185: Chapter 185 Clash of Armies

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the other generals.

"The rest of the divisions shall guard their respective defense zones. Strengthen the monitoring and alertness along the Purple Moon Dynasty's long border, and continue to wipe out the Polluted Monsterss and the strongholds of Otherworld Lords within our territory."

"The Purple Moon Dynasty is also facing internal unrest, so it is impossible for them to press all their forces in one direction. However, we must guard against them making a feint to the east while attacking in the west."

Finally, he looked back at Gru, his eyes filled with undisguised expectations and a heavy trust.

"Gru, you are the future pillar of my Kingdom. In this battle, victory is the only option! Not only must you win, but you must win beautifully. Show the Kingdom's prestige so those Easterners never dare to look north again!"

"Use a glorious victory to prove your ability, to place a heavier burden on your shoulders, and to accumulate enough merit and prestige!"

Hearing the King entrust such a heavy responsibility to the relatively inexperienced Gru, a complex look flashed in the eyes of some veteran generals, but no one spoke out in opposition.

Gru's strength and potential were obvious to all. The King clearly intended to use this battle to vigorously promote him and cultivate the pillar of the next generation of the military.

Gru took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement and surging Battle Intent in his heart. He struck his chest heavily once more, his voice firm as iron and resounding:

"Rest assured, Your Majesty! I, Gru, swear here that I will not fail the Kingdom's heavy trust nor Your Majesty's confidence! I will surely annihilate that Human Race army that dares to invade our borders, leaving not a single one alive! I will use their heads and blood to offer sacrifices to the heroic spirits of the Split-Hoof Tribe and to forge an inviolable border Great Wall for the Kingdom!"

"Good!" King Leo showed a slight smile on his face. Looking at this vibrant and sharp junior, he seemed to see the future hope of the Kingdom's military power.

He himself was already one hundred and sixty-nine years old. Although he was still robust due to his high strength, the twilight of his life was already foreseeable.

With no hope of a Breakthrough to Saint-Grade in this life, his greatest wish was to cultivate new guardians for the Kingdom so that the Kingdom's flag would fly forever.

Gru was the seedling he favored the most.

"Go! Mobilize the army, collect provisions, and set out immediately! The Kingdom awaits your news of victory!"

"By your command!"

Gru took his orders and stood up abruptly. He gave a standard military salute to the King and the ministers, then turned and strode out of the hall with great strides.

His steps were steady and powerful, his dark gold armor reflecting a cold luster with every movement, and an unstoppable Aura had already broken forth.

As the court assembly dispersed, the massive war machine began to roar.

Gru's efficiency was astonishing. Holding the King's command token and royal documents, he began to draw warriors from the various elite legions.

An army of five hundred thousand was almost the largest mobile force that could be assembled near the Royal Capital in a short time.

Moreover, they were all battle-hardened elites. The lowest Rank was silver, Gold-tier officers were everywhere, and there were more than ten platinum rank fierce generals serving as the mid-level backbone.

And Gru himself, this newly advanced diamond-rank powerhouse, was the hardest and most lethal tip of this incredibly sharp 'Spear of the Kingdom'!

Using the hatred of the Split-Hoof Tribe as fuel and the expectations of the entire Kingdom as war drums, he would lead five hundred thousand thunderbolts of vengeance to strike fiercely at the border land defiled by the 'Purple Moon Vanguard'!

What he did not know was that what he was about to face was not the 'Purple Moon Dynasty' army of his imagination, but an Otherworld Lord from beyond the heavens who possessed a million-strong army, was eager to prove himself through war, and already viewed the Kingdom as a treasure trove of points and resources... Lin Tian.

Just as Lin Tian led his overwhelming army, crushing southward like a bursting flood, Gru was not entirely unaware.

The various scouts sent out were like stones sinking into the ocean; many had exceeded the agreed-upon return time with no news at all.

Sitting in the temporary central command tent, wiping his dark gold battle-axe, Gru's brow furrowed slightly, his fingers unconsciously stroking the cold blade.

"Something's wrong... the scouts are being lost too quickly."

He whispered to himself, a hint of solemnity flashing in his bell-like bull eyes.

The scouts were all experts in the army, skilled at hiding. Such a large-scale loss of contact could only mean that the opponent had not only discovered them but also that their counter-reconnaissance methods were exceptionally sharp and ruthless.

"It seems we've run into no ordinary unit. At the very least, the commander is a cautious and decisive character."

Gru put down his battle-axe and stood up, the heavy armor plates making a clanging friction sound.

Since their movements had already been exposed, there was no point in being cautious and trying to hide their approach. Instead, they might lose their edge by being over-cautious.

"Pass the order!" He strode out of the tent, his voice deep and powerful, carrying through the marching Ranks.

"The whole army is to halt its advance and rest in place! Eat, drink, and check your equipment! Send two thousand-man units five li ahead to occupy favorable terrain and establish outpost sentries!"

"The rest of the divisions, hurry and recover your strength! The enemy is not far from us. A hard battle is right before our eyes. Everyone, get yourselves into peak condition!"

As the order was given, the well-trained Minotaur army quickly transitioned from a marching state to a pre-battle rest.

The warriors sat down silently, taking out dried meat and hard flour cakes to chew, sharpening their axe blades, and checking the straps of their shields and armor.

A suppressed and excited pre-battle atmosphere permeated the Ranks.

Two hours later.

When the five hundred thousand elite vanguards personally led by Lin Tian appeared at the edge of Gru's army's vision like a moving giant wall shimmering with the cold light of metal.

The southern sky seemed to darken slightly. And the outposts sent by Gru had already rushed the news back.

The two armies stood several li apart on the vast, boundless plain, facing each other from a distance.

The air seemed to freeze, and the wind seemed to stop howling. All that remained was the faint sound of countless flags drooping limply in the still air.

And the heavy, thunderous, mingled sounds of coarse breathing and armor friction from both camps.

Solemnity! Deathly silence! Daggers drawn!

Gru rode out from the crowd on the back of an exceptionally majestic, heavily armored giant wolf beast.

His gaze was like lightning, sweeping over the human army opposite him, which was so well-disciplined and well-equipped that even he was somewhat impressed. The last trace of the thought of a 'light annihilation' vanished from his mind.

These were definitely not disorganized soldiers, but a true elite force, and their numbers were not at all inferior to the five hundred thousand Kingdom warriors under his command.

He took a deep breath, channeling energy to project his voice far away like muffled thunder rolling across the plain, carrying a questioning tone and a final deterrent:

"Humans of the Purple Moon Dynasty! This land is the territory of my Minotaur Kingdom! What is the reason for you to raise troops without cause, invade our borders, and slaughter my tribe?"

"If you rein in your horses at the brink of the precipice and retreat immediately, and offer reparations sufficient to appease my King's wrath, this general might, for the sake of the past... temporarily cease hostilities and let bygones be bygones!"

"If you persist in your delusions, I will surely make it so that your army of five hundred thousand has no return and is buried right here!"