Zhang Kui's Journey to the West in the Investiture of the Gods

Chapter 60 Discussing Military Strategy: A Promising Future

Inside the commander's tent, the lights were on.

Zhang Kui briefly recounted the important events that occurred during his time in Youli, including his friendly interactions with Huang Feihu and Bi Qian, as well as his hostile stance towards Fei Zhong, You Hun, and even Daji behind them. Finally, he mentioned the thrilling battle with Ma Yuan, the One Qi Immortal of the Jie Sect, a few days ago.

Zheng Lun and Chen Qi were deeply moved. When they heard that Zhang Kui had used the Great Five Elements Extinction Divine Light to annihilate Ma Yuan's arm and forced the infamous Jiejiao Immortal to flee in a sorry state, their eyes were filled with shock and admiration, but at the same time, they also revealed a deep regret for not being able to participate in the battle.

Especially when he heard that Wu Wenhua had confronted Yin Pobai, the commander of the Northern Army, on the city wall, and that thousands of crossbow bolts had forced the other side not to cross the line, Chen Qi was even more frustrated and exclaimed, "This honorable thing was actually beaten to the punch by that fool Wu Laoyao!"

Seeing their expressions, Zhang Kui couldn't help but smile and reassure them, "There will be many fierce battles in the future, and there will be a time for you two to show your skills." He then changed the subject and got to the core issue, "You two have been in the North Sea for several years, how is the refining of the Dao soldiers progressing?"

Upon hearing the mention of the Daoist soldiers, Zheng Lun and Chen Qi immediately perked up, their faces beaming with pride. Zheng Lun cupped his hands and said, "My lord, your humble servant Chen Qi and I have dared not slacken our efforts. Following your past guidance and utilizing the essence of demon blood and flesh captured during the North Sea campaign, we have trained day and night. Now, both the 'Crow Soldiers' and the 'Flying Tiger Soldiers' have reached a considerable size, each numbering three thousand, and they have all joined the army and stationed themselves at the Mianchi camp."

Chen Qi continued, his voice booming: "The three thousand Crow Soldiers and the three thousand Flying Tiger Soldiers have all now stabilized at the Martial General's Tendon-Changing Realm. Each one possesses strong bones and muscles, immense strength, and unobstructed meridians throughout their bodies, with their internal energy circulating naturally and their power inexhaustible. More importantly, thanks to the tempering of a massive amount of demon blood essence and the refinement of the 'Tendon-Changing and Bone-Forging Technique' passed down by our lord, both armies have completed the initial condensation of their Dharma forms."

"Oh, the Dharma Image has been initially formed?" Zhang Kui was overjoyed; this progress was even faster than he had anticipated. The Dharma Image of a Dao Soldier is the manifestation of the core power of a Dao Soldier, concerning its future potential and direction of supernatural abilities. "What was the rudimentary form of the Dharma Image mentioned in the refining methods you two originally offered?"

Zheng Lun replied, "My lord, according to the 'Raven Soldier Refining Method,' its initial form is the 'Netherworld Ghost Raven,' which excels at harassment, bewitching, and setting up Yin Sha formations. The 'Flying Tiger Soldier Refining Method' describes its initial form as the 'Winged Leopard,' which excels at charging, armor-piercing, and gathering tiger and wolf evil energy."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Kui remained silent, his fingers lightly tapping the table. A brief silence fell over the tent as everyone held their breath, awaiting his decision. This concerned the fundamental direction of two future powerful armies.

A moment later, Zhang Kui raised his head, his gaze sharp as lightning, his voice steady and powerful: "The Netherworld Crow and the Winged Leopard, though not bad, are ultimately too limited in scope. We should act with lofty ambitions! If we are going to refine, we should refine the strongest. Strive for the best, aim for the middle, pursue perfection, so as not to waste your hard work and the opportunities presented by this chaotic world."

His gaze swept over Zheng Lun and Chen Qi, whose expressions were agitated by his words, and he said, word by word, "Pass on my order!"

"The Crow Soldiers are not based on the Netherworld Ghost Crows, but instead take the ancient divine beast 'Golden Crow' as their ultimate form. They absorb the essence of the Great Sun and condense the most yang and powerful energy. Their future supernatural abilities will be oriented towards manifesting the 'Great Sun Golden Flame,' which can incinerate all things."

"The Flying Tiger Soldiers do not take the winged leopard as their foundation, but instead take the ancient ferocious beast 'Qiongqi' as their ultimate form. They control the winds of heaven and earth, and condense fierce and malevolent energy. Their future supernatural powers will be directed towards manifesting the formless, shapeless, soul-consuming, and bone-corroding 'Void Wind'."

"Golden Crow? Qiongqi? Great Sun Golden Flame? Void Wind?" Upon hearing this, Zheng Lun and Chen Qi were first stunned, then their breathing became heavy, and their eyes burst with unbelievable joy and shock.

As the commanders of the Daoist army, they naturally knew the legends of these four primordial chaotic spirits: the turbid and impure soil of the earth, the boundless and mysterious ice of water, the great sun and golden flames of fire, and the void and boundless wind of wind. Their lord actually set these as the ultimate goal of the Daoist army? What audacity and ambition this was!

The Great Sun Golden Flame is the source of all fires and the mother of the true fire of the sun. The Void Wind is the ancestor of the Nine Heavens Gale, penetrating everywhere and corroding bones and souls. If these two can be used as the foundation of supernatural powers, what terrifying existence will these two Daoist soldiers become once they reach their full potential? They might truly be able to defy immortals and gods with mortal bodies.

"My lord...my lord, is this true?" Chen Qi's voice trembled slightly.

"There are no jokes in the army." Zhang Kui said firmly, "Although this path is difficult, it is not without clues. For the Golden Crow Dharma Form, you can start by absorbing the essence of the sun and condensing Yang Fire; for the Qiongqi Dharma Form, you can start by drawing upon the gale and tempering the baleful energy. I will provide all the necessary resources. You two need to adjust your refining methods, proceed step by step, and not be too hasty. You must lay a solid foundation."

"Your humble servants obey orders and will certainly live up to your high expectations, lord." Zheng Lun and Chen Qi were so excited that their faces turned red as they responded with a resounding roar, their voices trembling slightly with excitement. They seemed to have already seen the future Raven God Army, bathed in the true fire of the sun, capable of burning the sky and boiling the sea, and the Flying Tiger Fierce Army, riding the winds of the nine heavens and invincible.

With the development plan for Daobing, a crucial strategic force for the future, confirmed, Zhang Kui felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders. He continued his instructions: "Now that the cultivation matter is settled, the subsequent development also needs to be clarified. Zheng Lun and Chen Qi, after you arrive in Mianchi, you must fully cooperate with Zhang Shan to build a Yellow River defense line centered on Mianchi. This matter concerns the safety of Chaoge's northwestern gateway and is of paramount importance."

"Furthermore, Mianchi is the base of our army. We must vigorously develop agriculture and sericulture, support commerce, and accumulate food and financial resources to ensure the well-being of the people. Only when the people's livelihood is stable and the rear is secure can our army be free from worries and fully deal with enemies from all sides. I will mobilize all resources here in Youli to give Mianchi full support."

He turned his gaze to Wu Wenhua and the four captains: "Once the situation in Youli stabilizes further, Wu Wenhua, you, along with Boyuan, Zhongqian, Shubao, and Jiyu, will also need to be gradually transferred to Mianchi to strengthen our high-end combat capabilities there. That will be our core in the future."

"Understood!" the men replied in unison, their morale high.

Finally, Zhang Kui looked at Zheng Lun and Chen Qi, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible warmth: "After you two go back, please pass on a message to Shanzi for me."

He paused, his voice steady and strong: "Tell him that I'm here for you. Let him focus on guarding Mianchi, taking care of your mother, and taking care of himself. Everything... with his older brother backing him up, let him do what he's supposed to do. The sky won't fall."

Zheng Lun and Chen Qi solemnly replied, "Rest assured, my lord, we will certainly convey this message."

With the business concluded, Zhang Kui ordered a banquet to welcome Zheng Lun and Chen Qi. The banquet, though lacking in extravagance, offered ample food and drink, and the atmosphere was lively. Wu Wenhua joked and bantered with Zheng and Chen, and the four captains gradually relaxed, chatting about old stories of Beihai and anecdotes from the military, their relationships growing increasingly harmonious.

After a delightful banquet, Zheng Lun and Chen Qi, though reluctant to part, knew the military situation was critical, and with Zhang Shan's recent arrival in Mianchi, everything needed to be done. Without lingering, they immediately and solemnly bid farewell to Zhang Kui.

"My lord, please take care. We will return to Mianchi immediately and proceed according to plan."

Zhang Kui personally escorted the two men out of the command tent, patting them on the shoulder: "Take care on your journey. I entrust the matter of Mianchi to you."

"I will not fail in my mission!"

Under the cover of night, Zheng Lun and Chen Qi mounted the Fiery-Eyed Beasts, and with their personal guards, they transformed into several streaks of light and quickly disappeared at the end of the official road leading to Mianchi.

Zhang Kui stood with his hands behind his back outside the camp gate. "Next, it's time to quiet my mind and go into seclusion to make the final decision," he murmured to himself, then turned and returned to the main camp...