Multiple Attempts of Assassination! . . .
The generals, their faces reddened with a mix of embarrassment and frustration, opted to remain silent rather than contest the commander's unkind words.
In the aftermath of the battle, the soldiers systematically organized the corpses, segregating their own fallen warriors from those of the enemy. This grim chore produced two lengthy rows of lifeless bodies.
Wenren Jianyin, with a heavy heart, walked over to the fallen soldiers and examined the bodies. He let out a sigh, his voice tinged with sorrow.
"Our men fell with wounds upon their chests, facing the enemy head-on without hesitation. They were brave souls, sacrificing themselves to create opportunities for others to harm the enemy."
His gaze remained somber as he spoke. "On the other hand, their troops have sustained multiple injuries, primarily on their backs. It's evident that many were dispatched by our soldiers with treacherous backstabbing tactics. They met their end with awareness. These were skilled soldiers."
"Our adversary comprises a unit of such seasoned and capable soldiers. It is indeed a formidable force."
Wenren Chuchu stepped forward and cautioned her uncle, "Uncle, please don't get too close. Something doesn't feel right."
Wenren Jianyin furrowed his brows. "We're in our own camp. What could possibly go wrong?"
"They might be feigning death to infiltrate our ranks," Wenren Chuchu suggested, her gaze cold as she observed the lifeless bodies. She signaled to a nearby general.
Without hesitation, the general waved his hand, and a soldier approached to investigate the fallen foes more closely. They exercised caution in their double-check.
Suddenly, amidst the rows of the dead, over a dozen bodies sprang to life like reanimated corpses. In an instant, they transformed into over a dozen sharp arrows, speeding toward Wenren Jianyin.
The sight struck terror into the hearts of those present. No one had foreseen such an audacious trap.
It was a lethal ambush paid for with the lives of thousands.
Wenren Chuchu's lips curled into a sneer. "I knew it! You were aiming to catch me off guard, weren't you? What a foolish dream."
Moving like a phantom, she positioned herself before Wenren Jianyin, her sword swaying gracefully, creating brilliant arcs of light reminiscent of the night sky filled with stars. Her sword art transformed into an impenetrable shield that enveloped her uncle, while simultaneously launching a counterattack on the assassins.
The assassins remained composed and unyielding, their expressions cold and steely. As the sword light approached, they intensified their efforts, shouting in unison. Three among them threw themselves into the path of the sword light, sacrificing their lives to halt the attack, their blood spraying across the sky.
It worked. Wenren Chuchu's powerful sword light had been contained by the selfless act of these three, dying but securing the chance for their companions to escape.
To her surprise, the situation took an unexpected turn. As her sword light dissipated, one of the assailants suddenly accelerated. His sword emitted a torrent of sword qi, extending for dozens of meters, heading directly for Wenren Jianyin. Undeterred by Wenren Chuchu's formidable might, he continued to advance toward Wenren Jianyin.
This was a man unafraid of facing Wenren Chuchu, an immensely powerful cultivator. However, his resilience did not translate to equal strength in cultivation.
Beside Wenren Jianyin, a Sky Origin Stage cultivator erupted in anger and sent his long sword hurtling from his grip.
*Puff!*
As anticipated, the assailant was cleaved through, sliced in half by the sword, and simultaneously propelled backward by its force, vanquishing the length of the sword's qi with no lasting harm done.
Wenren Chuchu's timely intervention had thwarted the assassination attempt. The higher-level cultivators in the camp roared in defiance, converging together as a protective shield around Wenren Jianyin. Displaying the wisdom gained from years of experience in warfare, Wenren Jianyin remained composed and took a few steps back, seeking refuge within the protective ranks of his subordinates. It was now impossible to assassinate him under these circumstances.
Recognizing the futility of their mission, the remaining assassins exclaimed in unison and launched themselves skyward with gleaming swords, soaring out of the camp like swift arrows.
"You think you can escape?" Wenren Chuchu issued a command, "Archers, fire!"
Suddenly, the sky darkened as a deluge of arrows filled the air.
Seven assassins were in the process of fleeing, but five of them were immediately transformed into human pincushions as the barrage of arrows rained upon them. Two, however, demonstrated incredible speed. They rocketed skyward, grasped the flagpoles, and propelled themselves aloft, turning into streams of luminous sword lights. They shot across the skies, evading the storm of arrows that followed. Despite the relentless pursuit of arrows, they forcibly surged ahead.
Wenren Chuchu observed their impending escape with growing cold determination and sprang into action. With her sword radiating a fierce light, she transformed into a white storm, soaring after the two fleeing assassins.
However, just as she embarked on her chase, an unforeseen development occurred. Among the lifeless bodies strewn across the ground, yet another figure abruptly sprang to life. This newly animated figure emanated an overwhelming ferocity, transforming into a tempest of thunder and a colossal sword light tinged with lightning.
With shocking speed, a massive sword light, accompanied by the brilliance of lightning, blazed across the sky, hurtling toward Wenren Jianyin, who was still shielded by his defenders.
Assassination attempts, one after the other, each more audacious than the last, played out amidst the million-strong encampment. The commander's life hung in the balance, and while the situation appeared hopeless, there remained a slim chance of altering the course of events. The current attempt was nothing short of overwhelming, placing Wenren Jianyin in grave peril.
Wenren Chuchu had only just taken to the air when she sensed that something was amiss. She glanced back and witnessed the spectacular display of sword light racing ahead, imbued with murderous intent. In a matter of moments, at least fifty soldiers were severed into pieces as they bravely attempted to intercept it.