Gate of God

Chapter 354: Dare to attack Nangong Hao

“Wu Feng is eliminated? Who eliminated Wu Feng? Is it Nangong Hao? Or is it Yan Xiu?” No matter how many times Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was answered, he was still in somewhat of a disbelief.

“None of them… the person who eliminated Wu Feng is… Fang Zhengzhi!” Su Qing shook his head, took a deep breath and spoke.

“Fang Zhengzhi?!” This time, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s expression changed for real and immediately stood up from his chair.

His initial lazy expression changed to one of immense shock at this moment and his pale white pace turned somewhat pink. His feminine and tender eyes was tightly fixated on Su Qing’s face.

He couldn’t believe it.

“Based on intelligence reports, last night, Fang Zhengzhi had eliminated Chen Feiyu. After which, at noon, he eliminated Wu Feng. Both of these incidents occurred in the Thunderous Lion Settlement.” Su Qing could understand Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s feelings completely.

However…

Reality was reality.

He could only speak the truth. However, even he himself wasn’t able to understand how did Fang Zhengzhi accomplish such a thing.

It has to be made known that the Thunderous Lion Settlement was Chen Feiyu’s settlement. Furthermore, most importantly, Chen Feiyu had over ten thousand soldiers.

Not even mentioning that Chen Feiyu wasn’t at all weaker than Fang Zhengzhi.

Just based on those ten thousand soldiers, if each of them spat at Fang Zhengzhi, it might even be possible to drown him.

Leveraging on the fact that Chen Feiyu and Wu Feng were fighting among one another to reap the rewards?

But, this probability was equally low.

Wu Feng’s abilities ranked him third in the Rising Dragon Roll. Just based on abilities and powers alone, he ranked above Fang Zhengzhi. In addition to the almost twenty thousand soldiers strong army in Wu Feng’s hands.

Taking the head of the enemy general from among tens of thousands of soldiers?

Su Qing didn’t believe that Fang Zhengzhi had this ability. Moreover, Wu Feng was an expert in the Dao of Music. The offensive power behind this, not mentioning that Fang Zhengzhi was alone.

Even if there was five Fang Zhengzhi-s coming at him at one go, it would still be almost impossible for him to close in.

Su Qing couldn’t understand what had happened within the Thunderous Lion Settlement. Crown Prince Lin Tianrong couldn’t understand either. Hence, what was left was silence.

After exactly an hour of silence.

Crown Prince Lin Tianrong finally returned back onto his chair. After all, he was the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace, the chief examiner of this court combat examination.

“How is the current situation like?” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong tried his best to remain calm. He had to consider the entire situation. Because, he knew very clearly all the plans that the Great Xia Dynasty had in mind during this military movement into the Southern Mountain Range.

Initially, the entire plan was being carried out smoothly and as planned one step at a time. However, there seemed to be a small accident at the moment. This was an accident that was out of his control.

Hence…

The most important thing for him to do now was to grasp this accident within his hands, or, discreetly destroy this accident.

“Based on the rules of the combat examination, after Fang Zhengzhi eliminated Wu Feng, all the military forces and territories under Wu Feng would now be completely under Fang Zhengzhi’s control. Hence…” When Su Qing neared the end of his sentence, he sounded somewhat hesitant.

“You mean, at this moment, the Thunderous Lion Settlement, the Shi Zun Settlement and the Yan Ya Settlement are all controlled by Fang Zhengzhi?” When Crown Prince Lin Tianrong heard this, he felt somewhat giddy.

He was really a little giddy. Among the four main settlements, three were taken by Fang Zhengzhi. This accident was truly larger than what he had imagined.

“Yes, based on the rules of the combat examination…”

“I don’t care about the rules of the combat examination! Send the order, the journey starts now. I want to go to the Thunderous Lion Settlement, I cannot allow Fang Zhengzhi to act so blasphemously!”

“Your Highness, I fear this is somewhat inappropriate. If Your Highness goes to the Thunderous Lion Settlement now, not only will you break the rules of the court examination, you might even raise suspicions on the Southern Mountain Range’s side. If, by some unfortunate circumstance, the Southern Mountain Range plan is disrupted, I fear there might be movements on King Duan’s side. Your Highness, you must not forget that King Duan is the real person in charge of the military!” When Su Qing heard this, he immediately stepped in and advised.

“Don’t tell me my brother dares to badmouth me in front of Father Emperor?”

“If I am King Duan, now only will I badmouth you, I will ask the Emperor to strip you of all your powers to host the court examination. After all, if the Southern Mountain Range plan succeeds, the rewards will be great!”

“I dare him!”

“Your Highness, please think this through carefully!” When Su Qing finished his sentence, he immediately knelt down onto the ground.

When Crown Prince Lin Tianrong saw Su Qing kneeling down, a faint light flashed in his soft eyes. However, in the end, he didn’t continue to maintain his stand.

“Smash!” The golden flower on the table shattered onto the ground.

“Rise, in your opinion, what course of action should we take?” After a long while of silence, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong finally waved his hands towards Su Qing and signalled for him to stand up.

“Your Highness, it wouldn’t harm to pass down a secret order to ensure that Fang Zhengzhi can only do as he wishes within the three main settlements. However, he must not go near the Icy Monkey Settlement and raise any conflicts with Nangong Hao. In this case, things may still be controlled.”

“You think that Fang Zhengzhi would dare to attack Nangong Hao?!” When Crown Prince Lin Tianrong heard this, he was somewhat taken aback. He knew very clearly how important this Southern Mountain Range plan was.

Nangong Hao!

Must not be affected!

“Wu Feng wouldn’t dare to. Chen Feiyu wouldn’t dare to. Yan Xiu wouldn’t dare to. However, Fang Zhengzhi might!” Su Qing replied confidently.

“He will definitely be defeated, without a doubt! But… I’m afraid that he would cause trouble. If he orders a brute force attack on the Icy Monkey Settlement, resulting in heavy casualties among the military forces of our Great Xia, things might be messed up.”

“If this is the case, would it be more appropriate to send to order to Nangong Hao for him to avoid fighting?”

“Your Highness, don’t you remember that Nangong Hao only listens to the Emperor? Furthermore, Nangong Hao definitely has enough reason and drive to battle Fang Zhengzhi.” Su Qing reminded.

“What you said does make some sense. Let’s do it this way, you will personally make a trip to the Thunderous Lion Settlement and pass the order for me.”

“This… I fear I am unable to go.”

“Why?”

“Don’t tell me that Your Highness had forgotten that during the court theory examination, there had been some conflicts between me and Fang Zhengzhi?” When Su Qing recalled the scene during the court theory examination, his expression darkened somewhat.

“Then, who do you feel is more appropriate for this?” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong nodded.

“Xing Qingsui!” A glow flashed in Su Qing’s eyes. However, he still hesitated for a moment before finally voicing out the name.

“Xing Qingsui? Yes… It is indeed better for him to go. However, Xing Qingsui has the Mountain Breaking Army of the Stabilisation Constabulary with him. If he is ordered to enter the Thunderous Lion Settlement, will it expose things?” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong was evidently somewhat surprised by Su Qing’s suggestion and his expression seemed somewhat hesitant.

“Your Highness, you can order for him to make the journey alone. If he was to journey to the Thunderous Lion Settlement secretly, things naturally wouldn’t be exposed.” When Su Qing saw the Crown Prince’s expression, he thought for a moment and suggested.

“Alright, bring my order token and personally invite Xing Qingsui over. I will personally explain to him everything that was planned and arranged.” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong stayed silent for a moment, but finally nodded his head.

“Roger!” Su Qing nodded and withdrew with his head bowed.

After leaving the military tent. Su Qing stabilised himself and raised his head lightly to gaze at the white clouds in the sky. An icy glow flashed across his eyes.

“Personally give the order? The position of the Stabilisation Constabulary in the Great Xia indeed cannot be matched by anybody else, regardless whether it is the current Emperor, or the Crown Prince, or King Duan… Looks like it is time for some action!”

…

At the same time news of Fang Zhengzhi’s elimination of Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu reached Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s military tent, a soldier in rattan armour also entered Princess Shan Yu’s tent.

“Princess, Fang Zhengzhi had taken the Thunderous Lion Settlement, the Yan Ya Settlement and the Shi Zun Settlement. Furthermore, his current military strength has expanded to almost thirty thousand people.” As the soldier spoke, his forehead dripped with sweat.

He had sprinted all the way here.

Of course, that wasn’t the main reason he was soaked in sweat.

The main reason was that he was truly frightened. How many days did these incidents take to happen? Three main settlements were now all under Fang Zhengzhi’s control.

This was simply terrifying.

It felt as if an wolf had leapt into a flock of sheep. Isn’t this a little too extreme?

When Princess Shan Yu, who was lying on a golden coloured animal skin chair, heard this news, her initially casual and indolent expression turned into one of shock.

If it wasn’t for the fact that the soldier was present.

She might have almost rolled off her chair in shock.

Her body, covered in white animal leather, began to tremble and her chest rose and fell rapidly. Her wheat coloured skin also turned somewhat flushed with red.

This was extreme surprise and delight. She had really never imagined that Fang Zhengzhi would be able to achieve this.

Furthermore…

He had done so in such a short span of time.

“This guy, really caused me to… be very shocked!” Princess Shan Yu murmured softly as her dark eyes flashed with light. “Tell me in detail how did this guy do it.”

“Roger!” After hearing Princess Shan Yu’s words, he immediately acknowledged and began to describe in great detail how Fang Zhengzhi had taken down Chen Hao’s Thunder Light Settlement, then set up a trap within the Thunderous Lion Settlement to ambush Chen Feiyu and Wu Feng.

When the soldier finished his words.

Princess Shan Yu’s expression changed again.

Her initial delight and surprise became somewhat awkward. When she thought of the scene in which Fang Zhengzhi tricked away Wu Feng’s clothes and jade flute, she couldn’t contain herself and scolded.

“This guy is just as shameless as before in his acts!”

“Princess, what arrangements do we need?”

“You can withdraw and rest for now, I will naturally have my own plans.”

“Roger.”

…

Within the Southern Mountain Range, on the peak of an extremely ordinary mountain, at the entrance of a certain concealed mountain cave, there was also a black figure, standing under the broad daylight. He seemed somewhat in a hurry.

“What is it that needs to be reported in the day?” When a man in black robe standing at the entrance saw this black figure, he immediately walked out from the side and blocked in front of the mountain cave entrance.

“Urgent matters!”

“Domain Chief is currently taking his afternoon rest, come again at night!”

“No, I must report this to Domain Chief right now. I wish that you will allow me to report immediately, else, if military intelligence is kept back and delayed, you will be responsible!” The black figure spoke with a cold expression.

“You… wait!” The black-robed man didn’t speak any further, turned around and entered the cave. A moment later, he walked out. However, there was an additional bright red palm mark on his face.

“Enter!”

When the black-robed man spoke, his tone sounded clearly somewhat grieved.

“Thanks.” When the black figure saw the palm mark on the black-robed man’s face, a faint sense of pity flashed across his lips. However, he didn’t dare to delay any further.

Within the cave, Bai Xing lay on a glittering and translucent black stone. A faint icy aura was given off by the stone, causing the entire cave to feel somewhat chilly.

A blood-red demon eye was embedded on Bai Xing’s forehead, adding a blood-like mystery to this chilly atmosphere.

“What?” Bai Xing’s tone didn’t sound very happy.

“Domain Chief, Fang Zhengzhi had taken down the Thunderous Lion Settlement, and defeated Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu. Now, he controls the Thunderous Lion Settlement, the Shi Zun Settlement and the Yan Ya Settlement. Furthermore, he has almost thirty thousand soldiers.” The black figure felt the aura emitted from Bai Xing’s body and didn’t dare to beat around the bush. He cut straight to the point.

“What?! How can things happen like this?” Bai Xing’s initially calm expression was finally broken.

“I heard that Fang Zhengzhi tricked Chen Feiyu and Wu Feng into entering the Thunderous Lion Settlement, then, set up an ambush.” The black figure instantly reported everything he knew.

“Well done Fang Zhengzhi, a few days ago, he is still within Princess Shan Yu’s tent. Now, he already has control over three main settlements? This is truly somewhat unexpected.”

“Domain Chief, what should we do now? Should we make an early move?”

“There is no rush. The more troops Fang Zhengzhi has in his hands, the faster he dies. This time, he cannot run anymore! However… in order to prevent the unexpected, insert a few more people inside!”

“Understood.”

“You can leave.”

“Roger!”

The black figure quickly left.

On the other hand, Bai Xing didn’t seem to have any further intention of sleeping. Instead, he slowly rose from the black stone and paced back and forth within the cave.

“Based on time calculations, Young Lord should be reaching by now.”

…

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t know about the reactions of people from each side after eliminating Wu Feng.

In reality, he didn’t even figure out that he was already in control of three main settlements. Only when General Wang reminded him on purpose, he seemed to realise that at this moment, he…

Seemed to have some bragging rights!

Within a short span of time, he had already controlled three of the four main settlements. The military force in his hands had almost reached thirty thousand troops. He was filled with power. All he had to do was to stamp his feet for the entire Southern Mountain Range to shake.

“Don’t tell me that this is the legend about how intended actions never lead to good outcomes, but unintended actions result in great results?” Fang Zhengzhi raised his head to the sky and felt like a lonely champion without a worthy challenger.

Hence…

The next question was raised.

Where should he go and stamp his feet?

Fang Zhengzhi knew that the four main settlements were extremely dangerous. The Southern Mountain Range had already arranged for soldiers to be placed within the four main settlements. However, after possessing strong military forces, this feeling became somewhat different.

If it was said that the Fang Zhengzhi of before was a tiny sailboat in the middle of a tempestuous stormy sea that could flip at any time, now, he was riding a deluxe warship.

Whenever he saw somebody he didn’t fancy, he didn’t have to speak anything more than one word…

Die!

Chapter 355: Start Once You’re Ready

I heard that this Nangong Hao guy is at some Icy Monkey Settlement. It should be quite near to my Thunderous Lion Settlement, why not I directly…

****!

Fang Zhengzhi thought this way. Hence, naturally, he prepared to carry it out.

The next few days, Fang Zhengzhi began to split his army into two paths, doing a “sweep” around the perimeter of the Thunderous Lion Settlement. Each path had almost ten thousand troops.

This caused the examinees who slipped through the net to feel extremely pained.

Attacking two thousand with ten thousand?

Was there truly a meaning in this?

Denial, shame. Yet, ultimately, helplessness.

It was simply impossible to defend against an army five times the size. The only thing they could do was to surrender one by one, then, give up their army.

As Fang Zhengzhi began his sweep, the Southern Mountain Range, in which the undercurrent had always been surging, finally stirred up a torrential storm.

Envelopes followed by envelopes of military reports were delivered into the tent of Crown Prince Lin Tianrong, causing him to live the past few days rather unhappily.

“Fang Zhengzhi eliminated Lue Qing, his army has expanded to thirty-four thousand troops.”

“Fang Zhengzhi eliminated Chen Dongping, his army has expanded to thirty-six thousand troops.”

“…”

Looking at the never-ending letters of military report, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s expression was extremely dark. His expression remained gloomy and solemn, and completely lost the mood to appreciate his flowers like he did everyday before.

Time passed very quickly.

Five days later, the number of troops under Fang Zhengzhi’s command had reached the terrifying amount of forty-one thousand. It also meant he commanded almost seventy percent of the entire military strength in the combat examination.

On the other hand, Fang Zhengzhi finally began to enjoy the treatment of a commander in chief.

In the huge stone house, each of the military commanders quietly stood in two rows by the side, and beside them stood gloomy scholars.

They were all examinees eliminated by Fang Zhengzhi.

Hence, naturally, they could only follow Fang Zhengzhi. Regardless of whether they were willing or reluctant, they had no choice but to follow him until the end of the combat examination.

Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu were also standing in the stone house at this moment.

These few days, it could be said that Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu’s hearts had suffered extreme torment. However, if they wished to ensure that they would smoothly pass the combat examination, the only thing they could do was to help Fang Zhengzhi.

Because, they were eliminated by Fang Zhengzhi.

The rules of the combat examination were based on a competition, level-based system. For example, if examinee A was eliminated by examinee B, then, examinee A would be in one level below that of examinee B.

If examinee B was eliminated by another person, then, examinee A would drop another level.

In other words.

Wu Feng had eliminated a bunch of examinees. As long as Wu Feng’s ranking remained first in the combat examination, these examinees would gain their rankings based on the order of elimination.

However, the current situation was that Wu Feng had been eliminated by Fang Zhengzhi.

In this case, the examinees that Wu Feng had eliminated before had now entered Fang Zhengzhi’s circle. If Fang Zhengzhi was eliminated by other examinees, they would likely have no hope left in the combat examination.

Hence…

The best course of action was for Fang Zhengzhi to attain first place. This would enable their rankings to be higher.

Of course, the gloomiest person of all was Wu Feng. He had initially planned to take down Chen Feiyu in one fell swoop, However, he had never imagined that he would be eliminated by Fang Zhengzhi.

It went without saying that this was a huge tragedy.

“Pass down my order, ask all of the troops guarding the Yan Ya Settlement and Shi Zun Settlement to assemble at the Thunderous Lion Settlement!” Fang Zhengzhi gazed down at the rows of armoured military commanders and gave his order.

“Asking all of them to assemble at the Thunderous Lion Settlement?!”

When the gloomy scholars heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, they instantly became even more miserable. At this moment, they were all hoping for Fang Zhengzhi to gain a high ranking.

Yet, Fang Zhengzhi ordered everybody to assemble?

What was the meaning of this!

“General, if all the troops were called to assemble at the Thunderous Lion Settlement, it is equivalent to giving up control over the Yan Ya and Shi Zun Settlement?” When General Wang heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, he instantly got a shock.

He had fought together with Wu Feng before, hence, he knew very clearly how important and hard to attack the Yan Ya and Shi Zun Settlements were. Now, the settlements were already under their control.

Giving them up like this…

Would that be a little silly?

“Oh, I know. Then let’s give it up.” Fang Zhengzhi said dismissively.

“Fang Zhengzhi, what are you trying to do? If you don’t want to participate in this exam properly, can you not eliminate me? Now that you already control three main settlements, at the very least, you would be able to attain second place!” Wu Feng finally couldn’t control himself anymore.

Not mentioning that the settlements he had put in so much effort to conquer were delivered into Fang Zhengzhi’s hands.

Fang Zhengzhi actually threw them away just as if he was throwing rubbish into the trash?

How could he accept this feeling!

“What are you doing? You are already eliminated. You wish to rebel? Pass down my order, gather some dung.” Fang Zhengzhi glanced at Wu Feng in despise and immediately brushed off Wu Feng’s opinion.

“Please don’t!”

“Fang Zhengzhi, please reconsider!”

“We are all willing to help you.”

When the scholars heard this, they became truly anxious. If Fang Zhengzhi lost the territory, and it was picked up by others, they were really about to suffer.

The scholars couldn’t understand. The military commanders also exchanged glances among one another, completely unable to guess what Fang Zhengzhi was thinking.

Just like how General Wang felt deep down inside, they all felt that this order by Fang Zhengzhi was a little stupid.

However…

Was Fang Zhengzhi stupid?

This was an extremely serious question.

If Fang Zhengzhi was said to be stupid, then, how could he take down both Chen Feiyu and Wu Feng in one day? Furthermore, didn’t this mean that all these people who lost to Fang Zhengzhi were even more stupid?

However, if Fang Zhengzhi wasn’t stupid, then this order was simply equivalent to giving up the combat examination ranking he already attained.

They had absolutely no clue of what he was thinking.

Each of the military commander shook his head, simply unable to understand.

Of course, Fang Zhengzhi knew what the scholars and the commanders were thinking. However, it wasn’t necessary for them to understand. Because, if they knew about the current situation in the Southern Mountain Range, they would probably have made the same decision.

Every citizen a soldier.

This meant that every main settlement was filled with soldiers of the Southern Mountain Range.

Fang Zhengzhi indeed possessed over forty-thousand troops at this moment, and have control over seventy percent of all the troops in the combat examination. However, compared to the Southern Mountain Range’s “every citizen a soldier”, it was the difference between an ant and an elephant.

Controlling territory?

Controlling three main settlements indeed seemed extremely glorious. However, once the military force was divided, when the Southern Mountain Range began their plan, these forty-thousand troops wouldn’t even be able to defend themselves at all.

Fang Zhengzhi’s thoughts at this moment were extremely simple.

If every citizen is a soldier.

Then, I will gather all my soldiers in one place and unite all the troops. As for controlling territory, I have a powerful military force, what do I fear? The combat examination hadn’t ended yet!

General Wang really wished to attempt to convince Fang Zhengzhi once more.

However, Fang Zhengzhi was the true examinee of this combat examination. He didn’t have any power to interfere. Hence, he could only carry out Fang Zhengzhi’s order.

Wu Feng also wanted to speak. However, he was already eliminated.

Then, what else could he say?

…

News of Fang Zhengzhi recalling all the troops guarding the Yan Ya and Shi Zun Main Settlements quickly spread once again into Crown Prince Lin Tianrong’s ear.

This caused Crown Prince Lin Tianrong to become somewhat speechless.

“What is this guy Fang Zhengzhi thinking?” Crown Prince Lin Tianrong had a strange feeling that if Fang Zhengzhi continued to play on like this, there would be a huge impact on the Southern Mountain Range plan.

However, Fang Zhengzhi was an examinee of the combat examination.

As the chief examiner and crown prince, passing down orders to interfere with the decision of an examinee was completely unacceptable.

Hence, the only thing he could do was to wait.

Wait indefinitely!

…

A few days later.

The military forces in the Yan Ya and Shi Zun Main Settlements finally gathered at the Thunderous Lion Settlement.

Taking advantage of these few days, Fang Zhengzhi had eliminated another examinee. His military strength had reached a terrifying forty-three thousand troops.

Fang Zhengzhi did a calculation.

There were a total of fifty-eight thousand troops participating in the combat examination. After subtracting the two thousand in Nangong Hao’s hands, fifty-six thousand remained. And now, he had forty-three thousand.

The amount of troops remaining outside were no more than thirteen thousand.

Then…

It was about time to start!

“Pass down the order, the entire army shall travel towards the Icy Monkey Settlement!”

“General Fang, do we need to leave people to guard the Thunderous Lion Settlement?” When General Wang heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, cold sweat formed on his back as he reminded softly.

Even he knew how horrifying Nangong Hao was.

This battle!

Whether they were able to win was truly a question mark. Hence, leaving some troops to guard the Thunderous Lion Settlement to leave a path for them to retreat was undoubtedly the best choice.

“Don’t leave, don’t leave even a single soldier.” Fang Zhengzhi immediately replied without even giving it a thought.

…

The grand army pressed towards the Icy Monkey Settlement.

Following Fang Zhengzhi’s order, Crown Prince Lin Tianrong finally fell from his chair to the ground. He had thought that Fang Zhengzhi would challenge Nangong Hao.

However, he never imagined that Fang Zhengzhi would be running over so soon.

Furthermore…

Most importantly, Fang Zhengzhi had actually given up control over the Thunderous Lion Settlement. The entire army pressed towards the Icy Monkey Settlement. How was this still an examination?

This was simply a battle of life and death.

“Stop him, we must stop him. Xing Qingsui hadn’t reached the Thunderous Lion Settlement? Pass down my orders, write out to immediately disqualify Fang Zhengzhi from the combat examination!”

“Crown Prince Your Highness, Fang Zhengzhi’s qualification to participate in the combat examination was personally given by the Emperor, would this action…” When one of the generals sitting in the military tent heard this, he instantly received a huge shock.

“Compared to the Southern Mountain Range plan, does it matter if we disqualify Fang Zhengzhi from the combat examination? I will write a letter to explain to my Emperor Father about this, pass down the order immediately!”

“Roger!”

…

Within Princess Shan Yu’s tent.

As a piece of news arrived, Princess Shan Yu’s dark eyes finally flashed with a captivating glow. Cloud patterns began to appear on her wheat-coloured skin.

“Attack the Icy Monkey Settlement? Are you sure?”

“I am sure, a hundred percent sure!” The soldier arriving with the news replied confidently.

“Alright, does Third Brother know about this news?” After Princess Shan Yu received the soldier’s confident reply, she stood up from the chair and asked once more.

“Replying Princess, after I received this news, I immediately passed it on to Noblelite. Noblelite should have received it by now, I believe he would pass down the orders in a moment’s time.” The soldier instantly replied.

“Ha ha ha… not bad. After waiting for so long, it is about time for me to get some exercise!” When Princess Shan Yu heard the soldier’s words, she finally smiled. Her smile was radiant, just like a beautiful and charming black rose.

…

As the main settlement that was closest to the Sagely Mountain City, it could be considered the most heavily guarded place among the main settlements.

If the Thunderous Lion Settlement was a huge fortress.

Then, the Icy Monkey Settlement would be a tusk below the Sagely Mountain City of the Southern Mountain Range.

The area it occupied wasn’t too big. However, it stood overbearingly in a vast open space. There were no geographical advantages such as trees or mountains that shielded it.

However, it was indeed a tusk of the Southern Mountain Range.

Because, right in front of the Icy Monkey Settlement, there was a wind valley. It was a wind valley formed by nature.

The separation of a valley was like two completely different worlds. Within the wind valley, it was completely bleak. After the wind valley, it was the bustling and thriving Icy Monkey Settlement.

Within the Icy Monkey Settlement, in a huge stone house constructed with very strong stone, Nangong Hao, who was dressed in a white scholarly robe, sat quietly in front of the window, holding a book filled with ancient scriptures in his hand.

The words of the ancient scripture in his hand seemed to be somewhat different compared to the words of the Great Xia Dynasty. It’s shape seemed somewhat strange. However, Nangong Hao seemed deep in concentration.

“Young master.” An armoured military commander knocked softly on the main door of the stone house. After which, he gingerly made his way into the stone house.

“Yes. Where is Fang Zhengzhi now?” Nangong Hao didn’t raise his head. Instead, he continued to read the ancient scripture in his hand, even mumbling it softly with his lips.

“I believe he would reach the wind valley in another two days’ worth of journey.” The commander replied.

“Alright.”

“Do we need to make preparations?”

“No need, just do what you are supposed to do.”

“Understood.”

The commander nodded, after which, he retreated respectfully. After walking out of the main door of the stone house, the expression on his face turned firm and determined. That was a form of arrogance.

Compared to his respectful attitude just now, it was an entirely different form of arrogance.

…

In the dark night, a black figure bounded swiftly. After a few bounds,, the black figure stopped on top of a protruding mountain rock.

The black figure that stood on top of the rock stopped.

He reached one hand into his pocket and fished out a yellow map.

After one glance, he kept it back into his pocket. After which, his entire body lay completely flat on the ground. Pressing his ear to the ground, he listened quietly for a while.

Then, he turned and the tip of his foot shifted right by an inch and leapt off the mountain rock.

He continued to dash.

…

Fang Zhengzhi had never truly commanded an army, nor did he have the experience of leading over forty-thousand soldiers. However, the military commanders did.

Military movements and tactical formations were as routine as eating. Even though they weren’t very familiar with the geographical landscape of the Southern Mountain Range, it didn’t matter much.

Because, Fang Zhengzhi had Teng Shisheng leading the way.

In addition to that, he already possessed the ability to determine the locations of beasts by listening to the sounds around them. In addition to the powerful clearing power of forty-thousand troops, smaller beasts simply didn’t pose any form of a threat to them.

Hence, along the way, he didn’t face any significant obstacles.

Two days later, over forty thousand soldiers approached the enemy city and arrived at the natural defence of the Icy Monkey Settlement.

The Wind Valley!

Chapter 356: Defeat the Wind

Fang Zhengzhi only had a very simple understand of the situation at the wind valley. Furthermore, this understanding only came about from Teng Shisheng’s explanation. As for the detailed conditions, he hadn’t witnessed it personally hence wasn’t very clear at this point of time.

However, this didn’t stop him from feeling the uniqueness of its position. Because, before even nearing the wind valley, he could hear the gushing sound coming from within.

The entire wind valley was like a huge mountain split into two from the middle by a sword, resulting in a long narrow valley that only allowed ten people to move in a row.

Furthermore…

Most importantly, the two walls of the valley was filled with a white frost.

Icicles filled the frost like spikes, making it impossible for people to get too close to it, nor climb on top of it.

“Guard Fang, the wind valley is right in front. As long as we are able to get past the wind valley, we will reach the Icy Monkey Settlement.” At this moment, Teng Shisheng walked to Fang Zhengzhi’s side and said softly.

“Is it easy to cross this wind valley?” Fang Zhengzhi gazed at the wind valley in front, then looked back at the mighty armoured troops behind him.

If he wished to cross this wind valley alone.

He definitely didn’t need to inquire further. All he had to do was to charge in.

However, if the over forty-thousand troops behind him were to charge in, they would definitely weigh him down. At this moment, Fang Zhengzhi more or less understood what was the meaning of being the chief commander of an army.

“Not easy.” Teng Shisheng shook his head without even thinking.

“There is a question I don’t quite understand.” Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head. He had already guessed Teng Shisheng’s reply, hence naturally didn’t feel too surprised.

“Guard Fang, please ask.” Teng Shisheng replied respectfully.

“This wind valley lies right across the entrance of the Icy Monkey Settlement. In order to enter the Icy Monkey Settlement, one has to first cross the wind valley. However, in this case, how do the people inside leave?” Fang Zhengzhi thought of this question.

“It goes like this. The opening of the wind valley is controlled by the Icy Monkey Settlement. At the exit of the wind valley, there is a huge rock. If one moved the huge rock to the left,the wind in the wind valley would be stopped. If it was moved to the right, the wind in the wind valley would start again. As for the exact reason for this, none of us are quite clear. However, it has always been like this for the past few hundred years.” When Teng Shisheng heard Fang Zhengzhi’s question, he explained.

“Move the huge rock?” Fang Zhengzhi’s eyes lit up slightly. In an instant, he thought of something. “Is the Icy Monkey Settlement positioned in an extremely vast and flat piece of land?”

“That’s right, how does Guard Fang know this?” Teng Shisheng seemed somewhat surprised when he heard this. Because, he hadn’t explained in detail the conditions of the Icy Monkey Settlement.

“Ha ha, I guessed it.” Fang Zhengzhi smiled, but didn’t explain further. After all, it required knowledge of physics in order to explain this.

In reality, a geography like that of the wind valley required a lot of coincidence. However, in Fang Zhengzhi’s previous world, there were a few similar situations.

From a scientific perspective, the wind is a force of nature.

Under many circumstances, wind is able to grow stronger or weaker depending on the geography of the landscape. For example, in the desert, once wind began to blow, it would turn into a tempest.

This was due to the landscape being too open.

And, if two huge rocks were to appear in an open piece of land, the center of the two huge stones would form a wind gap.

The reason was that the huge rock blocked the flowing path of the wind, causing it to forcefully squeeze in between the two huge rocks.

The landscape of the Icy Monkey Settlement was vast and open, and there were two huge mountains that seemed to have been formed from being forcefully cut into two. Hence, forming such a wind valley wouldn’t be considered surprising.

As for using the huge rocks behind the wind valley to control the wind within it, the concept was actually the same. If the direction of shift was just right, it could alter the flow of the wind, causing it to blow upwards, hence no longer blowing in the direction of the wind valley. This way, the wind would stop.

Knowledge changes fate!

Fang Zhengzhi understood these concepts. However, Teng Shisheng didn’t quite understand them. Hence, after hearing that Fang Zhengzhi was just guessing, he looked towards Fang Zhengzhi with a strange expression.

Teng Shisheng really couldn’t understand. This kind of stuff could be guessed?

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t speak further. He was thinking of a method to overcome the wind valley.

When the group of scholars following the army saw Fang Zhengzhi’s expression, the trace of a smirk appeared on their faces.

After all, in their hearts, Fang Zhengzhi depended on shameless tactics to achieve success. During times when he would have to truly depend on his strengths, that wouldn’t work anymore.

Even though at this moment, they were all in the same boat as Fang Zhengzhi, but, for them to suggest tactics and strategies, Fang Zhengzhi still at least had to express it.

For example…

Sincerely consulting their opinions, or holding of grand feast and ceremony to say, “I can’t do it. During such crucial times, I still have to depend on you guys!”

This was what they expected to happen.

However, Fang Zhengzhi clearly hadn’t thought of this. At this moment, his gaze was focused on scanning the surrounding landscape of the wind valley, calculating rapidly in his mind.

This caused a group of scholars to become somewhat restless.

“Asking too much is better than thinking too much. As the chief commander, you must know how to be humble and seek advice. Pride and arrogance isn’t a trait that a commander should have.” A scholar quickly reminded.

“That’s right, you didn’t even fight a battle before, stop pretending to think deeply!”

“If you really wish to seek military strategies, you still have to consult Young Master Wu and Young Master Chen. Young Master Chen is the direct descendent of the thirteen constabularies and had been reading military books ever since young.”

“That’s right. If you wish to overcome the wind valley, you cannot charge in blindly. I suggest that everybody sit down and discuss together.”

When the scholars heard the voice, they also began to express their agreement. They all waited for Fang Zhengzhi to “have a change of heart” and humbly request for their advice.

When Fang Zhengzhi heard the voices behind him, a faint smile appeared on his face as he turned around and gazed at the “hungry, impatient” scholars.

Of course, he knew what these people were thinking.

He had either launched a sneak attack on them, or forcefully overpowered them with multiples times the number of troops they had. If they were to completely accept their defeat, it was naturally not very possible.

“Since this is the case, then, let’s all gather and discuss how to cross this wind valley.” Fang Zhengzhi really wanted to think how this world planned to overcome a wind valley like this.

“I have a plan!” A scholar quickly stood out.

To these “academics” who had few chances to participate in battles, being able to demonstrate their ability to command troops in such circumstances would definitely contribute in one way or another to the results of their combat examination.

Most importantly, if they were able to accomplish something, when they had the opportunity to enter the military in the future, it would definitely be a good example for them to bring up to be considered for rapid promotion.

“I have an idea too.”

“Me too!”

When they saw a scholar taking the initiative to stand out, there were instantly a few more scholars fighting to express their opinions.

On the other hand, when Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu witnessed this scene, their expressions were bland and calm, seeming as if they were profound and unfathomable.

“Come, speak one by one, don’t rush.” It was rare for Fang Zhengzhi to witness such “positive energy”, and decided to not burst their bubble and dampen their enthusiasm.

“This is my plan. The wind blows from inside to outside. Hence, we can get a few defensive troops to guard the front. With them blocking off the wind in front, this would naturally reduce the power of the wind.”

“That’s right, I agree with what Young Master Li said.”

“Young Master Li’s plan indeed isn’t bad. However, there are a few lacking areas. It is indeed not a bad idea to place the defensive troops in front. However, what if the wind from the wind valley is too powerful for the defensive troops to block off? I suggest we build a huge ‘shield carriage’ which the troops will push forward. This will achieve a much better shielding effect!” Another scholar chiped in.

“Good plan!”

“The shield carriage is good, I feel that it is best to build two of these shield carriages to prevent any unexpected changes!”

“Yes, not bad. I think it will work.”

The scholars fought to express their opinions, while the scholar who suggested building the shield carriage carried an arrogant, haughty expression, waiting for Fang Zhengzhi to do as he planned.

When Fang Zhengzhi heard this, he didn’t agree nor disagree.

Instead, he focused his gaze towards Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu, waiting for them to express their opinions.

Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu naturally saw the gaze which Fang Zhengzhi shot over. They tilted their faces to one side, as if waiting for Fang Zhengzhi to beg them.

Fang Zhengzhi’s lips curved into another smile.

He didn’t look at Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu again, instead, he rode his horse and slowly trotted towards the direction of the wind valley.

When Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu witnessed this scene, they instantly started to turn anxious.

“Don’t tell me this Fang Zhengzhi is really going to make two shield carriages?” Wu Feng looked at Chen Feiyu.

“I think it might be possible!” Chen Feiyu nodded.

“If he did this, we are definitely going to lose this battle.” Wu Feng began to worry. After all, they were ants on the same rope as Fang Zhengzhi.

“We cannot allow him to lose!” Chen Feiyu had also realised this. The expression on his face turned extremely grieved.

He was truly very grieved.

As a person of the Supernatural State, he didn’t even have the time to reveal this powers before being taken down by Fang Zhengzhi’s ambush. Now, when faced with the wind valley, he prepared to maintain his pride.

Yet in the end…

Fang Zhengzhi actually ignored him.

He had a plan, yet couldn’t voice it out. Such grief was indeed uncomfortable. It was just as if he had thought of an extremely good idea, yet, nobody used it. It was indeed worrying!

“Fang Zhengzhi!” Chen Feiyu finally spoke. Anger was clearly evident in his tone. However, other than being angry, it also sounded very helpless.

“Yes?” Fang Zhengzhi hadn’t travelled very far. Hence, after hearing Chen Feiyu’s shout, he turned his head around and looked at Chen Feiyu with a confused expression.

“I have a strategy for you. However, I have a condition!” Chen Feiyu’s words seemed to have been forced out from his gritted teeth.

“Condition? Oh, then, forget it.” Fang Zhengzhi smiled, then turned around and continued to ride towards the wind valley.

“Forget it?!” Chen Feiyu had never thought that his “goodwill” in taking the initiative to suggest a strategy would be faced with the words “forget it”.

This was simply even more shameful than being slapped across the face.

Spite!

This was a deep sense of spite, and a utterly unjustifiable form of disregard.

Chen Feiyu was extremely angry. Gazing around at the strange expressions on the surrounding scholars’ faces, his expression flushed somewhat red.

“Fang Zhengzhi, building the shield carriage would only decrease the movement speed of the army further. Furthermore, the wind in the wind valley isn’t something you can imagine. No shield carriage would be able to block it!” At this moment, Chen Feiyu couldn’t be bothered with what those scholars thought anymore, instead, he directly shouted out the flaws of using the shield carriage.

“Oh.” Fang Zhengzhi casually replied.

“Oh? What is the meaning of oh?!” Chen Feiyu really couldn’t contain himself anymore.

He had already explained the flaws of the shield carriage, yet, Fang Zhengzhi replied him with an “oh”. What was the meaning of this? What was the meaning of this!

“Fang Zhengzhi, my request is very simple. I only require that after you cross the wind valley, if you announce that the plan was suggested by me, I will be willing to tell you the method of overcoming the wind valley!” Wu Feng looked at Chen Feiyu’s pained expression, smiled lightly, then said to Fang Zhengzhi.

He only knew too well Fang Zhengzhi’s shameless personality.

Negotiating terms with a person like Fang Zhengzhi?

This was simply equivalent to placing a blade across Fang Zhengzhi’s neck. No matter what, Fang Zhengzhi would never agree. Hence, he used the best possible word to use in this case. Request!

Furthermore, this request was actually an unwarranted request.

Because…

After the army crossed the wind valley, there would definitely be military personnel reporting to their superiors that the plan was suggested by Wu Feng. Hence, in reality, this was only an excuse Wu Feng made for himself.

When Fang Zhengzhi heard Wu Feng’s words, he finally stopped again. Then, he turned his horse around and casually rode back slowly.

When Wu Feng saw this, the smile on his face grew wider.

He knew that Fang Zhengzhi would definitely not have a plan to overcome the wind valley. However, Fang Zhengzhi was too shameless, even if he wished to ask, he would still want to do so in an advantageous position.

In his heart, he greatly despised people who were as shameless as Fang Zhengzhi.

However…

He had no other method. He had to help Fang Zhengzhi overcome the wind valley. Furthermore, there was another more important reason behind why he took the initiative to suggest a plan.

That was, he knew very clearly that Chen Feiyu had definitely thought of the same strategy as he did.

If he didn’t voice it out, it was equivalent to keeping this strategy in his heart. Hence, when Chen Feiyu’s name was announced in the military department, there would be no involvement on his part.

It was very helpless.

However, Wu Feng’s emotional state was clearly better than that of Chen Feiyu.

Viewing the problem in another angle, since there was no way to resist this, then, why not just focus on enjoying – Enjoying the feeling of Fang Zhengzhi executing things according to his own plan.

From a certain point of view, it was actually equivalent to overcoming the wind valley himself.

Of course, without that disgraceful ambush in the Thunderous Lion Settlement, Wu Feng felt that his emotional state would be even better.

“Damn this Fang Zhengzhi, damn these Silver Horned Wolves!”

As Wu Feng swore in his heart, Fang Zhengzhi had returned to his original position. However, he didn’t look at Wu Feng.

Instead, he turned to Teng Shisheng with a bright smile on his face.

“Teng Shisheng, listen to my orders!” Fang Zhengzhi completely disregarded Wu Feng, and directly spoke to Teng Shisheng.

“Roger!” Teng Shisheng instantly acknowledged.

“Bring twenty Silver Horned Wolves, let’s go and defeat the wind valley!”

Chapter 357: If I had an Excavator

“Defeat the wind valley?! Twenty Silver Horned Wolves?” Teng Shisheng had good military values. All along, he had the positive attitude of treating orders as his duty.

However, after hearing Fang Zhengzhi’s words, he received a huge shock.

As a citizen of the Southern Mountain Range, he knew very clearly how dangerous the wind valley was. It was precisely due to him knowing this that led to him saying something as rare as this.

However, Fang Zhengzhi talked about overcoming the wind valley in such a casual manner.

Most importantly…

Using twenty Silver Horned Wolves to overcome the wind valley?

Is that possible?

Of course not!

At the very least, this was how Teng Shisheng thought in his heart.

“Let’s go.” After giving the order, Fang Zhengzhi turned his horse around once more and casually trod in the direction of the wind valley’s entrance.

After a moment of stunned shock, Teng Shisheng finally regained his senses.

“Section one, follow me to… defeat the wind valley!” When Teng Shisheng said the words ‘defeat the wind valley’, his heart felt really empty.

The Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops following behind Teng Shisheng also felt that their hearts were just as empty.

However, the qualities of a soldier ultimately still came first. Hence, after Teng Shisheng gave the order, twenty Silver Horned Wolves stood out, almost at the exact same time.

After which, they followed behind Teng Shisheng and ran towards the direction of the wind valley.

When they witnessed this scene.

All the scholars stood completely rooted to the ground.

Among them, the person whose expression was the most vivid was naturally Wu Feng. When he saw Fang Zhengzhi turning his horse around, his heart was filled with self-confidence.

However…

Fang Zhengzhi seemed to have disregarded him once again.

Wu Feng didn’t even know how many times this had happened to him. From what he could recall, from the moment he met Fang Zhengzhi, he had been disregarded without any reason by Fang Zhengzhi.

At the entrance of the Imperial Academy during the release of the Imperial Examination results, in the Intellectual Loft, until this moment in front of tens of thousands of troops.

He had been disregarded over and over again.

He could say that the things that happened in the past could more or less be explained. After all, Fang Zhengzhi and himself stood at opposing ends. However, this time, what was the reason? I am suggesting a strategy to him!

This caused Wu Feng’s heart to feel extremely shaken.

Arrogance, confidence!

This was the first thing Wu Feng thought of. The second thing was, did something happen to this guy’s brain? How can twenty Silver Horned Wolves overcome the wind valley?

Of course, the other scholars and Chen Feiyu also thought the same way. After seeing Fang Zhengzhi return, they had also assumed that Fang Zhengzhi would consult Wu Feng.

However…

In the end, he instead gave out such an order.

Each of the scholars gazed towards Fang Zhengzhi, who was casually riding towards the wind valley. They really couldn’t understand where did Fang Zhengzhi’s blind confidence appear from.

“Defeat the wind valley?!”

“Twenty Silver Horned Wolves? Isn’t this a big joke?”

“What is this guy thinking.”

The scholars couldn’t understand. How was it possible that the natural landscape of the wind valley could be defeated? It could only be blocked. What was the meaning of using the word ‘defeat’?

Don’t tell me this guy wished to charge through the wind valley…

That’s right!

This guy definitely wishes to bring along twenty Silver Horned Wolves and charge through the wind valley, then, control the huge rock at the exit of the wind valley.

But, wasn’t this plan a little too naive?

The wind valley was the natural shield of the Icy Monkey Settlement. How could there not be heavy defences after the wind valley was crossed. If they really wished to charge across, why not bring along five hundred Silver Horned Wolves instead of twenty?

The scholars couldn’t understand the reason behind this. However, they were extremely sure that Fang Zhengzhi was planning to target the rock at the exit of the wind valley.

However, very quickly, this belief changed.

Because, after reaching the entrance of the wind valley, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t lead the twenty Silver Horned Wolves to charge through it. Instead, he began to stroll around the area of the entrance.

He looked as if…

He was picking something up.

On the other hand, the twenty Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops leapt down their wolves one by one, then bent their elbows and began to knock on the two sides of the mountain.

“What is this guy trying to do?”

“Don’t tell me he’s trying to knock down these two mountains?”

The scholars couldn’t understand.

Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu couldn’t understand either. However, when they saw the twenty Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops begin to knock on the mountain rocks, they finally laughed.

“Is this guy trying to be funny?”

“Shifting the mountain?”

“Can he not exaggerate it? If he really wanted to shift it, can he at least bring the forty-over thousand troops to shift it together? How long is twenty people going to take!”

As Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu laughed, they began to grow spiteful.

Afterwards, they calmed down.

They could almost predict that after Fang Zhengzhi finished knocking on the mountains, he would definitely return and modestly ask them for their opinions. When that time came, there would be more conditions.

…

Even though Teng Shisheng was participating in Fang Zhengzhi’s “mountain moving plan”, he still didn’t understand what Fang Zhengzhi was trying to do.

Fang Zhengzhi’s order was very simple.

Dig for stones!

That was all.

As for how many stones to dig, how much the stones should be, what should their shape be, he didn’t specify. All he asked was for them to dig. Hence, they could only listen to their orders and dig.

“Guard Fang, actually, I have a plan to cross the wind valley.” After a long moment of hesitation, Teng Shisheng finally spoke.

In his heart, the reason Fang Zhengzhi requested for him and twenty Silver Horned Wolves to come over was naturally not to dig for stones. Instead, it was to consult him for strategies in private.

He was a citizen of the Southern Mountain Range.

The wind valley had always been a solid natural barrier for the Southern Mountain Range.

And, even though Fang Zhengzhi had Princess Shan Yu’s Cyan Stone Token, he was ultimately still of the Great Xia. Hence, by right, Teng Shisheng shouldn’t be suggesting strategies to Fang Zhengzhi.

However, after interacting with Fang Zhengzhi for some time, Teng Shisheng’s impression of Fang Zhengzhi had already changed. Most importantly, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t ask him for a method to get past the wind valley in front of tens of thousands of troops.

Actually…

This implied that Fang Zhengzhi only wished to cross the wind valley, and didn’t want to announce the method of crossing the wind valley to the rest of the people. Hence, this actually made clear his sincerity.

“I know.” Fang Zhengzhi turned his head back and glanced at Teng Shisheng, nodded, then continued to focus his gaze on the stone walls on the two sides of the wind valley.

“Actually, there is a difference in the wind strength within the wind valley. If you can follow a certain specific route, it could prevent a heavy loss. Not many people know this path, but I…” When Teng Shisheng reached the end of his sentence, he hesitated.

“There are over forty thousand soldiers here. Even if you don’t reveal the path, there would definitely be some soldiers with other motives among them who would memorise the path. Are you really prepared to reveal the path?” When Fang Zhengzhi heard this, he turned around once again to look at Teng Shisheng.

“This… I hadn’t thought of this.” When Teng Shisheng heard this, his expression changed slightly.

“Do you know why I asked you to come over instead of the soldiers of the Great Xia?” Fang Zhengzhi looked around at the busied Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops around him and asked again.

“Because, our Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops are stronger?” Teng Shisheng thought for a while and replied.

“It is just knocking a few stones. Twenty Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops can achieve this. If I get one or two hundred Great Xia troops, I can achieve the same thing.”

“Then… is it because you want us to charge across the wind valley with you, then, control the rock switches at the exit of the wind valley?” Teng Shisheng guessed again.

“If I wished to control the rock switches of the wind valley, how could there be no heavy troops guarding it? Wouldn’t using twenty Silver Horned Wolves to fight for control over the rock switches be asking for death?”

“Indeed.” Teng Shisheng nodded, then lightly shook his head.

He really couldn’t guess. Because, Fang Zhengzhi had indeed considered the situation from all angles. However, it was precisely due to Fang Zhengzhi having considered the situation from all angles that caused Teng Shisheng to be unable to guess Fang Zhengzhi’s intentions.

“Because, you are of the Southern Mountain Range!” Fang Zhengzhi looked at Teng Shisheng again with a serious and firm expression in his eyes.

“Because we are of the Southern Mountain Range?” Teng Shisheng seemed to have guessed something. However, he still couldn’t quite understand.

“Yes, today, I have no choice but to defeat the wind valley. However, I don’t wish to cause the Southern Mountain Range to lose a natural defensive shield just because of this. Hence, it is best that as little people as possible know about this method to defeat the wind valley.”

“You… You really intend to defeat the wind valley?!” Teng Shisheng was truly shocked this time.

He had always assumed that defeating the wind valley was only an excuse, or, it might be a joke. However, from Fang Zhengzhi’s expression, he couldn’t infer any signs that Fang Zhengzhi was trying to make a joke.

“Yes.” Fang Zhengzhi nodded.

He knew that Teng Shisheng wouldn’t be able to understand. However, due to having knowledge from his previous world, Fang Zhengzhi knew that there were laws governing the nature and speed of the wind.

Under normal conditions, wind blew from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. The greater the difference in pressure, the faster the speed of the wind.

What Fang Zhengzhi wished to achieve was very simple. Change the pressure within the wind valley. This seemed very simple, but, was actually extremely difficult to achieve.

Without special environmental conditions, it was simply impossible to achieve this.

However, when Fang Zhengzhi heard from Teng Shisheng that the wind in the wind valley could be controlled by a huge rock, he knew that there would definitely be a pressure node within the wind valley.

As long as he was able to locate this node, then, use the unique pressure to create certain changes, he could, in theory, stop the wind in the wind valley.

Of course, this was only in theory.

Whether he could achieve this or not required experimentation.

Teng Shisheng indeed couldn’t understand what Fang Zhengzhi was thinking. However, his military qualities decided that even if he couldn’t understand, he would still choose to carry it out.

“Can you draw out the terrain within the wind valley?” Fang Zhengzhi initially prepared to investigate it himself. However, since Teng Shisheng understood the wind valley, he could cut back on this step.

“I can.” When Teng Shisheng heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, he hesitated for a moment then nodded. The terrain within the wind valley wasn’t exactly a great secret.

Anybody who had went through the wind valley once would be able to know this clearly.

“Alright, just draw it on the ground.” Fang Zhengzhi pointed to the ground as he spoke.

Teng Shisheng didn’t speak further. He immediately lifted the weapon in his hand and began to carefully draw on the ground. Not too long later, a geographical map of the wind valley was drawn on the ground.

Fang Zhengzhi gazed at the map on the ground and began to ponder carefully.

Time flowed past quickly.

After over an hour, Fang Zhengzhi stopped looking at the map on the ground and began to draw beside the map. A strange diagram was drawn on the ground by Fang Zhengzhi.

On the other hand, Teng Shisheng witnessed this by the side.

However…

He couldn’t understand what Fang Zhengzhi was drawing at all.

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t explain further to Teng Shisheng. Because, these things were related to physics and mechanics, it was too complicated. Without years of studying and gaining of knowledge in this field, it would be extremely difficult for ordinary people to understand this.

He didn’t explain. All he needed was to know that Teng Shisheng would definitely execute it. That was actually enough.

After finishing the drawing, Fang Zhengzhi attempted to link all the diagrams together. As he began to link them, he nodded his head and shook his head from time to time.

After another moment.

Fang Zhengzhi finally stopped. Then, he pointed to the diagram on the ground and began to deliver specific orders to the twenty Silver Horned Wolves.

Dig at this area, dig at that area. Make this area deeper, make a hole in that area…

The stones which the Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops had previously excavated were all collected by Fang Zhengzhi and and pushed towards one side. At this moment, he was trying to use the walls of the mountain to create a pressure converter.

When the wind blew towards this pressure converter, it would travel through a special path and cause the wind to blow back into the wind valley. This would hence disrupt the flow of the air within the wind valley.

As for the stones that were previously dug out, it would be used to create a switch.

Having possessed the Dao of All Creation.

Changing the shape and matter within the stone wasn’t something that was difficult. As the Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops were busying digging, Fang Zhengzhi also began to mold the shape of the stones.

…

Time flowed by quickly. After an hour, there were already dozens of gaping holes in the mountain wall.

The forty-over thousand troops as well as the military commanders and the scholars all gazed wide-eyed at Fang Zhengzhi and the Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops.

They really couldn’t understand. What was Fang Zhengzhi trying to do?

“Digging holes?”

“Don’t tell me he wishes to dig a tunnel in the walls of the wind valley?”

“Is his brain broken?”

“How long is he planning to dig?”

When the scholars saw this scene, they began to feel spiteful.

Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu also began to laugh when they saw this. They indeed respected Fang Zhengzhi’s imagination. He even thought of digging a tunnel.

However…

Can it be more practical?

Of course, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t bother paying attention to how the scholars thought. He was focusing on reviewing the holes in the two walls. He even occasionally walked inside the wind valley to experience the intense wind which was as cold as a blade.

“If I had a excavator, it would truly be perfect!” Fang Zhengzhi looked at the progress which was already nearing his end and began to imagine.

In reality, these Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops were extremely powerful.

If it wasn’t for them, making such progress would take at least weeks for ordinary people of his past world.

Chapter 358: Reincarnation of God

As time passed, dozens of huge gaping holes were almost completely linked together, forming a gigantic snakehole-like thing.

However, Fang Zhengzhi knew that the real name of this thing, was the large-scale wind turbine!

“Guard Fang, everything has been completely dug as per your request.” Teng Shisheng personally monitored everything by the side. After seeing that everything illustrated had been completed, he walked to Fang Zhengzhi’s side.

“Alright, thank you for the trouble!” Fang Zhengzhi was somewhat excited. He knew that now was the crucial moment to begin to test if knowledge was able to change one’s destiny.

He picked up the various stones that he had already prepared beforehand, then, with a gentle leap, he leapt towards the entrance of a hole in the stone wall.

After which, Fang Zhengzhi dived in…

This action undoubtedly caused Teng Shisheng to receive another shock. Is this hide and seek?

Not too far away, the forty-over thousand soldiers and the group of scholars who had already waited for a very long time looked at Fang Zhengzhi jump into the hole. They couldn’t help but to stare with their eyes widened.

“Don’t tell me he really intends to dig a tunnel?”

“What is this guy really trying to do? Don’t tell me he really thinks that knocking around at the entrance of the wind valley would break its defence?”

“He hadn’t even walked into the wind valley, yet he wishes to defeat it? Do you think it is possible?”

“Sigh, the name of the Great Xia has been completely tunnished by this guy this time…”

The scholars felt the howling wind which was just as strong as before coming from the wind valley and looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who had already entered the hole, and shook their heads in despise.

As for Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu.

At this moment, they didn’t speak again. Because, they felt that with their status, judging Fang Zhengzhi’s idiotic actions was really beneath them.

Yet, right at this moment, things changed completely.

A faint buzzing sound suddenly came from the mountain wall at the exit of the wind valley. Immediately after, the buzzing sound grew louder and louder, as if the entire mountain wall was about to topple.

“Oh no, the mountain wall is going to fall from the digging!”

“What are you worried for? Anyway, you are so far away from it, you wouldn’t be the one crushed to death!”

“Oh, that makes sense!”

Just as a few scholars began to chatter among themselves, a powerful gust of wind suddenly blew past. That was a wind that was even faster and stronger compared to that within the wind valley.

At the same time, a figure shot out from a hole in the mountain wall, carrying a bright, radiant smile on his face.

“This guy still dares to smile?!”

“The mountain is going to topple, yet he managed to survive, why shouldn’t he be smiling?.”

“That’s true… huh? Something seems wrong!”

Just as a few scholars prepared to continue their discussion, they suddenly felt somewhat strange.

That was a unclear and unidentified feeling of strangeness, as if it was echoing around their minds, yet they weren’t able to grasp the crux of the feeling. It was a very weird feeling, yet, it was there.

“Do you guys feel a little weird?”

“A little, why do I feel… that a certain sound seems to be missing around us!”

“Sound?! The sound of the wind in the wind valley seems to…”

“The sound of the wind is gone?!”

The scholars finally regained their senses. That strange feeling originated from the wind in the wind valley. The whistling sound that had been constantly ringing around their ears seemed to have suddenly disappeared at this moment.

How can the wind not make any sound?

Don’t tell me…

The wind in the wind valley, stopped?

One by one, the scholars looked towards the wind valley. In an instant, their eyes turned round and their faces were filled with shock. That was a feeling of shock that came from the bottom of their hearts.

The forty-over thousand soldiers also focused their gaze intently at the exit of the wind valley.

That was a buzzing sound coming from it. However, other than the buzzing sound, there wasn’t the slightest bit of the whistling of the wind. The powerful wind that blew from within the wind valley had also vanished.

Their hair no longer billowed. Their bodies stood up even straighter.

The wind in the wind valley…

Had really stopped!

“This is impossible!” Chen Feiyu could believe many things. For example, he had tried to believe that Fang Zhengzhi’s ambush on him was already planned out beforehand. He could believe that given another of such an opportunity.

He would still be captured by Fang Zhengzhi.

However, he couldn’t believe that the wind in the wind valley could be stopped.

This completely went against everything he knew. It was something that couldn’t be explained at all.

That was the wind!

The shapeless, formless wind!

Wu Feng also had the word “wind” in his name. [1] Because, he believed that the wind could never be blocked. He believed that the wind was unyielding and resolute. However, today…

He encountered a mysterious incident that he was completely unable to explain.

The wind in the wind valley had stopped.

What the hell, how is it possible that the wind could be stopped?!

“What did this guy do? What did he do!” Wu Feng really wished he could deny this. However, the wind in the wind valley had indeed stopped.

With his abilities, he could feel it clearly.

This was the reality!

A reality that was as solid as metal. There was no way of arguing against it. Then, the only thing he wanted to know was, is Fang Zhengzhi a monster! What arcane methods did Fang Zhengzhi use!

Teng Shisheng grew up in the Southern Mountain Range ever since he was born. He believed that God existed in this world. In reality, the Southern Mountain Range worshipped God.

Hence, there were many ritual ceremonies in the Southern Mountain Range.

The shape of the wind valley was formed by nature. Explaining it in terms of science, that was a natural phenomenon formed by the difference in pressure.

However, if one were to explain it in terms of the Southern Mountain Range’s beliefs.

The wind was God’s miracle!

A miracle formed by God to protect the Icy Monkey Settlement, to protect the Southern Mountain Range.

This miracle of God had lasted in the Southern Mountain Range for hundreds, or even thousands of years. There had never been a single person who could destroy this miracle without been harmed. It could even be said that nobody had even entertained the thought of doing such a thing.

Yet, this miracle of God was destroyed by Fang Zhengzhi?!

Furthermore, he had destroyed it so completely, so easily, and so unbelievably. Even though he had experienced everything personally, he still couldn’t understand.

How did the wind in the wind valley stop?

“Alright, now that the wind valley had been defeated, we can safely lead the army into the Icy Monkey Settlement.” Fang Zhengzhi dusted the dirt from his body and felt the weak and powerless wind around him with an extremely leisurely look on his face.

Such a thing only required using one’s knowledge of science to alter a natural phenomenon. In Fang Zhengzhi’s heart, it wasn’t very difficult to achieve this.

The only fortunate thing was that his knowledge was very complete. He was actually able to achieve it in the first try.

Yet, despite having done so, he didn’t feel as if it was a great feat.

However, this wasn’t how Teng Shisheng felt.

He was completely stunned as he stood rooted to the ground, listening to the buzzing sound entering his ear and the gentle, cooling wind within the wind valley.

Not a single source of sound other than these were able to enter his ears.

“Shisheng?” Fang Zhengzhi gazed at Teng Shisheng’s dazed expression and waved his hand in front of Teng Shisheng’s eyes. Yet, there was still no reaction from him.

“Teng Shisheng!”

This time, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t try to be polite anymore. He directly shouted out right beside Teng Shisheng’s ear.

“Ah? Ah!!”

Teng Shisheng finally came to his senses. His entire face was completely filled with shock. After making out Fang Zhengzhi’s face in front of him, his dark face flushed red.

“Fang Zhengzhi, this… this wind valley was really broken… by you?” Teng Shisheng was still completely in disbelief.

“Yep.” Fang Zhengzhi replied dully.

“Could it be that the huge stone at the other end of the wind valley was coincidentally shifted? Hence…” As Teng Shisheng reached the end of his sentence, he couldn’t even believe what he said anymore.

The two armies were at war.

Yet, the people at the Icy Monkey Settlement took the initiative to disable the wind valley.

Did this possibility exist?

Only an idiot would do such a thing, right?

“What do you think?” A faint smile appeared on Fang Zhengzhi’s lips as he asked back.

“Guard Fang, subordi… No, Guard Fang, are… are you the reincarnation of God?” After being asked a question in return by Fang Zhengzhi, he seemed to have suddenly woken up. For the first time, a look of horror appeared in his eyes as he gazed towards Fang Zhengzhi.

“I feel that this might not be completely impossible.” Fang Zhengzhi nodded calmly.

In a certain way, he had indeed arrived from another world. However, whether that was the reincarnation of God was something he truly didn’t know.

“Then… then Go… Guard Fang, what are the arrangements now?” After listening to Fang Zhengzhi’s ambiguous reply, he suddenly didn’t know how to address Fang Zhengzhi anymore.

“Enter the wind valley, then, attack the Icy Monkey Settlement of course.” Fang Zhengzhi didn’t feel that this question required another reply. However, since Teng Shisheng had asked, he had to show a little bit of patience.

“Attack the Icy Monkey Settlement? Oh, yes yes yes, attack the Icy Monkey Settlement!” Teng Shisheng finally regained his senses.

“Line up the whole army!” Fang Zhengzhi didn’t waste any more time.

“Roger!”

…

When Fang Zhengzhi arrived in front of the forty-over thousand troops again along with Teng Shisheng and the twenty Silver Horned Wolves, the expressions of the forty-over thousand soldiers and the group of scholars were clearly somewhat exaggerated.

If it was said that their hearts were filled with spite and disbelief when they heard that Fang Zhengzhi was about to defeat the wind valley with twenty Silver Horned Wolves, what they felt now was shock, an unparalleled sense of shock.

“Enter the Icy Monkey Settlement!” Fang Zhengzhi didn’t bother explaining to these scholars who didn’t have strong fundamentals, and directly gave out the order to the troops.

“Roger!” At this moment, the forty-over thousand troops acknowledged in unison.

Fang Zhengzhi had never gained popularity and trust in the military department. It could even be said that after the incident in which he he murdered military personnel in the Northern Mountain Village, as well as being influenced by opinions of Duan Tianrong and a few of the officials, from certain points of view, not only did Fang Zhengzhi not gained their popular trust, his reputation wasn’t too good either.

But today…

Fang Zhengzhi used an incident no ordinary person would ever dream of to demonstrate his military ability.

The wind valley of the Southern Mountain Range, which nobody had been able to defeat in hundreds and even thousands of years, had been defeated. Furthermore, not a single soldier had been sacrificed. It was defeated with just the help of twenty Silver Horned Wolves!

How shocking was that.

How powerful was the boosting effect of this on the soldiers’ morale.

The duty of a soldier was to follow orders, to fight wars. However, any soldier would wish that they were able to follow an intelligence general to fight winning battles.

In reality, after hearing that Fang Zhengzhi gave the order to attack the Icy Monkey Settlement and deciding to attack Nangong Hao, almost nobody believed that there was any possibility of winning.

Just like they felt that Fang Zhengzhi didn’t have the slightest chance of defeating the wind valley.

Yet, Fang Zhengzhi did it.

After recalling the miracles that Fang Zhengzhi had created on the way from the county examination to the capital examination, then to the Imperial examination and then the Court examination, their views towards this somewhat “mischievous” general in front of them completely changed.

To have the opportunity to follow a general who could make miracles, this undoubtedly gave the soldiers the most powerful form of confidence. An army that was confident, the number of degrees in which their morale rose was conceivable.

Of course, Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu were able to sense the change in the soldiers’ attitudes.

They initially felt that this attitude was something that should be changed by themselves. However, in reality, in front of Fang Zhengzhi, they didn’t even have the slightest bit of opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.

Alright…

To put it in a frank manner, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t even give them the opportunity to give any form of suggestions!

Grief, they were extremely grieved.

The great man ranked third in the Rising Dragon Roll, and another pride of Heaven would had just entered the Supernatural state. Just as they were prepared to realize their ambitions and demonstrate what they were capable of.

They just had to encounter a Fang Zhengzhi.

“I really wish to see if the wind valley had truly been broken!” Chen Feiyu finally couldn’t hold back anymore. He was captured by Fang Zhengzhi, however, this didn’t mean that he accepted his defeat.

He wanted to see personally if the wind in the wind valley had truly stopped!

“Young Master Chen, I will accompany you!” When Wu Feng saw Chen Feiyu dash towards the wind valley, he similarly lashed his whip at his horse and followed.

“I wish to see too!”

“Yes, let’s all go check it out!”

When the scholars heard this, they all urged their horses and charged towards the direction of the wind valley.

When Teng Shisheng saw this, he frowned. The actions of these scholars undoubtedly disregarded military discipline. Because, once their rash acts alerted the enemy, it might cause the entire plan to fail because of this one act.

On the other hand, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t seem to mind at all.

Instead, he waved towards Chen Feiyu and Wu Feng with a faint smile on his face. “Young Master Chen, Young Master Wu, and the rest of my brothers, remember to return as soon as possible!”

“Hmph!” The scholar who was the slowest immediately turned back his head and huffed coldly. He wasn’t touched at all by Fang Zhengzhi’s “well intentions”.

At this moment, Fang Zhengzhi raised his hand. Then, he slowly waved it forward. When the forty-over thousand troops saw Fang Zhengzhi’s signal, they finally moved.

However…

Their movements were extremely slow.

The reason was very simple. The chief commander Fang Zhengzhi, who was right at the front, was moving too slowly. Hence, as soldiers following behind, how could they move quickly?

Teng Shisheng looked towards Fang Zhengzhi with some doubt in his eyes. He felt that since the wind valley had been defeated, it was important to start an unexpected assault immediately.

However, from Fang Zhengzhi’s currently expression, it seemed that he wasn’t worried at all.

Instead, he casually sat on the back of his horse, leisurely leaning to one side with a delighted look on his face. As he controlled his horse to take small steps forward, he even recited loudly some strange poem which nobody knew.

“Oh great sea, oh great sea, you really contain many droplets of water. Oh great stallion, oh great stallion, other than running fast, you indeed still have four legs…”

[1] – ‘Feng’ in Chinese means wind.

Chapter 359: Why are things so coincidental

The grand forty thousand soldiers-strong army advanced forward slowly. Not too longer later, they finally arrived at the entrance of the wind valley. They entered slowly, just like the great sea flowing into a small river.

On the other hand, Fang Zhengzhi continued to move slowly at the front.

Teng Shisheng really wanted to give him some reminders. However, every time the words reached his mouth, he swallowed them back. Because, he had slowly began to trust Fang Zhengzhi.

“Leave two people at the entrance of the wind valley. After the army has completely passed, destroy all the holes in the mountain walls.” After entering the wind valley, Fang Zengzhi gazed at the two mountain walls filled with frost and casually said to Teng Shisheng.

“Destroy?” Teng Shisheng didn’t manage to catch it in time.

“That’s right, don’t tell me you wish for the wind valley of the Southern Mountain Range to turn into an ordinary road in the future?” Fang Zhengzhi asked back with a faint smile on his face.

“This… thank you Guard Fang!” When Teng Shisheng heard this, he understood Fang Zhengzhi’s intentions.

Defeat the wind valley, yet not destroy the wind valley. This action undoubtedly caused Teng Shisheng to feel touched. After all, the wind valley had always been a barrier for the Southern Mountain Range.

A barrier that protected the Icy Monkey Settlement and the Sagely Mountain City.

Teng Shisheng acknowledged, then, quickly called out two Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops. However, what went unnoticed was that Teng Shisheng still spoke a few sentences softly to the two Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops.

After the great forty-thousand soldier strong army entered the wind valley, a white flying beast soared into the sky. Its speed was extremely fast, and disappeared without a trace in an instant.

…

At the exit of the wind valley

Beside a large, strange rock, a group of soldiers in shiny armours stood guard. Yet, the expressions on their faces were clearly a little exaggerated. Each of them stared with their eyes wide open, and their faces filled with disbelief.

“The wind… wind valley, did the wind stop?”

“Seems, seems that it… stopped!”

“What is this all about? Did any of you move the stone?”

“No, isn’t the stone right in front of our eyes?”

“Then how did the wind in the wind valley stop? This is impossible!”

“Oh no! First, let’s not bother about how the wind stopped. Quick,quickly go to the Icy Monkey Settlement and notify Young Master Nangong!”

“Roger!”

Two soldiers stood at attention and acknowledged, then rapidly leapt onto their horses and with a lash of the whip, they charged towards the Icy Monkey Settlement which was at a distance not too far away.

…

Within the Icy Monkey Settlement, in a large stone house built with strong stones, four middle-aged men wearing heavy armours stood at the two sides of a study table.

On the study table, there was a min sand table, and on it, various kinds of landscapes and markings were placed. It seemed extremely detailed.

Nangong Hao, who was dressed in a white scholarly robe, sat behind the study table, his calm eyes analysing a narrow mountain valley on the sand table.

“Report!” Right at this moment, a voice rang out from outside the door.

“What is it?” A middle-aged man dressed in heavy armour quickly walked to the door. After seeing two soldiers with worry written all over their faces, he frowned slightly.

“Report general, the wind in the wind valley has stopped!” After the two soldiers heard the middle-aged man’s question, they replied almost in unison.

“Stopped?! Did you fail to guard the exit of the wind valley?” The middle-aged man frowned once again. A slight anger was evident in the way he looked at the two soldiers.

The wind valley was a natural barrier of the Icy Monkey Settlement. However, the middle-aged man had already expected it to be defeated.

Except…

He never expected it to happen so quickly!

“No, we didn’t fail in our duties. However, the wind in the wind valley suddenly stopped. As for the reason behind it, we… we aren’t too sure either.” The two soldiers reported once again.

“What?! The wind in the wind valley stopped, yet you guys don’t even know the reason behind it?” The middle-aged man’s initially anger seemed to be on the verge of exploding after hearing the report.

One could make mistakes.

However, if one didn’t even know what mistake they made and how they made it, then this was something that couldn’t be forgiven.

“The… the huge stone didn’t move, furthermore, we didn’t discover any enemy soldiers either. Yet… yet, the wind in the wind valley stopped all of a sudden. In order to set up defences early, we… we decided to report back first!” When the two soldiers saw the anger on the middle-aged man’s face, their bodies began to tremble slightly.

“Did you just say that the stone switch didn’t move, yet the wind in the wind valley stopped?” At this moment, Nangong Hao’s voice rang out. His tone was extremely calm.

However, there was still a slight trace of surprise on his face.

“Yes, that’s right!” When the two soldiers heard Nangong Hao’s voice, it was as if they had seen a glimmer of hope.

“What utter nonsense, the wind in the wind valley had all along been controlled by the huge stone switch. This had been part of the Southern Mountain Range’s thousand-year history. How is it possible that the wind stopped without the stone switch moving?” The middle-aged man clearly didn’t believe it.

“General, we are telling the truth!”

“The truth?” Just as the middle-aged man prepared to speak further, he saw Nangong Hao shaking his head lightly towards him and instantly closed his mouth.

In reality, he knew very clearly in his heart that the information reported by these two soldiers would never contain any mistakes.

However, he really couldn’t understand.

How could the wind in the natural barrier, the wind valley, suddenly stop?

“Young Master Nangong, I feel that this might be related to Fang Zhengzhi. However, I really can’t understand, how is he able to overcome the wind valley?” Another middle-aged man spoke at this moment.

“I don’t know either.” When Nangong Hao heard the middle-aged man’s words, he nodded lightly and returned his gaze back to the sand table in front of him.

Then, his finger moved slightly and a stream of energy cut the narrow mountain valley into two.

“Young Master Nangong, based on my guesses, even though Fang Zhengzhi overcame the wind valley, he would definitely have suffered great losses. Why not we…” The first middle-aged man also walked to the center of the room at this moment.

“What if Fang Zhengzhi didn’t suffer any losses?”

“General Lu, don’t tell me that you believe Fang Zhengzhi wouldn’t have lost a single soldier?”

“It is not impossible!”

“Ha ha… isn’t this a joke?”

“Stop arguing, let’s listen to Young Master Nangong’s opinion.” A middle-aged man standing on the leftmost side of Nangong Hao spoke at this moment.

When the two middle-aged men heard this, they closed their mouths and waited for Nangong Hao to speak.

“It’s fine, so be it if the wind valley was defeated. We will still follow the original plan.” When Nangong Hao looked at the four middle-aged men below, he smiled lightly.

However, when he said this, nobody noticed that the finger that he placed below the study table moved slightly…

…

Outside Princess Shan Yu’s tent, a white flying beast dived from the sky and finally stopped on a tree branch outside the tent.

A soldier in rattan armour was slightly taken aback when he saw the white bird. Then, he quickly carried up the white bird and walked into Princess Shan Yu’s tent.

“Princess, there is news.”

“Open it.” Princess Shan Yu, who was lying on a golden piece of animal leather and wearing a white leather skirt, said casually with her eyes half closed.

“Roger.” The soldier nodded. Then, he untied a small bamboo cylinder at the claws of the white bird and pulled out a small piece of animal skin from within.

Sweeping his gaze across it, his eyes widened. Immediately after, the expression on his face became incredibly exaggerated, and the hand holding the animal skin even began to tremble.

It seemed as if he wasn’t even able to hold on to the animal skin firmly.

“What’s the news? Why are you so flabbergasted?” Some unhappiness was clearly evident in Princess Shan Yu’s tone as she looked at the soldier’s actions with her half-closed eyes.

“Report… reporting to Princess! Fang Zhengzhi defeated the wind valley outside the Icy Monkey Settlement without sacrificing a single soldier, furthermore, the method he used was to… to stop the wind in the wind valley completely!”

“Defeating the wind valley without sacrificing a single… what?! Repeat what you said!” Princess Shan Yu repeated softly, then, her eyes suddenly shot wide open and her entire body sat up from the chair.

“Fang Zhengzhi defeated the wind valley without sacrificing a single soldier!”

“The sentence after that!”

“The method he used was to… stop the wind in the wind valley!”

“Stop the wind in the wind valley?! How is that possible? How did he do it?” Princess Shan Yu was clearly in somewhat of a disbelief. Or, it could be said that she was simply unwilling to believe.

“The letter didn’t explain that. It only mentioned that Commander Teng was involved in it from the start to the end, however, he still couldn’t understand. There’s another five words at the end.”

“What are the five words?”

“Beyond logic and above reason!”

“Beyond logic and above reason? That’s right… it is indeed beyond logic and above reason. Participating in it throughout the entire process yet still unable to understand? This Fang Zhengzhi… Hell! Why is this guy so overpowered!” Princess Shan Yu initially prepared to speak in a dignified manner, however, halfway into her sentence, she couldn’t contain herself anymore and began to swear.

“…” The soldier stared at Princess Shan Yu who swore using a sentence that he had only heard coming out of Fang Zhengzhi’s mouth and was instantly stunned.

After a moment, the soldier finally regained his senses.

“Princess, then we…”

“Pass down the order, ask Teng Shisheng to watch Fang Zhengzhi closely. Apart from that, the plan we previously agreed upon can be started in advance. About this guy… forget it, just pass down that order!”

“Roger!”

…

As Fang Zhengzhi was casually strolling into the middle of the wind valley.

A piece of news seemed to have been spreading continuously. Apart from the Icy Monkey Settlement and Princess Shan Yu’s tent, a piece of news had also spread into a mountain cave not too far away from the Icy Monkey Settlement.

Fang Zhengzhi defeated the wind valley!

The means were direct, and the methods brutal. Yet, he didn’t sacrifice a single soldier.

Bizarre, shock.

When Bai Xing, who was dressed in a black robe, heard this news, the look in his eyes turned extremely strange. However, he didn’t speak.

Because…

Another person sat behind him.

A girl dressed in a wheat coloured white dress, her dark silky hair fell to her waist and within her eyes, there was the faint spreading of water ripples.

She was Yun Qingwu.

The mysterious girl in the hearts of the scholars in the Great Xia Dynasty.

And more importantly, the current demon young lord, a girl that dictated the great plans of the demon race.

Unfortunately, a black veil still covered Yun Qingwu’s face, causing the most beautiful and real side of Yun Qingwu to be mostly covered up.

“Domain Chief Bai’s plan is to stand by the side and yet reap the rewards?” After Yun Qingwu finished reading the letter, she didn’t query the contents of the letter and instead posed a question to Bai Xing.

“Replying young lord, my initial plan is… indeed as such.” Bai Xing didn’t understand why Yun Qingwu would suddenly ask such a question. Because, he had already reported this plan long ago.

Furthermore, he even received Yun Qingwu’s acknowledgement.

“Yes, the plan is not bad. However, the military situation has changed, hence, the plan naturally has to change.” Yun Qingwu nodded lightly. The tone of her voice sounded extremely indifferent.

“I understand, I will listen to young master’s plan!” Bai Xing didn’t query Yun Qingwu’s plan, instead, he quickly half-knelt onto the ground.

“Then, let’s start.”

“Roger!”

…

The wind in the wind valley stopped.

However, this didn’t mean that the temperature within the wind valley would turn very warm. After all, it was already close to winter. In addition to taking on the powerful wind gusts for years, the two walls of the wind valley was filled with a thick frost. This caused the temperature within the wind valley to be extremely cold.

The soldiers of the Great Xia didn’t prepare winter clothing in advance, hence after advancing in the wind valley for some time, they naturally began to shiver slightly.

When a few commanders saw this, their faces were filled with worry.

“General… General Fang, now that the wind valley had been defeated, under normal circumstances, it is the best time to launch a surprise speedy assault on the Icy Monkey Settlement..”

After holding himself back for half an hour, a commander finally couldn’t contain himself any further. However, he ultimately knew that the duty of a soldier was to obey.

Hence, despite him having other thoughts, he could only use the method of making suggestions to voice them out.

“That is indeed the case under normal circumstances.” When Fang Zhengzhi heard the commander’s words, he nodded his head lightly as well. However, he didn’t seem to have any intention of increasing his speed.

“Then…” Just as the commander prepared to continue speaking, the sound of weapons clashing came from the front. Furthermore, the sound seemed to be growing more and more intense by the moment.

This caused him to hold back the words that had just reached his mouth.

On the other hand, when Fang Zhengzhi heard this sound, a faint smile finally appeared on his face.

Of course, he knew what caused this sound.

Nangong Hao!

A person who was able to rank joint-first with him in the Court Theory Examinations. If all he depended on was a natural barrier, then that was a true miracle.

Even though the wind valley was defeated.

The real danger and plot had just begun.

How many troops did Nangong Hao have?

He only had two thousand. Yet, he firmly maintained his position in occupying the most important Icy Monkey Settlement among the four main settlements.

Even though this was somewhat related to his reputation, but, behind that reputation, there was a true reason for it. That was ability.

Nangong Hao wasn’t dumb.

If he really required military strength, why would he stand guard at the Icy Monkey Settlement without moving at all?

Based on Nangong Hao’s reputation and abilities, if he wished to move, right before Fang Zhengzhi stepped into the combat examination, it was possible that he would already possess at least twenty to thirty thousand troops.

In the art of combat, there was a saying that went, as unmoving as the mountain! It represented stability!

In the battle of stratagems and plots, there was a saying describing stillness as well – There is simply no need to move. Or, in other words, it was disdainful to move.

Chapter 360: A Stalemate

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t know whether Nangong Hao seeked stability or disdained moving. However, he was absolutely sure that the path from the wind valley to the Icy Monkey Settlement…

Would definitely not be an easy path to walk.

Initially, Fang Zhengzhi indeed planned to send a surprise force to launch a sneak attack after defeating the wind valley. However, once the wind in the valley stopped, Nangong Hao would definitely receive intelligence about it.

The outcome of sending a surprise force at such a time wouldn’t be bad, however, it wasn’t the best.

However, Fang Zhengzhi had the advantage in numbers, hence he didn’t bother too much about how good the outcome was. However, Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu evidently both felt that now was the best time to send a surprise force.

Entering the wind valley to take a look.

Only Heaven would know if that was just an excuse.

The internal political struggles within the Imperial Government wasn’t something Fang Zhengzhi was very familiar with. However, there was one thing which the Imperial Governments of the ancient past did most commonly that Fang Zhengzhi knew very well of.

That was…

Snatching credit!

Something like snatching credit was difficult to describe. However, it wasn’t too hard to actually carry it out. In conclusion, it all boiled down to one sentence, do the right thing at the right time, and the achievements would naturally fall upon oneself.

Of course, before that, it is essential for one to be able to discover the right time and the right thing to do.

Wu Feng had this ability. Chen Feiyu had it too.

Once Fang Zhengzhi defeated the wind valley, both of them abnormally charged into the wind valley with an extremely fast speed and without obeying military orders. The method they employed was to act first and report their success, a bold move.

Seeing the wind?

Did the wind need to be seen?

Even taking a million steps back, if they really wanted to see, reaching the entrance of the wind valley would allow one to have a sufficiently clear view. Yet, why did they still have to continue their advance and charge directly towards the Icy Monkey Settlement.

Hence, seeing the wind was only an excuse.

The purpose of Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu was to become a squad of surprise troops, quickly making the greatest accomplishment in this battle before Nangong Hao had the time to react.

As for why they were in such a rush?

The reason was too simple. In Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu’s hearts, the battle between Fang Zhengzhi and Nangong Hao was the last battle of the combat examination.

Furthermore, now that the wind valley had already been broken by Fang Zhengzhi, if they didn’t take advantage of this opportunity, Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu would miserably fall behind the curtains in this combat examination.

“Charge!” Fang Zhengzhi lashed out crisply at his stallion with a whip. Instantly, the stallion he rode on let out a long bray and shot forwards.

When the military commanders saw this, their eyes instantly lit up.

After taking his own sweet time for so long, he finally increased the movement speed!

Under Fang Zhengzhi’s lead, forty-over thousand soldiers advanced rapidly, and the sound of fighting beside their ears gradually became clearly. After some time, Fang Zhengzhi raised his hand once again, and the forty-over thousand troops instantly stopped.

Because, the exit of the wind valley was right in front.

However…

At this moment, the exit of the wind valley was in a huge chaos.

“It was indeed placed at this area.” When Fang Zhengzhi saw the chaotic scene in front, the edges of his mouth curled into another faint smile.

The wind valley was a natural barrier.

At the same time, the wind valley was a natural defence. Because, the width of the wind valley only enabled ten people to advance together under normal circumstances. Hence, in a way, the exit of the wind valley was the best location for defence.

In his previous world, Fang Zhengzhi used to watch a movie called The 300 Spartans. It more of less described three hundred fearsome Spartans defending against ten attacks by tens of thousands of soldiers at an entrance that only allowed a few people to pass through.

At this moment, Nangong Hao seemed to be using the same method.

However, his method was the opposite of that used in the movie. After the exit, it was a vast, open patch of land. This also enabled him to plant any ambushes he wished to.

And now…

Wu Feng, Chen Feiyu and the group of scholars evidently charged right into it.

Over ten scholars, all of them of the Heavenly Reflection Peak Stage and above. Yet, when these ten scholars faced with an ambush by almost a thousand people, sweat soaked their bodies.

It seemed as if they were suffering.

“General Fang, should we provide them support?” A commander walked to Fang Zhengzhi’s side at this moment and said somewhat worriedly.

“Do you know what is the most fundamental thing people must have between one another?” Fang Zhengzhi didn’t reply the commander’s question immediately, instead, he shot another question back with a faint smile on his face.

“This… General Fang, please explain.” The commander replied, confused.

“Trust.”

“Trust?”

“That’s right. Look at the geography of this landscape. At the very most, only ten people would be able to walk in a row. Hence, are you able to find ten heroes who can compare to Young Master Wu and Young Master Chen?” Fang Zhengzhi pointed at the two walls, then pointed at the scholars who were desperately involved in a messy fight with the soldiers and said loudly.

“This… I fear that I can’t!” When the commander heard, he immediately shook his head.

“Hence, all we can do now is to trust Young Master Wu and Young Master Chen. If even they aren’t able to overcome this small ambush with their abilities, what is the point of sending more people in?”

“General Fang, your words make sense!” When the commander heard this, he instantly understood. However, he still felt as if there was something wrong with this.

“Don’t worry, as long as we completely trust Young Master Wu, Young Master Chen and the rest, any ambush would be like smoke to us, all we have to do to disperse it would be to wave our sleeves.” Fang Zhengzhi continued to explain.

“Roger!” The commander acknowledged and withdrew respectfully.

On the other hand, Fang ZHengzhi continued to maintain his trust in Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu. He sat leisurely on his horse and quietly spectated the fierce struggle between the evenly matched forces in front of him.

After spectating for a while.

Fang Zhengzhi understood something.

What is Nangong Hao!

The ambush in front of him was clearly a mini army formation. Military formations were not a problem to Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu.

This was even more so for Nangong Hao.

This formation that Nangong Hao had set up…

After a detailed scrutiny by Fang Zhengzhi, he more or less managed to understand a few parts of it. Even though he didn’t know the exact name of this formation, he could infer from the way it was set up that it contained two different concepts within it.

One was the Big Dipper, the other was the Eight Diagrams.

In other words, there were two formations. Or, it could also be said that it was a grand formation formed by two formations.

The Eight Diagrams took the lead while the Big Dipper followed behind.

It wasn’t difficult to understand this placement. Because, the essence of the Eight Diagrams had always been defence. In Fang Zhengzhi’s previous world, there was a very famous person called Zhu Geliang.

By using the Eight Diagrams as a foundation, he managed to conjure up a formation that was claimed to be the strongest formation for defence, the Eight Front Strategy!

Legend claimed that one Eight Front Strategy was able to defend against a hundred thousand troops.

Whether or not that was true, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t know. However, it was recorded that the military chief Lu Xun of the Three Kingdom’s Wu army had almost been trapped to death within the Eight Front Strategy.

It’s power could easily be inferred from that.

On the other hand, the Big Dipper Formation was usually evolved into sword formations, spear formations, blade formations and so on. The essence of the philosophy behind it was one word. Offense.

Of course, this offense was an ordered form of offense.

Using the seven positions of the Big Dipper to surround and attack a certain point.

First defend, then attack!

From the positioning of the two formation groups, Fang Zhengzhi could more or less understand Nangong Hao’s thought process when dealing with military matters.

Of course, it was naturally impossible that Nangong Hao setting up such a formation formed by two different formations at the exit of the wind valley was as simple as defense followed by offense.

The Eight Diagrams was a defensive formation. In order to defeat the Eight Diagrams, one had to locate the life gate of the Eight Diagrams.

That was the most fundamental thing people had to know.

Fang Zhengzhi understood this point. It was also naturally impossible that Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu didn’t understand it at all. But, understanding was understanding. There was no way of defeating the formation in front of him based on this concept alone.

Because…

Nangong Hao only left one death gate open.

It could be imagined how big was a formation consisting of almost a thousand people. It also could be imagined how small was the exit of a wind valley that only allowed ten people to pass at once.

The method Nangong Hao was said to be simple yet direct.

However, it was a method that caused the greatest headache and greatest problem for people.

Placing the death gate at the exit of the wind valley meant that if one wanted to leave the valley, one had to pass through the death gate. It was either that or not exiting from the wind valley at all.

“Cruel!” Fang Zhengzhi could only use this term to describe the method. After all, shameless was a word specially reserved for him, it definitely couldn’t be used on Nangong Hao.

At this moment, Wu Feng ,Chen Feiyu and the rest of the scholars who were engaged in an intensive battle with the soldiers finally noticed that within the wind valley, Fang Zhengzhi was riding on his horse and ‘leisurely’ watching the show go on.

“Why isn’t this guy coming to attack?” A scholar couldn’t contain himself anymore.

“Don’t tell me this guy wants to watch us die!” Another scholar also couldn’t contain himself anymore and swore when he heard this.

When Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu heard their words, both of them grasped the weapons in their hand tightly and gritted their teeth somewhat miserably. Surprisingly, they remained silent and didn’t speak a single word.

The biggest difference between them and those scholars were that they were well-versed with military tactics.

From an emotional point of view.

Fang Zhengzhi’s actions were undoubtedly burning the bridge after crossing, or it could also be leaving them in the lurch.

However, from a logical point of view, they understood that even if Fang Zhengzhi sent soldiers to save them, the most it would achieve would be to decrease the pressure on them by a tiny bit. Fundamentally speaking, it wouldn’t provide any significant help.

After all, once the Eight Diagrams Formation was placed in action, everybody within the formation would be separated virtually. The more people that came, the more separations there would be.

All they could do was to hate themselves for being too reckless.

In order to snatch credit, they actually dived head-in into Nangong Hao’s “ambush”.

Of course, this was something they understood only after diving in. As for why they dived in, this was another thing that caused them misery.

The reason was…

Nangong Hao had placed an illusionary formation at the exit of wind valley.

An illusionary formation that consisted of only dozens of soldiers, one that used the Dao of All Creation and dozens of soldiers to completely conceal the ambush behind.

Wasn’t a wind valley exit guarded by dozens of troops a great opportunity for a surprise squad to dive straight into?

Wu Feng felt somewhat suspicious. However, he wasn’t able to resist such a Heaven-given opportunity. Hence, when Chen Feiyu and himself led the charge into it…

Everything was too late.

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t know that Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu had faced this brief interlude before landing into the ambush. Of course, even if he knew, it still wouldn’t affect his current show-watching mood.

“Come, give Young Master Wu, Young Master Chen and the rest some encouragement!” Fang Zhengzhi ordered.

“Roger!”

Instantly, a few soldiers acknowledged the order and following which, carried out a few large drums. As they drummed on furiously, they also shouted out loudly.

The power of the drums!

When Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu heard the loud commotion behind them, they wanted to cry.

With such a huge commotion, how could the Icy Monkey Settlement not know that Fang Zhengzhi had led an army to attack? The surprise force plan that he and the rest had planned for so long was now officially foiled.

Furthermore, they even landed inside the formation.

…

Within the Icy Monkey Settlement, an urgent military report was once again passed into the huge stone house. Finally, a middle-aged man presented it in front of Nangong Hao.

Nangong Hao, who was wearing a white scholar robe, sat behind the study table and placed down the ancient book he held in his hands. He took up the urgent military report and slowly opened it up. After glancing through it, he quickly placed down the report.

However, his dark pair of eyes lit up faintly, just like the first rays of light from the rising sun in the morning, bright and enchanting.

“Young Master Nangong, is it that the formation we placed at the exit of the wind valley had trapped Fang Zhengzhi?” A middle-aged man asked somewhat enthusiastically.

“No.” Nangong Hao shook his head.

“No? That’s impossible. We had already set up the illusionary formation, as the commander of the army, Fang Zhengzhi would definitely walk right at the front. Don’t tell me he can still cowardly hide behind?” The middle-aged man was somewhat confused.

“Even though this Fang Zhengzhi is shameless, but, he isn’t a coward. He would not do something like hiding behind an army. If I didn’t guess wrongly, he indeed walked in front of the army. However, he exploited Wu Feng and the scholars’ depressed mood and hence eagerness to win honour and glory and turned them into a surprise force!” Nangong Hao shook his head once again and replied.

“Surprise force?” The middle-aged man seemed to have not understood.

“Yes, a surprise force to search and uncover ambushes.”

“Isn’t this a little too shameless? No matter what, Wu Feng and the rest are all scholars and examinees who had entered the roll. Even though they are already eliminated, they should still be treated like commanders of a thousand-solder strong army. It is somewhat cruel and inhumane to treat them like commando troops and even more so for them to uncover ambushes.” When the middle-aged man heard this, anger was somewhat evident in his eyes.

“In a battle between two armies, there isn’t such a thing as humane anyway. Fang Zhengzhi isn’t familiar with the geographical landscape of the wind valley, hence using Wu Feng to spearhead the attack is still a logical thing to do. Furthermore, if it wasn’t for Wu Feng and the rest to want to do this on their own, it would be impossible for Fang Zhengzhi’s authority alone to make them budge.” Nangong Hao explained calmly.

“Then… based on Wu Feng and the rest’s abilities, would they be able to defeat the formation Young Master Nangong had set?”” The middle-aged man nodded. After which, he asked again.

“They cannot.”

“Looks like Young Master Nangong had thought of this outcome a long time ago?” When the middle-aged man heard this, the worry on his face slowly began to dissipate as he heaved a sigh of relief.

“Yes, and no. Now, it would be about how Fang Zhengzhi deals with this.” After Nangong Hao finished his sentence, he didn’t speak further and instead lowered his head and continued to read the ancient book in his hand.

…

Chapter 361: Battle

At the exit of the wind valley.

Forty-over thousand soldiers stood inside the wind valley, quietly waiting for the orders to be passed from the front. And in front, Fang Zhengzhi continued to wait with a leisurely look on his face.

“Guard Fang, can they defeat this formation?” Teng Shisheng looked at the dozens of scholars suffering and holding themselves up in front, then finally couldn’t contain himself anymore and asked.

When they other generals heard Teng Shisheng’s words, they also looked towards Fang Zhengzhi.

Fang Zhengzhi had indeed said that they should trust Wu Feng, Chen Feiyu and the rest of the scholars completely. However, the situation in front of them was clearly not one that could be resolved with trust.

Over ten scholars entering the formation through the death gate. It was clearly an extremely difficult task to defeat a formation that consisted of almost a thousand soldiers.

“Probably not.” Fang Zhengzhi looked at the soldiers who were circling Wu Feng, Chen Feiyu and the rest of the scholars and shook his head.

“Probably not?! Then… Then we are just going to continue waiting?” Teng Shisheng couldn’t understand.

Since Fang Zhengzhi felt that Wu Feng, Chen Feiyu and the rest would not be able to defeat the formation, then what was the point of delaying further?

“Of course not.” Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.

“Then, now we should…” Teng Shisheng was somewhat confused.

“Wait.”

“Wait? Wait for what?”

“What do you think is the most difficult thing in defeating this formation in front of us?” Fang Zhengzhi pointed towards the formation consisting of almost a thousand soldiers and said.

“This… I don’t really know.” Teng Shisheng said honestly. As a native of the Southern Mountain Range, their knowledge and interaction with formations were indeed extremely little.

Ever since young, their main experience had always been in survival techniques in the dense forests, as well as tactics for sneak attacks and surrounding people. But in terms of formations, their knowledge was pitifully inadequate.

“I feel that the greatest difficulty would be that Nangong Hao only left one exit in the wind valley. In this case, if we wished to defeat the formation, there would only be one path for us to take.” At this moment, a military commander stood out and expressed his views.

“General Li is right. Nangong Hao’s formation at the exit of the wind valley is equivalent to having one man guard the pass to prevent thousands from passing through.” Another commander also expressed his opinion.

“Yes, you guys only considered one side of the matter. There is another side.” When Fang Zhengzhi heard their words, he nodded.

“There is another side?!”

When the two soldiers heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, they were somewhat confused. After participating in years of military activities and wars, they believed that they had already seen almost everything.

However, Fang Zhengzhi’s words clearly implied that there was a point which they hadn’t discovered.

This caused them to feel more or less somewhat dissatisfied.

However, now, Fang Zhengzhi was the true commander of the army. Even though they weren’t satisfied, they didn’t express it as clearly as those scholars.

The other commanders were just as confused. They all wished to hear what ‘insights’ Fang Zhengzhi, who had never participated in a single battle, had to say.

“Can you guys decipher what formation Nangong Hao employed?” Fang Zhengzhi naturally knew what these commanders were thinking.

In reality, this thought was a completely ordinary thought for any other person.

Would a general who experienced hundreds of battles listen to a scholar who had never been on the battlefield? This was clearly not very possible.

Fang Zhengzhi knew this. However, he had to change this.

Now, he indeed possessed strong forces. However, this strong force was one which could turn around and stab him at any moment.

Once the combat examination ended, or any unforeseen circumstances occurred.

This powerful force would immediately engage in their own actions, and there might even be somebody who would step out to take over Fang Zhengzhi’s position. Hence, at this moment, this military force wasn’t very different from a time bomb.

“If I’m not wrong, it should be the Eight Diagrams Formation!”

“The Eight Diagrams in front, and the Big Dipper behind!”

Two commanders quickly expressed their views, their faces filled with confidence.

“That’s right, it is indeed the Eight Diagrams and the Big Dipper!” When Fang Zhengzhi heard their words, he nodded. Immediately after which, he continued to ask. “Then, can you see all the variations in this formation in front?”

“This…” A commander immediately turned speechless.

“Don’t tell me General Fang is able to decipher it?” Another commander immediately asked back, unconvinced, when he heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words.

“I can’t.” Fang Zhengzhi said honestly.

“Ha ha…”

The two generals laughed lightly, with a glimmer of delight on their faces. When they initially heard what Fang Zhengzhi asked, they were actually somewhat shocked, thinking that Fang Zhengzhi truly had the ability to decipher a formation in one glance.

However, after hearing Fang Zhengzhi’s reply, they mocked inside their hearts, he is indeed just another scholar who only knew theory. How could the quality of his opinions and views be much higher than us?

“I’m unable to decipher it, is anyone among you able to decipher it?” Fang Zhengzhi didn’t bother too much about the expressions of the two commanders. Instead, he continued to ask the people behind.

“This…”

“I can’t.”

“We are within the wind valley, yet the formation is outside the wind valley. How could we see the variations within?”

Each of the commanders shook their heads one by one. This moment was actually the best opportunity to demonstrate their abilities. However, they indeed couldn’t decipher the variations in the formation in front of them.

“Yes, that’s why there is another side of our greatest difficulty, and that is field of vision!” When Fang Zhengzhi heard the last sentence, he nodded with a gentle smile on his face.

“Field of vision?!”

The commanders couldn’t quite understand. Because, the term “field of vision” had never appeared in any military texts.

Fang Zhengzhi looked at the dazed and confused expressions of the commanders and naturally understood what they were thinking. In reality, the term “field of vision” didn’t even originate from any notable military texts.

Instead, it originated from a game in his previous world.

He only took it out and used it.

“Now that we are trapped within the wind valley, our field of vision is only limited to a line in the entire formation, we aren’t even able to see the entire formation. At the very most, we can only guess its origins from our experience. However, it isn’t very possible to decipher all the variations in the formation.” Fang Zhengzhi explained.

“General Fang is right!”

“That is indeed true!”

“That’s right, it is the field of vision!”

When the commanders heard this, even though they didn’t quite understand the meaning behind the words ‘field of vision’, they understood what Fang Zhengzhi was trying to convey.

The formation that Nangong Hao had set indeed originated from the Eight Diagrams.

However, despite it originating from the Eight Diagrams, it didn’t imply that it would mimic the Eight Diagrams. With Nangong Hao’s abilities and talents, adding a few variations to the formation was something extremely possible.

Nangong Hao could achieve such a thing. Many of the commanders could also achieve it.

The difference was only the effectiveness of the variation.

“Then… what should we do now?” The two commanders who mocked Fang Zhengzhi in their hearts flushed somewhat red at this moment.

Even though Fang Zhengzhi’s argument sounded extremely simple.

In reality, it was a problem that many generals who experienced hundreds of battles would neglect.

They didn’t quite understand why somebody like Fang Zhengzhi who had never been on the battlefield would have such good observation skills. However, they understood that just on this point alone, they had already fallen behind Fang Zhengzhi in terms of knowledge by more than one level.

The battlefield was constantly changing.

One moment ago, you were still rampaging. The next moment, you might have already been degraded into a prisoner. Hence, in many situations, one’s grasp of changes and ability to notice details actually decided whether a chief commander had the capability to turn the situation around.

“Wait.” Fang Zhengzhi’s answer wasn’t very much different from his previous one.

However, the commanders didn’t voice out any further objects. Because, they had already slowly began to trust in Fang Zhengzhi’s judgement.

The commanders and Teng Shisheng didn’t question further.

Hence, Fang Zhengzhi didn’t bother to explain further. Instead, he returned his gaze to Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu, who were still fighting furiously in front.

“Pass down the order, the entire army shall rest right where they are and start on field cooking.” After observing for a moment, Fang Zhengzhi felt that his stomach was somewhat hungry.

“Start field cooking? General Fang… it is the moment when two armies are engaging in battle, should we just consume some rations?” Even though a commander believed in Fang Zhengzhi, Fang Zhengzhi’s order did seem a little too extreme.

“There is no need, it is still early. There isn’t much nutrition in the rations.” Fang Zhengzhi shook his head.

“No nutrition?” The expressions on the faces of the commanders turned awkward. A war is breaking out between two armies, is something like a lack of nutrition really an appropriate reason?

Alright…

You are the chief commander, you have the final say.

Even though the commanders were filled with doubt, but after they thought of Fang Zhengzhi’s words a moment ago, they still quickly passed down the order.

Hence, forty-thousand over troops let out a surprised cheer.

They didn’t have much military awareness. For many of them, being able to have food to eat was their main reason for joining the army. Now that they could eat, they naturally began to celebrate that they didn’t need to suffer in hunger anymore. And, most importantly, it actually wasn’t just eating rations to stave off their hungry. Instead, it was field cooking.

This was simply too good to be true.

Each of the soldiers instantly began to dig and set up their metal stoves. Some soldiers even held bowls and chopsticks in their hands and began to drum enthusiastically.

“Teng Shisheng, take out the few mountain beasts hunted a few days ago and roast them!” Fang Zhengzhi wiped his lips and said to Teng Shisheng, who was standing at the side.

“Yes.” Teng Shisheng didn’t hesitate at all and immediately set up a campfire.

Not too long later, the rich and fragrant smell of meat began to fill the air.

This scene was definitely a strong contrast compared to the fighting outside the wind valley.

Wu Feng, who was extremely flustered in his fighting, suddenly identified a waft of fragrant meat smell. This caused him to feel extremely confused. Why is there the smell of roasted meat?

Don’t tell me…

This Eight Diagrams Formation contained fire attacks?!

Instinctively, he turned towards the direction where the meat smell drifted from. Then, he saw that within the wind valley, there were a few huge mountain beasts being roasted on a campfire.

The simmering oil dripped from the mountain beasts, causing the campfire below to give off a sizzling sound.

“Roasting… roasting meat?! This Fang Zhengzhi, he… he still has the mood to roast meat?!” Wu Feng had considered many possibilities. For example, Fang Zhengzhi would watch by the side and not provide any assistance, acting only after they had lost. Or, Fang Zhengzhi would wait until they had exhausted all their energy before reaping the profits of their efforts.

However, he had truly never imagined that Fang Zhengzhi would sit beside them, start a campfire and begin roasting meat while they fought with their lives.

Can things be more outrageous!

Wu Feng felt a boiling sensation in his heart. Instantly, he felt something rather sweet in his mouth. He was so enraged by Fang Zhengzhi that he almost vomited out blood.

Another person who was just as angry and close to vomiting as Wu Feng was Chen Feiyu.

“Shameless, shameless, absolutely shameless!!!” Chen Feiyu was now already of the Supernatural State. This meant that he had greater survival abilities in the battlefield.

However, this didn’t mean that he could escape immediately.

At the very least…

It wasn’t very possible within a short span of time.

In reality, what he currently wanted to do most was to charge back into the wind valley, then, pull on Fang Zhengzhi’s ear and shout loudly, you go and fight, I’ll eat some meat first!

Unfortunately, the reality was that Fang Zhengzhi was eating meat, while he was fighting with his life.

Of course, what caused Chen Feiyu the greatest anger wasn’t because Fang Zhengzhi and the rest were roasting meat on a campfire. Instead, it was because Fang Zhengzhi stared at them while eating his roasted meat, at the same time, he seemed to be chanting something with his mouth.

Don’t tell me…

This guy is humming a tune?

…

News of Fang Zhengzhi starting a field cooking session naturally and quickly reached a stone house within the Icy Monkey Settlement. This also caused a few middle-aged men to open their mouths in shock.

“You say Fang Zhengzhi ordered them to start a field cooking inside the wind valley?” A middle-aged man was truly in somewhat of a disbelief, and had to confirm what he heard a second time.

“Yes!” The soldier who was responsible for reporting the news instantly responded.

“This guy is indeed daring. He actually ordered a field cooking during a war between two armies, isn’t this a great military sin? Isn’t he afraid that we would send our soldiers to launch a sudden attack?” The middle-aged man heard the soldier’s confirmation and felt some spite in his heart.

“I fear that he really isn’t afraid of that!” The middle-aged man standing on Nangong Hao’s left hand side spoke at this moment.

“Why is that so?”

“The entrance of the wind valley had already been blocked. They cannot exit, at the same time, we cannot enter. Furthermore, at this moment, the wind in the wind valley had also stopped. There isn’t any danger of being within the wind valley.”

“Then… are we supposed to just watch them eat their hot meals right under our very eyes?”

“If we really dispersed the formation outside the wind valley, then send soldiers to launch a sudden attack, I fear that that would be truly falling into their trap.”

“Young Master Nangong, what is your opinion?” Even though the middle-aged man knew that this was the case, he was clearly still somewhat unhappy that he was just supposed to watch this go on.

“It isn’t very good to eat without wine. Ask somebody to send a hundred barrels of good wine over and help me to properly reward the forty-over thousand soldiers inside the wind valley for their hardwork!” Nangong Hao continued to read the ancient book in his hand and replied without even raising his head.

“We are still delivering wine to them?!” The middle-aged man clearly didn’t know how to react.

“Good plan! Young Master Nangong, this plan is indeed beautiful!” The eyes of the middle-aged man standing on Nangong Hao’s left side instantly lit up.

Chapter 362: A Shameless Plan

“Giving wine can be considered a good plan as well?”

“In the battle of two armies, the most important thing is to attack their emotions. While our army is fighting hard, Fang Zhengzhi started a field cooking blatantly by the side. This is an attack on emotions. Young Master Nangong’s gift of wine is also an attack on emotions. Don’t you think it’s a good plan?”

“It isn’t just an attack on emotions. If Fang Zhengzhi rejected it, he would lose his goodwill in allowing the soldiers to cook. If he agreed, how would soldiers who had drunk the wine fight?” Another middle-aged man added in at this moment.

“One hundred barrels of wine is enough to achieve this effect. Young Master Nangong’s plan indeed amazes me!” The middle-aged man who was initially still somewhat doubtful finally understood when he heard this.

…

Within the wind valley.

As Fang Zhengzhi chewed leisurely on his roasted meat and watched the battle, he saw over ten soldiers coming over from afar. Every soldier carried a beam on their shoulder.

On each beam, there were six wine barrels sealed with mud.

“Hmm? Are they sending wine to us?” When Fang Zhengzhi saw this, he was slightly taken aback and felt somewhat surprised.

“Nangong Hao is willing to give us wine? How is this possible?” A commander also stared in disbelief when he saw such a strange scene.

The other commanders also frowned, trying to guess Nangong Hao’s intentions.

“I understand, Nangong Hao knows that we are cooking in the middle of a battle, hence he wishes to…”

“Win their hearts?!”

“Yes, Nangong Hao’s move is indeed devious!”

Very quickly, a few commanders managed to guess Nangong Hao’s intentions and instantly revealed a somewhat furious expression.

“General Fang, should we send some people to stop them?” A commander stood out eagerly. At this moment, the best choice was to reject.

After all, if they really allowed forty-over thousand soldiers to drink, everything would be over.

Furthermore…

Only Heaven knows if this wine contained drugs.

“Why must we stop them?” A faint smile appeared on Fang Zhengzhi’s lips.

“Don’t tell me General Fang really wishes to accept these hundred barrels of wine from Nangong Hao and then distribute it out for the soldiers to drink?” The commanders were somewhat confused.

“Since we have people delivering gifts, it isn’t polite to reject. Even though there are only dozens of soldiers, they are still military forces of the Great Xia. Keep these soldiers and make them hold on to these wine. When I take down the Icy Monkey Settlement, I’ll use these wine to set up a feast to treat the forty thousand soldiers!” Fang Zhengzhi exclaimed generously.

“Capture these soldiers?!” When the commanders heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, they exchanged glances with each other, their faces filled with disbelief.

The other party sent you wine as gifts.

Yet, not only do you want the gifts, you even want the people!

Why must you be so shameless!

“General Fang, in a battle between two armies, we don’t kill messengers!” A commander reminded very softly.

“I didn’t kill them, I only wish to kindly accept and keep them so that they can contribute to us. Am I right?” Fang Zhengzhi casually waved his hands.

“This… Alright!” The commander was somewhat helpless.

After all, at this moment, Fang Zhengzhi was the true commander in chief of these forty-over thousand troops. As soldiers, all they could do was to obey the orders of the chief commander.

Over ten soldiers entered the wind valley with bright smiles in their faces. One of the stood out and loudly announced Nangong Hao’s welcoming of the “guests”.

However, after the speech, the smiles on their faces vanished.

Because, they were captured.

From the status of over a dozen messengers, they became over a dozen prisoners. This change in status was indeed a little too fast, so fast that they weren’t able to react.

And after that, Fang Zhengzhi’s actions broadened their horizons once again.

Fang Zhengzhi began to announce loudly that Nangong Hao and himself had a bet that was communicated through letters. The bet was whether or not he could defeat the wind valley. Now, Nangong Hao had lost.

He admitted losing the bet.

The only thing he could do was to present them with a hundred barrels of good wine.

However, the conditions of the bet were clearly a thousand barrels, Nangong Hao was clearly eating his words!

Fang Zhengzhi’s words were filled with genuine sincerity, and in addition to the fact that Nangong Hao had indeed given them good wine after they defeated the wind valley, out of the forty-over thousand soldiers, there were actually more than half that believed.

A man’s life on the world is completely based on his acting!

Fang Zhengzhi was once again enlightened on the wisdom behind these words.

Hence, amid the cheers from the crowd, Fang Zhengzhi wiped dry his tears and and pulled out the soldier who announced Nangong Hao’s welcome, then gave him an important task and let him out of the wind valley.

When the commanders saw this scene.

They were all completely stunned.

“One can be shameless. But, how can one be shameless to such an extent?”

…

News of over ten soldiers in charge of delivering the wine behind captured was naturally passed by that soldier who was given an important task to the Icy Monkey Settlement. Furthermore, most importantly, that soldier conveyed a certain message.

“Fang Zhengzhi requests for Young Master Nangong to fulfill his part of the promise in the bet and deliver another nine hundred barrels of good wine!”

When the four middle-aged men heard this news, they all became somewhat speechless. Not too long ago, they were still praising Young Master Nangong for his beautiful plan.

However, in the blink of an eye…

The wine was kept by the other party, and even their people were kept as well. Most importantly, he had mysteriously accused them. What is the meaning of losing the bet?

“This Fang Zhengzhi’s shameless is truly extreme. I have never seen anybody capturing a team that bore gifts. Furthermore, he is still able to boast and craft lies without feeling any shame! Don’t tell me he doesn’t feel even the tiniest bit of guilt?”

“I can only say that this person’s way of doing things is completely unpredictable!”

“I truly never expected that such an excellent attack on emotions would actually be destroyed by such a method from Fang Zhengzhi.”

The four middle-aged men shook their heads. Nangong Hao’s attack on emotions was indeed a great plan. However, when it was met with somebody like Fang Zhengzhi, that was when the problem would arise.

Everybody looked at Nangong Hao who was sitting behind the study table in unison.

On the other hand, Nangong Hao remained silent. He no longer flipped the ancient book in his hands, and his eyes that were bright as the sun seemed to be deep in thought.

He was indeed deep in thought.

Because, even he was slightly shocked when he heard the news conveyed by the soldier, even though he was already somewhat mentally prepared.

“He is indeed shameless enough. But, I wonder how skilled is he in the art of formations?” Nangong Hao finally placed down the ancient book in his hand and then, stood up slowly from behind the study table…

…

Fang Zhengzhi knew for sure that Nangong Hao would not order any more people to deliver wine to him. Because, that was equivalent to delivering the lamb into the mouth of the tiger. Furthermore, most importantly, that was equivalent to admitting that he had lost the bet.

Hence…

This battle of emotions was as good as ended.

Even though the military commanders didn’t wish to believe this, they all understood in their hearts that in this battle of emotions, Fang Zhengzhi indeed had the upper hand.

Of course, Fang Zhengzhi was indeed shameless!

However, just gaining the upper hand in emotions alone still wasn’t a force strong enough to decide the outcome of the battle. No matter how high the morale of your soldiers are.

You still can’t get out!

What was the use of that?

If they couldn’t leave the wind valley, everything was pointless.

The commanders knew this. However, Fang Zhengzhi’s order was to wait. Hence, all they could do was to wait. Yet, none of them knew how long they were supposed to wait!

Fang Zhengzhi had done many things in this period of time. For example, he ate the roasted meat, and drank two mouthfuls of clear water, and even loudly recited how Nangong Hao and himself had decided on the bet through letters.

However, his gaze had never left Wu Feng, Chen Feiyu and the rest of the people on the battlefield. Even when he was looking at the group of people delivering the wine, his gaze continued to be fixated upon Wu Feng and the rest.

And now…

Now that he had finished his food and drinks, next, it was time to truly act.

“Teng Shisheng!” At this moment, Fang Zhengzhi finally spoke.

“Present!” Teng Shisheng, who was currently tending to the campfire, instantly stood up.

“General Li, General Chen, General Wang…”

“Present!”

“Present!”

“…”

When the commanders heard Fang Zhengzhi’s words, they were instantly energised. They didn’t know what Fang Zhengzhi wished to do, however, they had a faint feeling.

It was time.

“Prepare spears, bows and arrows.” Fang Zhengzhi didn’t explain further to Teng Shisheng and the commanders and instead directly ordered.

“Roger!”

Teng Shisheng and the commanders acknowledged once again.

They indeed didn’t know what Fang Zhengzhi wanted to do. However, once they heard about the spears and bows, they felt as if it had struck a certain chord in their heart.

“Silver Horned Wolves, watch the flag on my hand. Wherever my flag points to, you will shoot the spears to that location. Shoot ten spears each time!” As Fang Zhengzhi spoke, he took out a small flag.

“Understood!”

“The arrows of the archers must land in the vicinity of the spears, there cannot be any deviation, can you do it?”

“Yes!”

“Then… let’s start!” After hearing the acknowledgements, a faint glow flashed in his eyes. After all, no matter what, this was his first time commanding a battle.

Even though these orders somewhat childish, and not something coming from a chief commander.

Shooting wherever I point and so on!

However…

Isn’t all that’s required for the soldiers to understand?

Fang Zhengzhi wasn’t too bothered about whether the order was beautifully worded. What he cared about was whether Teng Shisheng and the commanders would be able to understand his order.

“Woosh!”

In a flurry of activity, some of the archers among the forty-over thousand soldiers took a step out and drew their bows.

On the other hand, the five hundred Silver Horned Wolves lined up in rows of ten and nearly stood behind Fang Zhengzhi and the commanders, raising the black spears in their hands up high with cold glints in their eyes.

At this moment, Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu had also noticed the change on Fang Zhengzhi’s side.

All of them were somewhat confused.

What is Fang Zhengzhi trying to do?

There were spears and there were bows, could he be thinking of…

Mass murdering these thousand soldiers and themselves?

If that was the case!

“Fang Zhengzhi, I will never forgive you even when I die!”

Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu definitely knew about the incident in which Fang Zhengzhi murdered in the Northern Mountain Village. However, they really didn’t wish to believe that Fang Zhengzhi dared to do something like that over here.

The combat examination was a practice for the army.

The Great Xia Dynasty always had one principle. That was that a soldier who had never seen blood before cannot be considered a good soldier. Hence, deaths and injuries were extremely common in the combat examination.

However, deaths and injuries were one thing. Being mass murdered under a barrage of arrows was still a little too much.

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t care about how Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu thought. In reality, his gaze had already completely left Wu Feng and the rest.

The flag in his hand finally moved at this moment.

“There, the position ninety five steps away from this place in the South-East direction!” Fang Zhengzhi described the distance to the location he pointed out with great precision.

There was an ancient saying.

A hundred steps passes through anything!

It meant that within a hundred steps, arrows never miss their target.

In the history of his past world, there was a great general by the name of Lu Bu. He was able to hit a tiny branch a hundred and fifty steps away and was greatly respected

In this world.

In terms of strength, it had greatly surpassed that of his past world.

As for whether they were able to hit things a hundred steps away, or even a hundred and fifty, with complete accuracy, Fang Zhengzhi wasn’t very sure. However, playing it safe, he decided to start from a position ninety five steps away.

“Woosh woosh woosh…”

Once Fang Zhengzhi’s words landed, ten black spears blew past his body like a gust of wind and then drew a beautiful arc in the air.

Lastly…

“Ding ding ding…”

Each of the black spears impaled itself into the ground, marking out a circular area that was five meters wide.

Fang Zhengzhi had seen the ability of the Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry Troops to toss spears before. That time, he was mercilessly trapped on the spot by these Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry Troops.

Now that he was seeing it once again.

The feeling was completely different.

The black spears landed on the ground.

In an instant, white feathered arrows were shot out, filling the sky like raindrops. Almost exactly a hundred arrows flew into the sky, just like streams of snowflakes drifting down from the sky.

“Woosh woosh woosh…”

This movement naturally caused the thousand-soldier strong army to receive a huge fright.

When they saw Fang Zhengzhi lead his army over, they actually weren’t very concerned. After all, Fang Zhengzhi stayed where he was without any further movements.

He even began to cook by the side.

This had actually caused them to lower their guard slightly.

However, the sudden change still caused them to be alarmed. After all, that was an army consisting of over forty-thousand soldiers. It was a powerful and formidable force.

The white feathered arrows that filled the sky landed onto the ground.

Instantly, some of the soldiers who were still standing near the black spears quickly dodged away. The huge circle with the black spears at its heart once again expanded by at least two times!

At the same time, the other soldiers who were standing around the circle felt some sort of pressure of their bodies. That pressure didn’t originate from the black spears and white arrows.

Instead, it originated from the surrounding soldiers!

Chapter 363: Are you out of your mind

Shock appeared on the faces of the soldiers when they felt the surrounding pressure.

In reality, this theory was extremely simple. Because, when a “huge nail” that fell from the sky appeared within an army that was arranged extremely neatly, it would instinctively cause people to dodge to one side.

In an instant, this also caused a huge empty space to appear in the area around the black spear. This empty space naturally created a force outwards.

A truly perfect formation not only required trained and quality soldiers, it also required commanders who embodied great leadership abilities.

Of course, the formation that Nangong Hao set up was perfect.

Hence, after seeing this happen, a commander instantly waved his flag furiously as he barked out firm orders.

This caused the initially somewhat chaotic troops to return to their ordered state

However, there wasn’t much use in this.

Because…

Very quickly, ten black spears descended from the skies, carrying with it a powerful gust of wind and impaling a “huge nail” in the corner of the formation.

As the black nail dug into the ground, feathered arrows that filled the sky fell once again.

Another circle appeared, and compared to the previous circle, it was at least two times larger. It looked like a bush filled with thorns.

Another commander stood out and waved the flag in his hands, and started giving orders.

However, before he even had the time to wave his flag, a third “huge nail” fell from the sky once again. And, that wasn’t all. The fourth, fifth, sixth…

One by one, areas filled with black spears and white feathered arrows formed at various areas within the formation. The initially ordered formation turned into a large face filled with holes.

The commanders were soaked with sweat as they furiously waved their flags and attempted to give orders.

Even though Fang Zhengzhi’s actions caused them some headache, they remained confident that the Eight Diagrams Formation that Nangong Hao had set up will never be truly defeated by a few “huge nails”.

Hence, they continued to direct the troops as they shot a spiteful smile towards Fang Zhengzhi who was giving the orders to shoot.

If casually throwing a few spears and shooting a few arrows could defeat a formation.

Then, wasn’t this formation a little too worthless?

However, the spite on their face didn’t last for long before it froze. Because, at this moment, they felt that something wasn’t quite right.

The Eight Diagrams contained eight doors, while the eight doors had to continuously undergo variations and changes in order to maintain its power. However, when they directed the eight doors to undergo changes, they realised…

No matter what route they varied, they weren’t able to avoid the “huge nails” on the ground.

This was equivalent to somebody setting up a trap in your path. Either you remove this trap, or you take the longer route.

However, could the Eight Diagram Formation change its route within a variation?

Of course it could.

However, they couldn’t. Because, Nangong Hao had never taught them that. Hence, they had no way of directing further changes to the formation.

This way, it naturally caused the Eight Diagrams Formation to be unable to vary, and hence, causing it to lose its liveliness. This also meant that unlike before, the formation couldn’t be used to suppress the scholars within the formation anymore.

Putting it simply, when the Eight Diagrams was able to move and vary, I could have fifty soldiers fighting against Wu Feng. After a round of fighting, I could go to one side and take a break, then attack Chen Feiyu afterwards. After fighting, I’ll rest again…

But now?

This meant that these fifty soldiers had to constantly fight Wu Feng and it was impossible for their other friends to help them.

Could fifty soldiers hold back Wu Feng?

Yes, however, they couldn’t do so for long!

“Why are things like this?!”

Each of the flag carrying commanders exchanged glances with one another and saw the doubt in each other’s eyes. It was a form of doubt that stemmed from disbelief.

Because, in order to achieve such an outcome.

There could only be one possibility.

That was that Fang Zhengzhi had already seen through Nangong Hao’s Eight Diagrams Formation and after which, very skillfully inserted “huge nails” one by one in the middle of the variation paths of the Eight Diagrams Formation.

The commanders behind Fang Zhengzhi were just as flabbergasted.

When they saw that Fang Zhengzhi ordered for the shooting of spears and arrows, even though they carried out the orders according to Fang Zhengzhi’s instructions, in their hearts, they believed that it was just a distraction method.

However, when they saw that the Eight Diagrams Formation in front of them had actually begun to slow down in its rate of change, and, even seeming as if it was almost about to stop moving completely, they were finally filled with shock.

“There is something weird about the positions he shot at!”

“It is the variation paths of the formation! The areas Fang Zhengzhi instructed us to shoot were the variation paths!”

“That’s right, in order for their movements to remain fluid, they have to first pluck out those arrows and spears. However, they simply don’t have the time to pluck them.”

“Even if they plucked, that doesn’t pose a problem to us. Because, they can never pluck faster than we shoot!”

“How did he achieve this?”

As the commanders discussed, their gazes focused on Fang Zhengzhi. They were truly shocked.

Because, Fang Zhengzhi wasn’t shooting randomly!

He wasn’t!

He had a plan, he shot with an aim. Every spot he shot would definitely hinder the movement of the formation!

“Shoot!”

Fang Zhengzhi didn’t pay the slightest bit of attention to the discussion among the commanders behind him. Instead, he continued to give out orders from the front. And, his gaze had already slowly begun to expand towards the Big Dipper Formation behind.

The Eight Diagrams Formation emphasized defence.

Breaking that defence was the first step. The second step was an attack that destroyed the offensive power of this formation.

Without offensive power, one could say that this formation was already a harmless formation that posed no threat. Hence, there would be no problem in entering it.

As Fang Zhengzhi gave his order.

Black spears and white feathered arrows rapidly shot towards the sky, and then, nailed down upon the vital points of the formation like countless huge nails.

As for the people that felt the effects of this most deeply.

That was doubtlessly Wu Feng, Chen Feiyu and the scholars.

There was a time when they believed that they could hold back groups of soldiers, and even once believed that they could remain fearless even when faced with hundreds and even thousands of soldiers.

But today…

In front of Nangong Hao’s formation, they seemed to have turned into useless soft plums, allowing Nangong Hao to rub them, pinch them, squeeze them…

Furthermore, most importantly, they were bullied and shamed in front of Fang Zhengzhi.

Unhappiness, misery.

These emotions flowed through their minds over and over again. However, they couldn’t do anything about it. The surrounding soldiers were too agile. When your blade slashed down upon the two people in front of you, the results were that either you discover that there was actually nobody in front of you, or that ten people suddenly appeared.

Formations were strange and mysterious.

They knew this very well.

However, even though they were within the formation, they had no way of defeating it. Because, the path they entered from was the gate of death that directly faced the Eight Diagrams Formation.

How could they live when faced with death!

Yet, at this moment, the feeling was different.

That was a feeling of joy and freedom that came about from leading a perfect life. The faces of the surrounding soldiers stopped changing as they each stood with a dazed expression in front of all of them.

The initial agility and fluidity had disappeared. All that was left was petrification, just like a log.

It was extremely difficult to deal with an agile rabbit. However, it was definitely an extremely easy task to deal with a sheep that could only lower its head to chew on grass.

Hence, they began. They raised their hand. The blade fell, the hand raises, the blade fell…

“Ah ah ah!”

“Ah!”

“Crack!”

Bloodcurdling cries and the snapping of weapons quickly started to sound out. Furthermore, as time passed, these sounds became more and more frequent.

At the very end, huge empty spaces began to appear.

Those spaces were the areas surrounding the scholars.

The soldiers who were initially surrounding them tightly quickly backed off one by one. Because, it was definitely an extremely horrifying experience to face with a group of scholars of the Heavenly Reflection Peak State.

The retreat of the soldiers didn’t seem to cause these scholars to have any intention of stopping.

Because, they had to unleash the anger that had built up for so long. And, it had to be a harsh and unforgiving form of unleash, even if they understood in some way or another that this opportunity was given to them by Fang Zhengzhi.

But, so what if it was?

After being suppressed and attacked by others for so long, now that they were finally able to stand back up, was it possible for them to not return a few fists?

Arrogance was the fundamental nature of these scholars.

Hence, they had to be on the very top. And, they could only be on the very top.

Even though it was not an extent to which they would deliver fatal blows, but, casually causing a few broken bones here and there, or even accidentally causing people to fall to the ground with heavy injuries, were still frequent.

Chen Feiyu was the one who had held back the longest in this period of time.

After crossing the barrier to the Supernatural State with great difficulty, he had initially thought that it would be a time filled with honour and glory. Yet, he just happened to meet a certain Fang Zhengzhi. Not even mentioning that he was eliminated, now, he was trapped within Nangong Hao’s Eight Diagrams Formation.

This was a form of shame that only blood would wash away!

A seven-inch sword swam around the bodies of countless bodies like a moving dragon. Within the faint blue glow, there were a few flashes of jade-green light as fresh blood spilled.

Yet, right at this moment.

The whistling of an arrow suddenly rang out.

Before this arrow whistling sound rang out, Chen Feiyu had heard too many arrow whistling sounds already. However, his attention was still captured by this sound. Because, this whistling sound was too loud.

Raising his head.

A glow flashed in Chen Feiyu’s eyes.

Because, that was a jade green arrow glow, leaving a black crack that ripped space apart in its wake and flying towards his chest with lightning speed.

“The Million Sword Illustration~”

Chen Feiyu definitely knew that this was the ultimate technique of the Divine Constabulary.

He knew even clearer who was the one who had shot this arrow. Because, during the horseback hunting competition, he had witnessed very clearly Fang Zhengzhi using this archery technique to badly injure the Number Seven and Number Eight of the Rising Dragon Roll, Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming.

He didn’t know why Fang Zhengzhi would shoot him.

However, he wanted to block this shot!

Because…

He wanted to prove to everybody that he, Chen Feiyu’s, strength had already long surpassed that of Xiang Tianying and Tang Zhongming, and even exceeded that of Fang Zhengzhi and Wu Feng.

His sword shot out. Rain fell.

With Chen Feiyu’s sword at its heart, a snow white flower suddenly blossomed. After which, a torrential storm began to brew in the air as multiple jade-green coloured vines began to dance.

“Open!” Chen Feiyu bellowed.

With one movement of the sword, the torrential storm congregated at the tip of his sword, as the snow white flowers blossomed in all directions, turning into pieces of flower petals that spun at rapid speeds. With the sword in the center, it carried with it the power like that of the Torrential Pear Blossom and clashed towards that jade-green light arrow.

“Boom!” A loud echo resounded. Streaks of thin jade-green rapidly exploded outwards. However, at the same time those streaks of light intersected, the curtain of rain formed by the torrential rain spun towards those thin streaks of light like a tornado.

The Torrential Pear Blossom Sword Technique!

The secret technique of the Sun Constabulary of the Thirteen Constabularies, a sword technique that encompassed both defence and offence.

When the surrounding scholars saw this scene, the expressions of their faces instantly froze completely. They knew very clearly what that jade-green arrow was.

Because…

As long as they had participated in the horseback hunting competition of the East suburb hunting ground, there wasn’t a single scholar who wouldn’t know that this arrow was shot by Fang Zhengzhi. And, there wasn’t a single scholar who knew the power that this arrow represented.

In the Great Xia Dynasty, even the number seventh of the Rising Dragon Roll, Xiang Tianying, the Xiang Tianying who was renowned for his Purple Crystal Territory, had no way of directly blocking these arrows.

However, a moment ago, Chen Feiyu had just…

Blocked it?!

And, it was a direct block.

“Don’t tell me…”

“Could it be that Chen Feiyu had reached a new state?”

“That’s impossible!”

“Without reaching a new state, how could he block this arrow with this abilities?”

“Is it possible that Fang Zhengzhi didn’t put in all his power to avoid harming him?”

As the scholars attempted to guess, they quickly understood one thing. It should be because Fang Zhengzhi had shown mercy.

Because, using reaching a new state to explain this problem.

Was a little too exaggerating.

Furthermore, at this moment, Fang Zhengzhi and Chen Feiyu indeed belonged on the same time. The explanation that Fang Zhengzhi had shown mercy was clearly more reasonable to compared to Chen Feiyu’s enlightenment.

Hence, after the scholars understood this, they all turned their gazes towards Fang Zhengzhi who was standing not too far away. Because, they all understood Fang Zhengzhi’s intentions.

“Put down your weapon and surrender!” A scholar quickly began to shout out.

“If you don’t surrender, I don’t mind crippling a few more!” Another scholar also began to cry out.

However, these cries, in the ears of Chen Feiyu, didn’t sound very pleasing. Shouldn’t everybody be cheering for the sword technique he had just displayed?

What is this!

I had blocked Fang Zhengzhi’s Million Sword Illustration!

Wait a minute, don’t tell me that these people would believe that Fang Zhengzhi was showing mercy on purpose? Or, could it be that blocking the Million Sword Illustration wasn’t sufficient to show that he had already attained the Supernatural State?

Chen Feiyu really wished to shout out loudly. Open your blind eyes wide and look clearly! I, Chen Feiyu, had already attained the Supernatural State, I am stronger than Fang Zhengzhi!

However, when the words reached his mouth, it turned into another sentence.

“Fang Zhengzhi, shoot another arrow if you dare to!” This was because Chen Feiyu thought that praising himself was definitely much less amazing compared to being praised by others.

Hence, he prepared to catch another arrow from Fang Zhengzhi to boost his prestige.

Yet…

Fang Zhengzhi, who was standing not too far away, only shot a middle finger at him, and after which revealed a spiteful and condescending expression on his face, huffing lightly towards him.

“Are you out of your mind?”

Chapter 364: Shocking Change in Situation

“Something wrong with my head?! Who are you saying has something wrong with his head? It is clearly you who shot an arrow towards me, yet you say there is something wrong with me?” Chen Feiyu was instantly stunned.

He really couldn’t understand.

Why do such unreasonable things exist in this world?

You shot an arrow at me, I allowed you to shoot at me once more. Yet, you claim that there is something wrong with me!

Furthermore…

Most importantly, why did these scholars and soldiers have that look in their eyes? What kind of look was that! This isn’t right, it is completely different from the outcome I wished for!

Chen Feiyu was on the verge of collapse. He felt that he had already demonstrated sufficient strength.

Yet, not a single person believed him.

This was misery, this was helplessness!

In reality, Chen Feiyu was too involved in the situation. If he could view this situation from the perspective of a third person, it would likely be very easy to understand.

Because, when comparing between whether an eliminated examinee had extraordinary powers and how the formation had been completely destroyed.

Clearly, the latter would evoke more interest.

After all, this demonstrated that Fang Zhengzhi had once again changed the outcome of a stalemate battle.

Why was it that the areas he shot at had just happened to break the flow and variation of the formation?

This was a question that troubled every commander. Because, just as Fang Zhengzhi had said, under circumstances in which your field of vision was blocked, how can one understand the variation of the formation when one isn’t even able to have a full picture of the entire formation?

Don’t tell me…

All of a sudden, an extremely frightening thought flashed across the minds of the commanders.

Fang Zhengzhi knew that his field of vision was limited.

However, from the moment he reached the exit of the wind valley, his gaze had never shifted for a single moment. That meant that all these time, he had been observing the changes and variation in the formation in front.

If that was the case, then there would only be one possibility.

Fang Zhengzhi had deduced the rules of variation of the entire formation just from observing changes in a small part of the formation under circumstances in which his field of vision was hindered.

Heavens!

What an astonishing act this was.

When each of the commanders looked towards Fang Zhengzhi, they suddenly recalled that Fang Zhengzhi was a miracle that had never before been seen in the Great Xia Dynasty ever since it was founded.

A young mountain villager who had never even studied in the Hall of Dao before. Yet, he was able to soar and perform with flying colours in all of the Law of Dao examinations, a person who was able to attain Double Roll Champion all the way from the county examination, then to the capital examination, and finally to the Imperial examination.

Most importantly, in the theory examination of the Court examination, he came out top as well. And, one who had attained joint first with Nangong Hao. This was something that nobody would have ever imagined.

Yet, he did it.

Just like not too long ago, nobody ever thought that Fang Zhengzhi would be able to overcome the Southern Mountain Range’s natural barrier, the wind valley, without losing a single troop just based on twenty Silver Horned Wolf Cavalry troops alone.

Then, in this stalemate and dead-end battle with Nangong Hao, what else was impossible?

“Charge! Fight for General Fang!”

“Those who surrender will be spared!”

“Put down your weapons quickly, we are both of the Great Xia, there is no point in conflict!”

At this moment, the commanders were filled with adrenalin as if they had been injected with chicken blood, shouting loudly for the other side to surrender. They charged into the great formation that was now chaotic and completely broken down like wild wolves.

…

Within the Icy Monkey Settlement.

A soldier quickly passed through the main gate of the settlement and ran towards a large stone house that directly faced the main gate as beads of sweat soaked his face.

“Young Master, Young Master, bad news, the formation has been broken!” Right after he charged into the stone house, the soldier immediately knelt down onto the floor and reported this extremely urgent piece of military report.

“What?! Defeated? How is this possible!” The expression of a middle-aged man immediately changed.

“It is indeed broken, Fang Zhengzhi ordered his soldiers to shoot spears and arrows, destroying the structure of our formation. Now, the soldiers within the formation are almost all captured!”

“Spears and arrows? This Fang Zhengzhi is truly daring, he dares to start a killing spree?”

“No, all Fang Zhengzhi did was to use the spears and arrows to… tear, yes, he tore a hole. And this hole just happened to obstruct the change and variation within the formation, hence, hence…”

“I understand, follow me to meet the visitors!” At this moment, Nangong Hao’s voice sounded out. Immediately after, a white figure flashed across the soldier’s eyes. Before his voice landed, his person was already out of the stone house.

…

When news of Fang Zhengzhi’s grand victory over Nangong Hao’s formation reached the Icy Monkey Settlement, another piece of news was rapidly being passed to the Yan Capital of the Great Xia Dynasty.

A noble stallion soared through the East Gate of the Yan Capital at lightning speed and dived straight in until it reached the entrance of the palace. After changing to another stallion, that news once again charged towards the Throne Room of the Imperial Palace.

Now wasn’t the period of time for morning assembly, yet, within the Throne Room, the officials stood neatly in two rows, a solemn expression filling each of their faces.

“I plea for Your Majesty to send out troops as fast as possible, I’m afraid any further delays might lead to situation changes!” A minister knelt in the center of the Throne Room and brought his head to the ground.

“Your Majesty, please send soldiers to support. The Stable Mountain Gate is the main gate that separates us and the Southern Mountain Range, we mustn’t lose it!” Another military officer dressed in armour similarly knelt down onto the ground.

“Report!”

“Urgent report from the Stable Mountain Gate!”

Right at this moment, two voices closing in from afar that seemingly sounded out at the same time travelled into the Throne Room. This caused all of officials within the Throne Room to look towards the main entrance of the Throne Room.

Not too long later, an armoured soldier was brought by four guards in golden armour into the Throne Room, raising a letter high up in his hands.

“Just read it out.” Emperor Lin Mubai, who was sitting on the Dragon Throne and dressed in a golden dragon robe, finally spoke after remaining silent for the entire time when he saw the soldier enter.

“Roger!” The soldier nodded and then carefully tore open the letter in his hand. After sweeping his gaze across it, he began to recite it loudly.

“The Stable Mountain Gate guard commander Yu Tianfeng was drunk last night and didn’t notice the soldiers until they were right at the city gates. He had suicided in the military camp due to knowing that his crimes would not be forgiven. Even though the fifty thousand guards at the Stable Mountain Gate defended the powerful soldiers with their lives, the disparity in military strength between our army and the enemy as well as a lack of leadership caused the loss of the Stable Mountain Gate…”

“Lost?!”

“What, how long did it take, it hasn’t even been a day. The Stable Mountain Gate is already lost?!”

“There are fifty thousand soldiers guarding the Stable Mountain Gate and the resources and rations are plentiful. Other than natural disasters, no matter how powerful the enemy troops are, these would definitely be sufficient to defend for at least half a month. How can it be lost so quickly?”

“That’s right, now that the four main settlements are all controlled by our Great Xia Dynasty, which direction can the soldiers of the Southern Mountain Range attack the Stable Mountain Gate from? How can there be a great disparity in strength when there isn’t even any soldiers!”

When the officials in the room heard the word ‘lost’, they were truly shaken. Because, not even a full day had passed from the moment that the military report of the Stable Mountain Gate being surrounded was passed to the Yan Capital.

It was too sudden!

Nobody dared to believe it.

In the hearts of the officials, it was indeed possible for the Southern Mountain Range to begin their assault at this moment. However, it was definitely impossible for them to attack the Stable Mountain Gate.

After all, settlements such as the Yan Ya Settlement which were close to the Stable Mountain Gate were all under the control of the Great Xia Dynasty.

Then…

Where did an army capable of taking down the Stable Mountain Gate appear from? Even if the guards of the Stable Mountain Gate was really drunk the previous night, it still wouldn’t warrant a suicide at this moment, didn’t he know that accomplishments were able to make up for mistakes?

There were too many suspicious points in this letter.

Nobody could understand a single one of them. However, there was one point that everybody could be sure of. That was that the Stable Mountain Gate had been lost. This also meant that the gate between the Great Xia Dynasty and the Southern Mountain Range had opened.

And, most importantly, the Stable Mountain Gate was lost at this moment.

What was happening at this moment?

The combat examination was deep in progress. Almost thirty great scholars of the Great Xia Dynasty were battling in the Southern Mountain Range. A hundred thousand soldiers were distributed among the four main settlements of the Southern Mountain Range. The current Crown Prince Lin Tianrong of the Eastern Palace was also in the Southern Mountain Range.

The Stable Mountain Gate, the throat that connected the hundred thousand soldiers and the Great Xia Dynasty.

The throat was slit!

How could the hundred thousand soldiers, the Eastern Palace Crown Prince, and the almost thirty great scholars survive?

“Your Majesty, at this moment, the three hundred thousand soldiers of the Eastern Liang are closest to the Stable Mountain Gate. Please give the order quickly, if there is any further delay, I fear that the lives of His Highness the Crown Prince and the hundred thousand soldiers will be at risk!”

“That’s right Your Majesty!”

‘I feel that General Wang’s words aren’t appropriate. The Stable Mountain Pass has been compromised. If the Southern Mountain Range takes advantage of this and advances, even our Yan Capital will be in danger. If we were to move troops from the Eastern Liang at this moment, it would probably be too late. I suggest ordering the army of the Northern Desert to move East in order to protect the safety of the Eastern Capital, the Yan Capital, after which we will combine the forces from the Northern Desert and the Eastern Liang to battle with the enemy forces of the Southern Mountain Range!”

“General Liu’s words do make sense. We must ensure the safety of the Yan Capital!”

“Yes, yes yes, first protect the Yan Capital, then combine forces from the two sides. This is a better plan!”

“Coward! The traitorous officials of the Southern Mountain Range would never dare to attack the Yan Capital! Furthermore, we have a hundred thousand members of the Imperial Ranger Squad guarding our Yan Capital, how will we be in danger? Now, the most critical action to take would be to resolve the threat at the Stable Mountain Pass, else if we take too long, the hearts and loyalty of the people might change!”

Very quickly, the officials began to discuss and put forward their suggestions one by one. Some wanted to send troops to the Stable Mountain Pass, and some wanted to gather troops at the Yan Capital for defence.

As he listened to the spirited discussion below, Emperor Lin Mubai waved his hand with a tinge of annoyance.

Hence, the entire Throne Room regained its calm.

Each of the officials gazed at Emperor Lin Mubai, who sat on the Dragon Throne, with their eyes wide open as they awaited his decision.

“The majority decides to send out troops?”

“Yes!” The military generals quickly responded.

“Is there any differing opinions?” Emperor Lin Mubai nodded and continued to ask.

“I have a different opinion!” After hearing Emperor Lin Mubai’s question, the Law Official, who had remained silent the entire time, finally stood out.

“Speak.”

“Based on my opinion, the Great Xia and the Southern Mountain Range had generations of friendly neighbour relations and strong, deep ties. There is definitely a reason behind the Southern Mountain Range’s sudden attack on the Stable Mountain Pass this time. We the Great Xia have always valued diplomacy. Hence, I suggest for Your Majesty to send a messenger to the Southern Mountain Range to investigate whether it is due to inappropriate actions of the people of our Great Xia, or due to goading from certain races. If it is due to the inappropriate actions of our people, we will punish them accordingly. If it is due to incitation from other races, we need a clear and logical explanation to avoid harming the hundreds of years of friendly relationships between our countries! Of course, if the Southern Mountain Range indeed harboured ill intentions, there would still be time for Your Majesty to send out military forces. This is also in line with the values of our Great Xia Dynasty, diplomacy before military action!”

After finishing his speech, the Law Official bowed and slowly knelt onto the ground.

“I agree!”

“I agree as well!”

Not too long later, another two officials stood out to express their support towards the Law Official.

When the other military officials heard the words of the Law Officials, a spiteful expression appeared on their faces. However, civil officials indeed had the right to voice out, and, Emperor Lin Mubai had indeed asked for differing opinions.

Hence, even though the military officials were all furious, they still held themselves back.

However…

Nobody believed that Emperor Lin Mubai would accept such a suggestion. Because, even though the Great Xia valued diplomacy, it was still a powerful country that had stocked up on its reserves.

Now that resources were plentiful and military forces were well established, they didn’t fear war at all.

If they allowed a subordinate country like the Southern Mountain Range to unscrupulously invade their own land without fighting them head-on, could they still be considered the grand Great Xia Dynasty?

“I feel that the Law Official’s words do make sense. Then, I’ll send the Law Official to personally enter the Southern Mountain Range and investigate this issue!” At this moment, Emperor Lin Mubai finally nodded and gave his order.

In the throne room, the military officials stared at Emperor Lin Mubai, who sat on the Dragon Throne, with an expression of disbelief. Because, none of them could understand why Emperor Lin Mubai would listen to the words of the Law Official.

Don’t tell me that he still believes the Southern Mountain Range is the same Southern Mountain Range as before?

Could the Southern Mountain Range who dared to trespass their territory and occupy the Stable Mountain Pass still be the same loyal vassal state that presented them with gifts each year?

“Roger, I will definitely investigate this matter fully to return Your Majesty’s grace!” The Law Official didn’t pay the slightest bit of attention to the expressions of the surrounding military commanders. After hearing Emperor Lin Mubai’s words, a smile broke out on his face.

Understanding the Emperor’s intent and carrying the Emperor’s heart.

That was the way of an official. If one wasn’t even able to notice whether the Emperor wanted to fight, what was the point of being a part of the Six Council Officials? Why not just stay at home and continue farming!

A bunch of simpletons!

The Law Official swept his gaze contemptuously across the surrounding military officials and his gaze instinctively landed onto the last member who wore a red official robe, Left Prime Minister You Yiping.

Ever since the urgent military report, Left Prime Minister You Yiping hadn’t uttered a single word nor opened his mouth. This caused him to feel somewhat confused.

However, confusion was just confusion. This achievement had already landed into his pocket.

The Law Official didn’t continue thinking and respectfully bowed in gratitude. After which, he swiftly left the throne room and prepared to journey to the Southern Mountain Range.

When Left Prime Minister You Yiping saw the Law Official’s respectful bow, a faint glow flashed across his eyes as his lips curved into a light smile.

That was a form of pity.

Or, it could also be described as a form of pity wedged between spite and contempt.

Understanding the Emperor’s intent and carrying the Emperor’s heart.

Left Prime Minister You Yiping glanced at Emperor Lin Mubai, who was sitting on the Dragon Throne with a neutral expression and smiled coldly to himself. In this entire throne room, was there a second person other than himself who dared to claim dominance in this area?