Chapter 697: with translation of chapter title

Mountain bandits hastily packed up their meager belongings and began to move deeper into the mountains.

At that moment, a figure rushed in from outside with swift steps.

"Grand Master's, not good, so many troops, densely packed, the mountain base is full of them."

The bearded man was grooming his favored white warhorse; hearing this he frowned and kicked the messenger to the ground: "What panic, didn't I tell you there's definitely a big army behind?"

"Laborers' dammit already told you this ages ago, what's there to panic about? This Wild Old Mountain is our turf; even if they have more men, can they know this place as we do? As long as we hide well, there's nothing to worry about, you lot just keep watch."

"But Grand Master's, there are too many people, literally tens of thousands. They seem to also want to encircle the mountain, currently opening a path from the east and marching to both sides."

"Didn't see clearly, but it looks like one flag bears the character 'Xie'."

"The character 'Xie'..."

"The character 'Xie'..."

The bearded man suddenly slapped his forehead: "Ah, my brain, this unit came from the south, how could it be Songzhou troops? To the south, surname Xie, maybe it's Dingzhou Troops."

"It's said that Dingzhou Hu Bu Gui commands tens of thousands of Bīngmǎ; they're marching north to Dingzhou, apparently aiming to attack Dingzhou. Attack Dingzhou, also encircle the mountains and lock... no big deal, don't panic, let them surround."

The scout glanced at the bound Hezhou Soldiers nearby and softly reminded, "Grand Master's, we do have prisoners, why not interrogate them a bit? That's better than guessing."

The bearded man kicked again, "Get out of the way, need your reminder?"

"Damn, let me estimate first, need a number in mind; you think those kids will tell the truth themselves? To save their lives they'll surely try to scare us, get it?"

The scout again climbed up from the ground, brushed off dust, and flatteringly said, "Grand Master's wise and mighty, kid talked too much."

"Hmph, you were always talkative." The bearded man waved his hand and ordered, "Bring those kids over, we can question them now."

"Yes!"

Several soldiers were dragged over.

The bearded man picked up the big knife lodged in the ground, moved his jaw side to side, and deliberately put on an extremely fierce look.

"Brothers, soldiering is just eating grain, a livelihood with no tomorrow; I'm much the same. We're all unfortunate souls, I won't make things hard for you, don't make me embarrassed."

"Tell your background and what you're up to, speak properly. If you explain thoroughly, I'll guarantee you're safe; but if you evade me and treat me as a fool, don't blame me—this knife in my hand won't recognize anyone."

Eight soldiers, though Prisoners of the Steps, each had a cold expression and fierce gaze.

In Chen Wuji's army there is an iron rule.

Only elite troops can be Scouts!

Therefore, no matter which unit, those who can be selected into the Scout Xùhòu yíng are all brave soldiers.

They undertake the most dangerous and critical duties, while also enjoying certain benefits, such as better food and lodging than others, and earning more merit, etc.

We are under the Nan Jun Jiedu Guanchasi, the central army Scout Xùhòu yíng.

A soldier looked coldly at the bearded man and stated his origin: "We can tell you our background, but what we're ordered to do is hard to disclose; you may choose to kill us."

But, you all will pay a heavy price for this. Nan Jun's prefectures couldn't withstand our lord's military might; do you lot still want to oppose? Courting death!

Damn, you damn, threatening us? Laborers have been in this Wild Old Mountain for years, would we fear your damn Military Governor? If we can't beat you, you think we won't run?

The soldier took a few kicks, then stood up as if unharmed: "It's fine, do what you want; we few dying here aside from feeling suffocated, nothing else matters."

Laborers joined the army hoping to die wrapped in horsehide on a ten-thousand army formation, but didn't expect to lose my life at the hands of you bunch of little troublemakers, bad luck!

You damn it!

The scout shouted angrily, raised his hand to slap the soldier's face, but the bearded man grabbed him and flung him aside: "Shut up!"

Grand Master's, they threaten us!

The bearded man's face darkened, he tugged his beard and asked: "If I release you now, what would happen?"

The soldiers said nothing, merely casting a cold, knife-like gaze at the bearded man.

The bearded man hesitated, then said in a low voice: "Release them, release them all!"

Grand Master's, will releasing them work? They now know our stronghold's location." The scout said.

But the bearded man had already decided: "Release, quickly release!"

Yes!

Although the scout didn't understand, he still hurriedly called for men, took all those soldiers out of the stronghold, and only after walking some distance did he untie them.

When they returned after doing that, they suddenly found the stronghold empty, with not a single person.

Grand Master's really, at least wait for us, hurry and chase!

The scout led seven or eight men, hastily darted into the woods, and pursued westward.

After a frantic, face-flushing dash, they finally caught up with the main force.

Grand Master's, everyone has been released!

The bearded man asked anxiously: "You didn't secretly kill them, did you?"

Grand Master's, what do you take me for? How could I defy your orders." The man immediately straightened his back and said, "If you let me release people, I certainly won't harm a hair; if you let me kill, I certainly won't leave them a breath."

Only then did the bearded man nod: "Hope releasing them means that Military Governor won't pursue further."

Damn, today's really unlucky, running into that god-of-killing's troops. That guy, can't be dealt with by normal means; he might really seal off the mountains and even set fire to them.

Stepping back makes no difference; Laborers don't want to become another of his new victory monuments. Really unlucky, why did we have to meet him? I... feel a bit unwell.

The scout hurriedly asked: "Where does Grand Master's feel unwell?"

My heart is racing, do you believe me?

……

Hurry up, hurry up, go urge those ahead; if you don't want to become a victory monument, damn it, start running—move as fast as your feet can carry you, Laborers!