I Can See Your Combat Power

After responding to Cao Xiong, Bai Qi turned his head and asked Wan Qianyi coldly: “Is that what you said, Commander Wan?”

“Well… indeed.” Wan Qianyi responded with uncertainty. Facing the surprise attack of the Fierce Realm, Mi Hai’s last command was indeed for them to retreat. Therefore, he led his sizeable reserves from Da You Mountain to the south bank.

But the situation has changed since then. At that time, facing the sudden appearance of three hundred Fierce Realm soldiers and the forces of the Tang Clan, the Martial Ancestor was only filled with panic. But now, turning his head around…

Although the number of Fierce Realm soldiers is large, the majority of them are disorganized. As for the retainers of the Tang Clan, they are no longer a threat due to the swift support of the Mi Clan.

The current stalemate is balanced. Whoever launches another attack would tip the balance in favor of victory. The opportunity for victory is fleeting. In Wan Qianyi’s heart, he actually leans more towards Cao Xiong’s suggestion.

If they could launch a surprise attack on Treasure Ding Mountain now, they would definitely achieve substantial results.

However, facing two commanders who have just suffered heavy losses, Wan Qianyi simply couldn’t bring himself to suggest such a strategy. And he could only respond to Bai Qi’s question awkwardly.

But just because he can’t say it doesn’t mean Cao Xiong can’t. With his calm voice, showing no signs of wavering, he said: “In war, nothing is constant. Victory lies in adapting to the enemy’s changes, which is considered divine. Commander Bai, despite your knowledge of military strategies, the decision you made today is not even matchable to beginners. If we miss this crucial opportunity because of your foolishness, you will be the sinner of this war!”

Perhaps Cao Xiong’s original intention was to make Bai Qi understand the serious consequences of the decision to withdraw. But he forgets that for a commander who has just suffered the pain of losing his sons, these words are like pouring oil on the fire.

“Prepare for the joint attack!” Bai Qi’s soul focused on Cao Xiong, coldly ordering: “Get out of the way, or else, die!”

“Commander Bai, what are you doing!?” Wan Qianyi was taken aback. After Bai Qi gave the order, the Transcending Mortals Squad and the Martial Ancestors behind him had already begun to gather their spiritual power. Hence, he hastily pacified: “We’re all on the same side, please, Commander Bai, remain calm!”

“Commander Wan, my Bai Clan has already lost too much in this war. I won’t let any more of our people be sacrificed.” Bai Qi said coldly: “Now, please clear the path. I am following the commander’s order to retreat from the Zhen Wen Mountain. Whoever opposes will be killed without mercy!”

“Ah….” Wan Qianyi pulled Cao Xiong aside, who still wanted to say something, and watched Bai Qi and Pan Bing retreat quickly with the remnants of the two mountains.

The forces of Zhen Wen Mountain and Dragon Horn Mountain retreated with absolute calmness, leaving Tang Luo on the summit of Treasure Ding Mountain in a frantic state.

“Hey, what kind of tactical skills do these two commanders have? Would they miss such a golden opportunity for a surprise attack? This Bai Qi claims to be a great strategist, but he’s probably an idiot, right?”

Indeed, Tang Luo was furious. He had made a lot of preparations to deal with the surprise attack. He was looking at everything from the mountain top, feeling that the combined forces of Zhen Wen Mountain and Dragon Horn Mountain were the best candidates for a surprise attack on Treasure Ding Mountain.

Tang Luo had heard every word that Cao Xiong had said to encourage Pan Bing and Bai Qi. He just wanted to tell them loudly, “Yes, yes, hurry up and attack North Mountain.”

The Spirit Art joint attack, as large as it could be, is already prepared and just waiting for them to walk right into it.

However, Bai Qi had disregarded everything and immediately withdrew with the forces from Zhen Wen and Dragon Horn Mountains. Why didn’t he listen to Cao Xiong’s words?

“General, don’t be angry.” Tang Zhi, who was sipping tea by the side, waved to Tang Luo and said: “If Bai Qi really had charged up here, then he wouldn’t be the famed shrewd strategist in Xiling.”

“Hmm?” Tang Luo frowned, puzzled, and asked Tang Zhi, who was sitting in front of the clan leader: “You mean, he retreated because he knew he couldn’t attack Treasure Ding Mountain?”

“First, have some tea.” Tang Zhi responded with a smile: “I don’t mean that Bai Qi saw through General Luo’s arrangements, but he saw something deeper, further away, and that’s why he had to retreat.”

…

Zhen Wen and Dragon Horn Mountains quickly moved out of the boundary of Treasure Ding Mountain. Above them, Pan Bing and Bai Qi flew side by side in silence, alert for possible attacks. However, those Fierce Realms seemed to have been scared off. The forces have retreated dozens of miles without sensing even a hint of spiritual energy fluctuation.

“Old Bai.” Pan Bing suddenly spoke, breaking the silence: “I think what Cao Xiong said makes some sense. If we led our forces to charge Treasure Ding Mountain, we might really catch the Tang Clan by surprise. You…”

The Pan, Bai, Bi, and Wan families have long been connected by marriage. Pan Bing and Bai Qi, who traveled together as young boys, share a deep friendship.

Having spent a long time together, the two knew each other quite well. In terms of military strategy, Pan Bing greatly admires his good friend. He was just too angry to listen to what Cao Xiong was saying, but he didn’t believe his good friend was the same.

Even as he reflects on it, he thinks that attacking Treasure Ding Mountain would indeed break through the Tang Clan’s base. Bai Qi, who has a deep understanding of military strategy, couldn’t have missed it.

“What does it matter if it makes sense.” Bai Qi replied snappily: “I know you’re wondering why I insisted on retreating. That’s because I don’t think it’s worth sacrificing all of our clansmen to break through the Tang Clan’s main camp!”

“The attack on Treasure Ding Mountain could indeed shatter the Tang Clan’s position. But what then? Do we fight the remnants of our two clans and the Tang Clan?”

“I’m telling you, regardless of the outcome of this battle, our clansmen won’t be returning! Not to mention whether we have the ability to break out if we lose, even if we successfully break into the Tang Clan’s main base, we will be torn apart by reemerging Tang Clan Martial Ancestors. Who benefits from this war, the Pan Clan or the Bai Clan? Don’t forget how our four clans were roped into the war by the Mi Clan. If we lose our strength, it remains to be seen whether we will have a place in the Southern Mountain Beast Valley ten or twenty years later!”

One who cannot consider overall interests cannot consider anything. One who cannot consider the future cannot consider the present. Cao Xiong was right, but that’s because Cao Xiong has no stakes. All his clan members are in the rear at the Southern Mountain Beast Valley. Having few individuals of their own, the Cao Clan members who participated in the war are all warriors above the Fierce Realm.

The Cao Clan, who excel in physical defense, has not suffered any battle losses since the beginning of the war. So, of course, he could stand so high and teach Bai Qi and Pan Bing what the correct military strategy is.

But what is the real situation? It’s the Bai and Pan clans using their most elite forces to fight for a future for the Mi Clan. But what comes after the war?

‘A bird in hand is worth two in the bush,’ and ‘kill the hare when the dog has done its duty.’ If the Bai and Pan clans lose all their excellent Transcending Mortals warriors, how should they go on?

Should they burn themselves to light the way for others? I’m a great strategist, not a candle!