Chapter 65: with translation of chapter title

Could it be... an enemy spy?

He swiftly turned and ran toward the alley just now, but the person he'd collided with had vanished.

Damn it!

Xiong Kuohai slammed his fist hard against the wall, actually letting an enemy spy slip right under his nose!

He dared not delay, sprinting straight to the city gate to inform Jiang Xiaomu immediately.

Sir, Xiong Kuohai requests an audience.

A soldier stepped forward to report.

Let him come up. Jiang Xiaomu said calmly.

Moments later, Xiong Kuohai panted as he ran up the city wall, dropping to one knee:

Sir, I have failed in my duty!

What happened? Don't rush, speak slowly.

Jiang Xiaomu frowned slightly.

Xiong Kuohai gave a detailed report of what had just happened.

After listening, Jiang Xiaomu's expression grew grave—an enemy spy had already infiltrated the city; this was no trivial matter!

Are you sure that person is an enemy spy?

Jiang Xiaomu asked in a low voice.

I dare not be certain, but that person's behavior is highly suspicious. Xiong Kuohai said, head lowered.

I worry he may pose a threat to you, sir.

Jiang Xiaomu fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly:

You did right—detecting the anomaly promptly and reporting it is already good; no need to blame yourself.

He patted Xiong Kuohai's shoulder, signaling him to rise.

Now, immediately increase patrols within the city and scrutinize all suspicious persons closely.

Also, send people to check which ruined temples exist in the city, focusing the investigation there!

Remember! Absolutely do not startle the snake, do not alarm the townsfolk, lest these fellows jump the wall in desperation!

Jiang Xiaomu gave the order.

Yes! Xiong Kuohai received the command and departed.

Jiang Xiaomu stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance with deep eyes.

Meanwhile, Erhu hid in a ruined temple inside the city, his face pallid, his whole body trembling.

He never imagined he'd be so unlucky as to run into a brute.

What's more, he never expected that brute to suspect him of being an enemy spy!

Damn it! I just came out to relieve myself—how did I get tangled in this mess!

Erhu cursed under his breath.

He glanced at the map in his hand, which clearly marked Yun Cheng's layout and the locations of key sites.

No, I must get the intelligence out as soon as possible, or all will be for naught!

Erhu gritted his teeth and made up his mind.

He sneaked out of the ruined temple cautiously, feeling his way along the dark alley toward the city gate.

Hiding in a corner, he watched the patrol routes, looking for an opportunity.

Suddenly, Erhu saw a soldier patrolling alone, and his heart leapt.

He suddenly clapped a hand over the soldier's mouth from behind and drove a dagger into his heart.

The soldier fell silently to the ground, and Erhu quickly swapped into the soldier's clothes.

He took a deep breath, adjusted his clothing, and walked toward the city gate as if nothing had happened.

Halt! Password! a city guard soldier called out, stopping him.

Erhu's heart sank; he forced composure and replied with the password he'd just heard: 'Wind rustling!'

Wrong! Tonight's password is 'Rain rustling!'

The city guard shouted sternly.

Erhu's face paled; realizing he'd been exposed, he drew his dagger and lunged at the guard.

At that moment, an arrow whistled through the air and struck Erhu's shoulder!

He grunted, collapsed heavily to the ground, the arrow lodged firmly in his shoulder.

Take him alive, bind him! Xiong Kuohai barked, and the soldiers scrambled to tie Erhu up tight.

Jiang Xiaomu stood on the city wall, watching Erhu being brought up.

Bring him to my tent!

Erhu was shoved roughly into the tent, landing with a thump on his knees.

Speak! How many of you have infiltrated the city?

Jiang Xiaomu's voice was icy as he toyed with his short blade.

Erhu clenched his jaws, saying nothing, for to speak would mean utter failure of the infiltration mission.

Jiang Xiaomu snorted coldly: 'Refusing to talk? Looks like you're spurning a toast only to drink the penalty.'

He waved his hand; two soldiers stepped forward and dragged Erhu to a nearby torture rack.

First, let him taste the Tiger Bench!

At Jiang Xiaomu's command, Erhu's ankles were tightly fixed to the Tiger Bench.

The soldiers drove a wooden wedge into the bench's leg hole and then hammered it down hard with an iron mallet.

"Ah!" Erhu let out a miserable scream; the intense pain almost made him faint.

"Will you talk or not?" Jiang Xiaomu's voice remained icy.

Erhu gritted his teeth, and bean-sized beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

"Looks like your bones are still pretty tough," Jiang Xiaomu said.

"Good, you're a tough guy, then let's continue!"

The soldier swung the iron hammer again, and another miserable scream rang out.

Erhu's leg bone had been completely broken, and the excruciating pain was about to make him lose consciousness.

"I'll talk! I'll talk!" Erhu finally broke down, shouting hoarsely.

"We have... several hundred people... hiding in the city..."

"Several hundred?" Jiang Xiaomu frowned tightly.

"What is their purpose?"

"To create chaos... coordinate with the army outside... breach the city gate..."

Erhu said haltingly.

Jiang Xiaomu's face grew even darker.

Several hundred hidden enemies—this is no small matter.

"Where are they hiding?"

Erhu hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke up.

"They are scattered in various corners of the city."

"They are mainly concentrated in ruined temples, abandoned houses, and some remote dwellings..."

"Very good." Jiang Xiaomu said with a cold smile.

"Looks like you're still quite cooperative."

He waved his hand, signaling the soldiers to take Erhu away.

"Take good 'care' of him, don't let him die."

Erhu was dragged out, leaving only Jiang Xiaomu alone in the tent.

He walked to the map, carefully studying Yun Cheng's layout; the several hundred hidden enemies must be found quickly and wiped out in one sweep!

Jiang Xiaomu's gaze fell on a ruined temple marked on the map—the very place where Erhu had previously hidden.

He led an elite squad and quietly arrived outside that ruined temple.

"Remember, don't startle the snake; wait for my signal before acting."

Jiang Xiaomu whispered the order.

The soldiers nodded and each hid in the darkness.

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath and slowly pushed open the ruined temple's door.

Inside the temple was pitch black; only a few broken candles gave off a faint glow, and several ragged figures gathered together, speaking in low voices.

Jiang Xiaomu's gaze swept over these people; it seemed this was one of the enemy's strongholds.

He deliberately coughed once, and the people inside the temple immediately became alert.

"Who?" a gruff voice asked.

"Neighbor lady, bringing warmth."

Jiang Xiaomu's voice carried a teasing tone.

As his words fell, the temple door was slammed open, and Xiong Kuohai led a squad of soldiers charging in.

"Seize them!"