Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The troops outside the pass were by no means a rabble, but an elite force led by renowned generals of the time, well-equipped, tactically sound, and well-coordinated in infantry and cavalry.

Chu Ning listened quietly, her face expressionless, but her eyes, which were fixed on the distant campfire that was just beginning to light, grew increasingly deep, as if she were calculating the balance of power between them and the various possibilities of the future.

Chu Ning only slowly withdrew his gaze after Feng Anguo finished his introduction.

He turned to look at the veteran, a cold smile curving his lips, a smile that conveyed absolute confidence and unquestionable decisiveness.

"Li Jing... his infantry and cavalry work together, combining orthodox and unorthodox tactics, which is indeed quite interesting."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a calm and collected air of someone in complete control.

"However, since he likes to build strongholds and fight protracted battles, then I will just wait it out with him."

He once again turned his gaze to the allied forces' camp, which lay prostrate like a giant beast beyond the pass, and with a resolute tone, set the strategic tone for the foreseeable future:

"Issue my military order! From this day forward, our army will continue to prioritize defense, relying on the favorable terrain of Zhennanguan and its surrounding areas to fortify our positions with deep trenches and high walls!"

"Without my decree, no one may go into battle without authorization. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!"

He paused slightly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes—an anticipation of the impending thunderous strike from the direction of Luoxia Mountain.

"No need to rush to send troops! Let Li Jing and his Scorpion Clan allies wait patiently outside the pass."

"Once my Vermilion Bird Legion arrives at Sunset Mountain, we will cooperate with Xue Huaide to wipe out the arrogant Wang Zhongsi and the Black Wolf Tribe with overwhelming force, completely severing one of his arms!"

"When that time comes, the pressure on our eastern front will be greatly reduced, and we can then concentrate our superior forces to turn around and settle accounts with Li Jing's main force outside the pass!"

"Join forces and engage him in the final battle!"

As the sun completely sank below the horizon, the last rays of light disappeared, and night began to fall.

The campfires of the Tang-Scorpion allied forces outside the pass lit up like stars falling to earth.

On the walls of Zhennan Pass, Chu Ning's dark figure stood like a rock in the twilight. His decisions had set a steady and ruthless pace for this grand war that would determine the fate of the Central Plains.

Patience, seizing opportunities, and striking after the opponent has made their move – these are the tactics he excels at when facing formidable adversaries.

At almost the same moment that Chu Ning looked out from the Zhennanguan city wall and decided on a strategy of steady defense.

Deep within the Tang-Scorpion Allied Forces' camp, which stretched for dozens of miles outside the pass, the atmosphere in the central command tent was so heavy it was almost palpable.

The commander's tent occupied a large area and was constructed with sturdy cowhide and thick felt. Its interior furnishings combined the orderliness of the Tang army with the practicality of a battlefield.

Several tallow lamps hung in the center of the tent, their thick wicks burning and crackling softly. The flickering flames cast long and short shadows of people inside the tent, creating an unpredictable interplay of light and shadow.

A huge cowhide map depicting the detailed terrain of the eastern front was laid out on the wooden platform in the center, with several stools placed around it.

At this moment, the tent was packed with people.

Besides Li Jing's main Tang generals, such as his deputy Zhang Xun and vanguard Lei Wanchun, a figure dressed in completely different attire from the Tang generals stood out.

This man was tall and robust, wearing a leather armor covered with metal plates. A string of teeth from an unknown beast hung around his neck. He had a rugged face, high cheekbones, and sharp, eagle-like eyes, exuding the wildness and arrogance unique to nomadic peoples.

He was Helian Wujiu, the leader of the Golden Scorpion Clan.

He sat casually in the seat closest to Li Jing, with two equally fierce Scorpion Clan guards standing behind him, a stark contrast to the other Tang generals who sat upright in the tent.

Li Jing sat upright in the main seat. He was about sixty years old, with a refined yet resolute face. His three long beards were meticulously groomed, but at this moment, a layer of unyielding worry shrouded his brows.

Instead of having his generals report on the military situation first, as was his usual practice, he went straight to the point, his voice steady yet carrying an invisible pressure:

"Gentlemen, we have just received reliable information."

His gaze swept over every face in the tent, finally lingering slightly on Helian Wujiu's face:

"Chu Ning has personally led 30,000 elite troops to Zhennan Pass."

Upon hearing this, a slight commotion arose inside the tent.

Chu Ning's reputation was known to everyone present.

His presence will undoubtedly boost the morale of the Chu army, but it also means that the battles to come will be even more difficult.

Li Jing continued without pausing, "Previously, there were about 70,000 Chu troops inside the pass, commanded by Feng Anguo."

"Now that Chu Ning has brought 30,000 fresh troops, the total strength of the Chu army inside the pass is now on par with our troops, and may even have a slight advantage if the defending side has the advantage of terrain."

He tapped lightly on the location of Zhennanguan on the map, his tone heavy:

"In this case, it will be much more difficult for our army to take this strategic pass as we had previously planned."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Helian Wujiu, sitting to the side, let out a disdainful sneer. He spoke in heavily accented Mandarin:

"Marshal Li, we made a promise beforehand! The warriors of our Golden Scorpion tribe are skilled at galloping across the grasslands and fighting on horseback!"

"This arduous task of attacking cities and capturing strongholds, and swarming forward like ants, is your Tang army's own job!"

"We're only responsible for patrolling outside the city, cutting off their supply lines, and hunting down their scouts. We never agreed to follow you into that impregnable fortress!"

His attitude was clear and firm, showing no respect for Li Jing whatsoever.

Some Tang generals inside the tent showed resentment on their faces, but due to the alliance, they did not immediately lash out.

Li Jing seemed to have anticipated Helian Wujiu's reaction. He was not angry, but sighed deeply, a sigh filled with helplessness and deeper worries.

“I naturally remember what Chief Helian said.”

Li Jing looked at Helian Wujiu, his eyes becoming extremely serious: "But there is one more thing that I'm afraid Chief Helian is unaware of, or rather, has not yet realized its seriousness."

He paused, then clearly and deliberately uttered the message that would change the course of the battle:

"According to the intelligence sent back by our spies at great risk, before Chu Ning arrived, he had already mobilized his elite Vermilion Bird Legion from the country, and they are rushing to the eastern front day and night!"

"This legion has a full strength of 100,000 men!"

"The 100,000-strong Vermilion Bird Legion?"

It was as if a thunderclap had exploded in the commander's tent!

Helian Wujiu, who had just been arrogant, suddenly changed his expression, and for the first time, his hawk-like eyes showed an expression of disbelief and horror!

He sat bolt upright, repeating instinctively, "One hundred thousand? Chu Ning's trump card?"

"Is this news true?"

Not only him, but the Tang generals in the tent were also instantly in an uproar!