The Indomitable Master of Elixirs

It was only through stories by Linghe and the rest that Ji Fengyan had heard about Ji Yun. In the hearts of Linghe and company, Ji Yun was strong, yet benevolent. He had earned the deep respect and admiration of all his soldiers. Rather than a superior-subordinate relationship, they were more like brothers.

“General Ji, I know you rose the ranks while you were still young and hold certain capabilities. It can be said that I am a friend of your father’s. To see you take over your father’s role, I am thrilled for him. But I need to advise you on one point.” Yang Shun’s tone suddenly turned serious.

“Please speak your mind,” Ji Fengyan said politely.

“I know the Green Nightmare Army was involved in your father’s death. Situ Ba also holds a strong sense of enmity towards you. Even Zhan Fei appears to be going against you on all fronts. You are very strong and your men are all very loyal towards you. But understand one point.”

“Four hands are better than two, even more so on the battlefield. Being outnumbered in a fight is the worst kind of battle. Even if you somehow win, the high number of casualties will be difficult to bear. Zhan Fei and Situ Ba have taken over the main command of this battle—as much as you dislike them, it will be counterproductive to go against them head on. They will have a million ways to do you harm the moment you are on the battlegrounds.” Yang Shun held an extremely grave expression. From the way Zhan Fei had picked on those Ping City citizens, he could tell Zhan Fei was even more motivated than Situ Ba in getting rid of Ji Fengyan.

This was something that deeply troubled Yang Shun.

“Although you are a General, your Wolf Smoke Regiment is newly formed and lacks both battle experience and troop numbers. They may not explicitly plot against you, but if you fall into dire straits during a battle, they can easily divert their resources and leave you and your regiment to die.”

Yang Shun’s words made Ji Fengyan think hard. She was confident that her soldiers were definitely as good as any other regiment’s. Linghe and gang had also undergone more than six months of cultivation and were far more powerful than your usual soldier.

But…

There was truth behind Yang Shun’s words.

Ji Fengyan was very capable fighting one-on-one, but not as good when leading an army into battle. So far, she had been successful in defeating enemies who were stronger or outnumbered her troops—her strategies might also bring her major victories when applied on the battlefield in the future, but…

As Yang Shun said, even if she won those battles, her Wolf Smoke Regiment would suffer much injuries and fatalities.

Her regiment might end up being completely annihilated if she continued this battle strategy.

Take the Ping City battle for instance. Although Ji Fengyan and her Wolf Smoke Regiment successfully escaped, only about half of the hundred men she had with her had survived. Further, those survivors all suffered severe injuries, and would be out-of-commission for the time being.

Yang Shun was secretly relieved when he saw Ji Fengyan deep in thought. He had been worried that Ji Fengyan’s young age and strong abilities would make her resistant to his advice. But she was seriously considering his words.

Yang Shun couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness. Ji Fengyan had the potential to become the Kingdom of the Sacred Dragon’s greatest weapon, but she had enlisted too early and was now thrown together with the ill-intentioned Zhan Fei and Situ Ba for her very first battle.