648 Overlord Zong Shou (1/2)
They were already close to Lianyun Island. Although the Grand Demon God Shuttle was traveling very slowly, they needed only thirty minutes to arrive.
Although they hung two hundred thousand feet above the island and used illusionary techniques to hide, Zong Shou was totally unafraid of people below noticing.
When Zong Shou looked down, his expression turned serious, and his face fluctuated between green and white. In the end he laughed out loud, ”It was really true…”
At the edges of the floating islands, many black-armoured soldiers were busy at the work of beheading their victims.
Blood drained into the ground, and was instantly picked up by the spiritual formation.
When the blood within each head was sucked dry, it was thrown into the Cloud Ocean.
In the distance, there was a fleet of cloud ships which ferried more people to the island.
What surprised Zong Shou was that the people sent to the slaughter weren't old and weak, but mostly strong men. They were all dressed in simple and cheap clothing, and their expressions were numb and filled with despair. Some wanted to rebel, but were slain on the spot by the surrounding soldiers.
Squinting, Zong Shou didn't need to think hard to figure out that the blood of strong men would be much more effective.
To think that those Huizhou City Lords were willing to send over so much of their labor forces.
Those within the shuttle were all used to witnessing bloody scenes, and they quickly recovered from the initial shock at the sight before them.
Jingyin's body shuddered in fury, her lips turning white as she gritted her teeth. She looked towards Zong Shou with a pleading expression.
She knew that Zong Shou was the only one who could save all these people now.
Although she wasn't close to or comfortable with that fellow, it couldn't be compared to her anger towards those beasts in black below.
Who could predict that that Zong Shou would offer praise? ”What was the word? Ah, that's right. Generals have to be unscrupulous. Commander Wei really understands that.”
Zhao Yanran also nodded. ”The Night Demons are strong, so no wonder Weihai has to do this.”
Jingyin's heart turned cold. She was about to stand up and leave the shuttle before Zong Shou let out a self-mocking laugh. ”However, no matter what, I can't tolerate this.”
If these ten million people were in his hands, who knew how much money they could make for him.
Yet Weihai threw them away just like that. If only he could seal up this region, then he would step in. But he was unable. He felt his heart twinge in pain…
These ten million lives were pitiful, but the billion people of Donglin and the troops under him were more important.
Kong Yao wasn't surprised as she looked closely at her husband.
Although he was vicious and despicable, he was a kind ruler.
She shook her head. ”Husband, if we can't bear with this it will spoil the plan. If my lord really can't take it, you can send an envoy to negotiate…”
She didn't even believe the words even as she said them. That method would probably be useless, and Weihai wouldn't listen at all. He might even think that Gantian Mountain had nefarious intentions. Who knows, he might even speed up the process and slice off ten million heads.
”Right now we need to work together against the enemy. Husband, don't argue too much with him.”
She wanted to say something but she couldn't. If one was a wise ruler, one would act like he didn't see anything. The big picture was more important.
”Send an envoy to negotiate? Do you want Weihai to humiliate me again?”
Zong Shou chuckled coldly, feeling stunned as he looked into the sky. He became lost in deep thought.
Moments later, he laughed aloud again. It started low and soft, almost unable to be heard. Then, the clouds and the sky were shaken by his nearly maniacal laughter.
Just as the surrounding women started to look worried, Zong Shou suddenly stopped. He asked Kong Yao seriously, ”If I let you command, with the four hundred thousand Gantian Mountain elite, how long do you need to take down Lianyun Island? How many casualties will you suffer?”
The question was too sudden and unexpected.
Kong Yao's brow furrowed, and although she didn't understand, she still took in a deep breath and replied, ”If we catch them off guard, at most six hours. As for casualties less than half a town...”
Zong Shou nodded. Based on his predictions, it would take five hours and the deaths would be within two thousand.
Then he asked, ”If you have a million troops can you defend it?”
Kong Yao was shocked. What did Zong Shou mean by these words?
She had never experienced a million-man war. She had also only recently been promoted to the role of Governor Commander.
She had been through ten wars in the past, but they were all on the scale of two to three hundred thousand.
Not to mention leading a million troops.
She recalled that the only person in Gantian Mountain with such an ability was the Left Pillar General Qiuwei.
Zong Shou had probably only asked for her opinion, and nothing else.
”If it was Commander Qiu, I don't know. But if I was in charge, I would give this place up.”
Zong Shou sighed. Kong Yao continued, ”This Island is hanging above the Cloud Ocean, there is no place to defend and nowhere to retreat to. If I was Prince Jia Mingluo, with just one hundred thousand troops, I can trap our army of a million here. Even our sailors won't be able to remain. The only way is to retreat to the continent and fight back. Does Ruler want to get more troops from Gantian? That would be a bad idea...”
Zong Shou laughed softly, interrupting her before she could finish her sentence.
As expected from the invincible commander decades later. It was such a good deal.
Zhao Yanran was totally confused, frowning, ”Zong Shou are you crazy? What are you doing?”
Even Xuan Yunlan felt that this great-great-great-great-great senior master was a little weird.