Starting as a centurion, he fought his way through the chaos of the world.

Chapter 183 First Battle

Chapter 183 First Battle
As soon as I entered the tent, I saw that all the generals had already arrived.

Apart from the powerful members of the royal family.

There were also generals of the Imperial Guards, as well as dukes and marquises such as Lin Hong.

After all, the emperor's personal campaign is a major event.

Most of the military generals that the Great Yu could send have come.

Above, a curtain was drawn, and a dragon throne could be vaguely seen behind it.

It was difficult to see clearly, and after Lu Ming entered, it didn't take long for him to get a clear view.

The Empress also sat on the dragon throne.

The curtains swayed, revealing her in and out of sight.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The crowd bowed.

The Empress waved her hand and said, "No need for formalities. The main reason I've gathered everyone here today is to discuss how to deal with the Great Xia army. According to the scouts' reports, their numbers are around one million, and their cultivation levels are all at the Qi Refining stage."

There are a few elites, some of whom have even reached the Core Formation stage, numbering around 30,000.

There were over thirty generals at the Dharma Aspect Realm, and more than ten at the Divine Power Realm. The commander-in-chief, Lin Xiao, was at the peak of the fifth level of the Divine Power Realm.

The voice that rang out carried a hint of solemnity.

After taking a deep breath, he continued, "The elders of the clan can hold off the experts at the Divine Power Realm, but the rest depends on you all. Tell me how we should fight this battle."

The place where the Great Xia would offer sacrifices to the people was located at the border between the Northern Frontier and the Great Xia.

I heard that it has now gathered millions of people.

This time, tens of millions of people will be sacrificed.

Such horrifying methods are naturally unacceptable to the Empress of Great Xia.

Lin Hong stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, this battle is dangerous, unlike our past enemies. I think the only one qualified to command this great battle is Duke Jiuding.”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone in the tent turned their attention to Lu Ming.

Clearly, they all agree.

The Empress calmly replied, "Very well, then the Duke of Jiuding will be the commander-in-chief for this battle, and all generals will obey his orders."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!" Lu Ming said without ceremony, stepping forward.

Then, he looked at Wei Zhong, who was responsible for gathering information for the army.

"Lord Wei, do you know where the Great Xia army is currently encamped?"

Wei Zhong immediately stepped forward and pointed to a location marked on the map.

"Reporting to Commander Lu, the army of Great Xia..."

In Blackstone City directly in front of us, the number is around one million.

The people who offered sacrifices were located behind the prefectural city.

They have now built a high platform, and are just waiting for half a month to slaughter all the people they have forced here.

Upon hearing this, everyone present turned pale.

Some people had bloodshot eyes.

The Great Xia did this so that the people of the Great Yu would watch their own people being sacrificed.

How could they not be angry?

Lu Ming looked at the map and said after a moment.

"They've set up a show of force to lure us there."

They seem quite confident that they can go head-to-head with us.

I don't think they will defend the city; they will most likely come out of the city and fight us.

Time is of the essence. I need to make some preparations. We'll begin the siege in half a month.

Lu Ming said calmly.

The generals below were somewhat surprised, wondering why it had to be half a month later, since the sacrifice would begin in twenty days.

But he didn't say much.

After all, in a direct confrontation, the Great Yu Dynasty was no match.

They are at a significant disadvantage, with a total force of only two million.

However, the opposing Great Xia army, although only numbering a million, was all at the Qi Refining Realm.

Apart from the Southern Frontier Army under Lu Ming's command.

Even with a million imperial guards, they are still somewhat inferior to those of the Great Xia.

Therefore, this battle was extremely difficult.

To anyone, winning seemed impossible.

Now, we can only place our hopes on Lu Ming.

In fact, the Empress regretted her decision after learning about the Great Xia's plan, as this expedition was indeed somewhat impulsive.

However, now that we're here, there's no going back.

There is only one battle left.

After all, if the emperor personally led the expedition and then retreated without a fight, it would be a huge blow to the dignity of the royal family.

At that moment, Lu Ming spoke again.

"Lin Hong, you will lead the Left and Right Martial Guards to be responsible for the army that attacks from the left flank of the city. I will teach you the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation. This formation is enough to deal with an army whose cultivation is below the Purple Mansion level. No matter what method you use, have the army complete the rehearsal of the formation in half a month."

With 400,000 Imperial Guards, all at the Innate Realm, half a month should be enough, though it might be a bit of a stretch.

After all, their strength is undeniable.

"Yu Kun, you will lead the Vanguard Guard and the Rear Guard to be responsible for the army that breaks out from the right flank of the city. I will teach you the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation. This formation can deal with armies below the Golden Core stage. You also have half a month to rehearse it."

"Yes, sir!" the two generals replied immediately.

Then, Lu Ming continued, "The Heavenly Martial Guards are responsible for protecting His Majesty!"

As he spoke, he took out two jade talismans and handed them to Lin Hong and the other man.

The above records two sets of formations.

"I will lead my main force to attack the city. This battle is extremely important for you, so please pay close attention."

"Order!"

The generals bowed and said.

Then, Lu Ming looked at the elders of the clan and said, "I entrust the experts of the Divine Power Realm to you all."

"That's only right!" the Second Ancestor said solemnly.

Then, Lu Ming's gaze once again focused on Lin Hong and Yu Kun. "In the coming period, the Great Xia should send troops to attack. You just need to practice the formation, and I will naturally lead people to fight back. Remember, you only have half a month."

At that time, the army will launch a general offensive.

"As ordered!"

The two replied hastily. After giving these instructions, the Empress's calm voice rang out at that moment.

"Now that Lord Jiuding has assigned the tasks, everyone should go and prepare."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After everyone responded, they hurriedly left.

Lu Ming also returned to his camp.

A smile appeared on his face as he looked at the familiar figures.

I feel most at ease when I'm with these people.

He stepped forward and patted Wu Han on the shoulder, saying, "You've made great progress. After this battle, your cultivation will be able to advance to the next level."

"It's all thanks to the Duke's promotion; otherwise, I'm afraid I would have died in Yunmeng Prefecture long ago."

Wu Han sighed.

Over the years, whenever he looks back, he is always moved to tears by Lu Ming's kindness.

I never dared to imagine that I was already close to entering the Dharma realm.

"My lord, I've heard that the Great Xia is quite powerful, and I can't hold back any longer," Xiao Lin said with a clenched fist.

He was more outgoing than the other generals.

However, on the battlefield, they are extremely ruthless.

His cultivation is also progressing rapidly; as long as he has the true blood of a ferocious beast, he should be able to break through.

Just as they were talking.

Zhang Meng rushed over and said, "My lord, the Black-Clad Guards have sent word that a large Xia army of about 50,000 men has broken out of Black Stone Manor and seems to be launching an attack on us."

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow.

He knew that the Great Xia would be restless during this period, but he did not expect that these people would arrive so quickly.

"Five battalions will engage in battle; the rest will guard the camp."

As he spoke, he walked outside.

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Mu and the others replied hastily, then withdrew to begin reorganizing the army.

Less than half an hour later.

The soldiers from each camp, led by Zhang Mu, came out of the camp to greet them.

This conveniently cut off the Great Xia army's route.

The general who came from the other side was at the peak of the Refining Spirit realm, which meant he was quite a master.

He carried a long spear and had killed many generals of the Great Yu in the past.

They remained extremely arrogant at this point.

They challenged the enemy in front of the camp.

Lu Ming stood at the rear of the army, watching the battle with Lin Hong and the others.

"This person has fought with us before. His name is Xia Tu. He is a member of the Great Xia royal family and a fierce general. He once killed three of my members who were at the Refining God Realm on the battlefield. His strength is indeed not weak. He commands the Xia Army, which is the Black Flag Battalion of the Great Xia."

This force included 20,000 cavalry and 30,000 infantry, making it extremely powerful.

In particular, the cavalry's mount, known as the Blackscale Steed, was a famous mythical beast.

His leg strength is extremely powerful, and his speed is comparable to that of a knight.

Lu Ming raised an eyebrow. In that case, they were comparable to his own Ironclad Cavalry.

It's unclear who will win or lose.

“The strength of Great Xia is considered average in our vicinity. There are still many powerful forces outside the region. I wonder when Great Yu will be able to get rid of the current situation,” Yu Kun said.

Without the protection of a sect, the road ahead will likely be even more difficult.

At this moment, Lu Ming looked ahead and said, "They may not be invincible. Let's wait and see."

As his voice rang out.

Then Lu Shi rushed out. His cultivation had also reached the peak of the Refining God realm. He was holding a pair of giant axes, his whole body was covered in heavy armor, and he leaped high into the air.

It slashed towards Xia Tu.

While the person was in the air, the battle axe smashed through the air and descended.

It rubs against the air and bursts into intense flames.

The powerful energy caused the surrounding air to vibrate like waves.

The black axe blade, hundreds of feet long, exudes a sense of destruction.

After feeling the power of this attack.

Xia Tu wasn't particularly worried, after all, he was used to having the upper hand in battles against Da Yu.

He simply raised his spear, and a screen of light appeared above his head as he met the double axes.

"boom!"

The light barrier shattered instantly, and as the weapons of both sides collided, energy surged outwards.

It forms a wave-like shape and pushes outwards.

"Hilary!" The neighing of warhorses rang out at this moment.

The beast king, the black-scaled steed that Xia Tu rode, couldn't withstand the immense force. Its four limbs were severed, and it collapsed to the ground, struggling incessantly.

And he himself wasn't much better off.

Both arms were severed, splattering blood.

It exhibits varying degrees of distortion.

Without hesitation, Lu Shi stepped forward and stomped on the other man's head.

Xia Tu's head shattered like a watermelon, blood splattering in all directions.

"What a valiant general!" Lin Hong exclaimed.

The Seventh Patriarch, standing to the side, also narrowed his eyes.

Within the sect, among the disciples at the Refining Spirit Realm, in his opinion, none could withstand Lu Shi's attack.

In the past, I did not observe Lu Ming's army carefully.

Looking back now, it was truly extraordinary; otherwise, how could it have suppressed so many rebel kings?

"Kill!" Just as the Great Xia army was stunned.

Zhang Mu has already led his army out.