Chapter 604: Six Hundred: Set Ambush
“Could the two of you please put down the drawings for a moment.” Tang Luo asked Tang Hongjun and Tang Yi, who were still discussing the reclamation of the southwest stronghold: “How are your injuries healing now?”
The purpose of inviting the two to the Tongtian Platform was to discuss frontline strategies. Now, Tang Luo sought their expertise for other matters. Tang Luo knew that both men had been recently relieved from their defensive duties, especially Tang Yi, the leader of the Divine Martial Army, who always led from the front and must have inevitably suffered hidden injuries. Thus, it was important to understand their current physical conditions.
Tang Hongjun, the second elder, looked at Tang Yi and smiled at Tang Luo: “General Yi is still recovering from serious injuries, but I’m fine. If Chief Luo has any commands, feel free to express them.”
Not everyone is as sturdy as Tang Sen. Sometimes, even the shockwaves of a Spirit Art can induce hidden injuries in those from the Fierce Realm, and internal bleeding is not uncommon. Tang Hongjun knew that Tang Yi was very stubborn and would not admit to being out of fighting condition due to injury. Hence, he answered on Tang Yi’s behalf.
“Command is too grand a word, I just have a small favour to ask of the second elder.”
“Chief Luo, please speak your mind. Anything within my capabilities, I will not refuse.” Tang Hongjun gestured to the drawing in front of him, responding with a smile.
After learning about the Achilles’ heel of the Mi Clan’s coalition on the frontline and obtaining the locations of dozens of targets, Tang Luo, despite his defensive role, greatly assisted the frontline. Hence, even for the sake of these drawings, Tang Hongjun was willing to fulfill Tang Luo’s request.
“The second elder is too modest. Before I make my request, may I ask about your proficiency in the Extreme Sharp Finger Force?”
Upon hearing Tang Luo’s question about his martial skills, particularly the Extreme Mang technique, the expression on the second elder’s face, Tang Hongjun, became somewhat troubled: “In the past twenty years, I’ve been focusing on combining body technique and the Sky-picking Hand, and have somewhat neglected the study of the Extreme Sharp Finger Force.”
The Tang Clan is prosperous and vast. Every warrior who has reached the peak has their own unique traits. If it is only necessary to become proficient in the clan’s traditional martial arts to achieve the Mortal Realm, then when one reaches the Fierce Realm, their own style of martial arts must be established. Some people prefer combative Spirit Arts, some prefer direct physical strikes. Thus, when the second elder admitted his negligence in practising the Extreme Sharp Finger Force, Tang Luo wasn’t surprised.
But before Tang Luo could express disappointment, the second elder, Tang Hongjun, suddenly diverted the conversation. “While it’s true that I’ve neglected this technique, among the entire Tang Clan, my Extreme Sharp Finger Force is likely in the top five in terms of power.”
“Wow… you are truly modest, Elder.” Tang Luo couldn’t help but express his surprise. He had known that someone who could be the backup to the Great Elder couldn’t be mediocre, but the second elder’s Extreme Sharp Finger Force was among the top five, despite twenty years of negligence. How sharp must it be?
Tang Hongjun enjoyed Tang Luo’s praise, but remained modest: “It’s nothing compared to the sharpness of the Great Elder.”
“That’s more than enough.” Tang Luo said as he spread the map on the table in front of Tang Hongjun, pointing to a marked ambush point: “In a while, I hope the second elder can use the Retractive Breath Technique to secretly advance to this location, and once you hear my command, please execute the Extreme Mang Finger along with the Great Elder, Vice Elder, and the Elderly, target the enemy all at once!”
Tang Hongjun was startled and asked, “Considering the existence of this squad, why does the sect leader need me to participate?”
This small team composed of Great Elder Tang Siyuan, Elder Tang Hongtao, and Martial Ancestor Tang Zhen could virtually be considered the strongest active Martial Ancestor team in the Tang Clan. The objective of their ambush must be prominent if it requires the joint efforts of three top-tier Martial Ancestors.
“The second elder might not be aware, but all of the Green Phoenixes from the Divine Feathers Eighteen Knights are dead.” Tang Luo stood up, looked towards the north for a while, then sat down again: “I believe Mi Tiger will withdraw from the depths of the North Mountain soon and bring those Martial Ancestors to reinforce the frontline.”
“Chief Luo, do you have any plan to intercept?” Tang Yi, the leader of the Divine Martial Army, frowned and asked in a deep voice.
The Divine Feathers Eighteen Knights attacked three hills on the outskirts of North Mountain, killing thousands from the Tang Clan. Now, they hoped to escape after losing eighteen beasts? That’s too lenient!
“We don’t need to block them. They are currently located thirty miles north of SheWu Mountain.” Tang Luo shrugged, indicating that Iron Head Mi Tiger has no intention of leaving, and was planning to make a big move in North Mountain: “I have already set up four squads of Martial Ancestors in ambush on their necessary path, even so there is still a shortage in the number of top-tier Martial Ancestors, hence I sought your assistance.”
If the top-tier Martial Ancestors of Tang Clan are renowned for their offensive abilities, then the top-tier Martial Ancestors of the Mi Clan are known for their defenses. Various styles of Qingmu Battle Body ran rampant on the battlefield. The stronger ones could easily shield the weaker ones, which was why the Mi Clan’s casualties have always been fewer than the Tang Clan’s.
After hearing Tang Luo’s words, Tang Hongjun and Tang Yi stood up immediately and looked to the south. The falling heavy snow veiled their sight, and much was indistinguishable in their view. After a while, they still couldn’t see Mi Tiger and his men who were supposed to be thirty miles north of SheWu mountain.
“Stop looking, they are hiding in the snow, silently getting closer. You won’t be able to see them.” Tang Luo saw their actions and advised, “How about we discuss the positioning of the ambush now?”
The stubborn second elder and Divine Martial Army leader kept watching for a while until their eyes began to sting, then they reluctantly sat down, greatly in awe of Tang Luo.
Only those who can endure the unendurable and perform the impossible can be deemed superior!
If they had been in charge instead of Tang Luo, North Mountain would have gotten infiltrated by the Divine Feathers Eighteen Knights, and Tang Zhi, the Clan Chief, would have had a bigger issue to worry about. Now, both were completely convinced by Tang Luo.
“Please instruct, Chief Luo. In addition to meeting the Great Elder at that position, is there anything else that requires my assistance?” The second elder, Tang Hongjun, asked Tang Luo.
The leader of the Divine Martial Army, Tang Yi, looked at the second elder, and recalling the brutalities of the Divine Feathers Eighteen Knights, also said, “Chief Luo, if it’s just an ambush to seize the initiative, I can take part as well.”
“But your injuries, General Yi?” Tang Luo hesitated a bit. He was eager to obliterate or cripple several enemies in one strike, but Tang Yi was still healing. The frontline was severely short of soldiers, he didn’t want to prolong Tang Yi’s recovery time and put extra pressure on the frontline due to his request.
“My injuries are not so serious.” Tang Yi shook his head: “Besides, battles among top-tier fighters can turn at any moment. As long as I can seize the initiative, even Mi Tiger will not have an easy fight.”
If it weren’t for the sudden rise of Tang Sen, the position of the First Head of the Martial Hall for this generation might have gone to Tang Yi. If the second elder claimed that his Extreme Mang Finger could rank in the top five in Tang Clan, then as the leader of the Divine Martial Army, Tang Yi’s Battle Skill was likely to be in the top three of the Tang Clan.
“Good, since General Yi is so confident, then I cannot let this coalition return intact!” Tang Luo said with joy.