Chapter 396: The Taiping Sect's Scheming and Strife!

Originally it's the brothers from Divine Source Hall, my apologies, my apologies.

Your army's arrival is just in time; we are preparing to rally and fight the Cangzhou Army to the death. With your forces joining us, we will surely defeat the Cangzhou Army!

Qiao Shefei, his mind filled with countless thoughts, showed no expression on his face as he slightly bowed his hands in salute.

General Qiao, you're too polite. We are all disciples of the Taiping Sect; we ought to jointly resist external enemies.

Zhao Shikai dismounted and firmly shook Qiao Shefei's hand.

Deputy Hall Master Zhao understands the greater good; I, Qiao Shefei, am deeply grateful.

Please, follow me to the main camp so we can discuss the upcoming tactics together.

Qiao Shefei's heart tightened, but on the surface he put on an appearance of tearful gratitude.

On the way to the main camp, Qiao Shefei and Zhao Shikai walked side by side.

However, deep inside Qiao Shefei's heart, he continually maintained vigilance and calculation.

And Zhao Shikai is no ordinary man; he gave Qiao Shefei a deep look, the corner of his mouth curling into a meaningful smile.

Evidently, the behind-the-scenes manipulators of the Taiping Sect, including the Divine Source Hall, have never really trusted Meng Zhang.

Therefore, regarding this battle against the Cangzhou Army, they naturally would not immediately put all their chips on the table.

On the contrary, the Taiping Sect's Yellow Turban Army is currently engaging the Cangzhou Army on the front battlefield.

Aside from the large forces led by Weichi Wudi, the other main forces of the Taiping Sect can be counted on one's fingers!

Otherwise, the Armor Second Squad wouldn't have been so easily dealt with.

Meanwhile, the elite troops in the hands of these behind-the-scenes manipulators, including the Divine Source Hall, would only arrive late after the Yellow Turban Army on the battlefield had collapsed.

Evidently, either the Taiping Sect's behind-the-scenes manipulators have already confirmed Meng Zhang's traitor identity,

or else these people's hearts are simply not united!

They all scheme to let other factions fight the Cangzhou Army to the death while they keep their elite troops in reserve to reap the benefits of the fisherman's gain!

At this moment, Divine Source Hall's Deputy Hall Master Zhao Shikai and Qiao Shefei stood side by side, gazing into the distance at the endless stream of Yellow Turban deserters fleeing the battlefield.

General Qiao, how do you see the situation on the battlefield?

Zhao Shikai's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness as he slowly spoke.

Deputy Hall Master Zhao, the situation on the battlefield isn't obvious?

However, I observe that the Taiping Sect's elite troops have not appeared on the battlefield; I wonder why.

Qiao Shefei glanced at the chaotic battlefield and spoke softly.

He has been incorporating these Yellow Turban deserters here for quite some time.

He only encountered Han Tieling's Iron Mountain Battalion; the other elite troops held by the Taiping Sect's behind-the-scenes manipulators,

he hasn't really seen any of them.

General Qiao, you may not know that I, the Divine Source Hall, and the senior leaders of the Taiping Sect, hold a wait-and-see attitude toward this battle.

Our elite troops are steadily arriving, but not to directly join the fight; rather, to ensure that the final victory's fruits fall into our hands.

Zhao Shikai gave a light chuckle and replied.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Shefei secretly sighed at the complexity and treachery within the Taiping Sect.

I see, Deputy Hall Master Zhao's foresight is impressive; I admire him.

His face remained unchanged as he smiled and said.

General Qiao, you overpraise me. In fact, our Taiping Sect is not monolithic; each faction has its own designs.

Some wish to probe Meng Zhang's true intentions through this battle; others want to preserve their strength and reap the benefits without effort.

Thus, our elite troops have remained inactive.

Zhao Shikai waved his hand and continued speaking.

Qiao Shefei nodded, indicating understanding.

Deputy Hall Master Zhao, I don't know how many elite troops are still on their way.

He suddenly recalled something and asked.

General Qiao, this is a top-secret matter.

However, I can tell you that at least several echelons of the Taiping Sect's elite troops are heading this way; their arrival will surely change the battlefield situation.

Zhao Shikai smiled faintly and said mysteriously.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Shefei's heart jolted.

Knowing that the arrival of these elite troops will make the Taiping Sect's advantage on the battlefield even more evident.

Oh? Really?

I don't know where these elite troops come from, nor under which commander of our Taiping Sect they fall.

Qiao Shefei was stunned by the words, then immediately showed a thoughtful expression.

These elite troops are naturally the foundation of our Taiping Sect.

As for exactly who they belong to, hehe, General Qiao, you need not ask further.

In short, they will soon reach the battlefield to jointly resist the Cangzhou Army with us.

Zhao Shikai smiled faintly but did not directly answer.

Qiao Shefei secretly remained on guard, knowing Zhao Shikai's words were not false.

The Taiping Sect's behind-the-scenes manipulators indeed command considerable elite strength, but their scheming against each other has never ceased.

Deputy Hall Master Zhao, since elite troops are coming to support, why not seize this opportunity to crush the Cangzhou Army in one fell swoop?

Qiao Shefei probed, asking.

General Qiao, don't rush; military affairs require long-term planning.

Our elite troops, though strong, also need the right moment to strike; we shall wait and see, awaiting the best opportunity.

Zhao Shikui shook his head.

Qiao Shefei, hearing that, couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed.

He had originally wanted to repeat his old trick, making Zhao Shikui and this elite force of his behind him from the Divine Source Hall the same as Han Tieling and his Iron Mountain Battalion before.

He planned to deceive them into the encirclement of his own Purple Net Unit and Azure Dragon Legion under his command, then try to win over this force.

If winning them over fails, he would wipe them out in one fell swoop.

However, Zhao Shikui's caution and wit made him abandon that idea.

Qiao Shefei sighed inwardly; the internal forces of the Taiping Sect were intricately intertwined, making it impossible for him to wipe out every elite unit one by one.

Moreover, several elite troops belonging to various factions of the Taiping Sect were soon to arrive.

If he acted rashly, it would inevitably cause unnecessary trouble.

Thinking this, Qiao Shefei couldn't help but feel some regret.

He raised his head to look at the sky; only saw the clouds roiling, as if foreshadowing the impending changes in the wind and clouds.

"What Deputy Hall Master Zhao said is quite right; I was too impatient."

He took a deep breath, cast aside his distracting thoughts, turned and said to Zhao Shikui.

Zhao Shikui, hearing that, a hint of deep meaning flashed in his eyes.

"General Qiao, being able to assess the situation, truly bears the demeanor of a senior general."

He clasped his hands before the purple-armored Qiao Shefei and spoke softly.

As they talked and walked, on the surface they chatted and laughed, but secretly they were matching wits and strategies.

Each sentence seemed like a chess piece, placed on an invisible board, pitting them against each other.

The two exchanged smiles, yet each secretly calculated how to gain the upper hand in this confrontation.

However, although both were cautious, neither obtained any important information from the other's mouth.

But in the course of their covert clash, they had already gained a deeper understanding of each other's strength.

(End of chapter)