If Heaven hadn't given birth to me, I would be arrogant.

"Hills?" Zong Kuang frowned slightly. "Did you see their warhorses?"

"General, we did not see any warhorses! From our observation, it seems they abandoned their horses before going up the mountain!"

"Hmm!" Zong Kuang nodded and said, "From their high vantage point, a charge by their warhorses would severely disrupt our formation, increasing their chances of escape! So they must have hidden their warhorses in the mountains, planning to charge at us all at once when the battle begins! What a pity..."

Zong Kuang's voice suddenly rose an octave: "Order the change of advancing formation. The Trapped Battalion will be at the forefront, and they must stop any remaining bandits from escaping on horseback. The Heavy Armor Battalion will provide cover from the rear. The Cavalry Battalion will dismount and, together with the Infantry Battalion, will be at the very back, responsible for protecting the Magic Squadron!"

As the messengers relayed Zong Kuang's orders one by one, the troops' formation began to slowly change. By the time the formation was completely changed according to Zong Kuang's requirements, Zong Ze could already see the hill that the scout had mentioned, and he could even make out the figures on the hill!

"Hmph!" Zong Kuang snorted. "If these bandits knew that it was my Zong family army that came to wipe them out, they probably wouldn't be so foolish as to stubbornly defend the mountains! Son, watch closely, I'll show you what a magnificent battle is, what a grand scene is. Didn't you once say that a classic battle requires 'zero casualties'? Today, I'll put on a zero-casualty battle for you!"

After saying that, Zong Kuang suddenly jumped off his horse and roared, "Magic Squadron, listen up! Target: the hill ahead. Fire and earth magic, indiscriminate attack. Begin!"

With Zong Kuang's command, Zong Ze heard a series of sounds like bards chanting coming from the rear of the troops. Along with these sounds, Zong Ze seemed to feel something inexplicable passing through his body and entering his mind.

Looking in the direction of the sound, Zong Ze saw that at the rear of the army, dismounted cavalry and infantry battalions had surrounded about 200 people who wore no armor, only long black robes. The voice, like that of a chanting poet, was coming from these 200 people. It seemed that these 200 were the mage squadron his father had mentioned!

"Well, son? Didn't expect that, did you?" Seeing Zong Ze's slightly inquisitive gaze, Zong Kuang subconsciously felt a surge of satisfaction. "Kid, there are things you don't know? Haha, I've really made a name for myself today! I must tell Grandpa about this when I get back in a few days, so he can have a good laugh too!"

It's no wonder Zong Kuang had such thoughts. What elder would be happy to see their child suffer a setback? Zong Ze is simply too cunning. Ever since that annulment of the engagement, Zong Ze has demonstrated his intelligence. Many times, Zong Kuang and Zong Xiaozhang only realized afterward that they seemed to have been tricked and used as pawns by their son (grandson)!

Let him be a pawn, he's their own child, no one will say anything. But this kid is very good at playing dumb. Even though they all saw through his intentions afterward, when they talked to him again, he started to claim ignorance, and when pressed, he said he didn't know either. How could the arrogant father and son, who were already a bit short-tempered, tolerate this?