Chapter 1996 - 1995: Who Is Outsmarting Whom

Chapter 1996: Chapter 1995: Who Is Outsmarting Whom

At this moment, the team led by Li Feng was truly massive, with over ten thousand people sprawling out, thirty thousand demon soldiers marching in two lines on the dirt road forged through the wasteland, stretching for more than ten kilometers.

However, in Li Feng’s central army, it remained composed of hundreds of horned rhinoceroses, though now there were a few more individuals in the team.

The Ape Clan hadn’t joined Li Feng’s ranks, but just like the Sheep Clan, both sides had established some contact, and these two clans had set off three days earlier to reach the front camp.

There were additions of Chong Xuan from the Xuanwu Clan, Xingyue from the Rabbit Clan, and Shanjia from the Bear Clan. Shanjia had gathered some wandering clansmen, though not many, following behind the trusted aide, while Xingyue only brought along a few siblings, also having no dependency, they all came along.

Lei Ba was asking, occasionally glancing at Chong Xuan, the old turtle not far away, but now Chong Xuan didn’t appear old, Li Feng had much trust in him, directly having him stay by his side.

Li Feng glanced at Lei Ba and said lightly, "What else is there to think? He got benefits from me, naturally, he has no reason to make things difficult for me."

"That’s it?"

"Otherwise, what do you think?"

Li Feng asked back, Lei Ba scratched his head sheepishly, saying, "Hehe, I can’t figure it out either, we recruited thirty thousand demon clans, which should have emptied at least a third of his outer camps."

"He didn’t make any trouble, obediently sent over the armament and provisions you wanted as the camp master, I always feel there’s something unusual about this."

Li Feng glanced at Lei Ba, appearing like a simpleton, and said, "At least you used some brains."

"The reason Gu Feng didn’t interfere, even let us recruit freely, is simple, because he hopes I would do so."

"Hmm? Why?" Lei Ba looked confused.

"Lan, explain to him." Li Feng turned to Lan, who seemed like a young boy, though Lan’s display of combat might not be impressive, he had considerable aptitude in leadership and had been of much help to Li Feng these days.

"Yes, Camp Master."

Lan looked up at Lei Ba and said, "The reason Gu Feng doesn’t block is that to him, the demon clans we recruited are just a bunch of rabble; although numerous, their combat strength is not even comparable to his ten thousand Wolf Riders."

"Moreover, the larger the number we recruit, the greater the pressure on logistics, what the camp master previously requested from him was only provisions and mounts for three thousand, if we recruit just three thousand, we would be strong and have enough for a month, plentiful in resources."

"But if the number multiplies by ten, and we still ask for provisions for three thousand, you can calculate."

At Lan’s words, Lei Ba suddenly realized: "So our food will only last three days?"

"Exactly, even if used sparingly, it’s only enough for five days. Once we reach the front camp, all our logistical provisions will be controlled by the front camp; if they don’t provide for us, we’ll soon run out of food."

"Then these thirty thousand demon clans will not be a force, but a burden."

Lan said.

Lei Ba swallowed hard. He hadn’t considered this before, but thinking about it now sent chills down his spine.

"Camp Master, did we fall into that bastard’s trap? He deliberately let us recruit more people, calculating this factor."

Though these thirty thousand demon clans came for profit, Li Feng couldn’t just stop providing meals, after all, they’re fighting for him.

If Li Feng can’t provide food, how many of these thirty thousand demon clans will remain in the end? Li Feng would quickly become a laughingstock, easily manipulated by others.

"You’re wrong."

Lan spoke up again.

Lei Ba turned to Lan: "Where did I go wrong? Isn’t that so?"

"Indeed, you got it wrong; Gu Feng isn’t calculating against our camp master, but our camp master has anticipated that they would think this way, so he deliberately raised the number to thirty thousand. Otherwise, I would rather have fewer than recruit indiscriminately. Even if not limited to three thousand, I would never exceed five thousand."

Lan was also puzzled by Li Feng’s decision to recruit thirty thousand at first; sometimes, more is not necessarily better.

Managing a large group is complex; the logistics supply is a challenge, as they are like floating reeds without roots, seeking supply solely from the demon clans. If the other side cuts off the supply, they would starve.

Although they’re numerous, in the end, it could cause unrest more than being useful.

Especially compared to Gu Feng’s ten thousand Wolf Riders, trained from one tribe, while the demon clans they recruited span over a hundred different races, sometimes just a few—a rabble without a doubt.

"Ah, Camp Master, why is this then?"

Li Feng smiled lightly, "To assure certain people."

"I’ve deliberately placed myself in a compromising position; the other side would surely accept it. From here to the front camp takes at least three to four days. Gu Feng provided just enough for us to exhaust on the way, reaching the front camp, if there’s no supply the following day, we’ll face starvation. "

"A bunch of rabble, lacking food and logistics, and without proper armament—do you see such thirty thousand as a threat?"

Lei Ba shook his head; without food, hastily pieced together, nobody would view them as a threat. A day into starvation, half would likely disperse.

"Exactly, if I really brought thirty thousand formidable soldiers, the other side wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully, they might have to devise strategies against me overnight."

"But now, I’m entirely harmless to them, would they still be on guard against me? They might even mock me for not understanding military affairs, expanding blindly without regard for practicality."

Li Feng sneered at the corner of his mouth.

"But what about the future food problem?"

"Naturally, go ask for it."

"What if they refuse?"

"If they refuse, we’ll cause a disturbance; thirty thousand demon clans stirring trouble, the issue won’t be mine. Moreover, in the front camp, over seventy percent of the demon clans are similar to us."

"If the other side dares to strike, I will dare to flip the table."

Li Feng said with a chilling smile, anyway, he’s not of the demon clan, causing a scene doesn’t weigh on him mentally.

"Alright, you should use your brain less, the camp master already holds the winning hand, we just need to act according to the camp master’s orders."

Lan said to Lei Ba, Lei Ba scratched his head: "Indeed, I’m not good at thinking, I prefer hands-on action."

Li Feng ignored Lei Ba beside him, turning to look at Chong Xuan, the old turtle dozing with closed eyes not far away.

"Chong Xuan, what do you think are the chances of my identity being directly exposed?"

Li Feng hadn’t hidden his identity from Chong Xuan, having disclosed it early on. Chong Xuan didn’t mind, given that he came from the Xuanwu Clan, allies to Ancestor Dragon City, so following Li Feng wasn’t seen as betraying the demon clan.

"It’s hard to say, but Master really wants to take such a risk? I still stand by my words, it’s too risky, although the Fire Phoenix Clan hasn’t emerged in a thousand years, possibly fallen to the Dragon Emperor’s machinations, but what if they’re still around, it would be like lifting a stone to drop it on one’s own foot."

Chong Xuan spoke steadily.