Chapter 292
The generals leaned back, their minds racing with questions as they collectively gasped in disbelief.
"Can this really work?"
"Isn't it a bit too risky?"
Some of the more cunning strategists, like Qu Sheng and Wu Lang, fell into deep thought. As they considered the situation from different angles, their eyes gradually lit up.
What do clever people fear the most? They fear the unexpected.
When things seem off, there’s bound to be something lurking beneath the surface, prompting careful consideration.
Han Zhen was clearly no fool.
"What if Han Zhen reacts quickly and charges into the city without a care?"
"Then we’ll have our soldiers hold the line. Isn’t it the same if we go out to intercept? We’ll still suffer casualties."
"Ah, this plan is brilliant! Young Master Li actually knows military strategy! May I ask what this plan is called?"
The generals found the idea quite feasible, casting astonished glances at Li Mo.
A man who not only excels in martial arts but also in military tactics—who could withstand that?
Li Mo silently thanked Zhuge Liang in his heart and smiled, saying, "The Empty City Stratagem—Barbecue Edition!"
...
Three hundred miles from Qingmu City.
Under the night sky, the terrifying bronze shaman statues slowly moved, making the surrounding soldiers appear particularly small. There were dozens of these shaman statues, each containing the accumulated power of countless lives.
Behind the shaman statues were various siege engines—battering rams and arrow towers—pulled forward by strong warriors.
In the center, a temple was being carried by men.
This was unmistakably the temple that Han Zhen had used in Senluo Valley, now being carried by numerous soldiers, resembling a moving palace.
"Prince Helian, you bear the grace of your ancestors. I remember the days when I shared drinks with the Helian War God, but now, how things have changed."
Han Zhen looked toward a man sitting nearby, drinking.
This man was tall and slender, clad in black vine armor that seemed to move as if it were alive. He had a hawk-like nose and an unruly demeanor.
This man in vine armor was no ordinary figure.
The Helian clan, much like the Zhong family, had been tasked with guarding the southern borders.
When the border troops retreated, some of the Helian clan remained in the south. After the fall of the Great Shang, it was they who survived and thrived in the southern territories.
Thousands of years later, they remained the leaders among the southern tribes.
Helian Wu was exceptionally gifted among the new generation, having once ranked sixteenth on the Qianlong List.
Under his call, the southern tribes were gradually uniting.
"The National Master speaks highly of me. The Emperor of Dayu promised to marry his youngest daughter to me, but now he goes back on his word, claiming she ran away. Hmph, clearly just to make a fool of me!"
Helian Wu slammed his cup down on the table.
Han Zhen chuckled, "Once we retrieve the ancestral spirit, the Jade Phoenix, and restore the former glory of the Great Shang, not only will a princess be offered, but even the beauties from the Hundred Flowers List will be presented to us."
Helian Wu smirked, a glint of red in his eyes: "In your opinion, how long until we can breach Qingmu City?"
"Seven days, at most seven days."
Helian Wu raised an eyebrow.
There were eighty thousand defenders, all under the command of the Southern King, far tougher than the garrison troops scattered across various regions.
Han Zhen squinted, smiling, "The Emperor of Dayu, Emperor Jingtai, has long intended to abandon the Southern Pass, which is why he has been hindering the Southern King at every turn. With no support behind him, seven days is already generous for the defenders of Qingmu."
"Oh? But the Southern King is still here. If he arrives..."
"After we breach the city, let our warriors kill for a few days. Once we’ve slaughtered the defenders of the Southern Pass, I can reclaim the path to the Xuan Dao."
"The Southern King is not truly at the seventh realm."
As his words fell, many fierce figures in the hall became excited, and for a moment, the temple felt like a den of ghosts.
Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye.
Before long, the massive Qingmu City loomed closer.
The cold wind howled.
Hmm?
Han Zhen furrowed his brow, sniffing the air.
What is that smell?
It’s... quite fragrant.
...
P.S.: Here’s a chapter to make up for last night. Sending hugs, please support!
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Chapter 318: The Worth of the Best Actor Award, Come Here!
On the wide walls of Qingmu City.
At this moment, the outermost area was lined with various barbecue grills, sizzling with meat that dripped with oil, filling the air with a mouthwatering aroma, as if the city walls were hosting a feast.
Li Mo held a skewer, squinting as he surveyed the dark clouds of soldiers approaching.
This massive, ominous force, exuding a savage and brutal aura, was suffocating.
To be honest, Young Master Li had never faced such a scene before; it was impossible not to feel nervous. However, the soldiers were all looking at him, believing he was the beacon of victory...
He had to pull himself together!
"Come, come, eat and drink!"
"Everyone, don’t worry! The ones attacking the city are just my defeated foes!"
Li Mo raised the skewer and took a bite.
The soldiers were puzzled by his actions, but since Young Master Li was on the front lines with them, sharing life and death, why should they hesitate?
"To hell with it! With Young Master Li here, what do we have to fear?"
"Hahaha! Even if we end up wrapped in horsehide, we can’t go to Yama empty-stomached!"
One by one, the soldiers felt like they were facing a formidable enemy, yet they followed the plan and ate the barbecue with stoic faces.
Wu Lang squinted at the army gathered at the city’s foot, biting into his skewer with determination: "I wonder how much time Young Master Li’s plan can buy us."
Qu Sheng slowly exhaled a breath: "Any delay is a good delay. Even if it’s just an hour or half an hour, it’s better than nothing."
"As long as the enemy isn’t a fool, anyone who thinks deeply will hesitate upon seeing this setup."
If he were attacking the city and saw the gates wide open, with no defenses in sight, he would also be taken aback for a while, then gather his generals to discuss and probe the enemy’s intentions.
This was not a retreat but a stalling tactic.
He was prepared for the possibility of being seen through; the gates could close at any moment.
Qingmu City only appeared defenseless; it was not truly so.
"I will do my best to prolong the effectiveness of this plan."
At that moment, the genius strategist, Young Master Li, slowly stood up.
The generals turned to look at him.
Qu Sheng asked, "How will you delay?"
Li Mo picked up another skewer, revealing a profound smile: "Actually, I’m an actor."
"The winner of the Best Actor award at the first Golden Statue Awards is none other than me!"
"!"
Qu Sheng and the other generals were baffled, having never heard of such an award.
But Young Master Li was usually modest, even when he made it onto the Qianlong List, he never boasted about his nickname.
Now, he was solemnly introducing this Golden Statue Award.
It must be something significant!
It sounded impressive.
Meanwhile, below the city.
"What’s that delicious smell?"
"Damn, barbecue? Don’t they know we’re coming to attack? How can they be so brazenly feasting?"
"Curse it, what are they grilling? Why does it smell so good?"
"Is it possible they’re trying to tempt us to death?"
"The gates are wide open; we can just charge in and take Qingmu City!"
In an instant, a buzzing murmur rose like thunder, uncertainty spreading among the enemy ranks.
Especially among the shaman beasts beside Han Zhen, each one roared in anger, unable to resist the urge to rush into Qingmu City and feast.
"Silence! I haven’t given the order yet."
Han Zhen’s heavy voice cut through the clamor.
The shaman beasts quieted, suppressing their inner restlessness as they looked at him.
"National Master, this is a heaven-sent opportunity. Why not let us charge in?"
"Hmph."
Han Zhen snorted coldly.
The leader of the Beast Hall pondered for a moment and said, "Qingmu City is neither deaf nor blind; they must have received news of our army. Even if they haven’t, as the most advanced city at the Southern Pass, they wouldn’t be so lax."
"Qu Sheng, the commander of Qingmu, I’ve faced him before. He’s strict in his military discipline and a tough opponent."
"He will definitely fight to the death. With the gates wide open, could it be... a trap?"
Helian Wu’s eyes flickered as well.
What they said echoed Han Zhen’s own thoughts.
With over a hundred thousand troops and numerous shaman beasts at the city’s foot, breaching the city would leave no survivors.
But after their long journey, they found Qingmu City not on high alert, and the defenders not trembling in fear...
And they were feasting?
In such a situation, how could they still eat?
And why did it smell so good? It was enough to make one drool!
Something was off.
It was nine parts wrong!
"What should we do next?"
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