Family Management Game In Immortal Continent Chapter 858: A Surprise Drill

Magical techniques scattered like wisps of cloud and mist; warriors surged across the boundless heavens; colossal Dharma Treasures towered akin to peaks, ready to pulverize the metropolis.

The veteran general bowed his head and stooped low.

"Every unit, follow my command: Halt the conflict!"

Once the command echoed away, the officers who had begged for Li Tianyue's life eagerly signaled the withdrawal with their horns.

Dongfang Liancheng tilted his gaze downward to survey the assembled forces.

Down below stood the Blood-Robed General—the fierce woman who had shared battles and perils with him for more than three centuries, her reputation alone enough to instill dread across Duskwild Prefecture—methodically organizing her ranks.

In that instant, Dongfang Liancheng sensed every ounce of vigor slipping from his frame.

A gentle gust swept by, revealing strands of his own graying, speckled locks.

Upon the platform of execution, as the recall trumpet blared, Tang Miao's face twisted in shock.

Yells burst forth from every side.

"Directive from the Imperial Capital's War Ministry: All armies pull back!"

"Imperial Preceptor's decree: This served as an unexpected exercise! Your quick response merits commendation!"

"The Eastern Campaign Force resumes standard duties. Every squad heads to stations right away, no mistakes!"

The warriors exchanged puzzled stares.

Within a mere twenty minutes, a third of the forces had mobilized.

The frontier barriers had even reached peak readiness.

Clashes had nearly erupted over seizing the gates, battle implements, and provisions; the supply keepers were on the verge of igniting alchemical flames to raze the depots.

If labeled a drill, its realism bordered on the absurd.

Yet with the official military directive issued, the troops could only share uneasy looks and fall back.

Tang Miao gaped at the withdrawing ranks.

Spotting the figure next to Dongfang Liancheng—a poised individual flashing a sly, derisive grin—he abruptly realized the truth, though it strained credulity.

"A command from the Crown Prince? From the Imperial Preceptor?

Does the Li Family truly wield such sway that they can stir the War Ministry and the Imperial Preceptor themselves?!!"

At once, his gaze flickered with scheming intent.

A flicker of bitterness crossed his eyes toward Li Tianyue, swiftly concealed as he soared into the skies toward Dongfang Liancheng, pretending utter ignorance of Li Kuangren's status.

Tang Miao let out a breath.

"Esteemed General Dongfang, so it was just a scare after all.

I've long maintained that even should the whole Eastern Campaign Army turn traitor, General Yue would stay loyal to the end.

I suspect those thousand underlings' uprising was another ploy you orchestrated, General.

This outcome proves ideal; it shows our forces stand as one in purpose and spirit."

His voice carried a casual ease, yet deep down, Tang Miao trembled in utter dread!

Right then, he grasped the essence of real terror.

He dreaded Li Tianyue exacting revenge once calm returned.

Before, he'd felt secure knowing Li Tianyue held no proof of his covert sabotage.

But now... with the Li Family swaying capital edicts on warfare; why would they balk at ending a single Tang Miao?

His only recourse was to wager.

He wagered Dongfang Liancheng would still value the "broad view," shoulder the blame alone, and shield him—a formidable Void Refining powerhouse—for the army's benefit.

Soon, relief washed over him; his bet had paid off!

Dongfang Liancheng offered him no look, while Li Kuangren dismissed him outright.

"Heh."

Brushing them aside, Li Kuangren dropped from the clouds.

Further words to such folk amounted to pointless effort!

...

The barriers shielding the two hundred thousand warriors powered down, and her nephew touched ground nearby.

Li Tianyue lifted her eyes, staring again at the Old General, who appeared to have withered years in a blink.

Now, her soul harbored only distance and fury.

The encircling legions had pulled away, but the area lay in ruins—the aftermath of strife.

The Spiritual energy their comrades had loosed hadn't merely scarred the soil; she worried it had wounded her spirit and those of her loyal followers too.

"All units, obey my directive: Establish base in West City and stand by for instructions."

"Understood!"

The two hundred thousand warriors flowed toward West City in a grand, unstoppable tide.

They strode tall, chins up and postures proud.

No foe had they clashed with in this clash, but triumph was theirs.

Rebels they were not; they had battled to restore their honor as people.

At minimum, they had proven to the callous ones that their stand against invaders on this soil had been pure and true!

Here and now, any further address to Dongfang Liancheng felt hollow.

Li Tianyue had never been verbose.

She gestured to Li Kuangren. "Kuangren, we're leaving."

"Right, Aunt!"

Li Kuangren replied, shooting a brief look at Dongfang Liancheng, who had descended with his men, then striding on without pause.

Dongfang Liancheng seemed on the verge of words, yet held back, deeming it too humiliating to voice.

The Li Family had once shared camaraderie with Dongfang Liancheng, but post this fiasco, Li Kuangren viewed him in his raw light.

Such figures dotted the realm; they tallied gains against losses, ever sure of their moral high ground.

To chase that, they discarded not only comrades of old, but blood ties as well.

Three centuries of devotion to him—let it feed the strays!

"No."

Li Kuangren turned to the followers sworn solely to his aunt, his gaze igniting with fervor.

"Aunt, you've got more than two hundred thousand fighters at your call.

In their midst sit four Divinity Transformation experts, plus countless officers whose loyalties lie with you..."

Li Tianyue creased her forehead.

"My mind runs along those lines too. Post this skirmish, they've turned pariahs in the Eastern Campaign Army.

Abandoning them to this fate means certain death.

Still, army rules bind tight.

I might slip free, but their outright departure would mark them as fugitives."

"Tricky as it seems, resolving it won't prove hard."

Li Kuangren barely contained his excitement eyeing this mighty host.

Just prior, these two hundred thousand had displayed zero hesitation; each bore unyielding resolve.

"To the Crown Prince and Min Youguo, these souls are mere pieces in play.

Be it clashing at the Eastern Frontier or elsewhere... provided it aids the greater campaign, they'll gladly clear our path.

This rings especially true with Shadowfell Prefecture's frontier teetering, and the Crown Prince set to command a push himself.

He'd welcome you with open arms to Shadowfell, Aunt."

"Regarding Duskwild Prefecture..."

Li Kuangren offered a subtle grin.

"My trip to parley with the Fourth Prince bore fruit; he's consented to yield ground. Details can wait till we consult the Old Ancestor."

"He consented to yield?"

Doubt flickered briefly in Li Tianyue's stare.