In the living room.

Chen Mo looked at Hu Qiang in front of him, lightly tapping his fingers on the table, his face slightly tensed.

He had not ruled out the idea of besieging the city.

But the military books say that the battle for a siege requires three times the encirclement, ten times the attack.

The defense army of Pingting County numbers in the thousands, not counting the workers within the city; without ten thousand troops, how could it be taken down?

Moreover, at present, he was the only one in the village with sheer might; others were almost all ordinary people. Without inside help, they shouldn't even think about breaking in.

"Did you tell them that our village's able-bodied youth only number eight hundred?" Chen Mo asked.

"I did." Hu Qiang replied, "Immortal Master Chen, I said everything you taught me to say, and what you didn't teach me, I didn't mention at all."

"Then why would he have me attack Pingting County?"

Chen Mo muttered to himself; Pingting County was no small county. According to the Great Song Dynasty's classification of Pingting County, it was considered an Upper County. Anyone with some sense would know that eight hundred people couldn't possibly take down an Upper County.

Yet the other party still suggested it, so only three possibilities exist.

The first possibility is that the other party is brainless.

But that possibility is unlikely. The Celestial Master Army could not have developed so far if they were brainless; they would have been eradicated long ago.

The second possibility is using him as a scapegoat, having him lead the troops to weaken the county defense army's power first.

The third possibility is a test.

The other party likely never expected him to take down Pingting County but rather used this to test his courage and so forth.

Chen Mo felt this possibility because Hu Qiang said a commander named Yang Minggui admired him greatly.

However, Chen Mo was more inclined towards the second possibility.

"Did he mention any punishment if Pingting County wasn't captured?" Chen Mo pondered for a while before asking.

Hu Qiang shook his head.

"Got it. You should go rest now; you've worked hard. As for attacking the county, don't mention it to anyone in the village, including your family." Chen Mo said.

"I understand."

...

After Hu Qiang left, Chen Mo paced back and forth in the living room.

He ultimately decided to proceed with attacking the county.

How to attack required careful planning.

After pondering for some time, Chen Mo sent for Wang Ran.

Wang Ran had been having quite a good time these past few days; compared to being locked in a small dark room, he could move freely in the village.

Additionally, Chen Mo had been right; the villagers indeed hadn't touched his two concubines.

Wang Ran considered escaping but quickly realized he was being watched by Su Wen and the others, plus the Divine Brave Guard patrolled the village day and night, making escape difficult.

Yet Wang Ran's heart was perpetually uneasy.

Chen Mo neither released him nor assigned him any tasks, leaving Wang Ran baffled at Chen Mo's intentions.

This unease affected his appetite daily.

At this moment, a Divine Brave Guard approached, saying Immortal Master Chen wanted to see him.

Wang Ran, filled with anxious trepidation, followed the Divine Brave Guard to the entrance of the Chen Family Courtyard.

"Whoosh!"

At this moment, the sound of something breaking through the air came, nearly grazing his face, swift enough that he couldn't see what it was,

until a strange sound came from behind him. Turning back, he saw an arrow embedded halfway into the wall of the rammed earth city, its fletching still vibrating.

Wang Ran's face changed slightly; he recognized it as his martial arts Wind-Chasing Arrow.

And it had reached a proficient level.

"Second Young Master Wang, how does my Wind-Chasing Arrow compare to yours?"

A voice called out.

Wang Ran turned back again.

In the yard, Chen Mo was standing, bow drawn, aiming at him.

Terrified, Wang Ran quickly hid behind the Divine Brave Guard who brought him.

"Whoosh!"

The bowstring pulled to full tension, Chen Mo released his fingers, and the arrow shot forth like a brown lightning bolt. With a snapping sound, it pierced through the arrow already embedded in the wall, driving the first arrow's head deeper into the wall, replacing the position of the first arrow.

Moreover, the wall around the arrow began to crack.

"Second Young Master Wang, you haven't answered my question yet."

Chen Mo took a third arrow from the quiver behind him, drew the bow fully.

The Divine Brave Guard before Wang Ran quickly stepped aside.

"No, don't..." Wang Ran broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "Immortal... Master's talent is extraordinary. In just a few days, this... this Wind Chasing Arrow Skill has surpassed mine. I am impressed."

Chen Mo lowered his bow, saying, "Thank you, Second Young Master, for the compliment. Come in; I have something to discuss with you."

Wang Ran shuffled nervously into the yard; Chen Mo patted his shoulder, causing Wang Ran to retreat two steps in fright.

"Second Young Master, don't be afraid; as I've said, I won't kill you." Chen Mo handed the bow to a nearby Divine Brave Guard and then slung his arm around Wang Ran's shoulder, leading him into the living room.

"Sit down." Chen Mo invited Wang Ran to sit.

Wang Ran dared not refuse.

"I won't beat around the bush." Chen Mo poured Wang Ran a glass of water, then continued, "I intend to release your two concubines and children back."

Wang Ran had just accepted the cup and was about to drink when he heard this, his eyes widening in disbelief at Chen Mo's plans.

Chen Mo continued, "I would like you, Second Young Master, to write two letters—one stating that if your father pays a ransom of ten thousand coins, I'll release you. The second letter asks your father to be my inside man, an inside man for the Celestial Master Army."

Upon hearing, Wang Ran's face changed completely: "You've... you've joined the Celestial Master Thieves?"

"You could say that," Chen Mo replied. "I can also disclose that in less than ten days, the Celestial Master Army will reach Pingting County; time is short for your Wang Family."

"Are you not afraid Lord Chang might find out, take precautions, and then use your strategy against you?" Wang Ran asked.

Chen Mo laughed, "Your first letter is meant for him to see."

Wang Ran didn't understand.

But Chen Mo didn't explain further, simply bringing over pen, ink, paper, and inkstone for Wang Ran to write.

...

The county town.

Government Office.

The news of Xia Lin's defeat was certainly known first by Chang Yuan compared to the city's residents, but his transfer order had yet to arrive.

Without the transfer order, Chang Yuan, as the county's magistrate, would commit a serious crime if he abandoned the city and fled. Not only would he lose his official hat, but he might also lose his life and implicate his family.

His teacher understood this well, opting to sacrifice himself for the nation to protect his family.

Otherwise, as a prefect, it would be easy to abandon the citizens and flee.

At this moment, Chang Yuan felt like an ant on a hot pan, struggling to sleep or eat.

He had considered surrendering to the Celestial Master Army, but recalling the fate of Impatiens, Xia Lin, and other county magistrates, Chang Yuan shivered.

Because the rebel force, after capturing the city, first executed officials to quell the citizens' anger and instill awe.

At this moment, the steward entered, saying, "Lord, the two concubines of Second Young Master Wang have returned outside the city; they seek entry."

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