491 Fu Baoguo’s Consignmen (1/2)
Fu Baoguo was very puzzled; unable to figure out exactly what Han Sanhe was thinking and planning, despite giving the matter further consideration.
The Fortress of Resilience had fallen and Yutang had lost its natural barrier. While their new line of defense was called the next Fortress of Resilience, it only remained as long as they remained and vice versa; the fort ceased to exist when they perished. However, Fu Baoguo still felt that the pressure currently on him was not as strong as when he was in the Fortress of Resilience.
It was worth mentioning that Zhan Ge was also a marshal at the top of his game. Even though he was still slightly lacking in comparison to Fu Baoguo, with his accumulated initiatives, he had managed to slowly bring Dongxuan to the side of victory.
No matter how long this war continued, both Zhan Ge and Fu Baoguo knew in their hearts that the defining point of the battle would happen in these two days! The ultimate ending would see Yutang being defeated!
This was the situation at hand. No one could change it!
Fu Baoguo had known this for a long time now, as he continued to utilize a defensive strategy, and watched his soldiers die in droves, one after another. In comparison to Zhan Ge, he was a better military strategist, more matured and meticulous in his thinking too. However, even he could not make bricks without straw.
Tianxuan Cliff would be where his last battle would take place in this lifetime!
If he did not become a deserter then he must perish here. There was no other possibility!
Whether as the main marshal of Yutang's eastern border, or as the person who made a promise with Supreme Wind, or just an ordinary man of Yutang, Fu Baoguo disallowed himself to be tainted for the second time in his life.
”I, Fu Baoguo, would rather die here than to take another step back!” he cried out.
”This is also the Fortress of Resilience. If I can't keep the promise of falling with the previous Fortress of Resilience; then, let me share in the rise and fall of this Fortress of Resilience that I've built myself!”
…
”Teacher, why…?” Zhan Ge asked Han Sanhe. Unbeknownst to Fu Baoguo, Zhan Ge actually shared in his incomprehension.
Han Sanhe's arms were placed behind himself as he watched a grey cloud crossing the bleak looking sky. Answering his student faintly, he said, ”I thought that you'd understand. But you've still asked after all.”
”Teacher? I…” Zhan Ge was too confused to even finish his sentence.
Han Sanhe heaved a melancholic sigh. ”You will understand in time, Zhan Ge. I only hope that you don't pick the wrong road by then.”
Zhan Ge's heart lurched in shock, unable to contain his words, ”Teacher, could it…”
Han Sanhe waved his hands, dismissing the topic. He turned to look at Zhan Ge and said, ”Do you know why I must let you personally defeat Fu Baoguo?”
”Please enlighten me, teacher. Your disciple readily accepts your teaching,” said Zhan Ge.
Han Sanhe said slowly, ”There are a lot of things that are very strange, very odd, in this world. Likewise, there are plenty of strange things on the battlefield. Let me ask you this, how does a great general reach even greater heights? My long life of experience concludes that there is really only one way, which is by stepping over the corpses of other great generals.”
”This theory is the same applied to the marshal of an army. Only when one defeats an equally talented marshal, who's on par or even better than oneself, only then can one's reputation rise.”
”If it were only like this, it would probably still be within an ordinary field of understanding. But this theory has a peculiar aspect. When you do battle with a reputable marshal in war and finally defeat him, you'll unconsciously learn his commanding ways – as if you've suddenly been given a lesson, an inexplicable feeling of epiphany! At that moment, you will instinctively know that you've improved – so much so that that the degree of improvement is unimaginable.”
Han Sanhe continued, ”This is something that outsiders can't understand. Only the litigant himself is aware of. And from what I think, you may not realize this truth because although you've fought him about eight to ten times now, it is still within the confines of the same battle. You won't be struck by this revelation until there is defeat and victory, life and death! Only when life and death have been decided will you then be definitely aware of this enlightenment!
”Do you understand now? To defeat and kill Fu Baoguo would be such a fortuitous opportunity for you!”
Han Sanhe continued in a soft voice, ”When you truly defeat Fu Baoguo, then, you'll be able to understand half of what I'm thinking now.”
”Thank you, teacher, for your cultivation,” Zhan Ge replied respectfully. He was astounded by the knowledge that had just been revealed to him by Han Sanhe.
Han Sanhe replied just as unhurriedly as before, ”This thank you is premature. If you can defeat Tie Zheng then perhaps you'll understand about seventy percent of me. If you can defeat Leng Daoyin then you'll understand ninety percent of me.”
Zhan Ge felt as if there were war drums being beaten inside his heart. He was at a complete loss for words.
Regardless, Han Sanhe was not waiting for his reply. ”To understand me completely to a full one hundred percent, you'll need to wage war against me and defeat me. Only then will you understand all of me, even the parts that I can't figure out myself now, you might already be able to figure out by then.”
”This disciple dares not have such wild thoughts.” Zhan Ge replied hurriedly, sweating profusely.
Han Sanhe smiled faintly and said, ”It all depends on you. How will you know it can't work if you don't put effort into it? Now go, conduct your battle quickly. If I have estimated correctly, the end will be in sight before the dawn of the day after tomorrow.”