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

Chapter 87 Rats

Chapter 87 Rats
At this moment, Lu Ming's entire body was covered in the precious blood of the dragon and elephant.

His skin turned red.

Within his body, the faint roar of a giant beast could be heard.

Golden runes appeared on his body.

The metal gleamed.

It made him feel as if his whole body was filled with immense power.

On his arms and body, large tendons were intertwined like giant pythons.

It seemed as if an ancient power was lurking and roaring within his body.

At this moment, Lu Ming felt stronger than ever before.

I do not know how long it has been.

When he opened his eyes again.

The corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up.

"I have mastered the Golden Bell Cover Technique to the twelfth level. Even if I were to face a Xiantian expert, I could still defeat him."

He muttered to himself.

Then he stood up and walked towards the door.

When I pushed open the door, it was already completely dark outside, and the bright moon hung high in the sky.

Li Xirou was waiting outside, her delicate face showing anxiety.

Upon seeing Lu Ming emerge, she hurried over and asked, "Husband, are we going to war again?"

"Yes, we must go on the expedition. The imperial court has already issued military orders, and there is no time to delay."

Lu Ming said slowly.

A divine light appeared in his eyes.

Even if he can't advance any further on this expedition, he still needs to acquire enough points and supplies.

"I'll go pack my things."

Li Xirou said with red eyes.

Lu Ming then walked outside.

During this period, he had been sending people to investigate the whereabouts of Zhelong Mansion.

Now, the spies are rushing back in waves, playing a crucial role.

When they arrived at the front yard, it was already late at night, but the captains under his command, as well as Zhang Meng and others, were not idle.

Holding a map, he was studying something.

Even Bai Yan came.

As Lu Ming entered.

Everyone immediately stopped what they were doing, saluted, and said, "General!"

He waved his hand. "Have all the messages been sent back?"

"General, all the scouts have returned one after another, along with Prefect Bai's spies, bringing a lot of information. Currently, among the rebels in Zhelong Prefecture, there should be three to five innate masters and about ten Qi Condensation Realm experts. The rebels number over 500,000, but most of them are refugees who have been coerced."

They were holding nothing more than bamboo poles and wooden sticks, nothing to worry about.

The actual number capable of fighting should be around 80,000.

Wang Xun stepped forward. He was nearly forty years old, but still had a robust physique. He wore a dark suit of armor and had a long sword at his waist. After breaking through to the True Essence Realm, he had become even more imposing than before.

He certainly deserves to be called mature and prudent.

"What is the distribution of the rebels?" Lu Ming asked in a deep voice.

Wang Xun immediately brought up the map.

The markings clearly show that all the rebels have been divided into five routes, each with nearly 100,000 men, and are marching towards Yunmeng Prefecture.

One can imagine how tragic the scenes along the way must have been.

Thinking of this, anger flashed in Lu Ming's eyes.

Tuoba Ye truly deserves to die.

"Have you found out the mysterious force that helped the rebels to besiege and kill Prince Yong's heir?"

"Not yet," Wang Xun said, bowing his head.

These people are too mysterious, hidden deep within the rebel ranks, impossible to find.

Lu Ming frowned.

After all, it could help the rebels besiege and kill the Prince Yong's heir, and it also killed three innate masters.

The opponent's strength is indeed not weak.

However, speed is of the essence in war, and there were military orders in place, so there was simply no time to investigate thoroughly.

Moreover, it's too difficult.

By the time the truth is found, Yunmeng Prefecture will probably be destroyed.

The only option is to go to the battlefield and conduct reconnaissance.

Then, Lu Ming pointed to the area marked on the map and asked, "What is this place?"

"Five Spirits Mountain, according to several reconnaissance missions, has been discovered to be a place where the rebels store their provisions. It is heavily guarded, with an estimated 10,000 elite armored soldiers, as well as other rebel guards. The general in charge should be at the Innate Realm in terms of cultivation."

"Shooting Captain Hu Fei quickly replied."

He had a 300-man cavalry archer unit under his command, whose sole purpose was to gather intelligence.

He was the one who brought the news from Wuling Mountain.

The rebels were very good at choosing their locations.

This place is closest to Yunmeng Prefecture, and apart from the steep mountain behind it, the other three sides are flat. As long as the enemy gets close, they can be discovered immediately, leaving no possibility of hiding. Moreover, the road is convenient.

There was absolutely no possibility of a sneak attack.

As for a frontal assault, the rebels didn't even consider it, nor did they believe it.

Some dared to launch a frontal attack on their supplies while surrounded by hundreds of thousands of troops.

Moreover, under such circumstances, it would be impossible for anyone to successfully launch a surprise attack on the supply lines.

Upon hearing the news, Lu Ming nodded and began to ponder it.

After a moment, he slowly asked, "Any movement from other prefectures?"

"My lord, Zezhou and Haizhou are neighboring states, but they have also experienced rebellions and seem unable to spare troops for the time being. Right now, we are the only ones who can fight against the rebels."

There are also troops from Yunmeng Prefecture.

"But the latter doesn't dare to move at all right now; all the city guards are holed up in the city defending themselves," Wang Xun said helplessly.

This situation truly made his scalp tingle.

Fortunately, the enemy was attacking Yunmeng Prefecture; if it had been Hongdu Prefecture, he wouldn't know what to do.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Ming said, "It's too late for us to go to Yunmeng Prefecture now, and I don't plan to go there anyway. Let's take people directly to Wuling Mountain."

They seized their supplies, and the rebel army collapsed without a fight.

"But sir, besides the troops guarding the grain supplies, there are also a large number of rebel troops roaming around the Five Spirits Mountain. It would be too dangerous for us to go there."

Even with the addition of the 5,000 soldiers stationed at the garrison, the prefectural city can only muster a maximum of 10,000 troops.

Although his cultivation level has greatly increased in the past few months, and he has also acquired all his armor.

However, there were too many rebels, and also innate masters.

Wang Xun did not believe that it was possible to seize the rebels' supplies amidst such a large army.

“We have to try, even if it’s dangerous. If Yunmeng Prefecture really falls, Hongdu Prefecture will definitely fall as well. We can’t stop the rebels from both prefectures,” Lu Ming said without any room for doubt.

Then he frowned again and said, "In this chaotic world, is there anything that isn't dangerous? Everyone is playing with fire, and if you cower in fear, you'll only face death!"

At this point, his tone had become stern.

The officers below all lowered their heads at this moment.

Now, Lu Ming is the undisputed ruler of Hongdu Prefecture.

No one dared to contradict his orders.

"Your Excellency is wise!" everyone immediately exclaimed.

Lu Ming waved his hand. "Enough with the formalities. Get ready tomorrow, and we'll depart first thing the day after. No one is allowed to be late, or they will be court-martialed!"

"As ordered!"

The generals quickly replied.

Then, Lu Ming turned his gaze to Zhang Meng, who was standing to the side, and said, "After we leave, you will be in charge of Hongdu Prefecture. If any rebels attack, you can ask the county officers for help!"
Listen carefully to Prefect Bai's advice.

"Yes, sir!" Zhang Meng said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.

Then, at Lu Ming's signal, everyone left the hall.

When he was left alone, he sat down and began to think carefully.

Looking at the map, I searched for the most suitable route.

Meanwhile, on the other side, inside the current Yunmeng Prefecture's garrison office...

Wu Han, the garrison commander of Yunmeng Prefecture, glared at Su Zhe, who had become Tuoba Hao's advisor, and said, "The rebel army is about to besiege the city. General Zheng Nan and your Su family should leave at this time."

"Where do you place Yunmeng Prefecture? Where do you place the people?"

His eyes reddened as he spoke.

This was a robust man in his thirties, tall and with a full beard that resembled steel needles, which was throbbing with anger. His cultivation level had reached the late stage of the罡气 (Gāngqì) realm.

If he weren't so straightforward and incapable of flattery, the position of Governor of Yunzhou would probably have been his long ago.

After all, Yunzhou was in Dayu, a relatively isolated region.

The rank of a governor-general is only the fifth rank.

With Wu Han's abilities, he is fully capable of the task.

But now, even though it's empty, they haven't brought him up.

It's a real pity that he stayed in his post guarding Yunmeng Prefecture for several years.

However, that is precisely why.

Among the three prefectures of Yunzhou, Yunmeng Prefecture has the most complete military equipment.

They are also the strongest.

"Wu Han, don't forget your status. Who is the general? He's a prince. Even a single hair on his leg is more noble than you. Besides, he's already seriously injured."

If you're no longer able to go to the battlefield and something happens to you while you're here, will you take responsibility?

And let me tell you, don't even talk about comparing yourself to the young prince, even if you compare yourself to me, can you even compete?

Don't test my patience any further. The fact that I even came to tell you today is already a favor.

Su Zhe said calmly.

He had been following Tuoba Ye around these days and knew that the other party was about to join the immortal sect.

Moreover, there's the added factor of his status as the heir of a royal family.

As long as the world is in chaos, there is a lot to be done.

So what if you fail once or twice? You have plenty of capital to make a comeback.

Therefore, not only him, but the entire Su family has now decided to side with Tuoba Ye.

Wu Han felt like his chest was about to explode.

However, he knew that now was not the time to argue.

For the sake of the people in Yunmeng Prefecture, his tone finally softened.

"Young Master Su, it was my fault, Wu Han, who did not consider things thoroughly. But could you leave some experts behind to help defend the city? Otherwise, the rebels really have no way to resist. They have gone completely mad with killing now."

The thought of hundreds of thousands of civilians falling into the hands of the rebels is unimaginable.

His hands, covered in blue veins, were clenched so tightly they were almost bleeding.

"Wu Han, I've said all I can say. Don't say any more. It's too dangerous here. The young prince must leave as soon as possible. Take care of yourself."

"There is still hope. His Majesty has ordered all prefectures to rush to the aid. The garrison of Hongdu Prefecture will arrive within half a month. As long as the rebels are stopped, the Crown Prince will be able to regain his reputation."

The Su family's years of hard work need not be abandoned.

"Young Master Su Zhe is worth the gamble." Wu Han analyzed the pros and cons, trying his best to keep them.

After all, his 30,000 troops alone would certainly not be enough to hold them off.

"Do you really think that mere garrison commander of Hongdu, who won a battle by sheer luck, can compare to the young prince and the prince's retainers?"

After Su Zhe finished speaking, he left without looking back.

Only Wu Han and a few of his captains remained, their faces grim.

A moment later, a servant ran in and said, "General, General Zheng Nan and the Su family's troops are heading out of the city."

"Bang!" Wu Han slammed his hand hard on the table.

He roared angrily, "Without you, I can still protect Yunmeng. What prince, what family, you're all just a bunch of rats."

After he finished speaking, he walked outside.

And just as he was leaving.

Meanwhile, after a night had passed, early the next morning, large quantities of grain and fodder began to be loaded onto carts outside the Hongdu Prefecture Garrison Office.

Meanwhile, Lu Ming's long-cherished Ironclad Pagoda also got a makeover.

One person had three horses: one to carry armor and one to carry the person.

This ensures that the armored warhorses remain in perfect condition during battle.

The Mo Dao soldiers were also preparing their armor.

Their equipment, too, needed to be carried by warhorses.

The three thousand strongmen were also busy with their own tasks.

Their cultivation level has now reached the early stage of Bone Forging.

Once on the battlefield, they would definitely be considered true elites.

This is also the source of Lu Ming's confidence in attacking Wuling Mountain.

After a busy day, everyone went to bed early as soon as it got dark.

Even Lu Ming was no exception.

The next day, before dawn had fully broken.