My daily cultivation progress is calculated.

Chapter 132 First Steps! Tongfu Inn!

Chapter 132 First Steps! Tongfu Inn!

Its daybreak.

That night, commotion arose in various places outside the military camp.

There were even small groups of people who, after shouting battle cries, immediately left.

Seeing that the other side was not going to engage in direct combat with the Vermilion Bird Army, Meng Lie's face turned as black as charcoal.

Shen Ci and Meng Lie didn't sleep all night, but with their cultivation levels, they could go without sleep for several days and nights without any problem.

Faced with their harassment, Shen Yan could only have the troops go to sleep in shifts.

This at least prevented everyone from expending too much energy.

Shen Yan had figured something out: just as Meng Lie had said, this was the Great Zhou Dynasty.

To encircle and annihilate this army of ten thousand Vermilion Bird soldiers would require at least thirty to fifty thousand troops, and there simply weren't that many troops stationed nearby.

They are just stalling for time, but the reason for doing so is still unknown.

Shen Ci nodded slightly upon hearing Shen Yan's words.

Only this situation makes sense; the road ahead will definitely become more and more difficult.

As expected, many of the roads and bridges along the way have been destroyed.

If it were just Shen Yan and his few companions, they could easily cross the water.

But the Vermilion Bird Army has ten thousand men; we can't rely on them all to cross the river.

Shen Ci's expression turned grim. Suddenly, he said sharply, "Let's set off first, to Jiangnan Prefecture!"

Upon hearing this, Shen Rong immediately objected, saying, "Young Master, you mustn't! We few alone cannot protect you!"

Shen Ci said, "I can't wait any longer! The more they don't want me to arrive early, the sooner I have to get there."

Meng Lie frowned as well, knowing that this would inevitably cause Shen Ci to fall far behind the troops.

This means that Shen Ci will have to wait at least a few days in Jiangnan Prefecture before they arrive.

There were too many variables during that time, after all, Shen Ci was Shen Moxuan's son.

Meng Lie naturally didn't want anything to happen to him while he was in charge, otherwise he would have been torn to pieces.

"My lord, please reconsider. Jiangnan Prefecture is not Bianjing. Without the Duke's protection..."

Although Shen Yan also felt that Jiangnan Prefecture was dangerous and that Shen Ci's move was somewhat risky, he did not object.

If they delay on the way, there will be other problems even when the army arrives.

They must have had a reason for delaying the Vermilion Bird Army's march.

If things proceed slowly like this, it might just be playing into their hands.

Neither option is inherently better or worse.

However, since Shen Ci had the courage to take the plunge, Shen Yan was even less likely to back down.

If the Grandmaster of the Innate Realm doesn't come out, escaping shouldn't be a problem.

So he said, "If you go alone, young master, you will certainly be in danger, but you may also disrupt their plans. If you go with the army, it will definitely take a long time, and who knows what arrangements the Jiangnan Prefecture will have waiting for us then."

Shen Ci nodded and said, "That's right. Even if we arrive with the Vermilion Bird Army, if they've made proper preparations, it'll be no different from a dragon's den or a tiger's lair. I'll be safer going alone, with Shen Ci and Shen Yan protecting me."

Looking at Shen Ci's face, Shen Rong knew that he had made up his mind and could not change it, so he could only sigh inwardly.

"I hope the journey goes smoothly!"

Upon hearing this, Meng Lie frowned and said, "I'll go too! With my strength, covering your retreat won't be a problem."

Upon hearing this, Shen Ci immediately refused, saying, "No! The Vermilion Bird Army still needs your command, and my safety ultimately depends on General Meng!"

Shen Yan also believed that Meng Lie should stay and lead the army, as not just anyone could lead troops.

If even Shen Yan can't protect them, then adding Meng Lie would only result in more people dying.

Shen Yan said, "Since the decision has been made, let's set off as soon as possible! The Vermilion Bird Army will now depend on General Meng."

Meng Lie's expression was solemn as he said, "Rest assured, General, I will march swiftly and arrive as quickly as possible."

In fact, there was another important reason why Shen Ci made up his mind to take this path.

That means the Vermilion Bird Army doesn't have enough food and supplies, and can't afford to drag this out.

With an army of 10,000 men, the daily consumption of grain and fodder is enormous, and the imperial court has already stated that there is no grain or fodder available.

And so, Shen Ci led a few dozen men on fast horses and separated from Meng Lie's army.

As Meng Lie watched the distance between them grow ever wider, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"This Great Zhou Dynasty is rotten to the core!"

They set out without provisions, and dared to attack the army when they were only a few hundred miles from Bianjing.

How audacious must these people be?

"If I find out who it is, I'll skin you alive!"

Shen Ci made no attempt to conceal his whereabouts along the way, acting very conspicuously with the royal command flag held high.

The bright yellow royal command flag, embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, embodies imperial majesty.

He was trying to draw Meng Lie's attention away, hoping to reduce the pressure on him.

It was getting dark, and they did not accompany the army.

Shen Yan did not want to rest in the wilderness.

"If we walk another ten or so miles, there's an inn. Let's spend the night there!"

Shen Ci nodded after hearing this, although he wanted to get to Jiangnan Prefecture as soon as possible.

However, the men and horses were exhausted and needed to rest.

Shen Rong and Shen Yan are both very strong and can withstand the strain, but he is having trouble keeping up.

"Tongfu Inn!"

Upon seeing the name of the inn, Shen Yan couldn't help but sigh.

"Tongfu Inn is really doing a huge business; it's in every world."

"How many guests are there? You've come at the right time; there are still a few private rooms available."

A woman dressed in colorful cloth, her waist twisting like a water snake, shouted:

The woman was nearly forty years old, and she smiled brightly, though there were some signs of age on her face.

However, it is not hard to see that this woman must have been quite beautiful when she was young.

Shen Ci said, "Boss lady, prepare ten superior rooms for us, and also bring me some wine and dishes."

After saying that, he took out a fifty-tael silver note and handed it over.

Upon seeing this, the woman's eyes lit up, and she said with a smile, "Little Chen, hurry up and get out here to greet our distinguished guest!"

Upon arriving at the inn's lobby, Shen Yan noticed that the atmosphere inside was somewhat eerie.

It's not surprising that everyone was carrying weapons; after all, in times of war and chaos, people naturally need to carry some things for self-defense.

They all silently looked at each other, but when they saw Shen Yan and his group, their gazes all turned to them.

Shen Rong frowned and whispered in Shen Ci's ear, "Young Master, something's not right here. Please don't stray too far from me."

Although Shen Ci rarely went out, he still noticed that something was wrong.

"You son of a bitch! Why hasn't my wine arrived yet?!"

The speaker was tall and strong, with a face as dark as a date, thick eyebrows like two black dragons, and a full beard.

What's most striking about him is his eyes; his piercing, round eyes are quite eye-catching. He has two butcher knives at his waist, making him look exactly like a butcher.

"Coming, coming! Don't rush me, sir!"

Shen Yan saw a young man dressed in brown cloth running out carrying wine and dishes.

This must be the waiter, Xiao Chen, that the proprietress mentioned.

The proprietress kept her eyes fixed on Shen Ci; she could tell that Shen Ci was the leader of this group.

"These people are dressed in luxurious clothes, and their movements exude an air of nobility; they're clearly not ordinary people!"

She couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

"So many big, fat sheep!"

enjoy