattering their formations and causing widespread disarray. It's important to note that these enemy troops were sent as reinforcements, not to engage Zhu San's army in a life-or-death struggle. Yet, from Zhu San's perspective, this victory was non-negotiable. He was determined to secure it, regardless of the price, to avoid defying Xu Yang.

"Very good. This Zhu San fellow has quite the presence. Letting him replace the current alliance leader and manage this alliance on my behalf would be a sound decision."

Xu Yang, who had already completed the "harvesting" of Nong Wu's alliance, stood at the very edge of the city wall, observing every detail of the battlefield below. He keenly observed Zhu San's command of his forces, as well as the subtle details and ambitions he displayed. Such a talent was not someone Xu Yang would easily overlook.

"Alright, half an hour is up! Zhu San, your performance was commendable; I am very pleased. I am already considering further elevating your status within the alliance. You appear more suited to lead an alliance than some others."

Xu Yang's voice resonated loudly, effortlessly reaching every corner of the battlefield.

"What's happening? This Zhu San actually has the backing of a Heavenly Martial Realm expert!"

The generals of the three major alliances' enforcer armies were utterly stunned. They had never imagined that Nong Wu's dying plea for reinforcement would inadvertently drag all three alliances into such a predicament. These generals understood perfectly the implications of offending a Heavenly Martial Realm expert. Despite countless years of rigorous training, their strongest members only reached the third rank of the Earth Martial Realm. The gap between them and a true Heavenly Martial Realm expert was as vast as heaven and earth. Even with ten times their current courage, they would never dare to defy a Heavenly Martial Realm expert.

Only now did they finally grasp why Zhu San, with merely 50,000 troops, could project the momentum of 500,000. The reason was simple: he had a formidable power backing him, someone he could truly rely on.

Upon hearing Xu Yang's pronouncement, Zhu San, overwhelmed with emotion, immediately knelt before the countless warriors on the battlefield and prostrated himself towards Xu Yang's position in the air.

"Thank you for your acknowledgment, Lord A Yang. With you here, I know victory in this battle will ultimately be ours."

"Heh, does Zhu San really have to go that far? It's just a Heavenly Martial Realm expert! For him to grovel like a whipped dog... it's a disgrace to us, the alliance generals! He's a fourth-rank Earth Martial Realm expert, for heaven's sake; why such behavior!"

Among the three major alliances, the general clad in grey armor grumbled aloud, his voice precisely reaching Xu Yang's ears. A cold smile touched Xu Yang's lips as he raised his hand, drew his bow, and nocked an arrow. Another terrifying burst of arrow light, capable of piercing heaven and earth, instantly erupted. Effortlessly, and in full view of all the alliance soldiers, the general was obliterated.

"What! Is this the immense power of a Heavenly Martial Realm expert? My heavens, it seems that old bastard Nong Wu has truly doomed us this time! If we offend a Heavenly Martial Realm leader because of this support mission, we generals will never be able to bear the consequences when the higher-ups assign blame!"

The several generals leading the alliance army of over 200,000 were utterly stunned. One of the original five generals had been instantly killed by Xu Yang. The remaining four generals, on one hand, were terrified of Xu Yang's overwhelming power. On the other, they realized that continuing the battle would only deepen their conflict with the Heavenly Martial Realm expert. Such a responsibility was far too great for mere generals to bear.

"I say, you worthless lot, are you still planning to help Nong Wu's alliance withstand this catastrophe? Or perhaps you're all tired of your respective alliances' long existence?"

"Excellent. I've taken note of each of you. Before long, I will personally pay a visit to your main cities. When terrible things befall you, there will be no need to guess who was responsible — it will most certainly be me!"

Among all the powerful alliance leaders in the Northern Domain, only A Yang, the Heavenly Martial Realm expert standing before them, dared to so openly threaten to sweep aside other alliances of comparable strength.

"Retreat! My order: retreat immediately! We cannot afford to provoke a Heavenly Martial Realm expert. Continuing this fight will only worsen the situation!"

Indeed, after a brief conference, the four generals from the three major alliances swiftly reached a consensus. They then led the remaining 150,000 troops in a rapid withdrawal from the battlefield. Soon after, all alliance forces vanished from the battlefield, leaving behind only scattered corpses.

Zhu San, on one hand, ordered his enforcer warriors to clear the battlefield and gather spoils. On the other, he personally led 2,000 of his elite guards to Xu Yang, respectfully kneeling on one knee to salute him.

"Had you not personally arrived to shatter that impenetrable formation, we would have been utterly helpless. This victory is yours, Lord; Zhu San would not dare to claim any part of its glory!"

"Hahaha, Brother Zhu San, have you heard of the Holy Fire Divine Sect?"

Zhu San nodded solemnly.

"Of course! The true core of the Holy Fire Alliance is the Holy Fire Divine Sect. And you, Lord, are the sole master of this increasingly powerful force. With your strength and brilliance, I believe it won't be long before the entire western Northern Domain bows to your might."

Xu Yang nodded with satisfaction, patting the slightly plump general, who possessed a kind demeanor but was clearly not without his own shrewd ambitions.

"As I just stated, from this moment forward, you will replace your former master and become the new leader of your alliance!"