On the other side, the border of the Valen Empire.
The Valen Empire, following a change in regime, saw its cities take sides, greatly weakening its strength.
The original national borders were hundreds of kilometers further out than they were now.
Those areas had either become no-man's-lands, declared independence, or were swiftly occupied by surrounding nations.
Almost all border crossings had been breached.
Now, foreign armies were massed at the border, ready to storm into the Valen Empire and wreak havoc at any moment.
General Qi Ke of the Lakeside Kingdom, astride a rhinoceros horn beast, led his troops slowly forward at the forefront of the formation.
Behind the army lay the corpses of thousands of Valen Empire soldiers.
"Is this the legendary Valen Empire?"
"They say it's fearsome, but I didn't expect it to be so vulnerable!"
Qi Ke grinned, his face filled with disdain.
"This time, we've gathered fifty thousand troops, and tens of thousands of soldiers are attacking the passes from various directions simultaneously!"
"Even in its prime, the Valen Empire couldn't withstand such an assault!"
"Moreover, with a strong general like yourself in our Lakeside Kingdom, we captured the border defense stronghold without a single soldier lost."
"The Black Tail Swallow Legion promised that any cities occupied by our country's forces would belong to us from now on!" the adjutant fawned.
"This place is good, but it's too far from the Lakeside Kingdom. If war breaks out in the future, our army won't be able to travel thousands of miles to provide support."
"So, what's the point of taking these cities?"
Qi Ke looked at the defenseless city situated on the plains in the distance, a sly smile playing on his lips.
"I understand, subordinate understands!"
"Since we can't have the cities, we can't let others have them either. Shall we massacre the city?" the adjutant asked cautiously.
"You decide!"
The general gave an encouraging nod and then urged his rhinoceros horn beast forward a couple of steps.
The adjutant immediately understood.
Though inhumane, a city massacre was the most profitable form of plunder.
If they were to occupy it, they could only claim state assets within the city. Wealthy families might be extorted, but not much oil could be squeezed out.
A massacre, however, was different.
Everyone in the city could be captured and sold as slaves, and all their property looted.
Anything that couldn't be taken away would be burned.
This way, even if the city were recaptured by the enemy later, it would be a ruin, unable to provide supplies or manpower.
A double-edged poison plan!
As for the lives of the city's residents, it had nothing to do with them.
In war, human lives were as cheap as grass.
The general's concern was how to win, how to create greater benefits for his country.
As for public order and morality... that was for sages to consider.
"Pass down the order, attack the city ahead, massacre them! Everyone inside is a slave, and all property will be confiscated!" the adjutant roared.
"Hooray!"
"That's great!"
"Finally, our long journey wasn't in vain!"
"I heard the girls in the Valen Empire are fair and tender; now we have a chance to taste them."
"Following the general this time is a huge profit; it was the right choice to join the army!"
The soldiers cheered, their morale soaring.
They had just massacred thousands of Valen Empire soldiers. How many defenders could there be in the city now?
It would be a piece of cake, wouldn't it?
With that thought, under the general's command, the army's advance quickened.
As they saw the distinctive architecture of the Valen Empire, the tall, blocky buildings appeared in their vision, and the soldiers' eyes filled with frenzy.
"Report! Reconnaissance reports that the True God Cult's army has appeared at the city entrance!" a scout reported.
"They've arrived? Hmph, the Valen Empire's regular army is no match for us. What can the True God Cult's rabble do?" Qi Ke scoffed, his face filled with disdain.
"How many enemy troops are there?"
"Less than a hundred!"
"Less than a hundred? Ha!"
Upon hearing this report, Qi Ke couldn't help but laugh.
Thousands of men couldn't stop him; what good would a hundred True God Cultists do? Not even enough to fill the gaps for fifty thousand men.
Qi Ke signaled the army to halt, then took out his telescope and looked towards the city entrance.
Indeed, fifty figures wearing the dark red hoods of the True God Cult stood like statues, their faces hidden in the shadows of their hoods, their appearances indistinguishable.
Behind these fifty figures were a group of shapely women, especially the two leading them.
One was youthful and beautiful, the other exuded a captivating allure, making Qi Ke's heart stir.