Pei Yan listened to Kodwen's words, enlarged the map repeatedly to check the distance between the two places, continually calculating before finally nodding, "You're right, but we still need to set up three blockade lines. These two should be set up at the junction between the two locations, and the other one after the battle begins within the Red Calamity's range."

As he spoke, he waved his hand to interrupt Kodwen, who was about to speak, and continued, "I want these first two blockade lines, the first one doesn't need to be too dense, but it must intercept the first wave of enemy Magma Insects and deal a heavy blow to them. The second blockade line, I want most of the enemy's advance forces to die here. Can you do it?"

Sensing Pei Yan's unwavering gaze on him and before Kodwen could respond, Bailang piped up, "I'll send my people to handle this...."

"Mr. Bailang, I am asking him if he can do it!" Pei Yan interrupted Bailang's words, looking again at Kodwen and asked, "Can you do it?"

"Yes!" Kodwen replied, clenching his fists and nodding.

"Next, I want you to lead the troops to block the attack of ten thousand Red Armored Warriors! Can you hold them off for at least two hours?" Pei Yan continued to press.

"Mr. Shitang!" Bailang jumped up from his seat upon hearing this. Everyone in the room turned their attention to him as he paced a few steps, finally stopping in front of Pei Yan and saying, "Mr. Shitang, you undoubtedly have your reasons for your actions, and we can follow your plan. I have many capable officers under my command for you to choose from."

Hearing this, Kodwen lowered his head, gritted his teeth, and clenched his fists. Bailang's words clearly showed his disdain for him, as now he had more capable and trustworthy personnel at his disposal.

"Who? Leohard? Or that Res?" Pei Yan raised his teacup, took a sip, and stared into Bailang's eyes, "If Leohard really dies in battle, you'd be very upset, wouldn't you? And Res's ability to command operations doesn't seem much stronger than Kodwen's."

"Phew!" Bailang rubbed his forehead and sighed deeply, acknowledging reluctantly, "Besides them, I could choose someone else. Mr. Shitang, this isn't a small-scale battle, and before the war, Kodwen was at most a commander of a thousand troops. This is a command operation for thousands."

"That's why I only intend to give him three thousand men!"

The moment Pei Yan said this, those in the investigation hall didn't show any surprise. In the history of wars known to modern people, there are many examples of victories achieved despite numerical disadvantage. Although the gap between three thousand and ten thousand is significant, if arranged properly, it seems feasible.

However, for the demon race present who knew the difference between ordinary demon soldiers and Red Armored Warriors, expressions of intrigue appeared on their faces. Bailang sat cross-legged, looked at Pei Yan, and said in a deep voice, "Mr. Shitang, what do you mean by this?"

Placing the empty teacup aside, Pei Yan calmly responded, "Just what I said, these three thousand men are being sent to their deaths!" Upon hearing this, even newcomers to the investigation hall, including Elder Lin, were moved.

Xiaojiang, hearing this, stepped forward and interjected, "Pei, uh, Mr. Shitang, that's really unnecessary. I have..."

"Xiaojiang!" Elder Lin's roaring voice suddenly rang out. Seeing Elder Lin's angry expression and Pei Yan remaining silent with his head lowered, Jiang Feiyang let out a few awkward chuckles and withdrew.

Bailang looked around at several people before finally fixing his gaze on Pei Yan and said in a deep, serious voice, "Mr. Shitang, there is no need for this. This time, the total number of integrated forces will definitely exceed our estimate; we can fight the enemy head-on without sending these men to unnecessary deaths."

"Will the casualties from frontal confrontation be less than these three thousand? Moreover, regardless of how many people you have, I intend to use more troops where they can be most effective. I will disclose the specific plans during the operational meeting, but the setup here will not change unless there's a significant turn of events!" Pei Yan spoke as he turned back to Kodwen, continuing, "Three thousand against ten thousand is a fight to the death. The trusted commanders of the Kataraga Autonomous Territory should be employed in the main assault; I don't trust those cunning power holders from other territories! Can you do it?"

"Can you trust me?" Kodwen looked up, staring into Pei Yan's eyes, and asked.

"I don't, but among the available options, you stand out, and I believe you might surprise me! Answer me directly, can you do it?" Pei Yan replied with a slightly impatient tone.

"How long do you want me to hold?"

"At least three hours. After three hours, if you're still alive with surviving subordinates, lead them to the pre-set third blockade line!"

"Hahaha!" Upon hearing Pei Yan's words, Kodwen, who was initially quite reserved, burst into loud laughter. He laughed until he stood up from his seat, knelt on one knee, and bowed his head, saying, "My family perished in this catastrophe; I thought I would live the rest of my life in a daze. Mr. Shitang's arrival gave me an opportunity, a chance for revenge and to make a name for myself. For this opportunity, for Mr. Shitang's trust, I, Kodwen Hawk, am willing to fight to the death and will not fail to live up to it!"

"Very well!" Pei Yan looked at Bailang, clapped his hands, and smiled, "Give him soldiers who are the best-equipped and most obedient. Don't let down his passion, can you do that?"

"At this point, what else can I say? I'll arrange it!" Bailang shook his head, resigned, and said.

That night, in the mansion where the investigation hall was staying, after finishing his reconnaissance, Pei Yan collapsed in a chair, letting the mechanical clone massage him. He listened to the sound of the palm pressing down, producing creaks and groans in his bones. With prolonged mechanization, he even wondered if his bones had turned to steel.

Watching his companions busily cooking and taking a look at the scenery outside the window, Gu Shenghui, having led a team to suppress other refuges, had not returned yet. Compared to his relatively smooth scouting, that team's experience was likely to be a storm of blood and rain.

"Pei Yan, about today, I am sorry!"

Hearing this, Pei Yan turned his head and saw Jiang Feiyang sneaking up to him, whispering in a low voice. He chuckled, "Discipline! Discipline! Don't call out real names here; if Ye Ruozai hears, he'll mutter about you for a long time!"

"Hey! I know! Ever since Xiaoye got into trouble, this Old Ye has become more warm-hearted, like a housekeeper!" Jiang Feiyang said, pulling up a chair and sitting down with a wide grin, staring at Pei Yan for a long time without knowing what to say.

Seeing Jiang Feiyang's unease, Pei Yan straightened up, patted his shoulder, and said, "Are you still overthinking about what happened today? Don't worry, it's fine! I understand your feelings; you think it's not worth it, right?"

"I just wasn't thinking clearly at the time. These few days have been well-fed and well-entertained, and I really considered the other party as allies! After all, it's three thousand lives casually dismissed...." Jiang Feiyang said this, then gave himself a hard slap, which made Pei Yan startled, then watched him continue, "Later, Elder Lin and Xiayu also talked to me. They said that in this predicament, we're ultimately representing and upholding the interests of the real world. You're bearing a lot of pressure for this, and it's easy for me to talk without understanding, so don't take it to heart!"