CHAPTER 653: CHAPTER 391: SIGNS OF DESPAIR_2

Seeing the smile on Wan Qiao’s face, Yan Xiaobao couldn’t help but smile as well, but deep down he decided he needed to prepare for the worst. "Everyone, gather around!" he shouted, and all the Saints did so. Everyone stood before him as he formed them into a circle.

"Tomorrow, I have a mission for Wan Qiao to handle. The Tibetan Empire may use their Saints to respond to our assault. If that happens, you all must join the fight and stop the Saints Team. If possible, kill them; if not, keep them occupied until you can join forces and take them down that way. Please remember, this is not a fair duel where you exchange blows. This is a war, and you must do whatever it takes to secure victory."

Hearing his words, the Saints nodded in patient agreement. They had heard Yan Xiaobao reiterate this point time and time again, but even so, he never let them forget that this was not the time for duels. Despite his constant emphasis on this, the Saints did not feel insulted; instead, they were comforted by how thoroughly the Great Marshall thought through how to win the war.

After speaking with the Saints, Yan Xiaobao departed from their gathering place and went on patrol once more. He performed his duties as a night watchman flawlessly. Walking back and forth, Yan Xiaobao paid close attention to everything around him. After some time, he finally paced through the dark surroundings and felt at ease. He overheard soldiers chatting with each other or celebrating being alive. The entire camp was filled with vitality, even though it was the middle of the night. Everyone seemed peculiarly exuberant for unknown reasons, and the tension that had pervaded earlier gradually dissipated. As the night came to an end, excitement filled the air. This was the second day of the siege of the Tibetan Empire Capital. This war would be discussed for years to come. Standing amidst the morning fog, their shoes soaked with dew on the ground, everyone fell utterly silent. The beasts awakened at dawn, completing their required daily routines. They eagerly found their positions ready to advance toward the city walls on the second day of the siege.

Not a single beast knew the task Yan Xiaobao had given Wan Qiao, but when they saw the seriousness on the faces of the Saints in front of them, they all shuddered. No smiles could be seen on their resolute faces. The Saints’ gazes were fixed on the distant city walls. Their vigilance was so heightened that the energy swirling within these experts made the surrounding air buzz. It was clear that everyone was ready for a fierce battle, and seeing this drove the beasts into a frenzy. They roared, they bellowed, but watching the Saints stretch their ancient bodies in preparation for combat caused energy to unknowingly erupt from the beasts. They roared louder now than ever before. Their war cries were so thunderous that, even at a distance, soldiers on the city walls could feel the shockwaves. While much of the power dissipated on the way to the city, some residual force reached the front line, pushing everyone back several steps before they steadied themselves.

The soldiers, forced to retreat, swallowed nervously as they realized the beasts’ roars were strong enough to drive them back. Yet they quickly steeled their resolve, regaining their positions and patiently awaiting the enemy’s approach.

When the weapons were once again dragged toward the high walls, the ground trembled. The crossbow cannons relentlessly fired massive bolts at the city walls and gates, intending to bring them down. These enormous bolts embedded firmly into the walls and gates, creating another advantage—the beasts using them to scale the walls. Upon reaching the top, they threw themselves into a desperate battle for survival. Beasts descended from the skies; beasts poured out of towers; others leaped up using giant bolts. This allowed the beasts to appear at various locations on the walls, enabling pincers attacks that instantly wiped out entire areas.

Humans employed their own tactics, taking down the beasts one by one, but their casualties were always far greater. Watching the multitude of beasts and their frantic combat, Yan Xiaobao turned away and unconsciously nodded, looking toward Wan Qiao. The woman stood behind him in the form of the Single-Horned Jasmine Hawk. She was enormous, standing there with a wingspan of twenty meters. Looking at her, Yan Xiaobao felt a sense of comfort, and before realizing what he was doing, he gently patted her head.

Smiling awkwardly, the young man turned back to the war and let out a heavy sigh. The task he gave Wan Qiao was no small feat; he knew there was a chance she wouldn’t return. But that’s war. "She’s the strongest of us all," he muttered to himself, "She’ll be fine."

Closing his eyes to steady his emotions, he opened them again, now free of hesitation. His eyes gleamed, his back straightened as he called out to Wan Qiao, "It’s time." He narrowed his gaze, speaking slowly, "Remember, safety is the priority. If you see multiple Saints coming for you, retreat at once. Information is second in importance," he continued, "If you can tell me what it’s like, I’ll be deeply grateful. Finally, if you can accomplish anything, everything will be perfect. However, before the Saints come for you, I don’t believe you can act."

Turning to the Saints behind him, Yan Xiaobao continued, "Wan Qiao has a mission that will take her inside the walls. If you hear that she is in trouble, enter the city and assist her. Only evade, do not engage. If Wan Qiao manages to escape and Saints pursue her, ensure she isn’t captured. If they chase you past the walls, then fight them. If you can’t defeat your opponents, prolong the battle as much as possible so others can come help, or retreat. As I’ve said before, and I’ll say again: This is war. Do not be kind to your enemies; use any means necessary to kill them, even vile ones. If you die, you cannot help your comrades. Survival is the most critical aspect of this battle." Hearing Yan Xiaobao’s words, everyone solemnly nodded.

"Then, I’ll be off," Wan Qiao said, her voice filled with excitement. After flapping her wings a few times, the enormous bird took to the skies. Her speed was so astonishing that Yan Xiaobao had to focus intensely to keep her in view.

....

"Master!" a servant shouted loudly as he rushed through the gates and into the house where the Great Marshall resided. "Master, it’s terrible! A great bird is advancing, far beyond what any beast we’ve encountered before. I believe it’s a Saint!" The servant was completely terrified at the thought of a Saint joining the war, as it meant the soldiers on the walls were surely doomed. Though they seemed capable of withstanding the Beast Army earlier, the moment a Saint entered the fray, everything changed completely.

As soon as the words left the servant’s lips, everyone in the house turned to look at him. Four of their faces were filled with excitement, while five frowned deeply. The four enthusiastic experts stared at the fifth person with anticipation, but he remained silent for a moment. Closing his eyes, it was clear he was deeply pondering the matter.

"My Lord, the Saint is moving swiftly. We must act now," one of them urged. His gaze darted back and forth between the thinker and the room’s door; his behavior clearly showed he was on edge, ready to disregard orders and rush out, but his loyalty kept him rooted.

"You may go," the thinker eventually said, but as soon as the four experts approached the door, he spoke again, "You are only to accompany the experts to the gates. Do not leave this city. I don’t yet know what the Beast Army has planned."

"They’re beasts," one of them muttered, "They wouldn’t know how to plan with those underdeveloped brains." Hearing this grumble, the thinker’s face flushed with anger. He stood up from his chair, "You know nothing about war, but their Great Marshall certainly knows what he’s doing. For him to lure our Saints early in the battle, it’s obvious he has something planned. Now go chase that Holy City out of town!" He commanded as the four experts left the room.

"Should we bring the others?" a lady asked. She had been drinking tea earlier. She seemed carefree, uninterested in what had been happening, but now her eyes were full of intrigue, and her beautiful face bore a playful smile.

...