Chapter 991: Chen Gong's Confusion

Gao Shun's words gave Cao Xing no face, causing a somewhat embarrassed expression to appear on Cao Xing's face. He indeed lacked the ability to fully control the strength of the Inner Qi Leaving the Body realm. Gaining such power without effort was not easy to wield.

The soul army could indeed greatly enhance the power of its general. Figures like Gao Shun and Ju Yi, whose personal strength was only at the Qi Refining into Gang level, could exhibit the combat prowess of someone at the peak of the Inner Qi Leaving the Body realm thanks to the soul army.

However, they were exceptional cases. Normal generals, even those like Cao Xing, who had trained with the soul army and could be considered part of the Formation Breaker Army, couldn’t wield the overwhelming power granted by the soul army with ease.

For someone with the mentality and abilities of the Qi Refining into Gang realm to suddenly handle the strength of the Inner Qi Leaving the Body realm, it would be strange if they could perform at the same level. This was exactly the case with Cao Xing. Even so, he had still managed to shoot and kill a Xianbei leader, a testament to his extraordinary archery skills.

Cao Xing didn’t mind Gao Shun and Lu Bu's dismissive remarks. He knew well that aside from his remarkable archery, he wasn’t even worthy of carrying their shoes in other aspects.

It could be said that if it weren’t for Gao Shun's past misstep, which left him unable to ever break through to the Inner Qi Leaving the Body realm through his own strength, his mentality alone would not have been weaker than top-tier generals like Zhang Liao. Sometimes, circumstances weigh heavier than talent, but while most would succumb, Gao Shun did not.

In fact, Gao Shun had successfully carved out his own path. Although it wasn’t the path of relying on internal qi, who could truly underestimate him?

"Thoroughly investigate any movements by the Xianbei. The moment there’s any unusual activity, report it to me immediately. This time, we will use no tricks—just raw strength to wake them up! Beat them into submission!" Lu Bu scanned Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Cheng Lian, Hao Meng, and the others as he calmly gave his orders.

To Lu Bu, the Hu people only understood strength. They wouldn’t submit to wit or intellect. They would only respect what they could witness with their own eyes—power—and only the corpses of their own people would pave the way for a strongman's dominance.

"Understood!" Chen Gong cupped his hands in salute and said, "While we may not be using any tricks, the choice of battlefield is still an advantage we should exploit."

"This time, stop with all the schemes. We’ll crush them using the most brutal, bloodiest, and most shocking methods. I want my mark to be etched forever in the souls of the northern Hu people!" Lu Bu’s calm tone carried a hint of arrogance.

Chen Gong looked into Lu Bu's eyes and was silent for a long time before saying, "Leave it to you then. Ever since we came north, we’ve done nothing but assist you, haven’t we?"

"That’s because our enemies here are the Hu, not the cunning strategists of the Central Plains. Here, brute strength can conquer all, and with it, you can claim everything," Zhang Liao sighed.

Having spent so much time in the Central Plains, they had grown accustomed to solving everything with their minds—winning people over with benefits, suppressing enemies with political maneuvers—forgetting that strength was the root of all power. Alliances and divide-and-conquer strategies were secondary; the key always lay in their own strength.

"…" Chen Gong remained silent, then after a long pause, he said, "Sometimes, rules are established by wisdom, but at other times, rules are forged through brute force. I overlooked this."

"We’re fighting at the front, and you’re building up from behind. How can you say you’re just assistants?" Zhang Liao laughed. "It’s simply a matter of division of duties. We can’t do your job of construction, winning the hearts of the people, reclaiming the land, and organizing resources..."

Zhang Liao's words didn’t fully restore Chen Gong’s spirits. Though his expression returned to normal, it was his heart that mattered most. A strategist without tasks would inevitably begin to question his own worth. Both doing nothing and bearing heavy responsibility weighed on a person.

"Gongtai, a civil servant who brings peace and prosperity to the land is far more important than a strategist plotting behind the scenes," Hu Zhao added.

The wars in the north indeed had no use for high-ranking civil officials like them, but from the start, Hu Zhao never intended to step onto the battlefield to devise strategies. His role had always been to govern the rear, oversee civil affairs, and educate the people, including the Xianbei and other foreign tribes that had submitted.

Similarly, Zang Hong saw his role as quickly and efficiently annihilating the foreign tribes. He never had any doubts about his purpose; from the beginning, his mission was to create death on a large scale.

Only Chen Gong found it hard to adapt to the idle life. In the Central Plains, no matter how strong Lu Bu was, without him, Lu Bu’s forces would quickly face the danger of collapse.

Now, having come to northern Bingzhou, even with the detailed intelligence on the Xianbei provided by Chen Xi, Chen Gong had little opportunity to shine.

Unlike in the Central Plains, where a single misstep by a top strategist could lead to devastating consequences for a faction, the northern battlefield was Lu Bu’s playground. There was no need for Chen Gong to devise strategies.

Chen Gong felt that his value was gradually diminishing. He wasn’t a civil official adept at administration, and with someone like Hu Zhao managing affairs so effectively, his sense of purpose had significantly decreased.

Chen Gong began to wonder if he should retire after achieving his goals. What was the meaning of a strategist's existence in a faction where he no longer served any purpose?

In a highly efficient and proactive faction, what was the value of a top-tier strategist who had nothing to do? Was he just a parasite, quietly watching as Lu Bu and others fought on the frontlines, while Hu Zhao and others worked tirelessly in the rear? What could he contribute? Chen Gong questioned himself.

From the moment he abandoned his position in the Han Dynasty, Chen Gong had understood his ambition. He sought a platform, a stage where he could truly display his talents. He needed strong opponents, and even if he faced defeat, he would at least have proven himself before dying without regrets.

What was the purpose of living? Chen Gong hadn’t dwelled on this question, but his actions consistently revealed his choice. He didn’t want to live as a parasite. He wanted to prove his worth.

Only in this way could he truly feel alive. Otherwise, living a meaningless life was akin to waiting for death. How absurd it was to live only to wait for death!

Without the intrigue and backstabbing of the Central Plains, without the constant danger of being overthrown, without the need for endless plotting, Chen Gong began to reflect on his purpose. He even started to regret his decision to head north.

The northern region of Bingzhou did not need him. This was the clearest feeling Chen Gong had had for a long time—the greatest meaning of his existence in this faction was gradually fading away...

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