Chapter 1373: Oversight

"Tell me again, how many Leaders did you see at the time, and what did they all seem to be doing?"

The Soldier, very nervous, tried hard to recall: "There were, there were quite a few. One was Xuanyuan, one was from Huaxia, and several others were standing nearby, all looking like Soldiers, the very formidable kind.

There was also one who looked more like a Great Shaman, not like a Soldier, but he didn't speak, nor did he say he was from Huaxia."

Jiebing was even more puzzled now: "Could it be that they divined this? If I am facing such an enemy, what use are my strategies? It would be better to just start fighting directly."

Jiebing looked toward the hillside, but did not see a single person.

Xuanyuan and his men stared at two directions with some nervousness. Even Xuanyuan, who was familiar with the sound of the Bomb, was startled by the explosion this time; it was as if the Huaxia Bomb this time was bigger or something, its power seeming even greater than last year's.

Lu didn't feel much, just stared at the forest. Sure enough, as soon as the Bomb rang out, the forest began to stir; many things started moving, and many people were seen.

The Soldier observing the other direction also exclaimed. They saw people there too. Now it was settled; it was confirmed that the enemy was indeed lying in ambush.

Xuanyuan and Lu both smiled, but they didn't smile for more than a few seconds before their smiles froze.

Although they had resolved one hidden trouble, it also brought about a fact: the number of enemies they had to face had suddenly increased, and it had increased by a lot.

Last year, they had to face two Jiang Surname Tribes, but this year, it was two Jiang Surname Tribes plus one equally powerful Jiebing Tribe; the number of people had increased significantly.

They were currently occupying the high slope, or rather, they were surrounded on the hillside by an enemy several times their size. They did have a way to retreat; they just had to return the way they came.

But if they returned the way they came, not only would they lose the land they had occupied and abandon this high slope with the greatest advantage, they would also have to face the enemy's pursuit. The situation had changed in an instant; their advantage seemed to be gone. Now they understood—no wonder this Jiebing had ceded this high slope to them; there was not a shred of good intention in it.

Now it depended on how they chose. To fight, they could only take the initiative to attack; Jiebing would not risk charging them. If they didn't fight, they would be besieged. Although the enemy's three tribes had not formed a complete encirclement, the distant areas were all under their control.

Hunting required going to distant places, and water sources also required going even further. They either had to break through the encirclement or return the way they came.

They were not worried about food for the time being, but they were worried about water. About an hour's distance away, there was a spring. It was not too big, but after so many of their Soldiers washed up there on the way, the spring became larger, and the water volume increased significantly. The continuous groundwater was enough to ensure the water usage for their thousands of people.

Every day, a team of Soldiers, carrying a Basket, bringing a large Pottery Jar, Bamboo Tube, gourd, leather water bag, and other things, went to fetch water for everyone. When they went in the morning, they returned safely, and everyone hadn't even considered this problem.

But now that their conjecture had been confirmed, alarm bells rang in the hearts of several people, and they shouted in unison: "Water!"

Thinking of the same thing, Xuanyuan immediately said: "Now, we must control the road we came back on. Send more Soldiers to fetch water every day, or go fetch water at night. Our water source must not be controlled. Once our water source is cut off, we will only be able to fight this battle hard."

Lu also said very seriously: "That is exactly it. I will send a hundred Crossbowmen to escort those fetching water. It is best to go at night; our Soldiers can see at night, but they might not be able to."

"Good, no problem. Now I see, we still need to send people to clear the road. In case they lie in wait for our Logistics Team, it will be a bit troublesome. You have Bombs there with them too, right?"

Hearing Xuanyuan's worry, Lu's complexion also looked very bad. He hadn't even thought of these things. However, he said with some wishful thinking: "Except for us, no other tribe should have such a Logistics Team. Their food must be found on the spot; they might not think that we have a team delivering food behind us."

Xuanyuan's brows relaxed slightly: "What you say makes sense. Tribes like Jiebing, when they come out to fight, must be bringing many of their own tribesmen. They will search every bit of food they can eat nearby. Even if they are hungry themselves, they must supply food for their Soldiers.

So, there really is this possibility: they don't know we have a Logistics Team behind us, so they won't think of this point.

Now we mainly need to ensure our water source problem. As for the water source, they will definitely be able to think of it. Once they think of it and take action, we will be in trouble."

"Let's arrange it now." Lu felt some unease in his heart.

Subsequently, Lu shouted directly: "All units, be on alert! Prepare for battle at any time!"

The Huaxia Soldiers stood at attention all at once, holding their Weapons firmly in their hands. Although they did not see the enemy approaching, each one of them acted as if facing a formidable enemy.

Xuanyuan also had Limu make arrangements, letting everyone get ready. Now the two tribes of Jiang Ming and Jiang Cheng might already know they were exposed, and perhaps there would be other actions next.

Jiang Ming and Jiang Cheng, who were hiding well, were stunned by the loud noise. Soldiers who had participated in the war last year could not remain calm under such a loud noise, and even the two Tribal Chiefs could not remain calm.

It was too terrifying, and the target was them. Although it didn't hit them, it had already attacked toward them, which meant they had already been discovered. What was the point of hiding now? Better to get away quickly and run for their lives.

"Quick! Quick, all move further away, get away from them!" The Tribal Chief commanded vigorously. The remaining Soldiers, not many in number, ran into the distance like crazy; they no longer cared about camouflage or anything else.

But they never expected that the sound of the Heavenly Thunder would only ring twice, then stop abruptly, with no further movement. What was going on?

Last year, that thunder sound was non-stop, and it would get closer and closer. Now it only rang twice, and the two sounds seemed to be very far apart, and then there was no sound at all. Could it be that they were already too far away and the Heavenly Thunder couldn't hit accurately?

Jiang Cheng was bold; he stopped on the spot, stood, and looked toward the top of the hillside. He only saw that there seemed to be many people on the top of the hillside, but he couldn't see them clearly.