Chapter 186: Shi Yao Has a Plan
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Su Cheng stood with his hands behind his back, pondering for a moment before speaking.
"Miss Dongfang speaks wisely. Yet our army presses at the border, intent on swift assault. The enemy retreats within the city walls, intent on protracted defense."
Li Shiyu nodded in agreement. "Miss Dongfang speaks wisely~"
"But following your suggestion, even if we capture the city, it will inevitably exhaust the people and drain resources. There's no guarantee Luo An won't make a last stand, turning this into a siege."
Li Shiyao bit her finger in deep thought: "Yes, a desperate defense within the walls!"
"Negotiating leverage is always better when you have more of it. In my view, attacking the city is the superior strategy."
Li Shiyao understood!
"Exactly! The more, the better!"
Dongfang Jue couldn't help but laugh. Second Grandma didn't understand either, but she just wanted to join in, to play along with everyone else.
Dongfang Jue only grasped the concept vaguely, but he nodded along too. Attacking the city was the right move, right?
"Rather than pinning hopes on whether the other side might change their mind, it's better to hold the decision-making power in your own hands."
Dongfang Jue nodded, grasping the gist after hearing it.
A direct assault meant Su Cheng wouldn't need to strategize. Master Su had already helped him immensely; the current situation was largely thanks to him.
"Jue'er thanks Master Su for his guidance."
Su Cheng smiled and spoke up.
"I reckon the gate tower will be a tough nut to crack!"
"I have a plan. With just thirty armored soldiers and twenty light cavalry, we can breach the gates."
In truth, Su Cheng estimated that a direct assault—even with numerical superiority—would likely result in heavy casualties for the Northern Garrison Army against such impregnable defenses.
The highest form of warfare is to defeat the enemy through strategy; the next is through diplomacy. Attacking is necessary, but it must be done with cunning, not reckless force.
Dongfang Jue's eyes now gleamed like Li Shiyu's when she spotted snacks—his anticipation nearly overflowing.
Li Shiyu heard this and immediately grew displeased!
"Shiyao has a plan! With just twenty armored soldiers and a grilled fish, we can breach the city gates!"
Though she didn't understand the details, breaching the gates alone posed no trouble for her!
Su Cheng and Dongfang Jue exchanged glances, both conceiving a brilliant plan!
Heh~
Su Cheng spoke up, "Shiyao, a soldier's word is his bond. Since you've offered, we'll leave it to you!"
Dongfang Jue froze. Master Su, are you serious?
As for Li Shiyu, she was still completely bewildered. Since her master had entrusted her with this, even though she didn't know how to proceed, it should be fine, right?
She then turned to Dongfang Jue: "Jue'er, rest assured. I have complete faith in Shiyu. If she's made the promise, she must have a plan. There's no need for you to worry."
Dongfang Jue thought to himself: Twenty soldiers might not be many, but if this backfired, it would likely alert the enemy.
But Su Cheng remained utterly unflustered. For just moments ago, he'd conceived a brilliant plan!
As the saying goes, victory lies in the unexpected. Even he himself would likely never have conceived of such an ingenious plan!
Dongfang Jue glanced at Su Cheng with a hint of confusion, but Su Cheng's gaze was fixed solely on his direct disciple, Li Shiyu.
She, for her part, wasn't dwelling on such thoughts. Since Master Su claimed he could help her breach the city, she wouldn't doubt him.
All she felt now was envy and jealousy toward Li Shiyu. Why did that little airhead get Su Cheng?
Before, she'd envied Li Shiyao's luck in being accepted into Lingxian Hall. But now, she envied the look in Su Cheng's eyes when he gazed at Li Shiyao.
Even with fine clothes and sumptuous food, even with a high position, this was something she had never possessed.
"Shiyao, feel free to pick any soldier outside the tent. The grilled fish will be ready soon. What are your plans?"
Li Shiyu had no plans whatsoever. Her plan was to finish the grilled fish, then go knock on the door to see if it opened. If it didn't, she'd smash it down.
Li Shiyu didn't hide her intentions; she stated them plainly.
"I'll just open the door. Shiyu will knock. If they don't open it, Shiyu will tear the door off its hinges."
That was Lingxian Hall's style—straightforward and direct. She recalled how she and Ye Qinghan had solved puzzles in the secret realm by simply opening doors.
Senior Sister wasn't skilled at solving puzzles, but she excelled at resolving problems.
As the saying goes, "Those who associate with the virtuous become virtuous; those who associate with the wicked become wicked." Spending so much time with her senior sister, Li Shiyuo had also become adept at tackling problems at their root.
If there were no doors, then there would be no need to open them, right?
"Is that how Master Su thinks too?"
Su Cheng just chuckled at Li Shiyao: "I believe in Shiyao. Breaking through the city walls won't be a problem."
Dongfang Jue couldn't help but glance at Li Shiyu's personal information.
【Name: Li Shiyu】
【Race: Human Holy Maiden】
【Gender: Female】
[Status/Social Background: Lingxian Hall's Second Direct Disciple, Holy Maiden]
【Cultivation Level/Technique: Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage, Level 4 / No Permission】
【Possessed Treasures: Primordial Treasure Chaos Bell (Reforged Form), Mind-Binding Bell (Mythic Equipment Lv20), ■■ Jade Pendant (Immortal Grade Supreme), Ten Thousand Phenomena Jade Gourd (Immortal Grade Supreme), Graceful Glow Skirt (Immortal Grade Supreme)】
【Affinity: 100%】
[Danger Assessment Level: Normal]
Apart from a slight increase in cultivation, there were no significant changes. However, this time, Dongfang Jue's system had upgraded again.
It can now display the danger assessment level of others. Essentially, everyone except that Flower-Seeking Immortal is safe.
As for the Flower-Seeking Immortal's assessment, it was beyond classification.
Information on the Flower-Seeking Immortal is as follows…
【Name: ■■■·Gu Ai】
【Gender/Race/Age: Female/Unauthorized/Unauthorized】
【Constitution: Demigod physique, Unauthorized】
【Affinity: 100%】
【Danger Level: Extremely Dangerous—Do Not Contact】
【Details: Current Commander-in-Chief of the ■■■■■ Combat Force, holding the rank of Admiral. Formerly served in the ■■■■ Combat Force under the codename ■■. Possesses only three distinct authorities and the power to annihilate deities, occupying one of the thirteen seats on the Godslayer Throne.】
【No Permissions…】
【No file records…】
【Access Denied…】
Honestly, after reading that Immortal Sovereign's profile, Dongfang Jue was completely stunned…
But in comparison, Li Shiyao seemed much safer.
Dongfang Jue had repeatedly tried searching for information related to authority using different terms, but each attempt yielded nothing.
Either the records were redacted or the queries failed—everything concerning the Authority was strictly off-limits.
Still, compared to others, Dongfang Jue knew half of that Immortal Sovereign's name: Gu Ai.
Based on the data, Dongfang Jue speculated that the Immortal Sovereign might be akin to the mythical commander of celestial armies. Possessing the power to slay gods wouldn't be surprising.
Before long, the three had finished a simple meal. With Li Shiyu present, the cook behind the scenes was worked to exhaustion, the pot steaming fiercely.
The grilled fish promised to Shiyu arrived promptly. After a hearty meal, Li Shiyu rubbed her round belly, her face beaming with satisfaction.
But this was standard procedure for Li Shiyu, and Su Cheng had long since grown accustomed to it.
Yet Li Shiyu hadn't forgotten the matter at hand. She simply instructed Sister Dongfang to bring twenty men to follow her.
"Twenty armored soldiers are ready. What does Shiyao plan to do?"
Truthfully, Li Shiyu was just talking big. On a whim, she'd started haggling with her master. When he said thirty, she countered with twenty—she had no real plan.
But as the second disciple of Lingxian Hall, she had her pride to uphold, didn't she?
She then spoke with feigned mystery: "Just follow me, Sister Jue'er. You'll see how I open the gate."
To be honest, Dongfang Jue felt a twinge of worry. This was a battlefield, not a martial arts arena—there was no room for games here!
But Su Cheng seemed so confident, and she couldn't really say anything. She decided to just follow along and see.
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