Douluo Dalu: Volume 40: Beginning of the War
Page 3
The methods Tang San thought of were completely from a spirit master’s point of view. At his words, not only did marshal Ge Long’s expression change, Xue Beng’s face also instantly grew very unsightly.
“I’ve dispatched four light cavalry legions specially to guard our supply. Even if spirit masters are powerful, they still wouldn’t dare clash with our army. After all, it’s impossible for the Spirit Empire to send large numbers of spirit masters to sneak around our rear.”
Marshal Ge Long spoke while frowning. Even though he had also thought of what Tang San had, and had made some preparations, for some reason, after hearing Tang San’s warning he clearly felt a bit restless.
Tang San said:
“A spirit master’s speed and individual strength isn’t something ordinary soldiers can compare to. Indeed, it’s naturally impossible for the Spirit Empire’s spirit masters to confront our army head on, but they can divide and conquer. I believe that just one fire attributed spirit master with strength at a certain level, can cause enormous damage to our supply. I would ask grand marshal to please pay more attention to this. With formidable spirit masters playing tricks, if Bibi Dong just uses their harassment and remains holed up in Jialing Pass, then sorties once our supply is broken, at that time it might be difficult for us to even retreat.”
Ge Long was also a spirit master, and his cultivation wasn’t low either. Even if he was a bit disdainful to Tang San, he still conscientiously pondered what he heard. The more he thought, the uglier his expression became. Indeed, if Bibi Dong really sent large numbers of spirit masters mainly to harass, then this seemingly formidable Heaven Dou Imperial Army of millions would very possibly reveal large flaws. Just in case their supply really was cut, then the army might really collapse on itself within a few days.
“Your Highness, if I were to dispatch another portion of the army to station the towns along our supply line, and then escorting it by relay, what would you think?”
Marshal Ge Long asked Tang San. After listening to Tang San’s recommendation, his contempt decreased a bit.
Tang San praised:
“This is a good method. But as I said, if the troops encounter formidable spirit masters, it might still be very difficult to handle. How about letting me help marshal deal with this problem together. Only with stability in the rear and adequate supplies will we have full confidence to battle the Spirit Empire.”
“Teacher, what would you do?”
Xue Beng looked at Tang San, his expression doubtful.
Tang San said:
“The Speed Hall disciples of my Tang Sect are the best scouts. I need to bring a hundred to scout from the sky every day, then lead a powerful quick response spirit master force. Immediately ambushing and killing any Spirit Empire spirit masters we find, ensuring safety for the logistics. Like this, by cooperating with marshal Ge Long’s grain guarding troops, we should be able to guarantee the security of our provisions as far as possible.”
Listening to Tang San, the Grandmaster nodded repeatedly,
“This is a good plan. The supply really is too important for our millions of heroic soldiers, no mistakes can be tolerated. With king Lan Hao assisting marshal Ge Long, once the front line is stabilized and the supply line established, there’s nothing to fear in a war of attrition.”
Marshal Ge Long said:
“Then we will trouble king Lan Hao. I will dispatch the logistics forces as soon as possible, building strongholds along the way, garrisoning them with troops. Once this supply line is established, the Spirit Empire won’t have any chance to raid it.”
Next, another series of tactical discussions were held in the big tent. Xue Beng was extremely conscientious about the logistics problem Tang San raised, and separated another six legions to guard the supply. Plus the four previous light cavalry legions, that made it a hundred thousand soldiers along the supply line, ensuring unobstructed logistics.
Returning to his own camp, after Tang San discussed with everyone, he had already selected the candidates for this rear guard. Very simple, it was just them Shrek Seven Devils along with a hundred Speed Hall disciples.
Only the Shrek Seven Devils could respond the fastest. They were also strong enough to deal with an Spirit Empire spirit master incursion, and could even split into two teams. One hundred Speed Hall disciples were like a hundred eyes for them, enough to scout and report all kinds of situations ahead of time.
That Tang San appointed himself for this supply guard mission, besides confidence, was also because he didn’t want to stay in the army. Of the Shrek Seven Devils, only Dai Mubai had studied military affairs. Them following the army would not only slow them down, but would also leave them idle. Instead it was better to make an effort for the army, wiping out enemies and guarding the supply. This way they could also move freely. After all, they were accustomed to freedom.
The next morning, the Shrek Seven Devils left camp. They didn’t need horses, and left directly through the rear.
Looking at the million man army disappearing in the distance, Ma Hongjun released a long breath, looking at Tang San:
“Third brother, you really understand us! Being with the army like this really is uncomfortable. Absolutely boring. Every day it’s travelling, can’t even cultivate properly, with nothing to do. It bothers one to death. Xiangxiang is still better off, she can fly high in the sky every day, looking around everywhere. Living on Seagod Island and nervously cultivating or being in dangerous trials, returning to Heaven Dou and being this bored, really can’t get used to it!”
Naturally Ma Hongjun wasn’t alone in feeling this. Listening to his complaints, the others nodded one after another.
Xiao Wu burst into giggles:
“It sounds like our lives really are exhausting.”
Seeing Xiao Wu’s dimples, Tang San couldn’t help but feel in a much better mood, grinning and looking evilly at Fatty:
“I don’t mind giving you another Nine Tang Sect Trials. If you pass, I’ll hand over my sect leader position as well as that king Lan Hao title for you. How about it, Fatty?”
Ma Hongjun snapped:
“Third brother, don’t try to tempt me. Authority to me is as fleeting as the clouds. I absolutely won’t be tricked. You just want to shirk your duties and dump it all on me.”
Oscar said:
“Speaking of, little San, how is your Eighth Seagod Trial going? Of us brothers, only you and Xiao Wu still haven’t completed your trials. Later on we also have to return to Seagod Island with you, so when are you ready to go?”
Tang Sa said:
“The Eighth Seagod Trial is already half finished, right now I just lack a few spirit rings and one last spirit bone. If I wanted to finish, making a trip to Star Dou Great Forest should be more or less enough. Only, with the war about to begin, we can’t leave before the situation has stabilized. We’re still needed here. We’ll talk about it later.”
Dai Mubai said:
“Little San, that you could resurrect Xiao Wu means your strength should have already reached the Title Douluo level, right? Yesterday there were a lot of people and you talked vaguely, what’s the story?”
Tang San sighed, pulling close the instantly paling Xiao Wu,
“It was Da Ming and Er Ming, you still remember those two great divine beasts? They were Xiao Wu’s comrades. When me and Xiao Wu arrived in Star Dou Great Forest, it was just in time to meet Bibi Dong leading people to hunt them. They were seriously injured, already beyond saving. In the end, they chose sacrifice, raising my spirit power above rank ninety. Their last wish before death was for Xiao Wu to resurrect.”
In front of their comrades, there was no need to hide anything, telling them in detail about his and Xiao Wu’s experiences in the Star Dou Great Forest. Especially telling them about the two spirits Bibi Dong showed at the time, as well as her formidable strength.
“If I’m not mistaken, at that time Bibi Dong seemed a bit apprehensive. There should be a problem with her body, an
d that’s why she could attack me with her full strength. Otherwise, even if I could escape, it might not have been so easily.”
Ning Rongrong said:
“Third brother, then that means that the strongest in Spirit Hall shouldn’t be that super expert Qian Daoliu, but rather twin spirit super Douluo Bibi Dong? If she comes to the battlefield, what should we do? Her poison domain will definitely be a fatal strike to the Heaven Dou Army.”
Tang San said:
“Even if I still can’t defeat Bibi Dong, if she appears on the battlefield, I’m confident I can restrain her abilities. I won’t let her enter the battle. On the contrary, if the battle begins, you will very possible face Title Douluo level opponents. The battlefield isn’t like when we took the trials on Seagod Island. It’s a place for true killing. Everyone move together at that time. Teacher said to pay most attention to our safety. Oh, right, while killing Ghost Douluo and hunting spirit beasts, I got altogether three spirit bones. One of them suits Xiao Wu, and she’s already absorbed it. The other two are just right for you to absorb, they’re good for raising strength.”
While speaking, Tang San pulled out two spirit bones from the Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges.
When the spirit bones appeared, the spirit power fluctuations in the air instantly grew violent within a range of a hundred meters. With the Shrek Seven Devils’ strength, they naturally wouldn’t fear someone being greedy. Consequently Tang San didn’t hide them.
The two spirit bones that appeared in his hand were each one black right leg bone, as well as one white right arm bone.
Tang San handed the black right leg bone to Zhu Zhuqing:
“I got this after killing Ghost Douluo. This spirit bone definitely suits agility type spirit masters, you check the concrete effects on your own. Ghost Douluo’s demonic abilities were similar to your Hellish ones. Consequently, it suits you the most.”
At the same time, Tang San handed that white spirit bone to Dai Mubai,
“Boss, I got this after killing a sixty or seventy thousand year level White Eyed Devil Tiger King. That fellow was also an overlord in the Sunset Forest. It’s similar to your spirit, and suits you the most. You absorb them now.”
There was no need to stand on ceremony between the Shrek Seven Devils. Zhu Zhuqing and Dai Mubai didn’t say anything else either, immediately starting to absorb the spirit bones.
By Tang San’s calculations, spirit bones of this level should be very beneficial to the two. Besides newly obtained abilities and strengthened physique, it should also help their spirit power rise another step, should be close to one rank.
Sure enough, after four hours, as Dai Mubai and Zhu Zhuqing finished absorbing the spirit bones, their spirit power had risen to the eighty fourth and eighty second ranks.
They didn’t start moving again. Just waiting in place for information from the Speed Hall disciples scouting from the sky. Their current position was on the single route of the supply line, and moreover just at the contact point between the front line and the Heaven Dou Empire. If the Spirit Empire sent troops to cut off their supply, they wouldn’t go too far into the Heaven Dou Empire. After all, that required passing a few cities. Therefore, waiting here was the best method.
Three days quickly passed by. One hundred Speed Hall disciples formed a large web in the sky. Unfortunately, even though there was no need to doubt their scouting abilities, for three days everything had been safe and sound, without any situations.
“Third brother, you wouldn’t have miscalculated? The Spirit Empire might be overconfident, and doesn’t plan on attacking the supply line?”
Ning Rongrong asked Tang San who stood under a tree, having just awakened from cultivation.
Tang San smiled slightly, looking at Xiao Wu cultivating right next to him:
“If you were Bibi Dong, and had the chance to make the enemy retreat on its own without fighting, and even retreat a thousand li in one, would you let it slip by? Jialing Pass isn’t easy to attack, even a million man army can’t break through quickly. As long as it was a commander with the slightest bit of brains, they would have the thought of destroying the supply line. And Bibi Dong is no idiot. Moreover, the largest advantage the Spirit Empire has is elite spirit masters. Would she give up on such a good opportunity? If the Heaven Dou Empire’s commanders can realize that the Spirit Empire can’t stand up to long exhaustion before easily having internal changes, then Bibi Dong’s side can definitely also think of it. Overestimating the enemy is always better than underestimating them. I predict that Bibi Dong will not only think of the supply line, but will also send true experts. The longer she takes to move, the larger the operation will be. She’s waiting for our army to reach the front line, by then disengaging will be even more difficult.”
“Our army will reach the front within the next two days. Bibi Dong might send her people as the army makes camp. Her current army is improvised, not as well prepared as the two great empires. They won’t easily cross swords in the short term. Moving in the rear is only normal. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how Spirit Hall attacked your Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan back then? Ambushing from behind has always been their style.”
Listening to Tang San’s explanation, Dai Mubai not distantly pulling Zhu Zhuqing in close and looking at the sky, said:
“Little San, it really is a waste you didn’t study military affairs.”
Tang San said:
“Boss, this doesn’t count as strategy, I can just explain what I understand of Spirit Hall. Spirit Hall may have founded a country, but they were still Spirit Hall for so many years. For military operations, they absolutely won’t clash head on where they can use tricks or ambush. The Spirit Empire’s standing army can’t endure large scale exhaustion.”
Oscar said:
“I estimate that Spirit Hall won’t send too many people this time. Because low level spirit masters aren’t good for guerilla warfare. They wouldn’t manage to continuously raid our supply line. Consequently, Spirit Empire will definitely only send experts at the supplies, leaving their common spirit masters at Jialing Pass to face the army. They haven’t come yet, but as long as they dare, we’ll smash them head on.”
Just while they were talking, a white figure dropped from the sky, landing noiselessly. It was no stranger, but the captain of this Speed Hall scout force, Bai Chenxiang.
Bai Chenxiang left with the Shrek Seven Devils, and after returning her strength and experience had drastically increased. Bai He was vaguely already treating this granddaughter of his as his future successor. Of those participating in the army operations this time, she had the best relationship with the Seven Devils, and was naturally also put in charge of the scout squadron.
“Third brother, there’s a situation.”
Bai Chenxiang immediately told Tang San once she had her feet on the ground.
“Eh? Tell us.”
Tang San’s eyes brightened.
Bai Chenxiang said:
“Our Speed Hall disciples spotted at least ten flying agility type spirit masters in the sky, scouting all over. They should be Spirit Hall’s scouts, will we intercept them?”
Tang San muttered to himself:
“Did they discover you?”
Bai Chenxiang said:
“Probably. There are eagly type spirit wielders among them, they have powerful vision. Even if they can’t catch up to us, spotting us in the sky where there is nothing to hide behind isn’t difficult. Only, even if we were discovered, it would at most be a few of our disciples.”
Tang San’s expression changed slightly:
“Tell the Speed Hall disciples to expand the search area a bit further. As long as you haven’t discovered spirit masters on the ground, let the spirit masters in the air search as they will. Hide as best you can, don’t be discovered. Also don’t get into a fight with them. Don’t let Bibi Dong see clearly, or how would she be willing to let experts come? The hundred thousand man army guardi
ng the supply isn’t that easily moved either.”
“Yes.”
Bai Chenxiang quickly agreed and turned to leave, but was caught by Ma Hongjun.
“Xiangxiang, I’ll go with you. You see all of them in pairs, do you have the heart to leave me here alone?”
Bai Chenxiang snapped:
“Your flame is too distinct, no way to hide it in the sky. And you’re the Martial Hall master, don’t go flirting in a time of war readiness. If you bother me again, I’ll complain to third brother.”
Ma Hongjun could only helplessly let go. The two were now also in a lover’s phase, and seeing his valiant and sweetly built girlfriend, he really was a bit reluctant to part.
Bai Chenxiang burst into giggles, suddenly coming close and kissing his face,
“Idiot. Cultivate properly. I’ll return to report any changes.”
Finished speaking, she once again flew into the sky, disappearing into the dark blue in the blink of an eye.
Ma Hongjun rubbed the spot on his face where he was kissed, feeling a wave of warmth. The longer he was together with Bai Chenxiang, the deeper in love he became.
“Hey, Fatty. What are you smiling so stupidly at?”
Ma Hongjun looked distracted,
“I’m, I’m smiling?”
Seeing his expression, everyone couldn’t keep from laughing. Dai Mubai even feigned a rueful sigh,
“It’s love sickness.”
Another three days quickly passed. According to the Heaven Dou Imperial Army’s marching speed, they should now already have completely arrived at Jialing Pass. Tang San ordered the Speed Hall disciples to reinforce the search range, and at the same time also informed the army guarding the supply to be ready for enemy attacks at all times.
Another two days went by, and just as Tang San thought he might be mistaken, good news finally came from the Speed Hall scouts.