Everyone fears death. Even military commanders, accustomed to seeing death, harbor fear in their hearts. This fear becomes more prevalent when faith is lacking. With dissenters being killed on the spot and various temptations awaiting them, these individuals were not foolish. They ultimately chose to unify under this plan.
"If we pledge allegiance to Shen Feng—no! If we pledge allegiance to Lord Fengshen, what benefits will we receive?" someone suddenly inquired.
Du Fansheng could only fabricate at this moment. "If you pledge allegiance to us, you will receive many benefits. After this battle, our Yuzhou will face the unification of the world. At that time, we will not have enough positions to install administrative personnel. If you pledge allegiance to us in advance, you can become local lords, managing both military and civilian affairs—what a good arrangement!"
Someone once said, who would surrender without benefits?
Therefore, in this situation, Du Fansheng, the young master of Yuzhou, had to make a statement. His only recourse was to lie. Although he was acting on his own initiative, as long as the outcome was good, it would suffice.
"From what I know, you are merely Shen Feng's adopted son. Yet, you speak of expansionist ideas. I find that questionable!" someone suddenly responded. It was clear that they did not fully trust Du Fansheng's identity. If Shen Feng's biological son were present, the persuasiveness would be much stronger. However, it was his adopted son who appeared, significantly diminishing the persuasive power.
Yue Cangshan quickly whispered, "The success or failure now rests on you. Hurry and say something!"
Du Fansheng understood that he could no longer fabricate rumors, or his efforts would be in vain. He then said, "Rest assured, as long as you follow Yuzhou, you will have a bright future. My stepmother is Qing Xian. My father kept her in Yuzhou with the intention of raiding your strongholds. If you surrender now, you can become prominent figures. However, if you refuse, we three can kill you in an instant. Decide for yourselves whether it is good or bad!"
Upon hearing the two options, everyone understood that they had to make a decision quickly, lest they not see the next day's sun.
Ultimately, these people could only make the most sensible decision. They all said, "We are now people of Yuzhou. Young Master, what are your instructions? Just tell us!"
Song Nanxi said to Du Fansheng, "Have them take their subordinates back to their hometowns immediately and bring all the supplies with them!"
Du Fansheng quickly replied, "Since you are now people of Yuzhou, obey my command. Return immediately with your subordinates, then change your banners to those of Yuzhou. Do not linger here!"
Some commanders, upon hearing this, could not help but ask, "We are responsible for receiving the esper from the sea. If we leave now, wouldn't that be a betrayal of the esper? What about them?"
"That is not your concern. Your primary duty now is to obey orders!" Du Fansheng stated.
These commanders had no choice. Others held their lives in their hands. If they disobeyed, they would be killed. For the sake of their own lives, they could only comply with the orders.
When these Chinese espers returned to their armies, some followed orders, but others were defiant. Previously, they had obeyed out of coercion, but now that they were back with their own troops and felt safe, did they still need to obey a mere youngster?
Consequently, several armies rebelled and began to advance towards Du Fansheng's location.
Du Fansheng was furious. "These scoundrels are truly detestable! We had an agreement, and now they have reneged. I will show them the consequences of betrayal!"
Song Nanxi replied, "This was something I anticipated. Now, we must make an example of them. Remember, regardless of their status, show no mercy! Just because others are not acting does not mean they will not resist; it means they are observing. Only with swift and decisive action can they be deterred. Therefore, show no pity!"
Song Nanxi understood that power struggles were inevitable and would involve bloodshed. Even Zhao Kuangyin, the most capable at transitioning power, had to kill someone. Their current plan was not perfect, and they could only resort to ruthless measures. Although many innocent people would be killed, it was for the sake of peace in the world. There was no other way!
Thus, the three espers set off. In this vast land, they were only three individuals, while the opposing force numbered tens of thousands of soldiers. This was not a force that could be easily dealt with.
Du Fansheng took a deep breath and thought, "I am the son of Fengshen. How can I disgrace my father now? At this moment, I must fight to the very end!"
Immediately after, the three of them took cover behind nearby obstacles. Although these three were powerful espers, their bodies could not withstand gunfire. Their defensive capabilities were too weak, and they could only evade bullets. However, they were espers, and with a moment's respite, they could unleash their formidable power on the battlefield.
Du Fansheng punched the ground, instantly channeling a powerful electric current into the earth. Countless currents spread through the ground. Especially with the presence of seawater, the conductivity was enhanced. The soldiers walking on the ground were immediately subjected to electrical attacks.
Many soldiers charging forward did not know their enemies were espers. They were merely executing orders mechanically. As they charged, they fell to the ground, their bodies convulsing, their hearts ceasing to beat, and their brains shutting down.
Although doctors in hospitals use electric shocks to stimulate a patient's heart and revive them, excessive current can destroy a person's nervous system, rendering them incapable of thought.
Simultaneously, on Song Nanxi's side, after he unleashed his esper ability, the surrounding air instantly became scorching hot. Despite being in the Arctic Circle, where the ground was not supposed to melt, the sudden influx of hot air caused the temperature to rise continuously. Within moments, the entire area was enveloped in intense heat. The hot air consumed a large amount of oxygen and blocked its ingress.
People in this area died from dehydration, while others suffocated, unable to obtain fresh oxygen, struggling until they died.
Humans can ignite a fire in air around 60 degrees Celsius. However, if the temperature rises further, exceeding 60 degrees, proteins begin to denature, meaning humans would literally burn to death. Their internal organs would be cooked by the high temperature.
Large numbers of people collapsed to the ground. This scene was witnessed by many soldiers, who halted their advance, no longer daring to charge forward.
"Who are your enemies? Why are they so terrifying? Why can they kill our comrades so easily?" These soldiers were filled with questions. Until these questions were answered, they would not advance carelessly.
The commander shouted, "Charge forward immediately! If you kill those damned espers, I will give you a large sum of money, ensuring you will never worry about food or drink again. Do not forget who raised you. Now is the time to repay your benefactor's kindness. Do not falter!"
Meanwhile, at a distance, Yue Cangshan also showed no mercy. As a nature-element esper, he could draw power directly from nature. Since it was daytime, the ultraviolet rays he controlled were even more intense. Especially in the Arctic region, where ultraviolet radiation is extremely strong, only the Antarctic, with its ozone hole, has stronger ultraviolet rays.
Although the battle he was engaged in was silent, without the crackling sound of electrical explosions or scorching air, the intense ultraviolet radiation striking the soldiers caused immediate abnormalities. Their skin began to itch. When they scratched, large patches of skin peeled off, revealing the muscles beneath.
This scene was even more terrifying. Although they did not die immediately, they had to endure continuously peeling skin accompanied by intense itching, a sensation that felt like facing a demon.
"We're not fighting anymore! We're not fighting anymore! The opponents are espers; we cannot win! Every esper can defeat ten thousand men!" The soldiers, having discovered the truth, roared in desperation and prepared to flee.
The commander shouted, "Everyone, calm down! The disciplinary troops, quickly kill those who are fleeing! Furthermore, if you disperse and occupy a large area, the espers' range of effect is limited; they cannot cover all of you continuously. As long as you disperse, with the tactic of overwhelming numbers, there is a chance to win!"
However, even though they understood this logic, the thought of charging towards the terrifying espers in the distance was still too daunting. They were unsure if they could complete the mission, and perhaps they would be killed during the charge.
Song Nanxi seized the opportunity and shouted, "Your commanders are sending you to your deaths! We did not wish to fight you. If you surrender, you can have a good life. However, they are acting for their own benefit. All soldiers, you have one more chance: kill the commanders who are leading you into battle, and your past transgressions will be forgiven. You will have a chance to live!"
Upon hearing this offer, countless soldiers turned to look at the commanders leading them into battle. They realized they still had a chance to survive, but they were being led onto the battlefield by these detestable individuals, facing terrifying espers, which resulted in the deaths of so many comrades. Now, to save themselves, they had no choice but to kill them.
Many armies lack faith. An army with faith becomes invincible, but once faith is lost, betrayal can occur at any time. These commanders were now facing such a situation. They used money to lure soldiers to fight for them, but now the soldiers, to save their own lives, needed to deliver their heads.
Therefore, ordinary soldiers, to avoid facing the terrifying espers, turned and joined the battle, killing their former commanders, and even the members of the disciplinary troops.
Song Nanxi approached Du Fansheng and whispered some instructions.
Then, Du Fansheng set off and stood in the open field, declaring, "All soldiers, listen carefully! You do not need to fight for those so-called ambitious individuals. Your lives belong to yourselves. Now, I order you to take all the supplies here and leave. Do not leave any food or gasoline for those espers at sea. They are consuming your lives for their own power. During this time, you have seized food that rightfully belongs to the civilians and harmed many people. All of this will be forgiven. As long as you leave here, you will be pardoned, for you are fighting for all of humanity!"
These words were certainly not those of a mere youth. The reason he could speak them was that Song Nanxi was by his side, dictating what to say through the mouth of the young master of Yuzhou.
Among the remaining soldiers, some had been observing the battle and were very resistant to surrendering to the three espers. However, when they truly witnessed the power of the three formidable espers, they understood that their side could not threaten the espers' lives. Surrender was the only remaining option.
Subsequently, all the military camps began to collect the supplies they had brought, including food and gasoline, and then retreated southward.
The departure of these armies directly meant that there was no longer a foothold for operations at sea, especially for the Chinese espers. Obtaining food or gasoline supplies had become impossible.
Du Fansheng frowned deeply, lamenting, "This time, I acted on my own. If my stepmother finds out what I've done, she'll put me under house arrest for a year or two, which would be too much. I must continue to earn merit!"
Yue Cangshan quickly added, "If you're going, I'll go with you. We brothers must continue to earn merit to impress Fengshen!"
Song Nanxi stopped them. "You two should supervise the departure of these troops. Don't think that just because you can defeat ordinary soldiers, you can act recklessly on the battlefield. Let me tell you, there's always someone more capable behind the capable. If you dare to mess around in the Arctic Ocean again, you will face dire consequences!"
The two youths nodded in agreement, promising not to wander off. That same evening, the two youths left the military camp together, without executing the follow-up plan. Instead, they headed in another direction because they had heard that there were many military bases around the Arctic Ocean, and their goal was to destroy these bases to prevent the espers at sea from receiving any support.
Upon hearing this, Song Nanxi felt helpless. He hadn't expected these two youths to be so audacious and leave that very night. Now, the task of escorting these troops back to China fell solely upon him. He had no choice but to lead them back to China.
However, he remained cautious. On the way back, he secretly sent a telegram to Yuzhou to report the situation!