My Beasts Grind Proficiency For Me

Chapter 356 - 216: Retreating to Advance

"Minister, I’ve already tried my best to persuade them, but those three are stubborn to the bitter end. They’re determined to oppose you," Wang Xu said with a deep sigh upon seeing Yang Jing.

The Golden Core Pill stirs the human heart. He never expected his three colleagues of so many years would suddenly become so muddled at a time like this.

"Senior Brother Wang, there’s no need for that. The three of them have let their private interests override their public duty. They will naturally be punished," Yang Jing said, comforting Wang Xu in return.

"Are you going to report this to the Governor?" Wang Xu guessed.

If the Governor were to issue a reprimand, the three Capital City Commanders would naturally not dare to make another move. However, doing so might make the Governor think that while Yang Jing had outstanding aptitude, he was not skilled at managing his subordinates.

That would, of course, be a major demerit.

"No..."

Just as Yang Jing was about to say more, a soldier walked in.

"Minister, the three Capital City Commanders request an audience."

A sharp glint flashed in Yang Jing’s eyes.

"Let them in."

A moment later, Wen Ximing and the other two stepped into the Quiet Chamber.

"Minister Yang, what refined tastes you have," Guan Weiqun said with a hint of sarcasm upon seeing Yang Jing and Wang Xu.

"We, on the other hand, have been swamped trying to suppress the restive soldiers of the Demon Suppression Army."

Yang Jing lifted his eyes and glanced at him. "What, were those twelve heads not effective? Commander Guan, just bring me a list. My sword won’t dull by a fraction, no matter how many more heads it takes."

His murderous words sent a chill down Guan Weiqun’s spine, and goosebumps erupted all over his arms.

"Is killing the only way you know how to command an army, Minister? Cowering before the Celestial Demons, yet ruthless when killing your own subordinates. You’re the very definition of someone who is cruel to his own and meek to outsiders."

Wen Ximing’s lifespan had been damaged by an old injury, leaving him with only twenty years left, which was why he was hell-bent on obtaining a Golden Core Pill. He had already started spreading rumors to this effect throughout the Demon Suppression Army to stir up discontent.

"Wen Ximing, what bullshit are you spouting?" Wang Xu cursed furiously.

Meanwhile, Yang Jing’s disciples, Yinjiao and Iron Head, had already summoned their Flying Sword and Big Spear, respectively. They revered their master as a father and would not tolerate this old dog, Wen Ximing, whose only thought was of power and profit, slandering him.

The palpable killing intent made Wen Ximing feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles. He cursed inwardly, ’How did Yang Jing raise two such ferocious and powerful disciples?’

"Enough."

Yang Jing held up a hand, quelling the tense, confrontational atmosphere.

"The three of you came to see me. What is it? Speak directly."

Wen Ximing slowly let out a breath. "Minister, we have been holding our position here for three days. The Northern Line is locked in a desperate battle with the Four Demon Sects, and a large number of Cultivators die every day. By delaying military action like this, aren’t we just letting them die in vain?"

Guan Weiqun added, "Whether we fight or retreat, split our forces or consolidate them, the Minister should make a decision soon."

Yang Jing glanced at Guan Weiqun, who shared a surname with Magistrate Guan, and sneered inwardly. ’So now they’re pinning the blame for delaying the battle on me.’

’Truly, they’re nothing but vermin accustomed to fighting for power and profit. In their mouths, a Cultivator’s life is heavier than a mountain when it’s useful to them, but more worthless than roadside weeds when it’s not.’

"I have already made a decision. I will personally return to the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion to request the Qi-guiding Dragon-shaking Array. Only with this Array can the army continue to advance. In my absence, you are all to guard the Array formations strictly. Do not leave the formations without orders. All matters will be deferred to Capital City Commander Wang Xu."

Hearing this, Wang Xu’s face fell in alarm, while a flash of glee appeared in the eyes of the other three.

Once Yang Jing was gone, how could Wang Xu possibly control the three of them by himself? They all held the same rank of Capital City Commander. Did he really think he could lord over them based on a single sentence from Yang Jing?

’In his dreams!’

As for Yang Jing’s order to guard the Array and not venture out, it was just empty words. "When a general is in the field, he can disobey the sovereign’s command." They would have plenty of reasons and excuses to deploy their troops.

The three of them, believing they had forced Yang Jing to back down, exchanged a joyful glance, then stood up and took their leave.

"Haha, so much for ’decisive and ruthless.’ So much for ’a talent beyond his generation.’ He’s just a man who bluffs."

Not long after they left, Shi Jinrong couldn’t help but say to the other two Capital City Commanders.

Although Yang Jing, still in the Quiet Chamber, couldn’t hear their conversation, he could guess the smug expressions on their faces.

"Minister, you’ve fallen for their scheme," Wang Xu said, his expression grim and his heart aching with regret.

"Magistrate Guan is Guan Weiqun’s clan uncle. If you return to the Governor’s Mansion, you’ll just be wasting your breath. He’ll tie you up in red tape, and by the time you get back here, you’ll have completely lost control of them."

Yang Jing slowly shook his head.

"Since they’re so eager to compete for merits, I’ll let them compete to their hearts’ content."

Wang Xu was genuinely confused. He didn’t understand how Yang Jing could possibly contend with those three after leaving the Demon Realm.

"Brother Wang, don’t underestimate the Celestial Demons."

Yang Jing knew that even though he had emphasized it many times, the four Capital City Commanders still hadn’t taken it to heart. They weren’t truly treating the Celestial Demons in the Demon Realm as a formidable enemy.

"After I leave, order your Demon Suppression Army subordinates to stay within the Array no matter what happens. And more importantly, do not let anyone else into the Array."

Wang Xu’s pupils contracted.

"Minister, are you saying that after you leave, the Celestial Demons from the Demon Realm will come out and counterattack our military formations?"

Yang Jing lowered his gaze.

"It’s more than likely. Those three good-for-nothing idiots have ambitions far exceeding their abilities. After I’m gone, they will certainly take the initiative to attack the Demon Realm. The High Tier Celestial Demons within the Demon Realm have been observing us for a long time. Once they notice a sudden change in our tactics, they’ll surely deduce that I have left."

He recalled the High Tier Celestial Demon that had suddenly appeared outside the Demon Realm to ambush him that day. These Celestial Demons were incredibly patient, far more cautious and intelligent than Cultivators gave them credit for.

Wang Xu let out a long breath and could only nod with grim determination.

On Yang Jing’s Flying Boat, many of the Demon Suppression Army soldiers aboard were the ones who had accompanied him that day. At his command, the vessel flew crisply and efficiently toward the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion.

Iron Head stood on the deck, looking down at the sprawling Array formations below.

"Master, those three Capital City Commanders certainly deserve to die for disregarding the bigger picture in their scramble for power. But under their reckless, glory-seeking advance, I’m afraid the rank-and-file soldiers of the Demon Suppression Army will also suffer heavy losses."

"There are no perfect solutions in this world. The moment those three made it clear they would abandon the greater good to fight for their own selfish interests, our options became very limited."

A cold light flashed in Yang Jing’s eyes.

"Sometimes, internal problems are best solved by outsiders. As a Minister of the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion, I can’t just tear off all pretenses and take their lives myself. But what if a High Tier Celestial Demon were to suddenly emerge from the Demon Realm and take their lives for me?"

Entrusting the task of eliminating Wen Ximing to the Celestial Demons would not only lead to the deaths of many rank-and-file Demon Suppression Army soldiers, but also risk the loss of those important Demon-Catching Tripods.

In the midst of this great war, it was no longer so easy to obtain the Demonic Materials for Refining the Demon-Catching Tripods through trade with Wei Ying. Every single Tripod lost would be difficult to replace.

Iron Head shuddered, guessing his master’s intentions.

’That’s right,’ he thought. ’Master has a Demon-Catching Tripod. The Celestial Demon methods he can use might even surpass those of Demon Cultivators.’

"Rather than get endlessly entangled with these three, waste precious time, and cause unnecessary sacrifices, it’s better to erase them from the picture directly," Yang Jing said with his hands behind his back.

Sometimes, if you can’t solve the problem, solving the person creating the problem is also a fine solution.

The moment those three, in their quest for power, used their influence to deny his request for the Qi-guiding Dragon-shaking Array, he had already decided to kill them.

After all, the war to pacify the Demon Realm was tied to a Tier Four Magical Treasure, something far more valuable than a Golden Core Pill.

Even in the far more resource-rich Central Continent, a single Tier Four Magical Treasure was enough to wipe out an entire Golden Core Clan.

"Master, when do we make our move?"

Iron Head had no doubt that the three Capital City Commanders were no match for his master, even if his master could only use the methods of the Demon Sect.

"I will act after you have reached the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion and met with Magistrate Guan. Yinjiao, you will be responsible for transforming into my likeness then," Yang Jing said to Yinjiao.

Yinjiao nodded solemnly. He was quick-witted and proficient in the Inconstant Illusionary Form Technique. After gaining the True Dragon Transformation Talent, even a Nascent Soul Cultivator would find it extremely difficult to see through his illusions.

The Flying Boat journeyed on. After flying for several hundred li, Yang Jing silently descended from the vessel using Cloud Escape.

Meanwhile, after confirming that Yang Jing had left, the three Capital City Commanders immediately began to make their move. However, just as they were thinking of relocating the Array formations to advance on the Demon Realm again, they ran into a problem.

"What! You’re saying there’s no way to move the Magic Array?" Guan Weiqun grabbed an Array Master by the collar and roared.

"Commander Guan, we are only Tier One True Mages. Operating the Array and making minor repairs is no problem, of course, but asking us to relocate the entire formation is simply beyond our capabilities."

The Array Master’s face turned pale with fright as he could only stammer out an explanation.

"What about the Tier Two Array Masters?" Wen Ximing asked, though he already guessed where they had gone, a sense of unwillingness in his tone.

"The masters... they’re all on the Flying Boat. They left with Minister Yang," the Array Master spoke in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, terrified that the three would take their anger out on him.

"Get out!"

Guan Weiqun threw the Array Master to the ground, his fury uncontrollable.

The Array Master spat on the ground as soon as he was out of the hall.

Among the four arts of Pill, Array, Talisman, and Artifact, Array Masters had always been considered the most distinguished. They weren’t covered in smoke and soot like Alchemists and Artifact Refiners, nor did they bury their heads in stacks of Talisman Paper all day like Talisman Makers.

Even though his Cultivation was only at the Qi Refining stage, he had never been treated with such disrespect.

"Hmph! Even Minister Yang is polite to me. A mediocre talent like him sure has a big temper!"

Back in the hall, Guan Weiqun paced back and forth several times, fuming. "That Yang Jing is truly despicable! I thought he was retreating in the face of difficulties by going to the Northern Army Governor’s Mansion, but I never expected him to pull a nasty trick like this on his way out!"

Wen Ximing’s face was also terribly dark. The Array formations couldn’t be moved. Were they supposed to just wait here and let that Yang Jing laugh at them?

"Big Brother, what should we do? Because of the Seven Nations Ticket Shop, the lower-ranking officers are still on our side, but the Qi Refining soldiers are full of complaints."