"Old God of War, don't get too smug. While I agreed to fight you, it doesn't mean I'll bow down to you."
"I will definitely find a way to fight you to a draw."
Upon hearing this, the Old God of War immediately unleashed a wave of pressure, making Chu Chen's breathing falter.
"Prime Minister Chu, I, Huo Qing, admit that you are quite skilled in governing and managing the country."
"However, in terms of personal strength, you are still a step behind me, Huo Qing."
Chu Chen couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. Why had he chosen this guy to help him?
But it was too late to turn back. Thinking of how the Xiongnu experts were defeated and all committed suicide by poison.
Chu Chen immediately said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, those Xiongnu experts are incredibly formidable. Once the Old God of War takes action, he will surely defeat them."
"However, I worry that these so-called experts will either escape or choose death over surrender."
"This would be of no help in understanding deeper secrets."
"If they were to commit suicide by poison, all our efforts these past few days would be in vain."
The Empress nodded upon hearing this.
"In that case, what good solution do you propose we have to resolve this issue?"
Chu Chen pondered for a moment and said, "I believe that when the Old God of War is fighting those enemies, he could find an opportunity to acupoint them, rendering them immobile."
"After defeating them all, we can then remove any possibility of them committing suicide, and then we can interrogate them slowly."
The Old God of War's expression turned slightly displeased upon hearing this.
"Why acupoint them? Just knock them unconscious. There's not a single good one among these scoundrels."
"Knock them out, bring them back, and torture them. Let's see what useful information they can divulge."
Chu Chen said with a wry smile, "Old God of War, what you say has some merit, but what if they wake up midway?"
"What if they have potent poison ready to swallow at any moment to commit suicide?"
"Therefore, the best method is to directly incapacitate them with acupoints."
The Empress nodded, "Discuss the details amongst yourselves. I only care about the outcome."
Chu Chen nodded and said, "In that case, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave now."
The Empress waved her hand, and Chu Chen and the Old God of War left the palace together.
"Prime Minister Chu, how is your chess game? Is it comparable to your literary and military prowess?"
Chu Chen scratched his head, looking somewhat embarrassed. "Old God of War, I forgot something. My residence doesn't even have a chessboard."
Hearing this, the Old God of War, Huo Qing, was speechless. "So, Prime Minister Chu is just toying with me."
"However, that's not an issue. Prime Minister Chu can send someone to my mansion to fetch a chessboard. Besides, I'm not used to ordinary chessboards."
"By the way, Prime Minister Chu, when we get to your Prime Minister's residence, while waiting for the chessboard, you must spar with me. I need to practice my martial arts."
"It's been half a month since I've fought anyone. Those fellows have gotten smarter, and I can't find any excuse to discipline them."
Chu Chen looked surprised. "Old God of War, since you insist on fighting, I won't refuse. However, you must show me some mercy. If you beat me so badly that I can't attend court, Her Majesty will not be pleased."
Huo Qing then burst into laughter. "It seems Prime Minister Chu knows his own strength. Don't worry, I, Huo Qing, know my limits."
"After fighting me, all my old comrades have improved. They even thanked me afterward."
Hearing this, Chu Chen couldn't help but scratch his head with a wry smile. "Then they truly have masochistic tendencies. I am truly inferior to them in that regard."
Upon returning to the Prime Minister's residence, Huo Qing asked Chu Chen to find someone to send to the God of War's mansion for the chessboard and then prepared to fight.
"Old God of War, are you going to fight me? Shouldn't I make some arrangements first?"
Huo Qing scratched his head awkwardly. "Well, alright, Prime Minister Chu, hurry up and make your arrangements. I'm already getting impatient."
Chu Chen shrugged helplessly and then said to someone hidden in the shadows, "Guard."
Instantly, a figure appeared beside Chu Chen. "My lord."
Chu Chen said, "Immediately send someone to the Xiongnu. I want to gather all intelligence on the Xiongnu Chanyu, as well as intelligence on all Xiongnu tribes."
"You can also gather any other intelligence that you deem valuable."
"Remember, do not reveal your identity, and gather as much intelligence as possible."
"As for the funds needed, request as much as possible. Don't be afraid of spending money, but you must achieve the objective."
"Yes, my lord."
Chu Chen nodded. "You may go."
After the dark guard expert left, Chu Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He then turned his head and saw the Old God of War looking at him expectantly.
"Prime Minister Chu, you have no other excuse to refuse to fight me now, do you?"
Chu Chen smiled slightly. "Old God of War, let's begin. I don't believe that with my current strength, I'm still no match for you."
The Old God of War immediately became excited, rubbing his hands together. "Prime Minister Chu, I've long heard that you are young and possess great cultivation."
"This time, I want to see just how strong your cultivation is."
"If you can match me in my youth, then you've won."
Chu Chen was slightly stunned by this remark.
"Old God of War, what do you mean by that?"
The Old God of War smiled and said, "Prime Minister Chu, I will fight you with the same combat power as yours."
"This way, you can't say I'm bullying you, right?"
Chu Chen's heart leaped with joy upon hearing this.
"Old God of War, in that case, let's begin."
Chu Chen immediately threw a punch. The Old God of War, wanting to test his depth, did not attack proactively but kept dodging.
Although neither side used weapons, the power of their combat was even more astonishing than if they had.
"Old God of War, your combat power is indeed much higher than that of ordinary experts. Even if you lower your cultivation to my level, you are still a top-tier cultivator."
Huo Qing smiled and said, "Prime Minister Chu, are you conceding defeat?"
"If you continue to fight me, perhaps I would show some mercy. But if you surrender so quickly, I will have to teach you a lesson."
Chu Chen said with a cold smile, "The Old God of War is too self-righteous. I was merely flattering you."
"Perhaps you are indeed formidable at this level of cultivation, but it's impossible for you to defeat me."
Chu Chen suddenly increased his offensive, his combat power significantly stronger than before.
Even the Old God of War found it somewhat strenuous.
However, the light in the Old God of War's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"That's more like it."