Clan Building System: I'm not the Protagonist?!-Chapter 273- Qin Camp [2]

The king pulled his hand back from the terracotta toy and leaned back in his seat before his gaze swept across the table.

"How are the supplies and how long will they supplies last for the army?"

General Cao immediately rose, clasping his fists in salute before speaking in a steady, measured voice.

"Your Majesty, the stores are secure. Enough rations and arms to last two full months without strain. Furthermore, the nearby villages have... ’volunteered’ to provide grain and livestock to sustain our lines."

The king’s eyes glinted. He let out a low, satisfied hum, the sound edged with menace. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"Volunteered," he repeated with a smirk. "Yes... a wise choice on their part."

It may not have truly been voluntary, but the peasants had no power to resist the weight of military might.

They could only bow their heads and comply and every general present knew that very well, though not one dared raise their voice.

Before the silence could settle further, the flap of the command tent stirred, and a messenger rushed in, kneeling low to the ground.

His voice was steady, though he bowed so deeply his forehead touched the dirt.

"Your Majesty, forgive the intrusion. Urgent news: the Fang family has brought in reinforcements in the form of beasts... five Saberfang beasts. Four of them are confirmed at the Nascent Soul Realm... the last, an infant."

A ripple of unease spread across the generals. Their faces paled, shoulders stiffening.

They themselves had clawed their way into the Nascent Soul Realm, but against beasts... against Saberfangs with their monstrous physique and raw might, man and beast were never equals.

Whispers rose, hushed but frantic, until the king’s cold chuckle cut through the tent like a blade.

"Good. Excellent, in fact."

The generals blinked, startled, but the king’s smile only widened.

"This means the Azure Phoenix will bleed more dearly if they wish to truly eliminate the Fang family from Coldwind City."

He leaned forward, one gauntleted finger tapping against the Azure Phoenix markers on the map.

"Worry not, my generals. We need only wait a little longer. When the dust settles, the victor will be but a cripple, ripe for my hand to sweep away.."

One of the General hesitated, then finally spoke, his voice low but steady.

"Your Majesty... forgive my boldness, but what if the Fang family chooses not to resist the Azure Phoenix Kingdom? What if instead, they join hands with them? Coldwind City would become an unshakable fortress under their combined might."

The tent grew heavy with silence. Even the clinking of armor seemed to stop.

Several generals exchanged uneasy glances, their earlier bravado suddenly tempered by the weight of hiz words.

The king, however, only chuckled, a deep sound muffled by the steel of his helm.

He lifted his teacup with deliberate calm and sipped, as though savoring the moment.

"Zhuge, Zhuge... always the cautious one. Do you truly believe the Fang family would bow their heads so easily? They are too proud, too arrogant. Their very nature forbids it. Perhaps what they crave is to stand above, not kneel beside. And that pride of theirs will shackle them more firmly than any chain."

He set the cup down with a soft clink, his gaze sweeping deliberately across the table.

"And the Azure Phoenix Kingdom will offer no alliance to the Fang Family," he said, his voice calm but firm.

"A family that bites the hand that feeds them... no kingdom would tolerate such recklessness, least of all one as disciplined as the Azure Phoenix. Especially not a barbaric clan. You may rest assured."

General Zhuge fell silent, his mind racing even as his expression remained composed. Your Majesty... we are not blind and stupid, he thought. We know exactly why the Fang Family retaliated against the kingdom.

The crown prince imprisoned his own sister in his mansion’s basement, then shifted the blame onto the Fang Family.

They rescued her, yet were accused of attacking a royal within the capital.

The crown prince, defying your orders, launched an assault against the Fang Clan, only to meet total annihilation.

And now this... the Divine Ice Sect has openly shown their support for the Fang Clan, while the other sects hide behind excuses of them making a promise to not interfere in the mortal affairs.

Outwardly, Zhuge’s voice was calm, measured, and respectful.

"Your foresight, Your Majesty... truly, it is unmatched."

He inclined his head slightly and returned to his seat, concealing the storm of thoughts beneath his courteous exterior.

Meanwhile, From the vantage of a building that had once been a restaurant in Coldwind City, the Azure Phoenix Kingdom’s commanders studied the Fang Family barrier below. Its shimmering defenses drew every eye in the room.

Inside, a heated discussion had begun.

"General Sun, what do you mean?"

The old general’s expression was calm, measured. "Your Majesty, as I have said, joining hands with the Fang Family is the most logical course in this situation."

A scoff came from nearby. "Are you hearing yourself, General Sun?" another general snapped. "You were the one who insisted the Fang Family was unreasonable and needed to be crushed earlier!"

Sun inclined his head, acknowledging the rebuke. "General Zhang Fei, you are correct. That was before I received intelligence that the Qin army is camped merely a mountain away from Coldwind City. If we force the issue now, we risk immeasurable losses, perhaps even defeat."

A third general slammed the table, his voice booming. "Insolence! Do not mock the valor of our soldiers!"

The one who had spoken earlier lifted his gaze calmly. "General Sun speaks with reason. The Fang Family has also brought a contingent of Nascent Soul Realm beasts. Tell me—how confident are we, truly, that we can overcome them?"

Zhang Liao swallowed hard, then bowed low. "Forgive my ignorance, Your Majesty. I let anger cloud my judgment."

The king inclined his head as he replied gently, "Forgiven and forgotten."

He paused, letting his gaze sweep over the generals, then focused on Sun. "General Sun, can you tell me what makes you believe the Fang Family is worthy of being an ally to us?"