Chapter 718 – Bickering Alliance (Part Five)
“This is already the third day. The main tent of the alliance is filled with songs and feasts, while the lords are drunk and lost in the charms of the beauties—”
Cheng Jing and Feng Jue sat across from each other, each holding black and white chess pieces, engaged in a fierce battle on the board, unable to determine a winner.
Feng Jue’s demeanor was calm, his ink-like black eyes slightly lowered.
“Isn’t this what we anticipated? Everyone at the alliance has their own schemes. The Liu father and son and the Xu brothers are supposed to hold things together, but the former are slacking off while the latter are only interested in their reputation and forming cliques. The alliance is just a headless group of dragons. Even if they have formed an allied army and chosen a leader, it still amounts to nothing. With everyone’s hearts not in sync, how is this different from a pile of loose sand?”
Feng Jue remained composed, contemplating his next move; it was now his turn to play.
He had to approach this move with utmost caution; otherwise, Cheng Jing’s attack would come like a storm.
Feng Jue’s style of playing chess was one of meticulous pacing. Whether attacking or defending, he aimed for perfection, suited for long-term strategies.
The longer the game dragged on, the more advantageous it was for him.
Cheng Jing’s style bore some resemblance to Feng Jue’s.
The difference was, once he found a weakness, his gentle approach would turn into a tempest, bearing an extremely offensive style.
Feng Jue was “steady,” while Cheng Jing sought risk within stability.
Cheng Jing said, “What a pity; I thought Liu Xi would make a play for leadership. If this person were to be the leader, the situation might be different.”
Feng Jue responded with an intrigued “Oh,” asking, “Is your opinion of Liu Lanting that high?”
Could Liu Xi truly reverse the decline of many lords with just her abilities?
“Liu Xi studied under a master for three years, and that master held him in high regard. Liu Xi, however, has spent three years causing trouble and making enemies. If it weren’t for the support of a big tree—his good father—he might have run into serious problems by now. However, he isn’t afraid of causing trouble; though he appears calm and composed, he harbors a deep-seated hatred for evil. If he were the leader of the alliance, he probably wouldn’t tolerate those who indulge in endless revelry and the delights of music and dance. As for Xu Pei? Heh—smooth-tongued, skillful in managing relationships, emphasizing reputation yet neglecting the facts. Such a person as a leader would only end up glossing over the true state of affairs.”
Despite the title of leader being more about name than power, it still held influence over the allied army. Someone like Xu Pei could never achieve anything in that role.
Cheng Jing understood this, and thus he didn’t have high hopes for this alliance.
Not just him; many others in the alliance had noticed, but they didn’t voice it openly.
Feng Jue glanced down, “What a pity, Liu Xi clearly wants to stay out of this… and won’t get involved in these affairs.”
While they were discussing, the tent curtain was suddenly lifted, and a cold wind rushed in.
Huang Song entered hurriedly, still radiating the anger he hadn’t let go of.
Cheng Jing and Feng Jue exchanged glances, both turning to Huang Song.
“Is the alliance no longer having a feast?”
“The banquet was interrupted by Yang Jian. He marched in with a few men carrying big knives…”
“What!!!”
“How could Yang Jian…”
Feng Jue was nearly caught off guard by the news; how could Yang Jian suddenly storm into the allied army’s tent?
Huang Song took a breath, noticing Feng Jue’s misinterpretation.
He hurriedly clarified, “…I haven’t finished speaking yet… Yang Jian only brought a few guards into the tent, but he didn’t hurt anyone. He just cut down several tables and caused a scene at the banquet. He specifically pointed at Xu Pei and scolded him. The scene was simply spectacular; those people’s faces turned as dark as ink… just delightful!”
After hearing this, both Feng Jue and Cheng Jing inwardly groaned. Was Yang Jian out of his mind?
Yang Jian had already been isolated by the alliance, and now he was creating chaos in the tent, intimidating the leader; one could only imagine how severely this would affect his influence.
Cheng Jing thought for a moment, suddenly realizing something was off.
He said, “Lord, could it be that Yang Jian intends to withdraw from the alliance?”
Huang Song, gulping down water, instinctively replied upon hearing Cheng Jing’s words.
“How do you know, friend Mo?”
The alliance had been holding banquets every day, and both Cheng Jing and Feng Jue detested it; neither of them were willing to join, preferring to stay and play chess in their tent.
Cheng Jing thought to himself, as expected.
“Yang Jian is only looking to protect himself. If he doesn’t find an opportunity to withdraw from the alliance soon, he might invite disaster upon himself. Although I don’t know who suggested this to him, it’s indeed a wise move. No breaking, no standing firm. If he doesn’t stir things up a bit, he’ll be completely at a disadvantage.” Cheng Jing furrowed his brow, seemingly deep in thought. “By the way, Lord, why did you come in with a face full of anger earlier?”
Cheng Jing’s comment almost made Huang Song forget his earlier anger.
As soon as he mentioned it, the anger that was about to die out reignited within him.
“Those scoundrels in the alliance are absolutely worthless!” Huang Song snapped.
At the same moment, Jiang Pengji returned to her own camp, reeking of alcohol, her lips curving into a faint smile, visibly in high spirits.
Today, she had gone to the alliance tent for a meeting, and Xu Pei had already helped her find fifteen clients.
Including Xu Pei, they had sold sixteen portions of Blue Brick’s recipe, which was quite a substantial income. How could Jiang Pengji not be happy?
As for the mess in the alliance, she couldn’t care less.
Li Yun followed closely behind her, with Dian Yin protecting her on either side.
“Lord, do you think Yang Duwei will be alright?”
Jiang Pengji chuckled, “If Yang Jian didn’t cause a scene today, then he would have had problems.”
Today, she had brought Li Yun and Dian Yin to the alliance tent for some free food and drinks. Just as they were halfway through the meal, Yang Jian, along with a dozen guards in armor, stormed into the tent, cutting down several tables without hesitation, causing chaos among the crowd.
Yang Jian began scolding everyone, and the one who got roasted the hardest was Xu Pei… Honestly, Jiang Pengji thought there must have been someone behind him, assisting him in these insults; otherwise, how could he have expressed them so smoothly?
After a satisfying rant, Yang Jian declared he was withdrawing from the alliance.
He would only withdraw from the alliance but not from serving the King; he was willing to use all his strength to protect the King, but he didn’t want to associate with the ruffians of the alliance.
After delivering this speech, Yang Jian left with his guards, leaving behind a room full of bewildered people.
Thinking back on that scene, Jiang Pengji couldn’t help but laugh; it was just too amusing.
Why?
Because before Yang Jian stormed in, someone had proposed that his troops take the lead, clearly planning to turn them into cannon fodder.
As soon as this proposal was made, it gained plenty of support, and no one bothered to consider Yang Jian’s own opinion.
Not long after, Yang Jian stormed in with his guards and left gracefully.
The slap in the face came too fast, like a hurricane passing through.
Meanwhile, Yang Jian, upon receiving the news, was furious yet vaguely afraid.
“Shaoyang, if I hadn’t listened to your advice this time, I might have really been used by that little person.”
