World's First Traitor System (392)

Chapter 392 - An Army of One Hundred and Eighty Thousand

Everything unfolded precisely as Fan Li had foreseen. Xiang Chong issued the decree to mobilize the regional armies, bypassing the garrison troops and thus, Fan Li’s authority. The decree was meticulously detailed, outlining the precise number of soldiers to be levied from each province and commandery, totaling one hundred and eighty thousand.

“One hundred and eighty thousand?” Fan Li thought. “Ambitious.”

He doubted the combined prisons of Great Chu held that many convicts. Fortunately, his prior discussions with the regional officials had prepared him for this. He submitted a formal proposal to the Emperor, requesting a kingdom-wide crackdown on crime. Given his position, such a request was a mere formality, requiring no approval from Xiang Chong.

The campaign, codenamed “Strike Hard,” commenced immediately. Local bullies and petty criminals, accustomed to operating with impunity, now found their past misdeeds scrutinized. They were arrested, shackled, and imprisoned.

Fan Li had instructed the governors and magistrates to divide the prisoners into two groups: a combat force, comprised of the most hardened criminals, and a logistical support unit, consisting primarily of those whose crimes were less severe or whose circumstances warranted leniency. He reasoned that, in the event of a retreat, those in the rear would have a greater chance of survival. He wasn’t a saint, but he wasn't a heartless demon either. He had done what he could. The rest… he left to fate.

…

A month later, outside Peng City, Xiang Chong reviewed his troops. Gazing upon the vast, brightly armored army, a surge of pride swelled within him.

“They say mobilizing an army is difficult? What fools! I assembled one hundred and eighty thousand well-equipped soldiers in a single month! Clearly, I possess a natural talent for military command. It’s a pity Fan Li has kept me suppressed, denying me the opportunity to display my true abilities.”

He glanced at Fan Li, who stood nearby and seemed to be not in a good mode. “Angry? Frustrated? Fan Li, oh, Fan Li, your control over me is waning. This army is just the beginning. Once I conquer Xiongzhou and restore my authority, what power will you hold? I will reclaim my rightful place!”

Fan Li’s pallor, however, wasn’t due to anger or frustration, but exhaustion. Equipping an army of one hundred and eighty thousand was a monumental task, requiring him to work tirelessly for a month. Had he not been a cultivator, he would have surely collapsed from exhaustion. Even so, the 180,000 sets of superficially impressive, yet utterly impractical, military equipment had strained the resources of his entire trading company.

The weapons were mere gilded toys, their decorative appearance contrasted their flimsy construction. The armor, too, was mostly for show, its front piece thin and fragile, while the back, designed to protect fleeing soldiers, was reinforced.

The true marvel lay in the boots. Each pair was inscribed with a Windwalking Talisman, capable of enhancing speed by twenty to thirty percent. Xiang Chong, in his arrogance, remained oblivious to these subtle modifications.

“Hehehe.”

He approached Fan Li, smiling smugly. “Duke Jin, there’s no need for you to trouble yourself with this campaign. From troop deployment to battlefield strategy, I have made all the necessary arrangements. You have long labored tirelessly for the kingdom. Today, you can finally rest.”

His tone dripped with sarcasm. Today, he had the courage to openly mock Fan Li. Great Ci’s support had arrived.

“Announce Sage Ruler Miaoyin!” he shouted excitedly.

“Your Majesty,” Fan Li reminded while scratching his ear, “Such pronouncements are best left to the eunuchs.”

Xiang Chong’s smile faltered, his lips twitched. ‘Damn you, Fan Li! Let’s see how long you can maintain your composure. Once Xiongzhou is mine, you will be next!’ He swore inwardly to end Fan Li’s arrogance.

A beautiful figure descended from the sky. It was Sage Ruler Miaoyin. Wearing in flowing pink robes, ribbons fluttering around her, her bare feet delicate as jade, she exuded an alluring, almost seductive, aura. The Chu officials frowned. Was this woman truly here to command an army? Her attire was more befitting a courtesan than a general.

Xiang Chong, however, could barely contain his excitement. As Emperor, though he had access to beauties like Empress Bai Rong and a harem of three thousand, he had never visited a pleasure house. Miaoyin’s captivating appearance was unlike anything he had ever witnessed. He was mesmerized.

“Are these the troops Your Majesty has prepared for me?” Miaoyin’s voice was as sweet as honey. The Chu officials, however, found her words unsettling. It sounded as if the one hundred and eighty thousand soldiers now belonged to Great Ci.

“Yes, yes! Sage Ruler Miaoyin, please, inspect them!” Xiang Chong was practically fawning, eager to please her.

“There’s no need for a formal inspection,” Miaoyin replied with a smile. “They seem… adequate.”

To a Great Vehicle cultivator like herself, even Unity and Divine Transformation experts were weaklings. She couldn't discern the low cultivation levels of the assembled troops, some at Qi Condensation, some at Foundation Building, some mere mortals. Their bright armor and seemingly impressive equipment suggested a formidable force. Moreover, with her presence, their individual strength mattered little. Great Ci had dispatched her precisely for her military prowess.

“Ah, you must be Fan Li, right, Duke Jin of Great Chu.” Miaoyin approached him with a smile.

“Indeed. Sage Ruler Miaoyin, your reputation precedes you.” Fan Li’s tone was polite, yet distant. He recalled their previous encounter at the Azure Cloud Sect, their musical duel, which he had won. His identity, however, remained hidden. Miaoyin clearly didn’t recognize him.

“You’re rather… handsome.” Her tone was flirtatious, bordering on inappropriate.

The Chu officials exchanged uneasy glances. This woman, regardless of her cultivation, seemed ill-suited for military command.

Xiang Chong, meanwhile, glared at Fan Li, whose handsome features and noble bearing only fueled his resentment.

A Chu official, unable to contain himself, spoke up. “Sage Ruler Miaoyin, have you… commanded troops before? How do you intend to deploy this army? What is your strategy for Xiongzhou? How will you manage logistics?”

Miaoyin glared at him. “Who are you? Do you have the right to address me?”

The official, stunned, flushed with anger. He was about to retort, but Fan Li intervened.

“This is Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Revenue.”

“Minister of Revenue?” Miaoyin’s tone remained condescending. “Is that a position of… significance?”

Fan Li chuckled. Miaoyin’s ignorance of court titles amused him. To the Chu officials, she seemed utterly unqualified. They exchanged disdainful glances.

“Allow me to enlighten you, Sage Ruler. The Minister of Revenue oversees taxation, the very foundation of a kingdom’s ability to raise and maintain an army. The funds for your campaign, Sage Ruler, come from the meticulous efforts of Minister Zhang and his colleagues.”

Miaoyin’s face flushed slightly.

“Why wasn’t I informed of this earlier?”

“Hmph. Very well. I shall demonstrate my abilities, so you can rest assured that I can lead your troops to victory.”

With a flourish, she produced the Heavenly Demon Zither. Her slender fingers danced across the strings, exhilarating melody resonated throughout the venue.

A vibrant illusion materialized, a vision of a vast army charging into battle. The music, amplified by her Great Vehicle cultivation, stirred the hearts of the Chu officials, even inspiring some to consider joining the campaign.

Fan Li finally understood Great Ci’s strategy. Miaoyin was a force multiplier, capable of enhancing the army’s morale and combat effectiveness. Truly impressive. As the music faded, the 180,000 soldiers remained in a state of heightened excitement.

Then, a jarring voice shattered the illusion.

“Ahhhh! I… I will lead the army personally!” Xiang Chong shrieked. “I will conquer! I will seize all the beauties under heaven for my harem!” He raved like a madman, his cries devoid of any imperial dignity.

Even Fan Li was embarrassed for him. What a pathetic fool. He frowned, turning to Miaoyin. “Sage Ruler, what… what was that music? What effect does it have? Why is His Majesty… behaving like this?”

“That was my own composition, ‘Heavenly Demon’s Wild Dance.’ It enhances combat prowess by approximately thirty percent, for a duration of six hours. However, those with… weaker minds… may experience… adverse effects.”

She glanced at Xiang Chong in annoyance. Of one hundred and eighty thousand soldiers, only he had succumbed to the music’s influence?