With the rise of my family, I can summon the Daoist Soldiers' Nest.

The Northern Xiongnu army besieging Shuofang City was commanded by the Left Grand Commandant under the Eastern Tuqi King, who was stationed in the largest tent in the center of the camp.

The large tent was surrounded by a large number of personal guards, with elite soldiers guarding its entrances and exits, demonstrating the commander-in-chief's authority and status in the army.

However, next to the main tent, there was another tent of slightly smaller size, which was also heavily guarded by a large number of guards, with security no less than that of the main tent.

Peeking inside through the curtain, the sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments drifted out, mixed with suppressed gasps and sobs.

Inside the tent, a group of Han women who had been abducted by the Northern Xiongnu were being forced to dance. Their frail bodies trembled uncontrollably, and tears welled in their eyes, yet they had to suppress their grief and twist their waists to the music, hiding their pain behind their dance moves.

Seated in the main seat was a robust man of about forty years old, with a dark complexion and a sharp and bold air characteristic of a grassland king.

On the lower left is Morigen, the Left Grand Shaman under the Eastern Dharma King, who had just assisted the Northern Xiongnu army in capturing Lulong Prefecture, and two Dharma Protectors from the four directions, one of whom had a blood-soaked bandage wrapped around his chest.

On the right sat the chieftains from various tribes, each with a different expression: some were composed, some greedy, and some showed a rough and rugged side due to their intoxication.

"Come, drink this cup to the brim!" the second prince laughed loudly, raising his cup in celebration. "Let's celebrate the Great Shaman and the two protectors' conquest of Lulong Prefecture!"

"Thank you, Second Prince!" Morigen bowed slightly.

"The Second Prince's strategic planning was crucial in the successful capture of Lulong Prefecture. When we meet the Dharma King in the future, I will convey this sentiment to him on behalf of the Second Prince."

It turns out he was the second prince of the Northern Xiongnu royal court, Helian Batu.

Six years ago, he personally led his iron cavalry in a surprise attack on Gongchang Prefecture. A detachment of his troops also destroyed the stronghold of Xiang County and seized a first-class Taoist stronghold, making him famous overnight and causing his prestige and power in the imperial court to rise rapidly.

Inside the tent, wine glasses clinked and the air was filled with the aroma of wine mixed with the lingering scents of perfume and blood.

Several tribal chiefs, who were completely drunk, could no longer restrain themselves. They reached out and pulled the Han Chinese dancers who were nearby, and began to grope them wantonly, which elicited soft pleas and struggles from the women.

The second prince watched all this with a smile, his eyes showing no pity, only cold scrutiny and calculation.

These leaders were forces he had personally cultivated, and they were important bargaining chips in the future struggle for the position of Chanyu.

As long as they are engrossed in immediate pleasures and conquests, they will remain firmly under his command, becoming pawns on his power chessboard.

Just as the clamor of the banquet had not yet subsided, a guard lifted the curtain and entered, kneeling on one knee to report: "Second Prince, someone outside requests an audience."

Helian Batu glanced around the tent. The tribal chiefs who had been so eager had already left with the dancers under the influence of alcohol. The huge tent was now only occupied by him, the Great Shaman Morigen, and the two protectors.

He nodded slightly: "Let them in."

A moment later, several people dressed in the attire of Northern Xiongnu warriors entered the tent.

They were the spies that Helian Batu had planted in Wuwei County six years ago. For many years, they had been gathering information, creating chaos, and waiting for an opportunity to disrupt the defenses of the Gongchang Prefecture area.

At this moment, they were to report to the Second Prince on the recent situation in Wuwei County and the surrounding area.

The leader of the spies said in a deep voice, "Second Prince, we have been operating in Wuwei County recently. At first, we were able to successfully gather intelligence on the Northern Han army and create disturbances near Gongchang Prefecture."

However, since the Northern Han launched a large-scale purge some time ago, our army's disruptive effect on the periphery has been greatly reduced, and many brothers have been lost. Currently, our ability to contain the local forces is far less than before.

Helian Batu listened and nodded calmly.

This move was originally a spare piece he left behind after his surprise attack on Gongchang Prefecture and the capture of the lair of the first-class Taoist soldiers. It would be good if it could be used, but even if it failed, it would not affect the overall situation.

"Okay, I understand."

"You did a good job. Now get back to the team. The big battle is coming up, and we'll need your help."

Upon hearing this, one of the scouts exchanged a glance with his companion, then glanced at the high shaman Morigen sitting on the left, as if he had something to say but hesitated to speak.

Helian Batu keenly noticed the change in their expressions. "The Great Shaman is one of us. Speak freely about anything."

The scout took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "I have another important matter to report."

He then reported that a spy had discovered a second-rate lair but was unexpectedly killed by the Lin family, and that the Lin family had contracted a third-rate lair based on the clues.

Upon hearing this, Helian Batu raised an eyebrow and fell into a brief moment of contemplation.

The Great Shaman Zuo and the two protectors remained silent. According to the rules of the sect, as shamanic warriors, they were not allowed to form contracts with nests, so this matter had no direct connection with them.

"You said you discovered a second-rate lair, but the Lin family contracted a third-rate lair based on the clues?" Helian repeated, "And not long ago, they also contracted another third-rate lair?"

"Exactly," the scout replied. "However, to avoid revealing their whereabouts, the person who discovered it only informed them of the existence of the second-rate hideout, without specifying the exact location, only vaguely mentioning that it was in the vicinity of Gongchang Prefecture."

As for why it later became a third-rate hideout, we don't know either.

The tent was quiet for a moment, with only the occasional crackling of the flint.

Helian Batu chuckled softly, a playful glint in his eyes. "Interesting, very interesting. This Lin family is quite intriguing."

He slowly leaned back in his chair. "Alright, you don't need to worry about this anymore. I'll handle it personally from now on."

Several scouts clasped their hands in farewell and left. The curtain fell, and the tent returned to silence, leaving only the Second Prince, the Great Shaman Zuo, and the two protectors.

The Great Shaman Morigen looked at the Second Prince with a thoughtful expression.

He also felt that the Lin family was strange, but since it concerned their lair and the rules of the sect were as solid as mountains, he, as a shamanic martial artist, could not easily interfere in such matters.

Moreover, the discovery of this nest was originally the Second Prince's achievement, and he had just reached a cooperation agreement with the Second Prince on behalf of the Eastern King. If he were to harbor any covetous thoughts at this time, it would inevitably damage the trust and understanding between them.

"Second Prince," Morigen slowly rose, "If there is nothing urgent, we shall take our leave now. We still need to prepare for tomorrow's great battle and dare not delay."

Helian Batu waved his hand slightly, "Great Shaman, wait a moment, we still need your help in this matter."

He stood up and walked slowly in the tent. "Since I personally led the iron cavalry to raid Gongchang Prefecture last time, the Northern Han's defenses on the border have been greatly strengthened. Now it is no easy task for me to lead a large force straight into Wuwei County as I did back then."

"However, since it concerns that second-rate hideout, I, Xiao Wang, am still unwilling to give up. But judging from what I just heard, the Lin family has now hired guards, and even if I send my own martial artists, I'm afraid they won't be able to handle it."

He paused, then turned to stare at the Great Shaman. "Therefore, I would like to ask the Great Shaman to make a trip and capture the head of the Lin family for me."

Once Xiao Wang successfully obtains the second-rate lair, he will certainly not mistreat the Great Shaman.

Upon hearing this, the Great Shaman Zuo remained silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Heh, this is a small matter. Leave it to me."

"Once the battle is over, I will go there with the two protectors and bring the Lin family patriarch to you."

Despite this, Morigen had other plans in mind.

He had never wanted to get involved in this matter and had previously intended to leave under some pretext. However, the Second Prince had already spoken, and since the matter involved the agreement that the two sides had just reached and their future cooperation, if he refused on the spot, it would inevitably affect their relationship.

After weighing the options, he had no choice but to agree. However, having just formed a contract with a third-rate family nest, even with some guards, it would be a piece of cake to deal with his three acquired martial artists and four acquired Dao soldiers.