Chapter Fifty-Six: Becoming the Final Straw That Sways the Entire Outcome!

Inside Qinghe Town.

Lei Yan and Chen Jun stared silently at the corpse of Wanyan Wushu before them.

Lei Yan’s lips were dry as he hesitated for a moment, then looked at Sumu beside him and said in a low voice, “Is this really... Wanyan Wushu of the Heavenly Wolf Guard?”

The name Wanyan Wushu was one Lei Yan knew all too well.

Over the years, the brutality of Wanyan Wushu had become deeply ingrained in people’s minds.

Even those who had never met him had heard the name.

Now, with Wanyan Wushu’s body lying before him, Lei Yan felt an overwhelming mix of emotions.

“Old Lei,” Li Fatty shot him a sharp look and said irritably, “do you think this could be fake?”

“Take a good look yourself! This is Wanyan Wushu’s token!”

“And this, his personal sword!”

“Doesn’t that prove his identity?”

Li Fatty snorted coldly and pointed to Sumu.

“Or do you not believe in the young master’s capability?”

Lei Yan hurriedly shook his head and forced a smile.

“That’s not what I mean.”

“It’s just that this is too shocking.”

“If this news spreads, it will cause an earthquake of upheaval.”

Chen Jun frowned deeply and shook his head solemnly.

“While this great victory is certainly joyous, we must see the truth clearly.”

“Think carefully—how will the barbarians react after suffering such a heavy loss?”

“They will surely gather their forces, march in full force, and break through Qinghe Town to wipe away their humiliation!”

Chen Jun’s words instantly dispelled the fleeting joy in Lei Yan’s heart.

Exactly!

They had annihilated the Heavenly Wolf Guard and the entire barbarian force!

And what about them?

In this turbulent era, it was already a blessing if Jiang Tian didn’t secretly sabotage them.

Asking for his help was unrealistic!

And would the imperial court send reinforcements?

The chances were slim.

Those officials would only bask in their own glory and fight tooth and nail for credit.

Sending troops to reinforce? Impossible!

“The Inspector General is right. From here on is the real challenge,” Sumu said gravely.

Li Fatty scratched his head, puzzled.

“If we managed to wipe out the Heavenly Wolf Guard like this, if they dare come again, why not just lie in ambush and fight them off?”

“The barbarian forces aren’t endless!”

Lei Yan gave Li Fatty a sharp glare and snorted coldly.

“Do you really think the barbarians are fools?”

“Such ambush tactics can’t be repeated in the short term!”

“They are already on guard now; trying to rely on ambush again would be foolish!”

Li Fatty opened his mouth but could only pace anxiously.

“If ambushes can’t be used, and we have to face them head-on, how could we possibly win?”

This question lingered heavily not only in Li Fatty’s mind but also in Lei Yan and Chen Jun’s.

Win?

With what could they win?

Lei Yan gritted his teeth and stared at Sumu earnestly.

“Young master! How about we cover your retreat and then buy time?”

“Our lives are worthless! As long as we can protect the young master’s escape, that’s enough!”

Sumu furrowed his brow and sat down on a nearby chair, speaking in a deep voice.

“It’s not yet a desperate situation.”

“Half of the eight border cities have already fallen.”

“Our task is to unite the remaining four cities into a massive border army alliance!”

“With the strength of the four cities, we will stand firm!”

“With this protection, facing the barbarians, there is still hope!”

Alliance?

The few men were stunned by this proposal.

An alliance?

Before this, the eight border armies had never formed an alliance.

The reason was simple.

The border armies were proud and stubborn, no one would submit to another.

If there were to be an alliance, who would lead it?

Moreover, with such great achievements at stake, fair distribution of credit was nearly impossible.

That had made the idea of an alliance a laughingstock over the years.

Even when Jiang Feng was still alive, this feat was never accomplished.

But now!

The situation was completely different from before.

Lei Yan took a deep breath and thought carefully, speaking solemnly.

“The young master’s idea might work.”

“Previously, the border armies fought individually because there was no leader.”

“But now! The young master leads the Tiger Might Battalion and has wiped out the Heavenly Wolf Guard! That is power!”

“Moreover, the young master is the eldest son of the Su family! His noble status commands respect! Leading the border army alliance will surely earn everyone’s loyalty!”

At these words, Sumu chuckled lightly and said calmly, “That’s not the key point.”

“The key is, if Qinghe Town falls, they will inevitably be doomed!”

“As long as Qinghe Town remains unbreached, the barbarians’ focus will be here!”

“They will naturally prioritize self-preservation!”

Hearing this, the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

A border army alliance!

This might be their only chance!

“Don’t worry, young master! I will issue orders immediately! We will send envoys to invite the commanders of the remaining three cities to Qinghe Town for negotiations!”

Lei Yan nodded seriously.

He understood clearly!

This alliance must be established quickly!

After all, the barbarian army could launch a full-scale assault at any moment!

As Lei Yan left, Sumu looked at Chen Jun beside him, pondering for a moment.

“Lord Chen, are you interested in helping me stage a play?”

Chen Jun was taken aback and looked at Sumu with curiosity.

“Young master, what do you mean?”

Sumu smiled faintly, lifting his tea cup to sip.

“Lord Chen surely has ways to contact people in the capital. I need you to spread the current situation of Qinghe Town.”

“The people in the capital love intrigue, don’t they? Let’s give them a chance to bet on who will be the ultimate victor in this border war!”

Chen Jun frowned deeply, casting a glance at Sumu before speaking gravely.

“Young master, if this spreads, it will cause a huge sensation. Not only the great families but even the Prime Minister and the Emperor will turn their attention to Qinghe Town.”

“If that happens, we only need to hold off the barbarians’ first wave, and reinforcements will arrive.”

“But... at that point, your identity can no longer be hidden!”

Chen Jun knew well.

If Sumu’s identity was exposed, it would have far-reaching consequences.

The great families would be fully drawn into the fray.

Then, a true chaotic power struggle would ensue.

Sumu raised his tea cup without concern, smiling playfully.

“So what if they find out?”

“As long as we win, the border army will be our foundation!”

“At that time, the great families will only have one attitude toward us— to court us!”

“And we will become the final straw that influences the balance of the entire situation!”