Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?! - Chapter 288

288: 288- Improvised Plans.

288: 288- Improvised Plans.

Two days passed and the two kingdoms’ armies sat side by side just outside Coldwind City.

Dawn light painted the camps in pale gold while banners snapped in the ‘cold wind’.

In front of them stood the Fang family’s barrier, an unbroken dome of light that had refused every assault and intrusion.

Qin Qishi Shi stood on the raised command ridge, cloak drawn about him, eyes fixed on the glowing wall.

He turned to the gathered generals, voice cold and clear.

“Now that we are here,” he called, “does any of you have a suggestion to take down that barrier?” A hush fell across the tent.

Then General Zhuge rose, bowed deeply, and stepped forward.

He paused, inclining his head toward the emperor with the practiced deference of a courtier.

“Your virtue shines like the noon sun, and your strategic foresight surpasses that of the ancient sage-kings.

This humble servant has merely watched the currents of war and offers what small counsel he can under Your Majesty’s brilliant guidance.” Zhuge let the praise hang a moment, then continued, pragmatic now.

“Your Majesty,” Zhuge began, voice low and respectful, “my ancestors once dealt with the Feng family.

From those exchanges we recovered an artifact, an item that can render its bearer invisible to formations.

It is not perfect and it has a very limited capacity.

Only around ten golden core soldier may pass through while cloaked by its power.” “The Fang family’s formation is indeed formidable, a true test set by Heaven but the artifact in our possession is not a weapon to be wasted, but a tool to be used with care.” He bowed again, the motion deep and sincere.

“Your Majesty, I submit this as a course that balances prudence with action.” Hearing General Zhuge’s words, Qin Qishi Shi lifted his hands and rested them under his chin, eyes narrowing with pleased calculation.

“You are indeed resourceful, just as my father used to say,” he murmured.

Pride warmed his tone.

“Good.

I have a way to use this.

I’ll remember your contribution once we win this battle.” Zhuge Liang’s heart lurched and panic flashing behind his composed smile when he heard that the emperor had a plan.

He already knew exactly what was happening in the emperor’s head, and that made this even more dangerous.

He folded his hands and bowed respectfully.

“Your Majesty,” he said, voice smooth and humble, “if you would be so gracious… may this unworthy servant attempt to guess the brilliant plan already forming in your mind?” Qin Qishi Shi’s brows dipped.

Guess?

Wait a minute… So that’s your little trick!

you want me to reveal my plan after you threw out a half-baked suggestion, don’t you?!

he screamed silently.

But outwardly, his face remained calm and regal.

No.

I refuse.

If I reveal a plan, it will be because I chose to, not because someone boxed me in.

I’m the king!

Still… Qin Qishi wanted to know what was on Zhuge mind so he smile and clasped his hands behind his back.

“Very well,” he said smoothly.

“Go on.

I’m listening.” The smile didn’t reach his eyes.

Behind it burned a stubborn vow: Guess all you want, Zhuge but don’t think you will guess what I’m thinking, even if you guessed it, I’ll simply say it’s not.

General Zhuge on the other hand offered another deep bow.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting this lowly servant the honor of speaking.” He straightened, expression thoughtful yet cautious.

“Please forgive me if my humble guess falls short.

I believe Your Majesty intends to send ten of your strongest and most trusted men into the Fang barrier, openly.

Not in secret.

You would march them straight in to demonstrate the might of the Qin Empire and send a message to the Fang Clan, that their barrier is not invincible.” Qin Qishi Shi’s eyes widened a fraction.

Not bad… that could also work.

I was thinking of sneaking men inside and try to destroy the barrier from within but this idea has impact.

Hah!

Maybe I’ll just use- But before the thought could finish, Zhuge Liang suddenly bent low and struck his forehead against the ground three times.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty!” he said loudly.

“I did not mean to insult you by suggesting such a stupid, shallow plan!” Qin Qishi Shi froze.

Stupid?

Shallow?

He had just been seriously considering using that exact plan.

Now he wanted to crawl into a hole and die from secondhand embarrassment but he couldn’t let it show.

Absolutely not.

He lifted a hand with royal calm.

“It is fine, General Zhuge.

You gave it a good try.” He smiled mildly.

“There simply happens to be… a better idea.” Of course, in his head he was panicking.

A better idea?

WHAT better idea?!

I don’t have one!

But he puffed out his chest and nodded to himself, as if everything was already under control.

I’ll think of something later.

“Oh… wait… no way!” Zhuge’s sudden outburst broke the brief silence like a thunderclap.

Qin Qishi Shi frowned and glanced up, wondering what had possessed the general, only to freeze when he saw the man trembling with wide, shaken eyes, as though he had just uncovered the secrets of heaven.

“Your Majesty!” Zhuge exclaimed, almost breathless.

“From the very beginning, the Fang family wasn’t your only target!

You were wary of the Azure Phoenix Kingdom all along!

This alliance… it was nothing but a smokescreen!

A trap..

to take down both powers in one clean strike!” His voice rose with feverish admiration.

“Marvelous!

Truly marvelous, Your Majesty!” Qin Qishi Shi blinked.

Huh?

Wha-what?

Did this guy forget to take his medicine today?

But dozens of military officers were staring now.

The hall had shifted.

The wind had changed.

Zhuge’s wild conclusion was spreading across their eyes like a plague, one by one, they began looking at Qin Qishi Shi with awe, respect… and fear.

Qin Qishi Shi slowly straightened his back, face calm, imperial, unreadable.

Inside, he was screaming.

What the hell is he talking about!?

But a king never showed weakness.

“You’re right, General Zhuge,” he said with a slow nod, as though the deduction truly pleased him.

“It seems your insight has… improved.” He even managed a slight smile, like a teacher proud of a student finally solving a difficult problem.

Meanwhile, his thoughts were chaos.

Insight?

Improved!?

Improved at what…

hallucination!?

When did this turn into a scheme against the Azure Phoenix Kingdom!?