"Not exactly, Dajue Temple cares about only one thing, which is the six-year-old children they collect every February. When you connect this to the current situation, you'll understand the reason why Yan Xin, the chief, doesn't kill those in the Earth-digging Realm."

"Over seven years, the number of people capable of having children on the Qinghepu side has dwindled, and Dajue Temple needs a larger population to mass-produce infants so they can receive more six-year-olds in the future."

Shi Ping had evidently figured it out, and after speaking, he continued in a solemn tone: "Slaughtering aimlessly will only make these village-level camps hate Dajue Temple more. In the future, it's naturally impossible for them to willingly bear children for the temple, so their aim is to shift the blame onto Jiangxia Town and to win over these village-level camps."

"These village-level camps are merely under the jurisdiction of Jiangxia Town, and don't really have a strong sense of belonging to Jiangxia itself. Taking advantage of the war to win them over is incredibly easy."

Luo Yuan paused slightly at this point, recalling something as he continued: "Shi Ping just mentioned that they have the means to expose those in the Earth-digging Realm to the cold light. For these village-level camps, this technique is akin to a miracle. Those at the Cold Resistance Level might not care much, but for ordinary people witnessing such a sight..."

Appearing completely beneath the cold light is an immense luxury for most people, even considered a pursuit. Everyone knows it's sufficient to break through to the Cold Resistance Level, but due to limitations in resources and talent, no matter the camp, the Cold Resistance Level is always the least populated group.

Setting everything else aside, Dajue Temple can achieve so much with just this move alone.

"According to the message from Lu Yang, the reinforcements dispatched by Beishuo Town likely only set out from the town last night, and they won't arrive in Jiangxia until at least the 25th. Beishuo is the farthest, so we won't speak of it. What about the other seven towns?

The closest ones, Dragon Valley, Muyin, Yangqu, Chui Mountain, and Bashang to the south of Jiangxia—to this day have they not sent reinforcements?"

At this moment, Xia Chuan seemed somewhat frustrated with the lack of support from the other Eight Towns, and evidently, a sense of apprehension towards Dajue Temple was beginning to form within him as well.

Xia Hong slightly shook his head, looking at Dragon River Village to the south and said: "It's not just the other Eight Towns; it seems like Jiangxia also lacks any intention of resisting. The Cold Resistance Level they have deployed should be drawn from all village-level camps within their domain, similar to the other Eight Towns. If they die, they won't care. The main army hasn't appeared yet, clearly intending to hand over the two villages on the North Shore."

He paused here, then continued with a smile: "Jiangxia would rather relinquish territory than let the other Eight Towns gain any advantage. The level of infighting among these Nine Towns appears to be far deeper than we imagined..."

Upon hearing this, Xia Chuan and the others immediately displayed smiles on their faces.

The fiercer the infighting within the Nine Towns, the better it is for Great Xia.

Their only concern at present is that the infighting among the Nine Towns may allow Dajue Temple to gradually grow stronger, though this seems unlikely.

With Jiangxia Town having dozens of village-level camps within its domain, losing two isn't distressing, which is understandable. But shouldn't they take action if they lose too many?

Xia Hong took out a map and focused his gaze on Hongguan Village outside the eastern exit of the Xing River North Bank, his eyes slightly narrowing:

"With Jinbi and Dragon River two villages changing hands, next will be Hongguan Village. This is the eastern exit of the North Bank. Once Dajue Temple takes over here, the entrance to the Xing River North Bank will be truly handed over. I don't believe Jiangxia is so generous, let's keep watching!"

Yuwen Dao suddenly had a thought at this moment, puzzled: "Has the lord ever considered how these over five thousand Zen Temple Bhikkhus managed to bypass Jinbi Village and come directly here?"

"Of course, they came from either the north or the south, how else?"

Upon hearing this question, Xia Hong and Xia Chuan both paused slightly, ignoring Luo Yuan's answer as their expressions suddenly changed.

The section of land between the North Bank, Jinbi and Dragon River Village is only five kilometers wide. Five kilometers—what does that mean? Just a few Cold Resistance Levels watching would suffice. More than five thousand Zen Temple Bhikkhus trying to bypass silently is absolutely impossible.

That means...

"Dajue Temple has the means for amphibious maneuvers!"

Xia Chuan's voice carried a hint of astonishment, evidently greatly shocked inwardly.

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