**Chapter 54: Tie Family’s Surprise Attack, Great Battle Begins**
2013-02-09 Author: Gu Zhenren
Tie Ao surveyed his surroundings, his heart filled with satisfaction. The generals, marshals, and young officers in the hall were all formidable, some forming the backbone of the Tie Family, others seasoned veterans, and others full of youthful vigor. With such men, why worry about not achieving his ambitions? Tie Ao laughed inwardly and thought of Chu Yun, sneering, “What is Chu Yun worth? He’s just a tiny ant, easily crushed with a single step!”
“Young Master, we must not!” Long Daozhi sensed something amiss and stood up. “Currently, Yan and Shu are at war. If the Young Master wishes to disadvantage the Shu Family, simply mobilize a fleet and station it at the edge of Shu Island’s waters. This will make them hesitate and divide their attention. When that happens, they will suffer a defeat on the main battlefield against the Yan Family. Our forces can then emerge and seize victory effortlessly. Why engage in such a large-scale operation?”
Indeed, as the future first strategist of the Tie Family’s hegemony, Long Daozhi’s plan, leveraging the current situation, promised twice the results with half the effort. It was a brilliant strategy. However, he had underestimated the resolve of a man consumed by hatred born of love. Tie Ao had been a dazzling prodigy since birth, hailed as the genius among geniuses, surpassing all his peers. He achieved almost anything he desired. The only exception was Hongshang Fairy. Hongshang Fairy, risking her life, had helped Chu Yun escape from the pursuit of the old ancestor of the Yan Family. This incident was like a thorn in his heart; only by killing Chu Yun could he find some solace.
“Daozhi, there’s no need to say more. The small Shu Island, how can it be a match for Tie Ao?” The young master of the Tie Family waved his hand, gently refusing.
“Young Master!” Long Daozhi frowned, wanting to persuade him further.
“Enough, Military Advisor Long. Do you think my cousin, personally leading the charge, cannot take a mere Shu Island?” Tie Lie frowned, looking unpleasantly at Long Daozhi. This was the very man who, since his appearance, had gained Tie Ao’s trust and favor, surpassing even his own childhood friend, his cousin. Long Daozhi ignored Tie Lie and continued, “Young Master, a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall. Why must you personally lead the charge?”
“Daozhi, stop talking. Sit down.” Tie Ao frowned, feeling displeased. He knew Long Daozhi was right, but if he didn’t kill Chu Yun with his own hands, how could he assuage his anger?
“Young Master, such a large mobilization and such great risk, your subordinate resolutely objects.” Long Daozhi still insisted on his principles.
“Military Advisor, why are you being so persistent? Shu Island has merely gotten lucky, a newly risen remote power.”
“Does the Military Advisor believe we cannot subdue this mere Shu Island?”
“Military Advisor, do not look down on us. I, Tie Lie, request to join this surprise attack!” Tie Lie struck a passionate pose, kneeling before Tie Ao in public, indicating he wouldn’t rise until his request was granted. Tie Ao was delighted, praising, “My cousin is brave. Your performance in this battle will be relied upon.”
“Young Master, I am willing to go.”
“Your subordinate is willing to follow the Young Master and annihilate Shu Island.”
“This general requests to be dispatched!” In an instant, the hall erupted with enthusiasm and fighting spirit.
“Young Master, please reconsider!” Long Daozhi implored earnestly, the sole dissenter.
“Hmph, Long Daozhi! My decision is made. Do not speak further.” Tie Ao’s voice was cold as he turned and began to select his generals. The Tie Family had four Great Generals, all possessing Spirit Monster battle power; seven Marshals, each commanding multiple Great Demons; and over a dozen young officers, each with a Great Demon. Each possessed unique abilities. However, the Tie Family had many islands, and two Great Generals were stationed abroad. Three of the seven Marshals were leading fleets on patrol. In the hall, there were only two Great Generals, four Marshals, and seven young officers.
“For this surprise attack, we must commit all our strength! All of you will accompany me on this campaign to crush and annihilate Shu Island. Daozhi, you will remain here to guard.” Tie Ao decisively waved his hand, issuing the order. Immediately, the generals roared and beamed with joy.
“Young Master! A great ruler should not let emotions interfere with affairs! In the past, the majestic Chu Bawang was defeated due to his emotions. Even with King-level strength in the future, the restoration of his kingdom was a vain hope. Young Master, the predecessor’s lesson cannot be ignored!” Long Daozhi finally spoke plainly, trying to persuade Tie Ao.
“Presumptuous! Insolent!” Tie Ao, enraged, pointed at Long Daozhi and yelled, “How dare you instigate chaos among my troops? Take him away, throw him into the dungeon, and make him reflect. When I return victorious, he may plead for forgiveness!” The guards on either side hesitated. Tie Lie roared, “Why aren’t you acting?”
“Military Advisor, please stop.” The guards, with great difficulty, escorted the sighing Long Daozhi away. Beside him, Master Yu Ya’s gaze lingered on the volcano, watching intently.
The nameless volcano was now fitted with a massive channel tower, resembling a chimney inserted into its center, connecting the underworld to the sky. Five palaces were flying out along this channel. These massive, ancient, and magnificent structures were seeing daylight for the first time.
“The ancient weapon forging techniques are indeed unique. To indirectly control five Spirit Monsters through a single Minor Demon Soldier is truly astonishing,” Yan Que exclaimed with emotion from beside him. He looked at the Fire Scroll in Chu Yun’s hand, his eyes shining with the brilliance of hopeful ambition. “With the Fire Scroll, we hold the moral high ground. This is the great trend passed down from ancient times. Compared to this, the five Spirit Monsters are insignificant. In the future, when we defeat the Yan Family’s forces and reveal the scroll, they will surely surrender! Then we can conquer in all directions and build a first-class great power comparable to the Tie Family, which should not be a problem.”
“Indeed. The Tie Family back then, because of the Gold Scroll, held the moral high ground, gained popular support, and conquered in all directions, thus establishing their current vast territory and sea domain among the Archipelago,” Master Yu Ya agreed.
“My greatest concern is still the Tie Family. We are currently locked in a fierce battle with the Yan Family. If the Tie Family dispatches a fleet and stations itself at the edge of our waters, we will be forced to divide our attention and divert a large portion of our military strength to defense, leaving us vulnerable everywhere,” Yan Que sighed. “However, if we can endure this period and absorb the Yan Family’s forces, we will have the confidence to deal with the Tie Family!”
“The Tie Family…” Chu Yun muttered. The current head of the Tie Family had already semi-retired, gradually transferring power to the young master, Tie Ao. However, when he thought of the Tie Family, Chu Yun’s first thought was not Tie Ao, but Long Daozhi. The Tie Family boasted an abundance of fierce generals and a multitude of civil officials, with commanders as numerous as the stars in the sky, each vying for prominence. Among the civil officials, Long Daozhi stood out. Currently, he had not yet fully displayed his capabilities as a strategist, but in the future, he would shine and illuminate the entire Archipelago. In his memories, it was Long Daozhi who repeatedly devised ingenious strategies to counter Ning Tianwang. After a defeat, Ning Tianwang had lamented publicly, “I do not fear the Tie Family’s many fierce generals, but I am solely concerned about Long Daozhi.”
“This Long Daozhi is a great calamity. Unfortunately, unlike Ning Fanchen, he is currently under the heavy protection of the Tie Family, making him incredibly difficult to kill. However, I will eliminate him sooner or later.” The more Chu Yun recalled, the more he realized how extraordinary Long Daozhi was. Yan Que focused on the grand strategy, Hua Ying excelled at cunning, while Long Daozhi possessed both. His various ingenious strategies, both conventional and unconventional, were almost a composite of Yan Que and Hua Ying. However, he was low-key, did not seek credit, was upright and incorruptible, almost to the point of foolish loyalty. He willingly became Tie Ao’s shadow, assisting him to the best of his ability. He had once been on the Teng List but later fell off due to his excessive low profile. Chu Yun was unaware of his personal combat strength, but his intellect alone was enough to provoke Chu Yun’s killing intent.
“En? It was clearly about to storm, but why has the sea suddenly become foggy?” Master Yu Ya remarked with slight surprise.
“This fog is coming rather strangely…” Before Yan Que could finish, a thunderous roar suddenly exploded, spreading throughout Shu Island.
“Shu Family father and son, Tie Ao is here, come out and die!”
The End~~~ Typing is so tiring!!!
