Chapter 68: Clues Cut Off

As several prisoners confessed, Li Zhen's spy network in Yun Cheng gradually surfaced.

He deliberately arranged a group of fake spies with severed fingers as bait to attract Jiang Xiaomu's attention, while the real spies hid throughout the city, continuing to gather intelligence and cause disturbances.

"Li Zhen, do you think you can hide the sky and cross the sea like this? You greatly underestimate me!"

Jiang Xiaomu said through gritted teeth.

"I will surely drag you out and tear your corpse into ten thousand pieces!"

Just then, a prisoner suddenly said:

"I know Li Zhen's hiding place, but you have to let me go!"

Jiang Xiaomu abruptly lifted his head, narrowed his eyes at that person, and said:

"What did you say? You know Li Zhen's hiding place?"

That person hurriedly nodded.

"Yes… yes, I know… I know Li Zhen is hiding in a… a…"

The person said this, then suddenly his face changed, he spat white foam, collapsed to the ground and began convulsing.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaomu hurried forward to check.

But he discovered that a thread of black blood was actually oozing from the corner of that person's mouth…

Poisoned!

"Antidote! Quickly bring the antidote!" Jiang Xiaomu roared at the remaining prisoners.

However, the remaining prisoners just stared at each other, silent.

Suddenly, the other prisoners also began to spit white foam, convulse all over, and died.

Jiang Xiaomu's face turned ashen; he slammed a fist onto the nearby wooden table, producing a loud bang.

"Damn it!" he growled low, his eyes bloodshot.

Li Zhen's ruthlessness and caution far exceeded his imagination; he actually used such brutal means to ensure the secret would not be leaked.

"Sir, these people……"

Xiong Kuohai spoke cautiously; the gruesome scene inside the temple also made him feel a chill.

"They're all dead." Jiang Xiaomu said in an icy tone, with uncontainable anger.

"Li Zhen has some methods! He actually used poison to control these people; it seems we all underestimated him."

He stood up, walked to the prisoner who first showed poisoning, crouched down to examine him carefully, and confirmed he was completely dead.

"This poison… is overpowering, seals the throat upon seeing blood; once it takes effect, there is no cure."

Jiang Xiaomu said in a deep voice, his face solemn; it was obvious Li Zhen had done this to prevent himself from being betrayed.

He must have dealt a lethal blow; these people had no chance of surviving.

After doing all this, the sky had already begun to lighten; Jiang Xiaomu stood at the gate of the ruined temple, his thoughts myriad.

"Xiong Kuohai!" Jiang Xiaomu said in a deep voice.

"Sir, what are your orders?"

"Strengthen the city defenses, tighten patrols; any suspicious personnel are to be killed on sight!"

Jiang Xiaomu's tone was icy, filled with killing intent.

"Yes!" Xiong Kuohai received the order and left, swiftly arranging deployment.

Li Zhen, having received no intelligence, will undoubtedly suspect his spy network has gone awry.

And his next move is very likely to be an assault on the city!

Jiang Xiaomu stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance; Li Zhen's army could appear at any moment.

Suddenly, a dark mass of figures appeared on the distant horizon, surging like a tide.

"Finally they've come!"

Jiang Xiaomu took a deep breath, his hand already on the sword hilt.

"Beat the drums! Prepare for battle!"

The Vice General shouted loudly, his voice echoing across the city wall.

War drums boomed; the soldiers on the wall stood ready, archers had nocked arrows and aimed at the distant enemy forces.

Li Zhen's army drew nearer, banners fluttering, killing intent rising.

"Jiang Xiaomu! You despicable villain! How dare you kill my men!"

Li Zhen, mounted on his horse, pointed at Jiang Xiaomu on the wall and hurled abuse.

Jiang Xiaomu snorted coldly, meeting his gaze without fear.

"Li Zhen, you are the true despicable villain!"

"You actually use poison to control your own subordinates, making them work for you—aren't you afraid of heavenly retribution?"

"Heavenly retribution? Hahaha!" Li Zhen burst into manic laughter.

"The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit; as long as I win, I am heaven!"

"By then, all of Yun Cheng will be mine, Jiang Xiaomu; I will make you wish you were dead!"

"Then let's see if you have the ability!"

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold snort, drew the long sword at his waist, and pointed it at Li Zhen.

"Kill!"

With a command, the two armies launched into fierce combat.

Jiang Xiaomu led the charge, rushing into the enemy formation like a tiger descending the mountain, unstoppable.

Although Li Zhen's army was numerous, it was no match for Jiang Xiaomu.

Under Jiang Xiaomu's leadership, Yun Cheng's defenders fought bravely, steadily beating back Li Zhen's army.

Kill! Kill! Kill!

Just as Jiang Xiaomu was getting into the swing of killing, a cold arrow, wrapped in wind sound, suddenly shot toward his chest.

Sir!

Xiong Kuohai watched helplessly as that cold arrow struck Jiang Xiaomu, his eyes about to burst.

Jiang Xiaomu felt a sharp pain in his chest, his vision went dark, and he fell from the city wall.

Sir!

Xiong Kuohai grabbed the falling Jiang Xiaomu, rolled to the ground, ignoring his own pain, and quickly checked Jiang Xiaomu's injury.

Cough cough...

Jiang Xiaomu coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood, his face pallid.

The cold arrow struck his chest squarely; although it missed the vital points, the injury remained serious.

Sir, how are you?

Xiong Kuohai asked anxiously, his voice trembling.

I'm fine...

Jiang Xiaomu gritted his teeth against the pain, tried to stand, but collapsed helplessly into Xiong Kuohai's arms.

"Sir, don't move!" Xiong Kuohai hurriedly supported Jiang Xiaomu and hoisted him onto his back.

I'll take you back to the city!

Quick! Protect the sir!

The deputy commander shouted loudly, directing the archers to cover Xiong Kuohai's retreat.

"Hold out! We must hold out!" the deputy commander bellowed, leading the troops, blocking the enemy's advance.

Although he was covered in wounds, at this moment he had to bear the responsibility of defending Yun Cheng.

Xiong Kuohai carried Jiang Xiaomu, under the soldiers' cover, trudging back into the city.

"Xiong Kuohai, put me down, hurry and go!" Jiang Xiaomu said weakly, now he had become a burden.

No! Sir, I will never abandon you!

Xiong Kuohai gritted his teeth, his steps unceasing.

Finally, they returned inside the city, and the military medic quickly treated the wound.

"Sir, the arrow is poisoned!" the military medic said with a solemn expression.

We must extract the arrowhead quickly, otherwise the poison will spread and his life will be in jeopardy!

Then do it quickly! Xiong Kuohai said urgently.

The military medic dared not delay, immediately began preparing tools to extract the arrowhead from Jiang Xiaomu.

At the instant the arrowhead was pulled out, Jiang Xiaomu felt such pain he almost fainted.

Sir!

Xiong Kuohai looked at Jiang Xiaomu with heartache, tightly gripping his hand.

The military medic cleaned the wound with strong liquor, then applied herbal medicine, only then relaxing.

Sir, though the poison on the arrow is potent, fortunately we detected it in time and have it under control.

But sir needs rest; must not exert himself again, lest internal fire aggravate the poison's onset.

Even if Hua Tuo were alive, he could do nothing then!

The military medic advised.

I understand, thank you. Jiang Xiaomu said weakly.

At this moment, the battle outside the city continued.