Chapter 2186 - 2171: Xio Qiangu’s Top-Secret Plan

Chapter 2186: Chapter 2171: Xio Qiangu’s Top-Secret Plan

Qing State, within the deepest hall of the West Patrol Official Office, the current Duke of the Secret Kingdom, Xio Qiangu, was staring intensely at the Jade Scroll in front of him, his index finger rhythmically tapping the table, each tap sounding like muffled thunder.

Xio Qiangu’s expression grew increasingly fierce amidst the tapping sounds.

Wei Gang, the left and right arms of Xio Qiangu, who stood at the left of the table, was also drenched in sweat under the rhythmic tapping, his expression turning increasingly anxious.

"Figured it out?" Xio Qiangu, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

Wei Gang nodded heavily, "Reporting to the master, I have figured it out."

"Then speak it out loud." With that, Xio Qiangu stopped the tapping abruptly.

"Master, the key to this matter isn’t about Ye Zhen being conferred as Duke of the North Sea County, nor about Ye Zhen being the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy of the West Patrol.

It lies in the fact that Ye Zhen is both!

Ye Zhen being conferred as Duke of the North Sea County while being the Second Route Wind Patrol Envoy of the West Patrol is quite a threat to the master." Wei Gang said.

Xio Qiangu rose to his full height, "It’s more than just a threat."

"Regardless of whether this Prophet Demon Master Qi Hong was really killed by Ye Zhen or if it was with the backing of the Old Emperor’s power, with the Old Emperor’s insight, my position..." At this point, Xio Qiangu let out a sinister laugh filled with coldness.

"Master, but from what we understand, each of the Seven Surnamed Prophet Demon Masters is a true Great Divine Power Practitioner; they cannot be slain without a Dao Realm Peak or Half-step Creation power.

Ye Zhen’s power is indeed impressive, with records of slaying Dao Realm,

but if he wanted to rely on his strength alone to slay Prophet Demon Master Qi Hong, it is absolutely impossible." Wei Gang said resolutely.

"What I am worried about is precisely this!"

Xio Qiangu said solemnly, "Though the Imperial Dynasty does not have explicit regulations, there are unwritten rules that the one serving as patrol must come from noble blood or the direct lineage bloodline of nobility.

If one does not meet this requirement, even if the Old Emperor issues an Imperial Decree, it would be rejected."

"All these years, we’ve been aware of the Old Emperor’s desire to deal with our Xio Family in the West Patrol.

But firstly, no one can establish themselves in our West Patrol, even if they do, they do not meet the conditions, which was the greatest obstacle for the Old Emperor previously.

But now, with Ye Zhen being conferred as Duke of the North Sea County, this obstacle no longer exists, do you understand?" Xio Qiangu spoke.

"Master, shouldn’t we then have this fellow..." Wei Gang made a ruthless gesture of slashing.

Xio Qiangu glanced back at Wei Gang, making him even more anxious, then slowly sat back onto the government office chair.

"Do you remember the secret plan I drafted before?" Xio Qiangu suddenly asked.

Wei Gang nodded fervently, "I remember, my lord!"

"Then start executing it, remember, every command issued must be done by you personally, no delegating to others." Xio Qiangu instructed.

"Sir, about Ye Zhen?"

"Leave this matter alone; I have my own arrangements!" Xio Qiangu pondered, "Additionally, invite the old man. Tell him that in the midst of a millennial battle, I have no time to leave and ask him to come to Qing State for a secret meeting."

"As you command!"

After Wei Gang left with orders, Xio Qiangu’s previously straight posture slowly collapsed into the chair, his expression becoming incredibly venomous.

"Your Majesty, why do you press me step by step?"

"Your Majesty, you forced me, don’t blame me!"

In the slow mumbling, Xio Qiangu adjusted his posture, directing his gaze towards the large Spirit Map hanging on the wall, its center clearly marking the Human Demon Battlefield.

...

Within Ye Zhen’s commander’s tent at the Blood River Camp of his army, Ye Zhen held the newly received urgent military report delivered by the Heavenly Patrol Divine General, perplexed.

"How could this be?"

"What exactly is the Seventh Prince Cong Yun up to?"

The urgent military report indicated that the Seventh Crown Prince, Cong Yun, commanded the army attacking Blood River Fortress to retreat.

Moreover, all forces attacking Blood River Fortress, including those targeting Cairo Fortress and Yang Gate Fortress, have withdrawn.

They haven’t retreated to nearby camps but have completely evacuated.

Currently, they have retreated over thirty thousand miles.

This happened two hours ago.

The retreat of Cong Yun’s army was organized, with scouts patrolling and responding from all sides, both openly and covertly, especially with scouts using Spirit Light Talismans as they advanced. If they met with difficulty, the talismans would extinguish, immediately signaling an alert.

This is evidently a full-on defense against any surprise attack from Ye Zhen.

Given such precautions, there’s a strong likelihood they are genuinely retreating.

But Ye Zhen couldn’t fathom it.

This time, Ye Zhen truly couldn’t understand.

Why would the Seventh Crown Prince Cong Yun retreat?

Though they’ve suffered defeats, the forces under Cong Yun still have around six hundred and fifty thousand left, which is still double the forces defending Blood River Fortress.

Moreover, the forces have grievances from defeats and the enmity of slaying Prophet Demon Master Qi Hong. To retreat disgracefully would be a lifelong stain for Cong Yun.

Yet, this is exactly what happened.

Ye Zhen observed the images sent by the Heavenly Patrol Divine General of the demon army’s retreat, and it seemed genuine, not some deceptive feint.

Now, it’s giving Ye Zhen a headache.

"Continue scouting!"

After issuing this command, Ye Zhen continued pondering deeply.

Every two hours, the Heavenly Patrol Divine General brought new intelligence.

The Seventh Crown Prince Cong Yun’s army had distanced seven thousand miles from Blood River Fortress.

The demon army had retreated twelve thousand miles.

The demon army had retreated twenty thousand miles.

The intelligence received at dusk made Ye Zhen completely certain of Cong Yun’s army retreat.

"Order Liuu Feng’s forces at Blood River Fortress, Gu Tieqi’s forces at Cairo Fortress, and Che Ben’s forces at Yang Gate Fortress to immediately count the wounded, conduct rest and recovery, and replenish military armory."

The entire army began resting, but Ye Zhen remained sleepless throughout the night.

By dawn, the demon army had retreated over thirty thousand miles, continuing further.

This distance already constitutes a safe zone.

The demon army would need at least two days to return and stage an attack on Blood River Fortress.

But here’s the problem; Ye Zhen is troubled.

Truthfully, when the Seventh Crown Prince Cong Yun led a million troops to attack, Ye Zhen was greatly troubled, needing to exhaust every strategy to manage the situation, leading to the current stalemate.

In this current scenario, the elite forces of Cong Yun’s army have diminished, their combat power decreased even more significantly than their numbers, bolstered by Ye Zhen’s previous victories, he can handle it calmly.

A day later, when Governor Ni Feng’s reinforcements arrive, it can further threaten Cong Yun.

So despite facing Cong Yun’s army, Ye Zhen’s Blood River Fortress remains utterly secure.

But now, with Cong Yun’s army retreating, Blood River Fortress faces endless variables.

The large-scale commotion Ye Zhen caused at Blood River Fortress will not go unnoticed by the demon clan.

The answer is, it’s impossible!

In contrast, the demon clan might send even more elite forces and a massive army to crush Blood River Fortress.

In that case, Ye Zhen’s Blood River Fortress and the Heavenly Wave Army of North Sea could face an even more dangerous situation than when facing Cong Yun’s army.

Especially under the dual bounty of Prophet Demon Master Jiu Xi and the Demon Emperor, Ye Zhen, his Heavenly Wave Army, and Blood River Fortress, the circumstances are imaginable.

Suddenly, with Cong Yun’s withdrawal, Ye Zhen felt like he was back before the battle had started!

Urgency and pressure!

Ye Zhen knows he must act.

Simultaneously, a political struggle concerning Ye Zhen’s fate begins in the Qiankun Palace of Luoyi!

*********

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