The Demon Lords-Chapter 668 - 127: Drinking Blood_1

Next to the command tent of the Shengle Army was an adjacent tent. The person living in this tent never came out for patrols or any other duties. Every day, he would simply sit outside his tent with a wine gourd, drinking.

The Shengle Army continued the tradition of the Beizhen Army: when on campaign, private drinking was forbidden unless special permission was granted. Clearly, this individual had received such permission from General Zheng.

Every evening, when General Zheng had his dinner, he would invite this person to join him. Tonight was no exception.

The meal on the table wasn't extravagant, but for a military encampment, it was already quite refined.

Zheng Fan served rice to the Sword Saint, and the Sword Saint helped Zheng Fan ladle soup from the pot.

Then, they sat facing each other and began to eat.

Halfway through the meal, the Sword Saint spoke first, "Are we going to war?"

The Sword Saint did not participate in any military strategy sessions. He was well aware that his tent was placed next to Zheng Fan's command tent because he was essentially serving as a bodyguard.

"Yes, we cross the river tomorrow night."

"Hmm."

The Sword Saint nodded, lowered his head, and took a couple more mouthfuls of rice. Feeling he should say more, he put down his chopsticks again and said, "So, the war is finally starting."

"There's something I need to inform you of in advance."

"Speak."

"Our army is crossing the river this time to sever the supply lines and reinforcements for the Chu army in Jade Plate City on the other side."

"Why tell me this?"

"We also need to live off the enemy's provisions."

The Sword Saint's eyes narrowed slightly, but he still said, "I understand war."

No war is without death; civilians have always been the greatest resource consumed in conflicts. So-called 'living off the enemy's provisions' meant plundering the food of the populace in enemy-occupied territories, leaving the Chu army with nothing to seize.

"Mm."

Zheng Fan nodded. The Sword Saint's attitude was considerably better than he had anticipated.

After months of guarding the city gates, he was finally no longer as naive as before.

"I just hope we can drive out the wild people and the Chu people soon, so the populace can finally rest and recover. The people of Jin land have suffered too much this past year."

"I know. Don't worry, this war won't last long."

That was Lord Jingnan's characteristic in war; he was accustomed to quickly crushing opponents to achieve his strategic objectives. Even though his unit's mission this time was to cut off the Chu army in Jade Plate City from their rear support, Zheng Fan didn't believe the war would reach a stalemate. Tian Wujing could always find a way to swiftly break the deadlock. According to Liang Cheng's assessment after their discussion, while it seemed they were only targeting the Chu people this time, the true objective was actually the wild people.

"If you need me to do something, just say it," the Sword Saint said directly.

Zheng Fan nodded and said very solemnly, "There is a very important task I need you to undertake."

"Speak."

"Protect me."

The Sword Saint was speechless.

To utter such shameless words so openly, just how... shameless could one be?

"You know my standing in this army. Protecting me well will preserve the morale of these ten thousand troops."

The corner of the Sword Saint's eye twitched, but he sighed and said, "I understand."

"Mm, then I'm relieved."

In fact, Zheng Fan always carried Mo Wan on his person; it was currently nestled in a groove on his chest armor. Xue Three had specially designed this spot when crafting the armor, specifically for My Lord to place Mo Wan. Hmm, rather like Iron Man's armor, with a slot for an energy core in the center. The child's growth and education were important, but Zheng Fan felt that his own life, as the child's godfather, was also crucial. If he died, what would become of the child?

So, despite the young lord's reluctance, Zheng Fan took Mo Wan with him on the campaign, leaving Shengle.

But there was no need to worry about the young lord's safety; the blind man and Siniang would protect him. Furthermore, before leaving, Zheng Fan had specially constructed a basement beneath his bedroom and moved Shatuo Queshi's casket there from the back house.

It was as if the young lord slept in the cradle above ground, while Shatuo Queshi slept in the coffin below. Before departing, Zheng Fan had a long talk with Shatuo Queshi, bringing wine and food, explaining the child's importance to him. He felt that Shatuo Queshi must have understood. With Shatuo Queshi, this 'god-grandfather,' 'watching' over the child from below, it should be quite safe, right?

"I'm very curious, why didn't you Yan people employ the Southern Marquis sooner?"

"I'm not entirely sure, but the main reason was likely underestimating the enemy."

"Since Tian Wujing emerged from seclusion this time, his aura has changed considerably."

"You've seen him?"

"He sensed my presence, and I sensed his, but we didn't engage."

"So, you deliberately released your auras as a way of greeting each other?"

The Sword Saint hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

So this is how the heavyweights interact? One releases their aura, the other responds in kind, and everything is understood without a word, not even needing eye contact.

"I heard from the sword maid that your cultivation base has improved again? I imagine Lord Jingnan is even less of a match for you now."

"You're being naive."

"Hmm?"

"If I can improve, could Tian Wujing simply remain stagnant?"

"You mean...?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Lord Jingnan's hair has turned white, and he's grown stronger too?

Zheng Fan suddenly felt a surge of defeat. He had reached the Seventh Rank as a martial artist and was already feeling complacent. Yet, it turned out that true prodigies, the real powerhouses, could still continue to progress relentlessly.

It seemed it was time to gain insight into 'killing intent' on the battlefield and see if he could find an opportunity to break through to the Sixth Rank. Killing was always the best method of cultivation.

"Actually, I'm looking forward to it."

"What are you looking forward to?"

"I'm looking forward to seeing how Tian Wujing will deal with the wild people, now that he's commanding the campaign. Tian WJing's methods have always been ruthless. This time, they'll be even more so; he harbors resentment."

"Our dinner table conversations seem to be getting increasingly profound."

"I saw that short fellow constantly instructing artisans on building siege engines. Your troops won't get a chance to use them this time."

"Sieges result in many deaths. I can't bear such losses; my foundation is still too shallow."

"Is there anything else? I've finished eating."

"Yes, there is."

As he spoke, Zheng Fan took out a map and spread it on the ground beside the small table. He pointed to a section along the Wang River and said, "Here is where we'll cross the river tomorrow. We will advance more than eighty miles inland."

"Do you need to tell me these things?"

After suffering two setbacks, the Sword Saint now understood his limitations. In matters of both politics and military affairs, he was somewhat naive, so he no longer involved himself in such things.

"This is Jade Plate City, where Chu State's Blue Luan army is stationed. It's also a key stronghold from which the wild people and the Chu allied forces control the Wang River."

"I know."

"But here, less than a hundred miles from Jade Plate City, is Fengxin City. Have you heard of it?"

"Fengxin is a small city, known for its paper production."

"That is Situ Yi's new capital city."

Hearing this, the Sword Saint's gaze suddenly sharpened.

Zheng Fan continued, "Lord Jingnan and the Jingnan army have just arrived. I believe that even if there are spies in Ying Capital City—no, there *must* be spies—they'll need time to send intelligence back. Our army will secretly cross the river downstream tomorrow and then make a long-distance dash eastward. I think we can exploit the time difference. You understand what a time difference means, right?"

"I can guess."

Zheng Fan nodded, his finger jabbing forcefully at the newly marked Fengxin City on the map. His meaning was perfectly clear.

The Sword Saint said, "You just stated that your unit's mission is to cut off Jade Plate City from its rear."

"Isn't Fengxin City behind Jade Plate City? No matter what I do, I never forget to seize an advantage along the way. I think the head of this pseudo-emperor would be a rather fine military achievement. And, don't laugh, but I'm actually best at long-distance raids. When I was just starting out with only a few hundred barbarian soldiers, I dared to operate like this. I even captured a Qian city and killed their prefect before returning. You could say I'm treading a familiar path."

"What do you need me to do?"

"We won't have time to besiege the city, nor is it feasible to do so. Therefore, the only viable method is... to seize the gates."

"I understand."

"There will be people to coordinate with you, but whether we can take it in one swift strike after the long-distance raid will ultimately depend on you."

In the past, when he was just starting out, Zheng Fan had employed beheading and gate-seizing tactics with the devil kings. With a Sword Saint by his side now, not to engage in special operations tactics would be an absolute waste! Most importantly, Zheng Fan had long since figured out the Sword Saint's temperament and moral compass. The Sword Saint loathed the wild people above all, followed by these 'puppet armies.' His moral compass was as upright as could be.

"However, for some specific details, we'll have to wait until after we've crossed the river."

"I have one condition."

"Please, state it."

"Can the brothers Situ Yi and Situ Jiong die?"

"Capturing them alive would be better. After all, they have both been 'enthroned,' so to speak."

"Capture them alive?"

"But you also know, on the battlefield, swords and blades have no eyes; any accident can happen."

"Very well."

"I still have some wine here. Take it all and drink it. Starting tomorrow, drinking will be prohibited. The army has its rules, and drinking can easily lead to mistakes."

The Sword Saint accepted the wine.

As he stood up, preparing to leave, he paused and said, "I think you could also have a little wine tonight."

"I don't like drinking."

"Drinking makes it easier to fall asleep; you wouldn't have to toss and turn all night."

"Are you spying on me?"

"You're in the next tent. It's hard for me not to hear your movements. You're still a young man, after all, full of vigor."

"Oh really? And I wonder who's planning to go home and get married after this war is over."

"Are you investigating me?"

"You live in my city; it's hard for me not to know. You're not getting any younger. It's time you settled down. Otherwise, in a few more years, that fire of yours might just go out."

The Sword Saint looked at Zheng Fan.

Zheng Fan looked back at the Sword Saint.

Then, they both looked at each other and burst into laughter.

After a long moment, the Sword Saint asked, somewhat disbelievingly, "Is this really all the wine that's left?"

"Have to save some room in the stomach."

"Save it for what?"

"To drink blood, starting tomorrow."