Chapter 519: Chapter 519

"This humble servant, Han Xin, greets Your Majesty!"

A voice full of vigor echoed throughout the Imperial Study.

In the grand hall, a military general dressed in black battle armor and a red cape knelt on one knee. His body was robust and powerful; his face wasn’t particularly handsome, but his heroic aura was undeniable.

He knelt on the ground, yet his spine was exceptionally straight, like a battle spear capable of piercing through the heavens and myriad realms.

"Please rise!" Qin Wudao said, raising his hand. After scanning Han Xin’s profile, a slight smile touched his lips.

Cultivation Level: Peak of the Great Emperor Realm!

Cultivation Technique: !

Profile: A founding hero of the Western Han Dynasty, military strategist, one of the ’Three Heroes of the Early Han Dynasty,’ one of the ’Four Sages of Military Strategy,’ and a representative figure of the ancient military thought ’School of Military Power and Stratagem.’ He was revered by later generations as the ’Soldier Immortal’ and ’Divine General.’ For origınal chapters go to novel fire.net

Combat Achievements: Promoted to Great General by Xiao He, he formulated the ’Hanzhong Countermeasure’ and devised the strategy to reclaim the three Qin territories. After Liu Bang’s defeat at Pengcheng, Han Xin first routed the Chu army between Jing and Suo, then pacified the Wei Country. He took the initiative to launch a northern campaign, capturing the Dai Country, and won a decisive battle against the Zhao Country with his back to the river. He also dispatched forces to subdue the Yan Country and was ordered to attack the Qi Country...

His most commendable achievement was forcing Xiang Yu and Liu Bang to sign the Honggou Agreement during his campaign against the Chu Country.

Upon the annihilation of the Chu Country, having achieved great fame and success, Han Xin was stripped of his military command. Due to false accusations, he was demoted to Marquis of Huaiyin.

In 196 BC, Empress Lu and Xiao He conspired to lure Han Xin into Changle Palace, where he was executed in the Bell Chamber, and his entire clan was exterminated.

Such a pity. Such an unparalleled and brilliant general died at just thirty-three years old!

After reviewing Han Xin’s profile, Qin Wudao sighed with heartfelt regret.

Thirty-three years old—the prime of a general’s life!

"Sir Han, this is the battle plan formulated by the Great Qin Saint’s Court. Take a look," Qin Wudao said. With a wave of his hand, a golden memorial flew into Han Xin’s grasp. It was imbued with an overwhelming martial aura, giving one the sensation of being on a battlefield, amidst clashing iron and cavalry, an atmosphere that could dominate the universe.

Han Xin received the memorial with both hands and examined it carefully. He was a quick reader and finished the tens of thousands of characters in the battle plan in a short time.

After reading the plan, Han Xin did not respond immediately but closed his eyes to mentally simulate the battlefield.

A quarter of an hour later, Han Xin opened his eyes, saluted, and said, "Your Majesty, we will win this battle, but it will be a pyrrhic victory!"

"Why so?" Qin Wudao’s brow rose slightly as he asked calmly.

"Your Majesty, our strategy against the Myriad Demon Saint’s Court is to slaughter countless members of the ’foreign races’ to serve as a warning to the world. During the battle, this approach can indeed make factions friendly with the Myriad Demon Saint’s Court hesitant to act.

"But this humble servant dares to say that when it comes to the final battle, to prevent the Great Qin Saint’s Court from becoming too powerful, the Ninefold Saint’s Court, the Saint Heaven Institute, and other sacred lands will undoubtedly send troops for a sneak attack!" Han Xin’s gaze was serious, his eyes twinkling with a wisdom that seemed to penetrate all things, as he replied in a solemn tone, "This battle plan is nearly perfect. Its only deficiency is the lack of a rearguard!"

The battlefield is ever-changing, and no one can guarantee preparedness for every eventuality. Typically, during a major battle, a commander will keep a rearguard in reserve for unforeseen circumstances.

"Well said, well said!" Qin Wudao couldn’t help but clap in approval, because Han Xin’s assessment was identical to what Gui Guzi and the others had said.

In fact, they had known from the outset that the plan had this flaw. However, to confront the Myriad Demon Saint’s Court, the Great Qin’s military forces were already stretched thin, unable to spare additional troops to form a rearguard. Thus, the matter was temporarily deferred.

This was also why Qin Wudao was overjoyed when he heard the system had rewarded him with Han Xin. The Great Qin Dynasty was truly lacking in skilled generals! His purpose in showing Han Xin the battle plan was purely to test the true capabilities of this ’Soldier Immortal’.

"Sir Han, I intend for you to command an army independently, to act as our rearguard. How many troops can you command?" Qin Wudao asked with a smile.

If Han Xin had failed to identify the flaw in the battle plan, Qin Wudao would have assigned him to the front lines. He then would have selected someone from among his civil advisors, such as Gui Guzi or Guo Jia, to assemble a rearguard force.

But now that Han Xin had found the flaw, he could confidently entrust this critical task to him. After all, this rearguard might have to engage multiple sacred lands in battle and thus required a top-tier general to lead it.

"Your Majesty, the more, the better!" Han Xin replied, a touch of anticipation in his voice.

"I see..." Qin Wudao pondered for a moment, then said, "Currently, all of the Great Qin’s main combat legions have been deployed to the front, leaving only the regional forces. Excluding the Imperial Guard, you have the authority to levy troops from across the entire nation to form this new army."

After a brief hesitation, he continued, "As for the army’s composition, it shall be as you said... the more, the better!"

Upon hearing "the more, the better," Han Xin was stunned, feeling a sense of unreality.

In any dynasty, military power was an extremely sensitive matter.

Take his past life for example: as soon as the Chu-Han Contention ended, Liu Bang had eagerly stripped him of his military command.

He had anticipated Qin Wudao might grant him an army of a million, or perhaps several million, but he had never dared to expect "the more, the better!" For "the more, the better" implied he could conscript troops without limit.

His Majesty... he actually trusts me so much!

Han Xin felt a warm current spread through his body. His eyes slightly reddened, he knelt directly on the ground and exclaimed loudly, "This humble servant accepts the command!"

Qin Wudao rose, walked over, and personally helped Han Xin up, saying with a smile, "Throughout my life, if I trust someone, I have no doubts; if I doubt them, I do not use them! I believe, General, that you will successfully complete this mission and add to your glorious achievements!"

"Your Majesty, rest assured!"

Han Xin respectfully saluted Qin Wudao, his hand on the hilt of his sword, then departed the Imperial Study.

Just as his foot crossed the threshold, Qin Wudao spoke again, "I am not Liu Bang. General, rest assured."

Han Xin’s body trembled slightly. A rare smile touched his usually indifferent face.

A formidable general’s aura surged from him, and all his lingering concerns vanished completely.

"Xuanjia Army, advance south!"

After annihilating the Taiyi Saint’s Court, Li Jing did not linger. With murderous intent, he commanded his forces onward.

The path from the Lindong Dao Domain to the Myriad Demon Saint’s Court spanned dozens of Dao Domains, dotted with thousands of factions, some of which were powers boasting Great Emperor Realm martial artists.

One of the vanguard’s primary tasks was to eliminate all obstacles, ensuring the main army’s smooth passage.

The soldiers of the Xuanjia Army roared, their eyes bloodshot, exuding a potent Evil Qi as they embarked on their sanguine campaign.

Facing the formidable Great Qin Army, most factions were sensible enough to surrender directly.

Of course, this world is never short of fools who delight in overestimating their capabilities. Towards such factions, the Xuanjia Army naturally showed no mercy, leaving none alive.

The factions encountered along their path either surrendered or were annihilated. There was no third option.

This long, bloody path stained the weapons of the Xuanjia soldiers crimson, tempered the soul of the Xuanjia Army, and forged its will.

When killing became routine, the Xuanjia Army finally transformed into a supreme legion, fearing neither Heaven nor Earth, daunted by neither ghosts nor gods.

This single imperative dominated the mind of every Xuanjia soldier.

In their wake lay veritable slaughterhouses, where death lay piled high, and all signs of life had been extinguished.