Firefly Journey

Chapter 302 The World's Attack on Chu (12)

Following Simpson's strategy, the Chu army fought and retreated, offering little strong resistance.

The unusual behavior of the Chu army also caught the attention of the imperial high command. However, even if there was a trap, the land, cities, and resources they had acquired were real. They just needed to be more vigilant. They would deal with whatever came their way and accept whatever moves the Chu army made.

The allied forces advanced with unstoppable momentum, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake. They encountered no significant resistance and had already conquered two states of Chu, gradually approaching the heartland of the kingdom.

The Chu army was filled with righteous indignation, and calls for a counterattack suddenly arose. However, without orders from their superiors, no one dared to act rashly, and they could only retreat in frustration.

Lin Yuanran infiltrated the Imperial Army for a week.

Initially, his plan was to find Mond Toby, kill him, and then run away.

In reality, it's incredibly difficult to do.

For example, after he infiltrated the military camp, it took him three days to find out Mondstadt's residence, which was far from the Bison Legion's encampment and involved multiple layers of checks.

Lin Yuanran would have no chance of getting through this without using extraordinary means.

However, using the oracle would inevitably expose oneself, creating a dead end and a dilemma.

He could only temporarily impersonate a member of the Bison Legion and act according to circumstances.

Finally, a week later, he got the chance he had been waiting for.

With the situation at the front looking very favorable, Henry I was eager to expand his gains and decided to divide his forces.

He led the main force of the imperial army along the original route, while several grand dukes led smaller, peripheral troops to attack the less important towns of Chu, in order to ensure that the entire eastern expeditionary force advanced in a fan shape and avoid being surrounded.

Henry I's idea was excellent, and he immediately put it into practice. Mond, the commander of the Imperial Northern Expeditionary Army, had a distinguished military record and had fought on the battlefield for decades, so he was naturally qualified to lead a separate army.

Henry I continued to refine his ideas. To prevent any deception, he decided to split the Church of the Seven Gods into separate groups, each assigned to a different church, to prevent the extraordinary beings of Chu from concentrating their forces to attack.

After communication with the Fighting Hall, the Ancestral Church agreed to Henry I's idea.

Wind Chime volunteered, "The Dark Temple will follow Grand Duke Mondstadt, no objections, right?"

This was said to Henry I.

It didn't sound like a discussion; it sounded more like a notification.

Even though Mondl was a high-ranking official in the Empire, holding a powerful position, he was insignificant before the Church of the Ancestral God, and his thoughts were unimportant. Just like most of the poor, Mondl wouldn't care about their opinions.

Henry I did not want to offend the Church of the Ancestral God, after all, he was counting on them to lend a hand in the upcoming war of aggression against the State of Chu.

Who cooperated with Mond was actually irrelevant to Henry I. Since the Dark Temple had made the request, he had no reason to refuse and simply let it go.

No one had considered the reason why the wind chime made this request.

This will be the most regrettable decision Henry I ever made.

……

Henry I led the main force of the imperial army toward Xiangzhou. Once Xiangzhou was captured, they could then spy on Yuanzhou, where the capital of Chu was located. At that time, Chu would truly be defenseless.

Once the capital falls and the Chu royal family collapses, there will be no power left to stop the empire from annexing Chu.

The division led by Mond Toby was entrusted with an important mission by Henry I: to march south and attack Wenzhou, the main production area of ​​ebony.

Black steel is wear-resistant and forging-resistant, making it an extremely superior raw material for weapon forging. As long as its place of origin is secured, military equipment can be expanded indefinitely, thereby enhancing the strength of the Imperial Army.

The main force of the Chu army is currently engaged in a fierce battle with the main force of the empire in Xiangzhou, leaving them little time to spare. Wenzhou, located hundreds of miles away, does not have many garrison troops, and taking it should be a piece of cake.

Mond thought so too.

The troops under his command were mostly old soldiers transferred from the north. These men had fought alongside him for many years and were easy to use.

With the assistance of the Dark Temple, the small state of Wenzhou was practically a piece of cake!

The army marched towards Wenzhou. Mond was very bold, and he commanded his troops to ignore the surrounding cities and head straight for the largest mining base of Ulster, the White Cloud Mountains.

Once we take that place, the mission will be half accomplished. We can deal with the rest of Wenzhou later.

As night fell, the army halted its swift advance to rest and strategize for the final moments.

Mond Toby said confidently, "We will reach the White Cloud Mountains by noon tomorrow. According to the scouts, the garrison there numbers only a few thousand and is no match for us."

"Congratulations, Father! As long as we take over the White Cloud Mountains and acquire the production line for Black Steel Jade, we will have rendered a great service to the Empire. His Majesty the Emperor will surely be very pleased!" Locke flattered.

Mondl was pleased, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Hobbits, one of his old subordinates whom he had brought from the border, said, “Even so, Commander, you still cannot let your guard down. The black steel jade produced in the Baiyun Mountains is the most important raw material for forging weapons in the Chu Kingdom. They will certainly not give it up easily. It is unreasonable for a garrison of only a few thousand men. Beware of a trap!”

Mond nodded, approving of his meticulous old subordinate: "You're right, what our sentries saw might be what the Chu Kingdom wanted us to see."

However, regardless of the circumstances, the army has reached this point and there is no turning back. Tomorrow, whether they have thousands of troops or only a few thousand defenders, we must win this battle!

Our chances of winning this battle are almost 100%. Don't forget, there are still people from the Temple following us not far from our camp.

Upon hearing this, Hobbitt and the others, who had initially been worried that there might be a trap, gradually calmed down.

With the help of the Dark Temple's superhumans, how can we not break through the mountains?

“It’s not just the Dark Temple; I’ve also heard that the Papacy’s ‘Dawn’ Cavalry is located just ten kilometers outside of the city of Lotto,” Hobbitt said.

"They're here too?" Mond Toby was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "This Papacy is still as petty as ever. They clearly want a share of the pie, but they won't do it openly. Sending a cavalry regiment to try and gain some benefits is truly shameful."

"Very well, we'll still need them for the subsequent battles. So be it; the empire won't be short of food. The empire's ambition lies in the vast lands of Chu. These small gains are only of interest to those old men in the Papacy—they're truly short-sighted."

Mond Toby suddenly drew his longsword and swung it towards the camp gate:

"By the God of War, at noon tomorrow, I will lead the Bison Legion in the first assault to expand the empire's territory! May all go smoothly, and may the God of War protect your people!"

"May the God of War grant our army a resounding victory!"

Inside the large tent, the howling sound was incessant, rising and falling in waves.

Not far from the council tent, Lin Yuanran poked his head out of his own tent and looked at the distant sky.

“Your Holiness, you will see my stance tomorrow.”