Chapter 216: Personally Participate

Han's Yu Shuihan, with three wars of national annihilation, has amply proven his extraordinary military talent.

Not to mention Tuoba Shuyi, Peng Gu, Zhou Ye, and others—they are all masters of military strategy and troop deployment.

Dou Gu of the Lu Army, known as the White-Robed Military Strategist, could not help but feel a headache facing the current battlefield.

The three frontlines, like three giant dragons, advanced in unison, tightly encircling Daqing's territory, forming a suffocating encirclement.

The allied forces of the three states have deployed over a million troops—such a scale alone seizes the initiative in momentum.

Mobilizing a million men is sufficient to destroy a nation and topple its ancestral temples.

Zhou Jinyu was also deeply anxious, her eyes fixed on the urgent frontlines on the map, her heart filled with dread.

Yet!

Despite intense contemplation, she still found no effective way to break the current deadlock.

The four states have pressed forward with overwhelming might; under absolute power, all resistance becomes dust.

What should be done!

Zhou Jinyu now had a glimmer of hope, especially with Tuoba Shuyi's abandonment—her chest burned only with rage; she would make them pay.

A woman's revenge is far more terrifying than a man's.

But now!

With all four states launching a national war, Daqing seems doomed to annihilation.

She suddenly thought of a plan.

If the Lu Army abandons the capital and returns to the north, might there still be a path to survival?

Zhou Jinyu shook her head again!

If the south falls to foreign hands, the north will be caught between two fires—when the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold; in the end, it will surely be slowly devoured.

Within the capital, aside from the southern clans who seek only self-preservation, the Empress Dowager and Zhou Zhen are dead—there is no longer any imperial restraint.

How this battle unfolds depends on you!

She turned her gaze once more to the figure seated at the head.

Zhou Cheng also fixed his gaze on you—how should this battle proceed?

The entire Lu Army sat upright, awaiting only your command.

At this moment… faced with such a situation, what will you choose?

1. Personally participate. (1/3)

2. Lu Chen simulation continues. (Hint: May plant hidden dangers for the future.)

The screen above the great tripod ceased its flickering and stabilized.

Yu Ke stared at the two options above.

This was the first time!

Only two options appeared.

Most strange of all, "Personally participate" appeared as the first option—this had never happened before.

Yu Ke looked at Option 2: Lu Chen simulation continues. (Hint: May plant hidden dangers for the future.)

This option had always seemed trivial, since simulation continuation always occurred regardless of choice.

Yet Jingran!

It was now listed separately as a selectable option.

Yu Ke furrowed his brow, pondering the two choices—something unusual was afoot.

Choosing Option 2 would plant hidden dangers for the future.

Yu Ke was torn.

The best choice was still to continue the simulation—but what were the hidden dangers?

After a moment of hesitation!

"A Ding"'s hint could not be ignored; after deep deliberation,

Yu Ke finally decided to choose!

Option 1.

1. Personally participate. (1/3)

As the "1" above changed to "2"—Personally participate (2/3)

Suddenly!

The Kunxu Ding trembled violently, as if awakening from slumber; its patterns glowed brilliantly, radiating a chaotic aura.

An invisible shadow of the tripod, like a deep vortex, quietly expanded, slowly drawing Yu Ke into itself.

Yu Ke felt as if he had stepped once more into the void of chaos—the surrounding space spun wildly, stars shifted, heaven and earth overturned.

The familiar "feeling"!

The indescribable dizziness unsettled his spirit; the world before him became disordered and chaotic.

There it was again—that sudden massive black vertical eye, staring fixedly at him, drenching him in sweat.

Last time, Yu Ke had overcome the ordeal by concentrating his willpower.

This time, something had changed!

The great tripod grew more ancient and solemn, emitting a deafening roar—a sound both chaotic and hazy.

It sounded as if it came from ancient times, yet also foretold the future.

Amid this heart-shaking sound!

Yu Ke felt his mind grow hazy; a deep, resonant voice seemed to whisper in his ear:

"The four directions and the heavens are called Yu; past and present are called Zhou."

Then silence.

The black vertical eye vanished, swallowed by the tripod's radiance.

Yu Ke slowly opened his eyes again.

…………

…………

…………

The imperial palace.

At sunset, the palace grew even more solemn, golden afterglow spilling over the white jade steps.

Ascending the steps, the view suddenly opened wide!

The iconic vermilion gates stood majestically before him.

Above them, the plaque bore the characters:

Taihe Hall!

Outside, soldiers stood like pines; the massive gates slowly swung open.

Stepping inside, a solemn aura struck him at once.

On either side, two rows of benches were neatly arranged; upon them sat armored soldiers, silent and stern, radiating quiet authority.

At the head of the two rows, a single chair held a man.

Behind the man,

At the far side stood a woman, clad in a shimmering golden robe, her face lovely, though her attire was slightly disheveled and worn—yet she carried herself with dignity, her expression tense and anxious.

To the left of the man, foremost among the attendants, stood a tall middle-aged man, dressed in a well-tailored black formal robe, his posture upright, his face vigorous and sharp, his brow radiating unmistakable lethal intent.

He stood there, intimidating even to look upon.

Beside this middle-aged man stood another, clad in a red python robe.

His face was pale, his lips thin, giving an impression of shrewdness and efficiency; he bowed slightly.

As for the central figure, the heart of the entire hall,

He wore a simple cloth robe.

He lowered his gaze.

The entire Taihe Hall was solemn.

No one dared speak loudly.

The young eunuchs and palace maids had retreated to the rear walls, all tense.

Some even covered their mouths, afraid a single sound might bring grave punishment.

The Shaobao said nothing.

No one dared speak!

After a while, everyone noticed the Shaobao's head was slightly bowed in his chair.

Lu Yu, standing behind him, keenly sensed something was different about his elder brother.

He could not say why.

Yu Ke's consciousness gradually cleared; the familiar dizziness surged like a rollercoaster, leaving him momentarily "weightless."

In his ears!

A voice, anxious and concerned, shattered the haze.

"Brother, are you alright?"

The voice carried clear worry and tension, stirring an involuntary warmth in Yu Ke's heart.

He strained to focus his vision, slowly turning his head—before him appeared a middle-aged face, more vigorous and commanding than he remembered.

This is Lu Yu, his younger brother now!

Yu Ke remembered vividly—the boy with rosy lips and white teeth, who now nodded slightly:

"No matter."

A deep, resonant voice of a middle-aged man emerged from his mouth.

Yu Ke was slightly startled.

He is Lu Chen now.

He looked around!

Yu Ke found himself standing inside a magnificent golden hall, its lavish decorations and solemn atmosphere filling him with awe.

"The Nine Clans' Strict Selection"—truly extraordinary.

This was already his second time experiencing such a scene.

Yet it still filled him with wonder!

His gaze swept across the hall, where over twenty Lu family generals stood, all imposing and martial, their tiger-like eyes and hawk-like gazes radiating noble bearing.

A gathering of star generals.

Yu Ke suddenly felt the urge to shout.

"All the heroes of the world have entered my net!"

Their eyes held genuine concern; some had already risen in agitation.

Yu Ke smiled and said:

"Everyone, return to your duties."

He looked at each one!

The black-faced giant, like "Zhang Fei"—that was Jia Fu.

Half-draped in a monk's robe, wielding a great saber, like "Lu Zhishen"—Cheng Pu, the Living Buddha General.

The white-robed young general, like "Zhao Yun"—that was Chai Zhong.

………

He looked at each one in turn!

Among these generals, Yu Ke also noticed two men dressed in Confucian robes.

Their demeanor stood in stark contrast to the martial officers around them.

Yu Ke recalled briefly and immediately recognized their identities.

Li Xuedian, in charge of the Lu army's grain and supplies—he and Liu Wen handled internal and external logistics respectively.

In war, food comes first.

"Before troops move, grain must precede."

The soul of the Lu army.

The other scholar was:

Military Advisor Dou Gu, equivalent to the army's chief of staff—holding no command authority, akin to a "Zhang Liang."

Yu Ke nodded slightly to the group with a smile.

His gaze inadvertently fell upon the woman who had once been the Crown Princess of Beifeng, Zhou Jinyu.

Now the Empress of Daqing. Tall and elegant, clad in phoenix crown and brocade robe, her oval face featured sharp, refined features; her beautiful eyes held both tender vulnerability and an indescribable "wildness," drawing one irresistibly to her.

The woman's presence was electric!

Yu Ke could only marvel at why Zhou Zhen was so infatuated with her.

Wasn't this the "Reba" of the Kunxu Realm?

Yet!

Zhou Jinyu seemed to sense Yu Ke's scrutiny, followed by Lu Chen's unmistakable, sweeping gaze—her cheeks flushed unexpectedly.

Yu Ke had already withdrawn his gaze, refocusing on the crucial map in the hall.

This was why he had come in person.

To help the Lu army win this battle!

Facing the dire situation of fighting on three fronts.

Yu Ke—now Lu Chen.

He stared at the map, brow furrowed, his mind engaged in complex strategic calculations.

The difficulty of fighting on three fronts was self-evident.

Failure on any one front could crush morale and destabilize the entire campaign.

If they failed to intercept the three armies before they reached the capital, the capital would be surrounded on three sides—an unthinkable disaster.

It would be a dead end!

Yu Ke studied the map, thinking slowly.

The Lu army generals held their breath, watching their young protector with tense anticipation, hoping he would once again reveal his extraordinary strategic brilliance.

Zhou Cheng, who had always admired the young protector's military genius, now waited in silent reverence, ready to hear the battle-winning strategy that might turn the tide.

Zhou Jinyu, too, watched Lu Chen's back with a faint, barely perceptible expectation.

Dou Gu, the army's chief strategist, wore an expression of eager anticipation—he knew his own intellect fell short of the young protector's, and that the young protector held a master plan within him.

Lu Yu didn't care—he stared up at the ceiling of Taihe Hall.

Feng Haiping stroked his beard calmly, utterly confident in the young protector's composure.

In past battles, the Lu army generals often held differing opinions, but Lu Chen disliked autocratic decision-making—he encouraged open discussion and collective wisdom.

After repeated battlefield tests, they had all found his methods the most effective.

In the end, it became:

"Me too!"

"Young Protector's brilliance!"

Yu Ke stared at the map, his eyes aching from staring.

How the hell are we supposed to fight this?

PS: This chapter was heavily revised!

(End of Chapter)