This deadly aura left the Dongjing Army speechless.

Zhao Cheng recalled the description of Miaoyin Pavilion by Master Baidong, who said that the pavilion master, Ming Yingluo, was a grandmaster, and that the Miaoyin Immortal Diagram under his command could form an array using music, and that its strength could also reach the level of a grandmaster.

In other words, the Dongjing Army is now facing two grandmasters.

In addition, there's Cui Wuming, who, despite being injured, is still a grandmaster.

The disparity in strength is too great.

Even though Zhao Cheng's thousands of followers are willing to attack, and Miaoyin Pavilion might not necessarily gain a significant advantage, the problem is...

Once thousands of people fall, the rest will be terrified. Who will dare to go up?

Ming Yingluo said, "With the gray-robed side losing, Yang Qingzhi's side is powerless to turn the tide. You have already won this battle, so don't be too greedy."

Zhao Cheng was never one to suffer immediate losses, and what Ming Yingluo said did indeed make sense.

The outcome was already decided; it was simply a matter of letting Su Sheng, Cui Wuming, Zuo Zhu, and over a thousand others escape.

But if a real fight breaks out, Silver Valley might become Zhao Cheng's own grave.

Zhao Cheng laughed heartily, "Then I'll respectfully see off Master Ming and all the fairy maidens!"

Ming Yingluo stopped talking to Zhao Cheng and looked at Zuo Zhu, saying, "You, take them away first and tell Yang Qingzhi that my Miaoyin Pavilion invites the gray-robed strategist and Cui Wuming to be our guests."

Zuo Zhu didn't reply, but looked at Su Sheng.

Su Sheng nodded gently.

"Thank you for saving my life, Master!" Zuo Zhu clasped his hands in thanks to Ming Yingluo and quickly led the warriors away.

After all the Southern Zhou warriors had left the valley, Ming Yingluo strode towards the valley entrance and said, "Zhao Cheng, your Mr. Pu has been to my Miaoyin Pavilion. If you have the chance in the future, you can also come and sit at Miaoyin Pavilion."

"Of course!"

Zhao Cheng laughed and said, "I'm still looking forward to the collaboration between Miaoyin Pavilion and the Bookstore!"

As everyone watched Ming Yingluo and the Fairy Miaoyin gracefully depart, their eyes lost all admiration, replaced by apprehension and trembling fear.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief only after they had actually left the valley.

The sense of oppression was too strong.

"call……"

Zhao Cheng also stopped smiling, sighed, and said, "Miaoyin Pavilion is too strong. Fortunately, they don't interfere in the military and political affairs of Southern Zhou, otherwise we would be in a lot of trouble. Miss Gong Xue, Ahao, when you protected me just now, were you knocked back by her because you weren't prepared?"

Heng Wenhao shook his head.

Gong Xue said, "I can't stop it."

Zhao Cheng said, "When Cui Wuming is in good condition, you can also leave his grasp calmly. Could it be that Ming Yingluo..."

Gong Xue nodded and said, "She is not an ordinary grandmaster."

Zhao Cheng understood that Gong Xue's statement that Ying Luo was not an ordinary grandmaster meant that Ying Luo was not a beginner grandmaster.

Zhao Cheng sighed, "Southern Zhou is full of talented people, but they are not united."

Heng Wenhao said, "How can the people of Jing be united?"

Zhao Cheng showed a slight hint of embarrassment.

He understood Heng Wenhao's meaning. Heng Wenhao's statement that the Jing people were not united not only referred to the struggle between the Zhao and Wen families, but also implied that even people like Su Sheng from Jing had defected to Southern Zhou and become the military advisor of the Southern Zhou army.

If Su Sheng pledges allegiance to Dongjing, the strength of the Dongjing army will take a significant leap forward.

To put it bluntly, this is all because of the personal feud between the Zhao, Wen, and Su families.

"I don't quite understand."

Zhou Nuo, who had been silent until now, looked in the direction of the valley and said, "Acheng, you are a major threat to Southern Zhou. The sudden appearance of Miaoyin Pavilion today caught us completely off guard, giving them a perfect opportunity to kill you. Why didn't Ming Yingluo make a move?"

Zhao Cheng countered, "Do you think Ming Yingluo was invited by Yang Qingzhi?"

Zhou Nuo thought for a moment and said, "It shouldn't be. If she was invited by Yang Qingzhi, she wouldn't have only saved Gray Robe and Cui Wuming at the beginning, and ignored Zuo Zhu and the others."

Zhao Cheng said, "If Yang Qingzhi had the ability to invite her, we wouldn't even be able to defend Nantong City. But if she wasn't invited by Yang Qingzhi, then who was?"

Heng Wenhao interjected, "Rumor has it that Yang Zhanbei and Nie Zhan are close friends, and Zhou Jinghuan has frequent dealings with Miaoyin Pavilion... Could it be Zhou Jinghuan?"

"It must be him."

Zhao Cheng put his hands behind his back, took a few steps forward, looked up at the fading sunset on the horizon, and said, "Zhou Jinghuan asked her to rescue Gray Robe and Cui Wuming. He said he was rescuing them, but in reality, he kidnapped them to Miaoyin Pavilion. This is Zhou Jinghuan fighting with Yang Qingzhi for them, trying to take Gray Robe and Cui Wuming under his control."

“If the Southern Zhou army suffers a major defeat, Yang Qingzhi will be the most unfortunate, but the gray-robed man will also be implicated. Even if he manages to escape with Cui Wuming's protection, he won't be able to stay in Southern Zhou. At this time, the only one who can help him is Zhou Jinghuan. Similarly, only Zhou Jinghuan can keep him and allow him to continue serving Southern Zhou.”

"Zhou Jinghuan's actions were driven by personal gain, but also by the greater good."

Zhao Cheng turned around and continued, "Think about it, since Ming Yingluo was invited by Zhou Jinghuan, why would he possibly attack us?"

"I understand!" Zhou Nuo's eyes lit up, and he said quickly, "If Ming Yingluo kills you, the morale of the Dongjing Army will collapse, and Yang Qingzhi will be very likely to win! If she wins, the Yang family will not fall, and Zhou Jinghuan will be put on the defensive."

"clever."

Zhao Cheng smiled slightly at Zhou Nuo and said, "If Yang Qingzhi and Zhou Jinghuan really worked together, we might actually be the ones who lost. They lost to themselves."

Heng Wenhao said, "General, there's no need to be modest. They were defeated by themselves, but they were also defeated by you."

Zhao Cheng pondered for a moment, then said seriously, "We will march towards Nantong City tonight and spread the news that the gray-robed man's sneak attack on Silver Valley has failed. Yang Qingzhi can't hold on any longer and will have no choice but to retreat."

"promise!"

Gong Xue said, "Zhao Cheng, I won't go with you."

Although Gong Xue sided with Zhao Cheng, it was only to rely on Zhao Cheng's power to rescue Yuan Li. The two appeared to be in a superior-subordinate relationship, but in reality, Gong Xue did not regard Zhao Cheng as her master.

She never addressed Zhao Cheng by his official title or rank, always referring to him by his full name.

Zhao Cheng didn't mind and asked gently, "What are your plans, Miss Gong Xue?"

"Yuan Li is dead. I only wish to devote myself to seclusion and, after becoming a Grandmaster, kill Wen Hu to avenge Yuan Li. I have no other thoughts," Gong Xue said with a sorrowful expression.

Zhao Cheng sighed and said, "Please accept my condolences. Wen Hu has gone against the will of Heaven, and he will be punished sooner or later."

Gong Xue said sternly, "I will give him his retribution."

Zhao Cheng asked, "If that day really comes, after Wen Hu dies, would you still be willing to help me, young lady?"

Gong Xue was silent for a while, then said, "In the past year or so, I have gotten used to being a Dongjing person."

Zhao Cheng's face lit up with joy, knowing that Gong Xue had indirectly agreed.

He shook his long sleeves, took a step back, and respectfully bowed to Gong Xue.

"Miss Gong Xue, take care!"