When Aurelian Dragon and Lynette Quill arrived at the command tent, the meeting had already begun. Phoenix Vane gave Lynette Quill a meaningful look, which startled her. She wondered if she hadn't dressed properly and Phoenix Vane had noticed something amiss. She subconsciously glanced at her clothes but didn't find anything wrong.
At that moment, Phoenix Vane gave Lynette Quill a strange smile, which made Lynette Quill blush and quickly walk over to sit down next to Phoenix Vane.
Phoenix Vane publicly announced the appointment of Aurelian Dragon, who had distinguished himself the previous day, as a commander of a thousand. Of course, Phoenix Vane wouldn't reveal the more intimate details, and naturally, no one asked. In the Fast army, a legion commander had the authority to appoint and dismiss officers below the rank of commander of ten thousand, and it was perfectly normal for Phoenix Vane, as the commander-in-chief of the front lines, to appoint a commander of a thousand. Although this man had been punished by her before, no one would object. However, one person in the Western Legion noticed something amiss. What followed made even more people suspicious.
Phoenix Vane surprisingly appointed the newly appointed commander of a thousand, Aurelian Dragon, to lead two armies as guerrilla forces. This order caused an uproar among the generals. It should be noted that a corps in Fast was composed of 12,500 men, commanded by a commander of ten thousand appointed by the king, and comprised of twelve commanders of a thousand. A legion, on the other hand, consisted of twelve corps, one of which was a logistics corps, with each legion having a full strength of 150,000 men.
It was extremely rare in Fast's army for a commander of a thousand cavalry to lead two armies. Unless the general possessed exceptional strategic acumen, it would be difficult to command respect. Even Aurelian Dragon himself was taken aback by Phoenix Vane's decision; wasn't this tantamount to a death sentence?
The generals of Phoenix Vane's legion were fine; they had absolute trust in General Phoenix Vane, a confidence built up over many years. General Phoenix Vane was incapable of making mistakes, so even though they had some reservations, they accepted the order.
But the Western Legion's reaction was different. Seeing their former subordinates being so highly regarded by Phoenix Vane, Legion Commander Yang Han led the objections. However, Phoenix Vane's decision was made: "The Aurelian Dragon Thousand Riders know the enemy's strengths and weaknesses; he is the most suitable candidate." Phoenix Vane's imposing phoenix eyes slowly swept across the room, his aura instantly silencing the murmuring generals. The crowd gradually quieted down and accepted Phoenix Vane's arrangement.
Aurelian Dragon finally witnessed Phoenix Vane's prowess firsthand, inwardly marveling, "What a formidable woman! A timid man might not even be able to stand up." A strong desire rose within him to see Phoenix Vane in bed. Such a stunning beauty, whom even men admired, what would she be like naked in bed? A smile crept onto Aurelian Dragon's lips.
Everyone saw Aurelian Dragon's smile and couldn't help but admire his courage. If he wasn't confident, he could have declined; otherwise, defeat would have meant execution. Conversely, victory would be a remarkable achievement, potentially leading to his immediate promotion to commander of ten thousand cavalry. This would have made him a record holder for the shortest time to rise from commander of a hundred cavalry to commander of ten thousand cavalry.
Phoenix Vane nodded secretly; this man was indeed unusual. She had made the suggestion partly to test his courage. If she knew that Aurelian Dragon's mind was filled with images of her naked body, and that his laughter stemmed from this, she would be furious.
After Phoenix Vane had arranged the entire army's movements, the generals filed out of the central command tent to prepare.
Phoenix Vane stopped the last Aurelian Dragon to leave the main tent and asked, "Are you confident?"
Aurelian Dragon laughed and replied, "The General has entrusted me with such a task, so I can only strive to complete it and live up to the General's trust." A slight smile flickered across Phoenix Vane's lips, while Lynette Quill quickly said, "Sister Feng definitely has a brilliant plan to guarantee your success! Isn't that right, Sister Feng!" Her last sentence was directed at Phoenix Vane.
Aurelian Dragon's eyes lit up as he eagerly gazed at Phoenix Vane's beautiful face. Phoenix Vane blushed slightly under his gaze, but composed herself and gave Aurelian Dragon detailed instructions. Aurelian Dragon nodded repeatedly, deeply impressed. Finally, Phoenix Vane summarized, "Remember, make full use of the cavalry's mobility; strike and retreat. Also, never linger in battle or be greedy for glory." Aurelian Dragon was extremely grateful and respectfully said, "Thank you, General!"
At this moment, Lynette Quill said from the side, "Aurelian, look how much effort Sister Feng has put into you, you should thank her properly!" Aurelian Dragon was taken aback, looked up at Lynette Quill, then at the blushing Phoenix Vane, and his heart fluttered. Lynette Quill gave him a wink, and the experienced Aurelian Dragon understood immediately. He took a big step forward, almost bumping into Phoenix Vane. Phoenix Vane gasped and tried to back away. But Lynette Quill blocked her way from behind, wrapping her arms around Phoenix Vane's waist. Aurelian Dragon's strong breath made Phoenix Vane flustered, and she said angrily, "Lynette, what are you doing?"
At that moment, Aurelian Dragon was completely captivated by the delicate fragrance emanating from Phoenix Vane and the sweet scent emanating from her cherry-like lips. Nothing could be more delightful than knowing a beautiful woman has fallen for you. Aurelian Dragon gazed deeply into Phoenix Vane's dreamlike, beautiful eyes and said affectionately, "Let me thank you properly, my little phoenix." Hearing Aurelian Dragon's tender address, Phoenix Vane's heart fluttered.
Aurelian Dragon lowered her head and kissed Phoenix Vane's slightly parted, moist lips deeply.
"Mmm..." A seductive moan escaped Phoenix Vane's delicate nose. When Aurelian Dragon's tongue slipped into her warm mouth, Phoenix Vane felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. The sensation was sweeter and more intoxicating than the first time he had kissed her forcefully. Phoenix Vane's entire body seemed to have lost its bones, limp against Lynette Quill's.
Aurelian Dragon reached out and tightly embraced Phoenix Vane and the woman behind her, pressing her soft, beautiful body against his own without any gap. He unleashed his superb tongue skills, kissing Phoenix Vane until she was completely mesmerized, oblivious to her surroundings. He felt Phoenix Vane's body growing hotter and hotter, and Lynette Quill, who knew her taste all too well, felt her body burning even hotter.
Just as they were locked in a passionate kiss, the sound of footsteps from the guards outside the tent startled the three inside. Phoenix Vane hurriedly pushed Aurelian Dragon away, panting as she straightened her clothes, which he had wrinkled, her face flushed like a blooming peach blossom.
The guards came in and reported: "Aso's orc army has been spotted thirty miles away. Their numbers are estimated to be over one hundred thousand."
Aurelian Dragon bowed and said, "General, I take my leave." Phoenix Vane walked up to him, looked at him affectionately, and said, "Take care!" The beauty's deep affection captivated Aurelian Dragon. He left the tent excitedly.
The guards surrounding Phoenix Vane were all longtime members of the Golden Phoenix Guard, and they were all dumbfounded by this unprecedented action. But at this moment, Phoenix Vane only had eyes for Aurelian Dragon's back, completely unaware of the strange gaze from the Golden Phoenix Guard.
Lynette Quill, standing nearby, whispered, "Sister Feng, will he succeed?" Phoenix Vane knew she was just worried and smiled. "Don't worry, we've sent our elite troops to him. You should trust the Claws' strength. Besides, don't you trust your sister?" This made Lynette Quill laugh sheepishly. She knew that within the Phoenix Legion, the two armies known as "Claws" were exceptionally powerful cavalry units.
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The sun rose, dispelling the thin mist that shrouded the plains. The Fast army had already formed ranks, their formations neat and orderly. Phoenix Vane, clad in rainbow armor, stood at her post, watching Aurelian Dragon and his army rapidly depart from the Fast army's ranks, a complex expression flashing in her clear eyes.
Phoenix Vane secretly resented herself for becoming so weak and even attached to this man with a notorious reputation for womanizing and debauchery. She longed for his embrace, a stark contrast to her usual strong and resolute self. The brief but profound joys of her childhood flowed through her mind, but the innocent boy she remembered was gone; the transformation was unimaginable. While men of this generation were often self-absorbed in their womanizing, to have earned such a widespread reputation still drew attention.
"What's so good about him?" Phoenix Vane couldn't help but ask himself. "What makes him worthy of our affections?" Thinking this, Phoenix Vane glanced beside him. Lynette Quill, clad in black armor, was gazing intently at the departing figure of the Aurelian Dragon with deep longing. Phoenix Vane felt a pang of pain in his heart, thinking, "Lynette, it's not that I hate you, it's just that this man has made my heart restless. I just want to be myself again, don't blame me!"
Phoenix Vane knew that Aso, having just ended his civil war, would be launching a full-scale attack on the Great Lakes region. The Lion King, renowned for his military exploits, would likely personally lead the charge. This would leave the Aurelian Dragons, who had circled behind Aso's army, vulnerable to attacks from two sides. For the Aurelian Dragons, with only a mere 20,000 men, defeat was inevitable, and they might even face total annihilation.
Phoenix Vane stared blankly at the Aurelian Dragon gradually disappearing into the vast land, her heart surging with emotion. She felt her heart no longer belonged to her, as if it had left with the Aurelian Dragon. "Am I already beyond redemption?" A certain thought began to grow within Phoenix Vane. She felt her heartache intensify, and a powerful impulse almost made Phoenix Vane cry out. Perhaps with this departure, he would disappear from her life forever, and Lynette Quill would never see him again.
"Is this the right thing to do?" Phoenix Vane felt her heart wavering. Memories hidden deep within her flashed through her mind more clearly, and before she knew it, her heart was overflowing with longing for this man. Although she didn't know of his existence before, at least there was a chance to meet him. But now, by going, she had pushed him to the edge of a cliff with her own hands. If they could never see each other again, it would be as if she had extinguished the flame in her own heart.
Phoenix Vane, her emotions in turmoil, no longer possessed her former decisiveness; a variety of thoughts swirled in her mind like windmills. However, her naturally resolute and determined nature allowed her to quickly find a solution and make up her mind.
Phoenix Vane gritted her teeth. "Perhaps this is God's will, to let me meet him again and to make me hopelessly fall in love with him. If he is destined to be the man in my life, then he will return to my side safely once more!" Thinking this way, she began to feel lighter.
"What a beautiful day!" Phoenix Vane murmured, looking up at the sky and clearing her mind. She seemed to sense the impending battle in the air. She reached out her delicate hand and patted her beloved dragon steed, "Flying Cloud." The intelligent Flying Cloud raised its head and let out a clear, resonant neigh.
Hearing that familiar neighing of horses, every soldier in the Phoenix Legion was instantly invigorated. For years, accompanied by this familiar sound, the Phoenix Legion had swept through armies, and every soldier had developed a godlike worship for General Phoenix Vane. Whenever they saw the fluttering Phoenix Banner, they were convinced that victory would surely be theirs. The title "Beautiful War Goddess" was first coined by them.
Phoenix Vane turned to look at the distant, hazy Wu'an army camp. The camp was shrouded in silence; the Wu'an army seemed unwilling to engage in battle. "I hope the old man on the other side is safe and sound!" Although they were opponents, Phoenix Vane still held Gupa in high regard.
"Enemy troops at the rear!" a scout cavalryman reported on horseback. Assau's vanguard had appeared eight miles ahead. Phoenix Vane calmly ordered, "Turn around!" Her command was relayed down the ranks by the galloping messengers. The massive Fast army began to ripple like flowing water.
The timing was impeccable; just as a large orc force came into view, the Fast army's front was perfectly aligned with the swarming bear-men. At the same time, chaos erupted in the distant Wu'an army camp, with flames visible and the sounds of battle deafening.
The bear-like soldiers among the orcs were almost entirely infantry. Each one was burly and ferocious, half again as tall as the Fast army, with thick hides, immense strength, and lightning-fast speed. Their charging, shouting, was incredibly intimidating. Without prior preparation, one would be thrown into chaos and terrified. Moreover, they were incredibly fast, reaching the front of the Fast army in the blink of an eye.
The well-prepared Fast army remained calm and composed, with their archers at the front unleashing a fierce volley of arrows upon the Asso army. The soldiers who had released their arrows retreated, while the heavily armored infantry, already arrayed behind them, moved forward in perfect unison, their massive shields reflecting the rising sun with dazzling light.
The bear soldiers at the forefront of the charge were bombarded by arrows, falling with screams, but those behind them continued their relentless charge. Even some lightly wounded bear soldiers, with arrows still lodged in their bodies, continued their advance. The ferocity of the orcish army was evident. They brandished their weapons with fanaticism, roaring as they tried to reach Fast's position, for they believed that once they reached the enemy, they would crumble.
Watching the orcs charge forward fearlessly, Phoenix Vane smiled coldly and said contemptuously, "A bunch of brainless bastards!" Despite having such formidable soldiers, their commander's mistakes would lead them to defeat. She calmly mobilized her troops, continuing to deliver a crushing blow to the enemy. The already assembled mage force, protected by heavy infantry, also began launching magical attacks on the orcs. This was an innovation of Phoenix Vane's—gathering mages previously scattered across various armies; the more mages chanting together, the greater the magical power, and thus the greater the damage inflicted on the enemy.
Countless terrifying fireballs and lightning bolts danced above the orcs' heads, things they feared most. With each incantation chanted by the mages of the Fast army, large numbers of orcs fell.
Phoenix Vane knew he couldn't let the orcs get close to his army, because the orcs were far more powerful than the Faustian army; in melee combat, several Faustian soldiers might not be able to defeat a single bear soldier. But with such ranged attacks, very few bear soldiers could reach the Faustian army. Thus, even if they did reach the Faustian army, they would be quickly slaughtered under the siege of numerous Faustian soldiers.
An hour later, Bu Ge finally realized that the Fast army wasn't the easily frightened, easily routed humans he had imagined. His reckless charge was tantamount to suicide, and now the entire formation was in disarray, making it impossible to transmit effective orders. He decided to reorganize the troops and ordered the retreat bugle to be sounded.
As the piercing sound of bone flutes echoed from the orc ranks, the bear soldiers, already filled with fear, turned and ran away like the receding tide.
Unexpectedly, Phoenix Vane was just waiting for this opportunity. With a command, the heavy infantry in front cleared the way, and the cavalry behind charged out, launching a fierce attack on the orcs from behind. The orcs, who had lost their will to fight, were routed and fled in disarray, retreating ten miles before finally stabilizing.
Enraged, Bu Ge desperately ordered his troops to hold the line and began organizing a counterattack. An hour into the battle, a stalemate ensued, but under Phoenix Vane's skillful command, the Fast army's flexible and adaptable formations gradually gave them the upper hand. Several hours later, the orcish forces suffered heavy casualties, their formation crumbled, and at this rate, their defeat was inevitable.
Phoenix Vane wasn't happy at this moment, because she expected the Aurelian Dragon to appear behind Bogo after the raid on the orc camp, forming a pincer movement. However, the Aurelian Dragon hadn't appeared yet, indicating something was wrong. Phoenix Vane thought to herself, "Did I really predict it correctly?" She was extremely conflicted, hoping her judgment was right, yet unwilling to accept that her calculations had succeeded.
As Phoenix Vane grew increasingly anxious, dust billowed from behind the orcish ranks, and a golden lion banner fluttered in the wind. With the sound of horns, the orcish reinforcements finally arrived. Phoenix Vane paled instantly, her heart filled with despair; her worst fears had come true. Only now did Phoenix Vane realize that the Aurelian Dragon had firmly captured her heart, and the pain of losing him was immense.
Now, Phoenix Vane had no choice but to muster his strength, shift his troops into a defensive formation, and slowly retreat. Taking a breather, Bogo quickly reorganized his army, while the Lion Soldiers swiftly bypassed the Bear Soldiers and launched a fierce attack on the Fast army. At the same time, the Leopard Soldiers, who had completely routed the Wu'an army, and the Aso Wolf Clan troops supporting them, began to converge on this side.
At this point, Phoenix Vane fully utilized her defensive prowess, organizing an extremely effective defense. The Fast army fought and retreated, gradually disengaging from the battlefield. Only one corps of the Western Legion, due to a momentary lingering attachment to the battle, became surrounded by the main force and was quickly wiped out by the orcs.
Fast's army retreated five miles and, seeing the orc army withdraw and set up camp, also set up camp to rest. Phoenix Vane knew he would have to hold off the enemy for several days, waiting for reinforcements. The orc army before him numbered nearly 500,000; he needed to devise a careful plan to hold them off.
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In the orc camp, Bu Ge was severely reprimanded by the Lion King Lett, who ordered him to lead the remaining 70,000 defeated bear soldiers to retreat. Dejected, Bu Ge left the main tent and encountered Greybeard, the wolf general with whom he had always been at odds, only to be subjected to another round of sarcastic remarks.
Brother Bu said angrily, "That woman is indeed very powerful, but it's the same if you go."
Grey Shell curled its lip and said with a sneer, "Me, a big, clumsy bear like you?"
"Why don't you give it a try?" Brother Bu sneered, "Don't talk big here. Didn't you say the wolf soldiers are good at night fighting?"
Upon hearing this from Brother Bu, Greybeard immediately replied, "Perfect timing! I'm currently under orders to raid the Fast Army. Watch me capture that woman and show her to you." With that, Greybeard stormed off. Brother Bu, left behind, sneered inwardly, cursing, "That damned bastard, I hope he gets killed by the Fast Army."
Greybeard, leading his elite 80,000 wolf soldiers, stealthily approached the Fast army's camp under cover of darkness. Seeing the silent camp, Greybeard was overjoyed. But as he charged in, a gong sounded, fires broke out all around, and the Fast army surrounded them. From the firelight emerged the dashing Phoenix Vane, who shouted, "I knew you'd pull this! Surrender now! Or be killed without mercy!" The surrounding Fast soldiers roared in response, their battle cries shaking the heavens.
Enraged, Greybeard roared, "Charge!" The wolf soldiers, who had been eagerly anticipating their attack, charged forward. Phoenix Vane waved her hand, and flames erupted, engulfing the wolf soldiers in a sea of fire. She had already ordered a trap laid, waiting for the orcs to fall into it. For orcs, fire was the most terrifying thing; the inferno routed the wolf soldiers, who scattered and fled. Caught off guard by the Fast army from the rear, Greybeard could only lead her ravaged wolf soldiers in a pathetic retreat, their former glory and ambition long gone.
The Fast army only stopped their pursuit when they encountered the Lion Soldiers who came to their aid halfway through the journey.
Seeing the wolf soldiers, blackened and tattered by smoke and fire, even Bu Ge couldn't laugh. Lett comforted Graybey for a few moments, then blamed himself, saying, "I didn't expect Phoenix Vane to be so powerful; it was a miscalculation on my part. General, don't worry about it." He paused, then added, "However, Phoenix Vane's days are numbered. Once that thing is set up, we can annihilate the enemy."
All the generals present had their eyes light up. Shara Felis asked, "Your Majesty, has that thing been developed?" Levitt nodded and said, "Yes, it's just been completed. It will arrive in the next couple of days." The crowd cheered with joy.
Brother Bu rubbed his bear paws and said, "Once we catch that bitch, I'm going to fuck her to death." Grey Bay nodded repeatedly, "That's right, that's right. Only in this way can I vent my hatred." Shara Felis left the tent unhappily, and the remaining lecherous guys began to discuss how to deal with Phoenix Vane if they caught her.