Volume Six: The Return of the God-King to the Shattered Continent Chapter Four: Scouting the Camp

The crowd atop the city wall gazed toward the distant enemy ranks, the dark, oppressive army forming a dense, winding line stretching far into the horizon.

Yuchang Sheng shaded his eyes with his hand as he peered into the distance, exclaiming, “The camp is arranged in tight rows and columns, loose on the outside but firm within. The opponent must be a seasoned general well-versed in the art of war!”

Zhuo Hua, hearing this, was somewhat surprised and asked, “You understand military strategy as well?”

Yuchang Sheng replied, “In my youth, I studied the art of war and tactics, so I am somewhat familiar with the matters of battlefield combat.”

“Oh? Do tell,” Zhuo Hua’s curiosity was piqued.

“The art of war is a matter of utmost importance to a nation, a place of life and death, the path to survival or ruin; it cannot be overlooked. Nowadays, many warriors possess high martial cultivation, and Divine-rank fighters are no longer rare. Yet, one’s individual strength can never overturn the heavens and earth; only the power of thousands can move mountains and fill seas. Thus, among the seven clans of the Immortal Descendants, the Liuxian Formation and the Zhenshen Formation rely on numbers to counter those otherworldly masters.” Yuchang Sheng spoke fluently on the subject, earning a nod of approval from Yan Congxu nearby.

“Then, in your esteemed opinion, how skilled is the man opposite?” Yan Donglai turned to ask, having developed a certain fondness for this newly acquainted orphan of the Jade Clan.

“Gold and jade on the outside, but rotten cotton within,” Yuchang Sheng said disdainfully.

Zhuo Hua narrowed his eyes and scrutinized the youth in the green robe beside him once more. At this moment, the boy was full of youthful vigor and confidence, reminiscent of his own youth—unassuming in appearance to others, but with a world of ambition hidden within.

“How many troops would you need to defeat this enemy?” Zhuo Hua asked.

“Unknown for now.”

This answer drew a collective sigh from those present.

Yuchang Sheng offered his explanation: “Strategically, underestimating the enemy may boost our own morale, but tactically, one must never be overconfident. If blind confidence governs tactics, then the entire army is doomed to perish on the battlefield.”

“Your reasoning is sound and admirable. So, how should one deploy an attack strategy?” Yan Donglai inquired.

“One must have a deeply cultivated individual infiltrate the enemy camp to investigate, uncovering their troop deployments, the enemy commander’s cultivation level, and ideally even the state of their provisions and supplies,” Yuchang Sheng said methodically, hands clasped behind his back.

“A master? What level of cultivation would be required to undertake such a reconnaissance?” Yan Donglai’s gaze swept across his many generals; except for Yan Congxu, who met his eyes confidently, the others all hung their heads in silence.

This was a mission with a one-in-nine chance of survival, possibly a one-way trip. After all, they still had the city walls of Tianshui as a safeguard, most thought.

“I will go!” Zhuo Hua declared.

Yan Donglai hurriedly tried to dissuade him, “Young Lord, you must not be so reckless! You have only just escaped danger—do not risk your life again!”

The other officers knelt in unison, imploring Zhuo Hua to reconsider.

“Is there anyone in Tianshui City with cultivation higher than mine?” Zhuo Hua’s question thundered over their heads, terrifying them into silence without a single volunteer.

“Young Lord, your understanding of duty commands my respect!” Yuchang Sheng said.

“Isn’t that just what you think? Why put on airs?” Zhuo Hua smiled at Sheng.

Just as Zhuo Hua prepared to rise and ride the wind, a voice called out, “Young Lord, wait!”

The crowd looked up. It was Yan Congxu, the dark-faced large man, standing amidst them.

He clasped his fists and said, “Young Lord, this reconnaissance is fraught with danger. Please allow me to accompany you as your deputy. I have crossed blades with those scoundrels over ten times and understand their tactics somewhat. Moreover, I am confident in my knowledge of military affairs, perhaps more so than you.”

Yan Donglai echoed, “Indeed! My nephew is correct; Congxu, with his ninth-grade Ling-rank cultivation, can surely protect himself as your second-in-command.”

Zhuo Hua said no more, simply placing his hand on Yan Congxu’s shoulder, pulling him up, and they swiftly took flight.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the two landed in a thicket roughly a mile behind the Dark Fiend army.

Upon landing, Yan Congxu’s usually dark face flushed bright red, struggling to speak but unable to find the words.

Zhuo Hua turned and was startled by the flushed face, quickly asking, “Congxu, do you get dizzy when riding the qi?”

Yan Congxu hastily waved off the misunderstanding: “I do not get dizzy! It’s just that next time, please don’t carry me off so casually when flying—I can ride the qi myself.”

Zhuo Hua suddenly understood and apologized, “My apologies! I forgot you are already a ninth-grade Ling-rank. I will remember next time.” Then he chuckled, “You blushing—quite unexpected!”

Before Yan Congxu could respond, a squad of Dark Fiend scouts thundered past the forest edge, their horses’ hooves urgent and sharp.

Zhuo Hua quickly pressed Yan Congxu down into the grass, signaling him to remain silent.

When the hoofbeats faded, they cautiously peeked out from the bushes to look around.

Zhuo Hua asked, “General Yan said you have fought this army multiple times—do you know if there is a female general among them?”

Yan Congxu bowed nervously and answered, “Young Lord, are you referring to the Fairy of Lanling?”

Zhuo Hua nodded silently.

“No, no female general. Nor any particularly formidable figures. In recent skirmishes, the strongest we faced was a yellow-faced warrior just entering the Immortal-rank,” Yan Congxu replied.

“They’ve returned this time; perhaps they bring some deadly figure. Follow me,” Zhuo Hua said softly, leaping silently into the Dark Fiend camp, with Yan Congxu close behind.

“These soldiers—where did they come from? So well-trained and equipped?” Zhuo Hua frowned, observing the soldiers’ disciplined drills and their well-maintained weapons—not the ragtag mob he had heard rumors of.

Seeing his confusion, Yan Congxu explained, “Most of these troops are deserters from the Immortal Descendant clans. The Dark Fiend clan used some foul sorcery to control their minds, making them willing slaves. They serve as shock troops in the sieges, while the Sun Worship cultists lurk behind to reap the benefits. Disgusting!” He spat on the ground in anger.

“So it is. Such mind manipulation is typical of the Dark Fiend clan,” Zhuo Hua murmured as he and Yan Congxu skirted past a tent storing weapons and supplies, moving deeper into the camp.

“The central command tent lies just ahead!” Yan Congxu pointed to a large banner fluttering nearby, emblazoned with a black flag bearing a golden sun.

Zhuo Hua nodded, closed his eyes, and extended his spiritual perception to sense the surrounding spiritual energy.

“There are quite a few experts here,” he said, withdrawing his awareness and adjusting his breath before speaking to Yan Congxu.

“How so? Many masters arrived this time?” Yan Congxu asked with concern.

“Four Immortal-rank fifth or sixth grades, and seven Ling-rank eighth or ninth grades,” Zhuo Hua answered.

“That's a lot!” Yan Congxu exclaimed, suddenly standing up.

Zhuo Hua quickly pulled him down into an empty tent nearby.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Zhuo Hua hissed.

“It’s fine! No one heard us. Besides, if we’re discovered, you’re here to protect me, right? Heh heh,” Yan Congxu chuckled innocently.

Zhuo Hua sighed, “My qi-regulating pearl is lost. This one only allows me to reach the entry Immortal-rank. If so many enemies attack us, how will we escape?”

“You’re not much higher than I am either,” Yan Congxu muttered.

“Quickly record the camp’s layout. We’ll discuss countermeasures back in the city,” Zhuo Hua ordered, shooting him a sharp glance.

Half a day later, the two returned silently to Tianshui City.

With a loud thud, a leather-bound dossier was slammed down on the table before Yuchang Sheng.

Yan Congxu gulped down water, sneaking glances at Yuchang Sheng.

“So many?” Yuchang Sheng took the dossier and leafed through it carefully.

“These were all obtained by Young Lord and me at great risk. You must study them and devise a strategy so I can lead the troops to storm that scoundrels’ camp.”

“Wait! You mean you plan to sneak into the camp tonight?” Yuchang Sheng asked.

“Exactly. Their defenses are lax, with patrols arranged very loosely. We can break in easily.” Yan Congxu drained one jug of water and, still thirsty, grabbed another from a nearby table to drink.

“Then tonight I’ll find you a nice graveyard. Around this time next year, we can have a proper memorial for you,” Yuchang Sheng said, rising to leave.

“What do you mean by that? *Cough cough!*” Yan Congxu nearly choked on his water.

“Sheng means that storming the enemy camp so recklessly is likely to fall into an ambush, resulting in defeat and death,” Zhuo Hua sipped his fragrant tea, commenting calmly.

“Hey, you little punk! You haven’t even grown a beard, yet you lecture me on tactics. I’ll tear your mouth apart!” Yan Congxu said as he lunged at Yuchang Sheng, grabbing his collar and attempting to twist his mouth.

“Enough insolence! Dare you speak nonsense before the Young Lord?” Yan Donglai shouted sternly.

Yan Congxu grunted and released Yuchang Sheng, who sat cross-legged on the spot, tilting his head back and addressing Yan Congxu, “I’ve long heard of the Western Qi Continent’s Yan Clan’s Wild Wolf Army under General Yan’s invincible leadership. But, great General Yan, can you not see the flaws within this camp?”

“Could there truly be something amiss?” Yan Donglai opened the leather dossier filled with diagrams and studied them carefully.

“An enhanced Liuxian Formation?” Zhuo Hua looked at Yuchang Sheng with a questioning gaze.

“You, Young Lord, truly see through the world! I am impressed,” Yuchang Sheng bowed slightly to Zhuo Hua. “If General Yan attempts a night raid tonight, the enemy will surely trap our army within the formation, preventing escape. Should we be defeated, what will we use to defend the city at dawn? Wouldn’t Tianshui City then be handed over to those Dark Fiends?”