"I know this person, he is also Chang En's junior disciple, a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist." Chen Mo frowned tightly and said, "Since Lu Sheng and King Chong have formed an alliance and deployed elite forces, their cooperation shouldn't be trivial.

In this case, there are two Upper-Grade Martial Artists on King Chong's side, so Lu Sheng's side can't possibly send none."

After speaking, Chen Mo continued, "Let me share a few speculations, and you guys help me analyze them."

Xiao Jing and Wu Yanqing immediately perked up their ears.

"The first speculation is that Lu Sheng personally came here, but his Upper-Grade Martial Artists did not, and he has hidden himself, preparing to catch us off guard at a critical moment.

The second speculation is that Lu Sheng did not come, but sent one to two Upper-Grade Martial Artists over, similarly hidden, ready to reveal themselves at a critical moment.

The third speculation is that Lu Sheng and his Upper-Grade Martial Artists all came.

The fourth speculation is that Hui Cheng may have already broken through to the Upper Grade.

The fifth speculation is that Lu Sheng did not come personally, nor did he send any Upper-Grade Martial Artists."

After listening, Wu Yanqing used the method of elimination and said, "The third speculation is unlikely. Lu Sheng has just occupied Xiliang, and the situation in Luonan is also very complicated. Lu Sheng couldn't possibly not leave a strong person in Luonan to hold the fort.

The fifth speculation is also unlikely. Lu Sheng has dispatched his most elite Imperial Guard, so if he doesn't send an Upper-Grade Martial Artist, wouldn't the Alliance Army be under King Chong's command alone? Lu Sheng couldn't possibly trust King Chong that much."

Xiao Jing nodded in agreement, "I agree with Patriarch Wu's view."

Liu Ji pondered over Chen Mo's five speculations carefully and also agreed with Wu Yanqing's view.

Since the court's "Order to Suppress the Bandits" has been issued and the grievances of King Chong and King Huai have been redressed, indicating that Lu Sheng is serious, even if he doesn't come personally, he should send one to two Upper-Grade Martial Artists over.

As for the fourth speculation, Hui Cheng seems young, but Chen Mo and Yue Ruyan are both Upper-Grade Martial Artists, so it's not impossible for Hui Cheng to break through to the Upper Grade.

After hearing their analysis, Chen Mo said, "How many Upper-Grade Martial Artists are there who can take orders from Lu Sheng?"

"Openly, there is only one, that is the Patriarch of the Luo Family from Luonan, Luo Qingyang. This person is not purely a military officer; he was originally the Crown Prince's teacher but unexpectedly colluded with Xu Guozhong, and even more unexpectedly, he is actually Lu Sheng's person. Xu Guozhong's downfall was vastly due to Luo Qingyang's efforts."

While Xiao Jing spoke, the Xiao Family also had their spies in Luonan.

As they spoke, the group had already arrived outside the Government Office.

Zhao Liang respectfully said, "Duke An, please."

Chen Mo stepped into the Government Office.

As soon as the group sat down, Chen Mo asked, "Where is General Wen Heng?"

The discovery of the Imperial Guard in Yan State was first investigated by Wen Heng and reported to Zhao Liang and the others. If not, He County would have long been lost, and perhaps Xiongmen County would have been lost together.

After all, the troops stationed in Huai State had not yet been concentrated and moved here.

Chen Mo needed Wen Heng to personally explain the situation in Yan State at that time.

Zhao Liang said solemnly, "General Wen is still in Yuan County. According to his subordinates, after discovering the Imperial Guard's movements in Yuan County, General Wen only sent his subordinates to sneak out at night to deliver messages while he stayed to continue gathering information.

However, now Yuan County has been blockaded by the enemy alliance, and we have lost contact with General Wen."

After speaking, Zhao Liang quickly had those who returned from Yuan County brought up.

Before these people arrived, Chen Mo and the others did not just wait idly.

Chen Mo said, "So, the first thing we need to know is whether Lu Sheng and King Chong have come to Yan State."

Chen Mo needed to know how much high-end combat power was on the opposing side.

"Duke An, I have already sent people to investigate in Chongzhou and Luonan." Xiao Jing said.

This matter is also easy to investigate; whether Lu Sheng and King Chong come or not depends on whether Lu Sheng is still in Luonan, and whether King Chong is still in Chongzhou.

Chen Mo nodded, then said, "Secondly, send spies to infiltrate Yan State. I need to know the movements of the Yan Army and the whereabouts of King Anping."

Zhao Liang nodded, indicating he would arrange it immediately.

"Additionally, I found that these days we have been constantly on the defensive, even abandoning He County. This is unacceptable, as it's also a blow to our army's morale. We need to directly engage the enemy in battle and see if we can lure out those hidden among the enemy troops."

As Chen Mo shared his thoughts, there was still some distance between Luonan, Chongzhou, and Huai State, so there wouldn't be any immediate feedback on whether Lu Sheng and King Chong were still in Luonan and Chongzhou.

So during the waiting period for feedback, we could not sit idly by. We need to take the initiative.

"Wouldn't this be somewhat risky?" Liu Ji asked.

He thought that the points that needed consideration had already been put forward, so once the investigation results came in, they could then discuss strategies based on the actual situation. There was no need to act prematurely without knowing the specific situation.

Chen Mo smiled and said, "Don't worry, I have brought the Vermilion Bird Guard with me on this trip, which can lower the risk. Moreover, facing the confrontation head-on, we can also cross-verify with the results from Chongzhou and Luonan once the results are available."

By then, if the enemy alliance suffers serious casualties under the bombardment of artillery and shows signs of defeat, but Lu Sheng and King Chong do not reveal themselves, then there's a large possibility that they are indeed not present.

In any case, some desired information can be gained through this method.

Liu Ji and the others stiffened when hearing this, having a rough idea of what the Vermilion Bird Guard does.

The Red Coat Cannon mentioned in the military gazette, which the Jin Xia Barbarians referred to as "Strange Thunder," was produced by the Vermilion Bird Guard.

Xiao Jing said, "Duke An, what should be our next action?"

"Send a war challenge to the enemy, inviting them to a battle at Song Family Slope."

Chen Mo pointed to the position of Song Family Slope on the map and said.

Song Family Slope, a slope located between He County and Xiongmen County. It is named after being outside Song Family Village.

It was indeed a slope before, but because it had been leveled during the construction of the official road, the surrounding view was extremely open, not suitable for an ambush but suitable for a battle invitation.

After all, for a battle invitation, a place both sides are comfortable with must be chosen.

After discussing this matter, Zhao Liang summoned the people who had been called, and Chen Mo questioned them individually.

...

The distance between Xiongmen County and He County was not far, and just as Chen Mo sent out the battle challenge, before nightfall, Gongsun Yan received it.

Gongsun Yan quickly gathered everyone for discussion.

Liang Xuan said, "This is Chen Mo wanting to decide the outcome with us."

Hui Cheng said, "Mr. Luo will arrive in a few days, and we were planning to join forces to deal with Chen Mo when he arrived. Since Chen Mo is actively challenging us, we can accept the challenge." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Unwise. Chen Mo has just arrived at Xiongmen County and is eager to face us. Before this, the Chen Army had always defended. Such a sudden change must have some ulterior motive. If the Chen Army sets up ambushes in advance at Song Family Slope, our army will surely be defeated.

Therefore, I propose to avoid confrontation, ascertain the Chen Army's purpose for inviting the battle, and then plan accordingly." Diwu Fusheng opposed the idea.

"Mr. Luo's worries are unfounded. I know Song Family Slope. It was leveled for the official road, and the surrounding views are clear, hiding no troops. I think Chen Mo is urgently seeking a victory by inviting us there." said a Sixth-Grade General from King Chong's camp, who was from Song Family Village.

For a moment, everyone's eyes turned to Gongsun Yan, waiting for his decision.

Gongsun Yan looked at Hui Cheng and said, "General Hui, you said that secret technique can indeed temporarily enhance strength?"

"If General Gongsun doesn't believe it, I can demonstrate for everyone to see." Hui Cheng said, standing up and unleashing the Spirit Burning Profound Skill in front of everyone.

In an instant, Hui Cheng's aura surged, and as Upper-Grade Martial Artists, Gongsun Yan and Liang Mu quickly sensed that Hui Cheng's vitality had become more vigorous.

Gongsun Yan, showing surprise, marveled at the wondrous secret technique, and couldn't help but feel a tinge of covetousness in his heart.