Chapter 422: A Favourable Turn of Events
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Shan Ling aside, even the King of the Southern Realm and his humble female servants were horrified and stood rooted to the ground.
This was because both Shan Ling and Princess Shan Yu were smart.
Although Fang Zhengzhi did not finish his speech, Shan Ling, Princess Shan Yu and the King of the Southern Realm had already captured the underlying message and discovered a serious problem.
"Before I arrived with the princess, I have already ordered 80000 elite troops to stand guard at the Iron Hill Settlement, so as to defend against any sneak attacks from the Demonic Army of the Blood Shadow City. If I am right, the news of Princess Shan Yu sending down 80000 elite troops as a defensive force had already reached the ears of the Demon race, which is to say… There are spies in the army!"
Fang Zhengzhi went straight to the point this time around, no longer keeping anything under covers.
A frown immediately appeared on Shan Ling's face. The presence of a few Demon race spies within the Southern Realm Army was nothing too surprising. After all, it would be too simple for a few Demon race to sneak into a ten thousand strong troop.
Furthermore, the ongoing mission was extremely large in scale. It would be impossible that the Demon race overlook this massive threat.
However, while the Southern Realm Army was now infested with spies from the Demon race, the Demon race army had yet been infiltrated by any of their own. This was a huge mistake on Shan Ling's part, a mistake that might cause them the entire battle.
Princess Shan Ling similar had a tight frown on her face. Although she knew it was inevitable for a few spies to be in the army, it still made her uncomfortable after listening to the confirmation.
After all, she was revered as the commander of this 80000 strong troop.
Fang Zhengzhi then stared at Shan Ling, Princess Shan Yu, as well as the King of the Southern Realm who was sitting on his throne. He then finally cast his glance on the official from the Ministry of Rites.
He then shook his head and sighed helplessly.
The Ministry of Rites official could naturally guess Fang Zhengzhi's message from his expression. His face immediately turned a crimson red, clearly showing signs of anger.
He was a dignified official of the Ministry of Rites, one of the prestigious Six Council Officials.
However, he could only lie on the ground as he listened to a person with no experience in foreign affairs diplomacy flaunt his juvenile tactics. Most importantly, the King of the Southern Realm and even the usually obstinate Noblelite seemed to be giving him their full attention.
How then, could he stay calm?
How could he not be fuming with bitter rage?
Fang Zhengzhi ignored the clear signs of anger that the Ministry of Rites official displayed. Instead, he waved his hands at the female servants at the side and pointed at the chair which originally belonged to the official.
The female servants then stared at Fang Zhengzhi before immediately turning to look at the King of the Southern Realm.
Upon the King's approval, a few female servants brought the chair to the spot right behind Fang Zhengzhi and simultaneously brought over a plate filled with chunks of luxurious, juicy fruits.
Fang Zhengzhi displayed his satisfaction with the inferential ability of these female servants. He then picked up a fruit with his hand and popped it into his mouth before continuing.
"The Demon race has extremely high quality soldiers who specialises in one-on-one combat. However, their numbers would often be small. Although the Demon race from Shadow Blood City have the absolute advantage in numbers and power, they will lose their geographical advantage. If our 80000 strong troop were to set-up ambushes and traps along the way and stand guard firmly at Iron Hill Settlement, it will be almost impossible for the Demon race to secure a fast victory. The only way they can accomplish that is to attack with full force without consideration of the consequences!"
"Hmm…"
Upon hearing those words, Shan Ling and Princess Shan Yu nodded their head in agreement. The greatest advantage of the Southern Mountain Range was their geographical position, coupled with the defence mechanisms and architecture the Six Settlements had painstakingly built up in the past hundreds of years.
Even if the Demon race had absolute advantage in power and numbers…
They would still be able to hold their ground.
If the Demon race wanted to take over the Iron Hill settlement guarded by a 80000 strong Southern Realm Army, they would definitely suffer great losses.
"As I have mentioned, the Demon race is running out of time. They will not want to waste any more time on the road. Charging ahead with full force is thus their only choice. However, they also cannot afford the incredible losses of doing so. Hence, they would have to temporarily give up on Sagely Mountain City, using the 50000 strong Demonic Army currently surrounding the City to conduct an attack on both ends on Iron Hill Settlement! In three days… signing the contract with the Southern Mountain Range would put the Noblelite at ease as well as delay time. Why not go for the best of both worlds?" Fang Zhengzhi stopped at this point.
Because he knew that it was enough.
There were many things that did not need to be spelled out too clearly. Doing that would even evoke sense of disgust from others, which was something Fang Zhengzhi would not want at the moment. He wanted to maintain a good impression in front of the King and Shan Ling.
Shan Ling did not speak right away. In fact, the moment Fang Zhengzhi mentioned that the Demon race would need time as well, he had never planned to interrupt his speech.
He had believed in his own judgement and always had utmost confidence in his plans.
However, he too had utmost confidence in facts.
From his perspective, this young lad from the Great Xia Dynasty was making claims without any concrete basis. Everything he said up till now were simply speculations on his part. However, Shan Ling could not help but consider these baseless speculations as well.
This was because…
The consequences of these speculations were too heavy. Shan Ling would not be able to afford such losses.
Princess Shan Yu similarly fell silent. She merely kept her gaze on Fang Zhengzhi, who was currently sitting leisurely on the chair while munching on a lamb leg. She had already gotten used to Fang Zhengzhi's gluttony habits and simply shook her head while she walked slowly towards the King sitting on his throne.
From the moment she entered the palace, she had been standing still at the doorway. However, she had now moved and was walking towards the King with slow and steady steps.
The King of the Southern Realm stared at Princess Shan Yu with a loving and benevolent expression. However, when his gaze inadvertently landed on Fang Zhengzhi, the tender expression in his eyes turned into one of surprise and curiosity.
Naturally, he could tell how young Fang Zhengzhi was.
What tender age…
And with Princess Shan Yu at his side.
Might this young lad be…
"Who are you exactly!" Shan Ling shouted and cast his glance back on Fang Zhengzhi after a moment of silence. He did not stop Princess Shan Yu from walking towards the King. He merely stood quietly as he carefully observed Fang Zhengzhi's features. His eyebrows, eyes, nose, from top to bottom, again and again.
"Hasn't the Noblelite guessed it after so long?" Fang Zhengzhi smiled as he said. He still had to give the Noblelite some respect as he still had not gotten to a vantage point.
"Yes… I have indeed. The youngest Heavenly Reflection State in the Great Xia Dynasty after Chi Guyan. The Double Roll Champion and the only person who tied with the Nangong noble Hao as champions in the Court Theory Examinations. You are Fang Zhengzhi!" Shan Ling nodded his head as he said, his eyes shining with excitement.
"Third Brother, you have stayed way too long in the capital. This guy is now a Supernatural State!" Although Princess Shan Yu did not want to admit, she still could not hold back her words after listening to Shan Ling's speech.
After speaking, Princess Shan Yu then sat beside the King of the Southern Realm.
"Supernatural State! You are saying that… he is already a 15, 16 year old Supernatural State?!" Shan Ling gasped as his expression changed to one of shock, one that resonated from within the very core of his body.
The expression on the King's face had also undergone some changes. However, it was not from the shock like what Shan Ling had displayed. More specifically, the changes in his expression was due to his observations of Princess Shan Yu.
From such close proximity, he could clearly se the changes in Princess Shan Yu's expression, and the hint of brilliance that was flashing through her beautiful eyes.
How could a father not understand his own daughter?
Princess Shan Yu was a proud individual. This arrogance came from her own talent and her diligence. However, when Fang Zhengzhi was mentioned, the King had seen a different kind of arrogance on Princess Shan Yu's face.
How could such a discovery not be shocking?
"Supernatural State!" Each and every of the female servants gasped in awe even though they had all gone through strict training in decorum.
They still involuntarily glanced at Fang Zhengzhi the moment they heard Princess Shan Yu's words.
As for people from the same domain…
They only worshipped one type of people, the Warriors.
Powerful Warriors.
Fang Zhengzhi's prowess had undoubtedly won him the title of a Warrior in the hearts of these humble female servants.
The King of the Southern Realm swept his gaze across the surroundings and saw the Ministry of Rites official lying on the ground. However, he quickly lost interest and shifted his gaze away.
"I have heard that Lord Fang had already been conferred the title of a Fourth Rank Sword Envoy by the Great Xia Sacred Lord even before the results of the court examinations were out. It is really a glory that is unprecedented and extremely difficult to surpass. It is my honour to be able to meet such an outstanding young lad. Although I have reigned over the Southern Mountain Range for many years as the Ruler in place of the Sacred Lord, I know that my knowledge in the art of war and strategy is still leaps and bound away from a true genius strategist. I am extremely emotional to have met such an individual today. May I then ask for Lord Fang's opinion on the battle of Iron Hill Settlement?"
As the King gave his speech, he stood up from his throne and gave a slight bow. He actually bowed in Fang Zhengzhi's direction.
Fang Zhengzhi could recognise this bow as well. It was the Bow of the Great Xia.
From this alone, he could figure out the King's intentions. However, he still would not explicitly say that the King of the Southern Realm had the intention to normalise relations with the Great Xia Dynasty.
But at least…
The King of the Southern Realm still referred to himself as the Ruler in place of the Sacred Lord.
After the King's speech, Shan Ling's body trembled ever so slightly. His hand that was grabbing the hilt of his sword seemed exceptionally pale. He also pursed his lips tightly, seemingly trying to keep his words to himself.
But he still chose to keep silent the entire time.
As for Princess Shan Yu, she lay beside the King all this time while staring at Fang Zhengzhi with her beautiful black eyes expectantly.
Fang Zhengzhi then slowly put down the lamb leg and cleaned the grease off his hands with a napkin. He was actually not keen in giving his view on this matter.
However, he knew that if he kept silent under such circumstances, he would once again push the optimistic situation back into a stalemate.
"What if I say…. Your Majesty and Noblelite should give up on this 80000 strong army? What would Your Majesty think?" As Fang Zhengzhi said these words, he kept his gaze firmly on the King of the Southern Realm and the Noblelite.