When you close your eyes, you can feel the smell of being surrounded by yellow sand. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info

It was his fourth day in the desert and the third week that the First Army had left Neverfell. At the end of the week, two-thirds of the winter will be completed, and the coldest twilight will begin. However, it was much less affected by the Evil Moon than the snowy western realm of the Grey Castle, and although the sky had always been an oppressive gray, at least it was devoid of the bitter north wind, and the snow and ice that froze the entire desert.

Since Yinchuan does not converge with any of the rivers, and most of the water flows underground, the army can only advance on foot. Iron Axe did not wait for the five hundred recruits stationed in Cliff City to also prepare for the march according to the original plan, and then mixed into a large army to act in unison, but left those people to Brian and took the lead himself, striving to reach Iron Sand City as soon as possible.

Recruits may be fine standing still and pulling the trigger, but the continuous march on foot will only kill them in the sand. And even if there are five hundred more people, it will not help the situation much.

He knew in his heart that the achievement of His Majesty's goals could not be achieved by artillery assault, and that the First Army was the capital to ensure the fruits of victory, not the means of conquering the sandmen.

The Mojin people have a traditional set of solutions.

As for the 500 recruits, they only need to do the simple job of seizing the Yinchuan Oasis and ensuring that the front troops are not flanked by people in front and behind.

In the far south, the oasis means a lifeline, and whether it is attacking or escaping, it is inseparable from the supply of the oasis.

In the face of the veterans marching neatly, even if they have not seen the power of the muskets, the tribal sandmen can feel the power emanating from them. Along the way, no one came forward to question the army from the Grey Keep, and only when they set off again with water bladders and food replenishment, did the sandfolks whisper behind their backs.

At this rate, the First Army should be able to reach the Iron Sand City before nightfall tonight.

"I don't quite understand, can the so-called holy duel be launched at any time in any season and at any time?" a woman with beautiful blonde hair walked up to Echo, her fair skin was in stark contrast to the princess of the Osha clan, "Even if it is an honor challenge between nobles, it is allowed to refuse, after all, everyone has times when they are not in good shape." On a cold day like this, anyone wants to sleep all day by a warm fire instead of going out and fighting, right? I mean...... What if they don't agree to a sacred duel?"

Iron Axe remembers that her name is Andrea, and that she is a battle witch who often follows Her Highness Tilly, and according to His Majesty, there would have only been one Transcendent Ash in the first place, but for some reason, she eventually followed.

"When someone picks up an axe and rushes into your house and kicks over your stove, you won't be able to kill if you don't want to. Ash pouted, "Do you think this kind of contest, which in some way determines the life and death of a clan, will follow the hypocritical rules of the aristocracy?"

"That's called a sneak attack or a massacre, not a duel," Andrea said dismissively, "even if the Mojin are barbarians, they can't even tell the difference." Do you think everyone is as uneducated as you are?"

"Saying this in front of the echo, you are really a well-educated person. ”

"Don't misinterpret me!"

The iron axe didn't care about the barbarians, and the border towns didn't ask about their origins, this is what His Majesty said to him personally. He has a more important identity than the Mogins, and that is the inhabitants of Neverwinter.

It wasn't until Echo cast a pleading glance at him that he coughed twice and took the initiative to explain, "Miss Andrea's worries are not too much, although the sacred duel cannot be refused, and it must be approved by the three gods when both parties are ready, but the duel is not something that can be initiated if you want to, first of all, the challenger must have the qualifications for the duel." ”

"What kind of qualifications?"

"First of all, it must be a complete Mokin clan. "A person cannot represent a clan, not even a patriarch or a princess. This rule is to prevent the victors from occupying one-sixth of the territory of Iron Sand City with only a few dozen or so people. In addition to this, it also excludes the Outsiders from the range of duels - Iron Sand City allows the Outsiders to fight on behalf of the clan, but does not allow them to occupy the core power. ”

"Doesn't that mean we don't have the qualifications to initiate the initiation at all?" Ash raised an eyebrow, "It's been several years since Echo was exiled, and the Aosha clan no longer exists, or do we have to start by finding her survivors?"

"No one can survive the Endless Cape," Iron Axe shook his head, "but we can do it another way, like making Lord Silvermoon the patriarch of a new clan." ”

"This is also ...... Okay?" said Andrea.

"The Mojin people don't value bloodline as much as you do, and strength is the most important thing compared to bloodline inheritance. The commander-in-chief of the First Army said calmly, "After satisfying the previous condition, any clan that can gain a foothold in the small oasis around Iron Sand City is equivalent to having the qualification to fight a duel. There are four of these small oases, and the newly rising clans usually fight around them, with no rules or restrictions, which is why these four oases are also known as the Bloodstained Lands. ”

"They're the equivalent of admission tickets, aren't they?" said Ash.

"Suffice it to think that, in fact, these clans are generally divided into two categories," Iron Axe paused, "Challenger...... and watchdogs. ”

"Watch dogs?" said the blonde witch in wonder.

"It's the obstacles set up by the top-level clans who don't want to see a big change in the order of Iron Sand City. This time she was answered, "With their vast resources and influence, they recruited a large number of samurai to form a mixed clan and take root in the small oasis. The watchdog does not issue a sacred duel to his master, but occupies the position of the challenger, and although he cannot enter the Iron Sand City, he can live well with the water and food provided by the small oasis. ”

"Sounds like a hound willing to nibble on leftovers," Ash sneered, "and that's a fitting description." ”

"Because sacred duels are full of variables, the big clans will woo or buy potential challengers to the Bloodstained Lands. At that time, my father just didn't want to be a watchdog, and insisted on launching a sacred duel against the Iron Whip Clan, but in the end, he ......" echo's voice was lowered, obviously thinking of something sad.

"They will pay for their insidious deeds, Lord Silvermoon," Iron Axe comforted, "and death is not far from them now. ”

"So we're going to find a challenger first, and then let Echo take the place of the other party's patriarch, and then launch a duel with the six clans?" Andrea asked.

"Once people are comfortable, they will lose their motivation to move forward, so those who occupy the small oasis and do not immediately challenge will become the new watchdogs nine times out of ten. After that, whether it is to persuade them with words or to subdue them with strength, it will not be so easy. Iron Axe said slowly, "We are here by order of His Majesty the King, carrying thunder and gifts, there is no need to be so troublesome. No matter how inconspicuous the clan is, it will become unstoppable with the support of the First Army. If anyone dares to stop him in front of His Majesty, crush them all into powder. ”