The elder of the Yuan family, following closely behind the shield-bearing warrior, was left in awe by the sight before him. The once-empty streets were now filled with a dense formation of heavily armored soldiers, all standing in perfectly organized ranks. The aura they emitted made his heart tremble with fear.
Led by the shield-bearer, the Yuan family elder passed through the assembled forces of the Xia Empire's imperial army and reached a safe area behind their lines.
Upon arriving, the elder saw that a large number of Yuan family members had already gathered in the northern part of the city, including his own son.
"Father, you're safe!" A middle-aged Yuan family man rushed forward upon seeing the elder unharmed.
This man was none other than the one who had been rescued by the Xia Empire's squad earlier.
The other Yuan family members who had been rescued alongside him were also present, curiously observing the imperial army that had gathered in the area.
Previously, the middle-aged man had been forced to retreat with the Yuan family, while his father had refused to leave, threatening his own life if he didn't. Now, seeing his father return safely, escorted by the Xia Empire's army, filled him with relief and immense gratitude towards the empire.
Seeing his son and the other Yuan family members, the elder was still somewhat confused about the situation.
"Son, what is going on here?" the elder asked curiously, hoping his son might have some answers.
His son explained the events that had occurred, recounting how they were rescued in the forest by the Xia Empire's forces.
"After that, when the Xia Empire learned that we originally lived here, they brought us back," the son said. "According to them, the Xia Empire is planning to reclaim all of the territories lost by the Yuan family. We'll be able to continue living in our homeland, so there's no need to retreat further into the inner regions. We just need to wait until they defeat the Jinhua Trading Association's soul warriors who invaded the city."
Hearing his son's explanation, the elder nodded in understanding. He then looked back at the massive army that had gathered nearby.
He recalled hearing that the Jinhua Trading Association's soul warriors had assembled in the southern part of the city. However, he also heard that there were over 200,000 of them, while the army here appeared to number only around 20,000 or 30,000. Could they really stand against the Jinhua Trading Association?
"No, I must help them. How can we let outsiders shed blood for the Yuan family's cause?" The elder quickly made up his mind and was about to leave when his son grabbed him.
"Father, they won't let you fight. We had initially intended to help too, but they stopped us. By order of the Xia Empire's emperor, this battle is not for the Yuan family to fight. Our Yuan family is now part of the Xia Empire," the son explained.
The elder, stunned by this revelation, had not realized that the Yuan family had already become part of the Xia Empire. When the Xia Empire first emerged, it had caused quite a stir in the Central Region, and he had heard of it.
But he hadn't expected things to develop this way.
As the father and son spoke, the Xia Empire's stealth units, Nightshade and Gale, were already at work. With the help of their reconnaissance beasts, they swept through the city, eliminating the Jinhua Trading Association's soul warriors.
The soul warriors, focused solely on looting the Yuan family's wealth, didn't even realize that shadows had approached from behind, silently claiming their lives.
Nightshade, a master of stealth, would often get within striking range of the Jinhua Trading Association's soul warriors before they noticed him. With two swift strikes, his daggers would sever their throats and pierce their dantians, preventing them from detonating their soul power or sending any final communications.
Meanwhile, Gale used his incredible speed to search the city for survivors, administering healing potions and having the shield-bearers escort them safely to the north.
As Nightshade continued his sweep, the Jinhua Trading Association's forces in the city began to disappear rapidly. Behind him, the skilled craftsmen of the Xia Empire's Ministry of Works and the fire artisans followed, setting up defensive formations and completing the Xia Empire's protective barrier.
The 24,000-strong imperial army that had gathered in the city moved silently behind Nightshade, preparing to launch a coordinated strike on the southern section of the city when the time was right.
Meanwhile, outside the southern gates of the city, on the plains, the Jinhua Trading Association's soul warriors had set up camp.
Inside one of the tents, a manager of the association was reviewing maps, marking key locations in the Yuan family's territory. The city they had just entered was crucial to their plans.
To sweep this city, he hadn't sent his entire force but instead dispatched a few thousand agile men to explore within, while the rest of his soul warriors remained ready for the upcoming battle.
"The moment we capture Yuncheng behind this city, we'll let our men have some well-deserved fun," the manager thought to himself, glancing towards the tent's entrance.
From outside, there were the usual sounds of chatter and complaints, mostly from those envious of their comrades who had been sent to loot the city.
However, they had no idea what was actually happening inside the city. If they knew, they certainly wouldn't be feeling jealous.
"Hmm?" One of the patrolling soul warriors outside the camp suddenly turned toward the city gate, sensing something amiss.
His companion, noticing him looking toward the city, teased, "What's the matter? Jealous of those who went into the city, hoping to have some fun with the Yuan family women? I hear the women from the Yuan family are quite beautiful, especially the widows of those who died fighting in the northern territories—such a unique allure."
The soul warrior's face lit up with excitement as he spoke.
"That's not it. Don't you think the city seems... too quiet?" the first warrior said, frowning as he continued to watch the city.
But his companion didn't take his concern seriously. "You're imagining things. Do you really think the Yuan family has any strength left to resist? Their powerful soul warriors are all off fighting in the northern territories."
"Is that so?" The first warrior nodded, somewhat reassured by his companion's words.
However, when he turned back toward the city, his face suddenly contorted in horror. Trembling, he pointed at his companion, unable to speak.
"What's wrong with you?" the second warrior asked irritably, turning around. "If this is some kind of prank, I won't let it slide."
But as he turned, his own face twisted in terror.