No one could have anticipated that within the city of Luojing, or rather, within the Purple Pole City, an entirely independent army would suddenly emerge, outside the control of the Empress Dowager.
The sudden appearance of the Xuanwu Guard caught everyone off guard, swiftly seizing control of a significant portion of the Purple Pole City.
While the Empress Dowager’s side reacted quickly, rapidly summoning tens of thousands of Imperial Guards stationed in the Purple Pole City to resist and using secret techniques to call for reinforcements from the Imperial Guards within and outside Luojing to besiege the Xuanwu Guard, the Xuanwu Guard that had long battled malevolent spirits possessed a terrifying combat strength that even the savage tribes of the wastelands would fear. On the other hand, the Imperial Guards, due to prolonged peace and the Empress Zhao’s relatively lenient control to win the allegiance of the generals in the capital, were relatively relaxed in their readiness, and their combat strength was only slightly stronger than ordinary troops.
Furthermore, in addition to their exceptional equipment, the Xuanwu Guard also possessed the unique Saint Spirit Arts that could significantly boost their combat power, exclusive to the Four Divine Kings.
Whether it was in equipment, combat skills, or the abilities of their commanding generals, the Imperial Guards were at a disadvantage, unable to halt the advance of the Xuanwu Guard.
In their first encounter, the Imperial Guards suffered a ten percent casualty rate, and in the ensuing direct confrontation, they quickly lost nearly thirty percent. Even the commanding generals and a few colonels were shot down by a stern-faced junior officer among the Xuanwu Guard.
With the commanding general killed and over thirty percent casualties, the Imperial Guards could no longer hold their ground and were routed.
In contrast, the casualties of the Xuanwu Guard numbered in the hundreds.
As Zhao Feifan led fifty thousand valiant warriors to the outskirts of the Purple Pole City, what met his eyes was a scene where tens of thousands of elaborately armored Imperial Guards were being chased by thousands of Xuanwu Guards beyond the Xuanji Gate.
Instinctively looking up, Zhao Feifan was stunned to see bloodstains all over the Xuanji Gate. The Phoenix Flag, which had represented the Empress Dowager’s authority, had been cut down, replaced by a black flag radiating white mist—a Black Dragon Flag. In the center of the Black Dragon Flag, the characters “Cangming” emitted a faint flow of light, prominently displayed.
Under the dragon flag, the Cangming Divine King, Jiang Chengdao, crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on the overwhelmingly one-sided battle below.
In his sharp and cold gaze, there was indifference towards life, as if the lives being slaughtered below were not living beings, but a group of insignificant creatures.
Seeing the arrival of tens of thousands of Imperial Guards, he displayed no panic in his eyes. Instead, his gaze held a disdainful look as he stared at the leading Zhao Feifan.
At this point, the fleeing Imperial Guards, seeing the Warrior Battalion, recognized their own forces and rushed towards the place where Zhao Feifan was stationed, as though they had caught sight of a lifesaving straw, frantically hoping for protection.
Witnessing this scene, Zhao Feifan’s complexion changed instantly. However, on the high wall, the Cangming Divine King’s lips curled up slightly, revealing a hint of icy amusement.
Although Zhao Feifan couldn’t quite grasp the details of what had transpired within the Purple Pole City, he understood that the current situation was highly unfavorable to their side. If they allowed the routed Imperial Guards to charge into the Warrior Battalion, the pursuing Xuanwu Guards would certainly exploit the opportunity for an ambush, leading to catastrophic consequences.
He hurriedly shouted at the Imperial Guards, urging them to remain calm and not to provide the enemy with an opening by disrupting the orderly formation of the Warrior Battalion.
However, how could the frightened Imperial Guards listen?
At this moment, all they wished was that they had grown an extra pair of legs, wanting the Warrior Battalion to obstruct those relentless Xuanwu Guards.