"Defeated, we have been defeated once again!!"
At this moment, Crown Prince Dan of Yan had a very somber expression.
He never expected that his second battle against Lin Tian would result in an even easier defeat than the first.
Lin Tian seemed to be his nemesis, easily finding the flaws in his vast army and then effortlessly crushing it.
This was an immeasurable blow to Crown Prince Dan.
Before this, he had proudly declared himself among the top talents of all the states.
And the actions he took were indeed those only befitting a top talent.
Yet now, this supposed top talent had suffered repeated defeats at Lin Tian's hands.
This was something he could not accept.
Especially when he thought about how the King of Yan would directly depose him if his army failed, it made Crown Prince Dan feel even more distressed.
"Why, why is there a Lin Tian in Qin?!"
Crown Prince Dan had asked the heavens this question countless times.
But the heavens had never given him an answer.
Looking at his devastated army, Crown Prince Dan's heart was filled with immense bitterness, yet he didn't know where to vent it.
The generals of Yan surrounded Crown Prince Dan, their morale low.
"Your Highness, Lin Tian's army is approaching. What shall we do?"
"What can we do? Other than defend the city, do we have any other options?"
"But Lin Tian's army is ferocious. Our soldiers might not be able to hold!"
Thinking of the might of Lin Tian's army, these generals were filled with dread.
Many of them were veteran generals, experienced in warfare.
However, when faced with Lin Tian's army, many found themselves at a loss, with no solutions.
Even their soldiers greatly feared Lin Tian's soldiers.
This battle had already shattered their army into pieces.
To expect his army to defend the city now was clearly impossible.
Even if the soldiers were willing, they couldn't hold.
However, Crown Prince Dan clearly refused to accept the reality of his defeat.
He was still stubbornly maintaining an image of not having been defeated.
"We must defend, even if we can't hold. Do you want to be deserters??"
"Your Highness, we don't want to be deserters! It's just that if this city falls to the Qin army, and we die at the hands of the Qin army, they will undoubtedly march straight towards our capital."
"At that time, it won't just be our army and the city in danger, but our entire Yan!"
At this moment, the Yan army faced two choices: should they continue to defend the city, fulfilling their loyalty; or should they abandon the city and retreat, preserving themselves.
If they continued to defend the city, they would undoubtedly all perish, with no chance of negotiation.
Then, the Qin army, unimpeded, would march directly towards their capital, which had only tens of thousands of defenders.
If they retreated, they could preserve their army, but they would inevitably lose many cities.
Lin Tian's army might march directly to their capital, and then they and the army at their capital would collectively defend their Yan capital.
The two choices could lead to completely different outcomes.
This was not just about the victory of this battle, but about the fate of Yan.
Hearing this, Crown Prince Dan was also stunned.
He had never imagined that things would develop to this point.
However, at this juncture, when the fate of the nation was truly at stake, he had to make a choice.
After all, he was the Crown Prince of Yan!
This identity was like a heavy burden, pressing down on Crown Prince Dan.
Once young and considered a talented youth, Crown Prince Dan's figure suddenly seemed a bit stooped.
He didn't want to admit his defeat!
Once admitted, his position as Crown Prince might be lost.
But for the sake of all of Yan, Crown Prince Dan had to admit it now.
Under everyone's gaze, Crown Prince Dan said in a low voice:
"Abandon the city, retreat!!"
This abandonment meant not just one city, but however many cities Lin Tian's army pursued, they would lose.
Ordinary cities did not have many troops, and they could not resist the onslaught of Lin Tian's army.
Not to mention, Yan had not fully entered a state of war, and the defenders on those city walls were not the entire garrison, making them essentially lost.
If not for the urgency, Crown Prince Dan would never have done this.
But thinking of the might of Lin Tian's army and the crisis facing Yan, Crown Prince Dan had to issue such an order.
After this order was issued, the Yan soldiers followed Crown Prince Dan and retreated without any delay.
They didn't even communicate with the people in other cities they passed.
They had no time for communication.
This decision also brought immense gains to Lin Tian's army.
As soon as they left, Lin Tian's army pursued.
"Kill!!"
They did not tightly pursue the Yan army but headed straight for the Yan cities.
The army advanced, a vast force, overwhelming like a tidal wave.
Lin Tian led the way, possessing the courage to face ten thousand men, inspiring fear with just one glance.
When the defenders and civilians in the Yan cities discovered Lin Tian's army, they cried out in terror.
"Ah! It's the Qin army, the Qin army is invading!"
"Heavens! Why is this happening? Why has the Qin army entered the heartland of Yan!"
"Wasn't that Crown Prince Dan's army that just passed? Why didn't they warn us that the Qin army was coming? Why did they abandon us and flee directly!!"
They truly couldn't understand Crown Prince Dan's actions.
And they found it even harder to resist Lin Tian's army.
As Lin Tian's army attacked, the Yan cities were instantly breached, advancing like a hot knife through butter.
Subsequently, Lin Tian's army did not stop, continuing to pursue the Yan army towards the next city.
Such actions were undoubtedly terrifying.
This also made the Yan army flee even faster.
They feared being caught, feared their complete annihilation, and even more, they feared Yan becoming like Han and Zhao, utterly destroyed.
Therefore, they could only flee without regard for anything else.
Fortunately, Lin Tian's army did not pursue recklessly.
After conquering fifteen Yan cities, Lin Tian's army halted their advance, allowing the Yan army to escape.
The Yan army did not relax; they fled all the way to their capital before finally breathing a sigh of relief.
However, at this moment, Yan was in grave peril.
...