Chen Prefecture
As the rain continued to fall, all the inns and restaurants were lit up. The people on the streets were in a hurry as they looked at the soldiers patrolling the area. These soldiers were in groups of five and they looked around like tigers. They treated the commoners fairly well, but the commoners didn't dare to approach them. When they saw them from afar, they would avoid them.
All of a sudden, a voice rang out from one of the inns, "I am an Elementary Scholar. Why do you want to capture me? Why do you dare to capture me? "
The voice was loud, as he struggled to break free. Soon after, a soldier's face turned cold as he used the hilt of his sword to strike the man's chest. The man fell to his knees and was about to vomit, causing a commotion.
The squad leader looked around and reprimanded, "The patrol team is capturing spies. Are you all accomplices?"
Hearing this reprimand, the crowd dispersed like birds and beasts.
Meeting Hall
Outside the meeting hall, there was a sentry every few steps and a guard every five steps. All of them were soldiers who stood at attention. Inside, King Lu sat high up on the throne. Below him sat a group of officials and generals. Everyone in the hall had grave expressions on their faces.
"Your Majesty, there have been many spies in the city recently. Rumors have been spreading everywhere. Although this official has done his best to capture them, it's still hard to get rid of them." An official bowed and reported, "The most important thing is that many of them are scholars. It's hard for us to deal with them."
"Yes, we can't deal with them too harshly." An official stood up. This person was Fan Ding Qiu. He looked at the rain outside and spoke slowly, "You martial artists don't ask for evidence. You capture them and kill them."
"But the Emperor wants to govern the counties, and thus has to win over the hearts of the people. To go on such a killing spree, are you trying to make the Emperor a one-man army? Even if you have evidence, you can't be too violent. "
"However, these people aren't spies. They're scholars. Now that they've started spreading rumors, I'm afraid the Imperial Court is about to make a move."
"You're right!" King Lu laughed coldly as he placed the report in his hands down. He then sighed and spoke to eunuch Liao, "Recite the latest news to everyone here."
"Yes!" Eunuch Liao bowed as he swept his gaze across the crowd. His expression was solemn as he said, "According to our spies from the Imperial Court, the Imperial Court has already sent out three Imperial Envoys to oversee the battle in response to our attack."
As he spoke, Eunuch Liao took the report and read it aloud, "The Imperial Envoy has arrived at Huzhou. Immediately, he ordered the troops to be deployed to the frontlines. He also ordered that no one is to fight without permission."
"The imperial envoy, Li Pan, has arrived in Chuzhou. He immediately mobilized troops to defend the city. He also urged the rear to transport 200,000 dans of grain to support the army."
"Imperial Envoy Huang Yuanzhen has taken a detour to the Northern Plains Province on our left. He hasn't arrived yet, but he should arrive in another ten days."
"Everyone, the imperial court has already stabbed our heart three times."
"Originally, the surrounding counties were already scared out of their wits by us, and there were even many officials who secretly surrendered to us. Now that the Imperial Court has made a move, the situation has changed."
"The most frightening thing is that if the Imperial Envoys were to oversee the battle, it would be a good thing. Our army's morale is at its peak. As long as we can achieve another two or three victories, we would be able to take control of the situation."
"However, the Imperial Envoy has received strict orders to defend the city. No matter how elite our army is, they are still made of flesh and blood. If we were to attack the city, the losses would be too great."
Everyone present were generals and officials. Once they heard this, they understood the meaning behind it. At that point, the air seemed to freeze. Not a single sound could be heard in the hall. Only the sound of the rain could be heard as the cold wind blew through the windows.
King Lu sat down and stared at everyone, "Everyone, if you have anything to say, speak your mind!"
Hearing these words, an official stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I have something to report. Just recently, the caravan that was transporting goods to our prefecture was intercepted. One of them spoke a few words and was beheaded. The rest were captured."
"I'm afraid the Imperial Court's current strategy is to trap us within the prefecture." The official spoke as his face turned ashen.
"This is the strategy of fortifying the walls and clearing the fields."
Hearing these words, everyone felt a chill run down their spines. The blind Daoist's position had already improved. He had been promoted and was now a seventh ranked official. Everyone's face turned gloomy. This strategy had only just been announced, but it had already brought about immense pressure.
'Something's not right.' The blind Daoist thought to himself as he closed his eyes. At that moment, the image of a three-eyed giant appeared. This giant understood what he meant and looked up, as he transmitted a message to King Lu.
'King Lu's fate energy is largely dependent on the army's Qi. Within the army's Qi, there is demonic Qi. The demonic Qi acts as fuel for King Lu's advancement.'
'It's just that with this strategy, the situation has changed.'
Although we have the help of demonic Qi, it's still difficult for us to move forward. This strategy of the Imperial Court is like a dragon trapped within a cage. King Lu's Imperial Qi has been reduced by a tenth. Pei Zi Yun is also cunning. Our Demonic Qi and King Lu's fate energy are interlinked. This isn't looking good. '
The blind Daoist squinted his eyes as he was shocked. At this point, someone trembled as he forced himself to remain calm and said, "This must be the Demonic Dao's strategy. It's just that we have three prefectures, and are much stronger than Ji Bei Hou. This strategy is nothing but a clown."
King Lu cleared his throat as his eyes gleamed. He then asked, "Li Cheng, what do you think?"
Li Cheng was the incarnation of the blind Daoist. He had been speaking about how his position was rising. He then replied, "Your Majesty, although we have three prefectures, Ji Bei Hou cannot compare to us."
"But I've studied Pei Zi Yun's strategy. This person is not someone who can be restricted by a mere general."
"When this person makes his moves, he attacks from many different directions."
At this point, someone was indignant as he cleared his throat, "This strategy is only so-so. We can gather our troops and destroy it in one fell swoop!"
The blind Daoist swept a glance across the map. Of course, he didn't know that this strategy was known as the 'Nemesis of Red' back on earth. He then spoke out blandly, "This strategy is known as the Iron Curtain. It's actually very realistic. From the looks of it, the Imperial Court has divided it into four different camps. They will be able to threaten us and prevent us from attacking. They will also cut off our land and water routes. Their intention is not only to prevent us from reaching our peak, but also to force us to ignite our blood essence."
"Although we have three prefectures, our manpower and resources are limited. The Imperial Court has gathered their troops in all four directions, and we have no choice but to defend against them. If that's the case, we won't be able to mobilize our troops."
"To fight against the rest of the world, normal conscription would not be able to stop them. We have to use all of our troops. But who will do the farming and production?"
"It can be said that once this strategy is formed, they hope that we will use all of our troops to ignite our blood essence until we run out of fuel."
"I believe that the three prefectures will be able to sustain us for a short period of time. But what happens after a long period of time?"
"There will be a lack of rations, the people will be angry, and the soldiers will be tired. The Imperial Court will be able to take turns fighting and recuperate. When the time comes, they will be able to strike."
Hearing this, King Lu's expression changed. He had a bitter look on his face, "Are you saying that Pei Zi Yun wants to force us to use all of our troops?"
"Your Majesty, this is the second step. If Your Majesty isn't able to mobilize all of the three prefectures, then under the combined attacks of the four camps, the Imperial Court will collapse very quickly. But if Your Majesty is able to mobilize all of the three prefectures, then we will be in a stalemate."
"The most powerful thing about this Iron Curtain is that when we are in a stalemate, we will be forced to maintain a large number of troops and consume a large amount of rations. After a few years, we will starve to death."
As the blind Daoist spoke up to this point, his expression turned solemn.
King Lu then spoke out, "Then what do you have in mind? Tell me quickly."
"Your subject is helpless. But all of this is because of Pei Zi Yun. Back then, he defeated Ji Bei Hou and killed Mister Xie. He even assassinated several generals. That's why we're in such a predicament now. As long as we can kill him, we can solve most of our problems." The Blind Daoist sighed to himself. Although he had seen through Pei Zi Yun's ploy, he was still far from being able to use it. He had to admit that although he was a Demon Emperor, he wasn't as good as Xie Cheng Dong or Pei Zi Yun in this aspect.
Hearing these words, King Lu's face fell, "But this person has seventy to eighty thousand soldiers. How do we kill him?"
The blind Daoist raised his head and looked at King Lu. He knew that King Lu was worried and laughed, "Your Majesty, Pei Zi Yun is an Earth Immortal, and his martial arts skills are extremely high. This is his strongest point, and also his weakest point. The previous battles have been very risky, and he's very confident in his abilities. He won't hide within his army. As long as he fights, we will have a chance to kill him."
"Even if he's an Earth Immortal, he won't be able to escape when there are thousands of soldiers on the battlefield."
As he finished speaking, he was filled with killing intent. After being a Demon Emperor for so many years, he naturally understood this. Since he couldn't figure it out, he would just have to use a knife to solve all problems.
The prerequisite was that he had a sharp knife.
King Lu's eyes gleamed, "Eh, this plan isn't bad. But what if this person doesn't fight? What then?"
"When the blind Daoist spoke, an official rushed in to report," Your Majesty, there's an urgent military report. Pei Zi Yun is leading 3000 cavalrymen to invade Chen Prefecture! "
"What?" King Lu's face fell as he frowned, "This person is so daring?"
When the blind Daoist heard this, he turned around and bowed to King Lu, "Your Majesty, the heavens have decreed that this person is bewitched. Since he dares to come, let's make sure that he doesn't return."
"This person is an Earth Immortal, and won't be easy to kill." King Lu's heart stirred as he squinted his eyes.
"Your Majesty, that's right. This person's Daoist arts are extremely profound. It's not safe to surround and kill him on the battlefield. Your Majesty, you can send people to Dark Altar Sect. They have Earth Immortals there, and they can join forces to kill Pei Zi Yun."
"Dark Altar Sect?" When King Lu heard this, his face turned gloomy as he thought of Xie Cheng Dong, "Dark Altar Sect collaborated with the imperial court and caused the death of my advisor. They even betrayed me. I'm filled with hatred, and can't wait to annihilate them …"
King Lu shouted out loudly. As he spoke up to this point, he calmed down and changed the topic, "Dark Altar Sect is truly despicable. Why would they join forces with me? Aren't they afraid that I'll deal with them?"
The blind Daoist bowed and laughed, "Your Majesty, times have changed. Dark Altar Sect and Pei Zi Yun have deep enmity, and have only agreed to a temporary compromise. Their desire to kill Pei Zi Yun might not be any less than ours."
"I've read up on Dark Altar Sect's records. This Earth Immortal is extremely jealous. Not only have they dealt with those who have the potential to become Earth Immortals, they've also tried to assassinate the Dao seeds of other sects. Now that Pei Zi Yun has appeared, he's threatening Dark Altar Sect's position as the strongest sect. Besides, Pei Zi Yun is still young, and the Earth Immortal is already nearing the end of his lifespan.
"On this matter, we have a common goal."
When King Lu heard this, he didn't think much of it at first. But now that he heard this, he started to have an idea, "Perhaps we can give it a try!"
"Li Cheng, you've come up with a good plan. I shall hand this matter over to you."
The blind Daoist fell to his knees, "Your subject obeys Your Majesty."
At this point, eunuch Liao stood by King Lu's side and looked at the blind Daoist.
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