Chapter 147: Eliminate Them Early
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Upon entering the tent, Dongfang Jue noticed Su Cheng's favorability toward her had skyrocketed to 65.3!
Under the pretext of arranging dinner for Su Cheng, Dongfang Jue stepped outside the tent and summoned Zou Fu. In truth, Zou Fu was scarcely a strategist anymore, nor did he hold any advisory role. He was merely responsible for logistics—handling mundane tasks like provisions and troop movements.
Upon reaching the cooking area, Dongfang Jue carefully instructed:
"Master Su is my honored guest, whose status far surpasses mine. Even my father treats him as a brother. Do not neglect him in the slightest."
"Now he has come to aid me in breaching the city walls, resolving my most pressing crisis. Though supplies are tight, you must offer him the finest hospitality available. Is that clear?"
Dongfang Jue had once eaten at Lingxian Hall, but since leaving that place, he hadn't tasted such delightful meals!
It certainly couldn't be called a heavenly delicacy, but somehow, fighting others for food made it taste far better than eating alone!
At that small table, eating felt like a battle. Opportunities vanished in an instant—one moment of inattention, and the meat would be snatched away by Second Grandma!
That Second Grandma was a force to be reckoned with—rumor had it she dared to snatch food right from Ye Yanyang's bowl!
Just thinking about it was amusing!
Before long, Zou Fu arrived. Dongfang Jue didn't bother choosing a private spot, treating it as a casual inquiry.
"General, what brings you here?"
"What are your thoughts on Master Su's plan?"
Zou Fu pondered briefly before speaking frankly.
"It's still too early to tell, but I suspect Master Su likely intends to seize the pass."
Dongfang Jue thought to himself, Am I the only fool here? How could I not see this?
Yet outwardly, he nodded in agreement, feigning a look of shared understanding before posing a probing question.
"Why?"
"Master Su aims to undermine morale. He must first break the mutual defense between the two cities. While it appears he intends to lure the enemy into annihilation, his true goal is to mobilize the enemy forces and sow suspicion between them."
Dongfang Jue nodded. Zou Fu's reasoning made perfect sense. If this strategy succeeded, Luo'an would inevitably harbor doubts and dare not send reinforcements lightly.
If they could capture Lihe Pass, Yong'an City would be left isolated and defenseless—Luo'an would be as good as captured!
"How do you think Master Su will respond?"
Zou Fu pondered for a moment, then shook his head and sighed, "It remains to be seen."
Dongfang Jue agreed, though he felt it was already quite impressive to have discerned so much!
After all, he was Immortal Su. Without the weight of his father's authority and his own earnest pleas for guidance, he would likely have no desire to meddle in worldly affairs.
"Zou Fu, what do you make of Master Su's character?"
Zou Fu's expression darkened. He was not one to willingly place himself beneath others, yet he had no choice but to speak.
"His strategic acumen surpasses mine. Just now, he dared to test the generals before the tent, revealing both his depth and audacity. You could aspire to be like him, General. With his support, you could truly…"
Dongfang Jue smiled bitterly. Did she not wish for that too?
"I suspect you've only told me half the story?"
"Indeed. If he cannot be won over, he must be eliminated swiftly. In these turbulent times, he could become a threat."
Dongfang Jue nodded. "I have my own plans for this matter. Do not speak of it again. Starting tomorrow, you will serve under my command."
"This…"
Seeing the look of surprise and hesitation on his face, Dongfang Jue teased him lightly, easing the tension between them.
Dongfang Jue understood that the treacherous intrigues and perilous dangers of the imperial court had likely led this fellow to harbor thoughts of retreating to a corner and minding his own business.
But Dongfang Jue didn't think that way. This wasn't the imperial court, so there were naturally fewer rules.
She hoped for a relationship where they maintained proper court etiquette publicly, yet remained friends privately—a bond that was both mentor and confidant.
"I rescued you from the imperial dungeons not so you could spend your days watching over provisions. You seem to relish this leisure! Stop refusing!"
Zou Fu was slightly surprised, though he knew Dongfang Jue was joking.
But he clearly hadn't anticipated that these words had just come from a sixteen-year-old girl testing the waters.
"Thank you, General!"
"Eat more. Look how thin you are. Saving you cost me a fortune—you'll have to earn it back!"
"Haha, the General speaks wisely. I shall not disappoint your kindness."
With that, Dongfang Jue dismissed Zou Fu to attend to his duties and returned to the tent to inquire about the specific operational procedures.
"If Luo An comes personally, no further discussion is needed. But if he sends others, Jue'er must capture some and release others."
Su Cheng pointed and gestured at the sand table, arranging ambushes at several locations. He even assigned specific commanders to Dongfang Jue, explaining the reasoning behind each choice.
If Dongfang Jue had once admired Su Cheng for his extraordinary insight and influence, now, after witnessing his tactical deployments, she felt only dread.
"Why such a look on your face, Jue'er?"
"After hearing Master Su's words, Jue'er feels a chill down her spine. I'm a bit afraid."
"Afraid? What is Jue'er afraid of? According to my plan, even if the forces from Lihe Pass come to attack from both sides, there's no need to worry. Have Bao Wenhu and General Bao lead one force to…"
Dongfang Jue shook her head. Against this iron-clad formation, a thousand attackers would meet certain death! Flanking? Who could possibly flank them?
"Master Su, you possess such profound knowledge of Jue'er's military affairs! You understand every soldier under my command as if they were your own, even knowing each man's temperament and strengths. Truly, Jue'er is…"
Uh… What to do?
Su Cheng also felt he might have gone a bit too far…
He'd intended to gently guide Dongfang Jue, offering gradual hints, but once Jue started speaking, he got carried away…
"Um… Jue'er understands. I have no desire to meddle in mortal affairs. If I wished, breaching the city walls would take but an instant."
"Master Su speaks truly. Jue'er harbors no such intentions. I am merely astonished by Immortal Su's divine prowess."
"Heh, no need to apologize. There is one more matter I wish to entrust to you, Jue'er."
Frankly, Su Cheng wasn't sure if he should say this, but given the current state of Jue'er's army and the shifting course of the world, it seemed pointless to hold back now.
"Jue'er possesses eyes as sharp as torches, able to discern loyalty from treachery—this is indeed a virtue." Su Cheng pondered for a moment before deciding to offer his advice.
"Please enlighten me, Master Su. Jue'er will take your words to heart."
Su Cheng smiled. Dongfang Jue seemed much more docile these days, clearly less scheming than when they first met.
"For a ruler to discern right from wrong and loyalty from treachery is indeed a virtue. Yet, as the saying goes, 'Water that is too clear has no fish.' This principle, Jue'er, you surely understand."
Ever since entering the camp, Yu Lan had remained silent, standing beside Su Cheng like a maid. Compared to Ye Qinghan and Li Shiyao, she seemed more like a dutiful disciple following her master.
It must be said that over the past few days, it felt like gradually lifting the fog. Su Cheng was like an ancient text—each page turned revealed something slightly surprising.
At first, she wondered why Su Cheng was this way.
After their intimate moments, she marveled at what Su Cheng truly was!
Upon entering Lingxian Hall and bearing the title of elder, she felt Suzhou was far more than this.
Now, she realized men truly came in all shapes and sizes. Hmph~
Capricious men~
You little thing~ Do you have even more faces?
Watching Su Cheng lecture Dongfang Jue on so-called imperial arts and the art of controlling people, she couldn't help but think Su Cheng had truly become addicted to being a master.
Little did Su Cheng know, his calculations were about to backfire. His two prized disciples were nearing their breakthrough.
It had been a bloody battle indeed. When the two direct disciples reached the tower again, both bore minor injuries of varying degrees.
Even though they now possessed three magical treasures, facing the relentless, endless tide of enemies still felt like a struggle.
"Shiyao, how are you?"
"Shiyao's fine, but Senior Sister…"
Li Shiyu looked at her senior sister, now covered in wounds, and felt a pang of guilt.
She had been told to protect her senior sister, yet she had failed to do so. Worse still, she kept causing her trouble.
"Don't blame yourself. You did your best, Shiyu. Senior Sister is invincible—these scrapes are nothing!"
Ye Qinghan grinned, reading Shiyao's thoughts from her expression and deciding to reassure her first.
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