Chapter 106: Wipe Them Out to the Last, Deliberate on Their Crimes and Issue the Transfer Order

“Word has been secretly sent back by our envoy that the Great Feng Dynasty has already lost the Seven-Nation Contest and is now struggling merely to save itself. Therefore, the Great Emperor of Donglai has ordered me to lead this expedition!”

“What? That is impossible!” Commissioner Zhang cried out in alarm before turning to Han Chong. “General Han, this is disastrous. The Seven Kingdoms harbor evil ambitions. If what he says is true, and our dynasty has suffered a crushing defeat in the Seven-Nation Contest, then it means our court’s finest generals are inferior to those of the Seven Kingdoms. We may soon face the danger of being attacked from all sides!”

“Is it truly that serious? Our dynasty possesses vast lands and abundant resources, with countless elite soldiers and fierce generals. Even if we happened to lose the contest, surely we would not be so easily overthrown.”

Han Chong was still unfamiliar with the situation surrounding the imperial court, particularly matters of the military, and asked in astonishment.

“General Han, there is much you do not know. Although our dynasty has a solid foundation, the emperor has grown old in recent years, while the struggles among the factions of several princes have intensified. At court, treacherous ministers who manipulate power hold sway.

“That alone would not be enough to bring disaster. In the past, even when the Seven Kingdoms joined forces, they could barely match our strength. Even after losing the contest, they would never have dared act rashly.

“Yet beginning twenty years ago, the two great powers of the northwest, Shule and Beilu, repeatedly launched campaigns of conquest and plunder in the west. They amassed vast wealth, recruited troops and generals, and expanded their strength to an extent that cannot be compared with the past.

“If these two kingdoms join forces and attack, the northwest of our dynasty will be doomed. The other five kingdoms will rise in concert as well. By then, our mountains and rivers will be shattered, and there may be no power left to turn the tide!”

Han Chong’s heart pounded with alarm. This was no exaggeration. Once an army suffered a crushing defeat, the situation would collapse like a landslide. By then, it would no longer be a crisis that a few powerful experts could reverse.

Should the Great Feng Dynasty fall, not only would his investigation into the murderer and his search for the great sorcerer of the Witch Tribe become even more difficult, but countless civilians would also perish in the ensuing wars.

With that thought, Han Chong yearned even more desperately to increase his strength. He slowly rose, Clear Dawn Sword in hand, and strode toward Red Helm.

“What are you doing? You still need me! I can command the warships to retreat. Without me, your forces cannot possibly withstand them!” Red Helm’s face turned pale with terror as he shouted.

Han Chong remained unmoved. He raised his hand and drove the sword into the man’s chest, then twisted it violently. Blood sprayed in every direction.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, on slaying a Celestial Transformation expert from the Kingdom of Donglai! You have advanced to the third level of the late Spirit Refinement and Soul Transformation stage. Current essence value: 83,886,080 points!

Under the God-Slaying Soul-Chasing Curse, the host’s remaining lifespan has fallen to fifty-six percent!

Ding! Congratulations, host, on obtaining one skill point. You may select a new skill or upgrade an existing one!]

“General Han, you...”

Commissioner Zhang stared at the cold and decisive Han Chong, a chill creeping up his back. This General Han appeared refined and gentle, yet in truth he was ruthless and resolute, showing no mercy whatsoever to his enemies.

“Commissioner Zhang, have this brute’s corpse hung before the watchtower. The grain, provisions, and artillery I requisitioned should arrive by tomorrow evening. Prepare the troops for battle. Those barbarian warships of Dongyi must not be allowed to return.”

“Very well! General Han is truly a man of spirit. This official shall risk his life to accompany you!”

“Men, relay my order. Prepare a feast and bring out every last drop of wine and morsel of meat. Tomorrow, we welcome the great battle!”

The following morning, the warships of Dongyi once again advanced into the sea channel. There they saw the great general Shankei hanging dead from the top of the coastal watchtower.

All the soldiers and officers were horrified. They immediately lit beacon fires and retreated into the military harbor deep within the sea channel.

That afternoon, more than twenty generals of the Innate Realm and above gathered aboard a single ship to discuss their response. Han Chong quietly concealed himself within the cabin.

This was a formidable force. Even if Han Chong wished to defeat them head-on, it would be exceedingly difficult. Moreover, more than twenty warships and several thousand Dongyi troops would escape.

Yet when he saw that the enemy generals had no intention of fleeing—instead, they were excitedly fighting over command, eager to break through the coastal defenses of Hangu Commandery and win glory—he felt relieved.

In the end, command fell to a young general clad in armor embroidered with golden thread. The other generals lined up and knelt in salute. Clearly, this man held a high position in Dongyi.

Under the golden-armored general’s orders, the fleet would assemble in the Central-Southern Sea Channel at dawn the next day and launch an all-out assault on the coastal defenses.

Han Chong slipped back to camp. By then, Mi Ling, Leng Yue, and the others had arrived with the requisitioned supplies.

“Commissioner Zhang, I have confirmed the enemy’s movements. At dawn tomorrow, their fleet will assemble in the Central-Southern Sea Channel and stake everything on one final assault.”

“Hahaha! General Han truly is a fortunate commander. Now that we know the enemy fleet’s movements, matters will be much easier!”

Commissioner Zhang ordered all the coastal artillery gathered along both sides of the Central-Southern Sea Channel and concealed beneath thatch.

“Tomorrow will be a bitter battle. I shall leave this side in your hands, Commissioner Zhang.”

“What? Where are you going, General Han?”

“Defending alone will not be enough to withstand so many warships. Only by attacking them from both front and rear can we throw their fleet into chaos!”

“Mm, excellent. General Han’s insight is indeed remarkable.”

“All captains, heed my command. Follow me!”

Han Chong led nearly twenty demon-slaying captains in a swift march overland. Once they reached the depths of the sea channel, they concealed themselves behind a cluster of rocks on the southern shore and waited.

At dawn the next day, more than twenty Dongyi warships had assembled. They entered one after another, charging straight toward the southern bank of the Central-Southern Sea Channel. Soon, the thunder of cannon fire resounded across the heavens.

Just as the two sides were locked in an evenly matched exchange, Han Chong led the captains straight toward the rearmost warship. In an instant, they slaughtered every soldier and officer aboard.

After repeating this tactic, the captains had seized the last three warships within the time it took a single incense stick to burn. They aligned the ships in a row and began firing upon the vessels ahead.

The enemy generals instantly fell into chaos, caught between attacks on both sides and trapped in a dilemma with no way forward or back.

As more and more warships at the rear were destroyed, the channel became completely blocked. By then, it was already too late to retreat.

After a full day of battle, more than a thousand enemy soldiers were captured, and seven warships remained intact. All the others sank, carrying their dead to the bottom of the sea.

Hangu Commandery had finally returned to peace.

Han Chong had once taken the opportunity to search beneath the sea, but the dragonfish demon marshal had already fled and could no longer be found. He had no choice but to lead his men back to the provincial headquarters for the time being.

What awaited him there, however, was an order summoning him to the capital for disciplinary proceedings.

A bronze-armored general read out the decree:

“The General Headquarters has received a report. Han Chong, provisional Cavalry General of Qiongzhou, recently opened the provincial governor’s treasury without submitting a request for approval and requisitioned vital military weapons and equipment. This was a clear violation of regulations.

“Accordingly, he is stripped of his position as provisional Cavalry General and demoted to Pacification Captain. He is to proceed to the capital immediately to report on his duties.”

Han Chong cupped his hands and accepted the order, his heart heavy with frustration. It had to be that senior aide, Li He, spreading malicious gossip behind his back. The man had reported only that Han Chong had requisitioned military equipment without authorization, while saying nothing about the Dongyi fleet’s invasion.

“Heh heh, Captain Han, the Qiongzhou command will be placed under my control for the time being. You may proceed to the capital without worry. I doubt anything serious will happen—at most, you will receive a minor punishment or two.”

“Oh? May I ask your esteemed name? Have you come from the capital?” Han Chong composed himself and cupped his hands in inquiry.

“Indeed. I am General Diao Ren. It is thanks to General Han that I was fortunate enough to rise from Pacification Captain to Guerrilla General.”

“Heh heh. Then allow me to congratulate you, General Diao. How did the Seven-Nation Contest in the capital turn out?”

“So General Han is interested in that matter. I have heard only fragments myself. In the Seven-Nation Contest, our Great Feng Dynasty suffered four defeats and won three victories. A few days ago, the envoys of the Seven Kingdoms had already departed the capital to return home.

“However, Ma Hunliang, the former Cavalry General of Qiongzhou, was gravely wounded in the final contest. He is recuperating in the capital and will not be returning to Qiongzhou.”

The man before him laughed casually, as though the matter were of no consequence.