CHAPTER 1016: CHAPTER 21: ALLIANCE AND RIVALRY, DRAGON AND PHOENIX MEET

The old Siming looked at her and said, "With the elder here, we can indeed be at ease."

"At ease?"

"Yes, at ease, at ease with him, and at ease with you."

The aged Great Grandmaster of the Yin Yang Family reached out and gently stroked the antlers of the Divine Deer:

"At least here, you don’t need to worry about being surrounded and killed by a Grandmaster leading an army."

"You don’t need to worry about the king wanting to refine you into an immortality elixir."

The Fire Qilin is known for both its martial prowess and auspiciousness, often subjected to bloodletting and tempering, but the Nine-colored Divine Deer is purely auspicious; throughout history, countless kings have desired to hunt the Nine-colored Divine Deer. The Nine-colored Divine Deer gazed at the old Siming and said:

"Throughout history, kings in their youth and old age are almost like two different people. How many wise kings in their old age gradually transform into the person they most hated in their youth, the one they would draw their sword to kill."

"Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, the Red Emperor had Marquis Wei Wu stay in the Empress Dowager’s chamber, controlling the governance. Later, he died of headache and vent, dreaming at the time of passing by the place of his youth, someone knocked on the door, and when he opened it, a youth in red stabbed him with a seven-star treasure sword."

"And said: It is the Red Emperor’s General Zhengxi, here to kill him!"

"That was precisely his dream in his youth. Later, his Primordial Spirit was damaged, and he died from the piercing pain in his brow."

The Nine-colored Divine Deer sent out that inquiry: "You say you’re not worried he’ll covet the immortality elixir."

"Will his morals remain unchanged forever?"

The old Siming’s answer was cunning: "Because he has already consumed it."

"Besides, Hou Zhongyu, who can temper the immortality elixir."

"He also personally killed him."

He does not speak of the heart, nor of ambition or morals, those uncertain things.

He simply spoke of the certain facts.

Personally killed Hou Zhongyu, who can perfect the immortality elixir, in the eyes of those born auspiciously few, it is a behavior that immensely increases favorability, making the auspicious beings of the world start off at least with a friendly attitude towards this youth.

"So, the elder can indeed trust him."

While the old Siming and the Divine Deer were chatting leisurely, Li Guanyi went to find Breaking Army and others, his sleeve stained with the fresh blood of the Divine Deer. When he went, Breaking Army was going through documents, Li Guanyi summoned everyone to hold a meeting within the Heavenly Strategy Mansion.

Breaking Army took out a pile of documents and spoke about the changes in the Western Regions during this period, finally saying: "As you can see, the Western Regions are rife with upheaval; now the Wolf King and various tribes of the Western Regions all have their eyes on the capital of the Dangxiang Kingdom."

"Treasury resources, geographical terrain, and even military gear and supplies."

"As the head of a kingdom, hidden resources, and the morale boost from the battle against extinction are the most crucial aspects. In the midst of the uproar, it’s imperative at this moment to press forward relentlessly, never falling behind others."

"The Wolf King possesses the strongest combat strength, but the flaw is—too few people, insufficient foundation. While his combat strength is fierce, he lacks the ability for sustained combat; the thirty-six tribes of the Western Regions cover the entire region, and Hu’er excel at cavalry archery."

"In an equal military situation, they will never be a match for the Wolf King."

"The first, second, or even third tribe to confront the Wolf King head-on will certainly be exterminated, but the morale of the Wolf King’s army will also be weakened."

Fan Qing’s gaze rippled.

Breaking Army said, "You all have participated in the battles to pacify Jiangnan, so I don’t need to say much more. What is happening next in the Western Regions will be the most brutal war model in the world."

"The only chance of victory for the tribes of the Western Regions is to forcefully exchange pieces to cripple the elites of the Wolf King. The renowned general who has lost his army and tribe is merely a martial expert, not much stronger than peerless experts in the Martial World."

"But the problem now is."

"No one can integrate the thirty-six tribes of the Western Regions; each tribe refuses to submit to the others, yet each chaotic khan is cunning and sly."

"They have also seen the strength of the Wolf King and dare not directly attack his sharpness, pondering whom to send to wear him down."

"The Dangxiang Kingdom also sees this situation."

"They are striving to foster this invisible balance between each."

"And now it’s in such a fragile equilibrium."

"And we—"

"Our power is too weak."

Breaking Army reached out his fingers and rubbed his brow: "Hundreds of thousands of people, a large city, yes, very good, but the Western Regions have too few cultivated lands, insufficient iron; these hundreds of thousands can only support three thousand heavy cavalry with curved golden blades and about twenty thousand bow cavalry."

"Money, Lord, we need money."

Li Guanyi observed his nose, nose observed his heart.

Breaking Army frowned again and said: "I have already contacted the Seven Kings Tribe of the grasslands and the Xue Family’s trading company in Jiangnan, but the current turmoil in the Western Regions, and Central Plains are chaotic too, these two merchant caravans arriving here will still require time."

"It would be best if we dispatch troops to guard them, but then again, it’s a shortage of people, food, money."

"We lack a large amount of supplies."

"Third, we lack fierce generals."

Breaking Army looked at the people of the Heavenly Strategy Mansion: "General Fan Qing, skilled with several thousand soldiers, heavy armory and shield infantry tactics, General Nangong skilled in light cavalry scouting, Mr. Changsun is more skilled in commerce, Lei Laomeng and Gongsun Huaizhi excel in beast and mechanism tactics."

"Each of you has your own skills, your strengths."

"Your capabilities."

Breaking Army’s purple pupils fell, and his tone changed, saying:

"The leadership of everyone, at most, is General Fan Qing’s three thousand."

"Mr. Changsun one thousand eight hundred."

"General Nangong Wumeng’s command ability is only three hundred, three hundred... But, well, with General Nangong Wumeng, it’s ultimately okay; you only need to lead people around for a bit, and it’s a very good thing."