The Tianyuan Mountains are a tough nut to crack.

After several failed westward campaigns against the Ancient Abyss, the Great Yan Army had become quite familiar with forest warfare, even devising a comprehensive strategy, but this was the first time attacking a mountain range completely shrouded in a grand formation.

The massive Central Corps, under the command of Zong Qingsheng, advanced steadily, but every step forward came at the cost of lives.

The fog stirred by the Mountain Protection Array limited the military formation’s perception, and countless secret fortresses hidden in potential corners of the primeval forest fiercely resisted the invaders.

During this process, the fog of the formation over the mountains blown apart by Cloud Qi Bombs only to coalesce again, and hill after hill was razed to the ground by the energy binding weapons, leaving no trace of the soldiers of the Sword Sect hidden in the secret fortresses.

Then,

it returned to the most primitive form of combat.

Blade and sword.

Blood and fire.

The Sword Sect exhausted every means to delay the Imperial Court’s advance, and indeed, they succeeded; with millennia of heritage and vast depths, they managed to keep the Imperial Court’s million troops two hundred li from the Sword Sect’s main peak when Xu Yuan arrived at the Tianyuan Mountains.

Giant eagles broke through the skies, Spiritual Vision from above revealed a sea of fire that was constantly extinguished and reignited. Everywhere Xu Yuan looked, flames raged, and the primeval forest was ignited by Spellcraft, only to be extinguished by the formation and reignited. Once praised for its Immortal Mist, more than half of the Tianyuan Mountains had now turned to scorched earth.

He silently sensed the fervent Life and Death Dao Charm below, and Xu Yuan closed the military intelligence scroll in front of him without a word, leaning back in his chair.

On the way to the Sword Sect, Zong Qingsheng had already reported to him through the Tianxun Crystal Orb about the deployment against the Sword Sect, and daily updates on the conquest followed. Therefore, when Xu Yuan turned his perspective back to the Black Scale Commander standing before him, he did not reprimand him.

Zong Qingsheng did everything for the Imperial Court, for this war that swept across the land. He had no reason to blame him for launching the Tianyuan campaign without prior notice.

In the silence.

"A bit slow."

The flickering candlelight delivered the calm voice, and Zong Qingsheng suddenly looked up to meet the unperturbed eyes.

He wanted to see if the other was being sarcastic or serious.

Facing the gaze, Xu Yuan lightly chuckled:

"Compared to Yuan Hao, Commander Zong, your use of troops is still too conservative. The Sword Sect is so hollow; within ten days, you should have been at the foot of their main peak."

"......"

Silence.

Zong Qingsheng chose his words carefully, staring into Xu Yuan’s eyes:

"My lord, war isn’t child’s play, and lives aren’t just numbers. Each of my decisions costs countless soldiers their lives. I can’t allow the army to push too far forward when the situation permits caution."

To love soldiers like one’s own children.

This was Xu Yuan’s first impression upon hearing these words, but another thought quickly arose involuntarily—this... seems to also be Zong Qingsheng’s means of rallying grassroots officers.

Realizing this, Xu Yuan furrowed his brow slightly, feeling a surge of complexity, knowing that in the past, he would have likely agreed rather than doubted.

In just a few months, it had come to this; what about decades.....

The ancients didn’t lie—power corrupts people’s hearts.

With a light sigh in his heart, Xu Yuan was just about to speak again when Zong Qingsheng had already interjected. Seeing Xu Yuan’s furrowed brows, he immediately clasped his hands together and said:

"Of course, I can also pledge a military order again, give me ten days, and I will fully seize the Sword Sect."

Xu Yuan gathered his thoughts, knowing the other had misunderstood, so he responded with a smile:

"Ten days? Is that really enough?"

"In the military, there’s no room for jokes."

"Alright, I believe you, but I’m not someone who uses soldiers’ lives to create achievements, so it’s unnecessary."

"...."

Zong Qingsheng’s eyes showed hesitation.

Xu Yuan explained with a smile:

"After the battle of the Heavenly River, Her Majesty captured the Sword Sect Leader and took her to Di’an. I brought her along on this trip, and on my arrival at the Tianyuan Mountains this morning, I let her go back."

"What?"

Zong Qingsheng’s pupils shrank, but he immediately realized Xu Yuan’s intentions: "Do you think Luo Wei will choose to side with us?"

Xu Yuan chuckled lightly:

"A wise person knows to adapt according to the times."

Zong Qingsheng hesitated, advising:

"But..."

"No buts."

Xu Yuan interrupted directly: "Luo Wei is merely a Semi-Saint, letting her return is no harm because the Sword Sect’s chief disciple is still with us."

Upon hearing this, Zong Qingsheng finally understood Xu Yuan’s meaning.

With Ran Jianli and Luo Wei’s lineage’s successor on their side, the Sword Sect could no longer employ them, yet the influence they have accumulated over the past decades would constantly affect the Sword Sect’s decisions.

Moreover,

from a commander’s perspective,

only those who have experienced defeat have the deepest understanding of an enemy’s strength, and the current Sword Sect seems unaware of this. Sending a high-ranking figure like Luo Wei back might significantly increase the chances of the Sword Sect’s surrender.

Zong Qingsheng took a deep breath, bowed his head, and saluted:

"I am in awe of your strategy, my lord."

Seeing the pretentious behavior of the other, Xu Yuan waved his hand and said:

"Enough, Luo Wei has already contacted me; negotiations are to start tomorrow. Mr. Zong, are you interested in accompanying me?"

...

...

...

After Zong Qingsheng returned to the camp, Xu Yuan was once again left alone in the grand palace, his gaze complicated as he looked towards the direction of the side hall.

Once official business was handled, he inevitably pondered his personal affairs.

The Big Ice Lump locked herself in her room without a word after witnessing the devastation of the Tianyuan Mountains, neither seeking him out to cry and complain nor angrily scolding him for breaking his promise. More so, she didn’t try to use herself to force any state policies.

She merely returned to her room quietly.

Perhaps... it’s time to go explain things to her.

In a black dragon robe, Xu Yuan rose from behind his desk.

Breaking promises was already common for him, but he couldn’t bring himself to do the same with Ran Qingmo. Though he wasn’t sure how to explain, he should still attempt to say something.....

During his strides, Xu Yuan suddenly sensed something and drew the flashing Tianxun Crystal Orb from the Sumeru Ring.

The moment his Will-spirit connected, a clear female voice sounded:

"Hmph, you answered quickly; seems like you weren’t doing anything disgusting."

"....." Xu Yuan.

"Xu Yuan, I’ve almost wrapped up things here at Jiatiange. Where are you now?"

"...."

Hearing the voice, Xu Yuan paused subconsciously.

The Tianxun Crystal Orb wasn’t a mobile phone; it didn’t reveal who was contacting him.

It had really been a long time since he heard her voice.

After a moment of silence, he replied softly:

"I’m at the Sword Sect."

"Sword Sect? Did Ran Qingmo and them surrender?"

Surprised by the reply, the voice on the other end continued: "But my sources say that Sect Alliance reinforcements will soon reach the Tianyuan Mountains."

Standing still, Xu Yuan replied softly:

"The Sword Sect hasn’t surrendered yet."

"You went to the frontline?"

"Yes."

"....."

The line suddenly went silent. Seeing this, Xu Yuan silently moved the Tianxun Crystal Orb further away from him.

Then,

"Are you crazy??!!"

The continuous scolding: "Xu Yuan, how can you go to the frontline?!?"

"The Prime Minister Xu is already there; do you even realize how important your current identity is?!!"

"War isn’t a contest of spellcraft. What if something happens to you?"

"I’m... not worried about you. Jiatiange has its bets on you now! The Sect Alliance already began eyeing our sects near the Grand Wasteland. If you die, what will we do?! Would Jiatiange negotiate with that ugly woman Li Qingyan?! Huh?"

The ugly woman is unnecessary.

Xu Yuan, amused yet helpless, pulled the Tianxun Crystal Orb closer again and said:

"I’m not so easy to kill, and I have almost a million strong army here."

Upon finishing, he quietly moved the orb away again, but this time, no further chastisement followed; instead, he heard a long exhale, as if the person on the other end was adjusting her mood.

"Phew..."

"Phew..."

"Phew...."

When done, Tianyan’s voice was as cold as ice:

"Xu Changtian, no matter how you explain, if you die, Jiatiange will rejoin the Sect Alliance, because I abhor that bandaged ugly woman Li Qingyan. Also, whatever you plan to do, you better hurry, as Sect Alliance reinforcements will reach the Tianyuan Mountains in no more than ten days."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan’s eyes shifted as he softly said:

"Thank...."

"Get lost!"