Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1432: A Stark Contrast Between the Two Sides

The escalating conflict today will undoubtedly reach the Capital swiftly. The involved families have reaped no glory, instead suffering the loss of over two hundred elite members, alongside dozens of Qingyang Pass garrison soldiers who perished in vain. Meanwhile, the opposing force, who defended the crucial Beining Pass, emerged unscathed, their entire garrison and populace facing the enemy without a single casualty. In comparison, the shame felt by these families is profound, mirroring the disgrace of the elders from the Capital's aristocratic clans.

"Why not attempt negotiations with Mu Hanyan? If our Eight Great Families unite to defend the two passes, our chances might improve," tentatively proposed Fang Zi, the Young Master of the Fang Family.

The sword pets wielded by He Qingzong and his companions today were a revelation, filling him with envy. He recalled his own folly of aligning with Dan Tai Xuan and felt an immediate urge to slap himself.

"Absolutely not. Matters of warfare are not trivial. we have fought as one, protecting each other with our very souls throughout this endeavor. If we fracture now, we become as a pile of loose sand. What means would we possess to counter the Exotic Beasts then?" Dan Tai Xuan's decision was firm, rejecting Fang Zi's proposal in a single sentence.

He had made quite a few strong statements previously. To compromise with Mu Hanyan now would mean a severe blow to his dignity as a steward of the Holy Court. Even as an Outer Court Steward, the position held inherent dignity, far surpassing that of the sons from these noble families.

Fang Zi was so incensed that he nearly erupted in curses. "Heartfelt protection? Nonsense! Had Mu Hanyan not intervened with her Divine Power, scaring off the Exotic Beasts, many of us would have likely fled long ago. You speak of loose sand? Are we not already a pile of loose sand right now?"

Despite his deep resentment, he dared not press the issue further under Dan Tai Xuan's imposing presence. He merely turned his head, his gaze filled with utter disdain.

"Lord Dan Tai speaks the truth. Our Five Great Families have long been united, like kin. Any separation would undoubtedly hinder our defense. Moreover, even if we were to humble ourselves before Mu Hanyan, she might not accept. Should she accept, relations with clans like He Yan Zhang's are different; we would gain nothing. Instead, let us put aside our past grievances and unite, displaying the true might of our Five Great Families to the world," Changsun Yi’an declared, producing a tattered fan from goodness-knows-where and fanning himself with an air of a wise military strategist.

"Young Master Changsun is correct. Mu Hanyan is inherently arrogant and has never given due consideration to our prominent families. We must absolutely refuse to bow to her," Mo Yanhong chimed in. His personal conflicts with Mu Hanyan were the most severe, and he understood that an alliance with her would forever bar him from the position of Family Head. His stance remained unyielding.

"Then, let us heed the counsel of Young Masters Changsun and Dan Tai. With the situation still volatile, many arduous battles surely lie ahead. The battlefield shifts in an instant. United, we might just be able to match them," Dan Tai Xuan finalized.

Fang Zi observed the resolute expressions of Dan Tai Xuan and Changsun Yi’an, unable to voice further objections. He could only let out a long sigh.

The following days unfolded precisely as Mu Hanyan had foreseen. The Exotic Beasts relentlessly continued their assaults, with vast swarms emerging daily from Longyan Mountain. They launched frenzied attacks on both Beining Pass and Qingyang Pass, even exploiting the heavily fortified passes to target Lu'an City.

However, the formidable strength of these Exotic Beasts remained largely unchanged. While a few possessed power comparable to Ninth Rank Sword Masters, the majority were only equivalent to low-level Sword Masters or high-level Knights.

The catapults at Beining Pass, though repaired and barely functional, were no longer essential. Behind the defenses, the four Red Cloud Gold Armored Elephants unleashed enormous Qi-infused boulders, their destructive power rivaling that of the catapults.

Most Exotic Beasts were pulverized mid-air. Yet, a fortunate few managed to breach the pass entrance, only to be met by a formidable host of heavily armored elite soldiers and clan scions mounted on formidable sword pets – a sight more terrifying than the beasts themselves.

After leaving behind the cold remains of countless comrades, the Exotic Beasts were repeatedly repelled. The gates of Beining Pass echoed repeatedly with the triumphant cheers of soldiers and citizens.

In stark contrast, Qingyang Pass proved significantly more challenging to defend. They lacked the Red Cloud Gold Armored Elephants for bombardment, and the clan sons had no protective sword pets. To make matters worse, the defenders scattered upon the battlefield like disorganized sand, each fighting in isolation, with numerous instances of feigned injuries and desertions.

Despite the continuous, brutal clashes, the Five Great Families sustained the loss of over two hundred elite sons on the battlefield. Had it not been for the unwavering defense of their seasoned and loyal soldiers, Qingyang Pass alone would have fallen to the innumerable Exotic Beasts countless times over.

As the golden twilight gradually faded, signifying the end of another day's intense offensive and defensive struggle, night descended once more.

"Ah, if only I had followed Young Master Mu from the very beginning, I wouldn't find myself in such a pitiful state now," lamented a family son on Qingyang Pass, having just extricated himself from beneath the corpse of an Exotic Beast.

"I wanted to, but the Young Master was adamant about following Dan Tai Xuan. What could we do?" replied another family son, emerging from the pile.

Slightly taken aback to find another soul sharing his insight, the first man exchanged a wry smile with the second.

As elite heirs of various prominent families, they possessed a certain pride, brimming with youthful vigor and harboring a desire to etch their names in history. However, in the face of overwhelming odds, with everyone around them in a similar predicament, they simply wished not to perish in vain.

It wasn't just them; even the young masters from each family, while outwardly displaying bravery, would subtly scan for escape routes during combat. How could one blame them for their fear of death?

Approaching them, a figure of both grace and heroism ascended the wall. The two family sons immediately snapped to attention.

In the preceding days, Mu Hanyan's courageous leadership in defending Beining Pass had captivated everyone, including them.

Mu Hanyan offered a nod of acknowledgment. Despite her dissatisfaction with Dan Tai Xuan and the other young masters, she harbored no ill feelings towards the remaining family sons, holding a deep respect for those who fought with bravery and without fear.

Upon receiving Mu Hanyan's greeting, the two men’s faces flushed crimson, a testament to their shame over their earlier cowardice.

"It's getting late. Rest well, for tomorrow promises another arduous battle. Take care of yourselves, and return to the Capital alive," Mu Hanyan's gentle words reached them.

Tears welled in their eyes, a mix of shame and profound gratitude washing over them.

Lost in a reverie, they found themselves descending the city wall without conscious recollection. Yet, in that very moment, they forged a lifelong resolve: from this day forward, they would shed their cowardice, cease feigning death amidst corpses, and defend their honor with blade and blood. They vowed to never again allow others to look down upon them, believing that only through such actions could they truly earn the respect reflected in Mu Hanyan's eyes and the encouragement of her words.