Standing at the bow, Horn gazed at the billowing white smoke behind the distant hills in a daze, until it disappeared from view.

His gaze shifted to the sails behind him, where the sailors were tensely adjusting the ropes to adapt to the changing wind direction.

Fortunately, today the wind was blowing northward, otherwise the speed of upstream travel wouldn't be so fast.

Starting from Ma Tou Town, heading north along the Nao'an River, Horn's destination was Shangruifo County.

That's where his hometown is, the place of his birth.

At least in the eyes of the world, that's how it appears.

As for why Horn is leading the Guard Battle Group to Shangruifo County, the situation has naturally changed.

Since the previous Battle of Redway, the Leia Army, after rest and reformation, launched another attack in May.

From the ry Court Barracks to Ma Tou Town, Horn could hear reports from Cheka about the related news.

At first, they tried to use the previous "peace negotiation theory" to persuade the soldiers to surrender and cease fighting.

Later, finding it ineffective, they began to establish barracks and stables, dismantling the fortresses Horn had built earlier.

This obviously prepared them for long-term combat.

When reinforcements reached eighty thousand, driven by the desire for spoils, and faced with the difficult Thousand River Valley Holy Alliance Army.

These newly arrived troops began plundering the local area first.

Not to mention ordinary villages, even those estates belonging to nobles who submitted to the Thousand River Valley had deserters, soldiers, and broken troops taking turns to extort, rob, and loot.

However, after the pillaging, the originally gathered soldiers seemed to be dispersing subtly.

According to reports from the Defender, the Leia Army seems to have abandoned the Kenke Town-Damp Dock defense line and shifted towards Shangruifo County in large numbers.

Horn judged this was likely not a change in main attack direction, but simply that tens of thousands gathered around Xia Lvcheng made the grain expensive.

Fifty thousand men are more than enough to attack the Nao'an River defense line, the remaining thirty thousand either advance south to attack Kasha County or head north to attack Shangruifo County.

From the intelligence provided by the Defender, Cheka, and Flanlaya Spy, King Jiji chose Shangruifo County.

He sent a letter to inquire André and received the same answer.

After all, Shangruifo County is upstream, once conquered, they could follow the current down, bypass Damp Dock, and directly enter Rapids City.

Just then, Lower Reif County borders the Shattered Stone Plain and Thorn Garden, allowing the Oslar Clan in Thorn Garden to take charge of logistics and supplies.

This is indeed a helpless move, increasing troops to eighty thousand already causes logistics and supply issues.

If not for the Nao'an River as a major transport artery, King Jiji would probably be able to field only thirty thousand troops at most.

With the support of the Black Crown Battle Group, Wild Wolf Battle Group, Chongxin Battle Group, and Divine Punishment Battle Group, the Nao'an River defense line has become solidified.

However, the northern Shangruifo County defense line seems somewhat precarious.

"Your Grace, Lord Valent Taylor has arrived."

Wearing a thick black robe, Valent Taylor appeared like a weathered uncle, and at some point, he had started wearing glasses on his nose.

"Long time no see, Your Grace."

Horn smiled and shook hands with him: "Calling you here in such haste really is a bother."

"In front of Your Grace, what can I call a bother?" Valent Taylor appeared decisive, "Has André engaged the Leia people yet?"

Horn snapped his fingers, and a Secret Monk stepped forward, opened a wooden file folder, and began explaining the situation.

This attack, though relying on Thorn Garden's logistics, isn't the Oslar Clan's army.

King Jiji is still pulling Duke Omes to attack the Nao'an River defense line.

If he lets the Oslar Clan's army attack Shangruifo County from Thorn Garden, then Duke Omes is bound to slack off.

Perhaps during the latter stage of the conflict, Duke Omes might feel uncomfortable and go home himself without King Jiji knowing, that would be truly disastrous.

According to the Secret Monks' judgment, this young king must have Duke Omes by his side to feel at ease.

Therefore, this time the attack on Shangruifo County is instead from the Border Knight Order's army.

Frankly, the Border Knight Order, primarily consisting of cavalry, should be used for open-field battles.

Holy Alliance has been playing fortress tactics, and with Hotam County's hills and streams, cavalry field battle is inconvenient.

As for the endless plateau of Shattered Stone Plain, that's where knights should deploy.

"According to frontline reconnaissance, three days ago, the Border Knight Order had their first engagement with the Iron Fist Battle Group at Bear Chomping Castle.

The City Guard Socette of Bear Chomping Castle mobilized numerous Shepherds, offering heavy rewards as an example.

He used Spring Cannons to defend against the enemy, and the Border Knight Order faced Spring Cannons for the first time, were apprehensive, attacked fiercely for three days but had to retreat.

However, the Border Knight Order is now gathering the Shattered Stone Plain Noble Alliance Army, mobilizing many shovels and pickaxes, likely to return soon."

"Seeing it this way, André's first battle was fairly decent." Valent Taylor stroked the stubble on his chin.

"Who is this Socette, I've never heard of him?" Horn asked, puzzled.

"A Falan, a former subordinate of Battle Commander André during his service in the Falan, of civilian background, retired as a Squadron Leader."

In Falan, a Squadron Leader is the ceiling for a military position for civilians.

André understood the path to success well, after losing control of Moliat, he brought along a bunch of former subordinates from his Falan service.

In fact, according to Cheka's report, there are now two factions within the Iron Fist Battle Group.

One is André's original followers from the Saint Sun's Army guerrilla days, the other is his subordinates from his Falan Army service.

Horn is uncertain of André's intentions.

During the Bloodless Night, he supported Horn and took the right stance.

Yet, he refuses to accept Horn's intensive training, even the Military Chaplain is self-appointed.

This old friend entrenched himself in Shangruifo County, with a battle group structure, organizing an army of over seven thousand people.

Horn has only provided him the military budget as per the battle group's structure, the rest is earned entirely through border trade.

So far, the Thousand River Valley Holy Alliance has surprisingly not managed effective control over the Iron Fist Battle Group.

Aside from helping André in defense, one of Horn's major goals is to absorb this Iron Fist Battle Group.

Raising his head, Horn looked at Valent Taylor, contemplating the battle: "Back then you were a Rebel Army together with André, are you interested in collaborating again?"

"Now?"

"Yes, Senior Pastor, André has no reason to refuse."

Valent Taylor was first taken aback, then smiled bitterly: "Although I have some face within the Iron Fist Battle Group, it's difficult for a clever woman to cook without rice."

"Don't worry." Horn smiled slightly, "He has strong supporters, don't you have them too?"

"My strong supporters?"

"Do you think you alone have been progressing?" Horn laughed, "The members of Saint Sun's Army are committed warriors, do you think I would overlook them?"

"Uncle Valent Taylor!"

"Is André being disobedient again?"

"Uncle Valent Taylor, why are you wearing glasses? Becoming a college student?"

"It's me, Ansel, can you still see me clearly?"

Valent Taylor turned his head in surprise, only to see comrades from the Saint Sun's Army days once again appearing on the deck.

Some young, some old.

Compared to past confusion and numbness, now they all seemed to be in high spirits.

The confusion and numbness in their eyes had vanished, replaced instead by a few traces of resilience and the wear from battlefield.

"During these four years, they first learned literacy at Frick Middle School, then took roles as clerks or military chaplains in the countryside or battle groups.

This time, in order to maintain control over the northern situation, I withdrew them all from their original posts..."

Horn hadn't finished speaking when a group of young monks rushed up, joyfully embracing Valent Taylor.

Valent Taylor was shedding tears as he hugged each old friend of the past.

Horn smiled and stopped, after three years' absence, these friends bound by life and death surely had much to say.

There was no need to interrupt.

"Prepare a cabin for the gentlemen, and if you have wine, send it over. If anyone asks, just say it's for me." Horn whispered to the monk beside him with a smile.