Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains

Chapter 359: 188. Zhan Taiqing's Commitment_2

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Discounting those above the level of a Great Grandmaster, there are already eighteen Grandmasters, nearly thirty experts in the Dan Embracing Phase, and at least two hundred in the Gang Qi Realm, not to mention countless Warriors of the Tenth Level of Body Opening.

And this is just part of the forces mobilized for this military campaign. Looking higher up the chain, there are eight such prefectural cities within Yongzhou, and above each city is a Tao City, and above that, the Yongdu Main Altar — one wonders how many experts are there...

What we see before us is merely the tip of the iceberg of the Rakshasa Holy Sect!

Considering this, Hou Yuxiao couldn't help but feel a slight chill in his heart.

"The City-Protecting Sword Array is indeed formidable; it's difficult to withstand without being at the Gang Qi Realm. Rushing to attack would only lead to greater casualties. We should not act too hastily!"

As Hou Yuxiao was deep in thought, Han Feng spoke up.

His voice was sharp and distinctive, immediately drawing everyone's attention, including Master Fanyin, whose expression had been rather grim. He turned to look at Han Feng and after pondering for a moment, he said,

"All city-defending formations across The World originate from the Divine Dynasty. I have also heard of this Brass Sword Formation. It should be a simplified version of the Demon-Slaying Sword Formation of the Wanjian Holy Sect, with Gilded Gold, Silver, Brass, and Black Iron four grades. When activated, it can produce up to thirty thousand Flying Swords, each with the power of a Warrior at the Peak of the Tenth Level of Body Opening. Even a Great Grandmaster would not dare to trespass recklessly."

Zhan Taiqing paused for a moment and continued with a cold sneer, "However, in front of me, this Sword Array is still inadequate. I will deploy the Brahman Sect's sound domain to immobilize the Sword Array. As long as you break into the city and eliminate the defending troops, the Array will be useless!"

Han Feng shook his head and said, "This plan is not prudent. Gu Tianyun is still in the city and will not sit idly by while the master obstructs the Sword Array. If he intervenes to delay us, our army will still have to face the Sword Array and won't be able to advance."

Hou Yuxiao nodded subtly to himself, Zhan Taiqing's thinking was indeed too simplistic. Gu Tianyun's strength was widely acknowledged at Tongling, and once he engaged Zhan Taiqing, the pressure of the Sword Array would still fall on the besieging soldiers.

Strictly speaking, a forceful siege could still be hopeful, as Yongzhou's army numbered 170,000, and adding the 10,000 soldiers brought by Hou Yuxiao, that made 180,000. With Zhan Taiqing present, breaking through the defenses of Wanyang County City despite the Sword Array shouldn't be a big problem.

But the key point was that this 180,000-strong army wasn't just for taking down the Wanyang County City. To the east of Wanyang County lay Longxiang and Yangping counties, and across the Tongtian River from these two, there were six more counties under Guangling Prefecture. If they were to use human lives to fill the ranks, given the Sword Array's fierceness, casualties could exceed fifty thousand. How would they continue to fight after that?

Huangfu Xing had given Zhan Taiqing the order to capture Wanyang County within a month. Therefore, the current problem was not the urgent capture of Wanyang County, but how to take it with the least casualties in preparation for the battles ahead!

From the first day of August to the first day of September, a month's time seems generous, but the actual situation is not so simple. Peng Yuhu was able to reach Wanyang County so smoothly because the large-scale war initiated by Yongzhou caught Xuzhou off guard, with no time to respond adequately.

Thinking further, under such hurried conditions, it was quite impressive for Gu Tianyun to organize the remaining forces from the two conquered counties and Wanyang County's own soldiers to hold out in the county city.

Currently, they are only facing a single Wanyang County City. If they hesitate and fail to capture it quickly, not to mention distant reinforcements, just the reinforcements from Longxiang and Yangping counties — with an estimated strength of twenty to thirty thousand each, amounting to at least fifty thousand — would put their own army in a perilous situation if they were to arrive and coordinate an attack with the forces inside Wanyang.

"To quickly capture Wanyang County, while minimizing casualties to prepare for the subsequent battles, is not easy to manage while balancing both concerns!"

Hou Yuxiao shook his head privately. He did have some ideas in mind, but ultimately, he didn't consider this two-province war his own concern. He was merely following along with the Rakshasa Holy Sect to see if he could gain any advantage, which was why he didn't offer any suggestions and simply waited calmly for the others to reach a conclusion.

Unfortunately, Hou Yuxiao's indifferent and detached demeanor was quickly noticed by Zhan Taiqing. Already irritated, she narrowed her beautiful eyes at him upon seeing his attitude.

"I've always heard of the Family Head's resourcefulness. Why so silent now? Could it be that the Master of Hou Family still harbors second thoughts?"

Hou Yuxiao had already sensed her gaze upon him, and at her words, he bowed and hurriedly replied, "Master sees clearly, now that I have come to Wanyang County with the master, how could I harbor second thoughts? If the master has any orders, whether it be to storm the city or climb a mountain of swords and descend into a sea of fire, I will not hesitate!"

After Hou Yuxiao finished speaking and saw the smile on Zhan Taiqing's lips, he immediately regretted it.

"Since no other good plan exists, we may have to resort to storming the city later. The Hou Clan's army should be arriving soon, right? When they do, I'll have the Family Head lead the charge, followed closely by my Yongzhou army. We are bound to capture Wanyang County City in one fell swoop!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Fan Longhe immediately showed a grin, and Peng Yuhu along with the three commandants also revealed a hint of relief on their faces.

There was no need to mention Fan Longhe, who couldn't wait for Hou Yuxiao to meet his demise. As for Peng Yuhu and the others, it was easy to understand their thoughts: with the Hou Family leading the charge, they would bear the brunt against the Brass Sword Formation and the city's defenders. This way, their own forces could avoid casualties, naturally making them feel more at ease.

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