Full Attack! . . .
Wenren Jianyin raised his voice indignantly, "So when they send forth their superior cultivators, all we can do is stand by and watch? Is there nothing we can do? Must we merely sigh in defeat? Where have our Kingdom of Lan-Feng's superior cultivators disappeared to?"
The other generals shared his frustration and embarrassment.
[He's absolutely right. Other kingdoms have superior cultivators who willingly join their army, becoming generals and risking their lives for their country. We undoubtedly possess our own share of superior cultivators in the Kingdom of Lan-Feng!]
[But where are they hiding?]
[If they do not step forward and show their willingness to join us, will we remain forever subordinate to the Kingdom of Chen?]
"We shouldn't place all the blame on them, Uncle," Wenren Chuchu interjected, her tone calm. "Many cultivators in our kingdom are willing to assist. However, even if they can arrive in time, they might not be as skilled as those in the Kingdom of Chen. Superior cultivators typically favor solo combat rather than battlefield confrontations."
"For the first time in thousands of years, the Kingdom of Chen has enlisted such a substantial number of superior cultivators to serve in its army," she continued. "I am certain that not even one hundred royal decrees from Chen Xuantian could have persuaded these individuals to participate in this war."
"To secure the voluntary participation of such individuals, they would require a powerful and respected leader who possesses substantial wealth," she explained. "This individual must be able to cover their expenses, possess military connections to provide martial artists with official military status, and, most crucially, gather them and issue orders in advance. This is the only way they could function so cohesively, as if they were a true army."
"That is what matters most to them."
She sighed deeply, concluding, "And we do not have such a leader."
Wenren Jianyin's expression shifted as he had an epiphany. "Do you mean... Feng Monarch of Ling-Bao Hall? Could it be... did Feng Monarch also participate in this? Did he plan missions for their martial artists?"
The others were perplexed, unsure of what she meant. They exchanged confused glances, waiting for her to elaborate.
"Maybe. I can't say for certain," Wenren Chuchu replied, sighing. Her cryptic statement puzzled the generals.
Wenren Jianyin and the others were eager for more information, but she chose to remain silent. Instead, she turned away and walked off.
As she departed, she contemplated the situation.
[Is it really him? I should investigate further tonight.]
She did not provide more context to the generals. There was no suitable way to convey that Feng Monarch was in Iron Peak, as revealing this would undoubtedly dampen the soldiers' morale.
In the Land of Han-Yang, Master Bai, who had ascended to the higher realm, had deemed Feng Monarch of Ling-Bao Hall as his sole rival. This status had made Feng Monarch a legendary figure in the eyes of the people.
Countless stories circulated about Feng Monarch's exploits, including his eradication of two major sects in the Land of Han-Yang within a single day. This astonishing display of power solidified his reputation as an unstoppable force.
Though Wenren Chuchu knew that Feng Zhiling might not be as formidable as he was reputed to be, the world believed in his invincibility.
This information had even received the approval of the five noble clans, making it a universally accepted truth.
The night passed, and Wenren Chuchu ultimately decided not to investigate further.
Wenren Chuchu had found the perfect excuse to avoid seeing him. Her side had just suffered a loss, and if Cha Eun Xiao sent Ning Biluo or Zhao Pingtian to assassinate Wenren Jianyin, she would need to be present. Surviving against those two deadly killers would be almost impossible.
In reality, she was struggling to come to terms with how to face this mysterious figure. If he was indeed Feng Zhiling, what should she do? These thoughts weighed heavily on her mind, ultimately leading her to abandon her plan.
Inside the tent, Wenren Jianyin and his generals continued their discussions about the potential involvement of Feng Monarch of Ling-Bao Hall in the battle. The previous night had been a trying one for them.
Fame, they believed, was like a tree's shadow. Whether someone's reputation matched their true abilities or not, public perception was a powerful force. When people believed someone was as formidable as legends made them out to be, the truth often became irrelevant. Legends had a way of exaggerating a person's prowess, and this was certainly the case with Feng Zhiling.
The next morning, at sunrise, Wenren Jianyin's forces began to mobilize.
"We cannot remain idle here and wait. Their elite warriors are too skilled. One of them can defeat a hundred of us. However, no one can fight endlessly. We have the advantage of superior numbers. We cannot simply defend; it would be a disgrace," Wenren Jianyin declared.
"We must launch an offensive, disrupt their plans, and force them into a defensive position."
"Divide our forces into teams of two hundred thousand soldiers each, organized in a wave-shaped attack formation. Cover every inch of their defenses. Do not concentrate on a single point. Maintain relentless pressure until we breach Iron Peak. Send a team of one hundred thousand men to cut down trees and produce more ladders. Ensure a constant supply of ladders to other teams."
"One million four hundred thousand men divided into seven teams. Attack one after the other, in rotation. My objective is to conquer Iron Peak within three days, capture Cha Eun Xiao, and march on Chen-Xing City!"
This was an audacious and ruthless order, the likes of which Wenren Jianyin had never issued before, nor would he ever issue again. The current battlefield situation had driven him to the brink of madness, where he believed such drastic measures were necessary.
This order marked the first and last time he would make such a decision, for the circumstances that had led to this decision were uniquely dire. The war seemed to be turning in favor of the Kingdom of Chen, and Iron Peak remained the only opportunity for their foes to prevail.
Zhan Qianshan was locked in a grueling battle against Su Dingguo. Although Su Dingguo might not defeat Zhan Qianshan, neither could Zhan Qianshan break through their defenses. It was a stalemate, a fact that Wenren Jianyin was painfully aware of.