Chapter 8: Seizing the Chance to Escape

For most, being stranded on a tiny island without reinforcements and lacking superior forces while maintaining morale seems nearly impossible. Yet, Mercenary King Amy achieved just that.

However, if one thinks Amy, renowned for his strategic brilliance, would hold out indefinitely until the bitter end, they would be mistaken.

Legendary Battle Strategy of the Mercenary King

At the entrance of the small mercenary camp, a large wooden board was erected, displaying the names of all the mercenary soldiers, with their accomplishments in the current battle noted beside them. Each enemy killed, captured, or wounded was meticulously recorded on this board.

At the top of the board, two crossed swords were drawn, with the words "Heroic Mercenary Leaderboard" beneath them. Without further explanation, every passing mercenary could see how far they stood from earning those legendary weapons—as the leader promised to divide the spoils as soon as the battle ended. This fueled everyone's determination.

Since its inception, the "Heroic Mercenary Leaderboard" gained influence beyond the small mercenary group. It first spread within the mercenary community, then throughout the nation, across the continent, and eventually transcended the realms of dragons, humans, and demons. This ranking impacted not just the top warriors but also ordinary soldiers. For a soldier, failing to match the achievements of their peers in a battle was a personal affront. Hence, on this leaderboard, generals had their targets, and soldiers had their rivals.

At this point, there was no longer any need to conceal anything from the mercenaries. Amy instructed the captains of each swordsman camp to motivate their troops.

The renowned mercenary group displayed the varied leadership styles of its captains during the mobilization.

The great swordsmen camp was the first to gather, with the burly swordsmen filling half the training ground. Horns stood with one hand resting on his blue battle axe and the other stroking his thick beard.

"Warriors!" He slammed the massive axe into the ground. "Facing formidable foes and an invasion from another continent, yesterday's battle proved that we are the mightiest force in the mercenary group. Now, I ask: Are you afraid?"

"No!" the great swordsmen roared in unison.

"With our camp making up more than half of the mercenary group, I hope—no, I believe—that after the battle, at least one invincible warrior from our camp will earn a legendary weapon, continuing our undefeated legend." Horns passionately stirred the crowd.

"As your captain, I cannot tolerate our group missing out on glory and honor post-battle. If that happens, I suggest we all end our shame by taking our own lives. Fight bravely and create an unbeatable myth!"

"Fight bravely and create an unbeatable myth!"

It was evident that Horns' provocative words were highly effective among the famously fierce great swordsmen camp. Over 300 massive swords were drawn simultaneously, gleaming like snow under the sun, with sword energy filling the air.

Next to enter the field was Chi Aotian's sniper swordsmen camp. To ensure agility, they wore the least armor among the four major camps—black cloth shirts with leather armor sewn at vital points and black cloaks for night camouflage. Unlike the great swordsmen's robust march, the 100-strong unit entered the field almost silently.

Their exceptional performance the previous night placed the sniper swordsmen on par with the prairie elves, making them the most competitive for the legendary weapons.

Chi Aotian, also in black, stepped onto the stage leisurely. He wasn't one for words.

Standing motionless, the sea breeze fluttered his cloak, merging with the sniper swordsmen's cloaks to create a rustling sound.

In the silence, a killing aura gradually emanated from Chi Aotian, rising in tandem with the sniper swordsmen's.

Suddenly, Chi Aotian's black longsword slashed through the air, leaving a black lightning streak and carving the word "death" deeply into the backdrop behind him. "Clang," the black sword vanished into its sheath.

"Dance with death! Dance with death! Dance with death!"

In Chi Aotian's first lesson to the sniper swordsmen camp, he used his sword to carve the word "death" two inches deep into the wall in a short time and uttered the five words "Dance with death." This became the true portrayal of the sniper swordsmen's fearless, life-risking combat style. In the sea breeze, the word written by the silent sword instantly evoked the most familiar belief from the sniper swordsmen's hearts: "Dance with death."

Da Qing Shan only reluctantly took the stage after Amy poked him in the waist three times—originally, the sniper swordsmen camp was commanded by Chi Aotian. However, Amy arranged for Da Qing Shan to give the speech. Reluctant and taciturn, Da Qing Shan was compelled by Amy's authority to do so.

"Uh," Da Qing Shan scratched his head. If not for the fact that everyone in the mercenary group was well aware of this deputy leader's prowess, there would have been much murmuring. As the second-largest group, the sniper swordsmen camp performed excellently today, and everyone hoped the deputy leader would say some inspiring words.

"Uh, we are all part of the small mercenary group. I hope, I hope everyone can unite, friendship first, competition second."

Wow, as soon as "friendship first, competition second" was said, laughter erupted below, even Sha Ruo couldn't help but cover her mouth.

Amy, using a levitation spell, floated up and stood beside Da Qing Shan: "Attention, everyone, silence!"

The crowd immediately quieted down. Amy's face was as stern as an iron pot: "What's so funny? Did the deputy leader say anything wrong? We face an enemy with superior numbers. We need collective strength. Is individual glory enough to defeat the thousands of enemies before us? Remember: A single hero with a legendary weapon doesn't guarantee victory, but a united, strategic force is key to our success. I demand everyone unite and fight bravely!"

No one could have imagined that the usually amiable Amy would say such words on stage. The audience fell silent as each person suppressed their laughter and pondered.

Following Da Qing Shan's dramatic speech, Amy hoped to regain everyone's focus through his authority. However, given the subsequent encouraging speeches by the vice captain of the magic swordsmen and the captain of the prairie elves, it was clear the earlier humor had left too strong an impression to be easily dispelled.

The siege of Xilin Island had reached its seventh day. Dahai Nuo, often accompanied by Merlin and others, disguised himself as a centaur archer on a small boat, scouting the island's arrangements along Xilin's perimeter. To counter such surveillance, Amy made ample preparations, assigning prairie elf archers to hide and ambush slow-moving boats with stealthy arrows.

On the seventh day, Dahai Nuo spotted five gigantic vultures flying from the distant southern sky while on a small boat. Having faced the small mercenary group for several days, he knew these were their vulture squad, typically tasked with important missions in groups of five. As realization dawned, his expression shifted rapidly. The boat immediately hoisted its sail, darting out to sea like a released arrow.

By 5 p.m. on the seventh day, the fascist soldiers made significant adjustments offshore Xilin Island. After leaving 1,500 men to guard the ships, most soldiers landed 20 miles north of the Lion River's entrance under the cover of nightfall. Simultaneously, Dahai Nuo's Western Expedition Corps headquarters moved to the mainland.

Amy and the other key figures of the small mercenary group gathered once more—the vulture knights sent to the imperial capital Skambrei had returned, bringing letters from Emperor Redstone, Chi Han Feng, Lei Ge, and others.

Emperor Redstone sent two letters. One was a formal edict, written in gold on silk: "Upon learning of the external enemy's assault, it is commendable that under the leadership of exceptional military professionals like Amy, Da Qing Shan, Chi Aotian, and Horns, they have effectively resisted, setting a model for soldiers and being the backbone of the empire. I expect the small mercenary group to hold out for ten days and return victorious."

The other letter, supposedly relayed through Mage Lei Ge, stated: "Amy, Da Qing Shan, Chi Aotian, Horns: The southern forces have been without war for too long. Most officers were promoted during peacetime, thus their combat capabilities are questionable. Especially in deployment, to avoid annihilation of elite troops, they generally deploy lighter forces in front and heavier ones behind. While this approach is reasonable, when one side is battle-hardened and the other is a peace-time army, the advantage can easily turn into a disadvantage. The small mercenary group's ability to hold out during the initial night raid is already commendable. Other defending forces, strategically, I hope the small mercenary group can hold a few more days, allowing time for troop mobilization in the Lion River defense area and for civilians in the plains to evacuate. However, while soldiers are plentiful, capable leaders are rare. I greatly hope you won't cling to Xilin, leading to a loss of talent. Remember, remember."

Lei Ge's letter was even more succinct, with just a few words: "Holding out or retreating, either is fine. I will reach Xilin soon." It seems the mage was quite confident in his abilities despite the encirclement by powerful foes.

The letter from Imperial Capital Defense Area General Chi Han Feng, the Earl, read: "Ah, it's finally happening. My kind apprentice, lovely son, annoying nephew, and that crafty dwarf.

Are you all still alive? Well, that's a pity. It's the most regrettable aspect of hearing about this delightful news of war. Hehe, son, I heard you're close to defeat without your wife's help this time? What did I say? That girl is definitely something else, and you're in for it in the future."

Everyone frowned at this point. It was rare indeed for the Earl to offend everyone with just a few lines: "What are you waiting for? Run immediately! Just make a show for that little Redstone guy. Don't waste your resources here. When retreating, remember to send an advance party, create a huge commotion about an impending attack to scare away all city guards and residents, then take everything valuable. Remember, remember.

Your backer—Dad, Uncle, Master, Father-in-law, Chi Han Feng"

Amy chuckled wryly as he passed the letter around: "Uncle Barbas, it seems you and Uncle Chi share some common ground."

Barbas' face was filled with disdain: "How can such a military disgrace exist in this world? It's shameful to compare him to anything else but retreat."

After pondering for a moment, Amy said: "The great swordsmen camp will make a breakthrough attempt at midnight tomorrow, but will return as soon as they reach the midpoint of the Lion River; the magic swordsmen and archers will simulate a breakout the following night at midnight, returning at the midpoint while bombarding the river's opposite bank with arrows and magic; the night after tomorrow, at 10 p.m., everyone will prepare for a real assault."