Chapter 561: Chapter 561. A Path to Glory and Recognition

“What did you say?!” Liu Xun looked ready to pull his weapon.

As for Jiang Tong, he never budged. He remained in his seat with a cold expression.

“General Amon,” Jiang Tong said. “We were never on good terms. However, that is caused by our allegiance. You and I never truly interacted, and we have no grudge against one another. If I’m being objective, I would say you are an exceptional soldier based on your records. The records also note that you are not brash or impatient. So, is it a mistake in the records, or is this your true self?”

Amon smiled. He gave Jiang Tong a formal salute. “Although the records showed that General Jiang Tong made your name in past conflicts, it also mentioned General’s cool head and excellent judgement of characters. I apologize for provoking General. I was simply trying to ascertain if we have any chance of cooperating.”

“The King has sent his order for us to cooperate. I don’t attain my position by insubordination. That said, let it be clear that I don’t trust you, and I don’t like you. I don’t believe you are here for the good of Echos. Like you said, I am an excellent judge of characters.”

Amon wasn’t offended. He smiled and said, “I will try my best to earn your trust.”

“We will see about that,” Jiang Tong responded. “How many men do you bring?”

“There are ten others aside from me. Three are Spirit Stage cultivators, and the rest are at the Mystic Stage.”

“I don’t see how you can help us with so few men,” Jiang Tong said. “What about your First Demon Army?”

“Ten thousand marched with the supplies. The other ten thousand are rushing here. They should arrive in three to four days.”

“In that case, stay put until your army arrives. We will prepare a tent for you,” Jiang Tong stated. “You and your army can help when we go on the offensive again once the truce ends.”

“I’m sorry, General. I will not stay put,” Amon said. “I also don’t think it is wise to wait for the truce to end.”

“The capital has advised us about your opinion regarding the enemy’s intention with this truce,” Liu Xun said. “Do you truly believe they have more of those backpack contraptions they strapped on our citizens?”

“Those contraptions are called Mental Regulators,” Amon informed. “It used to be an experimental device developed by Khode, but they somehow managed to find a way to mass-produce it.”

“How do you know this?” Jiang Tong asked.

“I have insider information,” Amon replied without getting into details. “The way I see it, if they can make enough devices to use on a hundred thousand civilians, what makes you think that is their limit? By the time this truce ends, you might be facing a number with two or three times the previous confrontation.”

Jiang Tong and Liu Xun looked at one another. The picture Amon painted didn’t bode well with them.

“What do you suggest, then? Should we attack now and lay waste to the city and its inhabitants?” Liu Xun asked. “Even if we are willing, we have already tried attacking when we first arrived. Our soldiers couldn’t contend against the number and suicide tactic of the controlled civilians. We will suffer catastrophic loss before we even fight the real enemies from Khode.”

“I might have a way to deal with those controlled civilians,” Amon said.

“You do?” Jiang Tong asked. His tone was skeptical.

“I can’t say for certain, but I have a suspicion,” Amon answered. “Nevertheless, whether I am right or wrong, I need to infiltrate the city.”

“Good luck with that. We have been trying to do that for days now,” Liu Xun said.

“The terrain and color of Bright Rock Hill make it so that it is easy for people in Bright Rock City to see enemies approaching,” Jiang Tong informed. “There are rock protrusions where one can use to hide from the prying eyes of the sentries, but they are situated sparsely. The only chance we can try to infiltrate is at night.”

“Which we had,” Liu Xun said. “But somehow, they always know, even when we are still near the foot of the hill, which is strange. We don’t see them posting anyone to sense intruders. Furthermore, we always sent those with good concealment arts. Our intruders were confronted and chased away. It has been three days in a row now. They said if we are caught the fourth time, they will not let the intruders return safely like before.”

“They are using Faxien Radars,” Amon said.

“What are those?” Liu Xun asked.

“It is another device from Khode,” Amon answered. “This device is normally planted on the ground. It will detect movements in a large radius. That’s how they know. If you want to avoid the radars, you must fly above their area of coverage, which will make it obvious for you to be spotted.”

“How do you know about these Faxien Radars? Wait, let me guess, insider information?” Liu Xun asked.

“Of course, do you think I suggest invading Khode without learning what they are capable of?” Amon asked back. “Khode placed a lot of these Faxien Radars at the border near their side. At their border, they even placed ones that could float so they cover even the airspace. With these devices, it is almost impossible to sneak into their country without being noticed.”

“In that case, you know the difficulty of infiltrating the city,” Jiang Tong said. “Not to mention, I’m pretty sure they had an energy barrier surrounding Bright Rock City.”

Liu Xun added, “They can even construct a temporary barrier field in the middle of a freaking battle. I’m sure whatever they use to prevent intruders from entering the city will be even more advanced.”

Amon didn’t dispute that. Even Farghous, who was not known for their specialists, could erect a barrier to protect the Cinder Ash Town they occupied. Certainly, Khode with its famous tech could do better.

“I would like to spend tonight studying the terrain. I would like to ask General to pull back the men you sent to infiltrate the enemy. We shouldn’t antagonize them before we have a clear plan.”

Liu Xun turned to Jiang Tong. If Amon was right about the Faxien Radars, their men would get discovered again. Their concealment arts didn’t conceal their movements.

Jiang Tong nodded, and Liu Xun walked out of the tent to relay the order.

Seeing they took his advice, Amon made more requests, “I would also like to talk to all the soldiers you have sent to infiltrate the city these past three days. I want to hear their accounts, and I need a detailed map of Bright Rock Hill and Bright Rock City.”

“They will be arranged and sent to your tent,” Jiang Tong said.

“I am grateful for your understanding,” Amon said. He bowed and excused himself.

Before he left the tent, Jiang Tong called him, “General Amon, I will reiterate that I don’t trust you. However, I know for now you are helping us for your own interests. So, I will play along. If I ever discover you have ill will against this kingdom, I won’t hesitate to cut you down. Do I make myself clear?”

“Very. I promise I will do my best to earn your trust,” Amon repeated.

Jiang Tong didn’t respond to that. Amon gave him another bow before exiting.

*

The tent provided for Amon’s party was not too big. They were told to cram inside the tent, which caused Wu Di and Yi Chaisan to grumble. Yi Chaisan complained that they should at least be given two tents so they could be separated between the men and the women.

Amon didn’t mind the treatment. He was not here to get comfortable. He stayed outside the tent and gazed at Bright Rock Hill. He would do his reconnaissance under the cover of night. For now, he was waiting for the detailed map and Jiang Tong’s scouts who had tried going up the hill.

Xin Wuming joined him outside. “Brother, how confident are you in retaking that city?”

“If Jiang Tong is willing to cooperate, the chance should be pretty big,” Amon replied.

“After this, we go to Khode?”

“Yes. Do you have reservations about that?” Amon asked.

Xin Wuming shook his head. “I will go wherever brother asks me to go. It’s just that I’ve never set foot outside this kingdom.”

“If you want to do great things, you need to be willing to break out of your confinement.”

“Thank you for brother’s wisdom,” Xin Wuming stated. He then went silent.

Amon glanced at him and said, “If you have something on your mind, say it. I don’t like hesitant people.”

“Sorry, brother… I don’t mean anything by this, but I can’t help but notice your excitement when we learned about Khode and Farghous’ invasion. Also, shouldn’t we just focus on repelling the invaders? Why should we go on a campaign to invade Khode?”

Amon smiled. “Do you know what the best way is to earn glory and recognition?” He asked.

When Xin Wuming didn’t answer, Amon answered his own question, “By winning wars.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep