The First Princess’s heart was heavy with sorrow.
The mighty army of Dayue Kingdom was at the gates, their vast forces like a pack of fierce tigers, threatening to devour everything in their path. The two City-Destroying Cannons were like prehistoric giant beasts, devouring the heavens and the earth.
With only Jia Yueguan and its legions of four million people, there was no chance of winning against Dayue Kingdom’s army.
If they continued to resist stubbornly, once the City-Destroying Cannon took down the walls of Jia Yueguan, the soldiers of Dayue Kingdom would breach the pass, resulting in a massacre!
Princess Chang could already envision Jia Yueguan’s fall, its grounds strewn with bodies.
Seeing the soldiers starting to lose faith, Wu Jian said, "Think about it, soldiers. If we call for peace now, we might still be able to maintain a semblance of peace in Shenwu Kingdom!"
The Fire Spirit also chimed in with a laugh. "I think Brother Wu Jian is right. Living in peace is far better than constant bloodshed."
Princess Chang and Chu Jiangliu remained silent.
Both Ji Bei and Ji Bai let out a sigh. They seemed to be out of options.
In Jia Yueguan, among the ranks of the four million soldiers, one of the men broke the silence. "May I ask the princess, if we agree to negotiate, what will happen to the fate of Shenwu Kingdom? Will we divide the southern regions to Dayue Kingdom, or will the entire territory of Shenwu Kingdom become a subsidiary state of Dayue Kingdom?"
"What? Surrender our Southern Region to Dayue Kingdom? I am a Warrior from the Southern Region, I can’t stand to watch my fellow soldiers slaughtered by Dayue Kingdom, and you wish for me to kneel and bow to them? I can’t do that!"
"If Shenwu Kingdom becomes a vassal state, then what’s the point of our existence? Is it to fearfully kneel on the ground?"
"As Warriors from the Southern Region, Dayue Kingdom have slaughtered too many of our own. We must seek revenge."
"Exactly. The blood of the Southern Warriors has been spilled far too plentifully. There is no way we could accept peace terms that involve giving the Southern Region to Dayue Kingdom, let alone bow to them."
"If the condition for peace is Shenwu Kingdom becoming a vassal state, then what about us in the Eastern Region?"
"Yes, what happens to our Northern Region then, do we also fall under Dayue Kingdom’s rule?"
"What about my Western Region?"
"Three generations of my ancestors served in the military. If Shenwu Kingdom becomes a vassal state, how could I bring myself to face them?"
"You have three generations? My family has five generations of soldiers in Shenwu Kingdom."
"No! We cannot concede the Southern Region. Zhang Biao, as a Southern Warrior, I am the first to disagree."
"I, Li Shan, as a Southern Warrior, also disagree."
"Southern Warriors, do not agree to surrender the Southern Region to Dayue Kingdom!"
"Losing our Southern Region would only endanger our Western Region as well. We cannot accept such terms, let alone becoming a vassal state."
"Brothers, since we don’t want our homeland to become a territory of Dayue Kingdom, let’s protect it with our lives! Fight to the death, no surrender!"
"Fight to the death, no surrender!"
"Fight to the death, no surrender!"
"Fight to the death, no surrender!"
Inside Jia Yueguan, after raucous debates, one Warrior shouted, immediately matched by the cries of four million people.
"Fight to the death, no surrender!" echoed across the sky, shaking the heavens and the earth.
Princess Chang looked expressionlessly at the four million soldiers of Jia Yueguan, a trace of satisfaction appearing on her face.
Chu Jiangliu, Ji Bei, and Ji Bai were all overwhelmed by this display of military might, trembling with excitement.
Wu Jian, Fire Spirit, and Murong Qi looked at the four million soldiers with disbelief on their faces.
Wu Jian pointed angrily at the gathering of soldiers, his voice full of disdain. "You! You! You’re all a bunch of fools, like ants marching to their deaths, rushing towards death."
Fire Spirit also chuckled. "I think Brother Wu Jian is right. Even if you refuse to surrender, it’s nothing more than a last-ditch struggle. If you want to meet your deaths, then go meet them."
"A swarm of ants, oblivious of your own mortality!"
Fire Spirit and Wu Jian roared angrily.
The other Warriors from the Canghai Yuntai Palace laughed contemptuously at the soldiers.
"You, Warriors of Canghai Yuntai Palace, claiming to be the leading sect within Shenwu Kingdom, yet when the kingdom faces a dire situation, you not only withhold your assistance but also stir up trouble and incite chaos among the ranks of our army. Such intentions are deserving of punishment!"
Princess Chang glared icily at Wu Jian and Fire Spirit as she spoke.
Wu Jian returned her gaze, laughing coldly. "Oh? Does the princess want to challenge me? It would be a good opportunity, seeing as we’re both on the Shenwu Genius List."
The princess laughed coldly. "I’m not interested in a duel with you! Agent Chu Jiangliu, seize Wu Jian and Fire Spirit. If they dare to resist, kill them with a shower of arrows immediately!"
"As ordered!" Chu Jiangliu accepted the command, a cold smile on his face as he looked at Wu Jian and Fire Spirit.
Wu Jian spoke coldly, "Do you really think you can take me, Chu Jiangliu? In a single combat, you are no match for my three sword strikes!"
Chu Jiangliu laughed coldly, "That’s why I have no intention of facing you alone."
The color drained from Wu Jian’s face as he heard this.
Chu Jiangliu roared, "Follow my orders, seize all the Warriors from Canghai Yuntai Palace!"
Wu Jian roared angrily, "Who dares!"
At that moment, as soon as Chu Jiangliu’s command fell, an arrow flew out of Jia Yueguan, hitting Wu Jian in the chest.
Simultaneously, tens of thousands of soldiers swarmed towards them like a flood!
Ten thousand, tens of thousands of soldiers charged forward.
Caught off guard, Wu Jian and Fire Spirit were immediately swarmed by the crowd. They tried to retaliate with their sword skills, but they were quickly overwhelmed by the sea of people.
When the crowd finally cleared, Wu Jian and the Fire Spirit had been severely beaten and were lying lifelessly on the ground.
Two soldiers immediately stepped forward, took Wu Jian and the Fire Spirit into custody, and pushed them against the wall.
The princess now drew her Treasure Sword from her storage bag, raising it in the air, "Fight to the death, no surrender!"
As the First Princess shouted, the crowd surged.
"Fight to the death, no surrender!"
"Fight to the death, no surrender!"
"Fight to the death, no surrender!"
The Spirit of Jia Yueguan was at an all-time high, with four million people roaring in unison, their voices echoing into the heavens and shaking the earth.
Just then, the City-Destroying Cannon unleashed its devastating power.
A silver light beam hit the wall, leaving a considerable hole.
Seeing this, Tuoba Feng cried out joyfully, raising his sword and shouting, "Charge! Whoever breaches Jia Yueguan will be rewarded with ten thousand Spiritual Stones!"
The City-Destroying Cannon Legion and the Black Moon Legion rushed into the gap in the wall.