Chapter 1043: Four Lands’ Grand Marshal

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“Uh, right, young master Zhuo, central area’s army…” Ling Yuntian rushed to bow as he spoke.

Zhuo Fan dismissed him with a wave, “There’s no need of that, I already know. Central area’s army is not only attacking northern lands, but the other three lands, a war on all fronts and with no hope in sight.”

They all shook and stood there in stunned silence as they stared at Zhuo Fan.

“Sir has such a cunning mind!”

Ling Yuntian’s eye twitched, shaken awake, then bowed again, “We’ve only got word of these attacks, yet sir knows without even looking. Yes, it’s as sir said, Dragon Cleaving Sword King is leading the attack on northern lands, while the other lands each have a Sword King taking charge of those large armies as well. We can’t do anything and can’t think of what to do, just come ask for sir’s advice.”

Zhuo Fan smirked, “It’s quite simple, really, nothing to it.”

[Simple?]

Everyone twitched, their eyes glazed over in confusion. 

[With this grave danger from being attacked on four fronts, Sir Zhuo thinks it’s nothing?]

[Is that just boasting, or does he have some godlike strategy to help us out of this?]

Everyone was looking incredulous and stunned. 

[He can’t be playing with us, can he?]

Exalted Hei Ran got caught off-guard as well by his boasting, “Zhuo Fan, you’re the pride of western lands. We all know of your skills, but you can’t look at this with such disregard. You need to be serious. Baili Jingwei himself came up with this plan, the best mind in the central area. There is no room for errors. You need to think things through and come up with a complete response. How to deploy troops, how to repel the enemy, to provide support, to bait the enemy, to charge, all of these need thorough thinking. You are dealing with the most famous mind and any mistake…” 

“Exalted Hei Ran, you’re just enumerating military tactics, but I’m not too familiar with these. If you’re after victory, you’re welcome to see Luo Yunhai. He’s much better than me.”

Zhuo Fan cut him off with a smirk, “You know him as Luo Clan Head, having grown in the military and of deeper knowledge of wars than myself.”

Ugh!

Exalted Hei Ran was stumped, “I mean, Zhuo Fan, don’t joke around. Luo Yunhai is a fine man, yes, but if he could fight the shrewd Baili Jingwei then the latter wouldn’t have put us in such a predicament by going to war on four fronts.

“So when not even an unbeatable general can handle him, this shows that military tactics have no place here.”

Zhuo Fan smiled, “Exalted Hei Ran, you’re already off the minute you thought about scoring victory. This isn’t a matter of fighting.”

They all flinched in bewilderment, with Ling Yuntian cupping his hands, “Sir Zhuo, if this is not war, what then?”

“Who is Baili Jingwei?”

“Central area’s Sword Star Empire Prime Minister!”

“There you have it.” Zhuo Fan cocked an eyebrow, “He’s no commander or general, but a Prime Minister. Is he even thinking about fighting you? He’s a politician, doing his very best with leveraging.”

Murong Lie’s brow shook and muttered, “How is a politician any different from a commander, now that he directs the central area armies?”

“He’s far greedier.”

Zhuo Fan replied, “There’s no guile without trade, but there’s none more cunning than a politician. A commander is always focused on gaining ground, on winning one battle at a time. While a politician is only thinking of fattening his pockets with every action while ignoring the details. He wages war with four lands, but does he really want to fight them all? His true purpose is to scatter you. No matter which land you choose to defend, the other three will be sour, making it easier for them to get the lands. It’s a far more effective plan than fighting for every inch of land. In other words, it’s a mind game, of no consequence, how the four wars end, while your changing mindset is.”

They all bobbed their heads, seeing reason.

Ling Yuntian bowed again in respect, “We’ve thought of this as well, but with sir’s analysis, we came to see how insidious it is. But understanding is one thing, while dealing with it is another. We ask for sir’s advice.”

“Couldn’t be easier. If Baili Jingwei was a nice guy, I’d be stumped as well. However, a guy enacting such a sneaky ploy has no place among the righteous. I can read him like an open book. When he had Baili Yutian go to northern lands with five Sword Kings, I had it all figured out. Neither of us are nice guys. Only a man of our devious minds can understand the other, he-he-he…”

Zhuo Fan had a cryptic smile and the other smiled in joy, eager to know what his counter was.

Zhuo Fan chose silence, unnerving them at the worst moment and making these old guys’ faces go red and beaming at him with endless hope.

[Bro, where’s the rest?]

Zhuo Fan spoke with pride, “By the way, we’ve yet to establish terms. Let’s begin, shall we?”

They all flinched and almost fell. Their faces twitched and faces fell.

[Oh right, nothing’s free in the world. He’s certainly not above asking to be paid for his rescue plan.]

Zhuo Fan sure knew how to sell himself, showcasing his talent before talking terms. Mentioning them any sooner and the other party would never believe in his skills.

Zhuo Fan led the talks, making it so he was their only hope of survival. They were stuck with him.

And as desperate men clinging for any lifeline, they would take his terms without question.

“Sir Zhuo, we will agree with any terms you might have, just help us against the central area’s invasions.” Ling Yuntian turned serious as he spoke in earnest.

That was all Zhuo Fan needed to hear, his face beaming, “First off, this five fronts war shall be under my command with none permitted to interfere.” 

“Of course, since only you can handle Baili Jingwei, we will follow your lead.” Everyone gave hasty nods. 

“Second, I want you to vow on your path to look after Qingcheng’s safety. No matter what happens, you are to protect her and look after her.”

“Uh, well…” They looked baffled, with Zhuo Fan continuing, “Anything can happen on the battlefield. At my sudden demise, you can’t even look after my family? I can’t leave this world knowing my wife isn’t taken care of. Vow and I’ll be at ease.”

[Oh, I see, sure.]

They all saw reason, making their vows based on their own path in cultivation. Once a cultivator made such a vow, it was for life. He had to fulfill it or his entire beliefs would crumble along with feeling the wrath of heaven.

None would take such a promise lightly, though it was just over some widow. What was the worst that could happen?

Only Exalted Bai Mei and Exalted Hei Ran felt their faces heat up. Zhuo Fan was clearly hinting at them saving Ye Lin while leaving Chu Qingcheng to die mere days before, at the stage. 

Such was their bad luck, as Zhuo Fan was not around the past years to see how thoughtful they were of Chu Qingcheng all this time. Doing this had made it seem that this five-year-long favor was for nothing.

[Opportunity is much more praised than prevention.]

Exalted Hei Ran sighed.

Zhuo Fan was at ease now that this condition was accepted. He no longer needed to worry about Qingcheng’s safety when he’d be out at sea.

Zhuo Fan’s eyes flashed and said, “Next isn’t much of a condition. It’s not exactly right for a convict to command the elders’ forces of every land…”

“Oh right, we are fully committed to supporting Grand Marshal Zhuo of the four lands in defending our homes from invaders. All lands’ sects and clans are at your disposal!”

Ling Yuntian bowed.

The rest followed suit, “May sir be appointed as Grand Marshal of the four lands to fight back the enemy!”

“In that case, what are you waiting for? Get this Grand Marshal free and out there fighting Baili Jingwei. Do you expect me to fight him behind bars?”

Zhuo Fan cocked an eyebrow and smirked. Qiao’er giggled at the side.

The merchant guards bowed with smiles of respect.

[Sir Zhuo is wise beyond his years. He had no worry of being exposed since he already had everything in control. He’s like a god…]

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