Credit Grabbing

The Three-City Allied Army.

Yang Yufeng sat smugly inside the allied army's command carriage.

Beneath him was a thick animal skin rug, and an exquisite tea set was placed on the small desk before him.

He slowly sipped his fragrant tea, gazing at the endless stretch of banners in the distance. The sense of exhilaration in his heart was almost overflowing.

The three-city allied army had successfully completed their encirclement, trapping the encamped Golden Feather Guards in the center.

According to reports, smoke from cooking fires curled upward within the camp, and figures could be seen moving about; they were completely oblivious to the fact that they were tightly surrounded by the allied forces.

Everything was proceeding as smoothly as he had anticipated.

No, it was even better.

Dawn City had dispatched fifty thousand troops, far exceeding the other two cities. Coupled with the fact that the command was in his hands, he was guaranteed to claim the credit for this victory.

As for Deputy Generals Fan and Lu, heh, they were merely two stepping stones.

The only thing he needed to guard against was perhaps Twin Rivers City, which was close at hand.

However, as long as he was fast enough, they wouldn't be a cause for concern either.

"Commander-in-Chief."

Wei Tingsong quickly climbed into the command carriage, unable to suppress the joy on his face.

"Everything has been arranged. According to the plan, the troops of Dawn City and Twin Rivers City have already opened up a gap."

"We have left the front, as well as the northeast and southeast—the most likely directions for a breakout—entirely to General Lu's troops from Yellow Bell City."

Wei Tingsong lowered his voice and said, "In another fifteen minutes, the scouts sent by Yellow Bell City will inevitably discover the camp. When that happens... it will depend on what choice General Lu makes."

"This subordinate has already had someone secretly hint to General Lu's men that the camp's defenses are lax and the Golden Feather Guards are showing clear signs of exhaustion, making it a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Yang Yufeng set down his teacup, a cold smile flashing in his eyes. "Good. That Deputy General Lu might appear steady on the surface, but in reality, he is greedy for great achievements."

"Discovering such an excellent opportunity, and facing the exhausted Golden Feather Guards, he definitely won't be able to hold back, and he certainly won't report it."

"Pass down the order: have our men slow their advance and strengthen the outer perimeter guards. We will not approach that area for the time being. Let Yellow Bell City pave the way first."

"This subordinate understands." Wei Tingsong bowed to receive the order, then added:

"There is already a tacit understanding with Twin Rivers City. Their troops are holding their ground and watching as well. As soon as Yellow Bell City makes a move, this grand play will officially begin."

...

The military formation of Yellow Bell City.

"Report!"

A soldier scrambled and stumbled to the front of Deputy General Lu's horse, his face filled with the excitement and tension of a hunter discovering prey:

"Reporting to the General! Three miles ahead, within a hidden mountain valley, a large-scale camp has been discovered! Banners are faintly visible, and from their design, they look very much like the Golden Feather Guards!"

Deputy General Lu's spirits suddenly surged! He yanked the reins hard, causing his warhorse to rear up on its hind legs. "Did you alert them? What is the situation inside?"

"We did not alert them! This subordinate and the others only observed from afar, not daring to get close. The camp's defenses appear very lax, and the intervals between patrols are very long."

"Furthermore, figures are sparse, and most of the tents are dead silent. Only a few places have cooking smoke rising. It looks as though they are all resting," the soldier rapidly reported.

The soldier spoke extremely fast, pouring out all the details he had observed.

"All resting? Good! Good! Good! The Heavens are helping me!"

A brilliant light burst from Deputy General Lu's eyes. He knew that the Golden Feather Guards had overdrawn their true qi to force a march. Seeing it now, they had indeed become a spent force!

To think that his Yellow Bell City would be the first to discover the camp! This was credit delivered right to his mouth!

A thought flashed through his mind: should he immediately report this to the allied commander-in-chief, Yang Yufeng?

Impossible!

If that old fox Yang Yufeng knew this news, he would definitely use his authority as commander to transfer the men of Yellow Bell City away.

Then he would have the men of Dawn City complete the encirclement. When that time came, would the top merit of capturing the demoness Luo Zhao still fall into his hands? He probably wouldn't even get a sip of the soup!

Hide it! He must hide it!

Not only must he hide it, but he must also be fast!

Otherwise, once Dawn City or Twin Rivers City learned the news, neither faction was something his Yellow Bell City could currently contend with.

But if he could strike with the suddenness of a thunderbolt, preemptively breaching the camp and capturing the demoness Luo Zhao, then the primary credit would undoubtedly be his!

Even if Yang Yufeng stomped his feet in anger and Twin Rivers City sent people to apply pressure, it wouldn't change the fact that his Yellow Bell City had led the troops to defeat the enemy and capture their leader!

"Pass down my orders!"

Deputy General Lu lowered his voice, speaking to the several trusted generals beside him:

"There is no need to report this news to the commander-in-chief!"

"Order everyone to assemble immediately and approach the camp's location at maximum speed!"

"Do not pause; launch an attack directly! The speed must be fast, and the offensive must be fierce! It is best if we rout them in a single strike!"

"General, this... not notifying the commander-in-chief and privately moving troops to launch a preemptive strike, what if we are held accountable afterward?" a subordinate general reminded him in a low voice, a look of worry on his face.

"Fool! Are you a soldier of Dawn City or a general of my Yellow Bell City? This three-city allied army is nothing but an empty title. Whoever can catch the demoness is the winner."

"Otherwise, if we wait for the people of Dawn City and Twin Rivers City to arrive, we probably won't even get to drink a mouthful of soup!"

These words were both a reprimand and an incitement.

The last trace of hesitation in the eyes of the several subordinate generals was swiftly replaced by a thirst for merit.

"This general understands!" "As you command!"

Soon, the most elite soldiers of Yellow Bell City, personally led by Deputy General Lu, detached from the formation of the allied main force like a quietly unsheathed dagger.

Under the cover of the terrain, they lunged fiercely toward the indicated mountain valley camp.

In their pursuit of speed, they even abandoned some of their heavy equipment and supplies.

...

"Commander-in-Chief, General Lu's unit from Yellow Bell City has suddenly broken formation and is advancing rapidly. Looking at their movements... it seems they have discovered something," a scout from Dawn City reported in a low voice.

Yang Yufeng and Wei Tingsong exchanged a glance, both of their mouths curling into knowing smiles.

"As expected, he couldn't hold his composure."

Yang Yufeng stroked his beard and chuckled, a hint of mockery in his tone. "Deputy General Lu is still too young and far too eager to establish merit."

"Young people just don't know the immensity of heaven and earth. How could they know that the older the fox, the more cunning it is?" Wei Tingsong chimed in from the side.

Yang Yufeng smiled faintly and issued a new order:

"Pass down the order: all units of the central army are to advance steadily according to the original plan, but ensure to maintain a safe distance from the people of Yellow Bell City. Additionally, send a few clever ones to follow them and watch the show."

"Also, pay close attention to the direction of Yellow Bell City. If they send out reinforcements, tell them that without my orders, no one is allowed to pass."

"Yes." The scout received the order and withdrew.

Wei Tingsong smiled and said, "If General Lu can succeed in one fell swoop, it will save us some effort. If he fails, he will have to face the desperate counterattack of the Golden Feather Guards fighting with their backs to the wall."

"What will be consumed is his Yellow Bell City's military strength. Regardless of success or failure, it is beneficial and harmless to us. The Commander-in-Chief's scheme kills two birds with one stone. This subordinate is in awe!"

Yang Yufeng hummed smugly and picked up his teacup once more:

"We'll just sit here and wait for the good news."

"Oh, right. Strategist, do not forget to remind General Fan to have his men cooperate as well."