Capítulo 453: Chapter 453: The Result of the Martial Contest
In Xiaoyao Hou's camp.
"How are our losses?" Xiaoyao Hou asked in a deep voice.
"Severe. We only have 200,000 remnants left, but overall, we are still the strongest," a subordinate replied.
"Oh?"
"The Zhao army also has only 200,000 remnants. The Zhong family army has scattered or fled; they might have only five or six thousand left now. However, they are no match for us. We still have seven Emperor Extreme Realm experts! Grand Marshal, we are sure to win!" the subordinate exclaimed.
"Good, hahaha! Next, let's give it our all and completely annihilate the other two armies!" Xiaoyao Hou said excitedly.
The same news spread in Zhao Tiansha's camp.
Both armies were too busy to determine the remaining strength of the Zhong family army, ensuring their inevitable defeat!
In Lin Xiao's camp.
"Send a message to Zhao Tiansha, suggesting we unite our forces to attack Xiaoyao Hou!" Lin Xiao ordered.
"Yes!" a messenger responded immediately.
"Deputy Commander Lin, will this work? We have 500,000 troops, a definite advantage. Do we really need to unite with Zhao Tiansha's forces? Will they even agree? It's already fortunate they aren't attacking us," Shui Wuhen asked, puzzled.
"500,000? Who said we have 500,000?" Lin Xiao laughed.
"Huh?" Shui Wuhen was confused.
"In their eyes, we only have five or six thousand left. Haha!" Lin Xiao chuckled.
Shui Wuhen was baffled!
Soon, Zhao Tiansha agreed to Lin Xiao's request.
The Zhong and Zhao armies united to face Xiaoyao Hou!
After one battle, the 'remaining 50,000' Zhong family soldiers, unable to withstand the enemy, surrendered in droves. In no time, only '10,000' were left. However, they managed to hold off Xiaoyao Hou's army, causing the loss of three more Emperor Extreme Realm experts in clashes with the Zhao army.
The fierce battle continued from morning until deep into the night.
By the evening of the next day, both Xiaoyao Hou and Zhao Tiansha's armies were reduced to 50,000 soldiers each. Xiaoyao Hou had three Emperor Extreme Realm experts left, and Zhao Tiansha had one Emperor Extreme Realm guard remaining. The Zhong family army was down to 'a few hundred'. The fight had been incredibly brutal.
The remaining forces gathered in a vast canyon for the final showdown.
Xiaoyao Hou stood at one end of the canyon.
"The final victory is ours. Eliminate these remnants, and it's over. Charge!" Xiaoyao Hou commanded.
At the other end of the canyon!
"Concentrate our forces and capture Xiaoyao Hou!" Zhao Tiansha shouted.
"Yes!" The blood-soaked generals responded loudly.
The two armies surged forward and clashed. Above the canyon, Lin Xiao and his remaining 450,000 troops suddenly appeared.
As the battle raged below, the forest trembled, and the ground shook with powerful aftershocks, making everyone's footing unsteady.
"Deputy Commander Lin, once they are both severely weakened, we can win without losing a single soldier," Shui Wuhen said.
"No, we must intervene now," Lin Xiao said.
"Huh? Why?" Shui Wuhen asked, confused.
"You haven't realized our current position? We are in an absolute position of victory right now. Should we wait and risk any unforeseen changes? Remember, when you have an absolute advantage, seize it. Don't lose it out of greed for more," Lin Xiao explained.
"Understood! I have learned my lesson!" Shui Wuhen responded earnestly.
"Xiaoyao Hou, Zhao Tiansha!" Lin Xiao's voice echoed from above the canyon.
With Lin Xiao's shout, the 450,000 soldiers on both sides nocked their Breaking Qi Arrows, aiming straight at the few remaining wounded soldiers below.
Both Xiaoyao Hou's and Zhao Tiansha's troops paused and looked upward.
Breaking Qi Arrows, countless Breaking Qi Arrows, from forty-five thousand soldiers?
"Impossible! Impossible!" Xiaoyao Hou roared in disbelief.
How could this be? The Zhong family army had only eighty thousand troops. They had been reduced to just a few hundred. How could there suddenly be tens of thousands more? Had they hidden soldiers somewhere?
It was impossible! Xiaoyao Hou screamed in denial, his face a mask of disbelief and unreality. How could this be? How?
Zhao Tiansha also screamed internally. Was Zhong Shan truly his nemesis?
No matter how shocked or disbelieving they were, the fact remained—they were utterly defeated. One volley of arrows would ensure their annihilation.
"Nooooooooooo!"
Xiaoyao Hou screamed in denial, his eyes bloodshot, as he soared into the sky. Two Emperor Extreme Realm subordinates quickly restrained him. Xiaoyao Hou was on the verge of losing his mind.
As for Zhao Tiansha, his Sky-Splitting Sword Technique was formidable, but against 450,000 Breaking Qi Arrows? Even the unrivaled Sky-Splitting Sword Technique couldn't withstand the sheer force of such an onslaught.
There was only one outcome—they were captured.
With eyes ablaze, Zhao Tiansha and Xiaoyao Hou glared at Lin Xiao, the man they had once considered a mere underling, now standing triumphantly above them. This was a bitter pill to swallow.
"Shui Wuhen, did you learn from this military exercise?" Lin Xiao asked.
"Thank you, Deputy Commander Lin. I have learned immensely!" Shui Wuhen replied immediately.
"Good!" Lin Xiao nodded.
The referees then escorted Zhao Tiansha and Xiaoyao Hou out of the canyon.
They had lost. Completely and utterly.
"Shui Wuhen, I leave twenty thousand men with you. Don't mess this up!" Lin Xiao instructed.
"Rest assured, Deputy Commander Lin!" Shui Wuhen replied confidently.
Lin Xiao then led the remaining 250,000 troops out of the canyon.
Meanwhile, the outside world was in an uproar!
Millions of eyes were fixed on the central plaza. Although twelve days had passed, the focus had never waned, not just because of Zhong Shan but also due to the ever-growing gambling stakes. Millions of people betting on the outcome was a spectacular sight. Every time people emerged from the central plaza, the spectators analyzed them closely.
The final results were out.
Zhao Tiansha and Xiaoyao Hou were captured. The Zhong family army had won?
Immediately, those who had bet on the Zhong family army erupted in excitement, while those who had bet on Zhao Tiansha and Xiaoyao Hou cursed loudly.
The news of the Zhong family army's victory spread rapidly in all directions. But what shocked everyone the most was that Lin Xiao emerged with 250,000 troops. Adding to the 350,000 outside, that made 600,000 in total. The Zhong family army had only lost '200,000' troops and managed to annihilate a combined force of two million? It was incredible, almost unreal.
As the central plaza's grand array was dismantled, the spiritual senses of millions of people flooded in. In an instant, the vast crowd outside the central plaza fell into stunned silence.
"Master, what's wrong?"
"Teacher, why that expression?"
... Younger disciples quickly asked their elders.
"There are still 200,000 Zhong family troops inside!" someone finally murmured, dumbfounded.
As soon as the words were spoken, the crowd erupted like boiling oil in a hot pan.
"How is that possible?"
"Eighty thousand? Still eighty thousand? Just a few injuries? No, that can't be right!"
"Is it really still eighty thousand? Did Xiaoyao Hou and Zhao Tiansha just fight each other without noticing so many Zhong family troops?"
"This is insane! Who is the commander of the Zhong family army?"
"Lin Xiao? It's Lin Xiao!"
"Lin Xiao!"
"Lin Xiao!"
Instantly, Lin Xiao's name spread like wildfire through the entire Lihuo Holy Capital. Millions of people would forever remember this powerful commander, this supremely capable leader.
Not losing a single soldier while defeating two million enemies? Was this a legend?
Undoubtedly, Lin Xiao's reputation soared. As a subordinate of Zhong Shan, this further elevated Zhong Shan's status. The Zhong family army! Zhong Shan!
On a mountain peak, Shaofei Hou stood with a beautiful woman in blue and his daughter, Bing Bing, watching Lin Xiao's triumphant return, filled with admiration.
"A previously unknown subordinate of Zhong Shan turned out to be so capable. It's unbelievable. I'd love to challenge him myself," Shaofei Hou sighed.
"Ow!" Shaofei Hou suddenly yelped in pain.
The woman in blue beside him pinched his waist hard.
"Are you regretting not participating in the martial contest?" she asked.
"Of course not!" Shaofei Hou quickly replied. Bing Bing covered her mouth, giggling.
... Tian Linger stood in the northern palace of the central plaza, watching Lin Xiao lead his army back. Hearing the reports from her subordinates, she was thrilled.
"Sister, Zhong Shan won! Zhong Shan won!" Tian Linger exclaimed excitedly.
"Yes, go and announce it! Make sure there's no cheating this time," Nie Qingqing smiled.
"There won't be!" Tian Linger clutched her little book tightly.
Before the plaza, Tian Linger looked at Lin Xiao, Zhao Tiansha, and Xiaoyao Hou. Around them, millions of eyes were fixed on her.
"I announce, Zhong Shan is first!" Tian Linger declared loudly.
"Roarrrrr!"
The Zhong family army erupted in cheers. Under Zhong Shan's constant ideological indoctrination, Zhong Shan's victory was their victory!
The cheering of the Zhong family army echoed, and many spectators joined in the celebration. The entire Lihuo Holy Capital was filled with excitement.
"I object!" Xiaoyao Hou suddenly roared.
Xiaoyao Hou was furious, his eyes bloodshot, glaring at Lin Xiao. Zhong family army? Zhong Shan? Even if he couldn't have it, Zhong Shan wouldn't either.
Xiaoyao Hou's roar silenced the crowd. Everyone turned to look at him with disdain, while the Zhong family army glared at him with hatred.
"Zhong Shan didn't even participate. How can he be first? He wasn't even here, how can he be first?" Xiaoyao Hou shouted frantically.
As soon as he spoke, Tian Linger frowned, and the spectators also frowned. Meanwhile, Zhao Tiansha smirked subtly.
Even Zhao Tiansha, as dim-witted as he might be, understood Xiaoyao Hou's intention. If Zhong Shan wasn't present, the martial contest would be invalid, and only the literary contest would count, which Zhao Tiansha had won!
"I also object!" Zhao Tiansha chimed in.
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