Demon Lord Tang Dynasty

On the city wall, a figure stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance with a melancholy expression.

The bloodstains on the city bricks around me, and the scattered broken swords and spears, tell the story of what once happened here.

"Congratulations, World Honored One! Congratulations, World Honored One!"

A sharp voice rang in my ears, its familiar obsequious tone revealing the newcomer's identity.

With a smile on his face and his eyes narrowed into slits, Protector Bai bowed down to Gao Yi from three meters away.

"Crossing the Yin Mountains, they were invincible; the World Honored One's divine might left his subordinates in awe."

The White Protector braced himself on his hands and crawled down, adopting an extremely exaggerated star-shaped posture.

After shouting "Long live the World Honored One!" several times, he straightened up.

"The World Honored One's divine might has terrified the enemy. Now that Baiguan Pass has fallen, the gateway to the south is wide open. Our army can march directly south into Shanxi, seize Datong Pass, and then east..."

The White Protector spoke in a rhythmic, flattering tone, but his eyes remained fixed on his right palm as he spoke.

"To the east, one can cross the Guancen Mountains and turn into the Hetao region. The sky is high and the land is vast, and the glory of the World Honored One will surely spread throughout the world."

"Oh? I didn't expect the Dharma Protector to have such insights."

Gao Yi smiled and turned his head, glancing at the note that had been quickly tied up in the palm of Protector Bai's hand.

"Cough, cough." Protector Bai coughed a few times, his eyes showing a solemn expression.

"The World Honored One is far-sighted and wise beyond measure. I am far from being able to match him. But these days, I have been pondering and trying to understand a little bit of the World Honored One's wisdom. Now I have finally gained some insight." Protector Bai chuckled, pinching his fingers.

"Is that so? The Dharma Protector is indeed loyal and devoted. I am deeply moved."

Gao Yi chuckled. This guy always manages to come up with something new, even his flattery is so unique.

"Alright, let's get down to business. How's the task I assigned you going?"

Gao Yi didn't investigate which outside help the other party had consulted on the note.

That's not something we need to worry about right now.

Moreover, White Protector and his ilk can't do anything too secretive. They can find out almost everything by sending someone to inquire.

Upon hearing Gao Yi's question, Protector Bai's smile grew even more intense.

"I have carefully investigated as instructed by the World-Honored One, hahaha."

Halfway through his sentence, Protector Bai suddenly burst into laughter.

"I have already found out that this time it was not Yang Lin who led the troops. The Sui army in Wuchuan City was commanded by Luo Fang, Yang Lin's adopted son."

"That banner of the King of the Mountain is nothing but a bluff."

Gao Yi nodded. No wonder Protector Bai seemed like a different person after he returned.

Once it was confirmed that Yang Lin hadn't come, most of the fear in my heart subsided.

However, Gao Yi was not surprised by the other party's report.

In fact, he had already guessed this, and sending Protector Bai was just to confirm it.

As mentioned before, Yang Lin's sudden mobilization of troops was beyond the bounds of common sense.

It was impossible for Yang Lin, or rather the Sui Dynasty, to wage war against the Turks at this time.

Now it seems that he was right.

Luo Fang was Yang Lin's adopted son and the leader of Yang Lin's Twelve Bodyguards. Although he was brave and skilled in battle, he was far inferior to Yang Lin.

Yang Lin could not possibly appoint him as commander to wage war against the Turks.

Combined with all that he had seen and heard before, Yang Lin's purpose was already very clear.

The other side never intended to wage war; their purpose was likely merely to intimidate.

This is also why Luo Fang would bring the banner of the King of the Mountain when he led troops.

This flag and Luo Fang's main force should only be stationed in Wuchuan City, and at most they will only send a small number of elite troops to drive away and sweep away the small tribes around it.

"Interesting? Why did Yang Lin suddenly send troops into Wuchuan to intimidate the Turks?"

Gao Yi stroked his chin and laughed. Yang Lin is domineering and forceful, but he is not a brainless person. His sudden action must have a deeper reason.

"There's been a change in the Sui Dynasty..." Gao Yi's eyes lit up.

The only thing that could affect Yang Lin was the changes in the Sui Dynasty, or more precisely, Yang Guang's major actions. It seems that Yang Guang is about to deal with the general of Goguryeo again.

Gao Yi's thoughts raced, and he instantly understood the reason for Yang Lin's unusual behavior.

"How dare that mere adopted son of Yang Lin be so arrogant! Your Majesty, why don't you send your troops to capture that arrogant brat and bring him to apologize to Your Majesty?"

The White Protector spoke with a firm and powerful voice.

"Uh..." Gao Yi came to his senses and glanced at the other person speechlessly.

After discovering that Yang Lin hadn't come, Protector Bai seemed to have regained his confidence, even to the point of being a little overconfident.

Gao Yi naturally ignored the other party's suggestion.

Luo Fang is certainly no match for Yang Lin, but Protector Bai and Gao Yi will find it difficult to find someone comparable to him for the time being.

"Have you ascertained how many troops Luo Fang commands?"

"what?"

Protector Bai was stunned and looked at Gao Yi with a puzzled expression.

"Soldiers? Troops? Didn't the World Honored One only instruct me to investigate the Sui army..."

Protector Bai asked a question in return, but under Gao Yi's gaze, his voice grew softer and softer.

As Gao Yi's gaze grew increasingly sharp, Protector Bai couldn't help but shudder.

"Your subordinate has something else to report."

As he spoke, Protector Bai quickly pulled out a slip of paper from his person.

"Venerable Sir, this is a message brought from the religion by my falcon."

"Your falcon?" A hint of surprise flashed in Gao Yi's eyes.

Protector Bai nodded repeatedly: "I know that the World Honored One must be worried about the situation of the Divine Sect, so I specially sent a falcon to inquire. This is Bai Yue'er's reply."

Gao Yi took the note and glanced at its contents.

It was indeed Bai Yue'er's handwriting. After Gao Yi left, Bai Yue'er followed his instructions and led the troops toward Wuchuan Yinshan. They did not encounter any enemy activity for the first two days, until the third day when they encountered the enemy's vanguard.

Seeing this, Gao Yi looked at Protector Bai with surprise once again.

He never expected that the other party would have such a skill in raising eagles.

Judging from the timing, the speed of the falcon in the opponent's hands was quite astonishing.

"World Honored One, look! Bai Yue'er's reply didn't even begin with a respectful address to you. That's extremely rude!" Protector Bai angrily complained about Bai Yue'er.

Gao Yi ignored Protector Bai. He lowered his head and read Bai Yue'er's reply again.

According to Bai Yue'er's description, the Sui army's vanguard was roughly the same as previously guessed, numbering between four and six thousand.

"If we avoid direct confrontation and only prolong the conflict, there shouldn't be any problems within five or six days."

A smile appeared on Gao Yi's lips.

Now that the Sui army is being cut off at both ends, the Wuchuan army cannot remain stationary. However, due to the encounter between the vanguard and Bai Yue'er, this part of the army cannot launch a full-scale southward offensive.

Despite the fact that Bai Yue'er only had the elderly, women, and children under her command, the Sui army would only become more worried and suspicious about the location of the main Turkic force.

"Next, which part arrives first, the flag or the real person?"

Gao Yi looked to the north, then to the south.