At this moment, Jiang Shicheng, under the watchful eye of a Martial Saint, dared not act rashly. He responded to Orion with candor:
"Approximately... about 100,000 soldiers are left," he said hesitantly. "Now that the city has fallen, the defenders of Beiyang City have likely retreated to the camp in the north of the city."
Jiang Shicheng's estimate was uncertain. Beiyang City, a county town in Liangzhou, originally had about 100,000 defenders. After accounting for the cavalry Zhao Kuanying took with him, around 70,000 to 80,000 Forbidden Army soldiers remained. However, during the defense, many had been killed by the shadow guards, leading to significant losses.
Orion murmured, "The City North Camp…"
He recalled that Yuxiang had previously reported on the situation at the camp in the north of the city. It was where the entire Beiyang City army was stationed, including the soldiers Zhao Kuanying had brought.
Orion smiled. "If they're all gathered there, it makes things much easier. Instead of hunting them down one by one, we can wipe them all out in one go!"
Jiang Shicheng, unaware of Orion's plans, began to speculate. He thought, Orion must be considering recruiting these soldiers. With his current rebellion, he'll need all the military support he can get. As the lord of Beiyang City, I've built up my prestige here. If Orion wants to occupy Beiyang City and consolidate his forces, he'll need my assistance.
Pride swelled in Jiang Shicheng's heart. If Orion wants me to help him, he'll have to pay a price. Once I'm back in a powerful position, he'll regret his arrogance. How dare he disregard me as an elder!
However, when he came back to reality, he noticed Orion had already moved on. Orion seemed to be discussing something about "luck points" or something similar.
"Luck points? What's that?" Jiang Shicheng frowned, feeling that the term might have significant implications for him.
"Come on, don't dawdle!" Ying Mo and the others urged, gathering around.
Jiang Shicheng, frustrated and resentful, held back his anger. If Orion comes back to beg me later, I'll make him pay for this.
Unbeknownst to Jiang Shicheng, his calculations were not quite right. Orion was far from ordinary, and his plans were not bound by conventional expectations.
In the Chengbei Camp, which was located in the north of the city, Chen Jinzhu, the captain of Liangzhou who had temporarily taken over military command, had assembled everyone in the camp.
"Damn, this is happening too suddenly!" Chen Jinzhu cursed. "Is Orion really that powerful? Beiyang City fell so quickly!"
"And Zhao Kuanying is such an incompetent fool! Hundreds of thousands of troops went to steal the camp, only to be completely wiped out!"
Chen Jinzhu was furious. He had just been about to enjoy his evening when he received the urgent military order. The disruption angered him and spoiled his plans.
"Damn it! With so many people, they couldn't even handle a prince!" he fumed, still enraged over the interrupted night.
Nearby, Imperial Guard generals were visibly displeased with Chen Jinzhu's scathing remarks.
"General Chen, isn't it a bit inappropriate to speak like this?" one of them protested. "General Zhao was appointed by the Empress. How can you, a mere captain, insult him so?"