Your Lord Has A Screw Loose?
Chapter 667 - 669: Counter-King Chen, Military Strategy

Chapter 667 -669: Counter-King Chen, Military Strategy

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“Could it be that such evil exists in this world, deceiving us into rebellion? What could its purpose possibly be?” Chen Liuhuan’s expression was extremely ugly.

“The Emperor had just ascended the throne for less than half a month when His Majesty’s power was curtailed. If not for His Majesty’s wisdom and martial prowess in reactivating the Great Qian Shadow Guard, we would not have detected any leads. If you followed through with the rebellion and succeeded with both internal and external support, guess what would happen?” The Shadow Guard said with a hint of mockery in his voice.

“However, this could also be an opportunity. I might be able to seize command of the military. After all, although the other side has incited rebellion successfully, they have to set me up as a rebel king, and they’re bound to leave some loopholes.”

“It’s just about cooperating with His Majesty to rally the rebels and then exterminate the Alien Clan, right? I, Chen Liuhuan, will undertake it.”

“Not necessarily, we’ll just believe you.” A voice came from the beam above, causing Chen Liuhuan to shiver involuntarily.

“Take this technique and practice it. By merely mastering the basics, you’ll be able to discern who is human and who is from the Alien Clan.”

“This was written by His Majesty with great effort; you don’t need to be literate. Just read through it word by word, and you will understand its meaning and grasp the principles of martial arts,” the Shadow Guard explained, and then, with a whoosh, he disappeared.

“This is true, the Court has indeed been occupied by the Alien Clan.” Chen Liuhuan’s expression turned cold, which meant that the corvée labor was not imposed by the Emperor but by the voracious Alien Clan, who even made Emperor Qian carry the stigma.

“Great Qian Shadow Guard, I have been monitoring you for a long time,” said the voice.

“Sir, please listen to my explanation, I wasn’t involved in this matter,” Chen Liuhuan hurriedly said. Before trouble had befallen him, he naturally had big, bold words; but now, he certainly had to clear his connection.

“To be granted a title of nobility and promoted to a high-ranking military officer, bringing glory to the ancestors!”

“Good, then collaborate with them in their rebellion. When the time comes to eliminate the Alien Clan, you’ll not only be free of guilt but will have made a meritorious contribution. In the future, you will surely be granted a title of nobility and promoted to a high-ranking military officer.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to investigate the rebellion. You’ve all been merely deceived by the Alien Clan,” the Shadow Guard said kindly, which was somewhat unexpected to Chen Liuhuan. He thought he’d be greeted with a beating.

“If you can reach the Fourth Realm, the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm, you will be able to harness the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi, and then you would be a match for thousands of troops and horses.”

“Three days seems to be a bit difficult.” After stumbling through one cycle of the cultivation technique, he felt he might have overestimated himself. It would probably take ten days; getting familiar with it would take at least one day, and on top of that, he would need to consolidate the Body Refining Realm and re-familiarize himself with the Gang Qi Realm and Nourishing Divine Realm.

“Who’s there?” He quickly looked up, only to see a figure descending from the beam, shrouded in a black robe, with an indiscernible appearance.

“So, your rebellion means nothing to His Majesty, because he is faced with greater horrors. If you were to be deceived by the Alien Clan and succeed in rebelling, it is the Emperor who would be freed from his troubles, while you would be the ones to suffer. So, what do you think?” the Shadow Guard asked indifferently.

“Therefore, before that, I need enough strength.”

“I will become a puppet, and all the people in the world will become livestock.” Cold sweat began to bead on Chen Liuhuan’s forehead.

“Martial arts?” Chen Liuhuan was confused about what ‘cultivation technique’ meant, but he understood the implication of the word ‘martial,’ which could enhance his strength.

“With a wisp of Innate Energy bestowed by His Majesty, within three days, you can break directly through the Body Refining and Gang Qi Realms and enter the Nourishing Divine Realm.”

“But this matter cannot be publicized. If it were to be declared outright, who would believe it? Not only would my testimony fail to unveil such evil, but I would also likely be severely harmed by it,” Chen Liuhuan wavered between decisions, wanting to flee, yet afraid that the spectral entity would perceive something amiss.

“I just hope the Shadow Guard can give me more help; otherwise, I can only do my best.” Chen Liuhuan was certain of one thing: the Alien Clan had chosen more than just him; they had also selected other corvée laborers.

“Since the reign of Emperor Qianling, the Court of the Great Qian has been occupied by the Alien Clan, who act in perverse and contrary ways, causing chaos in the world. Whether it is the construction of the Grand Canal today or the absurdities of the past, all of it has been the Alien Clan seeking blood sustenance. You should know what blood sustenance means,” said the Shadow Guard with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

Chen Liuhuan did take it, but after glancing at it, he felt a bit embarrassed: “Sir, I am illiterate.”

Fear was evident in Chen Liuhuan’s expression; he had never imagined that such fish-headed, human-bodied creatures existed in the world.

Chen Liuhuan was no fool; in recent years, what was the most common death around the Grand Canal? It was certainly humans, so these Alien Clan were feeding on them.

Chen Liuhuan knew that he needed the Power of the Fourth Realm to be qualified to keep up with the plan.

Great Qian might perish, but if he didn’t cower now, he would be the first to die.

In front of such a cause, he naturally didn’t hesitate to choose a side.

Anyone with a sound mind knew that being lured by the Alien Clan to rebel, even if successful, held no difference from losing.

To lead a rebellion? That would likely make one a scapegoat instead.

And today, that old Scholar visited him again, stirring up many people to prepare for insurrection.

Now, the hearts of these thousands were swayed, needing only a minor catalyst to erupt.

Following the Alien Clan, even in victory, one would be nothing more than fodder, but following Emperor Qian, a true victory meant glory and wealth. As for Emperor Qian being at a disadvantage?

On the way back, his expression was vacant, and he even struggled to remember when or how he had returned.

After a brief plan, Chen Liuhuan began refining the stream of Innate Energy that had entered his body through the Martial Arts Technique according to “Military Strategy.” It was challenging for him, as it was his first time — how could he master it immediately?

Seeing this, he too began to waver, especially since he had heard from others since childhood that Great Qian was unprincipled and all the rulers were incompetent, with a court full of corrupt officials.

Upon witnessing this scene, Chen Liuhuan’s expression changed, “Truly a strange person; it seems that Great Qian is not as decayed as rumors suggest. Could it have been occupied by those Alien Clans after all?”

Now, looking at it, if the Court above harbored members of the Alien Clan, then everything could be explained.

Picking up the book, though he was illiterate, he checked it word by word according to the Shadow Guard’s instructions.

The old Scholar tore off his human skin, exposing his fish-like appearance. Despite still having a human shape, the sight of the green figure disappearing into the water shook Chen Liuhuan to his core.

In his mind, a Martial Arts Technique named “Military Strategy” surfaced.

If the first three realms represented the strengthening of Spirit, the Fourth Realm was born for battle, harnessing the Primordial Qi between heaven and earth, granting ordinary humans extraordinarily high-end combat prowess, enough to deal with the weaker Alien Clans, even if borrowed.

If it was truly like the end of a dynasty, why had no one rebelled in these years?

Originally, he was a laborer building the Grand Canal, and merely surviving that ordeal was a stroke of immense luck; naturally, he resented the Court. A month ago, an old Scholar approached him mysteriously, claiming he was destined for greatness.

There were numerous workers on the north-south Grand Canal. He didn’t know the exact numbers, but on his section alone, there were thousands.

Otherwise, how could he struggle against the Alien Clan? Just a breath from them could extinguish his frail body.

Because he only needed to look, not understand; he didn’t even need to know the characters, so he read quickly. In just half the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he finished.

The Shadow Guard took out a book from his chest and handed it to Chen Liuhuan.

Rebelling was one thing, but they wanted him to be the leader. His experience was limited, but he wasn’t foolish, especially today, when he went down to the river to catch some shrimp to fill his stomach and saw the old Scholar stripping by the river. He intended to mock him, but what followed was a sight he could never forget.

“Military Strategy” was divided into two volumes: the first was about Martial Arts Techniques, the second about military strategy essentials, complete with various comments and analyses. Even for him, mastering it meant not only could he direct armies from afar like a Marshal, but he could also charge into battle like a formidable warrior.

The Technique was so wondrous that there was no doubt about its authenticity.

This caused Chen Liuhuan’s face to turn pale. What were they doing? It was rebellion, a serious crime worthy of exterminating nine generations. This supposed Great Qian Shadow Guard looked like no easy target; they would surely seize him on the spot and take him to the government office.

At this moment, Chen Liuhuan, of course, knew what to say, “I am willing to serve His Majesty!”

He didn’t believe that; those scholars never spoke a word of truth.

While the first three realms were easy to practice, the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm was difficult to enter.