Final Deliberations, Confirming the Decisive Battle Strategy

Chen Wuya's palm still retained a trace of heat. The golden thread beneath that red mark had already sunk into his skin, like a spark buried in the earth. He slowly clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking softly, then rose to his feet. He folded the charcoal-sketched test diagram into a small square and tucked it into the pocket against his chest.

Bai Zhi said nothing. She merely hung her soft sword back at her waist, her movements crisp and efficient.

"Time to go to the main tent," he said.

She nodded and followed half a step behind him. The two passed through the central passage of the camp, where soldiers were drilling and the clash of blades and spears rose and fell without pause. No one shouted loudly, yet every pair of eyes that swept over Chen Wuya lingered for an instant.

Six commanders were already waiting outside the main tent. Some stood with their arms folded, others paced with lowered heads, their expressions varied. Zhao Tianying stood at the front with his halberd shaft planted on the ground, his gaze steady. Han Tianba leaned against a flagpole, one hand resting on his spear haft. When he saw them approach, he merely gave a slight nod.

A sand table had long been set up within the tent. Yellow sand had been piled into the contours of Three Peaks Valley, with several small flags planted at crucial points. Chen Wuya lifted the tent flap and entered. The others followed, forming a semicircle around it.

He stepped before the sand table. Without speaking, he first took the charcoal-drawn force-flow diagram from his robes and spread it across the wooden table.

"I tested it ten times last night." His voice was not loud, but every word carried clearly. "Nine successful releases, one