Chapter 1928: The Three Weaknesses of the Nine Nether Emperor

The city walls do need repair, but everything has its priorities. Shouldn't his top priority be to focus his forces on eliminating Chen Chuaihua first?

Qingyang couldn't be bothered with his petty thoughts, but Baitan still spoke up: "Before I can deal with He Xiao, I must defeat Chen Chuaihua. If I don't seize Chen Chuaihua's territory, population, and army, my strength will be insufficient."

For several months after King Yao's death, the Yao territory had been in turmoil. General Zhongwu had returned to Bixia, Qu Ruhai had withdrawn his troops to Luodian and was subsequently annihilated, Tu Han was dead, and Dan Zehong and Yuwen Yong were missing. Most of the other warlords had also been absorbed by Baitan and Chen Chuaihua.

Thus, the power struggle in Yao territory had become clear. Only Chen Chuaihua and Baitan remained to contend for supremacy.

If he defeated Chen Chuaihua, he could unify the entire Yao territory.

The implicit message was: "You want me to confront the Great Emperor Jiuyou? Fine; but first, you must help me eliminate Chen Chuaihua and unify the Yao territory!"

Otherwise, how could I possibly be a match for the Great Emperor Jiuyou?

Currently, he held the advantage, but Chen Chuaihua was no pushover and continued to resist fiercely. Baitan estimated that it would be a slow and painstaking process to defeat Chen Chuaihua on his own, taking at least five or six months to conclude the fight.

In warfare, the greatest fear is that delays breed complications. Who knew if Chen Chuaihua might suddenly gain the favor of the Heavenly Gods and stage a comeback?

Since the Heavenly Gods wanted him to exert effort, he needed to set his terms clearly.

Qingyang saw through his little scheme instantly. She calmly said, "The Heavenly Gods also wish for you to quickly prepare your forces and gather strength to confront the Great Emperor Jiuyou."

"Excellent!" Baitan rejoiced. He cleared his throat lightly and asked, "May I ask, when can I defeat Chen Chuaihua?"

When would the Heavenly Gods' assistance arrive?

He had been eagerly waiting for several months. This old woman couldn't keep making empty promises, could she?

"Within five days, there will definitely be news," Qingyang said with a smile. "Rest assured."

"The Heavenly Gods are truly generous!" Baitan immediately felt at ease. He shrewdly steered the conversation back to the Great Emperor Jiuyou. "If this Great Emperor Jiuyou is indeed He Xiao, Palace Master, how long do you think it will be before he moves against Yao territory?"

"Faster than you imagine. Otherwise, why would he prioritize taking down Luodian, your old nemesis?" Qingyang offered him no comfort.

These Yao people were still squabbling over their small plots of land, completely unaware that the greatest danger was already rising across the entire Shanjin Plain.

What difference would it make to the Heavenly Gods whether Baitan won or Chen Chuaihua won?

They were merely watchdogs fighting to the death over a bone.

As long as the Great Emperor Jiuyou didn't truly come knocking, and Baitan hadn't experienced the fear of impending doom, his focus would remain solely on Chen Chuaihua.

Alas, one cannot discuss ice with summer insects; a bunch of short-sighted fools!

Baitan sneered, "If he dares to come, I'll make him regret it thoroughly."

"He Xiao wants to realize his ambition of unifying the Shanjin Plain, and you are his biggest obstacle." Qingyang had also pondered this for many days. "Therefore, he will most likely deal with you last. Don't be fooled by his current ascendancy; he actually has weaknesses."

Baitan pricked up his ears. "Weaknesses?"

"He Xiao crowned himself the Great Emperor Jiuyou, vowing to eliminate all evil. He also claims to be the reincarnation of the Dragon God. This might earn him fanatical followers among ordinary people, but by setting such a high bar, his wars are destined to be win-only, never to be lost!"

The Dragon God symbolizes great wisdom, divine power, profound vows, and boundless compassion. How could such a figure ever lose?

If he loses, is he still the Dragon God?

This is like Miaozhantian, who enjoyed centuries of worship in the mortal realm. The moment it fell, its temples in the human world instantly collapsed without transition, and its numerous followers immediately turned away without a shred of lingering attachment.

Baitan sneered, "They say victory and defeat are common in warfare. Is there any general in this world who has never been defeated?"

"Therefore, if he moves against you, he must have absolute certainty of victory," Qingyang stated. "This means after he gathers sufficient troops, he will definitely need to thoroughly integrate and intensively train them; otherwise, he wouldn't dare attack Yao territory. You still have a little time to prepare for battle."

"In warfare, morale is paramount. He is currently on a roll, experiencing smooth sailing. If he could suffer a major setback now, it would certainly disrupt his subsequent plans and momentum." Qingyang raised a second finger. "Secondly, I've closely examined the reports from his eleven past battles when he seized Kasha, Longye, and Luodian. I've found that he is incredibly fierce in battle, prefers to lead from the front, and charges ahead fearlessly with his Black Armored Army. In other words, he's very hands-on."

To an ordinary person, this would sound like praise, but Baitan instantly grasped the crucial point:

"So, he often puts himself in dangerous situations?"

"Precisely," Qingyang nodded. "On the battlefield, accidents are common. Those who charge at the very front are also the most vulnerable targets."

Baitan also said, "Why is there an old saying, 'A general should not easily expose himself'? These are lessons learned through bloodshed."

"But I deduce that He Xiao has unavoidable reasons for this," Qingyang said, picking up the teacup on the table and taking a small sip. "You can tell by how he's constantly recruiting troops that his original forces were insufficient. Whether it's Kasha, Longye, or Luodian, once integrated, they become a mixed bag. When they go to battle, they are certainly different from your elite soldiers, lacking significantly in both coordination and morale. In such a situation, the most direct and effective way for He Xiao to motivate them and instill courage is to personally enter the battlefield and lead from the front."

Baitan admitted, "Indeed, for a commander to personally engage in close combat sets a very strong example."

If the commander lacks courage, how can his soldiers be willing to fight to the death?

"There's also a crucial point," Qingyang raised a third finger. "This is the Shanjin Plain, which has no precedent of unification for nearly a thousand years; its people are wild and untamed. He Xiao is indeed experiencing smooth sailing and seems unstoppable right now, but given enough time, chaos will inevitably erupt in his rear!"

"Yes, those uncivilized barbarians of the Shanjin Plain are treacherous, cruel, and cunning; they can never be truly tamed," Baitan strongly agreed. "When He Xiao's main army is present, they act as docile as common dogs; but the moment his troops withdraw, they immediately turn into hungry wolves. It would be strange if those areas didn't fall into chaos!"

He couldn't help but sneer, "The Shanjin Plain is so vast, and its people are so chaotic, yet He Xiao still wants to swallow it whole. What youthful arrogance; he clearly doesn't know what death means!"

The Shanjin Plain cannot be unified; this is a lesson Yao State learned through centuries of bloodshed!

The so-called Great Emperor Jiuyou is merely an ignorant, arrogant fool who knows nothing of history or death!

"From this perspective, as long as he is bogged down and trapped in the quagmire of war, his rear will naturally ignite, and he will be unable to sustain himself."

Baitan rejoiced, "It seems the Palace Master already has a strategy!"

"He Xiao's conquest of Luodian in twenty days has shocked more than just you and me," Qingyang analyzed. "By operating so aggressively and with such a high profile, he puts everyone on edge and makes enemies far too easily."