Qi Mountain. Thousand Blade Cliff.

Shen Wuxiang was playing chess with Shang Xiulin. Shang Xiulin held the white pieces, Shen Wuxiang held the black pieces.

The sound of pieces touching the board was cold like shattered jade. But from the board's perspective, the white pieces gained an advantage in the corner battles, erecting solid walls like majestic mountains, difficult to shake.

Several groups of black pieces were divided, fighting independently, isolated.

Among them, one group of black pieces hung alone, without enough eyes, struggling desperately within the white's encirclement, seeking survival everywhere.

After Shen Wuxiang made his move, he didn't wait for Shang Xiulin's counterattack. He couldn't help but look up and ask in confusion, "What is the Dean waiting for?"

Shang Xiulin replied expressionlessly, "What is the Military Minister waiting for?"

Shen Wuxiang's expression froze, then he laughed heartily, saying, "The Dean sees through it; my mindset is chaotic. In this game, I lost."

He pointed to the solitary piece on the board and said, "This piece needs a breakthrough, that piece requires an encirclement. Worries piling up muddle the strategy."

"Life is like a chess game, all beings are chess pieces. Matters outside the game affect those within; who can escape beyond the squares?"

"Does the Dean know why?"

"The Military Minister suddenly came to find me to play chess, showing this heavily burdened demeanor... I think it must be related to Tang Fei, right?"

"A lone piece hangs overseas, awaiting encirclement... What? Today is meant to determine a win or loss?"

"Old ginger is spicier." Shen Wuxiang did not deny, praised, "Tang Fei went to Phoenix City, wanting to take Qin Luo to treat Lu Yu..."

"Lu Yu is also your piece?"

"Not exactly a piece, just done casually." Shen Wuxiang sighed lightly, "Xing Lan fell into his hands, I have no other good cards to play, can only give him Lu Yu."

"This kid is ruthless, but he treats those around him well... especially Lu Yu and his brother... both are his weaknesses..."

"No wonder people say, the one who knows you best must be your enemy."

"Know yourself and your enemy, and you can fight a hundred battles without defeat. Previously, I didn't invest too much time and energy on him, whether Xing Lan or the Shen Family, didn't give enough attention. When finally aiming to uproot him, found this kid already becomes a potential force."

"Does it resemble you back in the day?"

Shen Wuxiang shook his head, saying, "Same character, but different circumstances. Back then, although the Shen Family wasn't top-tier nobility, it still had certain influence in the military. Lurking for years, just waiting for an opportunity to soar."

"He belongs to a disastrous start, abandoned by old lands, son of a treasonous Marshal, whether Zhong Daolong or the Shen Family... as soon as his identity is exposed, or the timing matures, waiting for him is a thunderous attack."

"He can maneuver deftly in chaos, seizing profits amidst blade and fire... his cunning and courage surpasses mine. I am not as good as him."

"Ha..." Shang Xiulin gave Shen Wuxiang a surprised look, chuckling, "This is the first time hearing the Military Minister say he is inferior to others."

"That's the truth, how can I turn a blind eye and lie? Whether I admit or not, what difference does it make?" Shen Wuxiang spoke solemnly, "However, the victory or defeat in war never relies on one's extraordinary talent, but on countless people's strategic wisdom."

"Moreover, timing, advantages of terrain, and human harmony, are indispensable."

"These three the Military Minister possesses."

"Precisely." Shen Wuxiang said confidently, "Therefore, I will surely win."

Shang Xiulin neither agreed nor disagreed, remained silent.

"How? Dean doesn't believe?"

"Just like playing chess... before making the move, who dares to guarantee ultimate victory?"

"Prejudice is a mountain, the Dean's heart is twisted, so is his stance."

"Indeed, prejudice is a mountain. Everyone only believes in the outcomes they wish to see."

At this moment, the confidential secretary Chen Fuzhi rushed in.

"Military Minister..." Chen Fuzhi walked in with his cellphone, reporting, "Mr. Sun wishes to speak with you."

"Project it." Shen Wuxiang instructed.

Thus, the secretary pressed the projection button on the phone, and Sun Shehu's virtual image appeared at the center of the tea room.

"Is the result out?" Shen Wuxiang looked at Sun Shehu's cautious expression, suddenly gave birth to a bad premonition.

But showed no signs outwardly.

He just bragged to Shang Xiulin; he came today to make the stubborn old man lose thoroughly convinced.

"Yes." Sun Shehu replied solemnly, "As we expected, indeed used Qin Luo to lure Tang Fei out. Ba Dao Sect Leader Zhao Wuji led sect elites to besiege..."

"I already know this. Tell me what I don't know." Shen Wuxiang urged impatiently.

"Tang Fei had been prepared, surprisingly formed a counter-encirclement against Ba Dao Sect... after a fierce battle, Ba Dao Sect is in jeopardy, Secretary General Chang Zhengxin sent a distress message to Phoenix Palace, Zhong Tianque ordered Undying Army's Bai Qi leading thirty thousand troops to rescue..."

Sun Shehu knowing such things couldn't be concealed, gritted his teeth to state the final outcome: "Ba Dao Sect fully annihilated, Bai Qi surrendered with thirty thousand Undying Army."

Silence.

Deafening silence.

Shen Wuxiang's face turned stormy.

Sun Shehu hung his head low, dared not meet Shen Wuxiang's gaze.

Shang Xiulin remained serene, even somewhat amused...

"Bai Qi defected? Took three hundred thousand Undying Army soldiers and defected to the bandits?" Shen Wuxiang's voice was icy, every word carried invisible killing intent.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.