Chapter 2260 - 2255: Is It You?
It wasn’t until the evening when Wang Buqun announced the troops’ departure that Guo Cunhou appeared beside Wang Buqun, accompanied by two guards.
These two guards were arranged by Wang Buqun for Guo Cunhou, and as to why, only Wang Buqun and Guo Cunhou probably know.
"Next, let’s have Strategist Guo Cunhou say a few words. As far as I know, in your hearts, Strategist Guo is far more important than I am."
After arranging everything, Wang Buqun smiled and said.
Guo Cunhou’s expression didn’t change at all. He stepped forward to Wang Buqun’s side: "Commander, I can’t accept that compliment. The garrison in West Desolation City has always been loyal to you, following you. However, I have been in West Desolation City for many years, and every time before sending out the troops, I have a few words to say."
Guo Cunhou swept his gaze over the garrison in West Desolation City, took a deep breath, and slightly bowed before speaking: "I apologize to everyone, for you must once again leave your families and head to the battlefield. The enemy this time is strong, but we have reasons we cannot avoid attacking. Therefore, please arrange your families well and fight with the determination to win this battle. I will be at the rear transporting provisions for you, hoping for good news rather than the news of tragedy."
Wang Buqun secretly sighed in his heart; Guo Cunhou was indeed as Skeleton Man said, best at winning people’s hearts.
Seeing the soldiers’ excited expressions made him guess what was on their minds.
Wang Buqun coughed and then said: "Strategist Guo spoke well. It’s my lack of consideration for everyone. Let’s do this: everyone go home and make arrangements, depart tomorrow morning. Before departure, come to the Commander Residence to receive magic treasures and elixir powder."
Watching Wang Buqun leave with his men, Guo Cunhou looked at the faces of those soldiers with a slight smile.
"Strategist Guo, your trick of treason is brilliant, flawless. If I hadn’t known your secrets beforehand, I might have been fooled by you. You are using the garrison to send a message to Hu Sanqiu in the Fox Spirit Mountain Range, right?"
Skeleton Man came to Guo Cunhou’s side.
Guo Cunhou’s eyebrows twitched: "Skeleton Man, you weren’t a member of my Commander Residence before, so I didn’t want to argue with you. But now that you’re under the jurisdiction of the Commander Residence, you must follow its rules. You two, explain the rules of the Commander Residence to Skeleton Man."
Guo Cunhou’s words made the two guards beside him break into a cold sweat; currently, Skeleton Man was a key person beside Commander Wang Buqun.
But even though he was important, his status couldn’t compare to Strategist Guo. Because Strategist Guo is the Chief Strategist in West Desolation City.
According to the rules of West Desolation City, two people from either the City Lord Mansion, West Desolate Tower, or the Garrison could attend conferences held by the City Lord Mansion or West Desolate Tower.
These two people, due to influence and status, could only be appointed or dismissed by the West Desolate Tower meetings.
The Tower Master of the West Desolate Tower had not held a Tower Master meeting since becoming the Tower Master many years ago, so Guo Cunhou’s status in the garrison was equivalent to what Skeleton Man’s was in the City Lord Mansion.
Skeleton Man’s mouth twitched: "Chief Strategist, it’s my mistake for not following the rules. I promise this won’t happen again. In the future, I’ll stay clear from you, not obstructing."
Guo Cunhou nodded with a quirky smile and then turned to walk toward the logistics camp.
Skeleton Man, embarrassed and angry, snorted coldly; "If I were Wang Buqun, I’d assign you to the Vanguard Army."
"Skeleton, you’re simply dreaming. Do you think that’s possible? If Guo Cunhou went to the Vanguard, the garrison troops would certainly revolt. Moreover, even if Guo Cunhou is highly esteemed, overshadowing the master, he remains a member of the garrison."
Zeng Meng stepped out from the side.
This time, the Zeng brothers were arranged to be the vanguard, managing those subordinates handed to Wang Buqun by the West Desolation old demon.
Skeleton Man nodded after remaining silent for a while: "You two, take care. You’re in the vanguard; try to delay as much as possible, and involve Wang Buqun in your actions."
"Skeleton Man, so you want to secretly command us two brothers? You’re blind. Let me tell you, working with the City Lord before was for my senior brother’s sake. After all, my senior brother is loyal to him."
Zeng Qiang snorted disdainfully.
Zeng Meng looked at Skeleton Man and laughed coldly: "Right now, we are loyal to Commander Wang. There’s only one master in West Desolation. The Tower Master ignores worldly affairs, the City Lord relinquished the military power. You still think you’re the grand manager of the City Lord Mansion? You’re overestimating yourself."
Skeleton Man’s face changed several times, finally taking a deep breath and nodding: "Fine, I’ll remember your words."
𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂
The next morning, as the garrison deployed, the streets of West Desolation City were filled with the families of the garrison troops.
The West Desolation old demon stood on the roof of the City Lord Mansion’s meeting hall, watching the garrison heading to the city gate, and took a deep breath: "May Marula protect, may you be mutually wounded, allowing my people to come to West Desolation with fewer enemies."
"The enemy has departed, and their first stop isn’t Dou Niu Mountain but the Fox Tail Mountain Range, which is great news for us."
Hu Sanqiu came in nearby, and both Tang Ming and Hu Jiuze looked up.
Hu Jiuze pulled over the map Tang Ming had drawn and said: "Here, here, and here, we need to arrange our forces."
"If it’s just this, the casualties will be too high. Auntie San, how is Guo Cunhou on that side?"
Tang Ming turned to look at Hu Sanqiu nearby.
Hu Sanqiu smiled and nodded, then said: "He Meijuan has been taken to the mountain, and she truly is pregnant. After hearing our explanation, she decided to help us persuade Guo Cunhou."
"Hmm, that makes things easier. I think this battle can still be negotiated."
Tang Ming nodded, with a faint smile appearing on his lips.
The Zeng brothers led the troops straight to the Fox Tail Mountain Range but didn’t manage to ascend the mountain before being stopped by the Fox Spirit Mountain people.
"Let the manager come out. Our Grandma Nine wants to see the person in charge."
A little girl with braids stood at the front of the crowd, showing no sign of fear.
Behind the little girl stood a large man in a black robe, wearing a hat, looking like a vortex, continuously absorbing the surrounding light.
"That’s right, it’s me. I’m Hu Jiuze. I not only killed your third brother but also once killed the City Lord of West Desolation City. Without me, could the West Desolation old demon sit in the current City Lord position of West Desolation City?"
Hu Jiuze snorted coldly.
Sitting on the Iron Hoof Beast beside him, Skeleton Man coughed. He had been arranged to accompany the troops as an advisor.
Skeleton Man knew that Hu Jiuze appearing here must have a reason. It’s likely a plot, so he needed to remind Zeng Qiang.
But Zeng Qiang did not look at him, and instead, said calmly: "The matter of the City Lord has nothing to do with me. Are you here to die? If you’re here to die, then we brothers won’t be polite."
"Wait, there will be plenty of opportunities to fight in the future. I’m here to deliver a message to your Commander. Take this Jade Scroll to your Commander, and I’ll meet him here tomorrow."
Hu Jiuze stretched out his hand, and a Jade Scroll wrapped in black mist flew towards Zeng Qiang.