Chapter 95

"Brother, I need a lot of help from the Power Sect. Kublai is not a fool; he will definitely anticipate our interception," Zhao Ling'er said.

"Why must the princess take such a risk herself?" Meng Gong frowned.

"Your Highness, Princess, why don't I take the trip?" Guo Jing volunteered.

Zhao Ling'er shook her head and said, "To do this, only the disciples of the Power Sect are the most suitable. They are skilled in martial arts and fearless. Although Guo Daxia is highly skilled, he is not a member of our Power Sect and cannot coordinate with them."

"Moreover, the Power Sect is not just led by my brother; I am also the deputy leader of the Power Sect. The people of the Power Sect have never been accustomed to hiding in the back. As the deputy leader, I must lead by example. I cannot let others say that I am just taking advantage of my position."

Meng Gong's expression was complex as he bowed and said, "Princess, your courage is no less than a man's. I am ashamed."

"General Meng, by holding your position in Xiangyang and defending against Kublai's final desperate attack, you are the greatest hero of our Song Dynasty," Zhao Ling'er said.

Meng Gong smiled bitterly and waved his hand, "Your Highness, you are too kind to me. This time, I have prepared for a tough battle, but the actual situation is much better than I imagined. This is all due to the efforts of the two of you. I dare not claim credit."

Meng Gong was not a man to be modest, but he would not take credit for what was not his.

He knew very well what he had done. Meng Gong was confident in defending Xiangyang, but he had never thought that Kublai could be defeated so quickly.

In Meng Gong's initial calculations, this battle might last for several years.

"There is no need to be modest. Everyone has worked hard this time. To force the Mongols to this point, everyone has contributed. General Meng, with a major battle imminent, you should rest and conserve your strength. You haven't slept for three days, and I don't want to see you collapse on the city walls. Guo Daxia, your wife is about to give birth, so you should go back and be with her. Tomorrow, we will fight side by side and attack the enemy outside the city," Zhao Hao said.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Yes, Your Highness."

After Meng Gong and Guo Jing left, Zhao Hao truly relaxed.

"Ling'er, this time you need a group of loyalists," Zhao Hao said softly.

The Mongol camp is not easy to infiltrate. Why did the news of Kublai throwing corpses into the river come out now?

Because Kublai is luring them into a trap.

He has definitely set up multiple layers of traps, waiting for Zhao Hao to fall into them.

Zhao Hao cannot avoid the trap.

Because if Kublai really does that, the consequences will be unbearable.

Kublai will not act immediately, because if he attacks Xiangyang tomorrow and acts prematurely, it would backfire.

Only when Kublai's defeat is certain will he give the order.

This is also the only chance for Zhao Hao and Zhao Ling'er.

Of course, this opportunity is also deliberately given by Kublai.

He wants to catch some big fish.

In this situation, the mission is almost certain death, more dangerous than fighting on the main battlefield.

Moreover, in a place with an epidemic, who can guarantee they won't be infected?

Even if they survive, they will have to be quarantined for a long time.

In a sense, this is a suicide mission.

And the probability of death is as high as ninety percent.

"Call the disciples of the Power Sect and let them choose for themselves," Zhao Ling'er said.

Zhao Hao nodded.

He can give orders, but Zhao Hao rarely gives direct orders within the Power Sect.

For these people who have already put their lives on the line, Zhao Hao maintains respect.

An hour later.

"This is the situation. I will repeat it: those who stay have a fifty-fifty chance of surviving the battle tomorrow. Those who follow Ling'er to attack the Mongol camp will almost certainly die. Everyone choose for themselves," Zhao Hao said solemnly.

After Zhao Hao's words, there was a stir in the room.

A moment later, five people stepped forward and bowed together, saying, "We are willing to follow the deputy leader."

The five were not very old, the youngest being about the same age as Zhao Hao, and the oldest not yet thirty.

However, all five carried long swords, and their auras were no weaker than those of Zhao Zhijing and Zhen Zhibing.

"Are you the five itinerant swordsmen? As I understand, your sword techniques have not yet found a successor. Do you need more time to consider?" Zhao Ling'er asked, recognizing them.

Zhao Ling'er had a deep impression of these five. Their sword techniques were unique and well-disciplined. They were from the same school but had different skills. Despite their youth, their sword techniques were already highly accomplished. Although they were not yet considered top experts, they were outstanding among the younger generation.

Such outstanding young people were rare talents even in the Power Sect. Zhao Ling'er, as the deputy leader, was more familiar with the talents in the sect than Zhao Hao.

The leader of the five, Zuo Shaoshuai, bowed and said, "We five have compiled our martial arts into books and placed them in the headquarters of the Power Sect. If we are unfortunately killed in battle, we ask the two leaders to pass on our martial arts."

"According to my teacher, the founder of our sword techniques once said: I do not expect you to become invincible. I only hope that you do not forget that you are practicing the sword. The sword is sharp. When the time comes to draw your sword, you should cast aside all thoughts of success or failure and wield the sword in your hand. Only then can you be called a swordsman and worthy of the sword in your hand. We five have limited talent and have not achieved great success despite years of hard practice. But at this time, we, as swordsmen, must charge forward without hesitation. The sword techniques may be lost, and the school may be destroyed, but we will always be swordsmen."

Zhao Ling'er's expression became solemn.

Zhao Hao clapped, and someone brought six bowls of wine.

Zhao Hao picked up a bowl and said solemnly, "To the five brothers."

"To the leaders."

The six drank the wine in one go.

They did not drink with the enthusiasm of a grand feast, but with the solemnity of a farewell.

"I will also follow the deputy leader," Lei Dong stood up.

Zhao Hao's body trembled.

"Leader, I understand what you mean. This time, we probably won't come back, right?" Lei Dong asked.

"Zhao Ling'er should be safe, but the others have the highest chance of being completely wiped out."

Zhao Hao's voice was low, but there was no hesitation.

He did not disdain to lie, nor did he want to lie.

"Leader, you know that the martial arts I practice are specifically for suicide missions. But if I use my full strength, the remaining brothers will have no chance of survival," Lei Dong said.

Lei Dong's "Ninefold Thunder Sound" is a large-scale destructive technique.

It does not distinguish between friend and foe.

"Leader, count me in."

"Me too."

"Brother Lei, you are straightforward. Let's go together to the netherworld."

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