Chapter 296: We Are on the Same Side

Chapter 296: We Are on One Side

A few hours later, Hanshui City.

In the makeshift command room, He Shuo stared at the updated battle map on the projection screen and addressed Li Xian, who stood nearby:

Our interleaving company has already dealt with the majority of the lingering monsters to the southeast, and we have secured supplies via aerial drops.

They will rest for twenty‑four hours in Huangshan City, then resume the southwest thrust, using a cutting line to force the beast tide to change course.

The monsters coming from the southwest will be confined to the line between Jiujiang and Yuzhang.

Or more precisely, they will be hemmed in on the plain north of Yuzhang City and southwest of Poyang Lake.

That will become the main battlefield for our decisive clash with the beast tide from the southwest.

The interleaving company must act as a hammer, launching relentless attacks from the flanks and rear.

We, that is, Hanshui City, must muster at least three hundred troops to forge a defensive line along Duck Lake, Bang Lake, and Poyang Lake, serving as the anvil.

We must block the beast tide’s advance and give the interleaving company a minimum forty‑eight‑hour window to strike.

Only with sufficient time can the interleaving company exploit its high mobility and firepower to achieve decisive results, and only then can we swiftly dismantle the most threatening surge of beasts within the limited span.

Thus, your task is crystal clear.

I need you, within two days, to assemble a combat‑ready unit with basic fighting capability.

Two days later we will set out for Jiujiang.

There we will receive equipment, then continue downstream to the pre‑designated position and erect our defenses.

When his words fell, Li Xian furrowed his brow, his expression troubled.

"Two days?"

"Grand Commander, your demand is unbearably harsh!"

"Since the mutiny in Hanshui City, the troops I have at my disposal number fewer than two hundred, most of whom are raw recruits with little training."

"Do you understand what that implies?"

"It means that, in terms of combat power, the potential of the entire city has been almost drained."

"Otherwise I could not have formed a guardian army with such men, nor could I have sent them to battle only to have them perish in vain."

"I would like to conscript, but look around—does Hanshui City still have any men left to recruit?"

Li Xian finished, and He Shuo nodded thoughtfully.

He knew Li Xian was not deceiving him.

Indeed, the situation in Hanshui City was far from optimistic.

Through countless clashes with monsters and men, through endless upheavals, this already modest city had repeatedly borne wounds far beyond its capacity to heal.

Its population had dwindled—from over five thousand at the start to just a little over three thousand now, a loss approaching half.

Yet from those three thousand‑plus souls, they could still muster three hundred volunteers; frankly, that exceeded He Shuo’s expectations.

Even if that proportion rose a bit more, the city’s production, logistics, and daily order could grind to a halt, perhaps even collapse entirely.

For Li Xian, his own request could truly be called excessive.

The reason was simple.

He was not only responsible for the Huaxia army’s operations, but also for the entire Hanshui City.

If all of the city’s combat personnel were withdrawn, he would have to keep recruiting within the walls to maintain basic security.

The total number of conscripts might have to exceed five hundred, and that figure is no longer merely a ‘production disruption’; it could spark a full‑scale uprising.

Thus his reaction was entirely understandable.

Had he reacted differently, He Shuo would have begun to doubt his motives.

Nevertheless, having set forth this demand, He Shuo was not intent on cornering him.

He waved his hand lightly and spoke:

"Rest assured, do you think I am some saint of a mechanical cult?"

"Since I have laid out a requirement, I will also provide you with a guide on how to act."

"Broaden your vision, widen your perspective."

"You cannot rely solely on the solitary fortress of Hanshui City."

"In theory, the entire region centered on Huangshi City has always been our domain."

"Now our domain includes Hanshui City as well—does that make our population resources any scarcer?"

"From today onward, you may issue proclamations in my name."

"All surrounding towns and hamlets—Huangshi, Wuxue, Xishui, Huangzhou, and countless others—must relocate to Hanshui City within the allotted time."

"There is only one reason: joint defense."

"These people will replenish the manpower shortfall after conscription, keeping the city’s machinery running."

"And all you need to do is pull together a three‑hundred‑strong unit within the deadline—nothing more."

He Shuo finished speaking, and Li Xian stared, mouth agape.

"Everyone? Relocation??"

"That is utterly impossible. I can’t tell whether to call you bold or insane."

"Not to mention the sheer difficulty of moving entire populations; we can’t even get past the Sanctum’s gate."

"The mutiny in Hanshui City has already drawn the Sanctum’s attention. I’ve heard a ‘Supreme Holy Army’ is poised, ready to strike at us and retake the city."

"Under those circumstances, any grand move on our part would be met with no tolerance and no concession."

"They will not back down."

He Shuo raised his hand, cutting Li Xian off, then said:

"If you are the master of Hanshui City, they would certainly not yield."

"But soon they will learn that we have already helped quell the rebellion in Hanshui City."

"They will also realize that we are the true masters of Hanshui City."

"Zhang Tao is no fool; he will understand what this means."

"Even if that ‘Supreme Holy Army’ truly exists, he would not risk confronting us."

"You're saying he's scared?"

Li Xian asked, puzzled.

"Scared?"

He Shuo chuckled.

"How could he be scared?"

"He has never feared us."

"What I mean is, he will welcome it wholeheartedly.")

“He could hardly wait to shed the burden of Hanshui City; now that we’ve given him this excuse, how could he possibly pick the burden back up again?”

A divine insight flooded his mind.

In that instant, Li Xian suddenly realized that the man before him was not merely scheming against the Sacred Legion or himself, but against everyone, the sanctuary included.

He had long seen through it all.

He was not plotting; he was merely going with the current.

Li Xian exhaled a long breath.

“Understood. I’ll see to it at once.”

“I’ll quickly muster suitable men for you, but their gear and training—”

“…will have to be resolved by yourselves.”

“Us.”

He Shuo corrected:

“It’s us.”

“We are on one side.”

Li Xian froze for a moment, then smiled with relief:

“Exactly, it’s us.”

“We are on one side.”

(End of Chapter)