Chapter 612: Soldiers Only Need to Follow Orders, But a Commander Has Many More Concerns
Boom! Boom! Boom!
In the sky, high-altitude reconnaissance soul tools exploded one after another, brilliant bursts of fire blooming before blackened debris, trailing thick smoke, plummeted toward the ground.
The soul cannon shells, meant to blast Xuanzi apart, never even reached him before being obliterated midair by his meteoric, earth-colored energy spheres.
For a time, continuous explosions thundered across the sky.
Below, soul tool batteries continued their relentless bombardment, but now, Shrek Academy's powerhouses and Star Luo's elite warriors had joined the battle.
Using powerful soul skills, they suppressed enemy artillery and assisted Xuanzi in destroying more high-altitude reconnaissance devices.
Hiding within the forest, Wang Yiheng, leader of the Evil Monarch Soul Engineer Regiment, observed the Shrek elites rampaging in the sky with a look of mocking disdain.
It was as if he could already see their inevitable defeat.
His thoughts raced.
"Just as Tower Master Huo and the Marshal predicted, the moment Shrek's forces completed their reconnaissance, they launched a large-scale counterattack. These Titled and Super Douluo must be the vanguard, and soon, Star Luo's army and Heavenly Soul reinforcements will charge in."
"With Elder Kong here, they don't stand a chance. Time to execute the Marshal's plan."
Behind him, his troops shifted restlessly, their gazes locked onto him, waiting for his order to strike.
But as soldiers, they knew orders were absolute without Wang Yiheng's command, they would not move.
Turning to face his men, Wang Yiheng calmly declared,
"Abandon the battlefield and retreat immediately. Some of you may question this order, but this is the Marshal's plan. As soldiers of the Sun Moon Empire, our duty is to follow commands!"
He didn't bother to explain further.
After all, soldiers only need to obey orders it was the commander's job to consider the bigger picture.
Only the higher-ups knew the full details of the strategy: feigning temporary defeat, baiting the enemy to advance deeper.
The Sun Moon army stationed at Mingdou wasn't trying to win outright but to preserve their forces, even if it meant ceding territory for now because in due time, they would take it all back.
In war, final victory mattered, not temporary gains or losses.
Meanwhile, the Evil Monarch Regiment would secretly maneuver behind enemy lines, cutting off the enemy's retreat route and trapping them.
"Yes, sir!" his troops responded in unison.
Moments later, they withdrew from the battlefield.
Similar scenes unfolded across Mingdou Mountain Range.
When the Star Luo Army and Heavenly Soul reinforcements arrived, ready for battle, they were shocked to find the enemy fleeing en masse.
Seeing an opportunity, Star Luo's forces pushed forward aggressively.
However, the Sun Moon Empire's flying soul tools provided them greater mobility, meaning their soldiers often retreated faster than Star Luo's forces could pursue resulting in fewer enemy casualties than expected.
Some time later.
In the midst of the advancing army, Xu Jiujiu, flanked by elite guards and powerful warriors, awaited an urgent scout report.
A tall, battle-worn scout knelt before her and delivered his message.
"Commander, per your orders, our forces and the Heavenly Soul reinforcements launched a full counterattack. Our momentum was unstoppable, and wherever we marched, the Sun Moon Army scattered in defeat!
"We have fully reclaimed our lost territories on the Mingdou Mountain front!"
"All of this is thanks to your brilliant command, Commander I even heard the frontline soldiers hailing you as Star Luo's first 'Goddess of War'!"
"Goddess of War," huh?
The title had a nice ring to it it implied she was a brilliant strategist, a young commander who had already successfully reclaimed lost ground in her first war.
Hearing the scout's praise, Xu Jiujiu couldn't suppress her joy.
With a smile, she replied,
"This victory belongs to all of us Shrek's reinforcements, our Star Luo warriors, and every soldier on the battlefield. Once we have fully secured our success, I will ensure every brave fighter is rewarded accordingly. Now, return to the front and continue scouting!"
"Yes, ma'am!" the scout saluted before activating his flying soul tool, soaring above the soldiers toward the battlefield.
At that moment, Xuanzi's voice boomed from above.
"Commander Jiujiu! Order the army to keep advancing! We must press into Sun Moon territory and capture as many cities as possible!"
A moment later, a streak of earthen light flashed across the sky, and Xuanzi landed before her.
Xu Jiujiu hesitated.
"Elder Xuan, to be honest, this all feels… too easy. I expected a brutal battle, yet we've reclaimed our territory with minimal resistance. Could this be a trap?"
She was well-read in military strategy and felt that pushing forward immediately might be reckless.
"Shouldn't we first gather intelligence on the enemy's current situation before invading Sun Moon's borders?"
After all, Mingdou Mountain Range was a natural border, with the Sun Moon Empire still controlling the opposite side.
Pushing further would mean entering enemy territory, which required caution.
Xuanzi waved dismissively, radiating confidence.
"Commander, you've read too many military books. War is ever-changing you can't just follow textbooks like a fool!"
"Many commanders throughout history met their downfall because they blindly followed doctrine instead of adapting!"
"Our rapid victory proves one thing our Douluo warriors are too powerful! The Sun Moon Army doesn't dare face us head-on!"
"And that means one thing: they lack the strength to stop us. Otherwise, they would've fought to the death instead of retreating."
"If the Sun Moon Army had Ultimate Douluo among them, they would have deployed them already! But they didn't! That tells me they don't have the firepower to challenge us!"
"So stop hesitating! Lead the army forward, and leave the Sun Moon elites to us!"
Hearing Xuanzi's bold analysis, Xu Jiujiu found herself convinced.
His reasoning made sense perhaps she had been overthinking.
If they delayed for too long, the Sun Moon Army might regroup.
Thus, she nodded decisively.
"Understood, Elder Xuan. I will order the troops to advance immediately."
Xuanzi nodded approvingly, giving her a "You have potential" look before soaring into the sky, preparing to cross into Sun Moon territory.
On the opposite side of the Mingdou Mountains,
Numerous Sun Moon soldiers stood at their soul tool batteries, waiting patiently for the advancing Star Luo and Heavenly Soul forces ready to ambush them with a devastating counterattack.
Inside the Sun Moon command tent, Orange paced back and forth as her trusted subordinates delivered their latest reports.
The trap was set.
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