Chapter 1043: Four Lands Grand Marshal

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Uh, right, young master Zhuo, central areas army Ling Yuntian rushed to bow as he spoke.

Zhuo Fan dismissed him with a wave, Theres no need of that, I already know. Central areas army is not only attacking northern lands, but the other three lands, a war on all fronts and with no hope in sight.

They all shook and stood there in stunned silence as they stared at Zhuo Fan.

Sir has such a cunning mind!

Ling Yuntians eye twitched, shaken awake, then bowed again, Weve only got word of these attacks, yet sir knows without even looking. Yes, its as sir said, Dragon Cleaving Sword King is leading the attack on northern lands, while the other lands each have a Sword King taking charge of those large armies as well. We cant do anything and cant think of what to do, just come ask for sirs advice.

Zhuo Fan smirked, Its quite simple, really, nothing to it.

[Simple?]

Everyone twitched, their eyes glazed over in confusion.

[With this grave danger from being attacked on four fronts, Sir Zhuo thinks its nothing?]

[Is that just boasting, or does he have some G.o.dlike strategy to help us out of this?]

Everyone was looking incredulous and stunned.

[He cant be playing with us, can he?]

Exalted Hei Ran got caught off-guard as well by his boasting, Zhuo Fan, youre the pride of western lands. We all know of your skills, but you cant look at this with such disregard. You need to be serious. Baili Jingwei himself came up with this plan, the best mind in the central area. There is no room for errors. You need to think things through and come up with a complete response. How to deploy troops, how to repel the enemy, to provide support, to bait the enemy, to charge, all of these need thorough thinking. You are dealing with the most famous mind and any mistake

Exalted Hei Ran, youre just enumerating military tactics, but Im not too familiar with these. If youre after victory, youre welcome to see Luo Yunhai. Hes much better than me.

Zhuo Fan cut him off with a smirk, You know him as Luo Clan Head, having grown in the military and of deeper knowledge of wars than myself.

Ugh!

Exalted Hei Ran was stumped, I mean, Zhuo Fan, dont joke around. Luo Yunhai is a fine man, yes, but if he could fight the shrewd Baili Jingwei then the latter wouldnt have put us in such a predicament by going to war on four fronts.

So when not even an unbeatable general can handle him, this shows that military tactics have no place here.

Zhuo Fan smiled, Exalted Hei Ran, youre already off the minute you thought about scoring victory. This isnt a matter of fighting.

They all flinched in bewilderment, with Ling Yuntian cupping his hands, Sir Zhuo, if this is not war, what then?

Who is Baili Jingwei?

Central areas Sword Star Empire Prime Minister!

There you have it. Zhuo Fan c.o.c.ked an eyebrow, Hes no commander or general, but a Prime Minister. Is he even thinking about fighting you? Hes a politician, doing his very best with leveraging.

Murong Lies brow shook and muttered, How is a politician any different from a commander, now that he directs the central area armies?

Hes far greedier.

Zhuo Fan replied, Theres no guile without trade, but theres none more cunning than a politician. A commander is always focused on gaining ground, on winning one battle at a time. While a politician is only thinking of fattening his pockets with every action while ignoring the details. He wages war with four lands, but does he really want to fight them all? His true purpose is to scatter you. No matter which land you choose to defend, the other three will be sour, making it easier for them to get the lands. Its a far more effective plan than fighting for every inch of land. In other words, its a mind game, of no consequence, how the four wars end, while your changing mindset is.

They all bobbed their heads, seeing reason.

Ling Yuntian bowed again in respect, Weve thought of this as well, but with sirs a.n.a.lysis, we came to see how insidious it is. But understanding is one thing, while dealing with it is another. We ask for sirs advice.

Couldnt be easier. If Baili Jingwei was a nice guy, Id be stumped as well. However, a guy enacting such a sneaky ploy has no place among the righteous. I can read him like an open book. When he had Baili Yutian go to northern lands with five Sword Kings, I had it all figured out. Neither of us are nice guys. Only a man of our devious minds can understand the other, he-he-he

Zhuo Fan had a cryptic smile and the other smiled in joy, eager to know what his counter was.

Zhuo Fan chose silence, unnerving them at the worst moment and making these old guys faces go red and beaming at him with endless hope.

[Bro, wheres the rest?]

Zhuo Fan spoke with pride, By the way, weve yet to establish terms. Lets begin, shall we?

They all flinched and almost fell. Their faces twitched and faces fell.

[Oh right, nothings free in the world. Hes certainly not above asking to be paid for his rescue plan.]

Zhuo Fan sure knew how to sell himself, showcasing his talent before talking terms. Mentioning them any sooner and the other party would never believe in his skills.

Zhuo Fan led the talks, making it so he was their only hope of survival. They were stuck with him.

And as desperate men clinging for any lifeline, they would take his terms without question.

Sir Zhuo, we will agree with any terms you might have, just help us against the central areas invasions. Ling Yuntian turned serious as he spoke in earnest.

That was all Zhuo Fan needed to hear, his face beaming, First off, this five fronts war shall be under my command with none permitted to interfere.

Of course, since only you can handle Baili Jingwei, we will follow your lead. Everyone gave hasty nods.

Second, I want you to vow on your path to look after Qingchengs safety. No matter what happens, you are to protect her and look after her.

Uh, well They looked baffled, with Zhuo Fan continuing, Anything can happen on the battlefield. At my sudden demise, you cant even look after my family? I cant leave this world knowing my wife isnt taken care of. Vow and Ill be at ease.

[Oh, I see, sure.]

They all saw reason, making their vows based on their own path in cultivation. Once a cultivator made such a vow, it was for life. He had to fulfill it or his entire beliefs would crumble along with feeling the wrath of heaven.

None would take such a promise lightly, though it was just over some widow. What was the worst that could happen?

Only Exalted Bai Mei and Exalted Hei Ran felt their faces heat up. Zhuo Fan was clearly hinting at them saving Ye Lin while leaving Chu Qingcheng to die mere days before, at the stage.

Such was their bad luck, as Zhuo Fan was not around the past years to see how thoughtful they were of Chu Qingcheng all this time. Doing this had made it seem that this five-year-long favor was for nothing.

[Opportunity is much more praised than prevention.]

Exalted Hei Ran sighed.

Zhuo Fan was at ease now that this condition was accepted. He no longer needed to worry about Qingchengs safety when hed be out at sea.

Zhuo Fans eyes flashed and said, Next isnt much of a condition. Its not exactly right for a convict to command the elders forces of every land

Oh right, we are fully committed to supporting Grand Marshal Zhuo of the four lands in defending our homes from invaders. All lands sects and clans are at your disposal!

Ling Yuntian bowed.

The rest followed suit, May sir be appointed as Grand Marshal of the four lands to fight back the enemy!

In that case, what are you waiting for? Get this Grand Marshal free and out there fighting Baili Jingwei. Do you expect me to fight him behind bars?

Zhuo Fan c.o.c.ked an eyebrow and smirked. Qiaoer giggled at the side.

The merchant guards bowed with smiles of respect.

[Sir Zhuo is wise beyond his years. He had no worry of being exposed since he already had everything in control. Hes like a G.o.d]