Of course, moving this large of an army through enemy lines without being detected was an impossible task, even if they understood Martial Energy. They were too inexperienced in the world of martial techniques to truly utilize it at a high level, much less hiding the presence of almost nine thousand people. Therefore, the logical conclusion was that someone assisted them. The generals of the Phoenix, Qilin, and Kun Divisions smiled as they looked at a group from the Shen Family approach. Like the Loon Family, the Shen Family was one of the four main subordinate families under the Li Family's control. The Loon Family focused on military strength and public security with its peak experts possessing equal might to the Xingyuu Empire's Imperial Sentinels. On the other hand, the Shen Family focused on information gathering and covert operations. This family was how the elder council learned about the Featherwind Sect in extensive detail which spoke loudly of their abilities since even the Alzar Kingdom was in the dark. Thanks to them, the Imperial Council's forces could move through the Quiton Gates and arrive uncontested to Liguang.
Wearing black cloaks and clothing, the five from the Shen Family were the embodiment of night. Their appearances were strikingly like the one from Lord Foshan's case. Unlike a normal Perception Realm, their auras were restrained to an unbelievable level, allowing them to blend in seamlessly with their environment. Although they had not reached the point of minimizing all unnecessary movements, their level of bodily control was evident from their every movement. Anyone could tell they were frightfully well-trained and skilled. The leader walked up to the three generals with a cold detachment.
"Since we have escorted you to Liguang, we have completed our mission. The rest is up to your discretion," the leader said in a genderless, monotonous voice.
"Please give our regards to Lord Fengji and the elder council."
The leader grunted and mumbled something to his subordinates. Together, they disappeared into the black night, leaving the generals to marvel at the sight of Liguang in the distance. The town gave a lively glow from the thousands of soldiers busy patrolling the streets. It stood out amidst the moonless night and black landscape like a beacon of light. However, in the eyes of the three generals, that light only highlighted their target. Their enemies were practically offering their heads up on a silver platter. With how powerful the Phoenix, Qilin, and Kun Divisions became, the upcoming battle would be a one-sided massacre, a complete bloodbath!
"As discussed, I will lead the Phoenix Division into Liguang. You two will be responsible for the Lotus Division and the Steel Eagle Brigade. Our deadline is around two or three hours once we attack. We need to finish this quickly," the Phoenix Division general spoke to the other generals.
The reason for this was simple. The Alzar Kingdom and the Li Family would never use a mere one thousand soldiers for the protection of their leaders, even if those soldiers belonged to famous trump cards. One thousand soldiers was a tiny insignificant number in the grand scheme of things. The chances of something going awry here were too high to forgo caution! Consequently, there were two concessions. The first was that the two sides could have their units in the immediate vicinity to reinforce Liguang. This was why the rest of the soldiers from the Lotus Division and the Steel Eagle Brigade, four thousand each, settled in the outskirts of the town. The second was that they could have a larger force at the ready, but it needed to be a certain distance from Liguang. This roughly corresponded to the deadline that the Phoenix Division general mentioned. No matter how earth-shattering the Imperial Council's forces were, they could not contend against that many enemies. It would be a death sentence.
"And the plan for our main targets?"
"You can leave that to us," a woman said.
The three generals immediately bowed to the woman and her companion. The woman was a haughty beauty with a domineering expression. She wore a form-fitting set of light armor with a multitude of weapons at her disposal. Despite the saying that said quality was better than quantity, it appeared that this woman was proficient with them all. A pair of swords that hung off her waist seemed to be her main weapon of choice. On the other hand, her companion was a behemoth of a man. He was easily three times larger than the next largest man here as his body rippled with enormous muscles. One would not believe that a human was physically capable of this until they saw him. He seemed to reach the zenith of human physique! Wielding a massive shield that was the same size, he was like a mountain of metal and muscle. It was Cardinal Yongyu and Cardinal Loujin of the Four Cardinals!
Although Emperor Lianghu and Cardinal Shaolong died a year ago by Elizabeth's hand, the Four Cardinals remained the strongest Imperial Sentinels in the Xingyuu Empire. There was no contest about it. Even the famous Loon Family siblings, Protector Jingyi and Juan Loon, had to bow out, much less the Four Dragons of the Loon Family. Sir Winstin also suffered multiple defeats by their hands too. That said, two people could hardly affect the bigger picture. However, following them was an odd assortment of people wielding all kinds of different weapons, armors, and styles. It was like an incoherent and disorderly mob that could be found in the streets. The shocking thing was that each and every one of them radiated a hair-raising and terrifying aura, the aura of a strong Perception Realm!
Half of them were Imperial Sentinels, but the other half belonged to the Jian, Jun, and Shui Families! If the Li Family could have their own Perception Realm force, then why could the other Great Nobility Families not? The situation would have been unthinkable in the Alzar Kingdom or the Zino Kingdom. In the Zino Kingdom, the Engelsheft Families would be hard-fetched to hire one, and in the Alzar Kingdom, the Grand Nobility Households could only hire a handful. Why? Because a Perception Realm was simply that rare! And it was precisely because they were rare that they carried arrogant and condescending attitudes, believing themselves to be the heaven's beloved children. Everyone should naturally fawn on them! Their stringent demands were not something that an ordinary nobility family could afford. The fact that the Four Great Nobility Families could field their Perception Realm forces showed exactly how superior they were to the other nobility!
The three generals looked at them uncomfortably. Perception Realms like those before them were outside of their control and this uncertainty could become the main factor that decides victory or defeat. And then there was also the matter of 'them', who were absent in this gathering, but could be considered the Imperial Council's greatest trump card. Even though they commanded the Phoenix, Qilin, and Kun Divisions, they did not have complete understanding of the circumstances at play. They only had to carry out their orders and deliver a complete victory to the Imperial Council!
"An important message from Unit Commander Haea! Permission to proceed has been granted!"
Exchanging glances, the three generals nodded and began issuing instructions. They needed to finish preparations and begin the attack before their enemies caught on. Although they commanded a pseudo-Rank 2 Lord army, their opponents could not be underestimated either. The Li Family and the Alzar Kingdom would assuredly know that the Imperial Council would attack, and thus prepare against it. Military strength was one side of war, and strategy was another. It was entirely possible for a weaker force to prevail against a stronger one. Furthermore, the longer they took, the more preparations their opposition could complete. It was imperative to strike before their enemies could ready themselves. The battle for Liguang would begin at midnight!