DD—Chapter 9: The Way to Break the Situation—If the Mountains and Rivers Are Still Like This, Why Should I Care About My Head?
In the original novel, Qian Renxue missed several opportunities to defeat Tang San due to her pride, ultimately leading to her downfall.
Dai Chengfeng was willing to gamble on human nature...
Qian Renxue would never simply stand at the rear and would take the frontline for herself.
At that moment, he realized it would be his chance to turn the tide!
Although Qian Renxue had a Titled Douluo by her side, she would never allow the Titled Douluo to act without her safety being at stake—in front of so many soldiers, no less.
Otherwise, how could she explain to Emperor Xue Ye and the officials of the Heaven Dou Empire why a Titled Douluo from the Spirit Hall was accompanying her?
Moreover, the soldiers of the Heaven Dou Empire were unaware of the Titled Douluo standing beside their "crown prince." If they perceived their prince in peril, they would be compelled to rush in for rescue.
Without such courage, even if they captured Wu'an City, they would likely meet their demise.
"As long as we can disrupt the encirclement set by the Heaven Dou Empire soldiers and enable numerous scouts to break free in all directions to seek help, even a Titled Douluo cannot intercept them all."
"From that moment, Qian Renxue's plans will unravel!"
Dai Chengfeng inhaled deeply. "The only peril of this plan is that I might die in the chaos. While my uncle's protection may lower the odds of that, the risk remains…"
He knew Zhu Fan would never abandon him.
If he chose to withdraw, Zhu Fan would undoubtedly make the safest choice—forcing him to leave and allowing Wu'an City to fall.
But without Zhu Fan, the Soul Douluo, it would be exceedingly challenging for just a thousand men to confront nearly ten thousand of the Heaven Dou Central Army.
At that point, countless brave soldiers would perish needlessly. They were all devoted warriors of the Star Luo Empire!
Dai Chengfeng was not like Dai Mubai, a coward who would turn and flee!
As for falling into Qian Renxue's hands?
Dai Chengfeng was not afraid of such a fate.
Whether it was Xue Qinghe, the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, or Qian Renxue, the daughter of the Pope of the Spirit Hall…
These two identities forbade her from killing him, the Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire.
After all, the Star Luo Emperor, Dai An, was renowned for being tough, iron-fisted, and fiercely protective!
Qian Renxue was too intelligent not to understand the repercussions of executing Dai Chengfeng.
"Smart people always consider the long-term consequences…"
A faint smile graced Dai Chengfeng's lips.
In stark contrast to Dai Chengfeng's rapid reasoning, Zhu Fan could only muster a few words in his mind—first to die!
Without hesitation, he exclaimed, "No! This plan is impossible!"
"Chengfeng, your status is exalted—you're the Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire, worth more than gold!"
"How can you jeopardize yourself?"
Dai Chengfeng slowly shook his head, fixing his gaze on his uncle and speaking each word with conviction. "Uncle!"
"With the mountains and rivers still like this, why should I cherish this head!"
In an instant, every soldier around them, including Zhu Yan, stared at Dai Chengfeng in shock.
Even they could scarcely believe their ears.
What Zhu Fan said was true. The man before them was the Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire, born to nobility. He stood among the heights of privilege.
Even now, he could easily escape whenever he wished—a scenario completely different from the soldiers with no way to retreat.
Yet, instead of fleeing, the Fourth Prince chose to face the Heaven Dou army head-on, personally leading a death squad into battle!
What kind of courage did that require?!
Zhu Fan, too, looked at Dai Chengfeng with a myriad of complex emotions swirling within him.
Concern flickered in his eyes—it was a battlefield, after all, where swords held no discrimination.
Yet, alongside it was an overwhelming sense of pride that surged within him.
At that moment, gazing into Dai Chengfeng's determined eyes, Zhu Fan realized he could no longer sway him.
With a heavy sigh, he raised his hand and clapped Dai Chengfeng on the shoulder with resolve. "Very well, Uncle will stand with you this time!"
"But if matters become irretrievable, I will force you to flee!"
"Just what I hoped to hear!"
"Whether this battle ends in victory or defeat…"
"You, Dai Chengfeng, will be the pride of me, your father, and all the passionate souls of the entire Star Luo Empire!"
"You are worthy of anyone!"
As Zhu Fan accepted a solution that might seem absurd to outsiders, Dai Chengfeng found himself smiling slightly, a wave of relief washing over him.
"The first hurdle is cleared!"
"Report!"
Just then, a blood-soaked soldier rushed in from a distance.
Blood trickled from his armor, leaving dark splotches upon the charred ground. It was clear that he had just endured a ferocious battle.
Reaching Zhu Yan, he hurriedly spoke. "Lord City Lord! The Heaven Dou Empire's soldiers this time are unlike any before; they're exceptionally fierce…"
"Many enemy troops have already attacked the city wall on the south side. Even though our brothers are fighting with all their might, we are unable to hold them off!"
"My Lord, what should we do now?"
Dai Chengfeng's heart sank at the soldier's report. "They've attacked the city wall so soon—is this your confidence, Qian Renxue?"
With that thought, he turned around and surveyed the scene behind him.
The defensive line on the city wall was visibly crumbling.
Enemy troops surged forth in relentless waves, their fierce assault leaving no room for hesitation.
The soldiers defending the walls struggled valiantly, but every inch of their battleground was mercilessly stained with blood.
Amidst the chaos, soldiers fell with anguished cries, their yells merging with the chorus of battle. It was a dire situation!
"Huh!"
Dai Chengfeng took a deep breath, knowing that now, more than ever, panic was not an option.
He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, regaining a calm focus.
He lifted his gaze to where the Heaven Dou Empire's central army regrouped.
"Just as I expected!"
At that moment, the crown prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, 'Xue Qinghe,' had arrived at the frontline, riding his white horse.
"Since that's the case, the time has come!"
Dai Chengfeng pivoted, addressing the soldiers assembled before him, summoning all his strength. "I am no longer the Fourth Prince of the Star Luo Empire! I am just an ordinary man of blood in the Star Luo Empire!"
"I ask again!"
"The situation is dire. Gentlemen… who among you is willing to save the world?"
Hearing this, Zhu Fan stepped forward, declaring,
"I, Zhu Fan, am ready to follow the Fourth Prince to the death!"
"For my poor family, I will defend with every inch of land! Centurion Xu Feng stands ready to die by the Fourth Prince's side!"
"Loyal bones shall rest amidst the green mountains—why should we return home wrapped in shame? I, soldier Li Zhizhao of the Star Luo Empire, am willing to sacrifice myself!"
"This world is absurd—I shall see heaven! I, Wu'an City Lord Zhu Yan, am willing to move ahead in this life!"
"If I fall in battle, please tell my daughter I wasn't a good father."
"Soldier Wang Yi of the Star Luo Empire will sacrifice his life for the people!"
"Soldiers of the Star Luo Empire—let us fight!"
"…"
The roars erupted like rolling thunder. If Dai Chengfeng, the Fourth Prince, was fearless in the face of life and death, so too were they, the men of passion and honor.
Dai Chengfeng's voice rose once more, "You are all heroes!"
"Please mount your horses and follow me to slay the enemy!!!"
---
Support me on [patreon.com/Taichu372] for access to advanced chapters and exclusive content
(End of this chapter)