Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?! - Chapter 274

274: 274- General Sun 274: 274- General Sun General Sun clasped his hands behind his back, his tone solemn as he began explaining, “The Fang Family currently holds a very deep feud with the Qin royalty of the Tharz Kingdom.

This enmity alone could make them a natural ally against our enemies.

However…” He paused, his eyes narrowing as he looked once more at the barrier glittering outside the window.

“…the Fang Family is not one to bow so easily.

I’ve met with their matriach hence i know.” A scoffing laugh came from across the table.

“Word has it,” General Zhang Liao sneered, “that the Fang Family went and bit the hand that raised them.

If we join with such wolves, will we not tarnish our reputation?

Who would respect the Azure Phoenix Kingdom if we allied with traitors?” General Sun turned his gaze on him, voice cutting cold.

“Your reputation, or your soldiers’ lives-which would you choose?” Without hesitation, the generals in the room shouted in unison: “Of course our reputation!” General Zhang Fei rose abruptly, fist striking his chest in pride.

“True, we may suffer heavy losses, but our men will die with honor!

Better that than living in shame!” He then leaned forward, his eyes narrowing dangerously at Sun.

“General Sun… are you implying that you would betray the crown, just to spare your soldiers?” The room went utterly still, the tension thick enough to choke on.

Before the situation could escalate, the king’s low chuckle broke the silence.

Calm, steady, disarming.

“Generals,” he said, raising a hand, “I am certain General Sun meant no such thing.

Let us not draw blades against one another while the enemy waits outside our walls.

Save your fury for the true foe.” General Sun lowered his head, his voice steady though tinged with humility.

“Your Majesty, forgive me.

My words were poorly chosen, and I bear the blame for stirring such discord among us.” The king regarded him with calm eyes, then let a faint smile curve his lips.

“Very well, General Sun.

Then tell me, if we were to pursue this path you propose, what terms should we set forth to the Fang Family?” Sun clasped his fists and spoke without hesitation.

“They must be elevated as equals, Your Majesty, not treated as mere vassals.

We could promise them land to govern, solidifying their foundation, and even pledge to invest in their rise as a full-fledged sect.

In doing so, we would not simply buy their loyalty; we would secure their cooperation through respect.” Across the table, General Zhang Fei pushed back his chair sharply, ready to object, but before he could open his mouth, Zhang Liao gripped his arm and muttered under his breath, “Wait.

Do not speak too soon.” The king tapped a finger lightly on the armrest of his chair, his voice carrying a subtle amusement.

“Hoh… you do realize how much we would need to invest if we were to help a single clan ascend into the ranks of a sect, don’t you?” General Sun bowed deeply.

“Yes, Your Majesty.

I am fully aware.

And if it requires personal sacrifice, then I am more than willing to give up my own wealth to see it done.” For a moment, silence filled the chamber, heavy with the weight of the words just spoken.

Then the king let out a soft smirk, shaking his head slowly.

“Call off the assault on the Fang Family barrier,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

“Prepare to withdraw our forces.

We are retreating.” General Sun rose slowly, hesitation in his eyes.

He clasped his fists and asked, his voice measured, almost cautious.

“Does that mean, Your Majesty…?” Inwardly, his heart stirred with a subtle colohope, that perhaps the king trusted his counsel, that perhaps this was the moment the Fang Family would be invited into the Azure Phoenix Kingdom’s fold.

But the king merely smiled, “No, General Sun.

We will not be allying with the Fang Family.

Tempting as they are, our kingdom cannot shoulder the burden of handling them.” The king turned, his cloak sweeping lightly across the ground as he strode away.

His voice carried back over his shoulder, calm yet edged with steel.

“And besides… the Ember Heart Monastery already has its eyes on them.” With that, he left the war tent, the lingering weight of his words sinking into every man present.

The generals exchanged wary glances, unease gnawing beneath their armor.

The Fang Family had just been spared one enemy… but now, they were marked by something far worse.

General Zhang Fei rose from his seat and walked over.

He stopped before General Sun and spoke slowly, each word laced with accusation.

“General Sun, your choice of alliance is remarkably foolish.

The Fang Family has already insulted the local royalty which is a very muchan unforgivable offense.

They’ve also blocked our invasion route, and, as if that weren’t enough, they’ve managed to anger the Ember Heart Monastery as well.” He leaned in, voice dropping to a deadly whisper that only Sun could hear.

“You picked a dangerous side, Sun.

If things go wrong… I wouldn’t be surprised if your daughter pays the price today.” General Sun suddenly broke into laughter, low and gravelly, shaking his head.

“I’ve indeed grown old,” he said, voice carrying through the tent, “it must be my memories failing me.” He stepped closer and, with an almost grandfatherly smile, patted Zhang Fei’s shoulder.

Zhang Fei’s smirk froze on his lips as his entire body suddenly went rigid, then slack.

His knees trembled but refused to bend, his arms hung powerless at his sides.

His eyes widened in shock as he realized, he couldn’t move a single muscle.

General Sun’s laughter slowly faded, replaced by a calm silence.

With deliberate ease, he stepped forward and lowered himself, knees bending as he scooted down until he was level with Zhang Fei.

General Sun leaned in, close enough that his breath brushed against Zhang Fei’s ear, and gently patted the top of his head as though soothing a frightened child.

“But old as I may be,” Sun said, his voice low and unshakably steady, “I’m still an experienced fossil… Don’t you agree, little Zhang Fei?”