Chapter 49: Tactics

"Huang Quan, you're being way too ruthless, aren't you?"

Jiang Xiaomu glanced at Huang Quan, who was standing beside him, delicately applying makeup to her copper mirror.

"At least he was a commander; couldn't you leave him a whole corpse?"

Huang Quan pursed her bright red lips at the mirror and replied lightly:

"Ah? I don't know? I was just following the leader's orders."

"That's the only way to be shocking enough."

"Besides, that old bastard Shen Yi even dared to harass me before he died."

"They say I apply powder to cover my pockmarks—humph, I made him lose his face entirely!"

Jiang Xiaomu twitched the corner of his mouth: "This woman, the most venomous heart!"

"Next time, be careful; don't go overboard."

Jiang Xiaomu set down the silk cloth, flicked the head with his finger, his voice icy,

"Cao Meng isn't a fool; Shen Yi was his beloved commander."

"Once Shen Yi dies, Cao Meng will surely notice; he will definitely not let it rest."

Huang Quan tucked away her copper mirror and threw Jiang Xiaomu a seductive look,

"Are you worried about me, Leader? I'm so moved!"

Jiang Xiaomu rolled his eyes,

"I'm worried my plan will be thrown off! If Cao Meng holes up and refuses to come out, how am I supposed to kill him?"

The system prompt sounded just in time: "Ding-dong"

【Host has completed the immediate mission: kill vanguard Shen Yi, reward Heavenly Fate Points: four hundred points.】

【Host has triggered a random mission: rout Cao Meng's army, reward Heavenly Fate Points: eight hundred points.】

Jiang Xiaomu secretly rejoiced, but his expression remained unchanged,

"Alright, stop primping here; hurry up and deliver Shen Yi's head to Cao Meng."

"Remember, strike a striking pose; best if you can scare the courage out of Cao Meng!"

Huang Quan giggled, swaying her snake-waist as she walked out, not forgetting to throw a seductive glance before leaving the door,

"Leader, rest assured, I'll guarantee the mission's completion!"

Watching Huang Quan's retreating back, Jiang Xiaomu shivered.

At Black Wind Pass Camp, Cao Meng anxiously awaited news of Shen Yi.

Since Shen Yi led his troops into Black Wind Pass, there's been no word, leaving him with a vague unease.

"Report—"

A soldier drenched in blood stumbled into the main tent,

"Report… report, General… Shen… General Shen… he…"

"What happened to Shen Yi? Don't hem and haw, speak quickly!"

Cao Meng sprang to his feet and grabbed the soldier's collar.

"Shen… General Shen… fell… fell in battle…"

The soldier stammered.

"What?!"

Cao Meng roared and flung the soldier to the ground,

"What did you say? Shen Yi died in battle? Impossible, how could this be?!"

"I know Shen Yi's skill; he's the bravest officer in my army!"

"How could he be beheaded! Absolutely impossible, are you seeing things?!"

"It's absolutely certain, General!"

The soldier cried out,

"I personally saw… General Shen… General Shen… he… he was killed by someone… killed by someone."

"That person even ripped off General Shen's head…"

Cao Meng's eyes turned blood-red: "Who? Who killed Shen Yi?!"

"It… it was a woman… a woman wearing a ghost mask…"

The soldier trembled as he spoke.

"Ghost… ghost mask?" Cao Meng stared, stunned.

"Yes… yes…"

The soldier quickly nodded,

"That woman… that woman's martial arts are extraordinarily high, and her movements are extremely eerie, like a ghost."

"We couldn't even land a blow on her, yet she alone slaughtered all our brothers."

"General Shen… General Shen simply wasn't her match…"

"A woman wearing a ghost mask?"

Cao Meng's mind filled with doubt:

"It's said in the underworld that only the Ghost Mask Army wears such masks."

"But we have no grudge with the Ghost Mask Army, we've never even met; they have no reason to attack us!"

"Could it be that Tieniu's Stronghold has the Ghost Mask Army as a backer?"

"Or perhaps the Ghost Mask Army also wants Tieniu's Stronghold, or their target is my Hulao Pass...."

As Cao Meng was lost in thought, a soldier walked in holding a wooden box,

General, this is... this was found on the battlefield...

Cao Meng trembled as he opened the wooden box, and before his eyes appeared a bloody head.

It was his beloved general, Shen Yi!

Ah!

Cao Meng flew into a rage and swept the wooden box to the ground.

Iron Bull Stronghold! I, Cao Meng, will not coexist with you!

Cao Meng threw his head back and let out a long howl, like a madman.

Pass the order: assemble the entire army; at dawn tomorrow, we will raze Iron Bull Stronghold—leave no chicken or dog alive!

……

In the council hall of Iron Bull Stronghold, Jiang Xiaomu sat upright and solemn, with a topographic map of Black Wind Pass laid out before him.

Long Er, you will take five hundred men and lie in ambush in the forest on the left side of Black Wind Pass.

Once Cao's troops enter the valley, immediately set fire to cut off their retreat!

Lei Bao, you will lead three hundred elite troops, ambush on the right cliff, strike from above, and attack Cao's forces with rolling stones.

Nan Shan, you will take two hundred men to engage the enemy head‑on and draw Cao's attention.

Remember, your mission is not to defeat Cao's army, but to delay them as long as possible and wear down their strength.

Create opportunities for Long Er and Lei Bao; the longer you hold them, the better.

Huang Quan, you will roam the battlefield and look for a chance to capture Cao Meng alive!

Don't kill him yet; keep him alive—I still have use for him.

Bai Shen, you are responsible for protecting my safety!

Li Tieniu, as overall commander, you must coordinate all forces and ensure that Cao's army is completely annihilated at Black Wind Pass!

Jiang Xiaomu issued his orders in an orderly, calm manner, showing no trace of the tension that usually precedes a major battle.

Yes!

The crowd replied in unison, having witnessed Jiang Xiaomu's methods firsthand.

This will be a tough battle, but under Jiang Xiaomu's leadership they are certain to achieve final victory!

Jiang Xiaomu's confidence stems from his knowledge that Cao Meng will surely bring his full force to seek revenge.

And he has already prepared a "big gift" for Cao Meng.

Of course, there's also the fact that the system has warned him that this battle will surely be his death; since death is inevitable either way, he might as well go all out and fight to his heart's content.

After the crowd dispersed from the council hall, Jiang Xiaomu stood alone before the sand table—this battle, he must win!

Three days later, under a blazing sun, Jiang Xiaomu stood on a height, looking down over everything, a faint cold smile curling his lips.

Cao's army had already entered the valley, advancing toward the predetermined spot; everything was unfolding according to his plan.

Light the fire!

At Jiang Xiaomu's command, Long Er's five hundred men immediately ignited the prepared dry kindling and fire oil, completely sealing off Cao's army's retreat.

Release the arrows!

Lei Bao's order followed, and the three hundred elite soldiers ambushed on the mountain cliff loosed a barrage of arrows that rained down on Cao's troops inside the valley.

At the same time, Nan Shan's two hundred men launched a frontal assault, throwing the entire Black Wind Pass into chaos.

However, just as Jiang Xiaomu thought victory was within his grasp, a sudden change occurred.