My strength increases by one percent every day; I can destroy stars with my bare hands.

As the sun dipped westward, a rapid clatter of hooves broke through the camp gates, kicking up clouds of dust as it hurtled towards the central command tent.

"They are messenger cavalry from the border of the prefecture."

Some people recognized the approaching cavalrymen and were horrified.

The cavalrymen carried urgent message flags on their backs, and their warhorses galloped wildly. As soon as they entered the camp, they neighed loudly, and their voices echoed throughout half of the camp.

"Urgent order from the border! Military orders from Xuan Yang Prefecture have arrived. The garrison commander at the lakeside post station is to receive these orders!"

Wang Xuanshan's personal guards rushed out quickly, leading the way. The messenger, barely able to catch his breath, rushed into the central command tent with the official document stamped by the Xuanyang County government, and handed it to Wang Xuanshan.

Wang Xuanshan's expression was solemn. He opened the military order document, his gaze swept over it, and his aura became heavy. His fingers, which were holding the document, tightened slightly, and his eyes were full of solemnity and helplessness.

The hundred-man generals inside the tent felt a chill run down their spines upon seeing this, sensing that something big was about to happen.

A moment later, General Wang Xuanshan placed the order on the table and said in a deep voice, "Pass on my order: the entire army must assemble at the drill ground immediately, without fail!"

The military order was relayed swiftly, and the sound of gongs resounded throughout the camp. Wounded soldiers and soldiers on duty alike quickly converged on the central drill ground.

Li Xuancang led his soldiers and quickly arrived at the training ground.

Looking at Wang Xuanshan and several centurions with gloomy faces in front of the training ground, a sense of unease inexplicably rose in his heart.

After numerous battles, the troops stationed at the lakeside post station had already been greatly reduced.

Although a large number of conscripts have been added, the strength is far less than before. The urgent order from the prefectural government at this moment is definitely not a good thing.

In the short time it takes to burn half an incense stick, all the soldiers and warriors had assembled.

Wang Xuanshan stood on the high platform, his gaze sweeping over the crowd, his voice resounding throughout the entire venue.

"All troops, listen to my command! By order of the Xuan Yang Prefecture, the barbarians have launched a massive invasion of our Great Yan border. Several passes on the front lines have fallen in succession, and the enemy's main force has outflanked us, heading straight for our border defenses!"

"The lakeside post station is isolated and indefensible. Our food and supplies have been completely cut off. Continuing to hold it will inevitably lead to encirclement and annihilation by the enemy!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire area fell silent. The soldiers' faces changed drastically, their eyes filled with shock.

The pass has fallen? Supply lines have been cut off?

Then they would be isolated and alone if they stayed here!

Panic ensued, and the panic spread rapidly.

"What? What should we do?"

"Aren't we going to be abandoned?"

"It's over, we're all going to die here."

"..."

Everyone fell into despair and lost all hope.

"Quiet!"

Wang Xuanshan shouted to quiet everyone down and continued reading the military order.

"The military order requires the troops stationed at the lakeside post station to immediately abandon their post and burn any food, fodder, and weapons that cannot be taken away."

"The entire army retreated lightly equipped and headed to Cangyun Ridge, a hundred miles away, to join forces with the main force of the border defense army, reorganize the defense line, and jointly resist the barbarian army."

Upon hearing this, hope returned to the eyes of the despondent crowd.

The imperial court did not abandon them; they still had a chance to survive.

"Execute the military order immediately and prepare for retreat."

Wang Xuanshan sternly ordered, "The wounded will advance first, the elite troops will cover the rear. Burn any surplus supplies in the camp. Half an hour later, the entire army will set off for Cangyun Ridge. Anyone who dares to disobey orders or deserts without permission will be executed on the spot!"

Once the military order was given, the military camp instantly sprang into action.

The soldiers silently packed their belongings, taking with them the remaining food and weapons. They helped their wounded comrades and piled up all the tents, food, and discarded weapons that they could not take with them, then set them on fire.

Thick smoke billowed straight into the sky.

As the army retreated from the lakeside post station, the barbarian army was launching a full-scale attack.

"Trying to leave? Not so easy. Chase after them."

The barbarians launched a large-scale attack; they had received orders from above to annihilate the army stationed at the lakeside post station.

The lakeside innkeeper intended to retreat quietly, but unexpectedly, the barbarians caught up with them within an hour of their departure.

"roar!"

From deep within the mountains and forests, a beastly roar suddenly resounded, shaking the heavens and earth.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of horses' hooves grew louder and louder, like muffled thunder rolling.

"They're barbarians! They've caught up!"

At the rear of the column, soldiers roared in terror.

Li Xuancang's heart sank, and he looked up at the horizon behind him.

At the edge of the wasteland, a massive, dark army of barbarians swept in like a tidal wave, numbering in the thousands.

Clad in various animal hide armors, wielding giant axes and scimitars, their faces painted with ferocious blood-red totems, their eyes bloodthirsty and crazed, they charged straight at the retreating Great Yan border army.

The barbarian army, with several enormous, jet-black shadow wolf beasts, moved with incredible speed, far exceeding that of warhorses, and were rapidly approaching.

Their sense of smell is exceptionally keen, and they pinpointed the retreat route of the Great Yan army based on the scent.

Everyone instantly realized that this retreat could not be kept secret from the enemy.

The barbarians not only had a large army in pursuit, but also strange beasts skilled in tracking. They could easily find the marching route by smell and footprints, and even predict the direction and intercept them in advance.

"All troops accelerate, maintain formation, and the conscript battalion will cover the rear."

Wang Xuanshan's face was deathly pale, but he forced himself to remain calm and gave a stern order.

His move was to sacrifice the conscript battalion to buy enough time for the combat battalion to retreat.

"Why should we be the ones covering their retreat?"

"This is sending us to our deaths for nothing, I'm not doing it."

"Brothers, the court doesn't treat us like human beings, why should we die for them?"

"..."

Upon receiving the order to cover the rear, the conscripted soldiers' camp instantly erupted into chaos.

In the past, they were used as cannon fodder, and now they are being sent to cover the retreat and die. The discontent among the crowd finally erupted.

"puff!"

"what!"

"Well!"

"..."

Several soldiers had just stepped forward and raised their arms in a shout when they were killed by Feng Long, the centurion.

"Form ranks immediately to engage in battle; those who disobey will be executed without mercy."

Feng Long had a fierce look on his face and exuded a strong murderous aura, which immediately intimidated everyone in the garrison.

The soldiers dared not resist, and tremblingly picked up their weapons to form a defense that was easily broken.

"Full speed ahead."

At Wang Xuanshan's command, the combat troops withdrew at top speed. No one cared about the fate of the conscripts; they only hoped that the conscripts could buy more time.

"What do we do? Are we going to die here?"

"The imperial court wants us to die. If you don't want to die, leave with me."

"Everyone, run for your lives!"

"..."

The soldiers had just left when the conscripts lost control. They no longer formed a defensive formation, scattered, and fled in disarray.

Most of them fled into the mountains and forests, not wanting to have sacrificed themselves in vain.

"Hahaha, kill them!"

"They can't escape!"

"Kill all these giant fire boars and retake the lakeside post station!"

"..."

The barbarians roared wildly, their laughter arrogant and domineering.

"Ignore these conscripts and charge straight at the main force of the Great Yan army."

Seeing the soldiers fleeing in all directions, the barbarian general did not order a pursuit.

These conscripted soldiers were easily defeated; their target from the beginning was the combat camp at the lakeside post station.

Only by eliminating the battle battalion can we achieve a complete victory.