"From the Fire Crow Army to our Great Han's border, there are only four possible routes. The demise of Zi Mu means the Fire Crow tribe will surely bear deep resentment, eager to wash our Great Han's myriad territories in blood right now."
"Therefore, this route can be discarded!"
Ma Yuan extended his palm, speaking slowly over the sand table, and then erased a winding path that was twice the length of the other three. Su Dan Novel Network
"Indeed, the Fire Crow tribe is advancing with great ferocity. They will not choose this route. It seems that besides these three paths, the Fire Crow Army has nowhere else to go!"
Cen Peng nodded.
"Fifty thousand soldiers at the Guiyuan realm. This place's terrain is treacherous, greatly reducing their speed. An army campaign is not like ordinary times. Based on the estimated travel time, they will reach our city walls in just over a day."
"As per the Human Emperor's command, the Fire Crow Army must be intercepted beyond our borders. I, your general, suggest that all three armies of our Azure Dragon Legion advance."
Chen Tang, looking at the map, said with a calm expression: "The commander of the Fire Crow Army is Ma Xi, the second elder of the Fire Crow tribe, possessing the strength of the fifth layer of the Creation Realm. This demon will surely wish to achieve first honors and will not remain in the central army."
"Generals, please observe these three routes. Only the topmost one is particularly treacherous, even perilous. However, this path is the shortest and fastest to reach our Great Han's border."
"I surmise that Ma Xi will choose this route, swiftly crushing our Azure Dragon Legion with lightning speed, and then point his blade directly at Chang'an!"
"After all, the Primordial Mang Ox lineage and the Blood Feather Crane tribe have also mobilized fifty thousand troops. With so many wolves and so little meat, Ma Xi will definitely not allow us to fall behind these two tribes."
"General Chen's words are most astute. In my opinion, Ma Xi will definitely take a risky route; this path is undoubtedly the primary choice. The other two paths are merely feints!"
Cen Peng's expression was indifferent as he looked at the sand table. With fifty thousand troops of the Fire Crow Army, the Azure Dragon Legion would naturally not feel much pressure, as endless forests provided excellent locations for ambushes.
"I suggest that General Ma Yuan lead the third army of the Azure Dragon Legion to set an ambush here, awaiting the Fire Crow Army!"
Chen Tang took a small red flag and planted it in a mountain range less than fifty li from the Great Han's border.
"As for the other two routes, they will be guarded by General Cen Peng and myself. The three armies will surely engage in battle and annihilate the entire Fire Crow Army in this endless mountain range!"
"After Ma Xi's army is destroyed, our three armies will rendezvous here. This is a border defense fortress established by the Fire Crow tribe in a more level area of the endless mountains. Due to the weakness of our human race, this place has been abandoned for ten thousand years."
"Once our three armies converge here, we will surely further deter the southern region of the Primordial Desolate Domain!"
"If that is the case, then I shall take my leave first!"
Ma Yuan bowed respectfully and, under the watchful eyes of Chen Tang and Cen Peng, exited the hall.
"Since it is decided, let us depart as well!"
...
"What does the Yan Python tribe mean by this?"
"Ah!"
In the southern part of the Heavenly Demon Desolate Domain, approximately a thousand li from the Primordial Mang Ox lineage of Hengtian Mountain, this was the encampment of the Blood Python tribe. While the news of the Blood Python tribe's defeat had not caused much of a stir following the appearance of the Nine Revolutions Nirvana Golden Body in the far north, the current situation was different.
At this moment, Hu Lifu, the third elder and commander of the Primordial Army, was leading his troops, blocked outside the Blood Python tribe's encampment. Dozens of Yan Python soldiers guarded all four directions in front of the stronghold.
Hu Lifu glared at the Yan Pythons, who showed no intention of allowing them passage. This scene enraged Hu Lifu. His towering physique erupted with a roar that shook the surroundings, and waves of energy rolled outwards.
The muffled roar and the furious flames frightened the Yan Python soldiers, who dared not approach and hastily retreated.
It wasn't just Hu Lifu; the hundreds of thousands of Primordial Army soldiers were all furious. The Primordial Mang Ox lineage had always been at odds with the Yan Python and Snake Tail Great Serpent tribes. Now, with hundreds of thousands of troops entering human territory, the Blood Python encampment was a necessary passage, yet they were being controlled by Yan Python soldiers.
"Hee hee hee, look at that. I was wondering what the thunderous noise was on such a clear day, but it turns out Elder Hu has arrived."
Bian Tao, the third elder of the Yan Python tribe, at the fifth layer of the Creation Realm, spoke with utmost mockery. The two tribes had always looked down upon each other, even wishing for the other's demise.
"Hmph!"
Hu Lifu snorted coldly, his hair standing on end. "Bian Tao, what is the meaning of this? I am acting on the orders of my Ancestor to avenge the Jin cultivation for our Primordial Mang Ox lineage. Are you attempting to stand against our Primordial Mang Ox lineage by intercepting us here?"
"Stand against us?"
"When has our Yan Python tribe ever backed down from your Primordial Mang Ox lineage in the past million years!"
"Indeed?"
"Hahaha!"
Bian Tao's gaze was cold. Even with hundreds of thousands of troops behind Hu Lifu, he remained unfazed, his words filled with arrogance, showing no respect to Hu Lifu.
"You..."
Hu Lifu was furious. The Yan Python and Snake Tail Great Serpent tribes had long harbored ill will towards the Primordial Mang Ox lineage. Although they had secretly attacked each other over the past million years, they had maintained an appearance of brotherhood, as the Desolate Lord suppressed them from above.
Now that the Desolate Lord had ventured into the far north, the Yan Pythons could no longer sit idle.
"Elder Hu, please excuse me. I am merely acting on the orders of my Ancestor, who stated that humans are lowly and might infiltrate our Heavenly Demon Desolate Domain. I have been ordered to guard the Blood Python tribe and prevent any unwelcome elements from encroaching upon our territory!"
"Wouldn't you agree, Elder Hu?"
"You..."
Hu Lifu swallowed his anger. This was not the time to fall out with the Yan Python tribe, as they had the support of the Snake Tail Great Serpent tribe, and the Primordial Mang Ox lineage alone could not contend with them.
"Hmph, Bian Tao, I have no complaints about you guarding this place to defend against humans. However, we are on a campaign against the humans under the orders of our Ancestor. I hope you will facilitate our passage, allowing our army to pass smoothly. I would be eternally grateful!"
"Elder?"
A Yan Python soldier asked.
Bian Tao's expression turned cold, and he killed the Yan Python soldier with a single punch. He then clapped his hands and said, "Elder Hu, you say these subordinates are ultimately subordinates. How can they question their master?"
"Wouldn't you agree?"
Hu Lifu's face darkened instantly. His Primordial Mang Ox lineage considered themselves one of the most loyal servants of the Heavenly Sword Desolate Lord, and Bian Tao's words were a direct stab at his heart.
"Hmph!"
Bian Tao glanced at Hu Lifu. His goal had been achieved, so he clapped his hands and shouted, "Let them pass!"
"Elder, are you just going to let them through like this?"
A deputy general of the Yan Python army asked in a low voice, watching the Primordial soldiers pass by.
"What do you want then?"
"It is not yet time to fall out completely with the Primordial Mang Ox lineage. You guard this place well; I will go in and report to the clan first!"
"Yes!"
Bian Tao turned his head slightly and looked at the departing Hu Lifu with a cold expression.
ps: In this book, Ma Yuan's weapon is set as an elephant trunk ancient moon saber, not a hammer...