Way of Overlord
Chapter 186: Xu Shu

Chapter 186: Xu Shu

And the most astute observer of them all clearly emanates the kind of aura that separates him from other people

This kind of aura is an aura that is only radiated by confident people and powerful people

The people in the hut, is soldiers. And this person who radiated this aura is their general

The general’s posture, unmoved amidst the inferno, and the composed scrutiny in his eyes spoke volumes about his nature.

The burning city seemed to have no effect on him; instead, he treated the unfolding carnage as a canvas upon which a strategic masterpiece is being painted.

The other men in the hut, equally undeterred by the encroaching flames, were like shadows flitting about, maintaining an eerie calm in the face of pandemonium.

These were not the panic-stricken denizens fleeing from the ravages of war but soldiers, agents of the Yan empire who had chosen to stay behind when the city became a battleground.

Among them, the figure of the capable general stood out.

His countenance reflected a mind that worked tirelessly to decipher the unfolding battle.

He wasn’t merely witnessing the chaos; he was analyzing it, calculating the movements of Aeryon, the resilience of Belarion, and the unexpected intervention by Durka.

Each nuance of the battle seemed to be etching itself into the general mind. Sometimes, he frowned. Sometimes he smiles. And sometimes he sighed

Each frown, each smile, each sigh is like a strategy in his head being tested and then defeated and then new strategy sprout out.

The general, not Xi Yan but astute in his strategic thinking, stood in the midst of the hut, his mind weaving through the chaos outside.

His observations were meticulous, honed by years of experience on the battlefield.

As the battle raged, he couldn’t help but focus on Belarion, identifying him as the linchpin in the unfolding events.

In the private confines of his thoughts, he mumbled, "Belarion is the problem. He is the crux of the problem. If he is gone, it is easier."

When he saw that the city was breached and saw how Belarion fight, he knows that among the Great Tribe that is raiding the city right now, has one of those so called people born with innate strength

People born with innate strength is something most people on the north knows.

This is because Dugu Yi, that general of the north has made his name all over the place in his youth and everyone knows him as a powerful man, hard to kill and very powerful

Everyone knows that Dugu Yi when he was just a child is man with great strength.

When he was in his youth he would go to forest and slay tiger and it is because of his strength that he became famous and now he is one of the great people in the empire.

It is precisely because of this most people on the north would recognize someone who is born with innate strength

After all, Dugu Yi is also a man born with innate strength and with his strength he dominates the north

And because of that they know how devastating it is when such a person breaks into a city.

"it is a pity. A pity. If General Xi Yan is here...." He did not finish his words but the soldiers sighed

They all understand

And because of that all of them sighed at the same time.

General Xi Yan, the most seasoned military leader in Nurshira, had taken himself in an unusual position.

Instead of holding command over the city’s defense, he is now escorting Qiao Meng, the city lord, out of the besieged walls.

All of them understood that it is not the will of the General to escort such a city lord. But the city lord is his superior and the one that the Ji family put in charge.

The veteran general, had he been given full command, could have orchestrated a more organized and resilient defense.

His experience and tactical acumen might have staved off the invasion, or at least mitigated the extent of the breach.

However, trust and support from Qiao Meng, the one with the ultimate authority, were crucial elements in such a situation.

The absence of a united command structure and the failure to leverage the expertise of General Xi Yan left the city vulnerable.

All four gates had succumbed, and the once orderly streets is now overrun by invaders.

"if Qiao Meng could trust him and give him all of his support like Xu Bailong had advised, the city could be defended. At least it would not be in this kind of situation where all four gates of the city being broken and barbarians fills the entire city"

one of the soldiers said. It is clear from his word; he did not respect the city lord at all.

The other soldiers all smiles bitterly.

But there is another young general. And this is the young general that is in this hut, trying to mount the last resistance.

There is a plan in his head and if he could do it, then many lives could be saved from the attack of the Great Steppe warriors.

This young general name is Xu Shu.

He is trying to formulate a last-ditch plan to mount a resistance against the Great Steppe warriors.

Xu Shu’s journey to becoming the youngest general in Nurshira was marked by a rebellious past as a vigilante swordsman.

In his youth, he roamed the rivers and lakes, forging connections and creating a network of acquaintances.

His acts of brotherhood often brought him into conflict with authorities, and one such encounter led him perilously close to execution.

However, fate intervened, and Xu Shu found an unexpected saviour in General Xi Yan.

The seasoned general recognized something in the young swordsman—perhaps a spark of leadership or a potential for strategic thinking.

Instead of facing the executioner’s blade, Xu Shu was offered a chance at redemption through service to Nurshira.

Over the years, Xu Shu proved himself not only as a skilled swordsman but also as a quick-thinking and resourceful individual.

General Xi Yan, impressed by his protégé dedication and capabilities, bestowed upon him the rank of general at a remarkably young age.

Xu Shu has only been promoted to a general a few months ago.

But even though he is the youngest general in Nurshira, no one doubts him.

Xu Shu had swiftly earned the respect of both his soldiers and his fellow commanders because of this method of governing the army and his leadership style

His leadership style was marked by a rare combination of discipline and camaraderie.

Unlike some leaders who maintained a distance from their troops, Xu Shu could be found training with his soldiers, sharing meals, and forging a strong bond with the men under his command.

But it is a pity that he never had the chance to show his talent.

Xu Shu harboured a sombre understanding from the outset—that the fall of the city is an unfortunate inevitability.

Just like Xu Bailong, he knows that from the moment the city lord did not accept Xu Bailong ideas, the city is doomed to fall

Perhaps it was an astuteness gained from his experiences as a vigilante swordsman, or maybe an intuition honed by his service under General Xi Yan.

Regardless, Xu Shu approached the defense of Nurshira with a clear-eyed realism.

Now, faced with the imminent threat of the Great Steppe warriors, Xu Shu contemplated a plan to mount a last stand, a strategy born out of both necessity and a desire to salvage what remained of the city.

"No" he shakes his head

"The city could not be saved" he paused for a second and then mutters "But, the people could still be saved" he mutters

His recent promotion, though met with approval, had yet to see a battlefield where he could truly showcase his tactical acumen.

As the chaos of battle raged outside his window, Xu Shu’s mind raced, weaving together the threads of experience, training, and the grim reality of Nurshira plight and try to find a way out, a solution, a method to save lives.

He did not blame Qiao Meng or his benefactor General Xi Yan. Instead, he blamed Xu Bailong.

Xu Bailong, this man is a great strategist. He is resourceful and he has the famous Xu family behind him

One might wonder why Xu Shu would blame Xu Bailong when it is Xu Bailong that gives the advice.

Because Xu Bailong while he is smart, he has great ideas and great strategy, he is unruly, and did not know his role, antagonize the lord and deliberately putting the hat of incompetent lord toward Qiao Meng.

Xu Shu even though he is a vigilante swordsman, he has also learned the books and he himself is a great strategist.

He has many connections with others and he knows the way of the world, the people and the way to use people and the way to persuade people.

He is a different kind of strategist than Xu Bailong who looks at the world and plays with the world like playing chess

Xu Shu knows the people and knows what made people do the things they did. And because he knew what people would do, he could change his act accordingly.

In the rivers and lake, Xu Shu met many heroes and many villains. Certain heroes have their own demeanour and attitude, and even villains are like that.

Some are boisterous, some are cold, some are joyful but could easily change their appearance and mood

People with boisterous personality had to be serve with different attitude then the one who is cold.

Xu Bailong knows the world, but not the people. He could make plans for the world, but what about the people that lives in this world?

Are they just tools for Xu Bailong? Xu Bailong sees the vast vision in the distance, he sees the forest but not the leaves, he sees the essence but he forgot the details

The world is the people.

Xu Bailong is arrogant.

Because he has never been wrong before.

And he always won.

As long as he is always wins, he would never learn anything.

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