Summoners: One Golden Term per Level

Chapter 417 - 13: Does Jiu Li Seek Military Merit or the World

[Merit Task: Repel the Vanguard (Completed)]

[Gained 2000 Merit]

Shen Fei listened to the news from the Empress and couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, "Gonggong was caught just like that?"

In his mind, Gonggong, being a high-level figure in the Flame Emperor Alliance, would at least need multiple probing attempts before he could be captured.

But he still thought too complexly about the current war in the Great Wilderness.

The Great Wilderness is primarily based on strength, often those in high positions are not weak in their capabilities.

Therefore, it’s normal to personally engage in battle every time war begins.

Not to mention, this time it was a case of well intentions versus no intentions.

Whether it was the disparity in equipment or the Empress’s ability to control Abnormal Water.

Both were unexpected for the Vanguard Army led by Gonggong.

The Vanguard Army certainly wouldn’t have lost.

Only the extent of the losses was in question.

It seems the Empress found a very good method, as the Merit Task was simply to repel the vanguard troops.

Driving them back to the Mufu Mountain Range should count as repelling them, and their losses could be considered negligible.

It also provided a reason to prevent Gonggong from risking everything in desperation.

Meanwhile.

Someone pushed the door open and entered. The Celestial Dao Demon Venerable looked over and saw it was Duan Xiu.

Duan Xiu did not look pleased and got straight to the point as soon as he entered: "I heard from Can Gang that there was a great victory on the front line,

yet the Commander you appointed, in order to spare Gonggong, let him escape with military merit almost in his grasp?"

The Celestial Dao Demon Venerable and Shen Fei exchanged a glance, having anticipated that Duan Xiu would come to ask.

Because this approach was not consistent with the past combat style of the Jiuli Tribe.

The combat style is essentially a philosophy of warfare.

Duan Xiu would naturally be puzzled by a sudden change in the philosophy of warfare.

If it had been anyone else, the Celestial Dao Demon Venerable wouldn’t have bothered to explain, but Duan Xiu was one of the only two Tier Eleven in the Jiuli Tribe.

Explanation was necessary, as future actions would require his cooperation.

The Celestial Dao Demon Venerable explained the pros and cons and then continued, "Why is it that we previously achieved success without hindrance nearby, yet recently have met with increasing resistance?"

"Apart from our lack of suppression in weaponry and the advantage in terrain."

"Have you considered the reputation of the Jiuli Tribe among the Human Race?"

"Brutal and inhumane, calling us barbarians and tyrants!"

Duan Xiu furrowed his brows, aware of this situation but still said, "We’ve always been like this."

"Then why does Xuanyuan’s power and territory, which he occupies, not surpass ours, yet he has the name of Holy Virtue?"

"Surely his territory wasn’t just gifted by other tribes?"

The Celestial Dao Demon Venerable spoke, "Governance is not reliant solely on military force, the King’s Dao is one aspect, but it also requires the Holy Dao.

Inner saintliness and outer sovereignty constitute the Grand Dao."

Duan Xiu seemed to gain some understanding.

The Celestial Dao Demon Venerable continued, "Now that Gonggong has given up resisting, you bring him back and give him a good tour of our Jiuli Tribe."

"Are we Jiuli Tribe inherently inferior to the Lie Mountain Tribe or Youxiong Tribe?"

"You know where our tribe’s strengths lie, after all? It’s a great propaganda point."

"Moreover, we haven’t lost this battle; it’s merely a matter of how much military merit."

"Military merit is meant to inspire soldiers, not just to kill for killing’s sake."

Duan Xiu couldn’t help but add, "But this way, many will surely be dissatisfied.

After all, the military merit system was just established within the tribe.

Also, distributions of benefits are based on military merit."

"That’s why I want you to divide the troop levels, establish Priests at each level, spreading the word that we are fighting for the Human Race, destined by Heaven."

"Inspiration only incites temporary energy; belief and rules are needed to consistently ensure the army’s strength."

"As for this military merit, it’s also a trial for new-style weapons."

"The military merit system is meant to inspire our own and to show those not yet subjugated to us, or even within the Flame Emperor Alliance, our determination."

"And letting them off this time, capturing Gonggong is to show them that joining us doesn’t mean becoming slaves."

Duan Xiu wasn’t naive and quickly understood.

It can only be said that this move will just cause dissatisfaction among some soldiers.

But it’s also for the future grand plan of the tribe.

"Besides, the military merit system is also a way to weed out some parasites.

In the meantime, improve the various kinds of military merit aside from killing the enemy."

The Celestial Dao Demon Venerable calmly said, "We want not just a momentary victory, but the whole world."

Listening to the Celestial Dao Demon Venerable’s ambitious words.

A trace of surprise flashed in Duan Xiu’s eyes.

Compared to the past Chi You.

He found that recently Chi You’s actions somewhat resembled someone he once met.

That was the current Common Lord—Shennong in his youthful days.

And all these changes seemed to have started after the High Priest appeared in the tribe.

...

Meanwhile.

In the newly built camp.

Can Gang looked at the composed Empress and couldn’t help but frown, "Right now everyone below is asking why we let those vanguard troops return."

"You know those are all military merits."

"People below are about to riot, thinking there’s no reason to let them go!"

The Empress merely watched the venting Can Gang quietly until he didn’t know what else to say.

Then the Empress spoke, "Does Jiuli want military merit, or the world?"

Upon hearing this, Can Gang suddenly paused, falling into silence.

"Surely the world."

Why did the Jiuli raise an army, isn’t it because the Common Lord was unfair, establishing Xuanyuan as the successor?

"Since that’s the case, have people go and appease the soldiers below.

Besides, calculating by military merit, this time they surely gained more than usual."

"More importantly, the risk this time was much less than before, what reason do they have to be dissatisfied."

The Empress looked at Can Gang and said, "Military merit is not meant to restrict us; we are aiming for a larger goal."

"And what about Gonggong now?"

"Duan Xiu is on his way and should arrive soon."

"Priest Duan is coming?" Can Gang was startled, but considering Gonggong’s identity and strength, it did warrant a visit from Duan Xiu.

"What should we do after that?"

"Of course, use this as a base point, occupy the opposite riverbank, and have the bridge quickly built, using boats as bridges is not a good strategy."

"Alright."

"Also, have educational sessions about thoughts and behaviors in the discontented troops."

"If dissatisfaction arises from pursuing military merit, they’ll abandon the tribe for greater interests in the future!"

"Strictly govern the military. The army is the Jiuli Tribe’s weapon for external warfare and must not be allowed to harbor any other thoughts."

Can Gang felt increasingly novel, realizing this Commander’s warfare ideology seemed quite different from their past approaches.

In the past, they were straightforward; if they could win, they did, if not, then they didn’t.

Although they always won in the past, it was just a matter of more or fewer casualties.

But there were no such intricate strategies before.

And it seemed all these changes started subtly after the High Priest’s appearance in the tribe.