Chapter 55: Infiltration

Lady Ye Ying's news is never wrong.

Wait, how would Ye Ying know the news of the battle between Tieniu Stronghold and the Cao Army?

Leader, the Ghost Face Army's spies are everywhere.

Gui Pu said firmly.

Jiang Xiaomu pondered for a moment, already having an idea in mind.

Alright, I understand.

Gui Pu bowed slightly and said, "Subordinate takes his leave."

Having said that, Gui Pu's figure vanished once more into the darkness.

Come here!

Jiang Xiaomu let out a low shout.

Nan Shan appeared before him almost instantly:

Leader, what are your orders?

Go, summon Long Er, Lei Bao, Bai Shen, and Huang Quan.

Yes!

Nan Shan departed with the order, and soon the three gathered in Jiang Xiaomu's room.

Leader, is there something urgent?

Jiang Xiaomu didn't waste words, getting straight to the point:

The Cao Army will have a supply convoy heading to Hulao Pass in a few days; we'll intercept it!

Intercept supplies?!

Lei Bao became energized.

Leader, the Cao Army's supplies are surely heavily guarded; with our few men...

I know.

Jiang Xiaomu interrupted him.

So we need a detailed plan.

He turned to Bai Shen and said, "Bai Shen, Long Er."

You two, immediately send people to scout the supply convoy's route, numbers, and the deployment of its escort.

The two nodded and left quickly.

Lei Bao, Nan Shan.

Jiang Xiaomu looked at the two and said:

Go gather the brothers and prepare for battle.

Remember, this operation must succeed; failure is not allowed!

Yes!

The two replied in unison.

Huang Quan covered her mouth and laughed lightly:

Leader, you're really decisive, but I like... what do you need me to do?

You?

Jiang Xiaomu glanced at her.

Just stay put and don't cause trouble.

Huang Quan pouted and said:

Leader, I do have some skills; how can you say I'm causing trouble?

Jiang Xiaomu couldn't be bothered to argue with her, waving his hand to signal her to leave.

Over the next few days, Jiang Xiaomu busily planned the supply interception operation.

Bai Shen and Long Er quickly returned with the intelligence:

The supply convoy numbers about three hundred, but most are inadequately trained recruits.

The escort route follows the mountain road to Hulao Pass, stopping to rest midway up the slope, where defenses are relatively weak.

Three hundred...

Jiang Xiaomu lightly tapped his fingers on the table.

We only have over a hundred men; a head-on clash won't work—we need to outsmart them.

He raised his head and looked at the crowd.

Lei Bao, Nan Shan, take fifty brothers and set up ambushes on both sides of the mountain road.

When the supply convoy passes, strike them unawares.

Remember, aside from the wagon drivers, leave no one alive!

Leader, what then after we kill them?

Nan Shan asked.

Jiang Xiaomu's face turned grim:

Put on their uniforms and infiltrate Hulao Pass!

Everyone was shocked upon hearing that.

Leader, that's too risky, isn't it?

Lei Bao was somewhat worried.

What if we're discovered?

Now Cao Meng's mind is wholly on attacking Tieniu Stronghold; he must surely be neglecting the supply convoy.

As long as we act carefully, there will be no problem.

Jiang Xiaomu took a sip of tea.

Yes!

Everyone hesitated no longer, and, having received the order, departed.

Three days later, on the winding mountain road, several supply wagons arrived as scheduled, with the escort officer lying on the wagon, closing his eyes to rest.

Lei Bao and Nan Shan's fifty brothers had long lain in ambush, awaiting only the command.

Jiang Xiaomu looked down at the supply convoy and thought: Cao Meng, I'll send you a big gift!

Attack!

Following Jiang Xiaomu's order, Lei Bao and Nan Shan had already led their men charging at the supply convoy; blades flashed, and they had already reaped several lives.

The supply convoy was caught off guard, falling into chaos. The escort officer loudly shouted, trying to organize resistance, but was split to the ground by Lei Bao's axe.

The battle was practically a one-sided massacre; Jiang Xiaomu's men were all veteran soldiers who had seen a hundred battles, and dealing with these new recruits was like chopping melons and cutting vegetables.

Soon the battle ended; aside from a few horse grooms deliberately left alive, all the Cao troops were put to the sword.

The air was thick with a strong smell of blood, and bodies lay scattered across the ground, a horrifying sight.

Less than half an hour later, the battle ended.

Besides a few horse grooms scared witless, all the remaining Cao army soldiers were killed.

Jiang Xiaomu led the remaining brothers in donning Cao army uniforms, escorting the grain and forage, and marched mightily toward Hulao Pass.

Everything proceeded smoothly according to plan!

Jiang Xiaomu observed the surroundings without changing expression, yet secretly remained on guard.

Just then, a cold mechanical voice sounded in his mind:

【Warning! Warning! High-risk target detected: Cao Man.】

【This person is Cao Meng's younger brother, ruthless and vicious, with extremely high combat strength.】

【The host and his companions entered Hulao Pass to begin operations, and were discovered by Cao Man.】

【The host arranged for subordinates to hold off Cao Man while he sought another way; in the end, the subordinates died in battle.】

【The host was pursued and killed by Cao Man; Cao Meng broke through Tieniu Stronghold; the host's survival probability: 50%.】

Jiang Xiaomu's heart jolted: a 50% survival chance—this operation looks even more dangerous than expected.

He drew a deep breath and, in a low voice to the 'brothers' beside him, said:

'Everyone, perk up—we're about to enter the city!'

After entering Hulao Pass, Jiang Xiaomu, following the original plan, sent the grain and forage to the granary.

'Lei Bao, Nan Shan, act according to the plan.'

Jiang Xiaomu lowered his voice and gave the order.

'Yes!' The two received the command and departed, swiftly vanishing into the night.

Jiang Xiaomu then led Bai Shen and Long Er to the stables.

Taking advantage of the deep night and quiet, they scattered a colorless, tasteless poison into the stables' feed troughs.

'Chief, what should we do next?' Bai Shen asked.

'Wait.' Jiang Xiaomu said only a single word.

The waiting time is always long; tonight will be a fierce battle.

About an hour later, a sudden shout of killing came from afar, flames shot into the sky, illuminating the entire night.

'The granary is on fire!'

'Enemy attack! Enemy attack!'

The defending troops fell into chaos, fleeing in all directions.

'The moment has come!'

Jiang Xiaomu suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp, and said: 'Bai Shen, Long Er, follow me!'

The three took advantage of the chaos, rushed out of the stables, and headed straight for Cao Man's tent.

Outside Cao Man's tent, defenses were tight, with fully armed soldiers filling the entrance.

'Kill!' Jiang Xiaomu gave the order, and the three charged into the enemy formation.

They surged through the crowd; although many soldiers were present, none could resist them, and wherever they passed, flesh and blood flew.

Inside the tent, Cao Man was drinking and making merry when he suddenly heard the shouting of battle outside; his expression instantly changed.

'What's going on?' he roared.

'Report! General, someone has raided the granary and is now marching to slaughter toward the tent!'

A soldier rushed in, panicked, to make the report.

'What?!' Cao Man slammed his wine cup down, shattering it.

'Someone, come kill them!'

Hardly had the words left his mouth when Jiang Xiaomu's trio had already reached the entrance, killing.

'Cao Man, your time of death has come!' Jiang Xiaomu said coldly.

'Just with you few?'

Cao Man sneered contemptuously and said: 'Bring it on!'

His personal guards surged forward, surrounding Jiang Xiaomu's trio on all sides.

Bai Shen and Long Er, meanwhile, were like two killing machines, continually reaping the lives of the enemy.

Watching his personal guards fall one by one, Cao Man's face grew ever more grim.

Looks like I can't escape this disaster today.

"Jiang Xiaomu, do you think you've already won?"

Cao Man gritted their teeth and said.

"I'm telling you, even if I die, you don't even think about leaving here alive!"

Saying that, Cao Man suddenly pulled out a black porcelain bottle from their bosom and drank the liquid inside in one gulp.

"Not good! That's——"

Jiang Xiaomu wanted to stop them, but it was already too late.

Only saw Cao Man's body rapidly **, muscles bulged, eyes turned blood-red, and let out a heaven-shaking earth-shaking roar.

"Ah——"

A powerful aura burst forth from Cao Man, blowing away the surrounding soldiers.