Xiang Yue’s gaze swept indifferently over the four commanders, and he sighed softly in his heart.

The Tiger Armor Army has been engaged in battle with the Nine Hordes Kingdom for decades, always remaining in a passive defensive position. Now, they finally have detailed information on the Nine Hordes Kingdom and the possibility of switching from defense to offense. Yet, the mindset of these commanders hasn’t shifted.

They are accustomed to defense, so when it is suddenly suggested to attack, aside from Huo Buyan offering some tactical opinions, the other three commanders generally do not favor it, essentially unwilling to take the initiative to march.

This time, he entered the capital to meet His Majesty and received the imperial edict: to conquer the Celestial Horde Pass of the Nine Hordes Kingdom within three years. He cannot defy it, nor can the Tiger Armor Army. A group of people in the Qin Capital is watching closely.

If successful, the Tiger Armor Army will be credited as heroes in the Great Qin Dynasty’s expansion of territory.

If they fail... he, Xiang Yue, along with the entire Tiger Armor Army, are likely to become targets for those who manipulate power and politics, subjected to verbal attacks and criticisms.

Xiang Yue stared at the sand table for a while, then waved his hand and said, "All of you may leave, Commander Huo, stay."

"Yes." The commanders prepared to leave.

Inside the main tent, Xiang Yue continued looking at the sand table, frown deepening.

After a long time, in front of Huo Buyan, he sighed, "Commander Huo, why do you think His Majesty suddenly wants my Tiger Armor Army to attack the Nine Hordes Kingdom?"

Huo Buyan’s expression subtly changed, and he quickly cupped his hands, saying, "Huo Buyan doesn’t dare to speculate about the imperial wishes."

"Don’t dare to speculate..." Xiang Yue picked up a flag representing the Tiger Armor Army and planted it on West Wind Valley, "Our Tiger Armor Army has been reporting frequent victories these past two years, making some people anxious."

Huo Buyan remained silent.

Xiang Yue also picked up a flag symbolizing the Nine Hordes Kingdom’s army and placed it outside the West Wind Valley, pondering, "It seems they want my Tiger Armor Army to attack the Nine Hordes Kingdom, but in reality, they want to weaken my Tiger Armor Army."

"Commander..."

Huo Buyan had actually guessed this a long time ago, but hearing Xiang Yue articulate it, anger still surged uncontrollably from his heart:

"If it weren’t for my Tiger Armor Army defending against the Nine Hordes Kingdom for nearly a hundred years, Xirong County would have long fallen into the hands of the Nine Hordes Kingdom. How could those who shrink in the Qin Capital..."

"Commander Huo," Xiang Yue cut off Huo Buyan from finishing his sentence, pointing at West Wind Valley, said, "Setting an ambush here is indeed good, the only trouble is how to lure the enemy inside."

Some matters need no words, for once uttered, disaster may follow.

Xiang Yue first spread the Tiger Armor Army flags across the top of the valley, then placed the flags of the Nine Hordes Kingdom on the plain before the valley, speaking calmly, "The more they fear, the stronger my Tiger Armor Army must become!"

The atmosphere inside the tent shifted, Huo Buyan’s gaze on the sand table grew resolute.

"By the way, are matters in Baiyuan County concluded, how are they?"

Xiang Yue, unable to think of a way to lure the enemy into the gorge, turned his attention to Huo Buyan, inquiring about Baiyuan County’s affairs.

Huo Buyan’s eyes flickered with excitement as he took a cultivation technique from his sleeve, stating, "Commander, please have a look."

Xiang Yue’s eyebrows lifted as he accepted the cultivation technique and began to peruse it.

In just a short while, the previously distressed face broke into a rare smile: "A Strong Bone Realm Technique, which can also consolidate Qi Blood!"

"Good! Good! Good!" He said ’good’ three times, this cultivation technique was the only good news he received since returning from the Qin Capital.

"Where is he? Have him come see me now!"

"I’ll go right away."

Huo Buyan cupped his hands and exited the main tent, heading directly towards the camp where Chu Ming and Fang Xiao were located.

’Fang Xiao’ was helping Little Shan organize clothing when the tent curtain was lifted: "Fang Qingshi, come quickly with me, Commander Xiang wants to see you."

"Alright."

’Fang Xiao’ glanced at ’Chu Ming’ before following Huo Buyan out, soon arriving at the main tent.

"Commander Xiang, Fang Qingshi has been brought."

At this time, Xiang Yue had already removed his armor, changing into casual clothes, but his eyes hadn’t left the sand table, still pondering how to lure the Nine Hordes Kingdom into the gorge.

It was only hearing Huo Buyan’s voice that he lifted his head, scrutinizing ’Fang Xiao’.

"Commander." Disguised as Fang Xiao, Chu Ming cupped his hands in greeting.

"No need for formalities." Xiang Yue maintained a smile on his face, pausing for a moment, gesturing for Huo Buyan to step outside.

Huo Buyan exited to stand guard outside the tent.

Inside the tent.

Xiang Yue glanced at ’Fang Xiao’, a flicker of odd color passing through the depths of his eyes, as if having discerned something.

"Sit down."

"Yes."

"Fang Xiao, twenty-five years ago, you were a Squad Leader in the Third Tiger Camp, later you stepped down to Baiyuan County, becoming the Criminal Defense Instructor there, due to being plotted against by the Prison Chief Luo Lin, your strength regressed, Qi Blood declined, and you were saved by a servant girl of the Chu Family..."

As soon as ’Fang Xiao’ sat down, Xiang Yue recounted Fang Xiao’s history.

Plotted against by Luo Lin?

Chu Ming’s heart subtly stirred. He only knew Housekeeper Fang had a grudge against Luo Lin but did not know that Luo Lin had even plotted against Housekeeper Fang.

Luckily, Luo Lin has been dealt with, equating to avenging Housekeeper Fang.

This Commander of the Tiger Armor Army spoke slowly, with knowledge about Housekeeper Fang exceeding that of Chu Ming.

After about the time to drink a cup of tea, Xiang Yue suddenly concentrated his eyes, as if two piercing lights shot forth, staring at ’Fang Xiao’ like an eagle.

Chu Ming was startled.

Those eyes...

Incredibly sharp, seemingly able to see through everything.

"You are not Fang Xiao."

And Xiang Yue’s next words instantaneously caused the hair on Chu Ming’s body to stand up.

Inside the tent, a profound silence filled the air, the atmosphere became incredibly eerie.

A Perfection Level [Disguise Technique], unveiled so effortlessly?!

Twenty lifeforce strands surged inside Chu Ming’s body, activating [Sword Gourd Spirit], preparing to act at any moment.

"Hehe," Xiang Yue maintained a calm smile, picked up the cultivation technique from the table, and said in a deep voice, "Your Qi Blood power is very strong, almost on par with Commander Huo."

"Your Disguise Technique is also highly advanced, capable of freely manipulating your skin and bones to alter appearance and build, no wonder Commander Huo couldn’t tell."

He slowly flipped through the cultivation technique, seemingly with no intention of taking action.

After turning about a dozen pages, Xiang Yue paused, his tone pleasant, "Pity, your Disguise Technique is still too crude before me."

"Appearance, skin, build, all can be altered, but you can’t change your aura, your emanating vitality is like the rising sun, young and vigorous..."

Xiang Yue locked eyes with Chu Ming, "If I’m not mistaken, you’re at most twenty years old."

Then, he casually laughed, "There’s no need to be tense; whether or not you’re Fang Xiao is unimportant to me. I just want to know, did you develop this cultivation technique?"

Xiang Yue spoke casually, as if truly unbothered.

Yet, within him, from the moment he laid eyes on ’Fang Xiao’, ripples had been stirred.

A fifty-something martial artist comprehending a cultivation technique more refined than the Tiger and Python Body Refining Technique and someone around twenty achieving this, are concepts worlds apart.

At fifty, it can be considered a culmination of accumulated knowledge, entering sudden enlightenment, comprehending a Blood Circulation and Strong Bone Realm Technique, likely reaching their limit.

However, translating this so-called limit to someone twenty years old, that’s just a starting point!

On the surface, Xiang Yue was calm, but deep inside, his eyes burned with intense anticipation.

Chu Ming dared not relax, his nerves tensed tight.

"It seems, he doesn’t trust me..."

Xiang Yue’s lips curled into a grin, the hand holding the cultivation technique suddenly blurred into motion.

In an instant, the air exploded, his right hand as swift as an arrow, its speed so fast even the afterimages couldn’t be captured.