Chapter 57: The Strategist

“Ding, congratulations, host has obtained Zhao Deyan, Command 72, Master Warrior (late stage), Intelligence 88, Politics 85, Charisma 82.”

Demon General Zhao Deyan, military strategist of Eastern Turkic, reportedly a disciple of Changsun Sheng, and also a figure recorded in history.

With these first three appearing, Wang Yu began to speculate about the remaining five. It seemed that the eight summoned this time were the Eight Great Masters of the Demon Sect.

“Ding, congratulations, host has obtained Xi Ying, Command 72, Master Warrior (late stage), Intelligence 72, Politics 62, Charisma 72.”

Celestial Lord Xi Ying, who synthesized the great techniques of the Western Regions and created the domineering demonic skill known as Purple Qi Heavenly Net. Even the Empress Dowager Zhu Yuyan praised it highly after testing, considering it the most brilliant original technique of the Demon Sect besides the Undying Seal of the Evil King Shi Zhixuan.

“Ding, congratulations, host has obtained An Long, Command 70, Master Warrior (mid stage), Intelligence 72, Politics 62, Charisma 75.”

An Long, sect leader of the Heavenly Lotus Sect of the Demon Sect, nicknamed Fat Jia, ranked fifth among the Eight Great Masters of the Demon Sect. His martial art is the Heavenly Lotus Ring. His junior disciple is Fu Gongzhi, leader of the Jianghuai Army. He is also a follower of the Evil King Shi Zhixuan.

“Ding, congratulations, host has obtained Rong Fengxiang, Command 78, Master Warrior (mid stage), Intelligence 78, Politics 70, Charisma 78.”

Pi Chen Rong Fengxiang, in the book, is the president of the Luoyang Chamber of Commerce, a prominent figure of the Yin Gui faction in Luoyang, and a successor of the Lao Jun Guan branch of the True Transmission Sect.

“Ding, congratulations, host has obtained Zuo Youxian, Command 62, Master Warrior (early stage), Intelligence 72, Politics 62, Charisma 72.”

Zuo Youxian of the Ziwu Sword, a successor of the Dao Ancestor True Transmission branch within the True Transmission Sect, also a historical figure.

“Ding, congratulations, host has obtained You Niaojuan, Command 60, Master Warrior (early stage), Intelligence 72, Politics 62, Charisma 62.”

You Niaojuan of the Reverse Path Sect, the top disciple of the Evil Emperor Xiang Yutian, a branch successor of the Reverse Path faction. Although counted among the Eight Great Masters of the Demon Sect, his power was vastly inferior to the second-ranked Shi Zhixuan, who once killed him instantly with a surprise attack.

“Ding, Zhu Yuyan, Shi Zhixuan, Zhao Deyan, Xi Ying, An Long, Rong Fengxiang, Zuo Youxian, and You Niaojuan have been implanted with identities as notorious demonic masters from the martial world several years ago. Two years ago, they were unexpectedly subdued by Ling Dong and have since been recruited by the host, remaining hidden in the shadows.”

“Well done!” Wang Yu could not help but feel a surge of joy. It was not only because he had gained eight powerful subordinates but also because of the identities implanted into them.

According to the implanted memories from the system, Wang Yu learned that currently, only he and Ling Dong, along with these eight individuals themselves, knew they were his subordinates; no one else was aware.

In other words, no matter what these people did, no one would suspect they belonged to Wang Yu.

Fortunately, the system granted a novice’s benefit: the first ten summoned characters would be absolutely loyal. Otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible to get these eight demonic masters to obey willingly.

Among these eight, regardless of the others, Shi Zhixuan was far more than just a master. His incarnation Pei Ju served as an official during the Sui Dynasty, managing the Western Regions for the empire. Within a few years, he skillfully balanced alliances and rivalries, splitting the powerful Turkic steppe empire in two, altering the long-standing weakness of the Central Plains since the Wei and Jin eras.

From this alone, one could see that beneath his formidable strength was a brilliant mind, astonishingly cunning in strategy.

Perfect—he could be stationed in Liangshan to counter Chao Gai, Song Jiang, and others, helping Wang Yu’s agents quietly gain control over Liangshan.

Then there was Demon General Zhao Deyan, after all, the strategist of Eastern Turkic. Although some information might be exaggerated, he surely had considerable ability. Sending him to assist Shi Zhixuan would be wise.

Moreover, with these two present, the top masters in the bandit suppression army would be challenged. Although three of the five masters in the bandit suppression force were secretly or openly loyal to Wang Yu, in public, Wang Yu could not openly withhold effort when necessary, at least not without arousing suspicion.

As for the others, Wang Yu had some ideas. He wondered if the princes lacked skilled fighters; perhaps he could send a few to them and spend a year or so setting a trap for the mastermind behind the scenes. After all, princes killing princes was not unusual.

“Right, system, continue summoning. Use a random summoning card to summon a strategist!”

Previously, Wang Yu delayed because of the eight masters, but now that they were acquired, it was time to summon a proper strategist.

After all, although Shi Zhixuan was a legitimate strategist, he was about to be deployed to Liangshan and could not be relied on constantly.

“Ding, random summoning card activated.
First person, Kuai Tong, Intelligence 97.”

Kuai Tong, who left a name for himself during the Chu-Han contention, was quite capable. Gifted in eloquence and skilled at explaining pros and cons, he served as strategist for Han Xin, proposing both the plan to eliminate Qi and the strategy to divide the realm into three.

However, he chose the wrong master. Han Xin was an undefeated commander but was unsuited for ruling the world. More importantly, Han Xin himself lacked the ambition. Kuai Tong’s attempt to persuade Han Xin to betray Liu Bang and seize power was clearly in vain!

Fortunately, Kuai Tong’s luck was quite good. After Han Xin’s death, when Liu Bang sought to arrest him, Kuai Tong was eventually acquitted and even became a guest of Prime Minister Cao Can.

“Ding, second person, Xun Yu, Intelligence 98.”

“Xun Wenruo of Ying Shang, known as the Kingmaker’s talent.
His fame rivals the Five Great Mountains; his achievements shake the Three Thrones.
Cao Cao lacked a lasting successor, the Marquis of Wu never returned.
His loyalty and grudge die with him, the world mourns deeply!”

Xun Yu, a politician and strategist during the late Eastern Han, was Cao Cao’s chief advisor and meritorious statesman for unifying northern China. Cao Cao called him “my own Zifang.”

Compared to sheer intelligence, Xun Yu’s political acumen was even more outstanding.

Strategically, Xun Yu crafted the blueprint and military routes for Cao Cao’s northern unification, repeatedly refining Cao Cao’s plans and earning his praise, including strategies like “deep roots to stabilize the realm” and “welcoming and serving the emperor.”

In tactics, Xun Yu preserved three cities in Yanzhou amid Lü Bu’s rebellion, cleverly stalled Yuan Shao at Guandu, narrowly escaped from Wan and Ye while advancing lightly, and orchestrated surprise attacks on Jingzhou, among other feats.

Politically, Xun Yu recommended a wealth of talents to Cao Cao, including Zhong Yao, Xun You, Chen Qun, Du Xi, Xi Zhizai, and Guo Jia.

“Ding, third person, Cheng Yu, Intelligence 96.”

Although Cao Cao’s strategist lineup was unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms, having two consecutive candidates from his command was still remarkable.

For Wang Yu, the most memorable aspect of Cheng Yu was not his schemes but how he solved the problem of supplies for Cao Cao.

The first page of the record ends here.