My Cultivation Starting from Archery

After returning, he must obtain the incense burner from Ci Yun Temple.

Before Chen Sansi set off, not only were the temple master and supervisor imprisoned in the great prison, but Spirit Mist Mountain was completely sealed off. All Taoists were prohibited from leaving the mountain gate until everything was cleared up. The incense burner was naturally well-protected and there was no need to worry about it being lost.

Whether or not he could return and when he could do so was the immediate issue to consider.

The intelligence he relayed to Zhao Wuji and others had received a response.

The content was simple—they would be cautious.

At this point, the front lines had already set up camp and begun confronting the main force of the Red Eyebrow Army. It was too late to return by the same route.

The transport of food and forage to Yangchun Prefecture was still relatively smooth.

"I hope I am overthinking it."

Chen Sansi watched the setting sun, muttering to himself.

Another ten days passed.

"In five days!"

Upon returning to his tent, Yu Song issued a new order: "Reserve Camp, deploy in full force to Yingzui Mountain, join the main battlefield, and participate in the decisive battle!"

"Even the Reserve Camp is being deployed?"

Xie Sishu asked, "Vice Admiral Yu, how is the situation at the front?"

"Three victories, one defeat, annihilating eight thousand Red Eyebrow rebels, our army suffered three thousand casualties."

Yu Song said gravely, "These rebels have high morale, relying on having been granted a Heavenly Book and Immortal Law, they are able to retreat without disbanding. Moreover, over these two months, they've mustered another ten thousand men from various sects and mountain, along with new array soldiers trained."

"It amounts to them still having over thirty thousand men to this day."

"But, that's all."

"General Dong left Deputy General Wu You to guard the Great Wall, personally leading thirty thousand men to come to our aid, he will soon arrive at Golden Spring Manor. When he does, we will attack from both sides, within half a month we could annihilate half of the enemy. In two months, we will stabilize the entire region!"

"Then, we will be able to return to Liangzhou!"

They've mustered another ten thousand men.

How frightening, and in such a short time?

This means almost half of Ming State's sect disciples and Jianghu martial artists have joined the Red Eyebrow Army.

Such is the allure of a "myth."

"Blessings from an Immortal"—and moreover, a Heavenly Book and Strange Weapon specially meant for warfare, as valuable as "a mandate from heaven," genuinely backed by an Immortal.

Merely on this account, more people will continue to defect.

If it were not for the "Heavenly Book," this rebellion would not have intensified enough.

In other words,

No matter how desperate the situation becomes next, everything hinges on seizing Meishan Prefecture from Liang Ji, ending the rebels' "faith" to persist, and resolving all issues by conquering without battle.

Of course,

The prerequisite is winning this upcoming great battle.

His position was still too low, limiting what he could do.

"Wang Li."

Chen Sansi asked, "Have there been any updates from Sword Gate Canyon?"

"Soon."

Wang Li replied, "In a few more days, Zhao Kang and his men should be back."

"Good, go then."

Chen Sansi had sent someone back to Sword Gate Canyon a few days ago to scout the situation.

If his speculation were true, then definitely, a large force would encamp near Sword Gate Canyon, sealing their retreat route.

...

Meishan Prefecture City.

Prefect Mansion.

"Holding the authority to kill, the righteous resolve the people's plight.

"Heavenly Book and Strange Weapon gifted by Immortals, recited before the ancestors' verses.

"A dragon lurks on Meishan, startling the heavens, for now quietly leaping in the deep.

"Awaiting the gathering of storm clouds, soaring through the heavens to secure the kingdom!"

"Excellent poem, excellent poem!"

Inside the hall.

A scholar wrote down a poem on the immaculate white wall, eliciting applause from many generals.

Yet the scholar himself showed no sign of excitement.

He slowly put down his pen, scanning the generals: "What's the situation north of Wushui?"

"To the Commander's words."

A general replied with a fist salute, "The Commander's divine strategy has worked, Mr. Jia and others have been led into losses in several battles. Liangzhou Army has already crossed the area around Yingzui Mountain, even pulling up the last of the Reserve Camps, preparing for the final battle just outside Golden Spring Manor."

"What about Dong An?"

Liang Jinian inquired.

"He's also in position!"

Xiang Tian responded, "General Dong with his fifty thousand strong army has arrived at Golden Spring Manor. We will retreat in defeat once more, then pretend to join forces with them, hardly dreaming that the reinforcement is here to end their lives!"

"If this plan succeeds, the forty thousand Liangzhou soldiers will definitely be annihilated!"

"And Sword Gate Canyon?"

Liang Jinian, holding a rule stick, pointed at the terrain on the sand table: "Sword Gate Canyon must be blocked, do not let a single one escape, and also prepare Yangchun Prefecture."

"The Commander uses troops with great caution, we truly admire that."

The crowd once again showered praise.

Liang Jinian waved his sleeve, "Enough, arrange it quickly, do not miss the opportunity for victory, upon this battle depends our lives and fortunes!"

"Commander, you... you haven't yet bestowed us with the Divine Power of the Heavenly Book!"

The Sect Master of the Profound Image Realm, Xiang Tian, knelt on one knee before the scholar: "Please bestow the law, Commander!"

With his kneeling, many others followed suit and knelt.

Liang Jinian frowned slightly: "This battle will be eighty thousand versus forty thousand, an ambush, and yet you still need my instruction?"

"Commander!"

Xiang Tian replied with a fist salute, "We, the Red Eyebrow Army, have had it rough this month, constantly exposed to the elements, and only with your blessing of the Immortal Law can we maintain high morale."

"The law should not be casually transmitted, nor should it be misused!"

Liang Jinian dropped the rule stick: "Announce my mandate, let it be known the Heavenly Book predicts this battle is destined for victory. If we win this battle, pick a small city and reward the troops with three days to plunder!"

Ming State is poor, and so is the Red Eyebrow Army. All their supplies either come from West Qi Country or are plundered from nearby cities. Normally, there's nothing substantial to reward the troops with, apart from plundering a city to awaken their primal desires.