Tang San's PowerlessnessHeavenly Dou Imperial City.
Inside the imperial city, all was quiet. The entire city seemed shrouded in darkness, with very little light.
Only the heavy footsteps of the armored soldiers patrolling at curfew, and the clanging of their armor against each other, echoed through the streets.
Inside the palace, a somber atmosphere prevailed; the palace maids who usually roamed the palace grounds had been replaced by armored soldiers.
A soldier, wielding a talisman and employing an agility-based martial spirit, sped towards the Regent's Palace. The guards at the palace gates, recognizing the talisman, were horrified and flung open the tightly shut city gates. After passing through several city gates, the soldier encountered no resistance and entered the Regent's Palace.
Regent's decree: Military intelligence reports are urgent and no one may delay them; violators will be executed.
"Report!"
The heavy breathing of the armored soldiers was particularly jarring in the incredibly tense atmosphere of the Regent's Palace.
Inside the Regent's Palace, Regent Tang San, Prince Xue Xing, several Title Douluos from the Clear Sky Sect, Yu Xiaogang and other Shrek Academy teachers—everyone's face was etched with exhaustion. The situation on the battlefield was far too perilous; they simply had no time to rest.
Tang San, seated high on his throne, immediately averted his gaze from the map. His eyes, bloodshot from not having slept for dozens of days, were fixed on the armored soldier. His brows furrowed, and he said coldly:
"explain!"
"Reporting to King Lanhao, Xilu City... has rebelled!"
The soldier replied.
Upon hearing this news, a jolt of electricity shot through Tang Tian's mind, instantly snapping him back to reality. He immediately went to the map, staring at the geographical location of Xilu City, his expression instantly changing.
Yu Xiaogang's face was ashen, and he said solemnly:
"Xilu City is adjacent to the sea and is an important border town, with no natural defenses in the rear. If Xilu City falls, it means that the Spirit Empire will be able to advance unimpeded and form a pincer attack with the Spirit Empire troops at Jialing Pass against my main force retreating from Jialing Pass."
"If my Imperial troops had retreated any slower, they might have been completely wiped out."
The titled Douluo of the Clear Sky Sect were shocked upon hearing Yu Xiaogang's analysis.
Tang Xiao's brows were tightly furrowed; it could be said that he hadn't relaxed for many days.
For the past three years, the powerful figures of the Clear Sky Sect have frequently fought against the Soul Masters of the Spirit Empire. Due to their numerical inferiority to the Spirit Empire, they have been repeatedly worn down by the Spirit Empire, leaving everyone exhausted. If it weren't for the strength of the Clear Sky Hammer Soul, they would have collapsed long ago.
He slowly moved the flags marking the opposing sides on the military sand table, and after a moment, said with utmost solemnity:
"With the defeat at Jialing Pass, the morale of our 300,000-strong army has been completely shattered; with the surrender of Xilu City, the Martial Soul Empire has been able to advance unimpeded. As a result, nearly one-fifth of the Empire's territory, including vast plains in the south, will fall into the hands of the Martial Soul Empire. Can we... still win?"
Upon hearing this, the Prince's residence fell into a deathly silence.
The situation was completely unfavorable; a single misstep could turn the empire into history. Although Tang San had seized power within the empire, their fate was intertwined with the empire's; if the Heavenly Dou Empire perished, they too would face certain death.
After a long while, Tang San slowly planted the Heaven Dou Empire's military flag atop a pass, his tone filled with conviction:
"There is no longer any need to hold out in the southern part of the empire. Withdraw all troops to the north, implement a scorched-earth policy, prevent the Martial Soul Empire from sustaining its war through war, and lengthen their supply lines."
"Then, we'll stay here and keep them occupied."
Everyone looked in the direction Tang San pointed and saw that it was Zhennan Pass!
Zhennan Pass, as its name suggests, is the last line of defense for the Heavenly Dou Empire. With its high mountains and dense forests, it is easy to defend and difficult to attack. An attacker would need at least ten times the number of troops to breach Zhennan Pass.
"The Empire can still mobilize a million troops to defend Zhennan Pass to the death. Although our army is weak now, the people's hearts are still there. As long as we are united, we will definitely be able to hold the people of the Martial Soul Empire at Zhennan Pass!"
Tang San said with certainty.
Yu Xiaogang, of course, understood the characteristics of Zhennan Pass. He sighed and said:
"King Lan Hao, as expected, we can indeed hold off the Spirit Empire at Zhennan Pass, but we are equally unable to launch an attack there. If we cannot defeat the Spirit Empire's main force, we will ultimately only face a slow death..."
Tang San unconsciously clenched his fists, his gaze sweeping over the dejected and bewildered faces of the crowd, a sense of powerlessness washing over him. As the head of a nation, how could he not understand the situation on the battlefield? Taking a deep breath, he slowly said:
"Indeed, we cannot defeat the main force of the Spirit Empire. However, fighting at Zhennan Pass can greatly extend the Spirit Empire's supply lines. At that time, their army will have to disperse and occupy vast territories, and the situation will become deadlocked."
"At that time, we only need to wait for an opportunity to defeat their manpower and launch a counterattack in one fell swoop!"
Upon hearing this, everyone gradually understood Tang San's thoughts. For now, they could only stall for time, waiting for a turning point. If one appeared, they could retaliate; otherwise, they would simply wait to die.
But it all depends on fate.
Will God give them a chance to live?
Nobody knew, but everyone present knew that this was the best solution.
Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Several maids pushed the door open and entered. The one in the lead carried a steaming bowl of Eight Treasures Soup. She carefully looked at everyone present before respectfully addressing Tang San:
"Your Highness, seeing how hard you've worked day and night, the Empress personally prepared this Eight Treasures Soup for you. Please try it..."
Upon seeing the newcomer, Tang San remained expressionless and coldly said:
"No need, I'm not in the mood for drinking right now, and I don't want to trouble her anymore."
Tang San's indifferent attitude surprised the head maid, who wanted to offer some words of advice:
"But······"
Tang San's eyes turned bloodshot, a chill ran through the head maid, and he said coldly:
"Don't make me say it a second time."
The head maid felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. She almost dropped the Eight Treasures Soup in her hand. Trembling, she retreated outside the door, said "Yes," and left immediately.
Yu Xiaogang sighed inwardly. They had all witnessed Tang San's attitude towards Empress Xue Ke. However, this was ultimately Tang San's family matter, and after several unsuccessful attempts to persuade him, they couldn't say anything more...
······
The City of Hell, the Road to Hell.
The boundless ocean of blood suddenly began to surge into chaos.
The King of Hell folded his bat wings, sat on the road to hell, and silently gazed at the lava below. After a long while, he let out a sigh.
His clear eyes, no longer filled with bloodlust, were now brimming with reason and calm. Tang Chen had awakened from the control of the Crimson Nine-Headed Bat King, but he was now forever trapped in the City of Hell.
The road to hell was the path he had been searching for for many years, but his body was no longer fit to pursue it.
"Poseidon, I'm sorry, I can't even see you one last time. I'm trapped here forever, just like you, fulfilling my duties as High Priest..."
Tang Chen murmured, his voice filled with endless sorrow.
...(End of this chapter)