November 3rd.

Lu Yonggang dispatched scouts to investigate around Zhuima City and estimate how many troops were inside the city.

Each army has its own method for estimating troop numbers.

The most mainstream method is to observe the camp, known as the camp calculation method, using the number of tents in the enemy's camp to estimate their troop strength.

The second method is to observe the logistics, the smoke calculation method. Soldiers in the army eat from large pots, and each pot feeds a certain number of soldiers, so scouts can count the number of smoke columns during meal times to estimate the troop strength.

The last method is to observe the amount of grain and fodder being transported to estimate troop numbers.

However, the last method requires entering deep into enemy territory, and it's unclear when the food will be transported, which means waiting for the right time.

The scouts of the Celestial Master Army adopted the first two methods, climbing the mountains around Zhuima City for a better view.

This requires constant observation and comparing multiple data points, as things like camps and smoke can easily be falsified.

The Celestial Master Army couldn't bypass Zhuima City due to being flanked by mountains on both sides; the only route goes through the city.

...

Night fell.

Chen Mo divided the Personal Guard Battalion into several teams, tasked with scouting the battlefield's surroundings, clearing enemy scouts who had reached the outskirts of their camp.

As winter approached, the moonlight was not very bright. They held torches while patrolling the forest, knowing this might scare off enemy scouts.

But it didn't matter; the main goal was to drive them away, not necessarily capture them.

However, Chen Mo's team did not carry torches.

Although referred to as a team, it actually consisted of just Chen Mo and Xia Zhining. With their skills, they could navigate using the faint moonlight.

Chen Mo held a strong bow, scanning the surroundings. Scouts from the Yu State Army, who were likely martial artists, would be unable to hide from him, as he could spot them even if hidden in bushes.

"It's so dark, we can't see far at all. How are we supposed to scout? We might as well light a torch," Xia Zhining commented.

Chen Mo, naturally, wouldn't disclose his ability to see the power data of martial artists, chuckled lightly: "Relax, I'm here to protect you. Besides, if there are scouts nearby, I have ways to find them."

If they weren't martial artists, even a sneak attack wouldn't harm him.

If they were martial artists, he'd detect them before the attack.

He'd either kill or capture the weak ones.

If facing those stronger than himself, Chen Mo would retreat in advance, being confident in this capability.

"Who needs your protection?" Xia Zhining pouted and hummed lightly, though her heart was sweet with joy. "Why didn't you propose any suggestions when discussing the attack on Zhuima City with Lu Yonggang earlier?"

"Who says I didn't?" Chen Mo replied, turning around and frowning, as she wasn't present during the meeting at the commander's tent.

"I... just know," Xia Zhining admitted, realizing she'd misspoken, clasping her hands behind her back and turning her head away.

"It was Sun Meng who told you, right? Seems I need to reprimand him; he can't keep his mouth shut," Chen Mo remarked.

Xia Zhining stepped forward and lightly bumped Chen Mo with her shoulder, saying, "It's not a big deal for me to know, is it?"

"Stay out of men's affairs," Chen Mo put away the bow, slinging it on his back, and playfully poked Xia Zhining's forehead.

"You haven't refrained from..." Xia Zhining blurted out unconsciously; she'd bowed down several times, but quickly realized her words, and her face flushed.

Chen Mo chuckled twice: "Thinking about it?"

"Bastard." Xia Zhining angrily kicked at him, but Chen Mo caught her leg, causing Xia Zhining to lose her balance and fall backward. Chen Mo immediately lowered her leg and swiftly embraced her waist, pulling her into his arms.

"Be careful, don't want you getting hurt, or else I'll be heartbroken," Chen Mo whispered, gently lifting Xia Zhining's chin and blowing warm air onto her face.

Xia Zhining's delicate body trembled slightly, feeling a tingling numbness, pushing at Chen Mo's chest: "Bastard, let go of me..."

"Actually, I've been thinking about it too," Chen Mo admitted, kissing the corner of Xia Zhining's lips; the pressure in the army was indeed greater than usual.

Xia Zhining's heart skipped a beat, feeling both a bit annoyed and proud. Clearly, the more he craved her body, the more genuine his previous sweet talk was, yet in the wilderness, in pitch darkness, even more exaggerated than the last time behind the bluestone.

"You... you better not act recklessly," Xia Zhining half-heartedly protested, slapping Chen Mo's shoulder.

Since Xia Zhining didn't wear armor that night, dressed simply in black attire, she wrapped her chest, going from an apple size to an egg size.

Chen Mo pulled Xia Zhining from the mountain path to behind a large tree in the forest, turning her around...

Xia Zhining couldn't resist Chen Mo, half-heartedly yielding to him.

After completing his task, Chen Mo finally answered Xia Zhining's previous question: "My understanding of military affairs is superficial, and I struggle with commanding large groups of soldiers. What suggestions could I possibly offer? You may have read many military books, but lack experience. It's better to observe and learn. Lu Yonggang became the commander-in-chief of the Five Directions Army for a reason... Also, stop moving..."

Chen Mo didn't think he currently possessed the ability to assert dominance in the command tent, making Lu Yonggang follow his lead instead of risking defeat otherwise.

Even if he had foolproof suggestions to breach the city, given his current power, attracting too much attention would be unwise; a moderate level of fame suffices. He didn't want to be quickly noticed and targeted by the Court.

Hearing this, Xia Zhining wanted to remain silent but found it difficult, involuntarily making sounds.

However, she agreed with the sentiment.

During these months in the army, Xia Zhining learned many things not found in books.

"Remember, once the final battle begins, protecting your own life is paramount. In case of defeat, retreat immediately to avoid endangering yourself unnecessarily for the Celestial Master Army," Chen Mo advised, squeezing Xia Zhining's radiant, yet cold face, reminding her, and then drawing closer to her red lips for an affectionate kiss.

Feeling the young man's concern, Xia Zhining fervently reciprocated.

...

After extensive investigation and data collection, Lu Yonggang launched an assault on Zhuima City on November 6th, but it was a feint to test the enemy.

On November 7th, a full-scale attack commenced, with the catapults being brought to the front.

ps: I know depicting battle scenes is not my strength, so I won't write them in detail, just focusing on key points.

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