Chapter 42 Truce Agreement and Victory Banquet
The battle at Moonfall City greatly devastated the Beastman Empire, losing hundreds of thousands of troops, not just in terms of military strength, but most crucially in morale.
When the news of the disastrous defeat at Moonfall City reached the Beastman Army, complete panic engulfed them. Since the main force of the Beastman Empire had already been blocked by the Three Great Armies of the True Martial Country, the high command of the Beastman Empire had hoped to capture Moonfall City to open a passage to the True Martial Country. However, the outcome was brutally severe.
As for the True Martial Country, their morale soared as they pursued their advantage, launching relentless attacks on the Beastman Army.
The Beastman Army, having lost all confidence, was in utter disarray!
In this main battlefield, the Beastman Empire lost over two hundred thousand troops.
The invasion of the True Martial Country by the million-strong Beastman Army ultimately ended in dreadful failure, with losses exceeding six hundred thousand.
Meanwhile, experts from Sun Moon City emerged, infiltrated deep into the Beastman Empire, and engaged in a tremendous battle with the lurking experts of the Soul Devouring Hall.
Three experts of the Yin Yang Realm from the Soul Devouring Hall met their fate, with one slain and the other two fleeing.
Without the support of the Soul Devouring Hall, the Beastman Empire had no strength to resist, allowing the Three Great Armies of the True Martial Country to drive deep into their territory, advancing straight to the Imperial City of the Beastman Empire.
This was the greatest victory that the True Martial Country had achieved in their centuries-long war with the Beastman Empire!
This event also shocked the hundred nations of the East County Divine Land. No one had expected the Beastman Empire to suffer such a bitter defeat.
The Beastman Empire was forced to sign an "Alliance Under the City," which primarily included ceding ten cities to the True Martial Country as reparations and making annual tribute payments, among others.
The signing of the Alliance Under the City was reported back to the True Martial Country, and the nation rejoiced!
At Moonfall City, the City Lord's mansion was bustling with an extravagant victory banquet being held.
"Lin Feng, on behalf of all the soldiers and the countless citizens of the True Martial Country, I toast to you. Without your arrangement of the great formation that halted the advance of the Beastman Army, Moonfall City would most likely have fallen, and the consequences would have been unimaginable!"
Marshal Huang raised his glass.
Facing the marshal who had devoted his life to military service and national cause, Lin Feng dared not presume too much.
He quickly raised his glass, saying, "If for the profit of my nation I must die, so be it. But riches and life averting danger must not be attempted. At a juncture of national peril, as a son of the True Martial Country, it is natural to fight fiercely on the battlefield for my country and my people, even unto death without regret. Whatever I have done is merely my duty; please do not excessively praise me, I dare not accept such honor!"
"Very well said! From your actions, I see the hope of our nation's future. To this drink, let us consecrate it to the warriors who died battle!"
Marshal Huang lifted his glass and drained it in one gulp.
Everyone in the hall raised their glasses and did the same.
The banquet continued with lively celebrations.
This grand victory pleased everyone immensely.
Lin Feng became the center of everyone's attention; everyone knew that if not for him, the outcome of the Beastman Army's invasion would have been dire.
First, he had single-handedly pursued the Blood Robe Beast Tamer across a hundred miles and, in a blood-soaked battle, had slain him.
In Death Canyon, leading a thousand-strong force that fought without fear of death, he inflicted heavy losses on the Martial King Realm Demon Dao expert Lii Daoxie and thwarted the coalition's plan to abduct Huang Shilan between the Demon Dao and the Beastman Empire.
Outside Moonfall City, heedless of his own life, he set up a grand formation, stopping over four hundred thousand Beastman troops for a day and a night, winning precious time for the reinforcements to arrive.
This battle!
If not for Lin Feng, would the city now lie in ruins?
Yet, for the students of Azure Dragon Academy, their faces shone with excitement; in this battle, following Lin Feng, they had achieved glorious military feats, ensuring they would be the first to be recommended when the Azure Dragon Academy nominated candidates to join the Ancient Forces.
Even if they couldn't join the Ancient Forces, joining the army in the future would still allow them to use their military achievements to secure a promising career!
Midway through the banquet, Lin Feng and Huang Shilan headed towards the backyard garden.
"Now that the war is ending, you must be leaving as well," Huang Shilan said reluctantly.
Lin Feng clasped Huang Shilan's slender hand and replied, "Even if I leave, I will think of Sister Shilan!"
"Don't do this, it wouldn't look good if someone saw us," Huang Shilan gently struggled, but Lin Feng held on even tighter.
Usually, Huang Shilan wore War Armor, but today she was dressed in a low-cut evening gown that revealed her perfect figure.
Paired with her exquisite and beautiful face, she looked nothing short of breathtaking.
"What's there to fear? Neither of us is married," Lin Feng not only didn't let go but pulled Huang Shilan closer into his embrace.
Huang Shilan's cheeks turned pink as she struggled faintly, yet found herself without the strength to resist, melting softly against Lin Feng's chest.
Unbeknownst to her, Huang Shilan had been fantasizing about a moment like this; she didn't know when this man, several years her junior, had completely occupied her heart.
At that moment, from the distance came the voice of Huang Ling'er, "Sister, are you here?"
"It's Ling'er coming, hurry and leave before she sees," Huang Shilan said, her face flushed.
Lin Feng nodded and quickly departed.
Huang Ling'er, seeing a somewhat familiar figure disappearing into the night, immediately looked suspicious. She turned to Huang Shilan, her expression turning sour, "What were you just doing?"
"Nothing, just passing by," Huang Shilan said somewhat flusteredly.
Huang Ling'er was not so easily fooled, her scrutinizing gaze fixed on Huang Shilan.
Seeing Huang Shilan's flustered expression and recalling the familiar figure that had just left, Huang Ling'er's face darkened, and with a cold huff, she turned and left.
Huang Shilan wanted to call out to Huang Ling'er but ultimately didn't have the courage. She knew Huang Ling'er must have seen something. She also knew Huang Ling'er had feelings for Lin Feng, yet despite being her sister, she too, like a moth drawn to a flame, was drawn to Lin Feng.
Huang Shilan's feelings were extremely complicated, uncertain how to face Huang Ling'er.