150: The capital city urgently summoned

Shen Xiaochuan lay on his bed in the military camp, his right ribs wrapped in bandages stained with dark red blood.

He was not asleep; his eyes were fixed on the top of the tent, his ears straining to catch the footsteps outside.

The tent flap was lifted, and a cold wind blew inside.

Aminos stood at the entrance, his cloak dusty, holding two clay bowls.

"It's wine freshly brewed by the local tavern; the taste is average, but it will warm you up." He walked in, placed one bowl on the table, and handed the other to Shen Xiaochuan. "I had the cook add some minced meat; you need to eat something."

Shen Xiaochuan did not take it, only looking up at him.

"You shouldn't have come in," he said. "The city is not safe."

"I know," Aminos replied, not putting down the bowl. "I only brought two men; they're guarding ten paces outside. I won't stay long."

Shen Xiaochuan slowly reached out to take the bowl.

His fingers brushed against the side of the bowl, and finding it hot, he instinctively recoiled.

He lowered his head and sniffed; there was the scent of wine mixed with the aroma of meat.

While not exactly delicious, it was far better than drinking plain water.

"Thank you for saving Yunhai," Aminos said, sitting down and taking a sip himself. "If you hadn't blocked that demon, I wouldn't have held out until the reinforcements arrived."

Shen Xiaochuan took a sip and remained silent.

He knew the truth about the so-called reinforcements—those fifty thousand soldiers were actually shadow troops conjured by Aminos through sheer obsession.

The commoners were fake as well.

Only the torches and the fighting were real.

"I didn't come here to save the city," Shen Xiaochuan suddenly said.

Aminos looked up at him.

"I had a dream," Shen Xiaochuan said, looking at the wine in the bowl. "A woman in a white robe stood by my bed and said that Yunhai was in danger and only you could save it. She said you are a forgotten guardian god, and as long as you don't give up, you can win."

Aminos stared at him, his expression shifting.

"The Goddess of Light?" his voice dropped.

"She didn't say who she was," Shen Xiaochuan shook his head. "But I rushed here the moment I woke up. I was nearly buried by a landslide on the road, and my chariot was stuck in a ditch for ages. Yet, I still came, because I believed her words."

The tent fell silent.

The wind blew in, causing the oil lamp to flicker.

After a few seconds, Aminos chuckled. "You make it sound so real."

"Believe it or not," Shen Xiaochuan said, putting down the bowl. "But I saw you set up the formation. The Six Ren Demon-Suppressing Square Formation is not something an ordinary person can use. You can summon fifty thousand soldiers and strike runes into the ground; this is no coincidence. She did not misjudge you."

Aminos remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he looked up and asked, "What do you want me to do?"

"Attack now while we have the chance," Shen Xiaochuan said, looking at him. "The main demon force has collapsed, and the survivors have fled to the three cities in the north. We have fifty thousand soldiers, plus my three thousand; we can take back all the territory within seven days. If you want to rebuild Yunhai, you must drive the enemy out first."

Aminos tapped his knees, frowning. "Will the imperial court... agree to this?"

"The imperial court?" Shen Xiaochuan sneered. "They took half a month to send reinforcements. Now that we've won, they want to come back and take charge? We don't need to wait for them. The territory we conquered should be under our control."

Aminos looked at him and suddenly asked, "Who exactly are you? An ordinary Awakening cannot withstand thirty moves from a perfect grade demon."

Shen Xiaochuan smiled. "Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is that I can help you, as long as you are willing to move forward."

The two stared at each other for a moment.

Aminos stood up and flicked his cloak. "Tomorrow morning, we muster the troops at the drill ground. I will lead the force myself."

"I'll go too," Shen Xiaochuan said. He stood up, the movement pulling at his wound, and he frowned. "But there's one condition: when the medical team enters the city, I want to send people to accompany them. We cannot let them wander around."

Aminos paused. "Do you still think there's something wrong with the city?"

"It's not that I don't trust you," Shen Xiaochuan said, his voice dropping. "I just don't believe that the dead can still speak."

Aminos did not ask again. He turned and walked out of the tent, his silhouette disappearing into the night.

Over the next fifteen days, battle reports arrived incessantly.

On the third day, they took Pingyang City, killed two thousand enemies, and captured a significant amount of food and equipment.

On the fifth day, they captured Fengling Ferry, opened up the waterway, and the commoners came out to welcome the army.

On the eighth day, they recaptured Duanshi Pass, destroyed three altars, and found some bones of an evil god.

Each battle report was sent to the Imperial Capital, copied, and posted outside the imperial court.

At first, the ministers said nothing, but by the tenth day, people began to whisper.

"This Shen Xiaochuan entered the dungeon, received no royal orders, and wrote no memorials, yet he is conquering cities and occupying land on his own accord."

"He brought private soldiers and is fighting under his own banner. Since when did that blue flag with the gear become the official army?"

"And that Aminos is only an F-grade deity with no special abilities; how is he commanding fifty thousand troops? Is he possessed by something?"

These rumors reached the King's ears.

He remained noncommittal, merely ordering strengthened border patrols and sending secret agents to the front lines to investigate the military supply situation.

On the night of the thirteenth day, Shen Xiaochuan was studying a map in his tent when a messenger rushed in.

"General! An urgent letter from the Imperial Capital!"

Shen Xiaochuan looked up.

The envelope had a purple border and a black Seal, closed with wax, and bore the stamp of imperial direct delivery.

He took the envelope but did not open it immediately, placing it on the table instead.

He glanced at it and asked, "Where is the messenger?"

"Still waiting outside, sir. He said he needs you to sign for the receipt."

Shen Xiaochuan nodded and dismissed him.

He stared at the envelope for a long time before walking to his chest.

From the bottom layer, he retrieved a copper gear pendant.

It had been given to him by his parents and had always been sewn into his sleeve.

He took it out, ran his fingers over it, tucked it into the lining of the envelope, and resealed it.

This was a secret signal.

As long as this item returned, his father would know he was still alive.

Before dawn the next day, the military camp was already in motion.

Five thousand elite soldiers stood in formation on the drill ground, their armor neat and their weapons ready.

The war chariots were arranged in three rows, and the horses grazed, their nostrils puffing out white steam.

The scouts had just returned, reporting that the enemy stronghold had fewer than eight hundred defenders and no high-level demons, making it suitable for an attack.

Shen Xiaochuan stood outside his tent, tying his belt.

His wound had not yet healed, and it pained him to move, but he refused any assistance.

Aminos rode over, his cloak billowing in the wind.

"It's time," he said. "I will lead the vanguard to break the gate, and you will lead the center to provide support. Does that work for you?"

Shen Xiaochuan nodded. "Understood. But if you see any signs of a ritual, retreat immediately. Do not take risks."

"Understood," Aminos said, raising his hand. "Advance!"

The drums sounded, and the troops began to move.

Just then, dust rose in the distance.

A black horse galloped toward them, its hooves splashing mud.

The rider wore a purple robe with a double-eagle emblem embroidered on the chest; it was an imperial envoy from the Imperial Capital.

He stopped at the gate, dismounted, and shouted loudly:

"Orders from the Imperial Capital! Shen Xiaochuan is to return to the capital immediately to discuss matters! There must be no delay!"

The entire camp fell silent.

The soldiers halted, and the commanders turned to look toward the main tent.

Shen Xiaochuan stood on the steps, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

The imperial envoy hurried forward, holding a red wooden box in both hands.

The wax Seal on the top remained unbroken, stamped with the golden Seal of an imperial edict.

"The imperial edict is here. General Shen, please receive it personally."

Shen Xiaochuan did not move.

He looked at the box, then toward the horizon—the sky was brightening, as if a blade had sliced open the dark night.

Five thousand soldiers stood still, no one speaking.

Aminos sat on his horse, gripping his halberd.

He watched the imperial edict, the corners of his mouth tightening.

Shen Xiaochuan finally walked down the steps.

He took the wooden box; it was heavy.

The wax Seal was intact, and the stamp was clear; it had indeed been issued directly by the Emperor.

He did not open it.

He simply held the box to his chest, standing in the morning breeze and watching the troops ready to depart.

Sunlight shone on the war chariots, the metal reflecting the light.