World-Ending Demon Emperor
Chapter 374 - 203: Zhi Yan’s Night, Qin Shu’s Wedding Night! (Important reservation required)_3

Chapter 374: 203: Zhi Yan’s Night, Qin Shu’s Wedding Night! (Important reservation required)_3

"In other words, the king’s own bloodline is now worth less than one percent of that of a slave named Zhi Li."

Duke Zhi Ting said, "Count Suo Lun, do you know who is the only one supporting the princess’s mansion tonight?"

"Who?" Suo Lun asked.

"The courtesans of the royal city," said Duke Zhi Ting. "To celebrate the establishment of the princess’s mansion, most courtesans are offering a twenty percent discount."

Having said that, Duke Zhi Ting laughed heartily, then downed a great cup of wine, with tears slipping down.

"I foresaw that we would be desolate, but I did not anticipate such bleakness," Duke Zhi Ting said amidst tears. "Suo Lun, we are enemies of the entire world—are you sure you want to continue?"

"Of course, I have no choice," Suo Lun said.

Duke Zhi Ting said, "At worst, it is but my life at stake, and the same for Zhen Yan. But what you will sacrifice is the entire Suo Family, as well as the five hundred miles around Tianshui City—is it worth it?"

"I have no choice," Suo Lun said lightly.

With tears in his eyes, Duke Zhi Ting said, "Among the twenty-three princes of the world, twenty-two stand with Zhi Li. Thousands pf nobles, one hundred percent, stand with Zhi Li. We have just three people—oh no, just one person, and that person is you. You are the only one capable of crossing the river and fighting, the only one to battle against the twenty-two princes, thousands of nobles—do we still have hope? Even the king is treated like a puppet by many, do we still have hope?"

Yes, now on the side of Princess Zhen Yan, Zhen Yan herself could not take action, and Zhi Ting was powerless. Suo Lun was the only one who could truly appear on the battlefield.

He had to face twenty-two princes, thousands of nobles, and countless civilian elites.

Facing the entire world as the enemy, is there still hope?

"Blinded by a single leaf," Suo Lun said with a cold laugh. "Those nobles, those princes—treat them as pigs or dogs! This battle, although as hard as ascending to heaven, let’s not forget, six months ago I had nothing, and now I have reclaimed Tianshui City. Tasks as difficult as ascending to heaven, I have already completed two."

That’s correct, two.

The first, earned the noble samurai medal.

The second, reclaimed Tianshui City.

Suo Lun said, "Now, what I need to accomplish is the third task as difficult as ascending to heaven: to eliminate Zhi Li and see Princess Zhen Yan ascend the throne."

At this time, Princess Zhen Yan finally spoke for the first time: "Why? Why are you so resolute in standing with me?"

Suo Lun said, word by word, "Because I and Zhi Li can no longer share the same sky."

Zhen Yan looked at Suo Lun and said, "All three of us have no way out. Just yesterday, I left the Dragon God Temple, which means I no longer have the protection of the Holy Temple. If I fail, death would be the best outcome for me. Suo Lun, I may lack other talents, but I have one virtue... trust."

Trust, perhaps, is the greatest gift a sovereign can bestow on a subject.

Princess Zhen Yan lifted her cup and said, "That’s right, trust. Even though I am your sovereign... I am willing to submit to your will. Your performance has completely conquered us. From now on, our strategy will be entirely up to you. Your will is our direction. Whatever order you issue, we shall put forth our full effort."

Taken aback, Suo Lun realized that Princess Zhen Yan’s words had elevated him to the pillar of the sky.

Then, he lifted his cup and said, "A warrior dies for a cause he holds dear."

Duke Zhi Ting said, "Suo Lun, I hope you have a plan that can help us win this nearly impossible war—a war where one man faces the whole world."

"To stand against the entire nation with a single corner," Suo Lun nodded. "I have three strategies in mind. Once these three strategies are implemented, we will have won much of this final battle."

Princess Zhen Yan’s eyes shone, and she said, "Please tell us."

Suo Lun said, "First, we must block Zhi Li’s forces from their fatal backlash against Tianshui City, because for a long time to come, Tianshui City will be our only base, source of troops, and source of finance."

Indeed, Suo Lun’s Tianshui City is the only territorial power within the Zhi Yan faction.

Once Suo Lun and Tianshui City are destroyed, Zhi Yan will have completely lost in this civil war of the kingdom.

Therefore, Zhi Li’s counterattack this time will certainly be extremely ferocious and fearsome, like the force of thunder.

Duke Zhi Ting said, "How will Zhi Li’s forces carry out the counterattack on Tianshui City?"

"It should come from the sea," Suo Lun said. "I’ll give them a taste of their own medicine. Countless pirates in disguise will attack from the sea, targeting Chaos Stone Island to cut off our only source of wealth, then they will invade Tianshui City and utterly destroy the foundation of the Suo Family."

Next, Suo Lun said, "Let me guess how many families will join this so-called pirate force? The Gui Clan from Linhai City, the Ying Zhou Fleet already subjugated by Ashi Luo, and Luan Yang City, which has the strongest naval trade among the lords."

Duke Zhi Ting said, "Combined, the three families can muster a navy exceeding fifty thousand."

"It will certainly exceed fifty thousand, and by far," Suo Lun said. "Since it’s under the guise of pirates, the more, the merrier."

Zhi Ting said, "Then this battle will be extremely difficult, as our navy numbers less than three thousand."

"It is difficult," Suo Lun said. "But we must win. Only by surviving Zhi Li’s lethal blow can we continue. Only then will we have a chance to execute the second and third strategic steps."

Zhi Ting asked, "What is the second strategic step?"

Suo Lun said, "The target for the second strategy is Ashi Liren, helping her defeat her brother Ashi Luo and elevating her to the position of Rouran City Lord, then backing Princess Zhi Yan."

Upon hearing these words, Duke Zhi Ting and Princess Zhi Yan’s eyes sparkled.

The second step could be described as a stroke of genius.

Firstly, Ashi Liren is a woman, and by her inheriting the position of Rouran City Lord, it would break the precedent that women cannot succeed to power.

Secondly, once Ashi Liren supports Zhi Yan, it would mean creating a massive rift among the lordly powers.

After all, the Rou Ran Ashi Family is the largest lordly power in the Rage Wave Kingdom, possessing an army of over a hundred thousand and the world’s premier cavalry.

Securing support from Rouran City would be like adding wings to a tiger for Zhi Yan’s camp, its significance even comparable to the Normandy landings of World War II.

Therefore, should the second step succeed, it would completely reverse Princess Zhi Yan’s currently utterly unfavorable situation.

"And the third step?" Zhi Ting asked.

Suo Lun said, "Strike the enemy at the heart. Eliminate Linhai City, kill Gui Xingfu and all his sons, support Gui Qinshao to become the second female lord and have her pledge loyalty to Princess Zhi Yan."

At these words, Duke Zhi Ting looked at Suo Lun in disbelief and said, "So, on that night several months ago, you had already laid your plans with Gui Qinshao?"

Suo Lun nodded and said, "That’s right. I planted certain seeds in her, and now it’s time to harvest."

Just then, a eunuch came in and said, "Ling Ao has sent a second invitation, inviting Count Suo Lun to attend his and Miss Gui Qinshao’s engagement dinner."

Suo Lun smiled and said, "Since someone is so enthusiastic, then I might as well be the uninvited guest."

Then, Suo Lun left the princess’s mansion and took a carriage to Duke Turing’s Mansion.

If Ling Ao knew that the bride he adored, the "red pill", had already been "stolen" by Suo Lun, I wonder if he would go completely insane.

...

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