Chapter 356: Defeat the Wind
Chapter 356: Defeat the Wind
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
Fang Zhengzhi only had a very simple understand of the situation at the wind valley. Furthermore, this understanding only came about from Teng Shisheng's explanation. As for the detailed conditions, he hadn't witnessed it personally hence wasn't very clear at this point of time.
However, this didn't stop him from feeling the uniqueness of its position. Because, before even nearing the wind valley, he could hear the gushing sound coming from within.
The entire wind valley was like a huge mountain split into two from the middle by a sword, resulting in a long narrow valley that only allowed ten people to move in a row.
Furthermore…
Most importantly, the two walls of the valley was filled with a white frost.
Icicles filled the frost like spikes, making it impossible for people to get too close to it, nor climb on top of it.
"Guard Fang, the wind valley is right in front. As long as we are able to get past the wind valley, we will reach the Icy Monkey Settlement." At this moment, Teng Shisheng walked to Fang Zhengzhi's side and said softly.
"Is it easy to cross this wind valley?" Fang Zhengzhi gazed at the wind valley in front, then looked back at the mighty armoured troops behind him.
If he wished to cross this wind valley alone.
He definitely didn't need to inquire further. All he had to do was to charge in.
However, if the over forty-thousand troops behind him were to charge in, they would definitely weigh him down. At this moment, Fang Zhengzhi more or less understood what was the meaning of being the chief commander of an army.
"Not easy." Teng Shisheng shook his head without even thinking.
"There is a question I don't quite understand." Fang Zhengzhi nodded his head. He had already guessed Teng Shisheng's reply, hence naturally didn't feel too surprised.
"Guard Fang, please ask." Teng Shisheng replied respectfully.
"This wind valley lies right across the entrance of the Icy Monkey Settlement. In order to enter the Icy Monkey Settlement, one has to first cross the wind valley. However, in this case, how do the people inside leave?" Fang Zhengzhi thought of this question.
"It goes like this. The opening of the wind valley is controlled by the Icy Monkey Settlement. At the exit of the wind valley, there is a huge rock. If one moved the huge rock to the left,the wind in the wind valley would be stopped. If it was moved to the right, the wind in the wind valley would start again. As for the exact reason for this, none of us are quite clear. However, it has always been like this for the past few hundred years." When Teng Shisheng heard Fang Zhengzhi's question, he explained.
"Move the huge rock?" Fang Zhengzhi's eyes lit up slightly. In an instant, he thought of something. "Is the Icy Monkey Settlement positioned in an extremely vast and flat piece of land?"
"That's right, how does Guard Fang know this?" Teng Shisheng seemed somewhat surprised when he heard this. Because, he hadn't explained in detail the conditions of the Icy Monkey Settlement.
"Ha ha, I guessed it." Fang Zhengzhi smiled, but didn't explain further. After all, it required knowledge of physics in order to explain this.
In reality, a geography like that of the wind valley required a lot of coincidence. However, in Fang Zhengzhi's previous world, there were a few similar situations.
From a scientific perspective, the wind is a force of nature.
Under many circumstances, wind is able to grow stronger or weaker depending on the geography of the landscape. For example, in the desert, once wind began to blow, it would turn into a tempest.
This was due to the landscape being too open.
And, if two huge rocks were to appear in an open piece of land, the center of the two huge stones would form a wind gap.
The reason was that the huge rock blocked the flowing path of the wind, causing it to forcefully squeeze in between the two huge rocks.
The landscape of the Icy Monkey Settlement was vast and open, and there were two huge mountains that seemed to have been formed from being forcefully cut into two. Hence, forming such a wind valley wouldn't be considered surprising.
As for using the huge rocks behind the wind valley to control the wind within it, the concept was actually the same. If the direction of shift was just right, it could alter the flow of the wind, causing it to blow upwards, hence no longer blowing in the direction of the wind valley. This way, the wind would stop.
Knowledge changes fate!
Fang Zhengzhi understood these concepts. However, Teng Shisheng didn't quite understand them. Hence, after hearing that Fang Zhengzhi was just guessing, he looked towards Fang Zhengzhi with a strange expression.
Teng Shisheng really couldn't understand. This kind of stuff could be guessed?
Fang Zhengzhi didn't speak further. He was thinking of a method to overcome the wind valley.
When the group of scholars following the army saw Fang Zhengzhi's expression, the trace of a smirk appeared on their faces.
After all, in their hearts, Fang Zhengzhi depended on shameless tactics to achieve success. During times when he would have to truly depend on his strengths, that wouldn't work anymore.
Even though at this moment, they were all in the same boat as Fang Zhengzhi, but, for them to suggest tactics and strategies, Fang Zhengzhi still at least had to express it.
For example…
Sincerely consulting their opinions, or holding of grand feast and ceremony to say, "I can't do it. During such crucial times, I still have to depend on you guys!"
This was what they expected to happen.
However, Fang Zhengzhi clearly hadn't thought of this. At this moment, his gaze was focused on scanning the surrounding landscape of the wind valley, calculating rapidly in his mind.
This caused a group of scholars to become somewhat restless.
"Asking too much is better than thinking too much. As the chief commander, you must know how to be humble and seek advice. Pride and arrogance isn't a trait that a commander should have." A scholar quickly reminded.
"That's right, you didn't even fight a battle before, stop pretending to think deeply!"
"If you really wish to seek military strategies, you still have to consult Young Master Wu and Young Master Chen. Young Master Chen is the direct descendent of the thirteen constabularies and had been reading military books ever since young."
"That's right. If you wish to overcome the wind valley, you cannot charge in blindly. I suggest that everybody sit down and discuss together."
When the scholars heard the voice, they also began to express their agreement. They all waited for Fang Zhengzhi to "have a change of heart" and humbly request for their advice.
When Fang Zhengzhi heard the voices behind him, a faint smile appeared on his face as he turned around and gazed at the "hungry, impatient" scholars.
Of course, he knew what these people were thinking.
He had either launched a sneak attack on them, or forcefully overpowered them with multiples times the number of troops they had. If they were to completely accept their defeat, it was naturally not very possible.
"Since this is the case, then, let's all gather and discuss how to cross this wind valley." Fang Zhengzhi really wanted to think how this world planned to overcome a wind valley like this.
"I have a plan!" A scholar quickly stood out.
To these "academics" who had few chances to participate in battles, being able to demonstrate their ability to command troops in such circumstances would definitely contribute in one way or another to the results of their combat examination.
Most importantly, if they were able to accomplish something, when they had the opportunity to enter the military in the future, it would definitely be a good example for them to bring up to be considered for rapid promotion.
"I have an idea too."
"Me too!"
When they saw a scholar taking the initiative to stand out, there were instantly a few more scholars fighting to express their opinions.
On the other hand, when Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu witnessed this scene, their expressions were bland and calm, seeming as if they were profound and unfathomable.
"Come, speak one by one, don't rush." It was rare for Fang Zhengzhi to witness such "positive energy", and decided to not burst their bubble and dampen their enthusiasm.
"This is my plan. The wind blows from inside to outside. Hence, we can get a few defensive troops to guard the front. With them blocking off the wind in front, this would naturally reduce the power of the wind."
"That's right, I agree with what Young Master Li said."
"Young Master Li's plan indeed isn't bad. However, there are a few lacking areas. It is indeed not a bad idea to place the defensive troops in front. However, what if the wind from the wind valley is too powerful for the defensive troops to block off? I suggest we build a huge 'shield carriage' which the troops will push forward. This will achieve a much better shielding effect!" Another scholar chiped in.
"Good plan!"
"The shield carriage is good, I feel that it is best to build two of these shield carriages to prevent any unexpected changes!"
"Yes, not bad. I think it will work."
The scholars fought to express their opinions, while the scholar who suggested building the shield carriage carried an arrogant, haughty expression, waiting for Fang Zhengzhi to do as he planned.
When Fang Zhengzhi heard this, he didn't agree nor disagree.
Instead, he focused his gaze towards Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu, waiting for them to express their opinions.
Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu naturally saw the gaze which Fang Zhengzhi shot over. They tilted their faces to one side, as if waiting for Fang Zhengzhi to beg them.
Fang Zhengzhi's lips curved into another smile.
He didn't look at Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu again, instead, he rode his horse and slowly trotted towards the direction of the wind valley.
When Wu Feng and Chen Feiyu witnessed this scene, they instantly started to turn anxious.
"Don't tell me this Fang Zhengzhi is really going to make two shield carriages?" Wu Feng looked at Chen Feiyu.
"I think it might be possible!" Chen Feiyu nodded.
"If he did this, we are definitely going to lose this battle." Wu Feng began to worry. After all, they were ants on the same rope as Fang Zhengzhi.
"We cannot allow him to lose!" Chen Feiyu had also realised this. The expression on his face turned extremely grieved.
He was truly very grieved.
As a person of the Supernatural State, he didn't even have the time to reveal this powers before being taken down by Fang Zhengzhi's ambush. Now, when faced with the wind valley, he prepared to maintain his pride.
Yet in the end…
Fang Zhengzhi actually ignored him.
He had a plan, yet couldn't voice it out. Such grief was indeed uncomfortable. It was just as if he had thought of an extremely good idea, yet, nobody used it. It was indeed worrying!
"Fang Zhengzhi!" Chen Feiyu finally spoke. Anger was clearly evident in his tone. However, other than being angry, it also sounded very helpless.
"Yes?" Fang Zhengzhi hadn't travelled very far. Hence, after hearing Chen Feiyu's shout, he turned his head around and looked at Chen Feiyu with a confused expression.
"I have a strategy for you. However, I have a condition!" Chen Feiyu's words seemed to have been forced out from his gritted teeth.
"Condition? Oh, then, forget it." Fang Zhengzhi smiled, then turned around and continued to ride towards the wind valley.
"Forget it?!" Chen Feiyu had never thought that his "goodwill" in taking the initiative to suggest a strategy would be faced with the words "forget it".
This was simply even more shameful than being slapped across the face.
Spite!
This was a deep sense of spite, and a utterly unjustifiable form of disregard.
Chen Feiyu was extremely angry. Gazing around at the strange expressions on the surrounding scholars' faces, his expression flushed somewhat red.
"Fang Zhengzhi, building the shield carriage would only decrease the movement speed of the army further. Furthermore, the wind in the wind valley isn't something you can imagine. No shield carriage would be able to block it!" At this moment, Chen Feiyu couldn't be bothered with what those scholars thought anymore, instead, he directly shouted out the flaws of using the shield carriage.
"Oh." Fang Zhengzhi casually replied.
"Oh? What is the meaning of oh?!" Chen Feiyu really couldn't contain himself anymore.
He had already explained the flaws of the shield carriage, yet, Fang Zhengzhi replied him with an "oh". What was the meaning of this? What was the meaning of this!
"Fang Zhengzhi, my request is very simple. I only require that after you cross the wind valley, if you announce that the plan was suggested by me, I will be willing to tell you the method of overcoming the wind valley!" Wu Feng looked at Chen Feiyu's pained expression, smiled lightly, then said to Fang Zhengzhi.
He only knew too well Fang Zhengzhi's shameless personality.
Negotiating terms with a person like Fang Zhengzhi?
This was simply equivalent to placing a blade across Fang Zhengzhi's neck. No matter what, Fang Zhengzhi would never agree. Hence, he used the best possible word to use in this case. Request!
Furthermore, this request was actually an unwarranted request.
Because…
After the army crossed the wind valley, there would definitely be military personnel reporting to their superiors that the plan was suggested by Wu Feng. Hence, in reality, this was only an excuse Wu Feng made for himself.
When Fang Zhengzhi heard Wu Feng's words, he finally stopped again. Then, he turned his horse around and casually rode back slowly.
When Wu Feng saw this, the smile on his face grew wider.
He knew that Fang Zhengzhi would definitely not have a plan to overcome the wind valley. However, Fang Zhengzhi was too shameless, even if he wished to ask, he would still want to do so in an advantageous position.
In his heart, he greatly despised people who were as shameless as Fang Zhengzhi.
However…
He had no other method. He had to help Fang Zhengzhi overcome the wind valley. Furthermore, there was another more important reason behind why he took the initiative to suggest a plan.
That was, he knew very clearly that Chen Feiyu had definitely thought of the same strategy as he did.
If he didn't voice it out, it was equivalent to keeping this strategy in his heart. Hence, when Chen Feiyu's name was announced in the military department, there would be no involvement on his part.
It was very helpless.
However, Wu Feng's emotional state was clearly better than that of Chen Feiyu.
Viewing the problem in another angle, since there was no way to resist this, then, why not just focus on enjoying - Enjoying the feeling of Fang Zhengzhi executing things according to his own plan.
From a certain point of view, it was actually equivalent to overcoming the wind valley himself.
Of course, without that disgraceful ambush in the Thunderous Lion Settlement, Wu Feng felt that his emotional state would be even better.
"Damn this Fang Zhengzhi, damn these Silver Horned Wolves!"
As Wu Feng swore in his heart, Fang Zhengzhi had returned to his original position. However, he didn't look at Wu Feng.
Instead, he turned to Teng Shisheng with a bright smile on his face.
"Teng Shisheng, listen to my orders!" Fang Zhengzhi completely disregarded Wu Feng, and directly spoke to Teng Shisheng.
"Roger!" Teng Shisheng instantly acknowledged.
"Bring twenty Silver Horned Wolves, let's go and defeat the wind valley!"