Chapter 2191 - 2176: Seventh Prince Congyun’s Strategy (Third Update)

Chapter 2191: Chapter 2176: Seventh Prince Congyun’s Strategy (Third Update)

Ye Zhen left Dingbian Fortress with a smile, looking quite satisfied.

As for Shan Zhengchun, the Fortress Lord of Dingbian Fortress, although there was a smile on his dark face, it seemed more unnatural.

Eventually, Ye Zhen negotiated with Shan Zhengchun, agreeing that Dingbian Fortress would provide one hundred thousand militia, complete with their own food and armor, while Ye Zhen would supply the Wind-Fire Crossbows and crossbow bolts.

Additionally, in an emergency, Dingbian Fortress must organize an elite troop of ten thousand to follow Ye Zhen’s command.

Correspondingly, Ye Zhen also agreed to three conditions from Shan Zhengchun.

The first condition was that Ye Zhen must steadfastly implement the first defensive plan, absolutely not allowing the Demon Clan army to break through the Blood River Fortress line.

The second condition was that the deployed one hundred thousand troops must be commanded by the generals of Dingbian Fortress, with Ye Zhen only issuing orders to these generals without scattering the arrangement.

The third condition was that these one hundred thousand militiamen would only fight in the rear, participating only in siege defense and not engaging in field battles. Ye Zhen must ensure that their casualty rate remains lower than that of Ye Zhen’s main force, the North Sea Heavenly Wave Army.

Ye Zhen agreed to these three conditions very straightforwardly.

Although the militia of Dingbian Fortress were well-trained, most of them were new recruits who hadn’t seen battle; Ye Zhen dared not risk them in field battles.

Deploying them in the field was mainly for defensive battles, reducing the defensive pressure while enabling Ye Zhen to have more mobile troops.

The remainder of the task was even easier.

Ye Zhen visited Black Earth Stronghold, replicating the task with similar conditions, which Black Earth Stronghold accepted.

They also presented conditions identical to those of Dingbian Fortress.

The problem of insufficient troops was smoothly resolved.

However, to return to the point, the second defensive plan was not devised by Ye Zhen simply to intimidate the Fort Lords of Dingbian and Black Earth Strongholds.

If he failed to secure troops and faced vast armies besieging him, Ye Zhen truly would carry out that plan.

Ye Zhen was no benevolent figure, nor some Saint.

If you treat me unjustly, I will reciprocate; Ye Zhen could truly act on such terms.

After all, the lives of the border people in Dingbian Fortress are precious, yet so are the lives of Ye Zhen’s martial men under his command!

Thus, as he left Shan Zhengchun’s presence, Ye Zhen’s attitude was truly resolute, without the slightest falseness.

Upon returning, he indeed planned to deploy this second defensive plan.

Of course, if he truly deployed the second defensive plan, while Ye Zhen wouldn’t lose everything, criticism would surely follow, and under such circumstances, the casualties for the North Sea Heavenly Wave Army would be even greater.

In the worst-case scenario, if the North Sea Heavenly Wave Army were surrounded without support from all sides, total annihilation was possible.

But now, with nearly five hundred thousand troops under Ye Zhen’s command, he felt confident for the first time to lead the North Sea men and persevere until the end in this millennia-long conflict.

....

In the Demon Clan’s frontline military prefecture at Jialing City, the Seventh Crown Prince of the Demon Emperor, Congyun, was being sprayed with saliva by his two brothers in the grand assembly hall. He wore a sash of white silk, with his single eye half-closed, his face expressionless, allowing his brothers’ persistent reprimands over his errors.

The Second Crown Prince Zhuiri was more robust than the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun, exuding a more menacing aura. At this moment, his enormous single eye flashed with dark light as he pointed his finger at the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun, in front of a host of generals and the Marching Chief, angrily berating Congyun, saliva flying everywhere!

"Useless!"

"How could I have such a useless little brother like you!"

"The teacher who guided you, the great Prophet Demon Master in our Demon God Hall died saving you, yet not only did you not seek revenge, you also slithered back in shame, daring to face us. What could you possibly be thinking?"

"You are simply undeserving of the esteemed surname Ami, and even less deserving of our noble lineage of the One-eyed Demon Emperor!"

"Moreover, you dare return with false sincerity, brandishing white silk in mourning for the Prophet Demon Master. Why don’t you just die?"

Amidst the curses, no one noticed the occasional gleam in the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun’s solitary eye.

With saliva flying, the Second Crown Prince Zhuiri seemed tired from scolding, his voice slowing down, "Come on, continue berating!"

The assembly of marching generals and corps leaders exchanged glances, no one daring to speak.

Their seventh prince Congyun was being scolded by his brothers; they couldn’t risk scolding him.

Afterward, the Fifth Crown Prince Poyue took over.

The Fifth Crown Prince Poyue’s single eye flickered as he resumed scolding in his brother Zhui Ri’s tone.

"Truly shameful for our One-eyed Demon Emperor lineage..."

....

"You are a disgrace; your actions bring shame upon our One-eyed Demon Emperor lineage!" Shouting to this point, the Fifth Crown Prince Poyue seemed increasingly agitated, abruptly stepping forward to raise his hand as if to slap him.

"You, the shame of our One-eyed Demon Ami lineage, with Father absent today, I, as your elder brother, must teach you a lesson to wake you up!"

At these words, the Fifth Crown Prince Poyue raised his hand, intending to give the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun a slap.

The surrounding marching generals and corps leaders were aghast, but none dared intervene.

However, although seemingly expressionless, the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun subtly moved his single eye, and the Demon Emperor’s Jewel-Eyed Sword hanging in front suddenly leapt, emitting boundless light.

The light from the Demon Emperor’s Jewel-Eyed Sword instantly froze the Fifth Crown Prince Poyue’s hand in mid-air, not daring to let it fall.

With the presence of the Demon Emperor’s Jewel-Eyed Sword, akin to the Demon Emperor himself, not even ten times the courage would compel the Fifth Crown Prince Poyue to strike the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun wielding the Demon Emperor’s Jewel-Eyed Sword.

Seven Prince Congyun was crystal clear; when his brothers scold him, it’s to diminish his prestige, further lowering his repute.

This was all part of their plan, which he could disregard.

But hitting him was a matter of dignity, something he could never accept!

"Humph, you’ll see, upon returning, Father will not spare your hide!" He said bitterly, now feeling some dullness, the Fifth Crown Prince Poyue also ceased his rebuke.

At this time, the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun slowly raised his head, not bothering to wipe the saliva off his face, opened his single eye, "Done cursing?" His gaze, utterly serene!

"Finished cursing, now listen to me!"

With these words, the look from the assembly of marching generals and corps leaders towards the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun suddenly transformed into utter surprise.

The Seventh Crown Prince Congyun’s current calm demeanor seemed inconsistent with rumors.

It wasn’t due to fear of Ye Zhen’s military might that he fled panic-stricken!

Judging by this, he seemed well-prepared.

"Indeed, at Blood River Fortress, I suffered defeat, resulting in the death of my mentor, Prophet Demon Master Qi Hong.

By rights, I should rally forces to avenge Qi Hong, my mentor.

However, due to Qi Hong’s death, my mind has been in disarray, compounded by excessive grief, causing me to lose composure.

In the short term, I cannot muster the confidence to defeat and kill that Ye Zhen to avenge my mentor, Prophet Demon Master Qi Hong.

Thus, I decided to cede the right of vengeance, granting the opportunity to attack Blood River Fortress for Prophet Demon Master’s vengeance to my two brothers.

To my brothers, whichever can slay Ye Zhen, avenging the great Prophet Demon Master Qi Hong who died saving me.

The Seventh Prince would personally serve him tea, honoring him sincerely as a brother, and revere him as supreme!"

Seven Prince’s calm statement instantly stirred up a tempest in the assembly hall.

Whether it was the Second Crown Prince Zhuiri or the Fifth Crown Prince Poyue, or the assembly of marching generals and corps leaders, upon hearing the Seventh Crown Prince Congyun’s words, were utterly shocked!

Everyone was struck dumb with amazement!

Almost in that very moment, both Second Crown Prince Zhuiri and Fifth Crown Prince Poyue stepped forward, exclaiming.

"Are these words true?"

"If true, I’ll claim Blood River Fortress!"