Starting My Cultivation With Time Management

Chapter 732: Chapter 66: The indecisive Qiu Changtian

The war that most people imagine: first, a declaration is made, then a large-scale mobilization of troops follows, afterwards there are encounters on the front lines with the enemy forces, and finally, a bloodbath ensues.

But the reality of a war amongst cultivators: a bloodbath ensues.

There are neither declarations of war nor mass mobilizations of troops. Nearly a hundred demonic sect real persons swiftly infiltrated the Guanzhong area from the region of Heluo, launching successive raids on twenty-four Kunlun mines within a span of several days.

Within the Kunlun Main Hall, many high-ranking members had already gathered. Qiu Changtian quickly proposed strategies in response.

First was the dispatching of several elders to the Guanzhong area to stand guard, ready to respond to sudden attacks by the Demon Cult at any time.

Next was the enhancement of mine defenses; each mine had to be guarded by a real person, and for every ten mines, there was a team of real persons on hand to provide strategic support, building up a sufficiently robust dynamic defense line.

...

“This strategy is good, but isn’t it too conservative?” Yun Hong True Person raised an objection, “The Guanzhong area is thousands of miles deep. Even if we deploy a hundred or a thousand times more hands to construct defenses, it’s still impossible to completely prevent the Demon Cult’s infiltration.”

“Why not draw elite forces for a surprise attack on the headquarters of the Nether Ghost Path at Mount Beimang? Once the Demon Cult moves to rescue them, we can push the frontline towards the Heluo region, and take the initiative in our hands.”

To be fair, Yun Hong True Person’s plan was indeed not bad, more proactive and flexible than the strategy devised by Qiu Changtian.

However, the more proactive a strategy is, the greater the potential losses if it is targeted. On the other hand, Qiu Changtian’s approach to building ‘strong fortifications and fighting a protracted war’ was a straightforward plan that, even if known by the Demon Cult, would be hard to counter.

“Brother Yun Hong’s plan is very good,” Qiu Changtian said with a light smile, “However, Mount Beimang is the locale of the Nether Ghost Path, known to all. Would the Demonic Path not expect that we would employ a decapitation strategy?”

“If they set an ambush at Mount Beimang, our raiding forces would suffer heavy losses. As the coordinator of this operation, I cannot allow Kunlun cultivators to march into peril.”

“True Person Changgeng makes sense, but haven’t you heard ‘to feint weakness when strong, and feint strength when weak’?” Yun Hong True Person was unconvinced and simply turned his head to look at Elder Jiuce, continuing, “Looking at our Kunlun’s years of conflict with the Demon Cult, we have mostly taken a passive defense stance, which also gave the Demonic Path the impression that we are conservative and inflexible. Precisely because of this, the Nether Ghost Path would never expect that this time we would adopt such an aggressive policy.”

“In my view, why not do both? On one hand, follow Changgeng True Person’s strategy, strengthen the defenses in the Guanzhong area to prevent the loss of various mines, and at the same time, confound the Demon Cult, making them think we still intend to maintain a defensive posture.”

“On the other hand, draw elite forces from among the elders and real persons to launch a surprise attack on Mount Beimang, forcing the Demon Cult to mount a rescue.”

“If this plan succeeds, not only will the crisis in Guanzhong be resolved immediately, but it will also restrain and inflict casualties on the Demon Cult’s frontline forces.”

“True Person Yun Hong makes a good point,” Elder Jiuce nodded and stated with authority, “True Person Changgeng, as a leader, you must be decisive, not indecisive and hesitant.”

You’re calling whom a mangy cur! Qiu Changtian fumed inwardly.

Elder Jiuce’s public support for True Person Yun Hong’s proposal, coupled with his remark about “indecision,” was undoubtedly a significant blow to Qiu Changtian’s authority, as it was his first time coordinating a military campaign.

And crucially, this Nascent Soul Elder, in terms of both seniority and experience, was not someone Qiu Changtian could openly rebut.

Even if the other side suggested, “I think Kunlun should surrender,” Qiu Changtian could only respond with, “Haha, Elder is quite the humorist,” and could never directly denigrate or disagree, otherwise he would certainly give the other Nascent Soul elders the impression of being overly arrogant and brash.

So Qiu Changtian laughed it off and made a tactful explanation:

“It’s not that I’m indecisive, but as Changgeng coordinates the battle, the slightest carelessness could lead to the downfall of our fellow sect members. Therefore, I can only proceed with the utmost caution, treading on thin ice, fearing any misstep.”

“True Person Changgeng is indeed kind-hearted,” another Nascent Soul Elder chimed in, smiling benevolently, “But mercy does not command an army. If we are to fear this and that, how can we defeat the Demon Cult?”

Qiu Changtian maintained his smile, but had a million curses running through his mind.

Looking at the Ziwei Master, his master also wore a frosty expression, realizing that these elders who had jumped out to make “sharp comments” were actually representing the Luo and Zhao families joining forces behind the scenes.

Yet those people spoke only of facts, beyond reproach. Even if one were to complain to the Immortals, with Chi Song Immortal’s disposition, it was unlikely he would interject in such a dispute of opinions.

Soon, the elders present began to express their thoughts.

The elders from the Luo and Zhao Families believed that Changgeng True Person’s strategy was too conservative and would not have a deterrent effect on the Demon Cult.

Conversely, the elders from the Xu and Ge Families defended Changgeng True Person, asserting that caution in military affairs was ultimately faultless.

As for the majority of neutral elders, they mostly sided with Zhao Jinghong.

The reason was simple: should Zhao Jinghong’s strategy succeed, the strategic advantage it would bring to Kunlun was obvious.

As for Qiu Zhang Tian’s strategy, it was deemed standard and incapable of effecting fundamental change in the situation… In the end, everyone was still basking in the glory of “our Kunlun is the number one sect in the world,” hence the majority favored a swift victory and were unwilling to let the Demon Cult strut about for too long.

Thinking thus, Qiu Zhang Tian heaved a long sigh.

Alas, he might let down Kunlun, but this time Wei Dongliu truly could not afford to lose.

He maintained his smile, showing no trace of displeasure, and simply said to the Ziwei Master:

“If that is the case, then let us follow the advice of the elders and adopt a two-pronged approach.”

“Very well,” nodded the Ziwei Master.

Kunlun then began to mobilize personnel… At the same time, a rumor that “Changgeng True Person was publicly criticized by the elders for being too indecisive” began to circulate within Kunlun.

There were quite a few Nascent Soul Elders in the Kunlun Main Hall that day. Although with their current status, they definitely would not betray Kunlun by leaking the final strategy, it was nevertheless possible that they would casually mention the sharp criticism of the Nine Strategies Elder to their juniors upon returning.

Therefore, even though Qiu Zhang Tian knew that the Zhao Family was behind this, he had no way to respond, since the Nine Strategies Elder did indeed say that.

“This is outrageous!” Qiu Zhang Tian was not particularly angry (even feeling more guilt due to the incident about to unfold), but Xu Yinglian was furious and rushed to find Elder Xu in charge of the Scriptural Repository, demanding:

“How can they manipulate the situation and slander Brother like this? Is our family just going to stand by and watch?”

“This is public discourse,” Elder Xu consoled her, “but as long as the war goes smoothly, such slanders will collapse of their own accord.”

What was referred to as “public discourse” was the discussion of the majority.

Although the Xu Family of Southern Heaven was powerful in Kunlun, it could not possibly silence all Kunlun Cultivators and forbid any negative talk about Qiu Zhang Tian.

This world had neither internet courts nor essays to twist the truth. One could not create the illusion of an overwhelmingly supportive force with just a team of dozens.

The sole consolation was that people quickly forgot, as long as Qiu Zhang Tian remained in command and the war progressed smoothly, he would ultimately receive the credit due.

As for the critique of being “tentative and indecisive,” it was just some clowns seeking attention, unlikely to persist for long.

Xu Yinglian was well aware of this, but couldn’t contain her anger at the sarcastic comments of some cultivators. So, she sulkily returned to Golden Ridge, downcast.

Qiu Zhang Tian then comforted his wife, telling her not to bother with those people, which made Xu Yinglian both exasperated and amused.