Chapter 1399: Chapter 50 Is Wang Shouzhe the Big Villain?_3 Chapter 1399: Chapter 50 Is Wang Shouzhe the Big Villain?_3 “Could it be that Master Shouzhe used some kind of unexpected tactic?” Ning Commandery Prince’s face gradually showed admiration, “Impressive, Master Shouzhe truly has marvelous tactics, able to indirectly ‘control’ Murong Kaifeng’s tactical directives from thousands of miles away. Such planning can be described as an exquisite strategy.”

“Thank you, Ning Commandery Prince, for praising my ancestor. However, my grandfather always believed that war is just a means to achieve a goal. The so-called tactics are merely a reluctant choice due to insufficient strength,” said Wang Shizhao. “He often said that the best way to prevent war is to make oneself stronger, strong enough that enemies wouldn’t dare to offend. And being strong is for the sake of allowing our countrymen and family to live more peacefully.”

Ning Commandery Prince admired, “The foresight of Master Shouzhe is admirable. At any rate, from now on, I, Wu Yingjun, will follow your arrangements, Shi Zhao.”

After a pause, he added, “Although Murong Kaifeng’s advance was reckless, he ignored the three battalions we threw out as bait. Instead, he moves slowly with the Corpse Puppet Army at the front, advancing step by step cautiously.”

“Such tactics are truly like a turtle, hard to deal with. And once we are trapped by the Corpse Puppet Army, it will be difficult to break out.”

Listening to Ning Commandery Prince’s complaints, Wang Shizhao remained calm, “This also proves the savvy of Murong Kaifeng in warfare. However, our three battalions not only act as bait but also serve as ‘deceptive deployment,’ drawing Murong Kaifeng’s attention.”

“Since we can no longer surprise attack South Qin’s vanguard, let us retreat.”

“Good,” said Ning Commandery Prince earnestly, “Should we make some noise during the retreat?”

“No. Just like when we were hiding, it should be professional, and let slip traces unintentionally,” said Wang Shizhao with firm command, “Never let Murong Kaifeng perceive even a hint of our acting.”

“Fine. Then let’s issue an order for a covert retreat,” replied Ning Commandery Prince, catching on, “As for some flaws, leave them to trusted individuals to handle.”

Time quietly slipped by for several days.

The advancing South Qin army, with over half of the Corpse Puppet Army entering Youmen Pass.

Inside the Elephant House carried on backs of giant armored elephants, Prince of Beimin slipped in like smoke, reporting to South Qin Grand Marshal Murong Kaifeng: “Grand Marshal, the ambush battalions from Dongqian withdrew two days ago. They were very secretive, had my sons not been vigilant, we might have missed them.”

Murong Kaifeng’s expression grew somber as he pondered, “Losing the chance for an ambush, and since our army’s movements are no longer concealed, their retreat is a wise decision. Otherwise, once trapped by the Corpse Puppet army, even wings would not help them escape.”

“Grand Marshal Murong,” the old eunuch Gou Chang’an urged in a sharp voice, “Now that the risk of ambush is removed, shouldn’t we hasten our march to quickly reach Jianling Pass of Dongqian?”

“Gou Gonggong,” Murong Kaifeng’s expression tensed, “The terrain of Youmen Pass is perilous. If we hasten the march, the distances between our front and rear troops will inevitably lengthen, which might bring unforeseen dangers. Dongqian might have arranged other ambushes; we must proceed with caution.”

“Ah, my Grand Marshal, the biggest risk now is if you continue to dawdle,” Gou Chang’an’s eyes rolled as he lowered his voice, “I heard that the big figure has lost patience, and His Majesty is under tremendous pressure in the palace. If it weren’t inconvenient for that figure to appear, he might come to the front lines to have you beheaded and replace with another marshal.”

“Conducting war shouldn’t be so hasty…”

Murong Kaifeng wanted to continue, but Gou Chang’an’s expression had already turned icy, “Grand Marshal, do you really want to force this servant to use the Imperial Sword granted by His Majesty?”

Under the immense pressure concerning his life and property, Murong Kaifeng could no longer hesitate.

“Grand Marshal, my sons have already swept through Youmen Pass several times, and I personally inspected it twice,” said the Prince of Beimin, “Besides the ambush battalion, there are no other abnormalities. Dongqian likely does not have any other hidden measures.”

“In that case, accelerate our march, quickly pass through Youmen Pass, then directly aim for Jianling Pass.”

Under immense pressure from all sides, Murong Kaifeng finally made up his mind.

At the command of the Grand Marshal.

The marching speed of South Qin’s Anti-Qian Army suddenly increased, and the scouting teams, including the Prince of Beimin, worked diligently to prevent any further ambushes from Dongqian.

However.

What they didn’t expect was that the real fallback of Da Qian was not on the surface at all; no matter how careful their scouts were, or how cautious their march was, it was meaningless.

Just as South Qin’s Anti-Qian Army completely entered the Youmen Pass, deep underground, at key nodes of the intricately complex subterranean Magma Passage.

Several men in black received a signal and began forming hand seals to activate an array.

Configured in groups of six, beneath each group was a concealed array.

These several arrays were called “Delayed Explosion Array Method,” specially developed by Array Master Chi Wuchen at the request of Wang Shouzhe.

After being laid out for decades, these arrays had almost completely integrated with their surroundings deep underground, making it challenging for even specialized scouting methods to detect them.