Chapter 8 of the Romantic Continent: Gods and Demons Jumping Around

The winter of 540 in the Fast calendar, much like the current situation on the continent, arrived swiftly and fiercely!

News came from the distant East Japan that, in the approximately two months since the Fast army arrived there, with the concerted efforts of Princess Kaguya and the vast majority of the East Japanese people, they had overthrown the tyranny, helped Princess Kaguya avenge herself, and restored her to the throne. Moreover, at the beginning of her reign, Princess Kaguya led the entire East Japanese population, following the example of Yunyang, to submit to the Fast Empire.

Near the end of the year, the region east of Fast was conquered almost without bloodshed. Combined with Fast's current military campaigns on all fronts, the annexation of Wu'an, Yasu, Chu Yue, and Pali seemed inevitable, marking a new step forward in the unification cause.

On the Chu Yue front, after nearly two months of fighting, the Shura army had captured the Chu Yue capital and was now pointing its sword towards the northwest region of Chu Yue. The retreating Dark Knights were gradually withdrawing to this area, and the two sides clashed again at Hujuzhou, a key town in the northwest of Chu Yue. If the Dark Knights were to lose this state, they would face a situation with nowhere to retreat.

Shura led his troops in pursuit to the walls of Tiger's Lair City, but did not rush to attack. After two months of continuous fighting, he had thoroughly figured out the Dark Knights' tactics. They lacked the overall combat strength of a regular, organized legion; they were complete novices in positional and mobile warfare. Their advantages lay mainly in individual soldier capabilities and superior strength in small-scale battles. Therefore, if the enemy adopted a strategy of breaking up large units into smaller ones to defend the city through urban warfare, it was something that could not be ignored to some extent.

However, these purely tactical issues were not Shura's primary concern. In fact, the Dark Knights, now only controlling a small corner of the northwest, would soon face their own problems.

Given the current situation in the northwest of Chu-Yue, most of the people have long since fled this war-torn land. Over time, farmland has been abandoned, and markets have collapsed. What will the Dark Knights use to pay their soldiers and ensure logistical support? If the Fast army controls the key routes in and out of the northwest, the enemy will crumble without a fight.

With this in mind, Shura stationed his troops beneath the city walls, constantly training his soldiers as if ready to attack at any moment, but in reality, he was waiting for an opportunity to throw the enemy into disarray.

However, despite this outward appearance, Shura was prepared for any eventuality. If the enemy saw through his scheme and launched an attack on the Fast army, Shura would be ready to annihilate this last remaining force in Chu-Yue, striving to take control of the entire region ahead of time and deliver a satisfactory result to Ye Tianlong. On

the other hand, just as Shura was leading his army to wipe out the evil forces that had retreated to a corner of northwest Chu-Yue, the self-proclaimed righteous gods finally lost their patience and made their move in Pali.

However, the location where the Protoss are currently making their move in Parry is not within the territory of Faust, but rather in the Rudian-occupied region, which they have conquered but which is plagued by chaos. As previously mentioned, although the Rudian army has conquered a vast territory exceeding that of Faust, their extensive rule and chaotic state have created a complex and multifaceted social landscape. The Protoss have a wide market there, and after this period of preparation, it seems they are ready.

Generals Shi Xuguang and Qing Ji are highly vigilant. Although the Protoss have not yet invaded the Faust territory, they understand that their ambitions extend far beyond Rudian, or even the entire Parry, and perhaps the entire continent. Therefore, while observing the battle between the Protoss and the Rudian army, they have already secretly made their own preparations.

In Rudian, the prolonged chaos since the occupation may have led some Rudian soldiers to a state of despair, making them almost numb to the various events that occur daily within their territory. At this very moment, the Protoss suddenly emerged from various parts of the Ludian territory, gathering a group of people who had lost their judgment and harbored hatred towards the Ludian army, and launched surprise attacks on the Ludian forces scattered throughout the region.

This abrupt uprising caught the Ludian army completely off guard; by the time they wanted to investigate and react, it was too late. Like a vast ocean separating the Ludian army, which was like an isolated island, by the time they understood what was happening, they had completely lost the initiative on the battlefield.

The Protoss themselves possessed a strong strategic awareness; they seemed to have suddenly produced a regular Protoss army, and then established so-called self-defense forces composed of a large number of participating civilians under its command. The Ludian armies, separated in various places, could not form a united force and could only watch helplessly as the Protoss army, leading a so-called rabble, defeated and devoured them one by one.

The precise planning capabilities displayed by the gods in this battle astonished Ye Tianlong, who was far away in the capital. He constantly reminded himself that such tactics must never be allowed to be used again against the Fast army.

The same news reached Ludian, and the young King Dan was furious. He felt deeply humiliated that the gods had so easily seized most of Pali's territory at such a high cost!

Enraged, he resolved to reclaim the lost lands at all costs. He immediately ordered the conscription of soldiers, the collection of grain, and the imposition of taxes to quickly build a fresh army to fight for the lost territory.

His idea was good, but the young King Dan never imagined that his decree would immediately ignite widespread resentment. He was unaware that the burden on the people was already beyond what was intended for the invasion of Pali. Although it seemed that a large amount of wealth was plundered from Parry, in reality, compared to the direct economic cost of launching the war, it was a 50/50 win. It barely covered the enormous military and logistical expenses, and the common people didn't feel any

benefit from the war. Already feeling they hadn't gained anything from the war and were instead burdened with even more, they were already very dissatisfied with the government. Now, with the government further increasing taxes, wouldn't the common people feel even more hopeless? How could they not complain?

Of course, Ji Wujiu's secret instigation played a significant role, using this opportunity to plunge Ludian into a chaotic internal crisis.

Some might think this would be a great help to the gods. If Ludian could reorganize its forces and reclaim lost territory, keeping the gods tied down in that chaotic region, wouldn't that be more advantageous for the Fast army? But let's not forget that the gods' ambition to unify the world is blatantly obvious; they will inevitably fight Fast sooner or later. Ludian was destined to be eliminated by Fast sooner or later. Since war with the gods was inevitable, and there was an opportunity to destabilize Ludian, what harm was there in engaging the gods sooner?

Indeed, that was the case. After swiftly seizing most of the former Pali territory from Ludian, the gods, seeing that Ludian was powerless to take action, quickly regrouped and turned their attention to Fast's territory, which seemed like another peaceful world.

Fast's soldiers were not surprised at all; they were well-prepared, as if waiting for the gods to make their move.

On the last day of Fast's year 540, the people of the entire continent were probably not in the mood to celebrate the New Year, for it was a year of great upheaval. Many did not know when this year-long continental war would end. But for all the soldiers of Fast within Pali, this day brought their most powerful enemy—the attack of the gods!

Facing the onslaught of the gods, the well-prepared Fast army appeared both calm and excited. They were calm because they were mentally prepared for the Protoss army to attack Fast sooner or later, and excited because after a long wait, they finally had a great opportunity to make their mark on the battlefield. Everyone was determined to kill as many enemies as possible on the battlefield and win the entire battle.

Although the Phoenix Dance Legion under Shi Xuguang and the Red Rider Legion belonged to two different legions, just like when they first joined forces, despite their different organizational structures, their actions were under the unified command of Shi Xuguang and Qing Ji. Facing the fierce offensive of the Divine Race, the two legion commanders remained calm and composed, directing their thousands of troops to first hold off the Divine Race legion outside their territory. Before the battle, they had decided to prevent the flames of war from spreading back into their already prosperous and stable territory

. After a night of fierce fighting, the Divine Race legion failed to breach a single position in Fast. With the arrival of the first rays of dawn in the new year, the Fast army managed to block the Divine Race legion outside their territory at a small city called Yuanping.

Meanwhile, Chu Yue's Asura army, after besieging the Dark Knights for nearly half a month, finally succumbed to their pressure on New Year's Day and launched a desperate breakout attack against the Fast army.

Shura didn't recognize the leader of the entire Dark Knights, but if Yuna were still alive, he would definitely remember that cold face. Yes, it was Kun Li, the Bloodwing Clan demon leader who had broken through the restrictions to come to the continent. It seemed that after choosing to cooperate with the Asu Beastmen, he had also won the cooperation of the Moon Temple. Leading the Dark Knights, a force composed of three major powers, was enough to demonstrate his formidable strength.

Shura's main force was stationed in five camps outside the city of Hujuzhou: front, middle, rear, left, and right. The remaining units were distributed in various fortresses and key roads in the northwest corner of Chu Yue, following the strategy of blocking the Dark Knights.

Seeing that the Dark Knights could no longer restrain themselves and had finally launched a proactive breakout, Shura was secretly delighted. Now, looking across Chu Yue, he had laid a net of heaven and earth. If the Dark Knights abandoned their defenses and attacked, they would be fish caught in the net, at Shura's mercy.

Seated atop his horse, Shura sneered and ordered his army, "The entire army, retreat twenty li!"

Immediately, just as the Dark Knights were about to launch their attack outside the city, the Fast army, which had been stationed outside for over half a month, vanished in a cloud of dust. The Dark Knights were in a precarious situation. To pursue them was too late; they feared falling into an ambush, having witnessed the Fast army's retreat. Not to pursue them, however, was a futile effort after their hard-won decision to launch a breakout, only to find themselves in a trap. Returning to the city was simply not worthwhile. The Dark Knights, led by Kun Li, found themselves in a dilemma.

"Send a hundred-man squad to scout ahead. Report back immediately, whatever the situation!" Hidden beneath his black robes, Kun Li flicked his whip, pointing in the direction of the Fast army's retreat, and commanded.

"Yes, sir!" A soldier immediately obeyed and departed.

A short while later, a troop of elite cavalry was seen pursuing the retreating army of Fast.

Less than half an incense stick's time later, a soldier who had accompanied the scouts reported finding fifty shi (a unit of dry measure) of grain eighteen li ahead, and also discovered Fast's army.

Kunli was overjoyed at this news; nothing could excite him more than the word "grain." The army had been subsisting on thin gruel, and this discovery of fifty shi of grain was a huge shock, so they didn't question why it had been found there.

"Advance eighteen li and set up camp where the grain was found. After the army has had a good meal and rest, we'll attack Fast's army. Haha, they're probably terrified by our proactive attack." Kunli, lacking experience in commanding troops and starving, completely disregarded basic military principles.

A staff officer advised, "General, something's fishy about this. We should think this over carefully!"

Kun Li, however, was only focused on the fifty shi of grain and paid no heed to the officer's sound analysis. He dismissed it dismissively, saying, "What's fishy about it? It must be grain left behind by the Fast army in their haste. Army, listen to my command, depart immediately!"

The staff officer shook his head, dissatisfied but unable to disobey orders.

After less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Dark Knights finally reached a point eighteen li outside Tiger's Lair City, where they retrieved the fifty shi of grain. They hadn't detected any unusual activity from the Fast army until the afternoon, so the Dark Knights peacefully set up camp there, stationing their main vanguard there and their main force fifteen li behind.

Having tasted the benefits of the fifty shi of grain and convinced that it wasn't a Fast army conspiracy, Kun Li was even more resolute in his decision to launch a preemptive strike.

After a hearty dinner, Kunli decided to set off that very night to continue pursuing the retreating Fast army. This time, many soldiers supported their commander's decision, as his previous decision had ensured they had a full stomach.

The newly erected camp, after only one dinner, was cleared and set off under Commander Kunli's orders. There was no moon on the first night of the new year. Although the Dark Knights all practiced dark magic, the entire army had to march at night in the pitch black, so they had to rely on a few torches. Therefore, when the Dark Knights set off, their torches shone exceptionally brightly in the darkness.

All of this was under Shura's watchful eye, but his grand show hadn't even begun yet; he was going to continue playing along with this strange, black-robed monster. He deployed his forces and retreated continuously, leaving the Dark Knights fifty shi of rations each time. He knew that fifty shi would only be enough for two meals, and he wanted them to be well-fed so they could participate in his grand scheme!

After pursuing them for over 150 li, from night until dawn, Kunli recovered the 150 shi of rations that Fast had specifically left for them on three separate occasions.

Along the way, from initially seeing scattered pieces of Fast army equipment to now seeing large quantities of Fast army armor and weapons, indicating a desperate escape,

Kunli completely relaxed his guard. If he had felt slightly apprehensive during the earlier pursuits, he was now entirely convinced that the Fast army had fled at the mere sight of them.

Two hundred li later, they reached another state city, Wenzhong. Scouts reported that the city was deserted. It seemed the Fast army had passed through the city during their retreat; although the soldiers were gone, a considerable amount of heavy equipment remained. Kunli, his confidence inflated to the extreme, had no time to think. He immediately ordered all troops to enter the city and set up defenses. In his view, this proactive breakout had yielded great results; they had captured a city in a single day.

By afternoon, all the Dark Knights had entered the city and were busy collecting various supplies.

However, while they were celebrating their capture, within a ten-mile radius outside the city, Fast's hundreds of thousands of troops had already surrounded Wenzhong City like an iron barrel. In an instant, Wenzhong City became an isolated city, and the Dark Knights' 100,000 main force was trapped like turtles in a jar, waiting for Fast's army to capture them.

This scheme had been planned by Shura from the very beginning. From the moment he noticed the Dark Knights' growing restlessness and their intention to launch a proactive attack, he had been plotting this grand scheme. The fifty shi of provisions left for Kunli along the way were like bait for fishing. Once Kunli was hooked and felt safe eating them, he would follow without a second thought, naturally entering Wenzhong City without any precautions. During the retreat preparations over the past two days, he had already ascertained the situation of the Dark Knights and had transferred all the other troops blocking their path. Now, he had successfully surrounded them; the next step was to devour this confident and evil force.

When the Dark Knights discovered they were completely surrounded by the Fast Legion in Wenzhong City, their regret was overwhelming. Kunli, in particular, had clearly led his 100,000-strong army into a dead end. Even if he and his highly skilled confidants managed to break through the encirclement, these 100,000 soldiers would undoubtedly be annihilated.

In this sense, the Dark Knights had mentally given up resistance. Although they outwardly reacted swiftly, strengthening city defenses and other measures, they knew that facing a Fast army several times their size, they had no chance of escape. Moreover, they knew that the more fatal problem was still the issue of food supplies. The supposedly abundant food supplies that their scouts had discovered when they entered the city were, apart from a small portion that appeared genuine, the rest were all carefully disguised by the Fast army. According to the latest estimates, even using the most economical methods, the city's food supplies would only last for three days. After three days, even if the Fast army didn't attack, they themselves would starve to death. Many soldiers felt humiliated at the thought.

Shura, having gained experience in the Heavenly Dragon Legion, had indeed made rapid progress in military affairs. He knew the situation inside the city, so he was unwilling to annihilate the enemy by launching a direct assault and sacrificing more lives. He continued his strategy of encirclement without attack. He believed that either the enemy, driven by anxiety and psychological pressure from their previous defeat, would launch another breakout attempt, or they would hold out until they ran out of ammunition and food. He believed he could annihilate the enemy in either outcome; the only difference was that the second might result in fewer deaths.

The impenetrable siege put immense psychological pressure on the Dark Knights, and with Shura deliberately sending men to lure them with delicious food, the siege lasted only one night before unrest broke out within the Dark Knights.

Shura resorted to another underhanded tactic, sending loud-voiced soldiers to instigate defections among the city's defenders. Whether or not they succeeded, this series of maneuvers had created widespread fear and prevented them from sleeping soundly.

Less than three days later, on the second day at noon, the Dark Knights guarding the city gates opened them and surrendered in neat, orderly ranks. This move initially baffled Shura. Could it really be that his few soldiers sent to the city walls had been able to turn them against their cause? This was too incredible! He had only intended to persuade a few weak-willed soldiers to defect, hoping to demoralize them, but instead, he had managed to win over all 100,000 Dark Knights—a true miracle!

However, after accepting their surrender and questioning them further, Shura understood. It turned out that the soldiers had discovered early that morning that their commander, Kunli, and several key advisors were missing. Upon closer inspection, they realized that Kunli, seeing that the situation was hopeless, had abandoned his 100,000-strong army with a group of trusted followers, relying on their exceptional skills. If their commander had acted

this way, what reason did the soldiers have to hold on? The wise generals discussed the matter and concluded that with the situation hopeless, further resistance would only lead to death. Since their commander had fled, what was the point of their resistance? Therefore, they decided to surrender decisively to avoid leading their 100,000 soldiers to their deaths.

Thus, Chu Yue's last resistance ended in such a dramatic fashion. With this, the entire territory of Chu Yue was now under Fast's control, and other minor issues were no longer a concern.

Just as Shura had promised Ye Tianlong, he had conquered Chu Yue in less than three months!

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Chapter 8 of the Romantic Continent: Gods and Demons Jumping Around

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