Chapter 111: Direct Challenge (Second Update)
Duan Gujin knew in his heart that with his current strength, it would be really difficult to defeat Cao Dingtian without external assistance.
The situation in Country Gulai developed far faster than he had previously imagined, and he never thought he would have to confront a Prime Minister who was plotting to usurp power in Country Gulai when his own strength was at its weakest.
In his previous life, he could have completely crushed Cao Dingtian with his astounding Combat Power.
But now, his Cultivation was merely at the yellow Innate Third Level, and it was difficult for him even to get close to Cao Dingtian, let alone assassinate him amidst thousands of troops.
He could only place most of his hopes on two Treasures he had found.
"I hope this Sun-shooting War Chariot can accurately shoot down Cao Dingtian!"
Duan Gujin took a deep breath, feeling uncertain, and could only pray that the operation later would be successful.
As they approached the Capital City, the Capital City activated its Defensive Magic Array.
At this time, if they wanted to attack the Capital City's Defensive Magic Array, it would cost them a great deal.
Unless there was a Treasure capable of destroying the city walls.
In the hands of Seventh Imperial Uncle, there was indeed a Treasure capable of destroying the Defensive Magic Array of Gulai Country Capital's city walls.
He knew that unless it was truly time for a decisive battle, he would use that one Treasure.
That Treasure could only be used once; after which, it would be destroyed along with the Defensive Magic Array.
When he saw the city walls of the Capital, Seventh Imperial Uncle quickly activated a Treasure resembling a hammer.
He infused his Primordial Power into the hammer, and then it rapidly struck towards the Defensive Magic Array in front of them.
The next moment, a loud boom was heard, and Duan Gujin and others saw a breach exploded in the city wall.
"Charge!"
The Seventh Imperial Uncle and his followers immediately shouted and charged forward.
Moments later, another intense explosion resounded through the void.
Numerous screams followed, and some of the soldiers in the front ran in fear.
Thus, they chose to flee.
The continuous battles had worn down the spirits of the guards in the Capital, and they knew that the decisive battle between Cao Dingtian and Seventh Imperial Uncle would eventually come.
Many of them had thought of countless strategies; some decided they would follow Cao Dingtian to strive for the world, and many more decided to flee as soon as the real battle came.
After all, they were just small soldiers, and their strength destined them not to change the overall situation.
Those small soldiers were very clear about their fate, merely cannon fodder.
They did not want to die in vain here, so many soldiers retreated as soon as they saw the Seventh Imperial Uncle leading the troop's charge.
"Kill!"
The soldiers on the Seventh Imperial Uncle's side were quite brave; wielding longswords and broadswords, they rapidly charged towards the city walls.
When these soldiers encountered some who still wanted to resist stubbornly, they decisively executed them.
Seeing that the surrounding battle was very intense, many people quickly lost their lives.
Duan Gujin chose not to engage the minions of Cao Dingtian at this time, understanding well the principle of capturing the leader first.
"Killing these small fries is useless!"
After Seventh Imperial Uncle gathered the main troops, they headed for the Prime Minister's Mansion of Cao Dingtian.
Cao Dingtian previously couldn't judge when Seventh Imperial Uncle would dispatch troops, or from where he would launch an attack on the Capital.
Thus, his forces were somewhat scattered.
As the army led by Duan Gujin and Seventh Imperial Uncle advanced towards the Prime Minister's Mansion, Cao Dingtian's subordinates were also regrouping at the Prime Minister's Mansion.
When they heard that the Seventh Imperial Uncle was leading troops to attack and enter the Capital City, Cao Dingtian immediately gasped in shock.
He had predicted that this day would come and had thought of countless possibilities.
But when the day actually arrived, he was still quite surprised.
"Everyone, act according to the plan we made earlier!"
The Seventh Imperial Uncle's rapid counterattack caught him off guard, as he had thought the Seventh Imperial Uncle would wait for reinforcements to arrive before making a move.
"That's impossible! The Seventh Imperial Uncle shouldn't have any reinforcements! Even if he truly had reinforcements, those reinforcements couldn't possibly join him without anyone noticing!"
Cao Dingtian's eyes flickered as he called his subordinates over to seriously inquire whether the Seventh Imperial Uncle had indeed summoned reinforcements.
When he heard from his subordinates that the Seventh Imperial Uncle likely didn't have any reinforcements, Cao Dingtian finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"If the Seventh Imperial Uncle attacked me without reinforcements, we might be evenly matched! It seems, the Seventh Imperial Uncle has decided to take a risk!"
Cao Dingtian's brows furrowed tightly; he had originally thought that by waiting a few more days for the Assassin Dynasty to send assassins and the Star Pill Association to send experts to aid him, he would easily defeat the Seventh Imperial Uncle and Duan Gujin.
Now that the Seventh Imperial Uncle and Duan Gujin had decided to strike back with all their might, he was momentarily unsure how to judge the Seventh Imperial Uncle.
"Everyone, fight hard!"
Cao Dingtian took a deep breath, his mind racing.
After a while, he had some of his subordinates execute several members of the Meng Royal Family to frighten the Seventh Imperial Uncle with their deaths.
After a while, Cao Dingtian heard a shocking piece of news; the Seventh Imperial Uncle had not stopped his attack and had instead struck first, killing the Meng Royal Family members.
"It seems the Seventh Imperial Uncle doesn't want those members of the Meng Royal Family to live! Since the opponent is ruthless, don't blame us for being unrighteous!"
Cao Dingtian quickly ordered his subordinates to kill off most of the Meng Royal Family, only sparing the Fourteenth Prince.
"Make sure you protect the Fourteenth Prince well; I still need a puppet!"
Cao Dingtian coldly instructed his subordinates.
"At your command!"
His subordinate took the order and left.
Soon, Cao Dingtian heard loud challenges coming from outside the Prime Minister's Mansion.
"Cao Dingtian, you treacherous usurper! You murdered the royal family and usurped the throne, your crimes deserve death!"
Such words soon spread throughout the entire Capital City.
Upon hearing this, all of Cao Dingtian's subordinates began to waver.
It was only their officers who obeyed Cao Dingtian unquestioningly, while they were merely lowly soldiers who now realized that they had been drawn into Prime Minister Cao's scheme to seize power.
The soldiers suddenly became fearful, knowing that throughout history, those who schemed to usurp power often met with a fate that involved the extermination of their entire families and a miserable death!
Although some commanders encouraged the soldiers to bravely go to the front line and fight the enemies, the soldiers were so frightened that they would often take the chance to flee when their commanders weren't looking.
Today's battle, even if they defeated the Seventh Imperial Uncle's attack, they still didn't know what kind of enemies they would face next.
Among Cao Dingtian's guards, only his personal soldiers remained unshaken when they heard the Seventh Imperial Uncle's curses.
Their treatment normally differed from that of ordinary soldiers, and they were very clear that if they wanted wealth and glory, they could only advance or retreat together with Cao Dingtian.
If Cao Dingtian were to be eliminated, their fate would be to be destroyed along with him.
"Do not listen to the demagoguery, before the Monarch died, he appointed the Fourteenth Prince as the ruler of Country Gulai. It is the Seventh Prince who is now rebelling and scheming to usurp the throne!"
Soon, someone in Cao Dingtian's ranks stood out to oppose the shouts of the Seventh Imperial Uncle.
Hearing such shouts, the Seventh Imperial Uncle immediately shouted loudly.
"Cao Dingtian, come out and speak with me! Don't be a coward! Cao Dingtian, come out and talk to us, we want to clear the Monarch's side and eliminate the traitor!"