The Zhou Army withdrew safely, and Zi Shou forbade pursuit.
Unfortunately, not a single person objected.
The fierce generals in the Shang camp had all wised up. They had grown far more cautious and would not take risks lightly.
Even without King Zhou saying so, they knew the Zhou people were fond of schemes. If this retreat was actually a ploy to lure the snake out of its hole, a feigned withdrawal concealing an ambush and plans to storm Sishui Pass, pursuing them would only make matters worse.
Sishui Pass was the key to everything. With it as their base, they could attack or defend. Let the enemy devise ten thousand schemes; they would stand firm and unmoving. That was the kingly way.
They returned to the pass to discuss matters.
"Grand Tutor, auspicious light descended into the Zhou Army's ranks just now, and then Ji Fa sounded the gongs to withdraw. Does he have something else up his sleeve? Have some immortals come to his aid and already found a way to deal with our army?"
Zi Shou asked impatiently. This was what worried him most. The Zhou Army had merely suffered a few sudden deaths and begun to show signs of defeat. It was hardly a rout.
Yet after losing just one formation duel, before even suffering a proper battlefield defeat, Jiang Ziya had already started calling in reinforcements. He had absolutely no immortal ethics.
Wen Zhong spoke easily, without a trace of concern. "The auspicious light was faint, the auspicious clouds unsettled, and his divine sense remained turned inward. He likely has yet to attain the Great Dao and has mastered only a single art within it. He is no mighty figure of the Three Teachings. Your Majesty need not worry. This old subject will deal with