Chapter 957

On the ever-changing battlefield, a single move's difference could mean heaven and earth overturned.

"If the people of Guiling Xian make a move, they might actually mobilize all the forces on the Nanyue Jun battlefield." Chen Wuji muttered.

The people of Guiling Xian aren't anything to trifle with, but this move of theirs might produce the effect Li Yunlong had when he secured peace, stirring the whole region's situation single-handedly, even prompting the commanders to issue orders.

"Pass the order to Qian Fugui: have him compile a summary of the enemy intelligence from Guiling Xian and send it to me immediately!" Chen Wuji commanded in a low voice.

He needs a more detailed understanding of Guiling Xian's troop details and the backgrounds of these people.

"All other units maintain their original orders." Chen Wuji scratched his head, thought, then said again, "First cooperate with the Guiling Xian folks, put on a show, then adjust according to the situation. Tell them not to act recklessly, not to go deep."

As for his own subordinates, Chen Wuji still had confidence.

Individually they are capable in combat; even combined, they won't face too great a difficulty.

In the uncertainty of enemy conditions, letting them fight separately might bring some unexpected benefits, such as deceiving the enemy with a big move.

Chen Li recorded Chen Wuji's military orders one by one, then said, "Family Head, this way Prefect Guo might find himself in a difficult spot."

"I'm also worried about this." Chen Wuji muttered.

"He can't openly defect to us now; it's better to first choose one between Snake Staff Elder and Cao Lin to defect to the deceased side, then wait for an opportunity to act. If the timing is right, he'll surely catch the enemy off guard. But I'm worried Guo Shuhan might have other ideas and not want to cooperate."

Chen Li chuckled, "Family Head, you're overthinking; Guo Shuhan surely wouldn't fail to see this."

"My worry is that this person might be thinking too clearly..."

Smart people usually have more ideas and are better at leaving themselves an escape route.

As for how to fight this battle for a better chance, Guo Shuhan will certainly be able to see it.

But this premise requires viewing things from Chen Wuji's perspective.

If one stands from Guo Shuhan's own perspective, it's not quite the same.

"However, if he has other ideas, we needn't overthink; we just fight!" Chen Wuji said, "We only need to guard against him turning around and colluding with us."

"Yes. Human hearts aren't unchanging; we can't rule out such a possibility."

……

The next morning, Qian Fugui personally brought the intelligence and rushed to Chen Wuji's central army Daying.

"I just had you send someone with the intelligence; why did you come yourself?" Chen Wuji had just gotten out of bed and was washing up by the stream.

Qian Fugui arrived in a hurry, sweat beading on his forehead; he wiped the sweat from his face and said in a loud voice, "My lord, I haven't fought a battle; the remaining Bīngmǎ are behind, and having received your order, I came ahead."

Chen Wuji's hand motion paused slightly, "Why didn't you fight a battle?"

"The enemy troops withdrew silently."

"All withdrawn?"

"The intelligence we have so far is like this; I've ordered subordinates to closely scout along the way, but it should be about eighty to ninety percent accurate."

Chen Wuji reached out to take the cloth from the Personal Guard, wiped the water marks from his face, his eyes deep and gloomy, and muttered, "It seems the three who held secret talks that day in Nameless Mountain are likely the three actual leaders of the Guiling Xian rebel army; they didn't just withdraw a bandit stronghold on a mountain, but the whole lot!"

Qian Fugui was somewhat bewildered, "My lord, what Nameless Mountain and leaders?"

Chen Wuji briefly conveyed the news that Lord Lu Three had gathered.

Qian Fugui suddenly realized, "My lord, these three are undoubtedly three of the Guiling Xian rebel army's four Great Generals; they each guard one of the four directions of Guiling Xian, each with their own territory."

"Elder Lin should be Lin Maozhi; this person is a disciple of the Snake Staff Elder and the one most trusted by the Snake Staff Elder in Guiling Xian, commanding thirty thousand followers, the largest force in Guiling Xian."

However, their troop numbers can't be taken at face value; there's too much moisture, and the usable forces might be only a third or even less. They forcibly conscript Guiling Xian civilians, regardless of age or weakness, drafting anyone who can lift a weapon, then use A Furong to control morale, drafting the Young Strongmen into the so-called elite, while the old and weak mostly become scouts and servant troops, which they call the Shock Army.

Their combat strength is pitifully weak, but the name sounds imposing—probably meaning they fill whatever they lack.

Chen Wuji scratched his head, tidied his somewhat messy hair, and said, "This scene feels familiar; it's truly full of the Snake Staff Elder's style—this damned thing, why does it always enjoy making trouble for the common folk?"

Chen Wuji had never before felt such murderous intent toward anyone—wanting to hack them to pieces and then burn them with sky lanterns—except the Snake Staff Elder, who is now the sole object of that feeling.

This damned thing's use of troops is too dirty, too disgusting!

"Perhaps he was bullied by his father as a child, then by his mother when he grew a bit older!" Qian Fugui said gloomily, "Without some painful childhood experience, one couldn't commit such heinous acts."

Chen Wuji was stunned for a moment, "When it comes to cursing people, it's still you—just hearing it makes me uncomfortable."

It just takes a little mental effort; otherwise, one wouldn't understand the meaning in Qian Fugui's words.

"Thanks for the praise, my lord; I'm just speaking from feeling." Qian Fugui actually went on to humble himself shamelessly.

Chen Wuji shook his head and smiled, "Looks like you've been doing some things these days; tell me about the other two."

Qian Fugui's old face darkened; he lowered his voice to defend himself: "My lord, I admit this battle really did turn out poorly, but this... I also... never mind, I won't make excuses for myself."

If it weren't for the fact that Guiling Xian has too many mountains, each easy to defend but hard to attack, and this bunch of bastards had split their forces into countless squads— a crowd on this mountain, a platoon on that—I would have wiped them out long ago.

Chen Wuji glanced at Qian Fugui, "This isn't defending yourself, is it?"

"My lord, this is stating the facts!"

"Alright, cut the chatter; I know the specifics too." Chen Wuji smiled, "I won't mock your incompetence, nor will I despise you for taking several months to capture Guiling Xian's north, nor will I say you nearly capsized in a gutter at the hands of a rabble."

……

Qian Fugui's face turned completely black.

Though not mocking word by word, each sentence pierces the heart.

These days can't be gotten through.

As my lord's leading yin-yang person, his future instantly darkened.

"What's the point of hanging a long face? I am the invincible left and right arm, Great General Qian Fugui! Know this: this is also war; you wouldn't really doubt yourself over a single battle, lose the courage you once had to charge forward regardless of how vast the enemy forces, would you?" Chen Wuji asked in surprise.

Qian Fugui grinned and shook his head, "My lord, how could I be that useless? I'm just a bit depressed!"