"Report to the Chief of Staff, the Vanguard Regiment does not require assistance!"
Just as Ning Feng and the other nine regimental commanders were shocked, Wang Tuo stopped, clenched his fists, and turned to look at Wu Yong.
When Wu Yong had asked the Zhanzi Camp of the Dragon War Regiment to assist the Vanguard Regiment, Wang Tuo had felt resistant.
He believed his Vanguard Regiment could wipe out those 150 extraterrestrial enemies on its own!
But he also understood the tradition of veteran soldiers leading new recruits.
Apart from himself, no one in the Vanguard Regiment had ever been on the battlefield, making them new recruits in a sense.
Therefore, even though he was internally resistant at the time, he did not refuse the Zhanzi Camp's participation.
But now, Wu Yong was asking Jiang Wuming to replace the Zhanzi Camp and assist the Vanguard Regiment in battle, which Wang Tuo found unacceptable!
Jiang Wuming was only at the sixth stage of the Two-star Battle God realm, and he had never been on the battlefield or fought against extraterrestrial enemies. What right did he have to assist the Vanguard Regiment?
How could he fulfill the role of an elder leading the new?
"Execute the order!"
Wu Yong overruled him publicly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
"Yes!"
Wang Tuo resentfully accepted the order, his face ashen, and he was the first to descend the city wall.
Seeing this, Jiang Wuming sighed inwardly.
He wanted to kill extraterrestrial enemies.
This was also why he had rushed to the east gate of the ancient city immediately after discovering the extraterrestrial enemies.
But he also knew that the Loulan Legion was responsible for guarding the ancient city and fighting against extraterrestrial enemies.
And to the Loulan Legion, he was an outsider.
In such a situation, if he were to intervene and kill extraterrestrial enemies, it would disrupt the Loulan Legion's deployment and also affect the internal stability of the Loulan Legion.
After all, ever since he arrived here yesterday, rumors had been circulating throughout the Loulan Legion that he was going to join and take over the Loulan Legion.
Because of these concerns, he chose to watch from close proximity. He had not expected Wu Yong to ask him to replace the Zhanzi Camp and assist the Vanguard Regiment in battle.
Jiang Wuming understood Wu Yong's intention: to display his strength and establish his authority!
If Jiang Wuming had chosen to join the Loulan Legion, he would have undoubtedly participated in the battle without hesitation, and might have even requested to fight directly like Wang Tuo!
But Jiang Wuming had not yet considered joining the Loulan Legion. Therefore, when Wu Yong changed the order, Jiang Wuming indicated that he was merely observing.
Wu Yong also understood Jiang Wuming's thoughts and did not try to force him. Instead, he provided Jiang Wuming with a valid reason to participate.
That reason made it impossible for Jiang Wuming to refuse and also dispelled his concerns.
For this reason, even though he heard Wang Tuo's words at this moment and saw Wang Tuo's displeasure, he said nothing more. Instead, he flashed forward and descended the city tower with Wang Tuo.
"Jiang Wuming, do you understand the meaning of the word 'assist'?"
After descending the city wall, Wang Tuo stopped, turned to look at Jiang Wuming, and asked coldly. Before Jiang Wuming could answer, he continued,
"Assisting means that the upcoming battle will be spearheaded by the Vanguard Regiment, and I am the commander of this battle—you must obey my command, understand?"
Jiang Wuming remained silent. He could sense Wang Tuo's dissatisfaction but also knew that according to Wu Yong's order, both he himself and the Zhanzi Camp were to assist the Vanguard Regiment in achieving victory in the battle and also to protect the soldiers of the Vanguard Regiment, ensuring their safety.
"Now, I order you in the name of the battle commander: in the upcoming battle, you will observe from the side and not interfere!"
Seeing Jiang Wuming's silence, Wang Tuo spoke again, almost in a commanding tone.
As soon as he finished speaking, he flashed forward and went directly towards the Vanguard Regiment.
Jiang Wuming said nothing and walked straight over.
Swish, swish, swish...
In an instant, the gazes of the soldiers from the Vanguard Regiment and the other regiments alike turned towards Jiang Wuming.
They had all heard Wang Tuo's words to Jiang Wuming just moments ago.
"Vanguard Regiment, attention, receive orders!"
Soon, Wang Tuo arrived in front of the soldiers of the Vanguard Regiment and called out in a low voice.
Huala!
As Wang Tuo's voice fell, the three hundred soldiers of the Vanguard Regiment straightened their bodies, gripped their sabers, and wore solemn expressions.
"One hundred and fifty extraterrestrial enemies have descended. One is a ninth-stage Two-star Battle God, and one is a fifth-stage One-star Battle God. The rest are all between the fifth-stage Martial Master realm and the ninth-stage Martial Master realm.
I have already requested permission from the Legion Commander and the Chief of Staff for the Vanguard Regiment to go out and eliminate the enemy. Both leaders have approved!"
At this point, Wang Tuo paused, then suddenly raised his voice and said, "At the same time, Chief of Staff Wu Yong has ordered Jiang Wuming to assist us in the Vanguard Regiment in battle—tell him, does our Vanguard Regiment need assistance?"
"No!"
The soldiers of the Vanguard Regiment had all heard the conversation between Wang Tuo and Jiang Wuming. Now, when Wang Tuo asked, they all responded loudly, their voices shaking the heavens.
"That's right, we don't! Although, among the entire Vanguard Regiment, only I have ever been on the battlefield and fought against extraterrestrial enemies, I believe that you, who have undergone rigorous training, are all true warriors! I will lead you to annihilate the enemy with zero casualties!"
Wang Tuo delivered a passionate pre-battle mobilization and then made his deployment.
"According to our records of fighting extraterrestrial enemies, the main general engages first. I will kill the main general, the ninth-stage Two-star Battle God, in the enemy formation!
Then, we will launch a full-scale attack!
Once the general battle begins, I will continue to kill the One-star Battle God in the enemy formation. An Lutou, Lin Xiao, Mo Ling, you three will coordinate with the Longzi Battalion, Wuzi Battalion, and Wangzi Battalion. The three battalions will charge simultaneously. After engagement, we will encircle and annihilate the enemy forces!
During this process, I will be stationed on the battlefield to ensure the safety of every brother!"
"Yes!"
All the soldiers of the Vanguard Regiment, including An Lutou, Lin Xiao, and Mo Ling, roared their assent.
At this moment, they no longer felt the shock of seeing extraterrestrial enemies descend, nor the panic of being on their first battlefield. Instead, each of them was filled with fighting spirit and confidence.
Concurrently, among the other nine regiments, many soldiers, especially the veterans, secretly shook their heads, believing that Wang Tuo had underestimated the battle and would suffer a great loss.
Jiang Wuming felt the same.
Although he had not personally fought extraterrestrial enemies, he had led the soldiers of the Dragon War Hall to conquer the dark world and experienced numerous battles.
He was acutely aware that training and combat were entirely different.
No amount of rigorous training could compare to actual combat.
The battlefield was even more brutal!
Soldiers who had been on the battlefield and those who had not were two completely different types of soldiers!
"Attention all units, march out of the city to battle!"
Wang Tuo ignored the gazes of the soldiers from the other nine regiments and did not look at Jiang Wuming, whom he considered an 'observer.' He directly issued the order to battle.
Huala!
As Wang Tuo gave the order, the soldiers who had been waiting at the city gate opened the heavy alloy city gate.
"The battlefield is dangerous. You should stay at the back of the formation. Otherwise, if anything happens to you, I won't be able to explain it to the superiors!"
Seeing the city gate open, Wang Tuo turned and said to Jiang Wuming, then led the soldiers of the Vanguard Regiment out of the city at a run.
Except for An Lutou and Mo Ling, all other soldiers of the Vanguard Regiment, including Lin Xiao, cast a mocking glance at Jiang Wuming as they passed him.
Jiang Wuming paid them no mind and quietly followed at the rear of the formation out of the city.
Seeing this scene, the soldiers of the other nine regiments were momentarily dazed.
Not long ago, that man, hailed as the god of the Loulan ancient city, would always march at the forefront of the formation during every battle, his saber pointing the way, invincible.
And now, the son of that man, carrying the same saber that had written glorious deeds, was walking at the very back of the formation.
This contrast made their hearts sigh with emotion.
Not only them, but on the city wall, including the nine regimental commanders like Ning Feng, their expressions were complex as they witnessed this scene.
Only Zheng Yuandong and Wu Yong looked on with anticipation!
They were anticipating the young man's first performance in the Loulan ancient city!
...