"With this level of strength, what does Beishuo Town amount to?"

Three to four hundred at Cold Resistance Level, between fifteen to twenty thousand at Earth-digging Realm.

Upon hearing these two numbers, Lu Yang immediately shook his head, instantly understanding what Xia Chuan meant when he said that Beishuo had no genuine intention of helping Jiangxia Town.

Not to mention that not a single troop from Beishuo's army was dispatched, they didn't even want to mobilize the Cold Resistance Level from the town, just gathered people from these village-level camps below, clearly just going through the motions.

"Not entirely so!"

Lu Yang suddenly shook his head again and continued, "If the other seven towns can also produce this many people, then the situation would be completely different."

Two to three thousand at Cold Resistance Level, over a hundred thousand at Earth-digging Realm, that's a completely different concept. If the Eight Towns are willing to send this many people to support Jiangxia, then it would somehow be justifiable.

Upon hearing this, Wang Tao nodded, his expression slightly furrowed as he said, "Unfortunately, we're too far from the other seven towns and can't gather any news. Heading to the town rashly to inquire also risks drawing attention. It's hard to manage!"

"It's not that difficult. A few days ago, the Minister sent sixteen people over, asking them to scatter and infiltrate the other eight towns. They all have communication channels with each other, and any news will be relayed back promptly. Besides, our people are set to head to the town tonight after dark, and by the time we reach Jiangxia, everything will be answered."

Wang Tao's eyes lit up slightly and he asked, "My lord, how many people will you take to the town this time?"

Lu Yang smiled and said, "Zhenyu was clear in his words: half Cold Resistance Level, thirty percent Earth-digging Realm. Of course, we will proceed as instructed. At the last martial arts contest in Zhu Ling, we revealed our cards. He Wuyang definitely can't keep it hidden, so I'll take 31 at Cold Resistance Level, and 450 at Earth-digging Realm."

"Have all the people been selected?"

Lu Yang nodded and said, "I've already spoken to Zhao Hu, he will stay at the camp this time. You, Zhu Shun, and Lin Fan will come with me, and additionally, we'll each select a batch of Cold Resistance Level from our respective Hunting Teams, making a total of 31 people. The remaining 450 Earth-digging Realm will all be Baisong's people; none of our own people will be taken."

Upon hearing this, Wang Tao nodded, a touch of joy appearing on his face.

This time, heading from Beishuo to Jiangxia does not only allow a comprehensive view of the Nine Towns' details, but also the opportunity to gather more intelligence on Dajue Temple. There are ample opportunities to earn merits, and being able to accompany Lu Yang naturally couldn't be better.

"We'll set off after dark. Being over two hundred kilometers from the town, although Zhenyu mentioned carrying no logistics, I estimate it will take at least two nights to reach, arriving at the town on the night of the sixteenth.

After everyone assembles at the town, we will proceed to Jiangxia. It's over eight hundred kilometers, and with so many people, it would at least take seven or eight days. I estimate we will reach Jiangxia at the earliest on the twenty-fourth or twenty-fifth.

But the message from Xia City states that the gathering date set by Dajue Temple for the three villages of Qinghepu is tonight..."

Lu Yang pondered for a moment, calculated the days, then shook his head and chuckled, increasingly convinced of Xia Chuan's suspicion.

The situation of the other seven towns remains unclear, but it's confirmed that Beishuo has no genuine intention to help. This can be basically confirmed.

As reinforcements, they ought to be as quick as possible. Where is there such intentional dawdling in aiding others?

"Just as the Minister said, the Moao Nine Towns indeed have their own devious intentions, but our Great Xia welcomes such a situation. If they were truly united and of one mind, that's when we should worry!"

Lu Yang pondered briefly, a cold gleam flashing through his eyes.

.........

Moao Calendar Year 131, October 17th, late night

Xing River North Bank, Jinbi Village

"Not hunting today?"

"Let's talk about it the day after tomorrow."

A shadow suddenly sped in from the western Snow Forest. The person appeared extremely tense, quickly exchanging a secret signal with the guard at the village entrance, then rushed straight toward the main building within the village.

Nighttime was the prime time for human hunting and gathering, typically the busiest, but at this moment, Jinbi Village was eerily quiet with no one around. Except for some houses near the main building emitting light, the rest of the areas were pitch black and silent, clearly devoid of people.

The returning individual showed no surprise on his face, having evidently known the situation in the village beforehand. He rushed directly into the main building, swiftly ascending to the top floor, and upon seeing Xiahou Qin seated at the top, he immediately bowed deeply:

"Lord Xiahou, the people from Qinghe Village have mobilized. Twenty thousand fully armed Earth-digging Realm, and about three hundred at Cold Resistance Level, have already left Qinghe Village, marching east toward Jinbi Village. Their speed isn't fast, covering only seven to eight kilometers an hour and are expected to arrive before dawn."

Crack......

"So quick!"

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Qin on the seat stood up abruptly, his face filled with shock, then asked solemnly, "Three hundred at Cold Resistance Level, twenty thousand at Earth-digging Realm, where are the Zen Temple Bhikkhus?"

The individual's face turned slightly dark as he shook his head in response: "I haven't seen them; I've only seen a massive Earth-digging Realm army coming this way. Along the way, I didn't encounter the Grey-clothed Bhikkhu from Dajue Temple."

"What about the Vajra..."

Xiahou Qin broke off his question midway; if the Vajra Master had departed with the army as well, the scout wouldn't be alive to run back.

"With over three hundred at Cold Resistance Level and twenty thousand at Earth-digging Realm, do they intend to directly invade?"

Xiahou Qin's brows furrowed, showing confusion, but when he thought about his uncle Xiahou Zhang's earlier predicament and the five thousand Zen Temple Bhikkhus of Dajue Temple, his expression turned graver.

"Inform everyone to prepare, something isn't right. Be ready to retreat at any moment!"

"Hasn't everyone already evacuated? The village now only has digging..."

The scout was momentarily puzzled by these words but quickly understood Xiahou Qin's meaning and nodded heavily: "I will inform them at once."

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