Chapter 165: Fall into a Trap

Zhao Prefect looked at Jiang Xiaomu, his eyes full of admiration.

Mr. Jiang, you are indeed resourceful and strategic; I, the official, am impressed!

Jiang Xiaomu smiled modestly.

You flatter me, sir; this is what a subordinate ought to do.

Good! No delay; let's start preparations now!

Zhao Prefect immediately gave the order; the commanders received it and left, beginning preparations for tonight's operation.

Night fell; Jiang Xiaomu led an elite unit, sneaking quietly into the tunnel.

Inside the barbarian grand camp, Tu Hai sat in his tent, looking at the slip of paper in his hand, his brows slightly relaxing.

This could be considered the only good news he had received in many days.

Report! General Wuchu requests an audience!

Come in.

The tent flap was lifted, and a burly barbarian with a fleshy face walked in.

Wuchu, are all the arrangements made?

Tu Hai asked.

Reporting to the Grand Commander, everything is ready," Wuchu replied in a deep, muffled voice, a cruel smile appearing on his face.

The tunnel was damp and cold, filled with the smell of earth.

Jiang Xiaomu led the suicide squad, bending low, moving forward in the darkness.

The tunnel was narrow, allowing only one person to pass; everyone held their breath, trying to make no sound.

After walking about half an hour, light finally appeared ahead.

The exit! Jiang Xiaomu felt a surge of joy and quickened his pace.

Emerging from the tunnel, they discovered they were at the grain storage area of the barbarian grand camp.

Jiang Xiaomu whispered an order:

Lei Gong, are the explosives ready?

Lei Gong grinned.

Heh heh, they've been ready for a while; we're just waiting to light them!

Jiang Xiaomu scanned the surroundings, confirming no barbarian soldiers were patrolling, then gave the order:

Action!

The soldiers immediately dispersed, connecting the prepared fuses to the explosives.

Just then, flames suddenly shot up all around, countless torches lighting the previously pitch-black night as bright as day.

Oh no! An ambush!

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jumped; before he could react, he was surrounded by a group of barbarian soldiers wielding weapons.

Leading them was a burly man with a fleshy face—none other than the barbarian general Wuchu.

He looked at the surrounded Jiang Xiaomu and company and burst into loud laughter.

Hahaha! Jiang Xiaomu.

You think your little tricks can fool me? I already knew you'd come through the tunnel!

Jiang Xiaomu forced himself to stay calm, speaking coldly:

Wuchu, since you knew, why wait for us to come out?

Wuchu gave a sinister chuckle.

Naturally it's a case of catching a turtle in a jar—I'll make sure you come but never go back!

Only then did Jiang Xiaomu realize that Wuchu had long discovered the tunnel, deliberately using their own plan against them, waiting for them to walk into the net.

Hahaha! Jiang Xiaomu, you're really an idiot!

Wuchu shouted triumphantly.

Now, do you have any last words to say?

Just as Wuchu was lost in his triumph, Lei Gong suddenly burst from the crowd, hurling his explosive packet hard at the grain pile.

Boom! A huge roar erupted, flames shot up, and the grain pile instantly turned into a sea of fire.

The sudden explosion disrupted the barbarian army's formation.

Jiang Xiaomu seized the opportunity, shouting loudly: "Kill!"

The soldiers, like tigers descending from the mountain, brandished their weapons and charged at the barbarian soldiers.

Wuchu too was stunned by the sudden explosion, then flew into a rage.

Damn it! Kill them for me!

Although the barbarian grand army was numerous and strong, the sudden explosion threw its formation into disarray.

In a short time, they were actually defeated step by step by Jiang Xiaomu and company.

Seeing the situation turn bad, Wuchu brandished his saber and charged straight at Jiang Xiaomu.

Jiang Xiaomu, take your life!

Jiang Xiaomu, not to be outdone, drew his waist sword and went forward to meet him.

Their blades clashed, sparks flying. Wuchu possessed boundless strength; each of his blows carried the force to split mountains and shatter stone.

Jiang Xiaomu, relying on his agile footwork, continually dodged and looked for a chance to counterattack.

The two went back and forth, fighting fiercely for dozens of rounds, with no clear victor.

Wuchu grew braver the longer he fought, his saber whirling like a windmill, forcing Jiang Xiaomu to retreat step by step.

Jiang Xiaomu, you will surely die today!

Wuchu let out a furious roar, the sabre in his hand chopping down fiercely.

Jiang Xiaomu dodged to the side, his long sword seizing the chance to thrust at Wuchu's chest.

Wuchu couldn't dodge in time, a long gash was cut into his chest.

Fresh blood spurted out, staining his armor red.

He let out a muffled grunt, stumbling backward, clutching his chest as he stared at Jiang Xiaomu in disbelief.

Jiang Xiaomu hesitated not at all, lifting his leg to kick Wuchu hard in the abdomen, sending him flying.

Retreat!

Jiang Xiaomu let out a loud shout, rushing first toward the tunnel entrance.

The surrounding soldiers also followed suit, fighting while retreating.

The chaos from the explosion gave them a slim chance, but the number of barbarian soldiers was simply too great.

The soldiers Jiang Xiaomu had brought suffered heavy casualties; the once mighty force now numbered less than half.

The rearguard soldiers fell one after another, using their own flesh and blood to buy time for their comrades to escape.

Jiang Xiaomu felt sorrow in his heart, yet dared not linger even a moment.

Upon reaching the tunnel entrance, Jiang Xiaomu glanced back to see barbarian soldiers surging forward like a tide.

Lei Gong! Blow up the entrance!

Jiang Xiaomu shouted.

Lei Gong hesitated not at all, lit the last explosive pack, and threw it into the tunnel entrance.

Boom—

With a tremendous bang, the tunnel entrance collapsed, blocking the pursuers outside.

Cough cough cough—

The pervasive smoke and dust made everyone cough incessantly; Jiang Xiaomu endured the discomfort and led the crowd onward.

After walking an unknown length of time, light finally appeared ahead.

Lookout Prefecture City! We're back!

Someone shouted, and everyone's spirits lifted as they quickened their pace.

Upon returning to Lookout Prefecture City, Jiang Xiaomu immediately ordered the gates closed and defenses strengthened.

On the city wall, Jiang Xiaomu gazed at the blazing barbarian camp beyond, his feelings mixed.

Suddenly he felt dizzy, his vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

When he awoke again, Jiang Xiaomu found himself lying in bed, his younger sister Jiang Xiaoyu sitting beside him, watching him anxiously.

Brother, you're awake!

Jiang Xiaoyu saw Jiang Xiaomu awake and burst into tears of joy.

What's wrong with me?

Jiang Xiaomu felt sore all over, his head heavy and foggy.

You've been unconscious for two days! The doctor said you're exhausted from overwork, plus your injury, and you need proper rest.

Jiang Xiaoyu explained.

Jiang Xiaomu struggled to sit up.

Brother, don't move recklessly! Your wound isn't healed yet!

Jiang Xiaoyu quickly steadied him.

Xiao Yu, how many brothers did we lose this time?

Jiang Xiaomu's voice was a little hoarse.

Jiang Xiaoyu's eyes reddened again as she spoke, choking up.

Three hundred brothers, and fewer than a hundred returned...

Brother, don't be too sad; everyone fought to defend Lookout Prefecture City...

Jiang Xiaoyu comforted him.