Being outmaneuvered left Fangxun looking rather grim.
But he could hardly be blamed for it--
Who would have thought that Bai Ze, a mighty demon marshal and one of the top five combatants in the Heavenly Court, would be so slippery? After exchanging just one blow to test each other's strength, he had simply wiped his feet with oil and fled at top speed.
The best of the Thirty-Six Stratagems was to retreat... As long as I retreat fast enough, the enemy can't do anything to me!
Bai Ze had put this principle into practice. Throwing his dignity to the wind, he had placed himself in an invincible position from the start.
"Marshal..."
The left and right guards, Xi Zhong and He Zhong, gazed solemnly at Fangxun, worried that an unfavorable start would affect their leader's confidence.
"I'm fine."
Fangxun wiped the corner of his mouth, casually erasing a smear of blood. "Don't worry. I know what matters. I put the collective interest above my personal honor and disgrace long ago."
"We came here with reclaiming the defensive line as our first priority and revenge as our second. Both objectives have already been achieved."
"Gui Che has been routed, and his army annihilated. Bai Ze has fled in defeat, and the lost territory has been recovered... We've already won a great victory!"
Fangxun adjusted his mindset and looked perfectly composed.
Hmm.
The process hadn't been very pleasant.
But the objective had indeed been achieved!
A great triumph!
"Quickly inform our allies and notify the Human Emperor's royal court. Tell them that this force has achieved an unprecedented and glorious victory. I look forward to seeing how they perform!"
Fangxun issued his orders.
The loss he had suffered at Bai Ze's hands and the frustration he felt inside... He had decided