"'Martial Artist Ranking,' 'General Ranking,' 'Peerless Ranking,' 'Heavenly Ranking'—whatever the name, it's ultimately a ranking of the world's military commanders."
Le Yu tapped the tea table. "This is the most important and most sensational ranking. The others can wait for the first issue, but this one has to be published."
Zhaoye Bai seemed to have been prepared for this. She reached into Fat Orange Cat's fur and pulled out a scroll—the maneuver left even Xianchan Chenchen dumbfounded—then unfurled it on the table and said:
"Commander of the Tread White Army in Youyun District, Chen Baiyi; leader of the Storm Army in Skyline District, Chen Fengbao; governor of the Heyang Army in East Sun District, Gai Shiwen... Oh, he's already dead. Cross him out..."
"And then there's the Coastal Army's vortex general in Morning Wind District, Lan Yan; the Blood Source Army's head hunter in Azure District, Chai Xin..."
Zhaoye Bai listed seven names. "These are currently the highest commanders of the border armies in each district. If we're ranking the world's military commanders, these seven absolutely can't be left out."
"The ranking is fine, but what's it based on? Legion strength? Individual strength? Age and battle record? Or some combination of factors?"
"Obviously, it depends on whom our Propriety Guard Direct Walker wants dead." Xianchan Chenchen spoke with sarcastic emphasis.
Le Yu smiled. "As for combat strength, it's nearly impossible to reach a conclusion without fighting face-to-face. That's especially true for the strongest martial artists at the top of their armies. They may be thousands of miles apart and never even meet once in their lives, so how are we supposed to know who's stronger? Someone like Gai Shiwen, the disgrace of the Kings of Soldiers who was killed head-on by Lan Yan, is an exception."
"But a ranking is