From now on, even when facing formidable opponents in Hexi, as long as we're not fully prepared to retreat, we must fight to the end, even in the face of certain death. Once we collapse, it's nothing short of a disaster.
"How are our casualties?"
"The Red Flame Army has suffered the most, with a total of 32,982 people, and the Zhaoyang Army comes next, with 12,193 people. Together, that's roughly forty-five thousand people. That's the situation in Luo Mountain Valley!"
Another thirty thousand. The Red Flame Army also had over thirty thousand casualties in the battle of Hei Miao City. Now, we haven't even taken Nanjiang, and we've already lost sixty thousand elite troops. Hou Yuxiao's expression grew slightly solemn. Although he understood that, by comparing casualties, Hexi was definitely victorious, the Red Flame Army was the ace force of Hexi, and to lose sixty thousand soldiers like that was painful, not just for Hou Yuxiao but also for Gao Changlong, who also showed signs of distress.
"Big brother, I'm back!"
Just then, Hou Yucheng returned as well. He had led the Red Flame Army to chase down the defeated Zimiao Army, and now he seemed full of vigor, evidently having achieved a notable victory.
"What's the situation?"
"The Zimiao Army was utterly defeated by my Red Flame Army, fleeing all the way back to Qingmiao City. Our soldiers' war horses were not with us; if we had them, we could have killed at least another twenty or thirty thousand of their men."
Hou Yucheng spoke like someone with a fever for warfare, his spirit soaring as he talked about the battlefield. After reporting on the victory, he went on to describe in detail the enemy casualties.
"We pursued them all the way to the edge of Fei Peng Mountain. Although we didn't count the exact number of enemy dead, rough estimates from reports put the total at over one hundred and ten thousand, not including those missing or lost in the mountains. I estimate that the actual number of Zimiao Army casualties outside the valley might be close to a hundred and fifty thousand.
Our own casualties are also significant: over nine thousand people. I reached the western exit of Fei Peng Mountain, only twenty-some miles away from Qingmiao City. Feeling it was too close, I ordered the army to temporarily station there and returned to report to big brother."
Over nine thousand people. Hou Yuxiao's mood sank slightly. Adding Luo Mountain Valley into account, the Red Flame Army had lost over forty thousand troops. By that count, the Red Flame Army was now down to less than two hundred and thirty thousand.
Seeing Hou Yuxiao's suddenly gloomy expression, Hou Yucheng was at first puzzled. But after hearing from Gao Changlong the full extent of the Red Flame Army's casualties, he quickly sobered up.
"Second Elder, come with me to see the Red Flame Army. Gao Changlong, you hasten the march on this side. Once we're out of Fei Peng Mountain and the main force has rendezvoused, we'll march on Qingmiao City together. I want to reclaim every single loss that the Red Flame Army has suffered in Qingmiao City, down to the last one!"
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Qingmiao City, Temple
Zhantai Wuyuan sat in his esteemed seat, looking at Duanmu Hong and the five others who had returned from Luo Mountain Valley, and asked softly, "So, has the Hexi army tasted success and sped up their march?"
Duanmu Hong and Qing Xuan both nodded.
"Ying Changtian, how are your preparations coming along?"
Behind Duanmu Hong, one of the six powerful Broken Realm figures stepped forward with a trace of pride and said, "Please rest assured, Young Master. Your subordinate has made all the necessary preparations. Whether or not the Hexi army can take Qingmiao City is entirely within the Saint Heir's control!"
After speaking, the person took out a golden bead from their hand and used their power to gently float the bead to Zhantai Wuyuan's front.
Zhantai Wuyuan took the bead, showing a slow nod with a smile on his face.