If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1037 Guarding
A hundred days have passed in my dream, while the sun sets in the human world.

On the banks of the Huai River, under a large willow tree, Han Xin, who was sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes.

His eyes held excitement, but also fatigue and confusion.

The Old Mother of Qiushan stood calmly beside him, her heart at peace, even though she had been tormented by Han Xin a thousand times in her dream.

Yes, she was quite surprised and excited to lose a battle between two armies with a combined force of 50,000 men for the first time.

Because she didn't understand how she lost, it was a bit inexplicable.

She lost ten or so games in a row the second and third time, and still couldn't figure out Han Xin's methods, losing inexplicably each time.

However, people have become numb, no longer excited or shocked.

She just couldn't understand why, despite feeling good about herself during the battle, the situation suddenly took a sharp turn for the worse, resulting in a crushing defeat that was beyond saving.

Then she started cheating—increasing the number of her own high-end combat power, that is, the number of immortal warriors.

She finally won a few matches, but then quickly suffered a series of defeats.

Han Xin did activate the Great Annihilation Father, but the Purple Mansion remained completely untouched.

The method to "kill Han Xin" does not require further deduction.

She can now use a hundred different methods to torture and kill the lonely Han Xin at will.

When Han Xin was alone, his methods of commanding troops were completely ineffective.

His individual strength is far inferior to hers.

Performing magic in a dream is ultimately just a dream.

Even if Han Xin is granted a million soldiers in a dream, it is still an illusion and cannot trigger the Great Annihilation.

Moreover, she was originally going to test his military strategy, and since she could use her Purple Mansion to cheat, she wouldn't do so now.

However, when the army size increased to a million and the number of immortal generals increased to five thousand, Xiaoyu finally realized Han Xin's methods.

"Thank you for your guidance, Mother-in-law." Han Xin got up, his face filled with gratitude, and bowed respectfully.

Xiaoyu sighed, "I didn't intend to teach you anything. If you can learn anything, it all depends on your own talent."

Han Xin should indeed pay homage to her.

Although she did not directly teach him military strategy, she practiced the "Bai Qi's Military Treatise" and "Wei Liao Zi" that she knew.

Her methods were somewhat crude and failed to grasp the essence.

She hasn't grasped the essence, so naturally she can't demonstrate it.

Yet Han Xin became a "military genius" based solely on a book titled "A Brief Account of Military Strategy" by an anonymous author.

There was no need for Xiaoyu to teach him step by step; as long as he fought dozens of matches with him, he would naturally gain some understanding.

He even grasped the essence that she had never grasped before.

After hundreds of battles against him, her military strategy improved rapidly—the speed of the motorcycle was already quite fast.

Han Xin, however, rode a rocket.

Xiao Yu found it strange that with Han Xin's monstrous talent, no immortal had taken him as a disciple.

Of course, if he were simply taught military strategy, even an immortal wouldn't be worthy of being his teacher.

Isn't she an immortal?

Her knowledge of military strategy was far inferior to his.

He can teach her instead!
How could she possibly accept him as her apprentice?

"Have you ever taken the 'Divine Pill'?" Xiaoyu asked again.

Han Xin shook his head and said, "I have no innate supernatural powers."

—I feel that your ability to command troops and deploy them is comparable to a great supernatural power.

If you have supernatural powers and defeat me with them, I'll feel a little better.

Without any supernatural "cheating" methods, relying solely on hard skills
Xiaoyu was somewhat annoyed, and then said, "You are indeed very insightful and talented in military strategy, but you also have a fatal weakness. Are you aware of it?"

Han Xin bowed respectfully and asked, "Please enlighten me, Mother."

Xiao Yu said, "There are three types of generals on the battlefield: one is a commander like you, another is a military commander who leads troops into battle."

There is also a type of tyrannical general, who possesses exceptional personal strength and can single-handedly change the course of a battle.

You need to be careful about the latter two.

Han Xin asked doubtfully, "What kind of fierce general could possibly be stronger than the combined strength of a military formation?"

—You'll understand when you meet "Yu Fengxian," no matter what supernatural powers or military formations you have.

Once someone has become their godfather, they will be destroyed with a single sword strike.

Xiao Yu felt smug inside, but said seriously on the surface, "You underestimate the power of immortals."

Have you read "The Investiture of the Gods"?
Are you familiar with Erlang Shen Yang Jian, Nezha, the Great God of the Three Altars and Seas, and the Three Immortal Maidens?
They all participated in the Investiture of the Gods war; wouldn't you call them tyrannical, fierce generals?

Han Xin said, "Today is different from the past. During the Investiture of the Gods, there were many immortals, but they only had formations, not military tactics and military formations."

More than 100,000 years after the Investiture of the Gods ended, Sun Tzu, the military strategist, perfected the methods of military strategy and formations.

"With the methods of military strategy and formations, what immortal cannot be slain?"

Xiao Yu said, "You are ignorant, yet you speak so arrogantly. Do you even know about the number of people allowed in military formations and tactics?"

A general of average talent can only command a few hundred or a thousand men.

Even for those with exceptional talent, the number of soldiers in their formation should ideally not exceed three thousand.

With a large number of people, it becomes difficult to operate the formation smoothly and efficiently, which actually reduces its power.

While military tactics and formations can gather the strength of the masses, their limits are limited.

At most, I'll give you three thousand immortals.

The immortal who has cultivated an indestructible body can withstand any attacks from you.

When he sweeps his stick across, dozens or even hundreds of you will be killed or injured.

After a dozen or so swings, the enemy's battle formation crumbled.

It is possible to kill loose immortals, earth immortals, and even celestial immortals using military formations.

But monsters like Sun Wukong and Yang Jian, who have almost no health bar but can instantly travel thousands of miles, can kill you even by flying a kite.

Flying in the sky, constantly throwing down the golden cudgel, it could shatter the army formation.

Or if the Three Immortal Maidens of Sanxiao throw out the Hunyuan Golden Bucket, who could withstand it?

Han Xin pondered for a moment and said, "What if we combine multiple military formations together?"

Xiaoyu sighed, "Military formations and tactics can indeed be combined, but who will unify them?"

The Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King of Heaven possesses the "Heavenly King Body" and can command 100,000 heavenly soldiers and generals.

Li Tianwang led 100,000 heavenly soldiers, forming a military formation that was enough to seal off the Thirty-Three Heavens.

However, even when faced with a powerful immortal, Li Tianwang's army formation would still be easily torn apart.

Han Xin frowned and thought for a moment, then asked, "Young man, if you encounter such immortals in the future, how should you deal with them?"

"Let's raise the white flag and ask another powerful figure to deal with him."

Xiaoyu further explained, "I'm telling you all this because I'm worried that you're young and impetuous and don't know your place."

He felt that with tens of thousands of soldiers by his side, there was nothing he couldn't do in the world.

He encountered an unknown and extraordinary person, yet dared to rely on his superior military strategy to confront him head-on. As a result, the mysterious person beheaded him using uncanny supernatural powers.

All the strategies and plans in my heart have been lost to the east.

Take myself, for example.

I now understand your unparalleled talent in military strategy.

And you are in the army, protected by 100,000 elite soldiers. Guess how I will kill you?

Xiao Yu stared into Han Xin's eyes and said quietly, "It's actually very simple. Let you win, let you keep winning, win ten big victories in a row, and bury 100,000 elite troops."

When your momentum reaches its peak, a mysterious figure will hide in the military formation, approach you within ten feet, and kill you as easily as slaughtering a chicken.

This is your weakness.

Your weakness lies in your arrogant nature, and also in your lack of practical skills and ability to perform important tasks.

Han Xin knelt down with a thud and pleaded, "Mother, please have mercy and accept me as your servant. I am willing to serve you for the rest of my life."

The origins of this old woman from Qiushan are unknown, but it is certain that she must be an immortal with great supernatural powers!

If I become her disciple, I can become an immortal and learn great supernatural powers, thus making up for my shortcomings.
Xiaoyu paused for a moment, then smiled strangely, "I live deep in the mountains. If you want to serve me, you'll have to come with me. Are you willing to leave this wonderful world?"

Han Xin said, "Once I have completed my worldly cultivation, I will surely retire to the mountains and forests to serve my elderly mother for the rest of my life."

Xiaoyu sighed, "You and I are not meant to be."

Han Xin said, "Isn't it fate that I, a mere boy, have met my mother this time?"

—You don't appeal to me!
I like honest kids like Gou Jiao and Xi Juan.

You and Liu Laosan are both great heroes, but lack sincerity.

Xiaoyu muttered to herself.

It can be said that apart from his unparalleled talent in military strategy, there were few aspects of Han Xin's personality and style that would have caught her eye.

For example, he, a strong young man, ate the cakes given to him by the old woman.

For example, his different attitudes toward Wang Er and Li San show that he is adept at calculating human nature.

For example, when Li Ya asked him for a pancake, he could have turned his head away and ignored her, but he didn't hesitate at all and showed no pity.

There was also the time she demonstrated military tactics in her dream, where she showed him the techniques from "Bai Qi's Military Manual" and "Wei Liao Zi." He saw it; she couldn't understand his methods and techniques, but she could grasp a bit about his personality.

Han Xin was a great hero and a great man; he would surely rise to prominence when the winds of change blow.

In the future, he will surely shake the Nine Provinces and even the Three Realms, becoming a key figure who changes the world's situation.

He will be remembered in history, and countless people will admire the power of his military strategy.

But this has little to do with whether she takes on apprentices or not!

When she accepts disciples, they must first catch her eye, and secondly, have few karmic ties and cause little trouble.

She greatly admired Han Xin's talent, but Han Xin did not meet either of her conditions.

Even Liu Laosan, the one she taught him "Old Man's Joy" and "Zhou Tian Xing Dou Da Zhen" was also to end the cause and effect.

During their final farewell, she told him directly that he was not her disciple, not even a nominal disciple.

"Your destiny lies in the mortal world. Although your 'Great Azure Dragon' died young, your fate has not been greatly altered."

You will participate in the struggle for supremacy, and even become king.

It is impossible for me to have any deep relationship with you 'hidden dragons'.

The karma you carry is too great; I do not wish to be tainted by it.

Conversely, being too close to me will definitely affect your fate.

Seeing Han Xin's disappointed expression, Xiao Yu added, "You will have a different mindset today than you will be tomorrow."

When you have experienced the world's affairs and truly decide to relinquish fame and fortune, wishing to retire to the mountains, I will come to see you again, and then you can make your decision.

In the eyes of others, she, the protagonist of this great calamity, is like a piece of dog shit.

But in her eyes, even true protagonists like Han Xin and Liu Laosan were just stinking dog shit.

Once the great calamity of heaven and earth is over, if Han Xin's performance satisfies her and he has no major flaws in moral character, it wouldn't be a big deal to grant him a chance at immortality.

Han Xin asked, "The great blue dragon in my ancestral grave has now flown away. Does it have no effect on my fate?"

“How big are your ambitions? If you want to become emperor, it will be difficult; if you want to become king, it will also be difficult; if you only want to be a marquis with ten thousand households, your luck is more than enough to keep you in the position of a marquis,” Xiao Yu said.

Han Xin's expression changed several times, and he said in a hoarse voice, "Becoming emperor is difficult, but not absolutely impossible?"

Xiao Yu laughed and said, "Man can conquer nature. Let alone a mere dragon."

The Great Azure Dragon was only created by chance, nurtured by the human energy in the sewage.

If you are cautious and restrained, diligent in cultivating virtuous governance, and wise and decisive, the hearts of the people will be won over.

One could find an auspicious burial site to house ancestral graves, or build one's own mausoleum, and then, by harnessing the collective energy of the people under one's rule, nurture a great dragon once more.

Han Xin's face lit up with ecstasy, and his body trembled with excitement.

Xiaoyu sighed, "I have a suggestion, would you like to hear it?"

"Please speak, Mother. Your son will obey your orders," Han Xin said.

“True great achievements lie in protection, not in becoming a king or conquering a vast territory,” Xiaoyu said.

Han Xin asked in confusion, "Please enlighten me, Mother, I don't quite understand."

Xiao Yu said, "You have extraordinary talent, but your greatest talent lies in commanding troops, not in managing people."

As a general commanding troops, merits must be earned on the battlefield.

Conquering the nine provinces may bring one the title of marquis or king, and a lifetime of glory, but it cannot ensure lasting fame.

At most, the common people would feel awe towards the monarch who ruled them.

Only a war god who protects his people will earn the genuine praise of the people.

Han Xin seemed to understand something and tentatively asked, "Does Mother mean that I should use all my abilities on the battlefields beyond the Nine Provinces? Does she mean the Xiongnu people beyond the Great Wall?"

Xiao Yu nodded slightly and said, "All the fighting and strife within the Divine Continent is just about becoming a superior person."

At best, he would just be another Qin Shi Huang.

Ying Zheng's power lasted only until the end of his own life and the end of the Qin Dynasty.

"To become the guardian of the land will surely be appreciated and remembered by all the people of the land, until the land ceases to exist."

Based on her past life's history, Xiaoyu truly believes that Han Xin's greatest regret in life was not dying at the hands of a woman.

Instead, he was born in a great era when China was in decline, the Xiongnu were on the rise, and even princesses had to be sent to the grasslands for marriage alliances.

He clearly possesses unparalleled talent.

But he did not devote a single ounce of his strength to conquering the Xiongnu or protecting the land.

All the effort and energy were wasted on internal strife within China.

The same was true of Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King of Western Chu.

If these two hadn't fought amongst themselves, and if they had lived to be fifty, let alone a hundred, and joined forces against a common enemy, how could the Xiongnu have been so arrogant and domineering until the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, until Wei Qing and Huo Qubing emerged and China regained its dignity?

She believed that Han Xin was not cut out to be an emperor or a king. He should not dream of becoming a "Great Azure Dragon" or vying for supremacy. Instead, he should simply be a "Huo Qubing," which would benefit the present and benefit future generations.

His reputation and status in Chinese history will undoubtedly soar to unimaginable heights.

It's possible that Wei Qing and Huo Qubing will never have the chance to rise to prominence in the future.

(End of this chapter)