Return to the City: The Strongest King

Lu Tian'ao had just retreated for less than two minutes when Huyan Lie charged over with more than a hundred men.

"Mr. Song! Are you alright?" Huyan Lie ignored the others and rushed straight to Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong leaned on his spear and smiled slightly, saying, "I'm fine, not much trouble. Thank you, City Lord, for coming to support." But his body shook; such intense battle was exhausting, as most of his True Qi had been depleted. Had Huyan Lie not arrived, he truly wouldn't have lasted much longer.

Huyan Lie gritted his teeth and said, "The people from Flying Eagle City, they're despicable. The battle hasn't even begun, yet they already targeted our city folk. I will not let them off easily."

Song Xiaodong smiled slightly and said, "Let's put that aside for now; I want to check on my men."

After assessing the battle situation, the opponents had left forty-three corpses, and Song Xiaodong's side had lost five people, with seven severely injured and eight more with varying degrees of injuries.

This made Song Xiaodong's heart ache; he had just so little in resources, and he had directly lost a quarter, an entire squad's worth of strength.

The men that Huyan Lie brought were all stunned, unable to believe such a battle situation. Song Xiaodong's group had only twenty-one people, and besides Song Xiaodong, the other twenty individuals were not really considered experts or elite. Yet, they managed to kill so many enemies. Their gaze at Song Xiaodong became filled with shock and awe.

Upon returning to Black Dragon City, Huyan Lie wanted to find a doctor to treat Song Xiaodong's injured men, but Song Xiaodong directly refused.

Huyan Lie misunderstood, saying, "Mr. Song, save as many as you can; our city is small, we can't let them die."

Song Xiaodong said, "Lord Huyan, I can heal them myself, so there's no need for the city's doctors."

"Mr. Song knows medical skills?" Huyan Lie widened his eyes.

"I know a little."

"May I watch you?"

"Of course." Song Xiaodong smiled slightly.

Song Xiaodong first treated the severely injured, managing to save their lives before nightfall. As for the others, they were left to be treated the next day, lest his own stamina falter.

"Mr. Song truly is a Godsend; to receive your help is indeed heaven's blessing!" Huyan Lie showered praises on Song Xiaodong.

Song Xiaodong shook his head, sighing, "It's just a pity for the five sacrificed brothers."

"Brothers..." Huyan Lie looked at Song Xiaodong in surprise. With his status in the city, it was startling that he regarded these individuals without status as brothers.

However, Huyan Lie did not ask further, saying, "Mr. Song, I will supply you with twenty more men later; Mr. Song is skilled at leading troops, I should let you lead more."

Song Xiaodong nodded, saying, "Thank you, Lord Huyan."

Song Xiaodong sent off Huyan Lie and then returned to the backyard, where Huarui and Huaqing had already prepared water for him, gently and tenderly attending to his bath.

Song Xiaodong's shoulder was also injured, though not seriously. Yet, seeing the long wound, Huarui and Huaqing couldn't help but shed tears.

That night Song Xiaodong held Huarui and Huaqing, resting peacefully, doing nothing else, as the colossal effort from the battle left him drained, and the emotional impact was significant.

The ground covered in blood and corpses haunted Song Xiaodong, making his heart palpitate even as he recalled it. Warfare in such cold weapon era was dreadfully gruesome.

The next day, Song Xiaodong treated the remaining men, and the fifteen survivors now regarded him as a Heavenly God.

They felt immensely proud, having merely twenty men withstand an assault from Flying Eagle City's hundred-plus, killing over forty opponents at the cost of only five of their own, they were considered akin to legends.

Huyan Lie also sent over twenty men, unlike those sent by the Cao Family, these were top-notch experts, showing that Huyan Lie truly trusted Song Xiaodong this time.

Song Xiaodong settled them without immediately demanding anything.

Two days later, the injured were mostly healed, further astonishing everyone.

With their injuries, it would have usually taken a month or two to recuperate, but under Song Xiaodong's treatment, they healed in a mere two days, it was simply divine.

Only then did Song Xiaodong gather everyone in the courtyard.

"I know you are the elite sent by the City Lord, and stronger than my original Family Guard, but let me tell you, they are comrades who have lived and died with me. These twenty men fought alongside me against Flying Eagle City's over a hundred troops; they are now my closest battle companions. Until you have undergone similar trials, you shall follow their commands; any objections?"

"No!" The twenty men replied in unison.

They were indeed strong, but witnessing the aftermath of the fierce battle, they felt admiration for the warriors. Therefore, they had no objection to Song Xiaodong's arrangement.

Song Xiaodong nodded, saying, "Very well, I'll now make arrangements, Zhang Long!"

"Present!" Zhang Long shouted, stepping forward proudly.

"Everyone will still form a platoon, with you as platoon leader; seven men per squad, each squad with a leader and assistant. You will no longer be a squad leader but oversee the entire platoon!"

"Yes!" Zhang Long responded loudly, overflowing with joy.

Next, the men were divided into five squads, evaluated for their ability in the latest battle, choosing squad leaders and assistants without any dispute.

Thus, Song Xiaodong truly established his base in Black Dragon City.

Someone then notified Song Xiaodong that Huyan Lie invited him over; he instructed Zhang Long to arrange the training and headed straight to the City Lord's Mansion.

In the City Lord's Mansion's conference hall, there were six or seven individuals, the city's most influential figures, including the Cao Family's elder, along with other key figures.

Everyone's face was notably solemn.

Upon seeing Song Xiaodong enter, Huyan Lie greeted and seated him, saying, "Gentlemen, you all know, this time Mr. Song went to the Hunting Ground but encountered an assault from Flying Eagle City, clearly a declaration of war. Our Black Dragon City must react; otherwise, it tarnishes our reputation, and how can we protect the citizens?"

"We must demand an explanation from Flying Eagle City, even battle if necessary, they mustn't resort to such despicable means."

"Indeed! We should issue a challenge to Flying Eagle City, engaging in a formal battle. Let them know the people of Black Dragon City are not to be trifled with."

"We mustn't rush; Flying Eagle City has more population and experts than us. If truly at war, our city may not stand a chance, and it would take years to recover."

"Yes! This needs careful consideration. To my knowledge, Flying Eagle City has nearly three hundred combat-ready individuals in their prime, while we have barely two hundred."

"Nevertheless, we managed to win against their hundred-plus with twenty, and they lost over forty. Their advantage isn't that great."

The debate ensued, some eager for battle, others cautious.

Huyan Lie looked at Song Xiaodong, asking, "Mr. Song, what are your insights? What's your impression of Flying Eagle City's combat power?"

Silence descended as eyes turned towards Song Xiaodong. The perspective on him had completely changed; even those from the Cao Family dared not disregard Song Xiaodong's opinion.