Because the Long Night Black Burning Army charged to the foot of Netherworld State City, the War Soul Dynasty Army was pushed to the surroundings, so when the Long Night Black Burning Army returned to the city, they could strike the regular soldiers of Long Night from both front and rear.
The irrational Lu Lungan still ordered to besiege the Long Night Black Burning Army at this moment.
As a result, the War Soul Dynasty Army once again fell into Sikong Jing’s trap, and this time, heavy casualties were inevitable!
The Long Night Black Burning Army and the Long Night regular soldiers charged madly, the War Soul Dynasty Army screamed on the battlefield, on the verge of collapse.
"Retreat, get back here quickly."
Lu Lungan and the others, their eyes nearly bursting from their sockets, finally realized the severity of the situation. No matter how much they hated, they had to forcibly regain their rationality, call back their troops to the city, or else they would be slaughtered.
And by the time the Long Night Black Burning Army returned outside Youye State City, a third of the War Soul Dynasty Army’s troops had already perished.
Another mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out, and Lu Lungan couldn’t bear it and fell to the ground.
In just two days, he stood on the edge of defeat, and worse, it was at the hands of the unknown Dark Wings.
Atop Youye State City, when Sikong Jing returned, Cao Yi and the other Vice Commanders all wore full faces of smiles, loudly praising him, almost bursting into song with the boost in their morale after this battle.
By contrast, the War Soul Dynasty Army was on the brink of collapse.
Vice Commander Wen Jun danced with joy, laughing as he asked, "Dark Wings, should we just take down Netherworld State City in one fell swoop?"
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone excitedly fixed their eyes on Sikong Jing.
However, what greeted them was Sikong Jing’s silence until the atmosphere completely cooled down, then Sikong Jing finally said, "As of now, taking down Netherworld State City or even the Twelve States of Youyuan is easy enough."
With these words, none of the Vice Commanders had any doubt, and they were full of battle intent.
"But... I am only the temporary Commander."
"Why should I take down the Youyuan Twelve States, and who will remember our merits?"
Instantly, the previously excited crowd felt as though they were struck by a heavy blow, their expressions turned ashen with despondence.
Sikong Jing looked deeply at everyone and continued, "As of now, our messages definitely cannot reach His Majesty’s hands, and naturally, our accomplishments can’t either. When the new Commander arrives, everything will be accredited to him."
"Why should we make wedding dresses for others?"
Cao Yi and the others trembled, their fists clenched white.
Indeed, no matter how well they performed here, it was useless. It couldn’t possibly reach His Majesty’s hands; it would be intercepted by Ji Tan.
When the time came, all the achievements and performances could only be deceptively passed on, handed over without a fight.
If the Beigong Commander were still alive, perhaps he wouldn’t care about merits for the sake of the Long Night cause, but now it was Sikong Jing.
And Cao Yi and the others were very clear that the new Commander who would soon arrive must be a man of Eldest Prince Ji Tan.
That was the enemy, the one who was plotting to assassinate His Majesty!
"Beigong Commander unwilling to give up the Youyuan Twelve States, I respect Beigong Commander and am willing to fight for him, but I also have my own principles. I’m not so noble towards the Long Night Empire, I won’t leave achievements for the enemy."
"All I need to do is preserve Beigong Commander’s hard work and ensure that the Youyuan Twelve States are not overrun."
One by one, the Vice Commanders hung their heads, full of unwillingness.
Wen Jun couldn’t help but growl lowly, "Damn that Ji Tan, do we really have no other choice?"
No one paid attention to him; they all stood in the thorny bushes, unable to extricate themselves.
Unless they gave up on the Youyuan Twelve States now and led the army back to the Long Night Imperial City, there was no other way... But still, that went against the will of the Beigong Xianfeng, would kill countless Long Night citizens, and could not be done!
At that moment, a Vice Commander with bloodshot eyes asked, "Dark Wings, if you just wanted to hold out, you could have avoided attacking altogether. Why then did you lay siege to Netherworld State City twice?"
This question made everyone, including Cao Yi, turn to Sikong Jing, equally puzzled.
With Sikong Jing’s commanding capabilities, defending would be too easy, yet he insisted on launching two strong attacks—why?
Upon hearing this, Sikong Jing chuckled eerily and said, "Because I need to ensure that everyone in the Long Night Black Burning Army, from top to bottom, deeply remembers me. I want all the common soldiers to only recognize me, Dark Wings, and not acknowledge the New Commander."
"I also need my commands to be able to mobilize the Long Night Black Burning Army completely."
As he spoke, a sharp glint shone in Sikong Jing’s eyes, revealing his overwhelming arrogance.
Cao Yi and the others immediately understood. Eldest Prince Ji Tan certainly wanted to take control of the Long Night Black Burning Army, and Sikong Jing intended to foil his plan, ensuring that even with the Commander Seal in hand, he still couldn’t mobilize the Long Night Black Burning Army.
For the name "Dark Wings" would, after a series of crazy victories, be etched deeply in their hearts, unshakable.
"Now is still not enough. From now on, I will visit Netherworld State City daily until the New Commander arrives."
Sikong Jing swept his gaze over the crowd and spoke emphatically.
He needed to continue making an impact, to leave an even more profound impression within the Long Night Black Burning Army and to completely conquer everyone.
The Vice Commanders didn’t argue; they fully supported Sikong Jing’s decision.
Thus, the coming days turned into a nightmare for Lu Lungan and the others, as Sikong Jing visited Netherworld State City daily, altering his soldier formations and attacking the War Soul Dynasty Army each day.
He led the Long Night Black Burning Army to attack at will and return jubilantly.
And every day, Lu Lungan spat blood, nearing the brink of madness.
On the early morning of the sixth day, the Long Night Black Burning Army arrived as scheduled. This time, Lu Lungan didn’t even bother going up the city walls; he was currently packing up, as the War Soul Dynasty Army had completely lost their battle intent.
Today, the brat from Dark Wings was very likely to storm the city.
Without any confidence in his ability to defend, the only option left for Lu Lungan was to flee if Netherworld State City fell.
However, on this day, Sikong Jing did not appear outside of Netherworld State City, and the Long Night Empire Army simply surrounded it without attacking, leaving Lu Lingun completely baffled... He didn’t understand what the brat from Dark Wings was planning.
Was he going to continue toying with him?
And Lu Lingun was unaware that the terrifying Dark Wings brat, in his eyes, was still in the Youye State City of the Long Night Empire.
He had received news that the New Commander had arrived, and so had the Eldest Prince Ji Tan!
Soon after, a Court Divine Airship from the Long Night Empire arrived and hovered high above Youye State City. When Sikong Jing and the Vice Commanders gathered, the voice of an Old Eunuch came from above.
"Delivering the Imperial Edict..."
At the utterance of those three words, Cao Yi and the others knelt one after another, but Sikong Jing stood firm on the spot, unyielding.
The Old Eunuch glared and asked in a low voice, "Dark Wing Commander, the Imperial Edict has arrived—why do you not kneel?"
The Eldest Prince was well-informed about the disposition of the Long Night Black Burning Army.
And Sikong Jing, with his unmistakable mask, was naturally recognized as the Dark Wing Commander who had previously risen to prominence in the Court Hunting Ground.
Everyone looked at Sikong Jing, signaling to him with their eyes.
Yet Sikong Jing remained unwavering, stating indifferently, "As the acting Commander-in-Chief, with the war right in front of us and fully clad in armor, it’s inconvenient for me to kneel and I have no desire to kneel."
Sikong Jing’s voice was resolute and powerful, firm without any hint of fluctuation.