In their initial skirmish, the encounter was merely a fleeting brush, as Xuan Yue had only offered a warning without launching a full-scale attack. However, this subtle demonstration of strength left a considerable impact on the hearts of the Xuanyuan generals.
Upon returning to the riverside camp, Xuan Yuanhao's expression remained grim. Yet, facing the vast expanse of the river, he suddenly burst into laughter, leaving General Xuanyuan beside him perplexed and speechless, unable to comprehend his leader's thoughts.
Standing before the tent and gazing at the waters of the Biro River, Xuan Yuanhao's emotions surged like the rushing currents. "Feng Xuan Yue, oh how splendid, how truly splendid!" he proclaimed.
In front of the Xuanyuan generals, he unabashedly praised Xuan Yue with three emphatic affirmations, revealing his admiration for her.
It was not that he was devoid of anger or resentment; however, as Xuan Yuanhao, he harbored a certain pride. Even though Xuan Yue's actions had indeed posed obstacles on his path to dominance, it was precisely because of this that he found her commendable. In this world, there existed a woman capable of being his rival, one who could stand against him. Perhaps there was a sense of dissatisfaction, but such a woman was one he appreciated, and none could dispute his discernment.
"Your Highness, our forces are not adept at naval warfare. Even with ships, the Feng King would thwart our passage across the Biro River," Cen Can remarked, bowing as he approached Xuan Yuanhao, his brows knitted in concern. Reflecting on the earlier experience on the river, he felt a cold sweat trickle down his spine. Throughout the years, he had marched across lands, rarely facing defeat, which had solidified his current standing. Yet, his battles had been primarily on land. Like most Xuanyuan men, he was a poor swimmer; if a waterborne conflict arose on the Biro River, he could easily find himself drowning should he fall in.
He held a mix of admiration and trepidation towards Xuan Yue. Her audacious act of setting the tiger free revealed a breadth of spirit he could not match. Now, with the latest developments, he regarded her as the greatest impediment to their progress, one they currently could not overcome.
"Indeed, all of this stems from that Feng King. Why is that woman, instead of staying home to care for her family, out on the battlefield?"
Zhuo Ran spat disdainfully, no longer countering Cen Can's praises of Xuan Yue as he had in the past. As a warrior, his position had been forged through courage, won through blood and valor. Compared to other Xuanyuan men, his masculinity was even more pronounced.
"All she does is create obstacles; if she possesses the ability, let her face us in a one-on-one battle! Merely shouting across the river does not constitute skill," he fumed, growing increasingly agitated. Originally, he had envisioned pursuing victory alongside Xuan Yuanhao, unifying the realm, yet here he found himself stalled at the edge of the Biro River, repeatedly suffering setbacks at Xuan Yue's hands. As a rough man, how could he swallow such indignity?
The other generals exchanged glances with Zhuo Ran but remained silent. Previously, their impressions of Xuan Yue had largely stemmed from her exceptional presence at the Pan City Conference and her legendary retreat from the city walls. Now, they had witnessed her prowess firsthand. As brave warriors of Xuanyuan, they had already cast aside concerns for their lives, yet never had they felt so unnerved before the battle even began. Though they placed unwavering trust in their prince standing beside them, the thought of the Feng King—the audacious and carefree woman—stirred unease within them. If they felt this way, how much more anxious were the ordinary soldiers?
Shouting across the river? It was precisely this that fueled their anxiety. Before the fight had even begun, Xuan Yue had already unsettled the hearts of the once-invincible Xuanyuan soldiers. What other woman in the world could achieve such mastery?
On the battlefield, where fortunes fluctuate and the few triumph over the many, true skill lies in strategy. When it comes to a direct confrontation, that is a fool's errand. If it were to play out this way, victory for Xuanyuan would be a foregone conclusion. Yet, it was evident that the Feng King had no intention of engaging them in such a manner; her true intentions remained shrouded in mystery.
"The current situation is dire; our forces are locked in a standoff across the river, which is not a sustainable solution. How does Your Highness propose we engage the enemy?"
Xuan Yuanhao turned, his black robe billowing as he strode towards the tent. "Let us return to the camp and deliberate."
All the generals followed closely behind.
Once inside the tent, Xuan Yuanhao took his seat at the head, while the remaining generals stood to either side.
"Yun Li, what are your thoughts?"
Ji Yunli looked at Xuan Yuanhao, his expression more cautious than before. Xuan Yue's strategy to block the Xuanyuan army at the northern bank of the Biro River was indeed a brilliant maneuver, one that could not have been executed by her alone but required the assistance of the Bai family, who had played a significant role. Yet now, he had truly witnessed the power of that woman. Never had he seen a woman maintain such composure on the battlefield, dressed in white, unadorned, yet surpassing any earthly beauty. Compared to the so-called first beauty of the State of Chu, she was countless times more captivating, a veritable luminary. Hearing Xuan Yuanhao's repeated praises only intensified his impulse—a desire to eliminate her. To achieve greatness, one must cast aside personal affections, especially when that woman is the queen of Lan and the greatest enemy of Xuanyuan at present.
"If Feng Xuan Yue were to vanish quietly from this world—"
He subtly curled his lips into a smile, his expression radiant as a lotus while speaking of cruel and bloody matters.
"Feng Xuan Yue has already risen as the champion of the Pan City Conference, defeating Bai Zhanfeng; who could possibly slay her?"
Cen Can swiftly dismissed Ji Yunli's proposal without a moment's hesitation.
"Feng Wang holds the hearts of the people; if—" Cen Can sighed. The others had grown accustomed to his lamentations, likely regretting that the Feng King had not become their prince's consort. In this moment, they could not deny that missing out on such a woman was indeed a misstep on the prince's part, and their greatest regret.
"Even if Your Highness were to conquer the realm, you may not win the people's hearts." One must win the hearts of the people to rule the land; if public sentiment is disregarded, no matter how hard one struggles for a kingdom, it will inevitably end in ashes, serving merely as a garment for another.
Ji Yunli rested his chin on his hand, scanning the room before nodding thoughtfully. "At present, this method is indeed impractical. If only the Feng King fell into our grasp, the matter would be resolved."
He sighed again, considering that if an opportunity arose for Xuan Yue to venture out alone, it would undoubtedly be the best solution. The prince of Feng was notoriously fond of the Feng King; in his eyes, the vast kingdom mattered less than a single hair from her head. The Lan King harbored deep affections for his queen; when he had once risked his life to save her, he would surely do so again, if only he could find the opportunity.
"Since this plan is unfeasible, what purpose does it serve to discuss it? Military advisor, please provide us with a more viable strategy."
Zhuo Ran offered no deference to Ji Yunli, pointing an accusing finger at him and speaking in a gruff voice.
He was a man of action, having forged everything he possessed through sheer will and sacrifice. What he despised most were people like Ji Yunli—those who spoke in flowery terms, leaving half their thoughts unuttered for others to decipher. Just the thought of it exhausted him. Yet, such individuals often had the audacity to critique his actions, and few would find favor with someone like Ji Yunli. Ironically, Ji Yunli was clever, consistently devising ideas that earned Xuanyuan Hao's admiration. Zhuo Ran, as he would say, was like a worm in Xuanyuan Hao's belly, perfectly attuned to his thoughts, leaving no room for error. With this opportunity at hand, Zhuo Ran was determined not to let it slip away.
Ji Yunli remained unperturbed, offering a polite smile that barely concealed his true feelings. After a moment of contemplation, he replied, "Given the current situation, an offensive is ill-advised."
His smile faded into a serious expression as he continued, "The formidable terrain of Biluo River is exceedingly unfavorable for our Xuanyuan forces. If it were merely Bai Chu, we might manage, but now we face the cunning Feng Wang. Though she leads only two hundred thousand troops, there are an additional hundred thousand Bai family soldiers from Ye City. In such circumstances—"
As the military strategist of Xuanyuan, Ji Yunli understood military strategy well. Although proud, he was no fool, recognizing that a head-on clash with Xuan Yue would yield no benefits.
"Are we to become timid turtles, then?" Zhuo Ran retorted, casting an irritated glance at Ji Yunli, his voice booming. Xuanyuan Hao looked up at him, and Zhuo Ran promptly fell silent, lowering his head.
On this point, Xuanyuan Hao and Ji Yunli shared a consensus, but if they did not launch an attack—
"We must swiftly devise a countermeasure."
If Xuanyuan had only one battlefield, perhaps he could afford to remain here and endure alongside Xuan Yue, but the situation within Xuanyuan—
Jun Pinyu was currently absent, and he was unable to ascertain his whereabouts. Although Xuanyuan's influence lay within his grasp, the relationships among various factions were exceedingly intricate, especially concerning the imperial brother whom his mother had long protected. If any trouble arose, there would be no one to rectify it. Reflecting on this, he had to concede the good fortune of Lan Yi Xuan; without a wise wife like Xuan Yue, the complexities of Lan Guo's politics mirrored those of Xuanyuan. His ten years away in travel meant that, without his presence to stabilize matters, the country would likely be in chaos, much like the current turmoil at Lanyin Temple. He was truly fortunate.
"Do any of you esteemed ministers have any good strategies?" Xuanyuan Hao inquired, his gaze sweeping over the assembled leaders. The generals huddled together, yet after a lengthy discussion, they were unable to arrive at any conclusions. It wasn't a lack of ability on their part; rather, fighting against the enemy's advantages from their weak position on the river left them with little hope for victory.