"Chu Feng, here are five thousand spirit stones bestowed upon you by the Emperor. Do you need help delivering them to the barracks?" The imperial decree eunuch had a less favorable attitude toward Elder Feng Zhenqing, but he was exceptionally friendly toward Chu Feng.

Eunuchs are always pragmatic, currying favor with those in power.

Based on his experience, this imperial decree eunuch could naturally discern that Chu Feng was highly favored by the Vermilion Bird Emperor.

A character like that certainly warranted some fawning.

"Just hand them over to me directly!" Chu Feng revealed his storage ring.

The eunuch’s eyes couldn’t help but light up slightly.

Those with a storage ring are rare. Even a Supreme Sword God level expert might not have one.

Chu Feng happily accepted the five thousand spirit stones, thinking to himself that the Vermilion Bird Emperor was indeed generous.

Bestowing so many spirit stones in one go.

It seems that, in the future, it would be worthwhile to kill a few more enemy generals for great rewards.

Slaying an enemy general not only avenges one’s grievances but also yields a lot of spoils and earns the Vermilion Bird Emperor’s reward. Truly a threefold win, guaranteeing profit without loss.

"Chu Feng, keep this Emperor’s Sword well! It will help you command the army, allowing you to do whatever you wish. Do not let down His Majesty’s trust and high hopes for you."

The imperial decree eunuch solemnly presented the Emperor’s Sword to Chu Feng.

This was a magnificent treasure sword, yet it wasn’t even considered a divine weapon.

However, it represented the authority bestowed by the Emperor, capable of cutting down generals and supervising troops. This also meant that Chu Feng’s status was above even that of Divine General Ling Feng and others.

Next time, if Chu Feng demands a pursuit after victory and anyone dares to complain, he could directly wield the Emperor’s Sword and execute them.

"Thank you, Vermilion Bird Emperor, for your trust and kindness! Please convey to the Emperor that, whenever the time comes, I, Chu Feng, will only do what must be done." Chu Feng’s words were laden with meaning.

Gaining command over the troops also means gaining power.

If it’s only control over the troops at a single battlefield, it might not pose a threat to the Vermilion Bird Emperor’s throne.

However, in the future, if Chu Feng controls even greater military power and displays strong strategic talent, winning victory after victory, it would easily arouse the Vermilion Bird Emperor’s suspicion.

Any emperor would constantly guard against someone seizing their throne.

Chu Feng believed the Vermilion Bird Emperor was a wise man. With this promise, the Vermilion Bird Emperor’s suspicion towards him would lessen.

Until the imperial decree eunuch left, and his figure disappeared, Elder Feng Zhenqing still looked utterly defeated and resentful.

Clearly, everyone was contributing to the fight against powerful foes for the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Country, so why was there such a disparity in treatment?

If he had known that insisting on pursuing victory could earn such a reward, he would have done the same.

"Congratulations, Junior Brother Chu! There’s always someone talented rising among new generations. It seems we’re really getting old, lacking the vigor and audacity of you young ones." Divine General Ling Feng also had a complicated expression while looking at Chu Feng.

Beyond envy, there was a hint of resignation.

Facing Chu Feng, this prodigy, he had to admit his age.

Remembering when Chu Feng had just arrived on the battlefield, he didn’t think much of him. Unexpectedly, in less than a month, Chu Feng used his formidable strength to slap him in the face.

Now, Chu Feng’s status even surpassed his own.

"Divine General Ling Feng is too modest! Everyone working together to resist the enemy is the right path. With just my abilities, I couldn’t win battles alone!" Chu Feng humbly smiled, making his words smooth and courteous.

Upon returning to the barracks, Chu Feng couldn’t sit still.

Now, having obtained the command over troop movements, he could execute grand strategies, striking the Azure Dragon Heavenly Kingdom at the Demon Sea Battlefield.

Wasn’t Panlong Heavenly Emperor ambitious, wanting to destroy the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Country?

Chu Feng planned to deliver another grand gift to Panlong Heavenly Emperor.

He would lead troops in a counterattack, breaking through the Ancestral Demon City of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Kingdom, then advance deep into their territory.

Perhaps he could even directly occupy the imperial city of the Azure Dragon Heavenly Kingdom.

"Han Dong, how is your cultivation of the Shadowless Sword Technique progressing?" Chu Feng summoned Han Dong to the barracks and inquired.

"Master, if you have any instructions, just let me know. Currently, I’ve cultivated to the Shadowless Realm. There’s still some gap to the Invisible Realm. But as long as I’m cautious, even ordinary Supreme Sword Gods would find it hard to detect my presence."

Han Dong received the inheritance of the Shadowless Sword Technique, which is a top swordsmanship on par with the Heaven and Earth Sword Skill.

It encompasses abilities for invisibility and assassination.

Han Dong had already condensed a sword image, though he hadn’t condensed a sword soul yet. Just with Sword Saint cultivation, he could be invisible even in front of a Supreme Sword God, which was an extraordinary ability.

"Very good! Immediately infiltrate the enemy’s position and investigate their troop deployment and terrain, then draft a military map for future use." Chu Feng had terrorized enemies with his command in Dan State.

For this counteroffensive against the enemy’s position, gathering detailed enemy information was crucial.

Though the Vermilion Bird Heavenly Country had reconnoitre soldiers, their intelligence capabilities were not commendable. Those reconnoitre soldiers were largely influenced by Divine General Ling Feng.

Each one was conservative.

Their reconnaissance was primarily concentrated around the Demon Sea Pass, rarely extending beyond ten miles.

Why?

Because the generals cherished life; naturally, the soldiers followed suit, fearing death.

After dispatching Han Dong to draft a comprehensive military map of the enemy’s position, Chu Feng thought of bringing in the Beixie National Master.

Because the Beixie National Master’s prowess in troop maneuvers and formations was unmatched.

Currently, the Longevity Hall branch in Baihu City was on track, and the Beixie National Master’s presence there was of little consequence.

Moreover, with the Evil Tiger Gang secretly protecting the Longevity Hall, Chu Feng hardly needed to worry about its safety.

The Northern Domain Three Evils were each ferocious and unrestrained.

Having them nearby meant they could be strictly controlled. On the other hand, they could utilize their specialties to strike hard at enemies.

Snakes have snake paths, rats have rat paths.

Different people have different methods of living, and their mindsets are different.

Including the Northern Domain Three Evils in strategic talks brought considerable benefits. Their minds were vastly different from ordinary people.

Ordinary people are often constrained by frameworks of morality and ethics.

But these three disregard such things, trampling upon them with impunity.

As for the four Supreme Sword Gods of the Evil Tiger Gang, Chu Feng did not plan to involve them yet.

At the right moment, having them join the fray might yield miraculous effects.

...

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

The Beixie National Master and the Northern Domain Three Evils arrived at the Demon Sea Pass Battlefield, awaiting Chu Feng’s orders.

Han Dong lived up to Chu Feng’s expectations, successfully drafting a detailed military map. Only he was suited for the task. Even Li Shishi, the intelligence genius, found it difficult to conduct intelligence operations in such a perilous and heavily guarded battlefield.

She was more suited to gather information in non-combat areas.

Most of her trained intelligence agents were either brothel women or maids from noble families.