Chapter 996

Chapter 996: Single-Handedly Breaking Through Ten Thousand Troops (Part 1)

To Sun Zhengheng and the Yulin Guards, Wang Chen’s achievements were nothing short of miraculous.

In truth, against these elite and formidable bandits, he had barely exerted a tenth of his strength.

Upon reaching the seventh tier, Wang Chen’s perception had vastly improved; darkness was no barrier to him, so no matter how stealthy the bandits were, they could not evade his keen insight.

With just a profound longbow and a strategic vantage point, Wang Chen could turn a thousand paces around him into his hunting grounds.

By infusing his arrows with a touch of magic, both their range and speed reached astonishing levels.

Last night, most of the bandits perished without understanding why, all thanks to this!

Yet, even after the night raid threat was neutralized, Sun Zhengheng and the Yulin Guards remained on edge, convinced that the real challenge was yet to come.

“According to our local guide, we are currently five days’ journey from the county capital of West Sea County,” Sun Zhengheng announced during a hastily convened meeting at midday, gathering all the Yulin Guards’ officers for discussion.

He gestured towards the map on the wooden stand, “Fifty miles ahead lies Lianyun Mountain, and I fear the bandits may rally their main forces there to ambush us.”

Lianyun Mountain stretches across the West Sea Prairie, serving as a hideout for the prairie bandits.

While the bridal procession’s route doesn’t require crossing the mountains, nearing Lianyun Mountain brings them perilously close to the bandits’ stronghold, significantly raising the stakes for conflict.

Once past Lianyun Mountain, the county capital of West Sea County is within close reach.

Sun Zhengheng was certain that the earlier skirmishes were merely the bandits’ preparations for this impending showdown!

“Can’t we take a longer detour?”

One Yulin Guards officer suggested, pointing at the map, “Avoid Lianyun Mountain altogether?”

“That would mean a much longer journey,”

Sun Zhengheng replied with a strained smile, “We’re pressed for time. The princess’s wedding date is set, and missing it…”

He left the consequences unspoken, but the implication was clear.

The officers of the Yulin Guards all visibly tensed.

“What if we strike first?”

Another officer proposed, clenching his teeth, “Dispatch two thousand elite cavalry to seek out and destroy the bandits’ main force!”

Strike first?

The room fell into a contemplative silence as the officers exchanged uncertain glances.

“No!”

Sun Zhengheng firmly rejected the idea, “Our forces are limited; we cannot afford to divide them. Moreover, we have no idea of the bandits’ numbers. If they unite, the consequences could be dire!”

Though the officer’s suggestion was bold, it was impractical.

It’s important to note that the West Sea Prairie is home to tens of thousands of bandits. While many are part-time herders, they are all adept in horseback archery and seasoned in combat; they are formidable foes.

If two thousand elite cavalry were to falter and suffer heavy losses, it would be catastrophic for the bridal procession!

As the commanding officer, Sun Zhengheng could not risk such a gamble.

He turned his gaze towards Wang Chen, who was seated nearby, “Taibao Wang, do you have any suggestions?”

Everyone’s gaze focused intently on Wang Chen, filled with expectation and trust.

"My suggestion?"

Wang Chen smiled lightly, "It’s simple: just proceed according to plan without taking a detour. If we encounter the main force of the bandits, you all form a formation to hold the line, and I will single-handedly take care of them."

What?

Sun Zhengheng and the other Yulin Guards could hardly believe their ears, doubting they had heard correctly.

Wang Chen wanted to face the bandits alone?

That wasn’t just one or two hundred, but possibly over ten thousand enemies!

Even in a novel, such a plot would be hard to write!

Sun Zhengheng was stunned: "Taibao Wang, this is no joke."

"I’m not joking," Wang Chen said calmly. "And you don’t need to worry; if I can’t take them down, I can always run back."

Sun Zhengheng was speechless.

Wang Chen was far too confident, viewing the bandits as nothing more than a bunch of clowns, hardly worthy of serious consideration.

To say that Wang Chen was underestimating them wasn’t entirely wrong; a martial sect master at the pinnacle of the fifth level was not easy to kill. As long as he wasn’t completely trapped, escaping from the midst of thousands shouldn’t be a major issue.

“Then it’s settled.”

Seeing that Sun Zhengheng had nothing more to say, Wang Chen took the liberty of wrapping things up: “Dismissed, everyone prepare well.”

The eyes of the group turned again to Sun Zhengheng.

Sun Zhengheng waved his hand and forced a smile, saying, "Let’s do it that way then."

Although he was the leader of the Feathered Forest Army, Wang Chen’s status was higher in this team; he was not someone Sun Zhengheng could simply command.

And the only person who could give Wang Chen orders was Princess Qingyun.

The problem was, Princess Qingyun was also Wang Chen’s disciple!

Sun Zhengheng felt a headache coming on just thinking about it, so he decided not to dwell on it—after all, it was simply a matter of meeting force with force!

The bridal procession continued to advance.

The next day at noon, the distant, rolling mountains came into view.

Lianyun Mountain had arrived!

The atmosphere in the team suddenly grew tense. Sun Zhengheng immediately dispatched dozens of cavalry to scout for the possible presence of the bandit’s main force to avoid being caught off guard.

Caw–

A falcon soared across the sky, circling above the bridal procession.

Its unusual behavior caught everyone’s attention.

"The bandits’ trained falcon!"

Sun Zhengheng looked up and said in a deep voice, "The enemy is likely nearby!"

The prairie bandits loved to raise falcons for scouting, and it was quite effective.

Beep–

Just as he finished speaking, a sharp whistle echoed from afar.

Everyone’s expressions changed simultaneously.

This was a warning arrow shot by the scouts, indicating that they had discovered the enemy in that direction; the situation was quite serious!

Sun Zhengheng immediately raised his arm and shouted, "Halt! Form a defensive formation!"

His voice, infused with energy, instantly spread through the entire team, clearly reaching every ear.

Everyone in the bridal team felt a chill in their hearts.

The convoy came to a halt, and under the command of the Yulin Guards, they quickly began to form a defensive formation with their carts, bringing down large shields and heavy crossbows that had been hidden under the cart frames.

These sturdy shields were used to protect those inside the formation, while the heavy crossbows were mounted on the carts to fend off the enemy.

Since everyone was prepared, the entire process proceeded in an orderly manner without any chaos.

Just as the formation was completed, the previously sent scouts began to return.

They brought back nothing but bad news!

These riders had discovered at least five groups of bandits, numbering around three or four thousand, and these bandits were quickly gathering in the same direction.

Due to the vast difference in strength, the scouts didn’t dare to get too close, but it was certain that the bandits on the West Sea Prairie had joined forces and were preparing for something big.

Just as everyone had suspected earlier!

And the last scout to return was pierced with several arrows, his entire body stained with blood!