Ning Chen thought for a moment, then went on. "I can't shake the feeling Kang Luo is putting on an act, to make me believe his hands are full."

Xiao Yanxi didn't understand. "Why would he do that?"

Ning Chen gave a cold laugh. "To set me up, of course.

Kang Luo's fight with his brothers over the throne, the rescue of Kang Xiao, it all makes him look like he's stuck in a swamp right now and can't get himself out.

Zhang Tianlun has a hundred and fifty thousand men of the eastern frontier army. To take back the eastern frontier, a hundred thousand troops plus the Ning'an Army is plenty.

But what if Kang Luo and Zhang Tianlun teamed up long ago? Then Zhang Tianlun would have a lot more than a hundred and fifty thousand men. Add Kang Luo's forces, and it could very well be three hundred thousand.

If we've underestimated their numbers and it's a hundred and ten thousand against three hundred thousand, we'll take a beating however brave our men are."

It dawned on Xiao Yanxi. "I see. We all think Kang Luo has his hands full right now, but maybe he joined forces with Zhang Tianlun long ago... and they're just waiting for you to walk into the net."

Ning Chen gave a slight nod.

Xiao Yanxi said, "Ning, dear, leave this to me. I'll have people look into the troop strength at Xiangzhou right away... and whether Nanyue has moved any troops."

Ning Chen flicked the tip of her nose. "All right. I'll leave it to you!"

Xiao Yanxi looked dead serious. "Don't worry. Leave it to me. I'll find out for you, I promise."

With that, she turned and left.

Ning Chen sat a moment longer, then rose and walked out of the main hall.

He looked up at the roof, and the corner of his mouth twitched.

The Roof-Ridge Beast Couple looked more like the real thing every day.

Xie Siyu sat with one hand resting on his knee and the other propped on his sword.

Hua Linglong copied him…