Chapter 70: Probe

Li Zhen's reinforcements drew nearer, surging like a tide.

Jiang Xiaomu licked his chapped lips and gripped his sword tighter.

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

【Warning! Warning! Host death imminent!】

【If he continues to fight alone, the host will be surrounded by the army.】

【The host awaits no allied rescue, attempts a desperate breakout, and dies from exhaustion.】

【The enemy will behead the host and head to Yun Cheng.】

【Yun Cheng's troops will lose morale, collapse without attack, and the enemy will storm the city, burning, killing, and looting.】

【Jiang Xiaoyu, upon receiving news of the host's death, will be overcome with grief and commit suicide.】

Jiang Xiaomu's heart skipped a beat, a chill surging from his feet to the crown of his head.

He quickly glanced at the surrounding terrain, his eyes landing on a narrow valley.

Now we must use the terrain to our advantage, delay as long as possible, and wait for Xiong Kuohai to return with his troops.

"Giddyap!"

Jiang Xiaomu squeezed his legs against the horse's belly and galloped toward the valley.

Li Zhen's reinforcements saw Jiang Xiaomu fleeing and immediately gave chase.

"Chase! Don't let him get away!"

"Capture Jiang Xiaomu alive! Reward a thousand gold! Enfeoff as a marquis of a hundred households!"

Shouts of killing shook the heavens, horse hooves thundered, and dust rose.

Jiang Xiaomu rode his horse, swiftly charging into the valley.

The valley entrance was narrow, allowing only one person and horse to pass—exactly the effect he wanted.

"Come on, you scum, come catch me!"

Jiang Xiaomu shouted loudly, provocatively extending his middle finger at the pursuers.

The pursuers were enraged, all rushing into the valley.

"Kill him!"

"Avenge our fallen brothers!"

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold laugh, swinging his sword like a grim reaper wielding a scythe, reaping the enemies' lives.

The valley's narrow terrain limited the enemy's numerical advantage, preventing them from swarming all at once.

Jiang Xiaomu, relying solely on his own strength, actually managed to hold the enemy forces at bay!

"Come on, who's next?!"

Jiang Xiaomu roared, appearing like a madman.

The pursuers were cowed by his frenzied aura, for a moment daring not to advance.

Just then, shouts of killing came from afar.

"Kill!"

"Charge!"

It was Xiong Kuohai!

Jiang Xiaomu felt a surge of joy, knowing he was saved.

Xiong Kuohai led his men out from behind the valley, cutting the pursuers in two.

"Sir!" Xiong Kuohai saw Jiang Xiaomu and shouted anxiously.

"Are you all right?"

"I'm fine!" Jiang Xiaomu shook his head, wiped the blood from his face, and revealed a cold smile.

"These scum aren't even enough to fill the gaps between my teeth!"

"Go, kill every last one of these scum, leave no one alive!"

"Yes, sir."

With Xiong Kuohai's support, the situation instantly reversed.

Jiang Xiaomu and Xiong Kuohai led the troops in a victorious pursuit, slaughtering the fleeing enemy to the last man.

After the battle, Jiang Xiaomu looked at the corpses strewn across the ground, feeling little joy.

"Old Bear," Jiang Xiaomu said in a low voice.

"Although we won this time, we must also learn from it."

"We can't always be on the defensive; we must take the initiative to seize the initiative."

"You're absolutely right, sir!" Xiong Kuohai nodded.

"We should press our advantage and attack Li Zhen's lair!"

Jiang Xiaomu shook his head:

"No, now is not the time."

"Li Zhen is strong; we are not yet ready to face him head‑on."

"What we need most now is to develop and strengthen our own power."

He paused, then added:

"Issue the order: transport all captured grain and fodder back to Yun Cheng to reward the troops."

"Also, send people to scout Li Zhen's movements and report to me at any time."

"Yes!"

Xiong Kuohai received the order and departed.

Suddenly, Jiang Xiaomu felt a wave of dizziness, his vision went dark, and he almost fell off his horse.

He quickly grabbed the saddle, a sharp pain shot through his back; he had been focused on killing the enemy and hadn't noticed he'd already been slashed twice.

"Sir! What's wrong with you?"

Seeing this, Xiong Kuohai hurried over and asked anxiously.

Jiang Xiaomu waved his hand, forcing himself to stay calm, and said:

"It's nothing, just a superficial wound. Help me back to the tent to rest."

Xiong Kuohai dared not delay, quickly helped Jiang Xiaomu back to the tent.

The military doctor quickly treated Jiang Xiaomu's wound, just finished bandaging it.

Just then, a soldier's report came from outside the tent:

"Report! City Lord Yunjinnian heard that you were injured and has come specially to visit!"

Jiang Xiaomu suddenly opened his eyes, a cold glint flashed in them, and he thought to himself:

"Yunjinnian, that old fox, he sure came fast!"

"Nominally he's here to visit, but who knows what scheming he's hiding."

"Let him in."

Jiang Xiaomu said in a hoarse voice.

Not long after, Yunjinnian entered the tent with a few attendants.

His face was full of smiles, and he carried some gifts; to those who didn't know, it seemed he had come sincerely to visit.

"Oh dear, General Jiang, what happened to you? How did you get so badly wounded?"

Yunjinnian feigned surprise, but his tone carried a hint of gloating.

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold laugh and said:

"Just a minor scratch, not worth mentioning."

"Besides, City Lord, you're busy with state affairs—how dare I trouble you to take time to see a rough fellow like me?"

"General Jiang, you're joking," Yunjinnian chuckled.

"You are the pillar of talent for my Yun Cheng; I naturally care about your safety."

"This time you repelled Li Zhen's attack, earned great merit, and I haven't yet had a chance to properly reward you."

"City Lord, you're too kind," Jiang Xiaomu said with a false smile.

"Taking someone's money to ward off their misfortune—having accepted your funds, I naturally must help you settle matters."

"Otherwise, if word got out, people would think I, Jiang Xiaomu, am just eating for free."

"I'm merely doing my duty."

Yunjinnian walked up to Jiang Xiaomu and, with feigned concern, said:

"General Jiang, your injury looks serious—would you like me to send the city's best doctor to see you?"

"No need," Jiang Xiaomu waved his hand.

"My own military doctor can handle it; it's just a minor wound, no problem."

"How can that be?" Yunjinnian insisted.

"The general's injury concerns the safety of Yun Cheng; we cannot be careless."

"Let me send a doctor anyway—it would put my mind at ease."

Jiang Xiaomu silently cursed: "This old bastard really won't go away!"

But he said aloud: "Then thank you, City Lord, for your kindness."

Seeing Jiang Xiaomu agree, Yunjinnian's face broke into a satisfied smile.

He instructed his attendants to set down the gifts, then exchanged a few pleasantries with Jiang Xiaomu before rising to take his leave.

After Yunjinnian left, Jiang Xiaomu immediately had Xiong Kuohai examine all the gifts thoroughly, and only then did he relax once he confirmed there were no issues.

"Sir, what medicine is Yunjinnian selling from his gourd?"

Xiong Kuohai asked, picking his nose in bewilderment.

Jiang Xiaomu gave a cold laugh:

"Hmph! What else could it be? Nothing but trying to probe my strengths and weaknesses, to see how much power I still have."

"What should we do then?" Xiong Kuohai asked.

"Meet force with force, water with earth," Jiang Xiaomu's eyes flashed with ruthless killing intent.

"If that old bastard dares to play any tricks, I'll make him know my might!"