The battle at Tongling, topped off with Huangfu Xing's final palm strike, left only a little over ten thousand silver-armored troops out of Wanyang County's original forty thousand. Adding to this a Grandmaster Third Realm Sword Executor and the commander of these ten thousand Silver Armored Army troops, Gan Wu at the peak of the Dan Embracing Phase, the thought of holding off the seventeen thousand strong Yongzhou army led by Peng Yuhu with the Jade-faced Divine Fan himself, seemed like the delusions of a madman.
Thankfully, thankfully, there was still Xizhao Sword Chief...
As the Sword Executor from the Sword Control Bureau, a branch of the Wanjian Holy Sect, if Wanyang County were to fall, he would not escape death according to the Holy Sect laws. Therefore, at this moment, he almost placed all his hopes on the man before him, Gu Tianyun, relying on him to help defend Wanyang County.
Lu Guanqing's eyes, filled with hope, scanned the room from left to right, where twelve people stood, those martial experts brought by Gu Tianyun, whom he recognized. They were nearly all Grandmasters of strength comparable to his own. Now, to protect Wanyang County depended on Gu Tianyun and these individuals.
As he pondered, Gu Tianyun also spoke.
"Just block them at the city walls. How many defenders are left?"
This time, it wasn't Lu Guanqing who answered Gu Tianyun, but Gan Wu standing next to him. With a burly frame and rugged face, his armor still bore bloodstains, obviously from the ferocious battle on the city walls not long before.
"Reporting to Sword Chief, out of ten thousand defenders, only three thousand remain. If Yongzhou charges again, even with the Sword Array, it will be hard to hold them off. Fortunately, Lu Sword Executor has already sent people to conscript martial artists above the fifth level of body refinement from the city into service. Just give me another five thousand men, and I'll have the confidence to continue holding back the Yongzhou army!"
Gu Tianyun nodded at this, then turned his gaze to Lu Guanqing.
"The population of Wanyang County is roughly 1.9 million, among them, there are over forty thousand martial artists. More than ten thousand of these are martial artists above the fifth level of body refinement. Tianding Sect's over five thousand individuals have already been gathered by Tong Wudi and will soon be here. Although this conscription is mandatory, there will be those who refuse to obey. I estimate that, including the Tianding Sect's forces, we should be able to bolster our numbers to over nine thousand."
Hearing this number, Gan Wu's expression trembled, and he clenched his fist in salute, "With an additional nine thousand men and the Brass Sword Formation of Lu Sword Executor to assist, I can guarantee that not a step beyond the city walls will be taken by the Yongzhou army. It's just..."
Gan Wu hesitated for a moment before adding, "For some reason, the Yongzhou army is only focusing their attack on the west gate. If they divide their forces and attack us from all four directions, given our shortage of manpower, we are likely to be easily breached..."
Hearing Gan Wu's words, a confident smile appeared on Gu Tianyun's face. "Rest assured, with me, the Sword Chief here, if they divide their forces, it would be a path to certain death!
Gu Tianyun's words suddenly enlightened Lu Guanqing and Gan Wu, who recalled that the man before them was a Qiányáng realm martial artist. Their faces immediately showed exhilaration.
An army of a hundred thousand had a suppressive effect on Yin Yang Holy Realm martial artists. This was the confidence Yongzhou army had to lay siege to the city, knowing that Gu Tianyun was inside. Should they split their forces and Gu Tianyun seized the opportunity to strike, it would be catastrophic for the Yongzhou forces...
"Those two messengers should arrive in Longxiang County by tomorrow at the latest. The defending force of Longxiang County is not large; they will certainly notify the Prefectural City. It will take at least three days for reinforcements from Guangling Prefecture to come at full speed. Lu Guanqing, Gan Wu, as long as you can hold out for these three days, when I return to Xu Du, I will definitely speak on your behalf to the Sect Master for your merits."
"Thank you, Sword Chief. We swear to defend Wanyang County to the death!"
Hearing the two men's response, a satisfied expression appeared on Gu Tianyun's face. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly looked up in the direction of the west city gate, his expression turning grave.
"Zhan Taiqing has arrived!"