Chapter 630

A few soldiers awkwardly dressed him, strapped on a side sword, and cheerfully crowded around him as they walked out.

Lu Wu was shoved forward and couldn't help glancing back.

Xiao Er bent down, lifted Tuan Tuan, and jumped down from the platform.

The big man with a scar across his eyebrow also followed them.

The two boys, along with the group laughing and chatting, walked in the opposite direction, getting farther and farther away.

Lu Wu's heart felt as if something had yanked it hard, and bitterness filled his mouth.

He had been here since early morning—chopping wood, digging ditches, grooming horses, sparring—exhausted to this point, yet couldn't even say a single word to her!

"Old Zhao, hurry up! What are you dawdling for?"

Lu Wu was yanked into a stumble, and together with dozens of soldiers, walked out of the Main Camp.

As soon as they passed the camp gate, the soldiers quickened their pace and sprinted into the mountains.

Run, all of you, run faster; it's best if you disappear from sight.

Lu Wu rubbed his aching legs, staying at the rear, hoping to slip back to the Main Camp unnoticed after they were gone.

But, the next moment.

"Old Zhao, keep up!" the black‑faced big man at the front shouted back at him, "It's your first mountain patrol, the old rule is to stay in the middle! Don't fall behind!"

Lu Wu: "…"

There was no choice; he had to sprint a few steps and get into the middle of the formation.

The black‑faced big man led the front, his steps light: "These days have been fine, quite peaceful."

"Peaceful isn't good enough? Old Han, do you need someone to come by the camp every day to make it lively?"

Old Han laughed: "That's not it; it's just that there's nothing happening, and these days feel a bit dull."

"Dull? Then go find Deputy Commander Zhang and have him train you more!"

Although everyone chatted and laughed, their voices were low, and their feet kept moving, swooshing as they crossed a mountain ridge.

Lu Wu followed, panting heavily.

He dared not ask where they were headed, nor how long they would run, and could only keep his head down and follow.

After crossing another mountain, Lu Wu's legs were completely numb.

Old Han glanced back at him: "Old Zhao, you alright? Did Xiao Er beat you up?"

Lu Wu forced a smile, lowered his voice: "No, I'm fine."

Fine? His legs were trembling.

Another soldier laughed: "Old Zhao, Xiao Er was right; your stamina is lacking. You've only gone so far, why can't you keep running?"

Only so far? We've already crossed two mountains, alright!

Lu Wu gritted his teeth, looked up at the front, saw another ridge, and his vision suddenly went black.

He didn't know how long he'd been running, but his legs no longer felt his own.

Each step felt as if he were stepping on cotton.

The setting sun sank in the west.

Finally, Old Han waved his hand: "Return to the camp!"

The soldiers whispered cheers: "All safe! Back to the camp for meat!"

"I'm starving; just thinking of roasted lamb makes my mouth water."

"Haha, look at how greedy you are!"

Lu Wu let out a long sigh; he could finally go back to eat.

He recalled the meat‑sauce mixed rice from noon, and his mouth filled with extra saliva.

But, the next moment.

Old Han, who was at the front, suddenly raised his hand and pressed down toward those behind.

Everyone stopped instantly, crouching in the bushes.

Lu Wu, not understanding why, also crouched down.

What's wrong?

Old Han pointed upward, lowering his voice: "Relay backward, there's enemy ahead, draw swords! Spread out! Surround!"

Enemy sighting?

Lu Wu's heart jolted, rising to his throat.

Could it be that Wei Shen and his men have been discovered?

Dozens silently drew their side swords, instantly forming squads of five and scattering in all directions.

Lu Wu had no choice but to draw the side sword at his waist.

His hand went heavy; how could this blade be so heavy!

The remaining strength in this body was already scant; if a fight broke out, he feared he couldn't even swing the sword.

Seeing the soldiers spread out, he felt bewildered: where should he go?

The soldier behind gave him a tug and pointed toward the front‑right.

Lu Wu mimicked the others, crouching low and silently moving to the spot the soldier indicated, joining four others to lie prone in the bushes.

He waited a moment, mustering courage, and peeked forward.

In the mountain hollow, vague silhouettes of dozens of figures lay, all clad in black, facing the Main Camp, motionless.

It was Wei Shen and those guards!

A buzzing sound rang in Lu Wu's mind.

Damned! How can I avoid being spotted by these soldiers and send them a warning?

Lao Han was clearly experienced; after having the soldiers surround the area, he did not rashly attack, but instead with a swoosh leapt up onto a large tree nearby.

Using the treetops for cover, he quietly looked around.

All the soldiers stared intently at him, waiting for orders.

The mountains were very quiet, with only occasional bird calls and insect sounds.

Lu Wu was extremely anxious in his heart, desperately thinking of a countermeasure, but had no idea what to do.

His unit lay in ambush directly behind Wei Shen's troops, the closest position.

The wind blew the faint murmurs from ahead over to him:

"We've been waiting almost a whole day—why hasn't that old man come out yet?"

"Let us take such a huge risk, waiting for him at the gate of a Main Camp of fifty thousand troops! Who does he think he is?"

"I think he won't accomplish anything; if it gets dark, someone might come out to patrol, and our few people wouldn't even be enough to stuff between their teeth."

Wei Shen looked at the sky: "Wait a little longer; if he still doesn't come out, we'll withdraw!"

"Forget about him? How will we explain ourselves when we go back?"

Wei Shen gave a hehe laugh: "Let's first go back to rest and regroup; we'll come again early tomorrow."

"If he's lucky enough to bring people out, just tell him we've waited for him a day and a night."

"Returning to Jingcheng, the brothers will each have earned a great merit."

"If he doesn't have that fate, are we really going to stay here and bury ourselves with him?"

"The guards were obviously pleased: "General Wei's mind is indeed quicker than ours!""

"Exactly! Everyone, listen to General Wei!"

Lu Wu was furious beyond containment.

Recalling the whole day, he had suffered hardship and exhaustion, and had even been badly beaten.

You're just standing here doing nothing, yet you dare to scheme against me like this!

His chest blazed with fury, and he gripped the hilt of his knife tightly.

Lao Han up in the tree gauged the forces on both sides, and saw clearly that there were no other ambush troops.

He silently signaled to the soldiers ambushed in the bushes with a gesture to chop downwards.

Lu Wu was the first to jump up fiercely, brandishing his broadsword, and charged forward madly.

He roared: "Kill—!"

He gathered all the grievance, anger, and pain he had endured that day onto the blade, and struck down fiercely.

The soldiers behind hurried to follow, all stunned: "Old Zhao is so fierce!"