Lance Xuanyuan didn't say a word; his face fell. He, a dignified Great Grandmaster, couldn't even beat a mere Grandmaster.
Seeing this, Ian Song shook his head, sheathed Purple Thunder, and left.
Upon returning to Blood River City, Ian had Fiona Li report the results of the battle to Raymond Lei.
Hearing that the Assassin Camp had scored another major victory tonight, wiping out four more ten-thousand-man camps, Raymond Lei was once again overjoyed.
After all, taking down so many Strongarm Bull Devils on the battlefield always came at a great cost.
The next day, inside the royal palace of Prince Darius Ironhorn of the Strongarm Bull Devils.
After reading the battle reports from the Blood River front, his face darkened.
In just a few days, eight ten-thousand-man camps had been wiped out.
His domain boasted a population of eighty million and a military of one and a half million.
Five hundred thousand elite soldiers were always stationed in the royal capital.
The remaining million troops were spread out in garrisons across the territory.
Because the distances varied, each unit reached the Blood River at a different time.
He never expected the Human Race to seize this opportunity and wipe out eighty thousand of his men.
Even though he was furious, he kept his cool and quickly sent orders to the units heading for the Blood River, telling them to meet up first at a small city five hundred li from the river.
Once he arrived with the main force, they'd march to the Blood River together.
He also ordered the troops in the royal capital to speed up preparations and be ready to set out within three days.
Prince Darius Ironhorn's domain bordered that of the Third Prince.
When it came to population and military strength, the Third Prince was a step behind the Ninth Prince.
That's why he paid close attention to his Ninth Brother's every move.
After reviewing the latest intelligence from his spies, Prince Seth Ironhorn thought to himself, "Troop movements in Ninth Brother's domain have been frequent lately... Is he planning to go to war with the Human Race?"
The Strongarm Bull Devils were a fiercely warlike race—even princes often fought among themselves.
For example, Prince Seth Ironhorn and Prince Darius Ironhorn, whose domains bordered each other, often clashed in battle.
"This could be my chance. If Ninth Brother goes to war with the Human Race and wins, fine. But if he loses, I'll take his territory for myself!" At the thought, a sly grin crept across Prince Seth's face.
………
Blood River City, Assassin Camp headquarters, inside a simple conference room.
Ian Song sat at the head of the table, with twelve Martial Saints seated to his left and right.
On his left was Jason Song, on his right was Easton De—both late-stage Martial Saints.
Without any small talk, Ian Song began, “After last night’s battle, if Darius Ironhorn isn’t a fool, he’ll surely order the remaining troops not to head straight for the Blood River. Instead, they’ll likely rendezvous at a location behind the river before advancing!”
As he spoke, Ian Song hung a map on the wall.
He pointed to several spots on the map and said, “Here, here, and here—these are all possible rally points for the Strongarm Bull Devils. But we can’t give them the chance to gather, so my plan is to enter their territory today and intercept their troops one by one. Any objections?”
"Commander, your strategies are genius. Just give the order—we don't need to be consulted." Jason Song was the first to speak up. He'd only been following Ian Song for less than a month, but had already earned a First-Class and Second-Class military merit. The merits from last night's raid hadn't even been handed out yet, but at the very least he'd get a Third-Class merit.
So right now, he had absolute respect for Ian Song.
"That's right, we'll follow the commander's orders!" Easton De echoed, and the others quickly chimed in, all meaning the same: they'd follow whatever Ian Song decided.
Ian Song nodded in satisfaction. "No time like the present—let's move out!"
Half a quarter-hour later, Ian Song and his twelve men were already deep in Strongarm Bull Devil territory, more than three hundred li in. Just a few li ahead lay a Strongarm Bull Devil village.
"Commander, do we wipe out this village or not?"
Jason Song asked Ian Song for instructions, a cold glint in his eyes.
Humans and Devils were mortal enemies. If the Devils ever broke into human territory, they'd slaughter every village and city they came across, no exceptions.
This village had over five hundred Strongarm Bull Devils.
"Wipe them out."