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Chapter 451: The Martial Trial BeginsThe Night Before the Martial Trial

Was Marquis Soaring Flight playing games? Just a while ago, he had caused a great commotion, even proposing marriage to the emperor in front of the civil and military officials in the Sacred Palace. Now, with the trial reaching its final stage, why had he suddenly withdrawn?

People were baffled, but no one would dare call Marquis Soaring Flight incompetent. After all, he had single-handedly toppled a great empire. Anyone who called him incompetent would be admitting to being even more incapable.

Given this, there seemed to be only one plausible explanation for his retreat: he believed he could not win the martial trial. Was there really someone who could intimidate Marquis Soaring Flight into retreating?

Could such a person exist?

Carefree Marquis? Zhao Tiansha? Zhong Shan?

Interest among the people grew more intense. Beyond their faint hopes of obtaining the Elixir of Immortality, they were eager to see who would ultimately triumph in this grand martial trial.

News of Marquis Soaring Flight's withdrawal quickly reached the scouts of the other three factions. Although the scouts couldn't infiltrate the central square, they could gather information from outside, where the news had already spread like wildfire.

In a Northern Palace

"Ling'er, Marquis Soaring Flight's army has retreated," Nie Qingqing said.

"Let them retreat then," Tian Ling'er replied after some thought. As long as the Zhong Family Army didn't retreat, there was nothing to worry about.

"But this means the Zhong Family Army might face a pincer attack from the other two armies. What if they are defeated?" Nie Qingqing asked.

"The Zhong Family Army will not be defeated," Tian Ling'er said firmly.

"Why not?" Nie Qingqing asked, puzzled.

"Because I believe in Zhong Shan!" Tian Ling'er replied, clutching a small book tightly.

In Zhao Tiansha's Camp

Zhao Tiansha listened to his subordinate's report on the surprising news.

"They've left? Good! Without Zhong Shan, the Zhong Family Army is leaderless. With Marquis Soaring Flight gone, our only opponent is Carefree Marquis!" Zhao Tiansha said with a smile.

"Commander, even with Marquis Soaring Flight gone, we mustn't underestimate the Zhong Family Army. They are extremely powerful, having fought alongside Zhong Shan for years—they are elite among elites!" a subordinate cautioned.

"They may be elite, but without their commander, what can they do? Do you really think that Lin Xiao is that formidable?" Zhao Tiansha scoffed.

"What about Carefree Marquis?"

"Carefree Marquis? Rumors say he's formidable, but I've seen him frequently over the past few months. He's not as strong as me!" Zhao Tiansha said confidently.

"Congratulations, Commander!"

In Carefree Marquis's Camp

Carefree Marquis was hosting a banquet in his grand hall, attended by twenty-nine emperor-level experts.

"Commander, why bring so many soldiers? We alone are more than enough," one subordinate laughed.

"Indeed, Commander, with Zhong Shan absent and Marquis Soaring Flight gone, aren't we the strongest now? This will be a complete victory!"

"And that Mr. Corpse isn't here either! With our twenty-nine emperor-level experts, we can sweep away all opposition!"

Carefree Marquis looked around with satisfaction at his subordinates. Indeed, with twenty-nine emperor-level experts, they were a terrifying force. In the central square, with a diameter of a thousand miles, they could swiftly defeat the two armies.

"In a few days, when our commander wins the beauty, we can thoroughly humiliate Zhong Shan, hahaha!"

"I heard that Zhong Shan and Princess Ling'er are really husband and wife. If our commander wins the beauty, it will not only humiliate Zhong Shan but make him wish for death!"

"Congratulations, Commander!"

"Hahahahahaha!" Carefree Marquis laughed wildly.

In the Zhong Family Army Camp

Lin Xiao sat at the commander's desk, with Shui Wuhen and Liu Wushuang among the other generals standing before him.

Two months ago, Zhong Shan's instructions had left Shui Wuhen baffled. Why was the command being transferred to Lin Xiao? What did this mean? Other generals were also dissatisfied, as they trusted Shui Wuhen more, having fought numerous battles under his command. Lin Xiao had appeared suddenly, and they saw him as unimportant. If it weren't for Zhong Shan's orders and Shui Wuhen's cooperation, the generals wouldn't have obeyed so readily.

Lin Xiao looked at the generals, took a deep breath, and said, "Generals, I am temporarily in command. I will not overstep my bounds after this task is completed. I know many of you are not convinced. That's fine. Just follow orders. Remember, you are the Zhong Family Army, not any individual's private force. Zhong Shan's orders are the divine mandate!"

"Yes!" The generals, after thinking it over, responded. Indeed, Shui Wuhen, despite his seniority, was still a subordinate of the Grand Marshal. They were the Zhong Family Army, not the Shui Family Army.

"Secondly, I hope no one acts stubbornly here. The importance of this battle is clear to all of you. The northern palace is where the Grand Marshal's wife resides. One wrong move, and everything is lost. Anyone who causes failure due to stubbornness will be executed without mercy!" Lin Xiao said sternly.

"Yes!" The generals replied with a shiver.

Lin Xiao then smiled and said, "Of course, victory is ours. The Grand Marshal entrusted us with this crucial task. We either end up defeated and humiliated, or we gloriously defeat the three armies. I have confidence in our victory. Do you have confidence in carrying out the task and making the Zhong Family Army's name resound throughout the Great Li Dynasty?"

"Yes!" The generals shouted immediately.

Using a combination of sternness and encouragement, Lin Xiao ignited the spirit of competitiveness among the generals.

"I can't hear you!" Lin Xiao shouted.

"Yes!" The generals shouted louder.

"Still can't hear you!" Lin Xiao repeated.

"YES!!!" The generals roared, shaking the entire palace. They were in a state of high excitement.

Shui Wuhen watched with a frown, surprised at how easily Lin Xiao had roused the subordinates.

"Good. Now follow my previous arrangements. Shui Wuhen, stay behind!" Lin Xiao ordered.

"Yes!" The generals responded and left.

Shui Wuhen stayed behind, slightly surprised.

With only Lin Xiao and Shui Wuhen left in the grand hall, Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Shui Wuhen, do you think the Grand Marshal made an ill-considered decision by changing commanders at the last minute?"

Shui Wuhen frowned but shook his head, saying, "The Grand Marshal's decision is undoubtedly correct. If he believes Vice Commander Lin is more capable, he must be right."

Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Hehe, Wuhen, there's no need to be so dejected. The Grand Marshal is grooming you. He wouldn't think you're incapable."

"Uh?" Shui Wuhen was slightly surprised.

"You have fought many victorious battles and are considered a renowned general under the Grand Marshal. But, how do you compare to Yi Yan from the past?" Lin Xiao asked.

"Yi Yan? Him? I know I am not his equal! Yi Yan is the only one in recent years who could rival the Grand Marshal," Shui Wuhen immediately replied.

"Yi Yan is now just like me," Lin Xiao said.

"Like you?!" Shui Wuhen was stunned, looking incredulous.

"Exactly. The Grand Marshal's capabilities are unparalleled. You haven't experienced enough to see it clearly. Whether it's the army or the generals, the Grand Marshal's forces are always the most elite. You have the potential, which is why the Grand Marshal is grooming you and asked me to assist you. In the upcoming battles, you don't need to participate directly. Instead, observe carefully. I will teach you how to lead troops, understand the enemy's grand strategy, deploy a hidden force of a million soldiers, and strike with precision using the momentum of the battlefield. Learn diligently! Many of the Grand Marshal's strategies were hidden, unnoticed by anyone. Many times, people thought the Grand Marshal was just lucky, not realizing he had calculated everything, even luck. The reasons for the Grand Marshal's inevitable victory are beyond our current understanding," Lin Xiao explained.

Shui Wuhen listened with a furrowed brow. From the moment Lin Xiao mentioned Yi Yan, he realized he had underestimated the Grand Marshal he so admired. There were many secrets he still didn't know.

"However, you shouldn't feel burdened. You have an advantage that neither I nor Yi Yan possess. The Grand Marshal has mentioned it before. So, one day, you too will rise to prominence in the world," Lin Xiao said.

"Me?" Shui Wuhen was taken aback.

Lin Xiao's strength was uncertain to Shui Wuhen, but he knew he was far behind Yi Yan. Yet, Lin Xiao's words gave him a sense of disbelief.

"Yes, you. You lack experience and strategic thinking, but I can teach you those. It's just a pity that Marquis Soaring Flight has left. Without a formidable opponent, there won't be many tough battles to explain," Lin Xiao sighed.

"Vice Commander Lin, are you so confident against the remaining two armies? They have a significant number of emperor-level experts, especially Carefree Marquis with his twenty-nine emperor-level experts. We only have Blazing Fire and Qing Hong," Shui Wuhen said, frowning.

"Heh, war isn't a martial contest. Remember, our 800,000 troops are not 800,000 individual strengths but a single strength magnified 800,000 times!" Lin Xiao stated.

"Yes!" Shui Wuhen nodded.

"Moreover, here, where flight and divine sense are restricted, are those emperor-level experts still emperor-level experts? They are just a bunch of useless people," Lin Xiao sneered.

"Useless?" Shui Wuhen's face twitched.

The Hour of the Tiger (3 AM)

"Woooooo..."

In the still dark forest, a deep horn sound echoed, spreading across the entire central square. With the horn's sound, the martial trial began.

In the three camps, the three commanders looked up simultaneously.

"It has begun!" Lin Xiao, Zhao Tiansha, and Carefree Marquis said in unison.

Before dawn, the four directions stirred! Under the orders of the three commanders, their forces rapidly moved in all directions, and the great battle commenced!

Countless spectators on the outskirts watched eagerly from early on.

Naturally, some had also set up betting rings, placing odds on the three armies.

Who would ultimately win? Zhao Tiansha? Carefree Marquis? Or the Zhong Family Army, now without its commander?