Chapter 63: An Army of Ten Thousand

Dongchuan City, City Lord's Mansion, Main Hall.

Gao Yue sat in the seat of honor, his posture as upright as a pine. His luxurious attire accentuated his naturally imposing and dignified aura.

At this moment, he held a meticulously compiled booklet, his slender fingers gently stroking the long beard beneath his chin. His gaze swept word by word across the paper with intense focus.

Below, Wang Zhong and Xiao Feng sat side by side, their postures straight and completely motionless.

They had come today specifically for the matter of the military exercise.

"Very good. The Qin family could strike at any moment, and making comprehensive preparations in advance is truly a wise move." After reviewing the military exercise plan presented by the two, a flash of approval crossed Gao Yue's eyes.

Just at that moment...

A flurry of hurried footsteps shattered the tranquility of the hall.

A personal guard, wearing a flustered expression, strode in with rapid steps. The moment his figure appeared, he dropped to his knees with a fluid motion, holding a gold-foil-sealed envelope high above his head with both hands. His voice was loud and urgent, "Great General, an urgent letter from the Cui family!"

Gao Yue furrowed his brows slightly, took the envelope, and tore it open to read...

Beside him, Wang Zhong and Xiao Feng exchanged glances, both seeing a trace of confusion in each other's eyes.

Having cooperated with the Cui family for so long, the Qingfeng Stronghold had never received an urgent letter from them before. Could something major have happened?

"What a formidable Qin family, to act with such swiftness!"

In an instant, Gao Yue's powerful and resonant voice suddenly rang through the hall, breaking the brief silence.

He abruptly raised his hand, tossing the letter paper high into the air.

The guard nearby reacted with agility, instantly comprehending Gao Yue's intention. He stepped forward quickly, respectfully receiving the paper with both hands before swiftly delivering it to Wang Zhong and Xiao Feng.

"An army of ten thousand?" Upon seeing the contents of the letter, Xiao Feng could not help but exclaim, shock replacing the confusion on his face.

Wang Zhong wore a solemn expression, his eyes carrying deep concern as he turned to look at Gao Yue.

Gao Yue, however, maintained a calm demeanor with profound depths in his eyes.

"If not for the Cui family's intelligence this time, we probably wouldn't have reacted until the enemy army was right at our doorstep," he said meaningfully.

The news of the Qin family's troop deployment this time had been uncovered by the Cui family well in advance, and the Cui family had reacted with extreme swiftness, transmitting this crucial intelligence at the very first moment.

"Great General, since we already know in advance and make early preparations, even facing an army of ten thousand is not to say we have no chance of fighting back," Wang Zhong said with a serious expression.

However...

Gao Yue's focus was clearly not on the aspect of military confrontation.

He sighed softly, lamenting, "If our army could also possess such powerful and efficient intelligence-gathering capabilities, why would we ever worry about failing to control the battlefield?"

In Gao Yue's mind, the Qin family's invasion, regardless of the size of their forces, was not the matter that worried him most.

To him, the key to victory in war lay in knowing both oneself and the enemy.

Only by accurately grasping every movement and strategic intent of the opponent could one devise strategies within the command tent and remain undefeated in a hundred battles.

The Cui family's timely notice this time made Gao Yue deeply realize the importance of establishing an intelligence department.

Wang Zhong and Xiao Feng remained silent.

Gao Yue spoke again, "Do not spread word of this matter for now. Suspend the military exercise and have the entire army intensify their drills!"

"Understood!"

The two commanders stood up simultaneously, their expressions stern.

The enemy army was pressing hard upon the borders; there was not a moment to lose!

...

Qin Jue was still unaware that a battle was quietly approaching.

At this moment, he had just finished a discussion with Wu Mi, having gained some slight enlightenment regarding furnace fire, and was eager to put it to the test.

Therefore, upon returning to his tent, he immediately began circulating the *Primal Fire Body Refining Art*.

Unfortunately, heaven did not always grant what one wished.

Despite his insights, at the crucial juncture of transforming primal energy into furnace fire, Qin Jue continually failed to grasp the essential knack, unable to break through this barrier.

Realizing that a breakthrough was impossible in the short term, Qin Jue did not grow impatient.

Just like when he was learning the *Nine Bulls and Two Tigers Skill*, everything required gradual progress, taking it step by step.

Since a breakthrough was difficult at present, it was better to turn his attention back to farming victory points...

In the days that followed, Qin Jue devoted most of his time to studying the *Primal Fire Body Refining Art*, while splitting the rest of his time into two parts: one part dedicated to the daily drills of his battalion, and the other to sparring and competing with others.

Although the battalion's frequency requirements for drills had increased significantly of late, Qin Jue possessed a special status and could still seek out Second-Realm martial artists for combat practice.

Of course, to avoid drawing excessive attention and disrupting normal order, Qin Jue chose only one martial artist for a spar each day.

Three days later...

Qin Jue had just finished his cultivation session and was planning to check on the drill progress of his battalion.

At that moment, a soldier came to report: "Commander Qin, Commander Wang requests your presence immediately."

"Master is looking for me?" A hint of confusion flickered in Qin Jue's mind, but he immediately followed the soldier nonetheless.

Before long, Qin Jue arrived at the Commander's Mansion. Relying on his status, he passed unhindered all the way into the study, where he saw his master, Wang Zhong, whose physique was tall and imposing, and whose eyes were deep and sharp.

"Master," Qin Jue saluted respectfully with cupped hands.

At the same time, he pondered inwardly: Why would his master be looking for him at this time?

After all, just yesterday, they had discussed matters concerning Second-Realm cultivation techniques.

"Disciple, the Qin family is coming to attack the city!" Wang Zhong gazed at him, his placid eyes carrying a hint of solemnity.

Actually, Wang Zhong had originally not planned to tell Qin Jue about this.

In his view, telling Qin Jue not only lacked practical significance, but might also impose tremendous psychological pressure on his disciple.

However, the situation had changed, causing Wang Zhong to alter his decision. He decided to use this opportunity to see what choice his beloved disciple would make.

Upon hearing the news of the Qin family's invasion, Qin Jue's eyes lit up instantly, and he asked eagerly, "Master, when will the enemy army arrive?"

For Qin Jue, war was undoubtedly the prime opportunity to harvest victory points.

Now that hostilities were about to break out, he naturally could not conceal his excitement.

"It is not yet certain," Wang Zhong said, before abruptly shifting his tone. "However, your Martial Uncle plans to take the initiative. He has specifically selected the most elite group from the entire army to form a vanguard camp, preparing to ambush the Qin family's vanguard forces."

As he spoke, Wang Zhong's deep, abyss-like gaze fixed tightly on Qin Jue, observing his reaction.

Hearing this, Qin Jue did not hesitate for even half a second. He said with resolute certainty, "Master, this disciple earnestly requests to join the vanguard camp!"

To him, joining the vanguard camp meant acquiring more victory points—an almost irresistible temptation.

A trace of approval flashed in the depths of Wang Zhong's eyes, though his face remained serious and stern as he said in a deep voice, "Entering the vanguard camp is fraught with danger. A moment of carelessness could cost you your life. Have you thought it through?"

"Master, do you not know the temperament of this disciple?" Qin Jue met Wang Zhong's gaze without fear, his expression solemn and resolute, his eyes burning with intense battle intent.

Looking into Qin Jue's bright and determined eyes, a smile finally broke across Wang Zhong's stern face, the corners of his mouth curving upward as he praised, "Good! You truly are a disciple of Wang Zhong!"

Wang Zhong felt deeply satisfied with Qin Jue's performance.

He had always revered ultimate strength, and as the commander of the vanguard camp, he was an iron-willed man who always charged forward on the battlefield without ever retreating.

Now seeing his beloved disciple choose to charge into danger without hesitation when faced with peril, standing sharp and unstoppable like a honed blade, his heart swelled with pride and gratification.

Immediately afterward, Wang Zhong decided to directly assign Qin Jue to the vanguard camp...