CHAPTER 1927: CHAPTER 1920: INTERNAL DISCORD

The enormous explosion startled Oklo Laf, nearly causing him to slide off his chair. The base was thrown into chaos due to the explosion, and it took a while before an officer fearfully came forward to report, "Commander, we have been shelled, but thankfully, the shells did not land within the camp."

"Where did the shelling come from?" Oklo Laf asked in surprise.

"It should be..." The officer’s eyes rolled carefully as he answered, "It should be the Lipei Defense Forces..."

"How could this be? We haven’t even started the war yet."

Oklo Laf was even more surprised.

"Moreover..." the officer paused before continuing, "we haven’t received the supply from Lipei today; the situation is not looking good."

"How could this happen? Why would Lipei suddenly turn hostile?"

Oklo Laf started to become anxious as well.

The unexpected shelling was a sufficient scare, making him abruptly realize that the base was not safe and was within the fire range of the Lipei Defense Forces.

The shelling just now was merely a warning; otherwise, the shells would have directly hit the camp.

He originally thought that the artillery range of the Lipei Defense Forces was a hundred kilometers, at most no more than a hundred and twenty kilometers, according to the intelligence the Aud Army obtained during the last Lipei internal turmoil.

However, it became apparent that their intelligence work was not adequate, and the fire coverage of the Lipei Defense Forces was far beyond this.

In fact, ever since the Western Corps approached the Lipei border, they have been within the range of the Lipei Defense Forces, who could initiate shelling at any time but hadn’t done so until now.

Thinking of this, Oklo Laf felt terrified, and a cold sweat broke out.

As he was lost in thought, an unexpected visitor arrived, seemingly unraveling the reason behind the shelling.

"Aoker," Brolan stormed into Oklo Laf’s tent with several followers, frowning and questioning, "How did you choose the site, and why did you decide to camp within the artillery range of the Lipei troops for a long time?"

"The camp has never been shelled by the Lipei troops before you arrived," Oklo Laf, facing Brolan’s accusation, responded coldly.

"What do you mean, are you suggesting that we caused the shelling incident?"

"Isn’t it? Think about what you have done. Before you came, Lipei’s shells never left their border." Oklo Laf said angrily.

"I’ve heard," Brolan pointed at him, harshly speaking, "You are colluding with the Lipei troops, named confrontation, but in fact, you are compromising. His Majesty ordered you to attack Lipei, yet you remain inactive, allowing Lipei to collude with the Church Court. Aoker, how dare you."

"Don’t use His Majesty to pressure me; anyone can tell me I don’t understand warfare, except for you. Because compared to me, your skills are even less commendable!"

"You!!"

"No need to point fingers," Oklo Laf looked down coldly and said sarcastically, "Does His Majesty not understand, attacking the well-equipped and well-defended Lipei with ten thousand men means what?"

"Do you know why I’m not in a hurry to launch an attack? Because this is exactly His Majesty’s intention, just want to pin down Lipei. But you, as soon as you arrived, you think about how to capture Lipei. Did you see these shells? Lipei can throw shells onto the open ground, and they can also throw them into the camp, onto your and my forehead, you fool!"

"I will report your actions to His Majesty." Brolan pointed at him and cursed angrily.

"Feel free to tattle, go capture Lipei with your merit wagging before His Majesty."

"Do you think I don’t dare?"

"Of course you dare, go ahead."

Oklo Laf motioned, provoking Brolan.

"I ask you," suddenly thinking of something, Oklo Laf stared at him and asked, "Did you send people to ransack, rob, and burn in Lipei territory?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I ask you, did you let soldiers enter Lipei territory to loot?"

Oklo Laf raised his volume.

"You can, can’t we?" Brolan said confidently, virtually admitting it.

"So it was you guys, idiots!"

Oklo Laf was infuriated, gritting his teeth.

"Say that again!"

"Fool, idiot," Oklo Laf cursed loudly, "Why do such stupid things, why not inform me in advance."

"What my men do, I decide, who are you?" Brolan responded confidently.

"I’m certainly nobody, now bear the wrath of the Lipei troops yourself," Oklo Laf expressed his frustration, shouting, "We finally reached an agreement with Lipei, on the condition that the other side pays for peace, they send protection money to our army daily. This system was maintained well, and you scoundrels, just ruined it as soon as you arrived. Truly, a bunch of useless bastards!"

"So you really did collude with Lipei, as it turns out." Brolan looked incredulous, pointing at him and cursing.

"When His Majesty ordered me to lead the troops, he never said, we must have conflict with Lipei. Forcing them to pay tribute with military power, why not?"

"Instead, you all, when leading the troops, are full of ambitions, upon departure proudly, vowed to conquer Lipei in three days. And the result? Every day hiding outside the border, sending people secretly to rob, engaging in disgraceful conduct." Oklo Laf scoffed.

"A coward is a coward, using His Majesty as a shield, truly laughable."

"Fine then, why not seize the opportunity and take advantage of Lipei, giving the enemy an unexpected attack?" Oklo Laf provoked him.

"Do you think I don’t dare?"

"Of course you don’t dare, if you dared, why hide here spouting big words."

"You, you," Brolan was so enraged he couldn’t speak coherently, "I’m not like you incompetent people, only dare to hide outside the border, begging Lipei for food. Ha, saying they’re paying tribute, but it’s just begging, yet exaggerating their grandeur, truly laughable."

"You don’t need to provoke me, I will always adhere to His Majesty’s will, to restrain Lipei’s movements here until His Majesty conquers the Church Court..."

"Mr. Brolan, I hope you don’t forget, the Western Corps’ primary goal, is to march east and seize Masya, reclaim the third jewel on the Aud Empire’s crown. If troops and generals are lost here, even if His Majesty achieves victory over the Church Court, how then to face Masya?"

"Are you teaching me? Cowardice is cowardice, why find excuses, you don’t dare attack, I do. I’ll show you who is truly incompetent, and who really has strategic talent."

After speaking, Brolan left with his men aggressively.

Oklo Laf stared at his back, deep in thought.

Brolan was evidently preparing for some movement, but even now, Oklo Laf did not think of cooperating for combat; instead, he was contemplating ways to cut ties with Brolan’s army.

He didn’t want to send himself to death, nor did he want to be implicated with Brolan’s troops. The best course of action now clearly was to send people to infiltrate Lipei, inform them of Brolan’s army’s actions, and promise to sever ties in hopes of gaining Lipei’s forgiveness.

Even Oklo Laf did not realize that, unknowingly, he had begun to view Lipei as a respectable entity rather than an enemy to be fought to the bitter end.

Not long after Brolan left, the investigation results quickly came out, and an officer came to report to Oklo Laf, directly infuriating him.

"Damn it, they actually went into Lipei territory and started killing and burning. Brolan, that bastard, doesn’t he know Lipei values these things the most?" Oklo Laf slammed the table, cursing through gritted teeth.

"Logically," the officer carefully expressed his opinion, "Lipei has implemented a scorched earth policy, how could Brolan’s men seize such an opportunity?"

"What do you mean?"

"I suspect the people Brolan’s army attacked may not be Lipei’s own." The officer shared his thoughts.

"Then why would Lipei make such a big deal?" Oklo Laf asked in confusion.

"Maybe it’s to warn us."

"Hmm, that’s possible."

Oklo Laf nodded in agreement.