Chapter 897: Reality is quite fantastical

Chen Wuji was pleasantly surprised by the Lu family's attitude and sincerity.

This was something he hadn't expected.

"After hearing the elder's words, I seem to have seen a chance to win; I don't know what news the third uncle has brought me," Chen Wuji asked.

Lu San Ye didn't waste words, directly taking out a hand-drawn map from his bosom: "Please, Commander, take a look; this is where Liu Yan's army is stationed, about seventy li from the southern entrance of the Ancient Plank Road."

"Go south along the Ancient Plank Road, turn east at Wind and Rain Cliff, then go east about fifty li roughly parallel to the Ancient River Road; there is a mountain resembling a Buddha's head, beneath which is a culvert—passing through it gets you there."

"That place is a sinkhole; without large siege equipment it is easy to defend but hard to attack, basically impossible to breach. The surrounding cliffs rise and fall over a hundred zhang; I've examined it closely—there's nowhere to gain leverage."

"But if there were large siege equipment, that place would be a death trap. The outside is already high, the inside deeper; I glanced around and estimated the cliffs to be over two hundred zhang high."

Chen Wuji looked at the map, clicking his tongue in wonder: "There's actually such a place in the Divine Immortal Ridge—isn't this the Peach Blossom Spring?"

Chen Wuji's remarks left the surrounding people a bit dazed, unsure whether he knew or not; if he did know, his choice of words was surprising; if he didn't, yet he called this place the Peach Blossom Spring.

But Chen Wuji didn't realize there was anything wrong with saying that, and continued asking: "Third Uncle, based on what you just said, have you entered this sinkhole?"

"I've been up there," Lu San Ye said.

"Is this cave or tunnel the only way in and out of this sinkhole?"

"Yes!" Lu San Ye gave an affirmative reply, explaining in detail: "I don't know the depth of this cave, nor what's inside; going in risks alerting the enemy, so I didn't venture deep."

"However, judging from the outside, it could allow three people to walk abreast; if the enemy sealed the interior, breaking through would be difficult. The sinkhole is not small, with buildings standing firm and plenty of farmland—people have lived there before, or even now."

Chen Wuji stared, "There's farmland?!"

"Yes, and the area is not small—several hundred mu is more than enough."

"The world is vast indeed, full of wonders; I don't know who found such a place and settled there."

"It's likely the villagers outside the mountains, or refugees fleeing war who settled there, but now that Liu Yan's army has discovered the place, their peaceful days are over," Lu San Ye gave his speculation.

Chen Wuji nodded, "It's possible. How many troops does Liu Yan have stationed there?"

His vanguard has already caught up to Liu Yan's main force; based on that, Liu Yan is unlikely to station all his troops in this hidden place.

Adding Fan Yang's earlier remarks, Chen Wuji is eighty to ninety percent sure that Liu Yan merely placed his trusted core there and remotely directs the outer retainers to fight.

"Roughly ten to twenty thousand; I'm not good at counting troops, so I can only guess." Lu San Ye said, "When I sneaked over, they were cutting down trees and building houses in chaos, making it even harder to count heads."

"Building houses?" Chen Wuji latched onto that point, asking in surprise.

"Yes, it looks like they're preparing for long-term stationing."

"Long-term stationing, but where will their food come from?" Chen Wuji frowned.

"Liu Yan's army has already run out of food; this place must have residents, able to supply them short-term, but I still can't understand why Liu Yan would want long-term stationing."

"The civilians inside this sinkhole certainly won't be many; even if they have some food stores, it's absolutely insufficient to feed ten or twenty thousand mouths for a few days—this is somewhat abnormal."

Chen Li then said, "Family Head, Liu Yan has done too many abnormal things; he likes to take the unconventional path with his sword, which can't be judged by common sense. Moreover, his so-called unconventional swordplay is self-righteous; if we insist on figuring out his purpose, we might end up led into a ditch."

Chen Wuji chuckled, "Indeed, why should I bother considering his affairs?"

Having received this very detailed intelligence, Chen Wuji didn't hesitate much, directly ordering: "Pass the command to all battalions, speed up, and converge at Wind and Rain Cliff."

"Yes!"

After finishing that, Chen Wuji then looked at Qin Zan Hong dressed as a village woman and Lu Wanwan dressed as a beggar: "You two, what's the situation?"

"Gathering intelligence!" Qin Zan Hong said, "I and Wanwan have walked many places these days; the route from Yan Zhou City to the sinkhole we've traversed meticulously."

"Hard work, hard work—what new findings do you have?" Chen Wuji asked.

Qin Zan Hong didn't directly answer Chen Wuji's question, but instead asked: "Any gains for General Qian in Guiling County?"

"Not yet," Chen Wuji shook his head.

Qin Zan Hong gave a sly smile, "But we have—Old Man Snake Staff is in Yan Zhou City."

"That old rascal ran to Yan Zhou City again?!" Chen Wuji felt instantly energized hearing that name; this old rascal has truly pissed him off.

Previously, in Chen Wuji's eyes, the Snake Staff Old Man was just a minor trouble, far from comparable to strategic objectives; but now the name Snake Staff Old Man is on par with siege and conquest, equally important.

Qin Zan Hong said nothing, merely pursing her lips and sending Chen Wuji an eager glance.

Chen Wuji instantly understood, smiling and nodding.

Seeking a reward, right?

Give, give, give!

The abilities of this fake Imperial City Department are now beginning to show; he deserves a reward, must be rewarded.

Speaking of which, we can now consider giving them an official name.

This special office has always used the military's system since its establishment; Qin Zan Hong also lacks a concrete official post.

This system doesn't hinder anyone from doing their job; promotion procedures and rewards/punishments are very clear.

Put simply, it's the rank of a brigade in the army.

But as an office responsible for intelligence, infiltration, and assassination, lacking a proper name, it sounds rather like a makeshift troupe.

As they become more professional, these aspects should now be professionalized as well.

"The Snake Staff Old Man is in the army of Commissioner Li Yu, and seems to hold a not-low position." Qin Zan Hong said with a smile, "Besides, he has close ties with the Uyghur people and seems able to mobilize their troops."

"Just two days ago, intelligence arrived from Yan Zhou: Gao Yu's retainers were swallowed by Li Yu's forces allied with the Uyghur; now Cao Lin holds Yan Zhou City, while Li Yu's troops are stationed outside the city, with both sides facing off."