The next morning, Chen Wentian and a select number of disciples met in the main hall to discuss matters regarding the beast king operation. When he came in with Jasmine, the others were already there. Wu Qianyu, Zhou Ziyun, Li Yuechan, and Song Wushuang stood around a large map on the ground.
It depicted the Eastern Wilderness and the nine provinces that bordered it. It was covered with a large number of flags. Two flags depicting a lion and an eagle were placed together near the middle atop Beast God City. One flag of a toad was in the northeast corner while one flag of a monkey was in the southeast. The solitary green flag of the mantis queen was located in the Glittering Forest directly east of the Beast God Sanctum.
Chen Wentian looked up from the map and at the four disciples. They seemed more beautiful this morning. Their skin was smooth, their cheeks rosy. Their hair was shiny and healthy. They were energetic and lively. It must be the effect of the Lunar Blessing, it was really wonderful divine art.
"Morning, master. Morning, Sister Jasmine." The disciples gave their greetings.
"Morning, sisters."
Chen Wentian nodded at them. He only called these four and not the others. They were his most reliable disciples at the moment aside from Jasmine. He didn't expect them to make any big contributions, he just wanted to hear their opinions.
"Very good, let us begin." He said and extended a hand.
Two new flags moved from a nearby table and onto the map. One depicted a dragon and the other a fox. They landed in the middle of the Cloudy Mountain Province, directly atop Black Rock City.
"I chatted with Jasmine last night…" He paused and dared anyone to make a joke. Nobody did so he continued, "The baseline goal for this operation is to attack the Glittering Forest and subjugate the mantis queen. Of course, it won't be as simple as charging straight in. The mantis queen has a few subordinates at the Spirit Lord Realm. They are constantly patrolling the forest for any incoming dangers."
He moved the dragon and fox flags toward the forest but also moved four smaller mantis flags in various strategic locations.
"I can sneak through their perimeter using Chen Mo's powers but Jasmine won't be able to follow. And if I have to fight, then I would be cut off from support deep inside dangerous territory. Any battles inside the forest will also attract attention from the other forces."
He dragged the four other Spirit Kings towards the forest from their home bases.
"The lion lord and the eagle lord are actually the closest but they won't be the first. If they leave, then Beast God Sanctum will be in danger. My spy inside the lion lord's faction has verified this, that both of them will be reluctant to make overt moves. But that doesn't mean they can't move in secret. So they are still a very real threat."
"Now these two," He pointed to the frog king and the monkey king, "These are our secondary goals. They are isolated from each other and even if a battle were to break out, responses from the other kings will be slow. If there really is not a good opportunity to go after the mantis queen, one of these two will also be an acceptable choice."
"Lastly, the lion lord and the eagle lord are tertiary goals. I really don't want to touch them before one of the beast kings. But if a truly wonderful opportunity arises, we should still consider it. The reason is that killing one of them will severely skew the balance of power on the eastern border. It will not only threaten Beast God Province but our territories in Red Bamboo Province and Cloudy Mountain Province. It is also not Jasmine's wish to see the people of Beast God Sanctum suffer unnecessary hardship. Her problem is with the lion lord and the eagle lord and not anyone else."
Chen Wentian stepped back after this long explanation and looked around, "Jasmine, do you have anything to add?"
Jasmine shook her head.
"Everyone else, feel free to think about the current situation and voice your ideas. No need to rush."
The other four disciples once again gathered around the map and studied it. Zhou Ziyun and Wu Qianyu seemed deep in thought while Li Yuechan and Song Wushuang started whispering amongst themselves.
After a short while, it was Li Yuechan who spoke up first.
"Master," She said with a slight bow, "The resources of Glacier Palace and Divine Blazing Mountain are at your disposal. If you wish to use the manpower of these two sects, they can move out at a moment's notice."
"Master," Song Wushuang added, "Based on the strengths of Glacier Palace and Divine Blazing Mountain… and considering the dual attribute aspect of Summer and Winter's Eternal Sutra, I believe that the best target is actually the flame toad. If we utilize all of our forces, we launch a direct attack and achieve swift victory!"
Chen Wentian considered it but ultimately shook his head, "The idea is good in isolation. We have two Spirit Kings to their one. I can hold off the toad while Jasmine can take care of its Spirit Lord subordinates. At the same time, disciples of Glacier Palace and Divine Blazing Mountain can fight against the toad's mortal minions. But we would make too much noise. And we would end up revealing our full strength which isn't something we want."
Song Wushuang looked down at her feet, disappointed.
Chen Wentian reached over and patted her shoulder, "I am not asking you to fight. This will be a dangerous battle between immortals. Instead, think of another way to contribute toward the overall goal."
"Master," Li Yuechan tried next, "I have an idea based on your words. We shouldn't do anything to reveal the sect's true strength. Therefore, we should provide master an opportunity to deny all responsibility for anything that happens in the Eastern Wilderness. We can hold a large competition between Glacier Palace and Divine Blazing Mountain. Since master is the administrator of both sects, you will be able to show your face using Chen Mo while you and Jasmine sneak over to attack the mantis."
Chen Wentian rubbed his chin and nodded along, "Good idea, Yuechan, you are starting to think like me. Haha, I like sneaky ideas like this."
Li Yuechan gave him a brilliant smile. She had been relatively quiet after the Convocation of Swords, solely focusing on her cultivation. Today, she seemed especially beautiful and radiant.
Zhou Ziyun coughed lightly to interrupt the two. They both looked away while Li Yuechan tried to hide a blush.
Zhou Ziyun suppressed a smile and said, "Sister Li's idea is good but I think it is a little too safe. We can't be too overt like the first idea but we should still try to do something that will have a definitive effect on the outcome of the operation."
As she spoke, her bossy attitude took over. She pointed to the two flags over Beast God Sanctum, "These two are the greatest threat to master's primary goal. Although they are reluctant to move, once they actually decide to, they could be at the mantis queen's lair in a short time. Our best bet is to do something to neutralize these two."
Chen Wentian was intrigued, "What did you have in mind?"
She grinned, "It's very simple, we play the two sides against each other so that they cannot possibly move. We should directly contact the eagle lord's faction and ask for an alliance."
"An alliance?"
"Really?"
The others were surprised by the strange idea.
"Think about it." Zhou Ziyun insisted, "The two factions aren't exactly friends. Master had a few conflicts with Immortal Lion of Fortune He Xinghan and Immortal Lion of Fortitude He Zicheng. However, we haven't had any real conflicts with anyone from the eagle faction. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. I don't think the eagle lord will immediately refuse our offer. That's all we need. Once the lion faction hears about this rumored alliance, they will be so paranoid that their entire attention will be focused on their rival. Nobody will have any time to react to something happening in the Glittering Forest."
"Good! Very good!" Chen Wentian clapped his hands, "Ziyun, your idea is amazing. Jasmine, what do you think?"
Jasmine also looked excited, "That old fart named He and that overgrown chicken both hate each other to the bone. They might have a truce now but us offering an alliance will definitely blow it up. I like it! Such a simple ploy will be able to neutralize two Spirit Kings!"
After Jasmine, the others also offered their agreement and praises.
"Then it's decided, Ziyun can help me draft the letter offering an alliance with Immortal Crimson Eagle Qu Shen. The rest of you, since we are offering an alliance, we will have to send some people over to show our sincerity. Decide amongst yourself who would be the best choice. Jasmine and I will set off for the Glittering Forest soon so Chen Mo will lead you to Beast God City."
They discussed some minor details and adjourned the meeting. Everyone was filled with optimism and eagerness. Jasmine was excited to finally start her revenge. The other disciples were equally pleased that they were able to contribute.
As for Chen Wentian, he was still going to be sneaky and careful even with a really good plan, because that was just his style.
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