Chapter 175 – Seizing Every Advantage

The grand hall was silent, Yelü Jiejia’s gaze, flickering in the shadows, clearly reflecting the turmoil in his heart.

"So, according to your plan," Yelü Jiejia said in a low voice, "We take Liangzhou and then point our swords directly at Tianjing? The Ruen Dynasty has been established for a century, and has deep foundations... A successful campaign won’t be as easy as you make it sound."

"Your Majesty is wise," Keo Gu’en complimented as he bowed slightly. "To bring down the Ruen Dynasty just like that would indeed be nothing short of a fool’s dream."

"Oh?" Yelü Jiejia raised an eyebrow, watching Keo Gu’en closely. "Judging by your attitude, I suppose you’ve come up with a solution?"

"

Solution

might be too grand a word. Just a few small tricks," Keo Gu’en laughed heartily and replied, "Your Majesty mentioned the deep foundations the Ruen Dynasty has developed after ruling for a century. I have already considered this, and the plan I propose is precisely aimed at these foundations."

"Let’s hear it." Yelü Jiejia adjusted his posture, leaning back on his throne.

"The foundation of any nation lies in its people," Keo Gu’en chuckled softly and spoke slowly, "Your Majesty, do you know the difference between our Qiang people and the people of the Ruen Dynasty?"

Yelü Jiejia pondered briefly, then replied, "Hmm... Our Qiang people are naturally fierce, born and bred on horseback, with a strong martial spirit. As for the Ruen Dynasty... they revere scholars and live in the gentle, fertile lands of the south, so they are naturally weaker in constitution than our warriors."

"Your Majesty is correct"—Keo Gu’en raised a finger, squinting slightly—"but you missed one point."

"Oh? What point?" Yelü Jiejia looked over, curious.

Keo Gu’en grinned, baring his teeth. "It’s true that the Ruen are naturally weaker than our Qiang warriors, but did Your Majesty consider that the Ruen Dynasty has a long tradition of martial arts, one that our Qiang can only look up to?

"Only a few Ruen people can afford an education, leaving many to turn to martial arts. They may not achieve great martial prowess, and most end up as outlaws or bandits... but they are still stronger than ordinary people. And if these people were to unite... they would be a force to be reckoned with."

"You fear that the Ruen Dynasty might use these martial artists to counter our invasion?" Yelü Jiejia burst into laughter. "You’re overthinking it. Even if the Ruen Dynasty could unite those loose, scattered fighters, those untrained strangers would have no cohesion on the battlefield and would likely scatter at the first blow."

"But what if someone emerged who could command their loyalty?" Keo Gu’en interrupted, and began listing names one by one, "Someone from the Grand Succession Sword Sect, whose call could summon a thousand swords, the Xuanfeng Valley, home of legendary weapons, the Garan Temple, that seeks an end to all war, or even the notorious Ghostbane Association?"

"The Ghostbane Association?" Yelü Jiejia shook his head. "Impossible. While others may not know, we do... the Ghostbane Association is just a shadow of its former self. It's nothing more than Chen Kaiming's hound."

Keo Gu’en nodded and continued, "Even excluding the Ghostbane Association, the other three sects are prominent and well respected within the martial world. While they may not be closely tied to the court, they make their livelihoods in the Ruen Dynasty’s territory. If they were to rally the martial artists... we might find our progress severely hindered."

"You make a valid point." Yelü Jiejia nodded slightly. "So what exactly is your plan?"

"These martial artists are the Ruen Dynasty’s last backbone." Keo Gu’en clenched his fist with fierce determination. "What we need to do... is to break that backbone!"

Keo Gu’en seemed tired of standing. He took a few steps forward and sat on the steps below the throne, abandoning any semblance of scholarly decorum. With his back to Yelü Jiejia, he said slowly, "Our army is indeed the basis of our victory, but the real move that will sever the Ruen Dynasty’s hopes... will come from the Qihuang Society."

"Why must we involve the Qihuang Society again?" Yelü Jiejia frowned, clearly reluctant. "The Qihuang Society may have many skilled fighters, but placing them in a battlefield of a million would barely cause a stir. Isn’t that a waste?"

"I’m not asking them to enter the battlefield." Keo Gu’en turned to face Yelü Jiejia. "I need Your Majesty to mobilize the Qihuang Society to assassinate the Ruen Dynasty’s renowned martial masters, especially those from the major sects."

Yelü Jiejia’s eyes flickered, and he hesitated, visibly conflicted. "The Qihuang Society is my creation... Is this truly necessary?"

"Yes... and it must be swift and catch them off guard. They must strike before the Ruen Dynasty's martial world can react." Keo Gu’en’s gaze shifted beyond Yelü Jiejia, landing on a shadowy figure in the corner. The figure’s eyes snapped open as if sensing his look, sweeping briefly over Keo Gu’en, who couldn’t help but shiver.

"If it truly comes to that," Keo Gu’en muttered as he looked at the shadowy figure, "We might even need to send out people like Uncle Liuqu. Including him, the Qihuang Society only has four Huitian realm members in total.

"Your Majesty, how many such individuals do you think the Ruen Dynasty has? If these leaders rally together, even a slight spark could drive those outlaws and warriors to throw themselves against us..."

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Your Majesty, do you understand my point now?" Keo Gu’en’s gaze returned to Yelü Jiejia. "If this plan succeeds... the Ruen Dynasty will fall."

On the fourteenth day after North Watching Pass fell, Northern Qiang left fifty thousand troops to garrison Yanchi Pass, while the rest of the army advanced southeast, targeting Liangzhou.

At the same time, the Mingmu, Anshen, Tongluo, and Xuming divisions of the Qihuang Society mobilized in their entirety. The martial artists formed groups of three and crossed the desert, infiltrating the Ruen Dynasty’s martial world.

***

Ye Beizhi sat on the shaft of his carriage as he travelled. He looked up to see dark clouds covering the sky, rolling in from the north to cover the southern skies.