Chapter 1435: Trial

## Chapter 1420: A Test Run

If the Beijia army were to infiltrate the Xiluo forces and suddenly strike Yuheng City, could the latter withstand it? This was the fundamental reason Zhong Shengguang sent He Lingchuan to guard Yuheng City: to defend the eastern line of Panlong and prevent a Beijia attack. General Hong and the main forces of Panlong City would soon launch a strong offensive from the northern front. Should Xianyuan call on Beijia for aid, Beijia might exert pressure on Yuheng City, located on the eastern line, to force Panlong City to divert troops to reinforce Yuheng City, thereby relieving pressure on Xianyuan.

Therefore, one of Yuheng City's current challenges was to stop the frequent harassment from Xiluo. This was an open secret, clear to both sides.

"The Xiluo army is stationed within Jinguo, habitually harassing Yuheng City and the Longchuan trade route. When confronted, they retreat back into Jinguo," Wen Daolun said, his expression serious. "Although Yuheng City has repelled them three times, I can clearly feel that the Xiluo army's attacks are becoming more proficient. The last one even showed some strategy."

He Lingchuan was initially surprised, but then a thought struck him: "Could Beijia be behind this?"

"General He, you're remarkable," Wen Daolun gave him a thumbs-up, "This isn't just a guess. We have people within the military and official ranks of Jindao Kingdom. According to their reports, the Xiluo army, currently stationed in their country, is undergoing training by Beijia generals. Moreover, a significant number of monsters have appeared among their troops. Furthermore—" He paused. "There are also Beijia-dispatched overseers within the Xiluo army. These past few days, they've been enforcing military discipline, resulting in many executions."

"They intend to drive them onto the battlefield as cannon fodder." He Lingchuan frowned deeply. "What about the Xiluo army's numbers?"

"Over twenty thousand. And they are reportedly still increasing their numbers." Wen Daolun shook his head. "The Xiluo's entire national army is less than seventy thousand, and they've already deployed twenty to thirty thousand here."

He Lingchuan chuckled, "The Xiluo army's fighting spirit isn't strong. It's only with Beijia overseers pushing them from behind that they can barely muster the energy to harass the Longchuan trade route. Let me employ some tactics to give them a fright."

He Lingchuan hadn't personally engaged with the Xiluo army to know their true standard, but Wen Daolun and Zhong Shengguang knew it well. It remained to be seen if Beijia could truly make something of such a disorganized force.

Wen Daolun also wanted to know, "How do you intend to proceed, General He?"

"Unlike Mr. Wen's benevolence, and having just returned to Yuheng City, I'm afraid I'll have to make an example of some Xiluo people." He Lingchuan naturally intended to exploit the Xiluo army's weaknesses. "You won't object, Mr. Wen, will you?"

Truly, he was He the Butcher; upon arriving in the Maohe Plains, he was once again ready to wield his cleaver. Wen Daolun shook his head without hesitation. "General He, please proceed as you see fit. I will cooperate fully." He was a Xiluo native, and fighting against the Xiluo army filled him with mixed emotions. But in the current situation, he had long weighed what was important and what was not. Panlong City was once again facing a matter of life and death; he wouldn't cling to sentimental feelings. Xiluo was no longer the Xiluo of old, and they had long since become people of Panlong City.

"Good," He Lingchuan said with satisfaction. "We also need to exert pressure on Jinguo so that the Xiluo army and Beijia people don't get too comfortable there."

By then, the two had walked back to the official residence. Inside, the lights were bright, and staff were still at their desks working. The sound of flapping wings echoed from the night sky as a bird flew past.

Wen Daolun pointed skyward. "Recently, there have been some unfamiliar bird-demons above Yuheng City. They're likely Beijia's scouts." Bird-demons were natural scouts. Beijia was known as the Northern Demon Nation, so they certainly weren't lacking in monsters. Any nation or power opposing them would inherently be at a disadvantage in this regard.

He Lingchuan led Wen Daolun to a secluded side garden. After casting a barrier, he whispered, "Mr. Wen, please keep an eye on Xin Yi as well."

Wen Daolun was slightly surprised. "Is there something wrong with him?"

"He's enthusiastic, humble, curious, and enjoys interacting with people."

"Can these even be considered flaws?"

"But I always feel that he has another agenda, and his intentions are not pure," He Lingchuan murmured. "If I'm not mistaken, he'll also be very interested in Yuheng City's internal governance and trade. However, once fighting starts, I won't have time to keep an eye on him."

Wen Daolun nodded. "I'll assign someone to watch him."

"Don't use spies; this person is highly skilled. It would be bad if he found out."

"If covert surveillance won't work, then let's observe him openly." Wen Daolun thought for a moment. "How about assigning him a few clever attendants or guides?"

He Lingchuan snapped his fingers. "Mr. Wen, that's a great idea! Why didn't I think of it? I'll simply send Skinny to be his aide." Skinny was worldly and articulate, a perfect fit for Xin Yi.

With this minor matter settled quickly, Wen Daolun then asked, "General He, when do you believe Beijia will make a real move against Yuheng City?"

"Naturally, when Panlong City launches its major northern offensive." He Lingchuan had already calculated this. "Before then, our activities here will mostly be minor skirmishes. No matter how outrageous my actions, Beijia will just have to tolerate them!" Armies in local regions, of course, must adhere to the overall strategic plan. Both men smiled.

He Lingchuan continued, "This window of opportunity is very short. We must seize the moment to show Xiluo and Beijia what we're capable of. I believe this is also why Commander Zhong sent me here in advance."

For the following days, after their initial day of encampment and familiarization with the environment, He Lingchuan split the Ximo army into detachments and sent them to the border and the Longchuan trade route. He Lingchuan knew these two areas so well he could navigate them with his eyes closed, perfectly aware of where to set ambushes and where to secure retreat paths. The goal was to gain an advantage over the Xiluo army.

Three days after the Ximo army arrived in Yuheng City, the Xiluo army indeed launched another raid. This time, having learned from previous defeats, they focused on concealed, dispersed, small-group assaults. Unfortunately, they encountered He Lingchuan. In the Maohe Plains, He Lingchuan could easily overpower them. In just two days, the Ximo army defeated four raiding parties and captured over two hundred people.

Wen Daolun had previously captured Xiluo prisoners and sent them to work as laborers in mines and farms. He Lingchuan, however, was not so benevolent. He immediately ordered the prisoners to be taken to the border. There was a river on the border between Yuheng City and Jinguo. Back then, after General Hong conquered Yuheng City, just his presence by the river could intimidate the Jindao army on the opposite bank. Now that Panlong City's army was once again pressing toward the border, the opposing side naturally felt gravely threatened and quickly mobilized.

Today, the sky was clear, and the two armies faced each other across the river; even the red tassels on the enemy's spear tips on the opposite bank were clearly visible. He Lingchuan stood at the very front, clearly visible to the enemy on the other side. Then, with a single command, two hundred heads fell! Instantly, the river water turned red. The opposite bank immediately became agitated; even the horses nervously pawed the ground. He Lingchuan also ordered that the severed heads be impaled on poles along the riverbank, lined up for the Xiluo army to "enjoy." Although the enemy on the opposite side hurled insults, they did not attack. Thus, He Lingchuan demanded that the heads remain displayed for three days.