Zhong Zeyu announced to the group with a faint smile.

“So that’s how it is!”

“That should be barely enough!”

“…”

The crowd nodded frequently in approval. Next, they discussed a few more details, roughly settling the matter of the troop rotation.

Just as the meeting was about to conclude, Xu Chongyuan of the Li Yang Town Guard Office raised a new topic with a grave expression.

“Lord Zhong, the Ten Thousand Demon Thieves are running rampant in Li Yang County. Lord Li is dead, and our elite forces have been dispatched as reinforcements, leaving the county’s strength at an all-time low. Now that the personnel from the southern front are about to return, can we divert some of them back to defend Li Yang County and deter those vile members of the Ten Thousand Demons?”

“This…” Zhong Zeyu looked troubled. “Lord Xu, the troops from the South City front have not yet returned, and the reinforcements from Weishui have not yet arrived. Our manpower on the front lines is limited. If we rashly divert troops back to defend Li Yang County, I fear we would be playing right into the hands of the Ten Thousand Demon Thieves. If their intelligence is accurate and they grasp the situation on our front, they might use this opportunity to break out! The encirclement of the Ten Thousand Demons is a matter of great importance; we absolutely cannot take such a risk!”

Although Zhong Zeyu’s words were tactful, the refusal in his tone was perfectly clear.

“Lord Zhong, I can understand your words. But with the Ten Thousand Demons running wild, what about the people of my Li Yang? How are they supposed to cope? How are they supposed to understand?” Xu Chongyuan did not back down, looking Zhong Zeyu straight in the eye as he argued his case.

The other counties had also sent elite reinforcements, but they all had a Commander-in-Chief stationed within their borders to keep the overall situation stable. But the Li Yang Town Guard Office… their Commander-in-Chief was dead, leaving the county without a leader. Combined with the rampaging Ten Thousand Demons, the situation was utterly rotten and chaotic.

“Lord Xu, I understand your feelings completely. But the most urgent task at hand is to eliminate the Ten Thousand Demons’ stronghold as quickly as possible. This is a matter of utmost importance, a measure for long-term peace and stability, and we cannot afford a single mistake. If the stronghold is not destroyed, even if we can quell the rampage for a time, it’s merely treating the symptoms, not the root cause!”

Zhong Zeyu pleaded earnestly, and Xu Chongyuan heard and understood his words. But the current state of Li Yang made his heart burn with anxiety, and he couldn’t help but redirect his anger. “The Weishui reinforcements, why are they so delayed!? Military affairs are of the utmost urgency; how can there be such a delay!?”

“Of the three counties, Weishui is the farthest from here. This is an objective fact, so I hope Lord Xu can understand,” Zhong Zeyu said placatingly.

The Sanqi Mountain area was indeed where the three counties met. But Weishui County was the farthest, a fact Xu Chongyuan naturally understood. His earlier words were merely a lashing out of frustration. Seeing Zhong Zeyu say this, his expression gradually softened.

However, just as Xu Chongyuan’s expression softened, L? Boxu from the Qiankun Bureau, who was standing to the side, spoke with a blade hidden in his smile.

“Lord Zhong is kind and magnanimous, which we all understand. But what Lord Xu said does have a point. Although Weishui is the farthest, military affairs are urgent, and military orders come first. No matter the obstacles, they should be overcome! Right now, because of Weishui’s delay, the Ten Thousand Demons’ rampage in Li Yang County has become difficult to contain. For causing such consequences, Weishui should be held accountable!”

‘Huh!?’

‘What a heavy accusation to levy!’

L? Boxu’s words had directly elevated the reinforcement dispatch to the level of a military command. Weishui delayed a military command, resulting in dire consequences, and should rightly be held accountable!

‘Words as sharp as knives, a heart so malicious it deserved to be condemned!’

Zhong Zeyu narrowed his eyes, looking at L? Boxu.

L? Boxu, holding a string of smooth, round beads, met his gaze with an affable expression and a smile.

‘What does L? Boxu mean by this?’ Zhong Zeyu’s thoughts raced as he pondered for a moment.

The intent in L? Boxu’s words, aimed squarely at Weishui, was too obvious to ignore. It was worth deeper consideration.

Before he could respond, the voice of Xu Dejun from the Earth Fire Town Suppression Bureau rang out from the side.

“Lord Zhong, while Lord Xu’s words may be somewhat biased, Weishui’s slow reinforcements have indeed affected us to a certain extent. This attitude from Weishui cannot be encouraged, or others might follow their example, and the situation could become unmanageable. I suggest we put a stop to this immediately and give Weishui an appropriate punishment! To serve as a warning to others!”

Zhong Zeyu turned his head and saw Xu Dejun meeting his gaze frankly, without evasion.

Seeing this, Zhong Zeyu sighed softly. Although he was the commander of the Western Front Team for this operation against the Ten Thousand Demons, he didn’t have absolute authority over everyone present. His role was more that of a coordinator and dispatcher.

If it was like this even within the Garrison system, there was even less to be said for the Qiankun Bureau.

By now, Zhong Zeyu was starting to understand. He vaguely grasped the reason behind their verbal attacks on Weishui.

There were legitimate and reasonable causes for the delay in Weishui’s reinforcements this time. But since several people from the Qiankun Bureau and the Earth Fire Town Suppression Bureau had consecutively proposed holding Weishui accountable, he couldn’t just ignore it. He had to give them a reasonable explanation, at the very least.

Furthermore, Xu Chongyuan’s request was also perfectly reasonable and not at all out of line.

But to hold Weishui accountable just like that was, however, unreasonable.

“This…” Zhong Zeyu was suddenly caught in a dilemma.

Just as Zhong Zeyu was struggling with his predicament, a voice sounded from outside the meeting hall.

“Report!”

“What is it?”

“The reinforcement troops from the Weishui Garrison have arrived at the Sanqi Mountain encampment!”

‘They’re here!’

Hearing this, Zhong Zeyu’s eyes lit up.

“Who is leading the team!?”

“The Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Weishui, Lord Chen Ping’an!”

‘Just as I thought!’ Hearing this name, Zhong Zeyu understood everything completely.

“Quickly, show him in!”

“Yes!” the messenger responded, then turned to carry out the order.

“My lords, the reinforcements from Weishui have arrived,” Zhong Zeyu said, smiling at the others.

L? Boxu fiddled with his string of beads and said with a grin, “Weishui has arrived at just the right time! All the lords are here, so it’s the perfect opportunity to discuss the matter of their delay!”

“Hmph!” The Profound Iron Scale in Xu Dejun’s hand flipped over slightly as he snorted coldly. “What a timely arrival.”

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