But that way the stupid notion that Riboku is carried by another monster by his side will never dissappear. His legacy will literally be tainted by this. Duke Hyou would've taken his head if not for Houken or we assume Riboku would've defeated the Duke which i doubt personally.
There is no need to assume Riboku even needed to fight Duke Hyou lol. Remember Riboku’s horse/horsemen are the fastest in China, he could’ve very easily retreated into a Sea of Coalition soldiers leaving Duke Hyou and his men to die by drowning. Riboku also didn’t need to honor duel Duke Hyou, he could’ve just ordered all his soldiers to attack Duke Hyou simultaneously. He himself could’ve joined in, and there goes Duke Hyou’s head. Duke Hyou would’ve had no counter to either of these plays given his massive numerical disadvantage.
But regardless, Riboku using other powerful generals is not a stain on his legacy, it shows how he is such a resourceful commander that he can always persuade other commanders to join his cause. Like I said, no other commander in Kingdom is able to rally other commanders to his side like Riboku is. It is literally a part of what makes him the best in China. Ouki and Renpa win wars by swinging their Glaive, Riboku wins by convincing everyone and their mother (literally) to join his cause. Riboku even had fucking Shunshinkun acting as his pawn lol.
This is not a stain on his legacy, this is what makes him the best antagonist in Kingdon, imo.
I think with this battle literally being the dream battle for Riboku with all possible odds at his favor:
- Choosing the place
- More than twice the numbers
- superior individual generals and having more of them.
- Higher moral due to Zhao being at the brink of extinction.
If apart of all this another Duke situation arises that's a massive L for Riboku bro and we can't prefend like it ain't. I personally think that's not going to happen but the fear is present lol.
Well like I just said, there is literally zero indication that Duke Hyou would’ve actually been able to defeat Riboku even if Houken was absent lol.
And Kanki is surely going to get some serious hype here even if he is defeated. What I’m curious about is to whether or not people will start downplaying Kanki if the tables turn, and by that I mean if Shin and Mouten are the only reasons this upcoming battle appears to even be close.
I mean Ousen sending maybe So'ou or Denrimi to help Kanki and them being cut off/killed by SBS. This could very well be his role of the battle. Prevent forces to help Kanki.
Why would Ousen fragment his already fragmented army though? The whole point of him staying behind is to recoup the strength of his forces.