Deep in the night, in Tianji City.
Lin Zhao, accompanied by Huang Tingyu and Ni Zhi, paid a late-night visit to Chen Xi, the Lord of Yunzhou. Upon their arrival, Chen Xi personally welcomed them into the living room of the City Lord's mansion. Knowing Lin Zhao was here, his military orders also arrived. He immediately dismissed his attendants.
"Old Huang, Ni Zhi, you two go out for some fresh air."
Lin Zhao waved his hand gently and said, "Old Huang, create a barrier that severs heaven and earth. Chen Xi and I have matters to discuss."
"Yes!"
After the two departed, a small world of deep crimson sword energy rose, trapping Lin Zhao and Chen Xi within.
...
Chen Xi took two steps back, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and said, "Commander of the Cangnan Iron Cavalry, Chen Xi awaits your command!"
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao nodded, took out a golden decree of the Great Shang Dynasty from his怀, and placed it in Chen Xi's palm. "By order, Chen Xi shall lead the entire Cangnan Iron Cavalry to garrison Tianji City, take overall command of Yunzhou's defense, and if the Shanhai Pass is attacked, you must provide reinforcement. Keep the demon and devil races bogged down in Yunzhou; do not relent."
"Yes!"
Chen Xi's brows furrowed slightly. Taking the golden decree, he rose and asked, "Commander Lin, is that all?"
"Mmm, the order is brief, but the task will be considerable."
Lin Zhao sat down, picked up a teacup, and took a sip of the superior tea of Tianji City. He gestured for Chen Xi to sit before continuing, "Yunzhou is of paramount importance in the 'Fallen Mountain' scenario, comparable to the Snow Domain Celestial Pond of yesteryear. Once the demon and devil races advance in full force, Yunzhou will become a contested land. I implore the commander to be prudent."
He frowned and added, "Shanhai Pass and Tianji City are my most crucial two chess pieces. At Shanhai Pass, we must shatter the fangs of the demon and devil races. If Shanhai Pass is breached, they will undoubtedly march directly on Tianji City, and then it will be up to you."
"How should I proceed?" Chen Xi asked.
Lin Zhao spoke softly, "Scorched earth policy, inch by inch. From this moment on, I request the commander to issue orders to all counties and prefectures of Yunzhou to relocate the populace southward, and to hoard all provisions and grain in the county towns. These county towns are to be the focus of defense. If a county town is breached, immediately set fire to all grain and provisions, leaving no sustenance for the demon and devil races."
"Furthermore,"
He continued, "The vast plains north of Yunzhou are a region ideal for cavalry maneuverability. Once the demon and devil armies enter north of Yunzhou, you shall lead the Cangnan Iron Cavalry to seek battle, depleting their strength across the vast plains, ensuring that not all pressure falls upon Tianji City."
"Commander Lin..."
Chen Xi nodded. "What is the significance of doing so?"
"Delay."
Lin Zhao exhaled, "We have no other path but to trade space for time. The demon and devil races are on a long expedition, their armies pressing forward. Their subsequent provisions will inevitably fall short. By wearing them down through one fortress city after another, we can make their progress arduous and force them to retreat."
He looked at Chen Xi, "Moreover, if the boundary wall is breached, the fate of the upper and lower realms may become connected, and various rules will continuously merge. Cultivators of the lower realm will need time to adapt to the rules of the upper realm. Once we weather the most difficult period, our cultivators on the mountains will be able to easily slay the umbrella-wielding heart demons."
"I see..."
Chen Xi pursed her red lips and said softly, "Commander Lin's considerations are indeed far more extensive than mine..."
Lin Zhao smiled, "It's not that I think further ahead. Perhaps it's simply because I am in the Northern Region and know more cultivators from the upper realm, thus obtaining more information. Otherwise, if you, Chen Xi, were in my position, you might make the same choices."
Chen Xi gazed at Lin Zhao intently, "The Snow Domain Celestial Pond is a chess piece, Shanhai Pass is a chess piece, and even Yunzhou is a chess piece. Commander Lin, what is our ultimate objective?"
"It is the prosperous Jiangnan."
Lin Zhao looked to the south, "You are right. We are all chess pieces. We use our flesh and blood to resist the devil and demon races, all for the sake of preserving the three central states and the three southern states. As long as these lands of plenty remain, we can grow abundant grain, our people can flourish, and the flame of humanity will not be extinguished."
"Understood."
Chen Xi clasped her fists lightly, "Chen Xi will not fail this mission. Commander Lin, please rest assured!"
"Good."
Lin Zhao nodded. "I must depart."
"Chen Xi will see Commander Lin off..."
...
Deep in the night, at Baidi City.
Huang Tingyu waved his hand, and a sword light tore open a spatial rift on the street. On the other side of the rift was Zhao Shutong, the Eldest Princess of the Great Shang Dynasty. Zhao Shutong, clad in a pale yellow gown, appeared elegant and graceful. She walked out of the imperial palace onto the street, sword in hand, and greeted with a smile, "Commander Lin!"
"Your Highness."
Lin Zhao looked into the distance and said, "I heard that teahouse over there is quite good. Shall we go and sit for a while?"
"Alright!"
The two walked side-by-side in front, with Huang Tingyu and Ni Zhi following behind.
The teahouse was empty of other patrons late at night. The proprietor, an old man with a face full of wrinkles but an astute expression, recognized the distinguished guests and hurried forward with a smile, "Do the two of you wish for some snacks, or perhaps some tea?"
"Both."
Lin Zhao said, "Boss, give us a private room by the window. I want to see the night view of the capital."
"Coming right up!"
Not long after, in a very elegant private room, Lin Zhao and Zhao Shutong sat opposite each other. Huang Tingyu and Ni Zhi stood guard outside with their swords. The proprietor brewed the tea, served two portions of snacks, and then left.
"The night view of the capital."
Lin Zhao looked into the distance. "It's really just average..."
Zhao Shutong also looked into the distance with him and chuckled, "It's already late at night. Besides the pleasure quarters, most establishments are closed. The lights you can see, Commander Lin, must be from the pleasure districts, just like the scenery you saw at the Yunxiang Tower in Yunzhou City."
"Oh dear..."
Lin Zhao put his hand to his forehead. "Good deeds don't travel far, but bad news spreads like wildfire. It must have been Chen Xi who told you, right?"
Zhao Shutong snorted with laughter. "I can't betray Chen Xi. However, Commander Lin is a cultivator from the mountains. What does it matter if you have a few confidantes in the martial world?"
Lin Zhao explained, "I merely had a chance encounter with Miss Shi Hanyin; there's truly nothing between us."
Zhao Shutong rested her chin on her hand, looking at Lin Zhao, her beautiful eyes sparkling. For some reason, she found this moment of Lin Zhao explaining himself rather endearing.
"Enough, let's talk business."
Lin Zhao waved his hand gently and said, "I have already issued defense orders for Shanhai Pass, Yangping Pass, Yunzhou, and Yanzhou. As for Ningzhou, it is protected by mountains and will not be directly impacted. I have decided to dispatch Dong Chun, the commander of Yuzhu Garden, to lead the forces there. Additionally, General Li Yu will lead 100,000 southern troops to garrison Baima City to help defend Ningzhou."
"That's acceptable."
Zhao Shutong nodded. "Commander Lin's arrangements are quite solid."
"Next is the matter of Jizhou."
Lin Zhao said calmly, "If I were the commander of the demon and devil races, I would want to head south immediately and capture the human imperial capital, Baidi City. Therefore, Shanhai Pass and Tianji City will undoubtedly bear heavy pressure. Once Yunzhou falls, Jizhou will have to face the full might of the demon and devil races."
"Ah?"
Zhao Shutong's small mouth parted slightly. "Yunzhou will fall?"
"Perhaps."
Lin Zhao said, "The descent of a million umbrella-wielding heart demons is beyond our imagination. The worst-case scenario is the fall of Yunzhou, so we must be prepared."
"Mmm."
Zhao Shutong slowly rose and knelt on one knee before Lin Zhao. "Zhao Shutong, awaits command."
Lin Zhao took out a Great Shang golden decree from his怀 and handed it to Zhao Shutong. "Your Highness, please take overall charge of the central three states: Yunzhou, Shuzhou, and Liangzhou. Mobilize the forces from the southern prefectures of Furongzhou, Yuzhou, and Huangzhou to march north and establish a defensive line in the Qinling Mountains. Ensure that the demon and devil armies are entirely intercepted outside Jizhou."
"Yes, your subordinate receives the order!"
Zhao Shutong took the golden decree and rose, her pretty face filled with worry. "Does Commander Lin have any further instructions?"
"There are a few matters."
Lin Zhao looked north and said, "In truth, the real decisive battle is still at Shanhai Pass. I have stationed 300,000 troops from the Dinghai Army and the Vermillion Bird Battalion at Shanhai Pass. I will also call upon human cultivators from the mountains to reinforce Shanhai Pass. The battle will be fought at Shanhai Pass against the demon and devil races."
He frowned. "Therefore, Your Highness, please mobilize the elites from the central three states and the southern three states to reinforce Shanhai Pass. There can never be too many troops at Shanhai Pass. According to my plan, even if the demon and devil races can breach Shanhai Pass, we must at least inflict heavy losses on them. If they can still conquer Yunzhou City, they will be too weak to threaten Jizhou and Baidi City."
"Yes!"
Zhao Shutong's willow-leaf eyebrows were etched with solemnity. "Zhao Shutong understands. Commander Lin, please rest assured. I will do my utmost for the situation in the central three states and the southern three states!"
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao nodded. In a way, Zhao Shutong bore more pressure than Han Yetang, Chen Xi, Lin Ruo, and Li Chunyang. She had to consider far too many factors. However, as a princess, her high status made her suitable for overseeing the deeply entrenched forces of the six southern states.
He took out two more golden decrees and said, "The general orders for Dong Chun and Li Yu will be issued by Your Highness. I have other matters to attend to and cannot delay any further."
"Yes, leave it to me."
"I'm leaving."
Lin Zhao took another bite of pastry and smiled. "Old Huang, Ni Zhi, let's go home."
"We bid Commander Lin farewell!"
Zhao Shutong saw them off to the entrance. Watching Lin Zhao and his companions vanish northward like a beam of sword light, she then turned back to pay the bill and returned to the imperial palace clutching the golden decree. A storm of thoughts churned within her. This battle would undoubtedly go down in history, just like the one a hundred years ago, and perhaps even surpass it!
...
At the Snow Domain Celestial Pond, atop the mountain villa.
Lin Zhao practiced the Eternal Sword Scripture for a while, then practiced his punches until his strength was completely depleted before going to bed. He slept soundly, but woke up at the first hint of dawn. His mind was too burdened to sleep.
"Dongcang, Li Ying, prepare breakfast."
He said from the second floor.
"Yes, Young Master!"
The two spirit women smiled and nodded. It was indeed a bit early today.
Lin Zhao took a deep breath, logged off, and since he had stayed up all night, it was time for breakfast in reality.
...
In the studio, the living room.
Shen Xingchen, Chen Xue, Luo Man, and Mo Chenxue, four beautiful women, stared intently at Lin Zhao, who had dark circles under his eyes.
"Stayed up all night?" Chen Xue asked.
"Mmm."
Lin Zhao said, "There was too much going on in the game."
"What could possibly be going on?" Ding Chi asked.
Lin Zhao glanced at him in surprise. Lawyer Ding was good at reciting legal statutes, but his ability to discern subtle details was somewhat lacking.