The strategy devised by the deputy commanders was as straightforward as it was simplistic.

These seasoned legion commanders, having fought countless battles under Kuishan’s leadership, could see at a glance that defeat was inevitable. It only strengthened their resolve not to march without Kuishan at the helm.

Once the decision was finalized, the various armies dispersed to prepare. Only the commanders of the five elite legions gathered together and made their way to Kuishan’s tent, pleading for his leadership.

Kuishan sighed heavily. "In my current state, I can barely protect myself. The enemy has sown discord—the dynasty no longer trusts me, and command won’t be granted to me." His voice was heavy with resignation. "All I can advise is this: adapt as best you can. If the battle turns against you, retreat swiftly. Preserve your strength at all costs."

"If you won’t lead us, we refuse to march," one commander insisted. "With the plan those others have devised, we’re doomed to fail—"

Kuishan raised a hand sharply, cutting him off. He had no desire to hear their battle plans, lest he be implicated further.

"I’m only speaking from cold, hard facts," he said firmly. "No matter how you fight, victory is impossible. I don’t mean to crush your morale, but since you’ve come to me, this is the truth you must face."

He paused, his expression grim. "And don’t even think of defying orders. Whether you march or not isn’t your call. Forcing me into this would only seal my fate—I’d be the one blamed for the defeat, and execution would follow."

The five commanders deflated at his words.

"Is there really no chance at all?" one of them asked stubbornly.

Kuishan gave a bitter laugh. "You’ve seen their strength for yourselves. A hundred and fifty thousand elite troops—and that’s not even counting the regular soldiers. Then there’s the mobile demon army, every one of them a warrior at the Sovereign level."

He leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Equipment, resources, morale, leadership—in every aspect, they outmatch us. This isn’t some small-scale guerrilla skirmish where you can rely on ambushes. You’re all experienced commanders. If you were in charge, what strategy would you use against them?"

Silence fell over the group. None could offer a rebuttal.

Finally, one commander ventured, "Then what should we do? Just march to our deaths?"

Kuishan stopped short of outright advising surrender. Instead, he said quietly, "As things stand, refusing to march would brand you as insubordinate, punishable by military law. But if you do march, you’ll die in battle. I’m powerless to change this. All I can say is... take care of yourselves."

"Go back and make your preparations quickly. If you stay here too long, people will start suspecting me again—accusing me of spreading heresy and undermining morale. They won’t think you came to me; they’ll say I summoned you!"

The commanders had no choice but to bow silently to Kuishan and take their leave.

But the moment they stepped outside, they were surrounded by the officers and deputies assigned to monitor Kuishan.

"What were you discussing with Kuishan? Out with it!" one of the deputy commanders barked.

"We went to bid farewell to the Grand Commander. What of it? After serving under him for years, are we not even allowed to say goodbye without being interrogated?" one of the commanders retorted indignantly.

"Kuishan hasn’t cleared his name yet—he’s still under suspicion of colluding with the enemy. If you revealed our battle plans to him, he could leak them to the opposing forces!" another deputy threatened.

"Don’t you dare slander the Grand Commander! He’s a man of honor. Even if we had wanted to tell him, he wouldn’t have allowed it."

Their loyalty being questioned infuriated them. These were commanders of a hundred-thousand-strong elite army, men whose skill and leadership matched—if not surpassed—those of the deputies now threatening them. They weren’t about to back down.

The deputies, however, had no real leverage. With rebellion imminent and all five commanders united, any attempt to make an example of them risked sparking unrest.

Finally, one deputy relented. "We’ll be keeping an eye on your actions. If the plans are leaked, or if we detect any suspicious moves from you during battle, don’t expect mercy!"

"What actions? Since when is saying goodbye to Commander Kuishan a crime?" One of the commanders was ready to argue further, but the others pulled him away before tensions escalated. The two groups parted in mutual hostility.

"Insolent bastards! Did you see that? This is what comes of Kuishan’s leadership. Soldiers like these can’t win wars—they’ll be the first to surrender when the fighting starts!" one deputy spat after they left.

"Let it go. We still need them for now. Besides, our plans aren’t so delicate that secrecy matters. We’ll attack head-on—no need to worry," another deputy soothed.

"But we can’t afford to ignore them either. Assign them to the flanks. If they’re up front and defect, the whole battle could collapse. If they’re in the rear, no one could stop them from deserting," a third deputy cautioned.

"True, we should take precautions. But scattering them across the flanks isn’t enough. Split them up—some on the wings, some in the vanguard, center, and rear. If any act suspiciously, the other commanders can cut them down," a fourth suggested.

After returning to their respective camps, the legion commanders announced the mobilization orders, but secretly gathered to discuss their predicament.

"Commander Kuishan made it clear—if we refuse to march, we’ll be executed for defying orders. If we do march, we’ll be slaughtered by the enemy. But what if... we surrender?"

Having served under Kuishan for years, they easily read between the lines.

"I think he was hinting at just that," one commander mused, suspicion creeping into his voice. "Do you think Kuishan has already surrendered to the enemy? Or worse—like Commander Qianghui, has he been compromised?"

Another shook his head firmly. "Impossible. He was speaking the truth. Even he can’t see a way out of this mess. He genuinely believes we’re doomed—that’s why he said what he did. If he’d defected or been controlled, why bother warning us?"

He paused, scanning the others. "Let’s be honest with ourselves. If any of you were given full command of this army, do you truly believe we could win?"

The question hung in the air. After a tense silence, the others nodded grimly in agreement.

"Exactly. Kuishan’s already been stripped of authority, his cultivation sealed, and he’s under constant surveillance. The enemy has no reason to manipulate him further."

Exchanging resolute glances, the commanders reached a silent consensus—collective surrender was their only path to survival. They weren’t afraid to die, but they refused to throw their lives away under the command of incompetents.

Thus, even before the allied forces set out, their defeat was already sealed.