The news of Bao Bozhao’s defeat and retreat had already spread far and wide. Chong Xuan Sheng, alongside Jiang Wang, led a force of over thirty thousand soldiers, while Xie Bao Shu commanded another thirty thousand. Like two horns, they advanced in separate columns.

“We absolutely cannot engage in battle within Wu Yang City,” Tai Yin declared, his voice firm in the council hall. “Nor can the battlefield be located within Wu Yang City’s domain. Wu Yang City is precisely their objective. All their tactics, all their strategies, are formulated around attacking Wu Yang City. Their preparations are all based on warfare within Wu Yang City. Within its domain, they will be at their highest state of alert. In Wu Yang City, we will face the most formidable opponent.”

“And from our own perspective, while Wu Yang City possesses a protective grand array, high walls, thick gates, and ample military supplies, even relying on these, we can only defend, not attack. Once the Qi army surrounds us, the best possible outcome is a prolonged siege and defense.”

“The current situation in Hui Ning Mansion demands that we seize the initiative and gain an advantage as quickly as possible. Otherwise, once the Qi army has devoured the entire territory, however steadfast our defense, we will merely be a city of death. Sixty thousand soldiers trapped in a sorrowful city… that is to sit and await death.”

“Thus, we do not wish to fight here.”

His index finger tapped on the strategic map, his nail pressing with the force of iron slicing metal. “Everyone believes we should defend the city according to military common sense. This correct inference, based on conventional wisdom, is precisely where our opportunity lies! By deliberately abandoning the advantage of city defense, we seek a decisive battle in the open field, which will surely catch them off guard!”

In Tai Yin’s grand design, Wei Guang Yao’s feigned surrender outside the city and the subsequent ambush and grand defeat of Bao Bozhao within the city walls were merely the first steps in Hui Ning Mansion’s counterattack plan.

After massacring twenty thousand Qi soldiers, they would immediately release the news, raising the banner of defiance, luring the Qi army to attack.

The subsequent step could be considered a variation of the tactic of surrounding a point to strike at the relief force. As the situation in Hui Ning Mansion had evolved to this point, Wu Yang City had become a key location that any discerning person from the Qi side would inevitably target.

If the Qi army could not extinguish Wu Yang City in a timely manner, the emboldened soldiers of the Xia Kingdom would surely inflict an unforgettable lesson upon the Qi people.

If the Qi army came… then it would be precisely within Tai Yin’s grasp.

His target from the outset was not just one Bao Bozhao, but rather to use the head of the person above Bao Bozhao to ignite a chain reaction of defeat within the Qi army.

He believed that Chong Xuan Sheng would surely recognize the critical significance of Wu Yang City, and the unfolding situation was exactly as he had anticipated.

Even in the battle for Wu Yang, the reason he had stepped forward and exposed himself was precisely because Jiang Wang was beside Chong Xuan Sheng. Tai Yin held an extremely strong psychological advantage over Jiang Wang. In the Shan Hai Realm, he had made moves against Jiang Wang twice. The first time, he had set an array, only to be directly crushed by the Calamity Fight army. The second time, he had attempted an assassination, only to have the situation broken by Jiang Wang’s brute force.

Even if Chong Xuan Sheng was an intelligent man, his judgment of Tai Yin would necessarily be based only on the existing intelligence. And from Jiang Wang’s perspective, how formidable could Tai Yin be?

In battle, the side that holds the psychological advantage can often achieve more outstanding results.

However, conversely, psychological advantage can also be exploited to create an opponent who underestimates their foe!

The war situation on the eastern front had deteriorated to such an extent that it was no longer fundamentally a problem that could be solved by killing one or two ordinary Qi generals.

Did you not see how the Zhao Kingdom’s generals died in battle, only for their soldiers to be immediately taken over by Bao Bozhao?

Did you not see how Feng Li and Hui Ning Mansions were conquered, only for the Qi Kingdom’s excellent generals and their subordinates to become more and more numerous?

The Qi Kingdom possessed an abundance of talent; they fundamentally did not lack good generals.

It was absolutely necessary to kill important figures like Chong Xuan Sheng, Jiang Wang, and Bao Bozhao to truly inflict pain upon the Qi army.

“Chong Xuan Sheng’s forces are resting in Qi Yue City. This man, every time he takes a city, he must destroy arrays and accept surrender, his encampments are exceptionally stable. And Xie Bao Shu’s forces have just captured Fei Lie City. Due to his relationship with Xie Huai An, this man’s subordinates are all elite soldiers.”

“After the news of Bao Bozhao’s defeat was released, they set out almost simultaneously.”

“Chong Xuan Sheng recognizes the key importance of Wu Yang City, and Xie Bao Shu is likely due to his friendship with Bao Bozhao… These two armies, acting as horns to each other, also maintain a certain degree of tacit understanding.”

On the map, Tai Yin’s finger moved along with the ebb and flow of his voice, finally landing on a single location. “If there are no surprises, they will converge at Ci Lai Road. From Ci Lai Road to Wu Yang City, an urgent march can be completed in one day.”

Yi Sheng Feng listened quietly, his eyes like ancient wells, an boundless killing intent drowned within the well’s depths.

Since hearing Jiang Wang’s name at the Yellow River Meeting, he had been waiting for this day, waiting for a very long time.

From the Shan Hai Realm to the present, one instance after another of pressing his sword was all for this one moment of drawing it. He could no longer wait.

At this moment, Wei Guang Yao walked in from outside, bringing with him a wave of shadow. “According to intelligence, the relationship between these two groups of people might not be considered good.”

Chu Meng said, “It is a fact that there are contradictions between them, but on the battlefield, they will not sacrifice public interest for private matters. Do not underestimate the military quality of these Qi people.”

Wei Guang Yao nodded, then asked, “So we set an ambush at Ci Lai Road?”

“Ci Lai Road has complex terrain; it is a good location for an ambush.”

Tai Yin said, then shook his head. “But Ci Lai Road is already close to Wu Yang City’s domain; they will inevitably be extremely alert. More importantly, our military strength does not have an advantage. We can only concentrate our forces to quickly resolve one side; we cannot wait for them to merge.”

“Which side to resolve?” Wei Guang Yao subconsciously asked.

He was actually thinking that they should handle the easier side first, the side they had more confidence in.

But Yi Sheng Feng said in a light voice, “My sword is only drawn for Jiang Wang.”

Tai Yin gave this high disciple of the South Dou Hall a deep look. “There will be an opportunity.”

Then he said to Wei Guang Yao, “Of course, we concentrate our strength to resolve Chong Xuan Sheng and Jiang Wang’s forces. Killing either of these two is a greater victory than killing ten Xie Bao Shus. We have prepared for this long, endured for this long; it is not for small skirmishes and minor disturbances.”

“Especially Jiang Wang!” Chu Meng interjected. “From winning the championship at the Yellow River Meeting to rectifying his name at the Three Punishments Palace, he has already become the most representative young heaven’s proud son of the Qi Kingdom. To a certain extent, he represents the future of the new Qi people within the Qi Kingdom, a flag-like existence. The Qi people provoked the Star Moon Plain war, even using the reason of defending his name! Killing this person is to disintegrate the future of the Qi Kingdom. The blow to the Qi army’s morale will be destructive!”

“Therefore, this battle does not allow for any losses, the target must be achieved. To achieve it, no expense must be spared!”

Tai Yin’s finger continued to move on the map, beginning the specific strategic deployment. “From Qi Yue City to Wu Yang, they can only pass through the Min West Corridor. From Fei Lie City to Wu Yang, they must pass through She Mountain. We will set up ambushes in these two places. Although the focus is on striking Chong Xuan Sheng’s forces, Xie Bao Shu’s forces must also be restrained by soldiers. Firstly, Wu Yang City must not suffer any losses, and secondly, Xie Bao Shu’s forces cannot be given the opportunity to support Chong Xuan Sheng’s forces. Otherwise, all previous efforts could be wasted.”

This is why Hui Ning Mansion was considered a good place. Besides having Hu Yang Pass to intercept soldiers and disasters, and thus experiencing less warfare, and possessing beautiful scenery and resources, this place also lacked nothing.

She Mountain was one of the Xia Kingdom’s famous “Thirteen Peaks of Brocade Embroidered Magnificence,” dangerous and beautiful.

As for the Min West Corridor, it was the fief of King Min, Yu Li Yang. After Yu Li Yang achieved the True Monarch realm, his hometown from childhood saw its residents ascend to high positions. The Xia Court originally wanted to designate the entire Hui Ning Mansion as his fief, but he repeatedly refused, finally only being granted a section of the Min West Corridor.

This place was narrow yet fertile, a famous corridor connecting the central and southern regions of Hui Ning Mansion.

Yu Li Yang’s childhood companions and relatives were long gone, and he had no strong feelings for his hometown, rarely returning to the west himself.

But after all, his reputation was there, and even though he fundamentally did not care, this place developed extremely well.

Of course, with the spread of warfare, large numbers of people fled towards the western parts of the empire. The Min West Corridor, once prosperous for a time, was now ten houses empty for every nine.

“The Min West Corridor was swept through by Bao Bozhao once before, and all defensive works were destroyed. This can precisely lower the alert psychology of Chong Xuan Sheng and his troops,” Tai Yin continued. “The battle in the Min West Corridor must be decisive; it must be a quick battle for a quick victory. It cannot turn into a war of attrition; a prolonged struggle will surely lead to defeat.”

“The Xia army is not as skilled as the Qi army in field battles,” Yi Sheng Feng raised a question from his personal perspective. “Even if the ambush is smoothly executed, how can victory be ensured?”

“Chong Xuan Sheng has over thirty thousand men, but the true elites are only over two thousand, from the Autumn Kill Army. Among the remaining soldiers, half were troops who surrendered from Feng Li; if the situation is slightly unfavorable, one call from us can cause them to defect immediately. The other half are scattered troops from other countries in the Eastern Domain, difficult to unite in their hearts,” Tai Yin analyzed, his words clear and orderly. “And we are united in heart and mind, and we have the will to defend our land. With deliberate calculation against a complacent enemy, we can surely break them in one battle!”

He added, “Furthermore, I still have a Nine Sons Ring Mountain Array Disk here, a treasure from the bottom of the Tai Clan’s box, which can quickly create a geographical advantage. This time, with heavenly timing, geographical advantage, and human unity, what is there to fear that Chong Xuan Sheng and Jiang Wang will not die?”

“Then, who will go to restrain Xie Bao Shu?” Chu Meng asked.

“I will go personally,” Tai Yin said. “I will only take ten thousand men to She Mountain. The remaining fifty thousand soldiers will all be led by you to the Min West Corridor. With fifty thousand ambushing thirty thousand, it should be a sure victory.”

Chu Meng slightly frowned. “We?”

“You, Wei Guang Yao, Gu Yong, Xu Can, and Mister Yi from the South Dou Hall!” Tai Yin said. “You all go.”

Gu Yong and Xu Can were both military generals at the Outer Building realm, urgently dispatched to Hui Luo from Shao Kang Mansion. Like Chu Meng and Yi Sheng Feng, they had not shown their faces at all in the ambush of Bao Bozhao, precisely to conceal intelligence to the maximum extent. Even if news from Wu Yang City leaked, the Qi army would only be further misled, unable to accurately judge the strength of the Xia army.

Chu Meng’s face held a look of worry. “You alone leading an army to She Mountain, can you do it?”

“Mister Yi is correct; an eagle seizing a rabbit must use its full strength, let alone when we want to kill not some small white rabbit. To kill Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Sheng, we must mobilize our greatest strength. Whether I can do it or not… it must be done this way.”

Tai Yin looked at his expression and smiled. “It’s alright, don’t worry. I am not going to fight Xie Bao Shu to the death; I only want to delay him. As long as I prevent him from leading his forces to support the west corridor, my objective is achieved. If the matter becomes impossible, I will retreat to Wu Yang and then abandon Wu Yang City, using this process to buy time for all of you… No matter what, eliminating Chong Xuan Sheng and Jiang Wang is our most important matter at present. All choices must yield to this.”

If only one person could lead an army to delay Xie Bao Shu’s forces, indeed, no one could be more suitable than Tai Yin, who was skilled in array paths. Wei Guang Yao said, “With Mister Yi against Jiang Wang, and I, Young Master Chu, Gu Yong, and Xu Can against Chong Xuan Sheng. With victory assured, with superior soldiers, with momentum, and furthermore, with deliberate calculation against a complacent enemy, setting a trap and conducting an ambush… I truly cannot imagine what possibility of survival they still have!”

“Yes!” Chu Meng also composed himself, adopting a look of full confidence.

He actually did not believe that Yi Sheng Feng could be Jiang Wang’s opponent. Anyone who had seen Jiang Wang’s demeanor at Guan He Terrace would find it impossible to have confidence in Yi Sheng Feng.

Even if this person was the foremost genius of the South Dou Hall, even if this person had roamed the Southern Domain and, after enduring the unlimited pursuit order from the Huai Country Duke’s Mansion, his reputation had already directly pursued Dou Zhao.

Directly pursued Dou Zhao… after all, he was still not Dou Zhao.

But whether Yi Sheng Feng or Jiang Wang was stronger was not important. As long as he could slightly delay Jiang Wang, it would be enough.

This time, it was a clash between great armies, with a united fifty thousand ambushing a chaotic thirty thousand. With a prepared army, they would surround unprepared troops. No matter how strong Jiang Wang was in individual combat, could he still cut through an army of ten thousand alone?

“The only thing to worry about is…” Chu Meng said, “According to Marquis Xuan Ping’s words, Jiang Wang is now at the peak of the Outer Building Fourth Realm and can step into the God臨 realm at any time, only waiting for a flawless opportunity. Once he breaks through to the God臨 realm in battle, it will be very difficult for us to keep him.”

While raising the question, he also provided a solution. “Therefore, at the beginning of the ambush, we must use a military array to lock him down and cut off his possibility of escape. The military array of this branch of ten thousand soldiers will be the responsibility of Gu Yong at that time. He is a Legalist cultivator, proficient in trapping enemies.”

He looked towards Yi Sheng Feng. “At that time, can Gu Yong coordinate with Mister Yi? It’s not that I don’t trust your strength. It’s just that Jiang Wang is a cunning person; I fear that defeat is easy, but killing him is difficult.”

Yi Sheng Feng was silent for a moment, then said, “War matters are naturally arranged with the noble country’s side as the main focus. We from the South Dou Hall have come to Xia to assist; naturally, guests should follow the convenience of the host.”

He lifted his eyelids slightly, then added, “Furthermore, concerning the possibility of Jiang Wang breaking through in battle, I also completed the Outer Building realm early, and my Dao is in my grasp; I can become God臨 at any time.”

“Then that’s even better!” Wei Guang Yao was truly surprised. Because if there was no God臨 realm expert to restrain a God臨 realm expert, even by grinding them down with a military array, the casualties would inevitably be very heavy. With the war having progressed this far, every single soldier was extremely precious. He praised, “With Mister Yi here, what is there to say about Jiang Wang!”

Chu Meng then said, “Since Mister Yi has already completed the Outer Building realm, why not first achieve the God臨 realm? At that time, we can directly crush them with the momentum of a collapsing mountain, not giving Jiang Wang an opportunity to break through. Wouldn’t that be more secure?”

Yi Sheng Feng was silent for a moment, then said, “Without killing Jiang Wang, my path to God臨 will be incomplete.”

Within the council hall, silence reigned for a time!

As the direct disciple of Seven Kills True Person Lu Frost River, Yi Sheng Feng setting a path to God臨 without regret as his goal was naturally not a surprising matter.

It would be surprising if he did not plan to achieve it without regret!

Only.

What kind of deep hatred and immense grievance existed between Yi Sheng Feng and Jiang Wang that he would take him as a heart barrier? To the extent that without killing this person, his path to God臨 would be incomplete!

Yi Sheng Feng had no intention of explaining.

The Xia Kingdom officials also did not ask.

Tai Yin considered slightly, then opened his mouth and said, “The saying ‘defeat is easy, killing is difficult’ is indeed true. In the past, Zhao Xuan Yang of Jing Country personally attempted to capture Jiang Wang, but he still managed to escape, although at that time there was interference from a strong individual from the Qi Kingdom. But this person’s ability to escape can also be seen. Today, he already stands at the doorstep of the God臨 realm. One can imagine he is even more slippery and difficult to contain, running extremely fast… With his talent, if he does not die, he will definitely become a great trouble in the future! So besides all of you, there is still one person who will also rush to the Min West Corridor.”

Chu Meng’s eyebrow twitched, evidently having already guessed who it was.

“Who is this person?” Wei Guang Yao asked.

Tai Yin said, “Adult Zhou Xiong, Lord Zhou!”

The son of Duke Zhou Ying of Feng Country, Zhou Xiong!

A genuine God臨 Realm expert!

Zhou Ying had three sons and three daughters, but only his third son, Zhou Xiong, had proven capable, having achieved the God臨 realm twenty years ago.

Wei Guang Yao said in surprise, “Adult Zhou? He can spare himself to come?”

“He is already on his way,” Tai Yin said. “At that time, he will meet with all of you at the Min West Corridor.”

“This is in view of the importance of Jiang Wang and Chong Xuan Sheng; we are employing a hidden hand to ensure success,” he said to Yi Sheng Feng. “One can imagine, Mister Yi, you will surely achieve your God臨 realm without regret this time!”

Chu Meng’s worry that Yi Sheng Feng might be too proud, unwilling to gang up on the few, unwilling to accept military array coordination… this was clearly thinking too much.

In Tai Yin’s judgment, Yi Sheng Feng was someone who cared only about the result, not at all about the process.

Thus, when he mentioned Zhou Xiong, he was also extremely direct.

And Yi Sheng Feng, as expected, merely flicked his long sword lightly and said one sentence, “Borrowing your auspicious words!”