Intelligence poured in through the Gold-Munching Mouse King, reaching
"Split their forces into four?" Jiang Chen was genuinely baffled this time. The Kuman Tribes' four great clans had held their positions and waited all this long — and this was the result?
Everyone knew that the Kuman Tribes were already a lone army thrust deep into enemy territory with limited numbers. Splitting their forces would only weaken their strength further, a cardinal sin in military strategy.
He had to admit, Jiang Chen was stunned by this move from the Kuman Tribes. Not because it frightened him, but because of just how foolish it was.
"Are the Kuman Tribes out of their minds, or are they so brazen they don't even consider our human race worth noticing?" Jiang Chen couldn't help but ask with a bitter smile.
Great Emperor Jingzhong pondered for a moment. "Since ancient times, the Kuman Tribes have been renowned for their ferocity in battle, but they were never skilled at strategy and planning. If you're telling me they've devised some brilliant battle plan, I'd honestly find it hard to believe."
In truth, even with Great Emperor Jingzhong's wisdom, he genuinely couldn't figure out what the Kuman Tribes were after.
The Peerless Great Emperor also shook his head with a wry smile. "I can't see through it either."
Jiang Chen smiled. "Regardless, with the Kuman Tribes splitting their forces along these march routes, it'll be hard for them to coordinate with one another. For us, this is an opportunity."
Great Emperor Jingzhong's eyes lit up. "Young Master, do you have something in mind?"
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "I do have some ideas, but I'll need more intelligence first. I have to confirm this isn't some Kuman Tribes' ruse."
In truth, Jiang Chen had already run through the scenarios in his mind. He didn't think the Kuman Tribes had anything new up their sleeve.
There was no question that in a situation like this, if the Kuman Tribes split their forces to advance, it was an absolute blunder.
Jiang Chen wasn't in a rush. He simply sat and waited for the intelligence to arrive.
Given the routes their split forces would take, plus the need for the main army to advance and sweep through territories along the way, these groups couldn't possibly reach Glazed King City quickly.
Without half a month, it was out of the question.
But half a month was more than enough time for Jiang Chen to make plenty of arrangements.
So Jiang Chen waited for the intelligence — waited for the continuous stream of reports from the Gold-Munching Mouse clan to pour in, pool together, and then he would conduct a comprehensive analysis.
Jiang Chen had a persistent feeling that this was an opportunity.
Sure enough, intelligence from the Gold-Munching Mouse clan continued to trickle in.
"The Kuman Tribes' four great clans are actually splitting up for real. Looking at their march routes, they're heading straight for the major First-Rank Sects."
Jiang Chen analyzed the four clans' routes and was stunned.
Great Emperor Jingzhong slapped the table and exclaimed, "Young Master, this is the opportunity! The Kuman Tribes truly haven't changed their barbaric nature. Deep down, they're crude and undisciplined. They only see the immediate gains. In my view, they're splitting their forces to reach our Glazed King City while conveniently plundering the major sects along the way. In the end, this is the behavior of bandits!"
Jiang Chen nodded, now fully agreeing with Great Emperor Jingzhong's assessment.
He slapped his thigh. "Excellent! I was worried they'd keep cowering inside the
Great Emperor Jingzhong chuckled. "When heaven bestows and you refuse to take, you'll only bring ruin upon yourself. This opportunity cannot be let slip. But, Young Master — how do you plan to strike?"
Jiang Chen smiled calmly. "Four groups — I only need to strike one of them hard. If I can annihilate it completely, it will surely deter the other three clans."
Under the current circumstances, Jiang Chen didn't have the resources to split his own forces. He could only attack one group. There was no way he could strike the first group and still have a chance at the second.
Great Emperor Jingzhong spread out the map and analyzed the four clans' routes.
"Young Master, which group do you plan to intercept?" Great Emperor Jingzhong asked.
Jiang Chen pondered for a moment, clearly weighing his options.
"This group is isolated, and their route takes them through very treacherous terrain. I think an ambush along this path would be ideal."
"Wait — this route appears to be the one the Gu Nuo Tribe has chosen." Jiang Chen pointed to the path that would head directly south from the Moon God Sect, crossing over endless barren wastelands before entering the
Perhaps the Kuman Tribes believed this was precisely what they excelled at and so weren't particularly concerned about the terrain.
"The Gu Nuo Tribe — what a coincidence."
Jiang Chen had made his decision. He would target the Gu Nuo Tribe.
"You two, I'll need to leave Glazed King City in your care for the time being. If those hidden human experts come to cause trouble, stall them. With the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast standing guard, those hidden experts will think twice."
Jiang Chen was worried that if he left and those hidden experts happened to show up, it would pose a threat to Glazed King City.
Fortunately, Jiang Chen's manpower situation wasn't as tight as before.
Moreover, the Vermilion Bird Divine Beast was holding down the fort.
Of course, as per the old rule, Jiang Chen decided that four of the Giant Stone Clan's eight brothers would remain at the Peacock Sacred Mountain to guard their base, just in case.
That day, Jiang Chen quietly descended the mountain with four of the Giant Stone Clan brothers.
His target this time was the Gu Nuo Tribe.
The Gu Nuo Tribe's route would take them through the Heavenly Dragon Sect's territory, then further south to the Nine Yang Heavenly Sect's domain, before entering Glazed King City from the west.
Jiang Chen had mapped out this route thoroughly.
Now the question was where exactly to set up the ambush against the Gu Nuo Tribe.