Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?! - Chapter 287

287: 287- Divided we fall?

[2] 287: 287- Divided we fall?

[2] From the southern side of Coldwind City, the Azure Phoenix Army advanced closer and closer like a dark tide across the plains tens of thousands marching in iron formation, banners snapping in the cold wind.

The War drums beat steadily in the distance.

Meanwhile, inside the central command tent a jade incense burned softly, its smoke coiling lazily in the lamplight.

Emperor Shu Ji Shi sat at a low table, sipping tea with a composed expression while across from him stood General Cao, stiff and silent in his armor, while beside him lingered a figure wrapped entirely in black, hidden beneath a dark cloak.

Only the glint of sharp eyes could be seen beneath the hood.

The cloaked man bowed deeply.

“Long live Your Majesty,” he said, voice smooth and quiet.

“With this strategy, we can divide and conquer the Fang family from within.

We don’t have to unnecessarily lose our soldiers in this attack.” Shu Ji Shi swirled his tea, watching the surface ripple.

“Divide and conquer you say, hmm?” he said mildly.

“I have heard that the Fang Family clan head is already at the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm.

A ruler of such cultivation… I doubt he will even hesitate.

He will assert his dominance and cut down any rebels in his clan to make an example of them.” The man in black chuckled low, a sound like silk tearing.

“That,” he said, “would be even more ideal, Your Majesty.” Shu Ji Shi’s gaze sharpened.

The cloaked man leaned forward slightly.

“Think of it.

If Fang Yuan slaughters his own dissenters, resentment will fester in the hearts of the survivors.

Fear will consume their loyalty.

A clan divided from within is far easier to conquer than one united behind grief and vengeance.” A small smile tugged at Shu Ji Shi’s lips.

He set his teacup down with a soft click.

“A clan ruled by fear devours itself,” he murmured.

“Yes… I see.” He turned his attention to the silent general.

“General Cao,” Shu Ji Shi said mildly, “do have you anything you wish to suggest?” General Cao stiffened before bowing deeply, fists clasped.

“No, Your Majesty.

I have no better strategy to offer.” The emperor’s smile faintly as he turned his gaze to General Cao.

“I will be the judge of which plan is best,” Shu Ji Shi said, voice calm but edged with imperial weight.

“But you, General Cao you are my finest strategist.

I asked for your thoughts, not your obedience.

So speak up your mind because I value your opinion deeply.” General Cao hesitated only a moment before stepping forward and then he clasped his hands and bowed.

“Then forgive my boldness, Your Majesty.” Shu Ji Shi gestured lazily.

“Speak.” General Cao gave a nod and then he began to speak, at the start his voice was low but by the time he finished, silence stretched inside the tent like a drawn blade.

Shu Ji Shi stared at him, then slowly leaned back, eyes gleaming with admiration.

“…Brilliant,” he whispered, almost to himself.

“Truly… brilliant.” A rare, genuine smile touched his lips as he lifted his cup.

“General Cao,” he said, voice rich with approval, “your contribution will not be forgotten.” He raised his cup higher.

“Here.

A toast.” General Cao bowed deeply and raised his cup with both hands.

The cloaked man hesitated only a breath before following suit.

Shu Ji Shi lowered his cup, his eyes never leaving General Cao.

“Such a plan cannot be left in the hands of ordinary men,” he said, voice low, measured.

“General Cao…” General Cao straightened.

“Yes, Your Majesty?” “I want you to lead the vanguard of this campaign.” The cloaked man stiffened as he had not expected that.

On the other hand General Cao didn’t even flinch.

It was as if he had long expected this result as he simply bowed to the Emperor’s word.

“As you command.” Shu Ji Shi nodded in satisfaction.

“You will depart by dawn.

Do not fail me.” “I will not,” Cao replied.

The emperor waved him away.

“Good.

Go and prepare.

There is much to be done.” General Cao stepped back, clasped his hands, and exited the imperial tent.

The moment General Cao left, the cloaked figure moved with deliberate grace.

He raised a hand, and a faint lattice of light folded outward, an invisible barrier sealing the tent with a hushed click.

Then, with a practiced motion, he drew back his hood.

Beneath the dark folds was not a shadowed stranger but a strikingly beautiful man with a clean, chiseled jaw, skin almost too smooth, features sculpted like a statue, an unsettling, almost otherworldly handsomeness that caught the candlelight and held it, making his face glow.

“Your Majesty,” he asked softly, the question more a challenge than curiosity, “do you truly trust that man to lead the army?” Shu Ji Shi’s smile never wavered as he tapped his teacup against the table, regarded the man for a long beat, then replied coolly, “It is not him that I trust, but his judgement.

He is a very clever man, clever enough to see that his best path to success is only through loyalty to me.

Even if that loyalty happens to be only for appearance’s sake.” The emperor’s eyes glinted as he folded his hands and leaned forward.

“Now tell me, what does the Ember-Heart Monastery intend to do with the Fang family?” The cloaked man’s jaw tightened.

He clenched his fists until the knuckles blanched, a flash of raw emotion cutting through his otherwise composed mask.

“The Fang family has cost me my precious brother,” he said, voice low and fierce.

“There will be no mercy to discuss.

I will not leave a single one alive, I’ll personally see to that.” The words hung in the tent like a cold blade.

Meanwhile the emperor’s smile deepened as the man’s fury only confirmed the utility of his zeal.

Shu Ji Shi lifted his cup and took an unhurried sip, eyes half-lidded in thought.

Then, setting the tea down, he spoke in a calm, measured tone: “Even the mightiest beast does not grow careless,” he said.

“To seize even the weakest prey…it uses its full strength.”