Chapter 555: The Nail of the North

The feints and harassments along the Hutu River, after lasting two days and one night, Lin Chong decisively ordered a retreat.

The eight hundred elite troops split into several groups, making use of familiar terrain and prearranged rendezvous points.

Like streams merging into a river network, they quickly vanished from the Jin army's increasingly chaotic search sight.

This operation yielded abundant results.

They burned three depot granaries, totaling over 1,500 shi;

They killed and captured nearly 400 Jin army troops and conscripted forces;

They successfully drew the attention of the Jin armies of the Hejian and Zhending prefectures.

This forced them to redeploy at least two meng'an (about 2,000 troops) from the relatively quiet southern defense line back to defend.

More importantly, the illusion that the Northward Aspiration Army's main force was moving north to cut off supply lines was successfully created.

Of course, they themselves paid the price of dozens of casualties, mostly minor injuries.

But over ten veteran soldiers remained forever on the land of Hebei.

After returning to a pre-set concealed campsite outside Black Cloud Stronghold, Lin Chong did not immediately lead the troops back to the mountain.

He sent out scouts; on one hand, to monitor the movements of the Jin army's pursuing troops.

On the other hand, to carefully examine the gaps and weak points exposed in this area after the Jin army's recent deployment.

Soon, the scouts brought back a piece of noteworthy intelligence.

About thirty li northeast of Eagle Beak Valley lies a hilly gorge named Wild Fox Gully.

The terrain there is complex, with intersecting gullies, unfavorable for large army deployment, yet quite concealed.

After the Jin army's supply depot at Eagle Beak Valley was removed, to strengthen surveillance and blockade toward Black Cloud Stronghold,

On several high points around Wild Fox Gully, three small earthwork forts were secretly built.

Each fort garrisoned about fifty men, equipped with horns and beacons, spaced no more than two to three li apart, able to see and support each other.

Their mission is clear: to be wedged in here like a nail, monitoring the entrance and exit routes to the southeast of Black Cloud Stronghold.

Upon detecting a larger movement of the Northward Aspiration Army, they would immediately sound the alarm and possibly delay the army's actions.

These three forts are awkwardly placed; though not strong, if ignored, they are like a thorn in the eye.

They severely restrict the Northward Aspiration Army's radius of activity to the southeast and also threaten any future secret passage for contacting the south.

"They must be pulled out."

Lin Chong, in the temporary tent, made his judgment based on a rough terrain sketch.

"The Jin army's main force has just been moved by us; their attention is still west and north, these few small forts at Wild Fox Gully are relatively isolated, the garrison is not elite—this is an excellent opportunity to strike."

He looked at the several squad leaders beside him.

"But the action must be swift, ruthless, and ensure all three forts are taken simultaneously, so they cannot send out an effective alarm."

One squad leader frowned.

"Instructor Lin, though the forts are small, they support each other like horns and are not far apart.

If we split our forces to attack simultaneously, our strength will be dispersed, making a quick victory difficult; if we attack them one by one, we risk alerting them."

Lin Chong pondered for a moment, then said.

"Split into three routes, each with a hundred men. I will personally lead one route to attack the largest, central fort.

The other two routes will be led by you two."

He designated the two most capable squad leaders.

"The key is to kill with the first strike, giving them no chance to light the beacons or sound the horns.

"Our newly acquired 'gear' is ready to be put to use."

He was referring to that batch of Imperial Dread Crossbows.

This northern front operation.

He brought out two hundred; after losses in battle and reserving some for the south, about one hundred fifty remain.

"Assign fifty Imperial Dread Crossbows to each route.

"When the attack begins, the crossbowmen must covertly approach, staying within a hundred paces.

"Ideally, they launch a sudden assault within fifty paces; the first volley should cover all visible sentries on the wall and any positions that could operate the beacons and horns."

Lin Chong detailed the tactics.

"After the crossbow bolts suppress them, the sword-and-shield soldiers will immediately rush forward, using grappling hooks and simple ladders to scale the walls.

"Remember, the primary targets are the beacon tower and horn positions, then the officers.

"After securing them, quickly clear the remaining enemies, burn the forts, carry off captured equipment, and withdraw immediately to rendezvous here.

The plan set, everyone prepared separately.

After a half-day rest, as dusk approached and the light faded but not fully dark, it was precisely when human eyes are most fatigued and vigilance most likely to lapse.

The three hundred-strong units were like three arrows released from a bow.

They silently slipped into the weeds and gullies of the hilly terrain, winding their way toward their respective targets.

The unit personally led by Lin Chong targeted the fort on a low hill in the middle of Wild Fox Gully.

He lay hidden behind a clump of withered yellow shrubs, his sharp gaze penetrating the twilight to observe the fort's situation.

The earthen wall was not high, about a zhang plus a little.

On the wall, sentries walked back and forth; the dim silhouette of the beacon tower and a horn planted beside the wall could be faintly seen.

The gate was shut tight; from inside came the sound of chatter and laughter—it was mealtime.

Lin Chong waited patiently until total darkness fell, when sporadic torchlight flickered within the fort.

He gave a hand signal backward.

Fifty crossbowmen, aided by terrain and night cover, moved forward like a leopard before a hunt, crawling slowly ahead.

He only stopped at a shallow ditch less than sixty paces from the fort wall.

At that distance, it was already hard to see any movement inside the ditch in the twilight, yet it lay within the effective range of the Divine-Slaying Crossbow.

Lin Chong himself also picked up a Divine-Slaying Crossbow and loaded its bolt case.

He drew a deep breath, locking his target onto the shadow on the walltop that seemed to be a minor commander stamping his feet to keep warm.

Fire!

A low command rang out.

Thud-thud-thud-thud—!

In an instant, fifty Divine-Slaying Crossbows erupted with a heart-pounding continuous dull roar!

In the first volley, nearly two hundred fifty bolts were fired in less than three breaths.

Like a deathly iron curtain, it covered every crenel and the positions of those standing on the front fort wall!

From the walltop came a series of short, shrill screams and the dull thuds of bodies hitting the ground.

That minor commander took the brunt, blood blossoming instantly across his body, and he toppled from the wall without uttering a sound.

Enemy attack——!

Inside the fort, a distorted howl finally rose.

But the second wave of bolts came right after!

This time, more bolts were aimed at the beacon tower vicinity and the positions where the signal horns were hung.

Soldiers trying to rush the beacon tower were shot down head-on, and the wooden horn rack was shattered into fragments by the bolts.

After the two volleys swept the ground, visible resistance on the walltop had almost vanished.

Advance!

Lin Chong threw down the crossbow, drew his spear, and was the first to leap out of the ditch.

Behind him, the sword-and-shield troops roared as they followed, and a dozen or so light bamboo ladders were almost instantly placed atop the wall.

Lin Chong led the troops, holding the ladder with one hand, strode up swiftly, and in the blink of an eye scaled the walltop.

Inside the wall was utter chaos, with the remaining ten or so Jin soldiers panicking as they tried to organize resistance.

But faced with the Northward Aspiration army's elite surging in like wolves and tigers, especially Lin Chong's spear that appeared and disappeared like a ghost, taking lives with each thrust, the resistance quickly collapsed.

The battle ended in less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

Of the fifty-plus Jin soldiers in the fort, aside from a few who knelt to surrender, the rest were all annihilated.

The beacon fire was not lit, the horn was not sounded.

Almost at the same time, signals came from the two other forts as planned.

—three green-flamed rockets rose one after another, briefly blooming in the night sky.

All succeeded.

Lin Chong felt certain in his heart and immediately gave the order.

Search for useful items, especially arrows, weapons, and leather armor.

Take what supplies you can carry; burn what you cannot, together with the fort!

Flames quickly ignited on the three hillocks of Yehu Gully, standing out starkly in the darkness.

But this warning came too late for the main Jin force, still far away and with its attention drawn elsewhere.

The three detachments, carrying their seized goods, swiftly withdrew to the concealed camp.

Tallying the results: three forts removed, about one hundred sixty enemy killed, wounded, or captured, our side suffering only seven light injuries.

Though the spoils were not many, the most important thing is.

Removing this troublesome nail before our eyes further strengthened the defenses of Heiyun Village's southeast direction and broadened our operational space.

On the way back to the village, Lin Chong pondered.

This point‑taking operation was clean and swift, and the suppressive power displayed by the Divine‑Slaying Crossbow in the ambush was crucial.

The Yue Family Army, upon receiving these weapons, will surely gain added strength like a tiger with wings.

The north‑south mutual‑support posture is gradually becoming more solid.

However, he did not know.

Further east of Yehu Gully, in the shadow of a higher ridge, two points of faint crimson light glowed.

They coldly watched the three fort fires gradually dying out.

A figure wrapped in a gray‑black cloak stood there silently, like a weightless wraith.

Remove obstacles……expand control……

A hoarse, low voice, like metal scraping, barely audible.

Variables……in strengthening contact, consolidating foundations.

The master's script……has deviated and accelerated.

Need……more direct intervention.

The black shadow slowly turned, merging into the deeper darkness behind it and vanished.

Only the mountain wind wailed, as if nothing had happened.

Yet a faint, icy premonition made Lin Chong, riding homeward, inexplicably feel a pang of palpitation, and he instinctively tightened his grip on the reins.

He turned his head toward Yehu Gully; there remained only darkness.

Just an illusion?

Lin Chong frowned, then turned back and sped up his return to the village.

The northern nail had been pulled out.

But a more concealed, dangerous shadow seemed to have begun to stir.