Time flows like water, and years fly by.
In the blink of an eye, several more months have passed.
During these months, the "Imperial Army" had completed its deployment and begun small-scale skirmishes with the "Rebel Army."
The "Imperial Army's" offensive was divided into two parts.
The first part, led by "Daoist Zi Shu," was the "Twelve Zodiac Daoists." Oh, wait, "Daoist Mao Tu" and "Daoist Si She" had already been slain, leaving only "Ten Zodiac Daoists" among them.
They led the main army, setting up camp outside the "Heze Heavy Town" and besieging it.
Concurrently, the "Ten Great Dragon-Tiger Young Heavenly Masters," led by "Cao Ang," led their elite forces, also setting up camp outside the "Heze Heavy Town" to attack it.
Among Cao Ang's troops was a strange contingent.
This contingent consisted entirely of mortals, appearing neither particularly intelligent nor strong.
They were disorganized, even their formation was not very neat, lacking any semblance of "elite soldiers and strong generals."
Indeed, these were not "elite soldiers and strong generals." They were the village militia under Cao Man, the county magistrate of Cao County and "the most beautiful county magistrate of Da Xin."
When Cao Man learned that Cao Ang was coming to quell the rebel army, he insisted on accompanying him.
For no other reason than that Cao Man was primarily worried about Cao Ang, fearing that Cao Ang, like Cao Zhi and Cao Pi, might defect to the rebel army at any moment.
Ahem, getting back to the point.
Although Cao Ang's main forces were stationed together with "Daoist Zi Shu's" troops, Cao Ang would not obey "Daoist Zi Shu's" command.
You can even betray your sworn brothers, which indicates a problem with your abilities. Sorry, I refuse to take orders from someone with a problem!
"Daoist Zi Shu" took it in stride. Since he couldn't command Cao Ang, he couldn't be bothered. He gave Cao Ang a command to "act according to circumstances," effectively relinquishing all "command authority."
On another front, led by "True Person Yuan Yuan" of the "Gong Zhi Sect," and "Fairy Cai Jing" of the "Dome Cult," over a hundred "Immortal Cultivation Sects" had defected to the imperial court.
These individuals, acting as "lackeys," were extremely enthusiastic, eager to earn merit and curry favor with their "imperial masters."
Therefore, they also did not obey "Daoist Zi Shu's" command but acted independently, bypassing "Heze Heavy Town" and directly attacking "Mu Wang City."
In the beginning, they were somewhat apprehensive.
Not long ago, "Daoist Mao Tu" and "Daoist Si She" launched a surprise attack on "Mu Wang City." Not only did it fail, but both of them died at the foot of "Mu Wang City."
"Mu Wang City" was protected by a powerful and terrifying force!
Although "True Person Yuan Yuan" and the others were eager to earn merit, they were not fools. They would never undertake a task that would cost them their lives.
Over the past few months, they had surrounded "Mu Wang City," but had not immediately launched an assault, instead probing "Mu Wang City's" defenses.
After months of probing, "True Person Yuan Yuan" was very pleased.
They discovered that "Mu Wang City" was undermanned and utterly vulnerable.
There were no formidable experts stationed within or outside the city.
The entire city was like a fragrant, oily piece of fatty meat, waiting to be devoured in one gulp.
"What are we waiting for? This immense merit is right before our eyes. If we miss it, we will regret it for the rest of our lives!"
In the council hall.
"True Person Xiao Song" shouted loudly.
As a staunch "pro-war faction" member, he had repeatedly demanded an offensive over the past few months, but "True Person Yuan Yuan" had suppressed him every time.
Now, "True Person Xiao Song" had reached his limit, could no longer tolerate it, and would not wait any longer.
He roared repeatedly, strongly demanding an attack!
"Don't forget, we are not here for a vacation, but to earn merit, merit, merit! Only by achieving enough merit can we truly gain recognition from the imperial court and become a part of the Great Xin Dynasty!"
"True Person Xiao Song's" words resonated deeply with everyone present.
Their situation and status were extremely awkward, having betrayed the "Immortal Cultivation World" and defected to the imperial court, becoming its lapdogs!
The cultivators of the "Immortal Cultivation World" hated them to the bone, viewing them as traitors, wishing they could eat their flesh and drink their blood!
And the "Great Xin Imperial Court," while speaking beautifully, had never truly considered them as their own, merely treating them as slightly more useful "cannon fodder."
As the "Great Xin Dynasty's" offensive against the entire "Immortal Cultivation World" intensified, almost all "Immortal Cultivation Sects" were affected.
Many "Immortal Cultivation Sects" began to defect to the imperial court and pledge allegiance to it.
Among them were even some "super sects" and extremely powerful "hidden families."
With the addition of these new "lackeys," "True Person Yuan Yuan" and the others found their position even more awkward. They were no longer even considered "high-grade cannon fodder" and could be replaced at any moment.
This feeling of "not even getting a hot bite of the shit" filled "True Person Yuan Yuan" and the others with a sense of crisis.
This campaign against the "rebels" could only succeed, not fail!
"True Person Yuan Yuan" and "Fairy Cai Jing" exchanged glances, both having made up their minds.
Attack!
Let's attack!
If we delay any longer, the morale of the army will dissipate. Let's take advantage of the current high morale and capture "Mu Wang City" in one go.
Once "Mu Wang City" is captured, it will effectively cut off the "rebel army's" retreat, their morale will plummet, and their collapse and defeat will not be far off.
At that time, their "Lackey Legion" will be the greatest contributor!
"True Person Yuan Yuan" stood up and announced loudly.
"Everyone, I have decided. Starting today, we will launch a full-scale attack on Mu Wang City, aiming to capture it within an hour!"
As his voice fell, the council hall erupted.
Everyone began to discuss.
Most people nodded in agreement.
Great!
We are finally going to launch a full-scale attack on "Mu Wang City"!
They had waited too long for this day!
However, there were still quite a few who held opposing views.
Wouldn't this be too rash and reckless?
After all, "Daoist Mao Tu" and "Daoist Si She" were very powerful, yet they met an unclear end. "Mu Wang City" had a super powerful force protecting it. What if that force were to activate again, wouldn't we be in grave danger?
No!
As soon as this notion was proposed, it was refuted.
The more powerful the force, the greater the consumption and cost!
Over the past few months, they had launched countless harassment attacks, but "Mu Wang City" had only defended passively. The powerful force that had previously guarded "Mu Wang City" had never appeared.
That's enough!
This indicates that "Mu Wang City's" defenses are weak, and it is the perfect time to attack!