"Marshal Lin!"
Zhao Jingheng strode forward, stopping one step below Lin Zhao's position, and performed a perfectly standard human martial artist's fist salute. "Zhao Jingheng of the Great Shang Dynasty greets Marshal Lin!"
"Your Majesty..."
Although Lin Zhao held the Grand Auroral Golden Token, designating him as the chief of the human race under the decree of the Four Great Ancestral Courts, he did not wish to overstep protocol. He returned the fist salute respectfully. "Lin Zhao of the Snow Region Celestial Pond greets Your Majesty!"
"Marshal Lin..."
Zhao Jingheng's eyes reddened. "Marshal Lin suffered for ten years under Mount Wuwang. The entire world believed Marshal Lin had perished in battle..."
"It's nothing, just a slight suppression."
"Marshal Lin, please proceed to the imperial court."
Zhao Jingheng stepped forward, holding Lin Zhao's arm, and they walked into the imperial court step by step.
At that moment, everyone in the court was stunned. What minister in the world could receive such preferential treatment from Lin Zhao? At this instant, his status as marshal in the imperial court was almost on par with the Human Emperor.
"Marshal Lin!"
"Marshal Lin!"
Chen Xi, Han Yetang, Lü Fengxian, and others saluted with clasped fists.
Lin Zhao nodded to each of them in acknowledgment. In the Great Shang Dynasty's court, Lin Zhao was largely unfamiliar with the civil officials, but he knew the military officers very well, as they had all once served under his command.
Zhao Jingheng, supporting Lin Zhao, led him directly towards the golden steps, intending for him to stand beside him on the golden steps, enjoying the same honor as the Human Emperor. Though the Human Emperor was now an adult, he still possessed a youthful heart and passionate spirit.
Lin Zhao couldn't help but chuckle. He gently withdrew his arm and said, "Your Majesty, please ascend the steps. Lin Zhao is a descendant of the Great Chen Dynasty and a cultivator of the human realm. I cannot overstep protocol. I beg Your Majesty not to put me in a difficult position."
"Alright..."
Zhao Jingheng ascended the golden steps, turned, and clasped his fists at Lin Zhao again. "Jingheng was remiss!"
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded.
Zhao Shutong stepped forward, took Lin Zhao's arm, and guided him a little further, positioning him in a spot closer to the front than the first-rank officials. This was the only place she felt was most appropriate for Lin Zhao.
Lin Zhao felt a little awkward and stood in front of Zhao Shutong, Chen Xi, Han Yetang, Lü Fengxian, and the others.
Looking back, he saw someone standing among the crowd. The first-rank Supporting the Nation Great General, the middle-aged martial artist standing behind Chen Xi. With just one glance, Lin Zhao recognized him: it was Xiao Shitong.
When Lin Zhao's gaze fell upon him, Wen Hao felt as if struck by lightning. His spine prickled. This was the moment he least wished to face, yet he had no choice but to confront it. The Emperor had summoned all officials late last night, and attendance at today's court session was mandatory; failure to attend meant no longer standing in the Great Shang Dynasty's court.
Although Wen Hao no longer held military power and was merely a nominal general, he was still a first-rank official and received substantial salary and integrity-maintaining funds annually. If he were truly excluded, he would become nothing.
"Marshal... Marshal Lin..."
Wen Hao clasped his fists, unsure what else to call him.
Lin Zhao nodded and did not speak further with him. The Xiao Shitong before him had utterly disappointed him, and there was no need for further words. After all, the Xiao Shitong who practiced boxing with him, who dared to face wild cultivators and demon races, what had he become now? A Heaven Origin Realm martial artist, yet cowardly and lacking his former sharpness.
What disappointed Lin Zhao the most was that Xiao Shitong, knowing that Xiao Jiu'er was trapped under Mount Nanyue, had held command of hundreds of thousands of troops and dared not march south to rescue Xiao Jiu'er. At that moment, Lin Zhao felt Xiao Shitong was as good as dead.
"Marshal Lin!"
Human Emperor Zhao Jingheng stood on the golden steps, bowed, and clasped his fists. "Wen Hao is suspected of deliberately delaying the battle at Yumenguan, thus he was stripped of his title as Grand Supervisor. He is now a first-rank Supporting the Nation Great General. I have always sought talent in civil matters and bravery in military affairs. If Marshal Lin believes this Wen Hao is incompetent, I will revoke his title and have him leave the court."
"This..."
The Great Sheep Duke Lin Yan frowned. If Zhao Jingheng were to completely strip Wen Hao of all titles now, no one could truly intervene. Lin Zhao's influence in the Great Shang Dynasty's court would be immense. If he agreed, all military officers would follow suit, and likely over half the civil officials would also comply.
After all, he was Lin Baiyi, the one who had twice turned the tide, the god who had pulled humanity back from the brink of destruction and forged an advantage. Who in this court would dare to defy him?
"Forget it."
Lin Zhao smiled, turned to Zhao Jingheng, and said, "Your Majesty uses people at your discretion. Your Majesty is the ruler of the world. While the counsel of ministers can be heard, the final decision rests with Your Majesty. Use this person if you deem him useful, or discard him if not. Lin Zhao will not interfere."
"Good."
Zhao Jingheng smiled and nodded.
Zhao Shutong was somewhat lost in thought. She felt that if Lin Zhao were to truly serve in the court, the Great Shang Dynasty's court might cultivate a faction of upright officials. With Lin Zhao present, Zhao Qiyang, Lin Yan, Zhang Yu'an, and others would not be able to cause much trouble.
Zhao Jingheng took a deep breath. "Today, I have invited Marshal Lin to the imperial hall to request that Marshal Lin continue to devise strategies for the realm. Currently, the civil and military officials of our Great Shang Dynasty, with the exception of Marshal Lin Ruo, who is stationed at Guyue Pass, are almost all present. Marshal Lin is welcome to express any strategies he may have. I and the civil and military officials will deliberate carefully."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded and said, "Currently, the demon race guarding Shanhai Pass has reached its limit. Therefore, Marshals Han Yetang and Chen Xi can advance north. They should bombard Shanhai Pass, turning the area within into an inferno, forcing the demon race to retreat northward. Additionally, Marshal Lü Fengxian can proceed to Lanxi City, detach a cavalry force from Yangping Pass, and jointly intercept the demon race. As for the Snow Region Celestial Pond, I will order Yu Wanning to lead thirty thousand cavalry to charge the demon race's cavalry camp. This battle must be decisive, annihilating the tens of thousands of elite troops of the demon and demonic races!"
"Yes!"
Han Yetang, Chen Xi, and Lü Fengxian clasped their fists in unison.
Lin Zhao clasped his fists lightly and said, "Your Majesty, this is a battle that will bring lasting peace. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty and all ministers not to slacken. Mobilize troops from all regions northward, past the Fusuo Great Wall, and launch a northern expedition. Gather provisions and equipment from various locations. We must establish an army of at least two million in the Snow Region Celestial Pond within a short period. I will personally lead the army through the Snow Region Celestial Pond, first to destroy Mount Wuwang, and then the demon ancestral mountain. From this day forward, this world will be ours, the human race's to command!"
"..."
Zhao Jingheng stood frozen in place. These words were the most inspiring he had ever heard in his life. He gritted his teeth, clasped his fists, and said, "Marshal Lin's decree has been etched in Zhao Jingheng's heart!"
Lin Zhao then laid out some specific details, such as the most convenient locations for stockpiling provisions and the most advantageous points for launching attacks. Once all plans were finalized, he bid farewell to everyone and left the imperial court. He found the court stifling and was disinclined to engage in political maneuvering with Zhao Qiyang, Lin Yan, Zhang Yu'an, and others, so he returned to the Snow Region Celestial Pond early.
...
Three days later.
In the early morning, the human camp was already preparing meals. After a hearty breakfast, the soldiers were all eager for battle. The vanguard of the army, clad in heavy armor and wielding shields, transported numerous siege ladders, siege towers, heavy cannons, and other logistical equipment northward. As the sun dispelled the mist, heavy cannons targeted Shanhai Pass, unleashing a continuous barrage of fire.
On a verdant peak adjacent to Shanhai Pass.
Lin Zhao, embracing the Zhanlu sword, sat cross-legged on a large rock, gazing at the distant battlefield.
Not far away, at the edge of the cliff, sat four beautiful women: Leng Yan, Chen Xue, Shen Xingchen, and Luoman. Their slender legs dangled over the cliff, unbothered by the cold.
In recent days, Luoman's mood had finally improved somewhat. Therefore, Chen Xue and Lin Zhao had urged her to log in, as the human race was about to counterattack. Once her mood in the game improved, she would forget the sad things. Thus, when Luoman's eyes were filled with the flames of Shanhai Pass, her mood genuinely brightened.
"How long will it take to capture Shanhai Pass?" Chen Xue asked.
"Not long."
Lin Zhao looked into the distance and said, "The demon race is short on food and supplies, starving and weak. They barely have the strength to lift their weapons, let alone fight. Once the area within Shanhai Pass ignites, the demon race will flee northward."
Leng Yan frowned. "Lin Zhao, do you think the demon race might lash out in desperation and attack the human positions southward?"
"No, that would be seeking death."
Lin Zhao shook his head. "The demon race at Shanhai Pass has been cut off from supplies for a month. Their combat strength is no match for the human army now."
"Brother!"
Luoman turned and asked, "Are you not taking us down to fight a bit? You're an old immortal of the Upper Five Realms, after all!"
Lin Zhao's face darkened. "Am I that old? Besides, the Shanhai Pass area hasn't triggered a version event. Killing down there won't yield much experience, and it's dangerous. The demon race's encampments still hide many eleventh-realm experts. If you few Golden Core novices were to be instantly killed by someone, what then?"
He then lamented, "I am suffering now. I shouldn't have brought you all to watch the fun, and now you want to fight. How can I fight? One immortal leading four burdens..."
"Damn it!"
Chen Xue slapped Luoman's butt. "You're so infuriating!"
Luoman looked surprised and turned to her. "Infuriating is infuriating, why are you hitting me? Don't you have a butt?!"
Lin Zhao glanced at them. "Speaking of which, yours is indeed a little bigger than Xue's."
"..."
Leng Yan was somewhat displeased.
Lin Zhao quickly coughed and said, "Of course, my Yan's is the best-looking..."
Leng Yan was still displeased and felt like beating him up.
Shen Xingchen, holding the immortal artifact staff awarded in the last event, felt speechless. She also wanted to rush down and wreak havoc, but unfortunately, there were no tanks. In such a situation, it would be satisfying with a large-scale army operation. Chen Xue, Luoman, and Leng Yan were too few in number.
...
Less than half an hour later.
Fires broke out within the pass. The northern gates of Shanhai Pass opened one by one, and a large number of demon soldiers fled northward, discarding their armor and dropping their weapons, wanting nothing more than to return to their ancestral land and become minor spirits, which was better than becoming cannon fodder here.