Chapter 154: with translation of chapter title

This fear did not come from the enemy's strength, but from fear of the unknown and speculation about a possible conspiracy.

Wen Zhong clearly knew that if his speculation proved true, then the Nine Heavens Army's current celebration and victory would all come to nothing.

A huge conspiracy was silently enveloping them, waiting for them to walk into the trap.

And if this conspiracy succeeded, the Nine Heavens Army would face an unprecedented crisis.

Thinking of this, Wen Zhong couldn't help but shiver.

He felt as if a cold wind were blowing from behind him, causing him to instinctively tighten his armor.

He realized he could not sit and wait for doom; he must quickly take action to deal with this possible crisis.

However, just as he was about to summon the commanders to discuss countermeasures, an even more terrifying thought suddenly occurred to him: if this conspiracy were true, how would the enemy act?

What is their target?

Ye Sui?

or

the Jade Qilin behind!

These questions made Wen Zhong feel a tingling numbness on his scalp.

He immediately realized that he needed to think more deeply about this issue in order to find a countermeasure.

Thus, he returned to the map once again and carefully studied the situation.

His gaze moved slowly across the map, each marking and each line representing a possibility and a strategy.

He tried to find the enemy's weakness from it, while also seeking opportunities he could exploit.

However, as time passed, Wen Zhong's mood grew increasingly heavy.

He discovered that no matter how hard he tried to think, he seemed unable to shake off the feeling of being enveloped by a conspiracy.

This feeling gave him a deep sense of helplessness and frustration, as if he were trapped in an inescapable vortex.

But Wen Zhong did not give up.

He knew that as commander-in-chief of the Nine Heavens Army, he bore the fate and hope of the entire army.

He could not simply submit to the enemy's conspiracy, nor could he let the soldiers fall into danger.

Thus, he gritted his teeth and persisted in thinking and analyzing.

Finally, after a long period of painstaking contemplation, Wen Zhong seemed to have found a clue.

He noticed that on Ye Sui's expedition route, there was an important pass—Dragon Gate Pass.

This pass is strategically perilous, easy to defend but hard to attack, and is the necessary route to the heartland of Great Yong.

This stronghold was once one of the important junctions for Great Yong to resist enemies from all sides.

Later, as Great Yong's territory expanded,

the strategic importance of this stronghold somewhat declined.

But because of its perilous terrain,

it was still developed by Great Yong as an important city.

If the enemy really had some conspiracy, then Dragon Gate Pass would very likely be one of their targets.

Thinking of this, Wen Zhong immediately summoned all the commanders of the Nine Heavens Army.

At this moment, inside the Nine Heavens Army's main tent, Wen Zhong's expression was unprecedentedly solemn, and the atmosphere was tense to the point of seeming able to wring out water.

Everyone felt the commander-in-chief's inner unease—a keen intuition of unknown danger—that made them involuntarily tighten their nerves.

Wen Zhong stood before the map, his finger wandering over mountains and rivers, finally settling on the position of Dragon Gate Pass.

His voice low and powerful: "Gentlemen, I feel something is wrong."

"Since General Ye Sui set out to campaign against Great Yong, the situation has been smooth, but too smoothly."

"I worry this is the enemy's ruse, deliberately luring us deeper."

The commanders, hearing this, exchanged glances.

Wen Zhong, as commander-in-chief of the Nine Heavens Army, has led the Nine Heavens Army in southern and northern campaigns.

They all know Wen Zhong's intuition is usually accurate; this worry is certainly not baseless.

For a moment, the main tent fell into silence.

Wen Zhong continued: "Dragon Gate Pass is strategically perilous, the throat gateway to Great Yong."

"We must seize Dragon Gate Pass ahead of time, occupy this strategic point to guard against enemy deceit."

Having said that, his gaze swept over the commanders' faces and finally settled on two stalwart, stern-looking commanders: "Li Jinlong, Pei Xingyan, I order you two to lead ten thousand elite troops and immediately proceed to Dragon Gate Pass to set up defenses."

"Make sure the pass is completely secure before the main force of our Nine Heavens Army arrives."

"Yes!"

Li Jinlong and Pei Xingyan responded, took the order, turned and left.

Their steps were firm and powerful, as if each step trod upon everyone's hearts.

However, Wen Zhong's brow did not relax because of this.

He knew that dispatching troops to garrison Dragon Gate Pass was only the first step; more importantly, how to rescue Ye Sui, who was in peril.

He had a plan in mind, but needed a commander both wise and brave to carry it out.

His gaze swept over the commanders' faces again and finally came to rest once more on the Pei father and son.

The Pei family's implanted identity is that of a staunch lineage of the Cloud Prince's Mansion.

Thus, the head of this generation of the Pei family, Pei Renji, naturally has also served under Commander Wen Zhong for many years.

Therefore, in Wen Zhong's memory,

he deeply admires this old fellow Pei Renji's ability to sire children.

The three sons he has produced are all outstanding among men.

Pei Yuanqing need not be mentioned.

At a young age, he is already a War God–level powerhouse.

Even more extravagant than Cloud Prince's heir Su Ye.

This is talent, not something that resources can compare to.

It's not something you can envy; it's the kind where the heavens chase after you to feed you.

Although Su Ye's talent is already considered top-notch in this world.

But compared to Pei Yuanqing, a War God born for the battlefield, there's still no comparison.

And the eldest brother, Pei Xingyan, is also extraordinarily brave, although not as extravagant as the third brother Pei Yuanqing.

But he is also a rare fierce general.

As for the second brother, Pei Xingjian, there's even less need to say.

He bears the demeanor of a Confucian general, versed in both civil and military strategy.

His use of troops is divine!

Even to say, Wen Zhong has always admired this second brother of the Pei family, Pei Xingjian.

After all, for a Commander-in-Chief like Wen Zhong.

No matter how strong one's personal bravery, its effect on the battlefield is ultimately limited.

The course of a large war ultimately remains in the hands of the Commander-in-Chief who plans from behind.

Therefore, Wen Zhong holds much admiration for this second son of the Pei family in his memory.

He often keeps him by his side to impart his own military tactics and strategy.

He intends to cultivate him as his successor.

When he grows old in the future.

Let Pei Xingjian take his place to continue assisting the next generation Cloud Prince.

That is Su Ye!

Looking at the Pei father and son below, Wen Zhong took a deep breath and slowly said: 'Shouyue, I wish to send you to lead the Jade Qilin Elite Cavalry to rescue General Ye Sui. Do you dare to take on this heavy responsibility?'

Pei Xingjian, upon hearing this, stepped forward without hesitation: 'I, the subordinate, accept your command!'

'I will not disgrace the mission; I swear to die rescuing General Ye Sui!'

Wen Zhong nodded in approval; Pei Xingjian is both wise and brave, and he also has some understanding of the Nine Heavens Army's sole Dao Soldiers, the Jade Qilin.

For now, he is the best candidate to lead the Jade Qilin in this mission.

He walked up to Pei Xingjian, personally handing him an arrow token symbolizing the command of the Jade Qilin: 'This arrow token represents my trust and expectation; may your banner bring victory and your horse achieve success!'

Pei Xingjian received the arrow token with both hands, gripping it tightly.

His eyes flashed with determined light; this was the first time the Commander-in-Chief had let him lead troops into battle.

It was also his first time going alone to participate in such a large-scale war.

(End of chapter)