Dominating Martial King
Chapter 434 - 434 242 Sky Breaking Please Subscribe_2

434: Chapter 242 Sky Breaking (Please Subscribe)_2 434: Chapter 242 Sky Breaking (Please Subscribe)_2 He noticed that the chiefs and mainstay leaders of the local tycoons, all with a slight uplift in their demeanor, fell into deep thought, finally sheathing the long swords in their hands.

“Wei Yang!

Later you’ll lead a thousand troops to oversee the battle on our left flank.

Anyone who dares to defy orders, fights poorly, or flees during combat, execute them!”

Upon hearing this, the faces of the twenty-some big-township tycoons in the tent spasmed.

Their forces constituted the majority on the left flank.

Initially, it was about reasoning with them compassionately; now it was about coercion with swords and spears, and compulsion with power.

It seemed that the Young Flag Master still didn’t trust them—

Chu Xisheng then paced again before the hunters, cupped his hands in greeting and said, “I, Chu, had promised that I would protect all of West Mountain Hunters and ensure a better life for everyone.

May I ask the village chiefs and leaders here, have we broken our word since our pledge?”

These leaders were flattered and, one after another, returned the gesture and said ‘never.’

Indeed, West Mountain Hall had not gone back on its word; their hunting in the mountains no longer required payment to bandits.

And now, the game they sold fetched more than twice the income.

Even the Peace Money that West Mountain Hall collected was used on their own people.

The reason why their lives had considerably improved attracted several other Hunter Villages nearby to relocate here.

Some of them, with thinner skins, even blushed with embarrassment.

The Young Flag Master’s actions and principles were indeed unrivaled in benevolence—beyond reproach!

Yet they were somewhat ungrateful.

Chu Xisheng’s expression was sincere: “I, Chu, always keep my word, solid as a rock of nine scores in weight.

Now that the West Mountain Canal has been opened, our good days lie just ahead, and yet, this unexpected event occurs.

Everyone, is there not an ancient saying ‘When the hide is gone, to what can the hair attach?’

Our West Mountain Hall is rooted in West Mountain, interconnected with you all in blood and flesh, sharing our fates.

But if the Iron Banner Gang falls and the court occupies West Mountain Town, what future lies ahead for you?”

His lips curved slightly with an arrogant smile: “In this world, the more you submit, the harder it is to survive.

Even if the governor grants mercy and lets you scrape by, living a poor life, unable to fill your bellies, eating chaff and vegetables, what’s the point?

Rather than that, you all might as well gamble with Chu once more!

The battle at Black Bear Mountain, most of you have lived through it—the court’s soldiers are just so-so.

Right now, we have six thousand Iron Banner Gang members and twelve thousand bows and blades, and with our brothers on the river, that’s more than fifty thousand men in total.

Why can’t we overturn the skies of Xiushui?

Why should we bow to the governor?

As long as we pull down the governor from his high seat, henceforth Xiushui County will be under the governance of us, the people of West Mountain!”

The Hunter Village leaders were stunned by his words.

Looking at each other, they saw a flicker of inspiration in each other’s eyes.

The Young Flag Master did have a point.

They all remembered Black Bear Mountain—those county soldiers and clan fighters didn’t seem very formidable.

And in the span of a breath, they all promised in unison: “We are willing to die for the Young Flag Master!”

Though there were only about thirty of them, their voices merged into a thunderous roar that reached far beyond the tent.

Chu Xisheng inwardly knew that the morale of his men, seemingly invigorated by him, was still fragmented.

Their sentiments were still scattered like sand.

The slightest setback would immediately scatter their morale.

Chu Xisheng then strode to the map in the center of the tent: “The Xiushui Alliance Army facing us, though numerous, are a disorganized bunch.

But as Military Strategy says, one must despise the enemy strategically, but take them seriously tactically.

I have thought of a strategy to defeat the enemy, and you all might want to hear it.

Now the wind blows from the southeast, but in two minutes, there will be a change in wind direction, switching to the southwest.

That will be our opportunity to strike—”

※※※※

Half a moment later, everyone in the tent had dispersed.

Chu Yunyun concentrated her gaze, noticing that although their faces were still as stern as iron, there was now a gleam in their eyes.

Chu Yunyun smiled, walking behind Chu Xisheng to drape the white hemp over him and dress him in mourning clothes.

Although today’s events were unexpected, it was still easy for them to hastily gather a few sets of mourning clothes and white hemp.

Iron Madman had no children, and his nephew Jia Dali had died at Mi Family Mansion, making it Chu Xisheng’s duty to lead the funeral rites as the de facto heir.

By both emotion and reason, it was his responsibility to fulfill.

“Your way with words is quite impressive, far beyond my own capabilities,” said Chu Yun as she adjusted Chu Xisheng’s collar, her sky-blue eyes showing admiration: “The situation was of disheartened spirits, yet you managed to stir up a usable military spirit.”

Chu Xisheng’s expression remained even: “Humans gravitate toward benefit!

For immediate gains, often life and death are of no concern.

I merely let them know that they still have a chance to hold on to their livelihood—that’s enough to ensure they will fight with everything they have.”

Lu Luanti observed the tender way in which Chu Yunyun helped Chu Xisheng dress and felt oddly uncomfortable.

She shook her head sharply, questioning her own thoughts.

Chu Yunyun was just Chu Xisheng’s sister—

Lu Luanti tried to distract herself with words: “Still, brother, you’re really taking a gamble this time.

If things go south, you could be branded a rebel by the court.

Iron Madman’s instruction to ‘remain hidden’ is surely the best strategy despite being a bit stifling.

His last act before death, to single-handedly inflict heavy damage on Sikong Chan and the Inner Mansion Army, was meant to ensure Sikong Chan couldn’t target you further.

Only by you joining the Formless Divine Sect could the Iron Banner Gang’s desperate situation be resolved.”

“You are mistaken,” retorted Chu Xisheng with a scornful laugh, his eyes icy: “Uncle Kuang was a mighty hero, but his mind wasn’t clear as he faced death.

To think of depending on the enemy’s mercy!

Precisely because the Inner Mansion Army suffered heavy losses, I couldn’t afford to pin my hopes on the slightest chance.