Chapter 88: The Great Battle is About to Erupt

Shangmu City Defense Camp.

At this moment, the bandit leader, now using the alias Du Du Gaocen, sat with the others in the barracks, devouring steamed buns, chewing while secretly hoping in his heart.

A soldier's voice trembled as he said fearfully, "So many died in a single night, yet the county yamen shows not the slightest reaction. This inexplicable way of dying is too terrifying..."

Another soldier, also uneasy, shook his head and sighed, "More than ten died in one night, and one of them was right beside me. It's too frightening."

"Before the foreigners even arrive, more than ten of us have already died inexplicably. No, let's run."

"..."

Hearing these words, a cunning smile appeared on Du Du Gaocen's lips. Just as he had predicted, causing over ten deaths in a single night had severely shaken morale, successfully achieving his goal of creating chaos first.

At that time, to avenge his brother, Wei Wei Aotian, who had been beheaded by Jiang Jiang Mingyu in the street, he had directly intended to lead men to attack Shangmu.

But the little lackey who reported the news gave him this plan to disrupt the Shangmu main camp.

In the words of that little lackey, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had over two thousand men at his disposal then, so a direct assault was hopeless.

Thus, it was better to throw the Shangmu city into chaos, making every soldier in the City Defense Camp fear for their own safety; unrest would surely arise soon.

Once the main force defending against the foreigners—the City Defense Camp—fell into chaos, the entire Shangmu County would fall into chaos.

By then, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would surely be unable to cope on both fronts; taking advantage of the chaos to kill him would be as easy as picking something up from the ground.

Things were steadily advancing according to Du Du Gaocen's plan; many cowardly soldiers had already begun to harbor thoughts of retreat.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's complete lack of action made him feel even more that this young imperial envoy had been thrown into panic by his sudden move.

If he created more death incidents, the morale of these forty to fifty thousand soldiers would surely be completely shattered, their hearts scattered.

By then, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would surely be in a frantic mess; this would be the best time for his own revenge.

Thinking of this, a flash of cold, sharp light passed through Du Du Gaocen's eyes; his lips curled upward as he secretly hoped the plan could continue to proceed smoothly.

Throughout the day's training, even the Black-faced Yama, Tu Tu Kesiluo, wore a face as iron-green all day long, which further confirmed Du Du Gaocen's guess in his heart.

Moonlight flowed like water; one by one, the lanterns in the camp gradually dimmed.

At first, many soldiers dared not sleep due to the strange deaths that occurred during the day, but driven by the stimulus of physical exhaustion, they gradually fell asleep, and the entire camp was filled with thunderous snoring.

At the third watch, Du Du Gaocen opened his sleepy eyes again; he crept down from his bed, woke the person beside him, signaled with hand gestures for everyone to quietly follow his figure, and hid behind the campfires jumping with flames inside the camp.

Du Du Gaocen lowered his voice and smiled wickedly, "Last night's operation was very successful; tonight we strike again. These softies are already nearly scared out of their wits."

But the little lackey who had given him the idea that day uneasily advised, "Boss, I think we shouldn't strike again. The entire City Defense Camp and Jiang Jiang Mingyu have shown absolutely no reaction to the deaths; this is too abnormal. They might have already set up a net of heaven and earth, waiting for us to take the bait."

"I think we should just observe for a while longer, let the storm pass, and then strike; that would be safer." The little lackey's voice carried worry under the moonlight.

Du Du Gaocen's eyes bulged with anger as he replied harshly, "You little brat, what do you know? These softies are already so scared their legs are weak; stopping now, is your head filled with water?"

"If we wait any longer, they will forget tonight's fear completely; how will we avenge our grievances then?" Cold light already appeared in Du Du Gaocen's eyes.

The moment Du Du Gaocen spoke these words, he immediately received an enthusiastic response from the others.

"The boss's analysis is correct; let's strike quickly to avenge our brothers. Once the deed is done, we can return to the shanzhai to live freely and happily." A burly man with thick eyebrows and big eyes said heroically.

"Exactly. Repeating the spear-wielding every day, watching the faces of those softies to act, what future can there be?" Another middle-aged man with a weathered face chimed in.

"I'm exhausted; can you still endure it? I'm truly fed up!" The little lackey who had spoken first complained again, frowning with a dissatisfied expression.

"..."

Seeing everyone speak this way, the little lackey still insisted, "But..."

The little lackey wanted to say more, but Du Du Gaocen had already widened his copper-bell-like eyes, raised his thick eyebrows, and stared at him ferociously, "What more do you want to say? Either go kill with us, or I'll cripple you first! Choose one."

Seeing Du Du Gaocen's fierce, evil appearance, the little lackey could only obediently shut his mouth and shamefully followed the footsteps of the main force.

Du Du Gaocen and his subordinates carefully avoided the patrol soldiers; after quietly advancing for a distance, he suddenly raised his palm and gave a low order in a voice only they could hear, "Strike right here; remember, fight fast and finish quickly; after the event, you must erase all evidence and traces!"

Just as the others had no time to respond, a cold, crisp voice suddenly came from the roof above, "No matter where you go tonight, it will be useless!"

Everyone looked up and saw Tu Tu Kesiluo, wrapped in a snow-white cloak, leap lightly down from the roof, his clothes fluttering as he landed.

Du Du Gaocen's heart gave a start; his whereabouts had been discovered! But he quickly steadied his mind, determined not to let his revenge plan fall through.

Tu Tu Kesiluo gazed coldly at this group and slowly spoke, "Just as my lord guessed, you have indeed come again. I also count myself as having not failed my lord's trust, catching you red-handed."

He calmly placed his hand on the sword at his waist.

"Who exactly are you, and why do you infiltrate our military camp to harm people?"

Du Du Gaocen looked at the lone Tu Tu Kesiluo, sneered, and said with great boldness, "You don't need to know who we are; anyway, you will die here very soon."

He threatened, "Best not to make a sound and alert others; perhaps you can still drag out your life for a little while. If you dare to shout, I will kill you with one slash." Having finished speaking, Du Du Gaocen's wide curved blade was already pressed against Tu Tu Kesiluo's neck.

Tu Tu Kesiluo calmly brushed his short hair, which had been blown messy by the wind, and said lightly, "Since I am about to die anyway, what difference does it make if you tell me?"

Du Du Gaocen, holding the great blade, thought for a moment, "Very well, then let you die knowing the truth."

Saying this, he recounted their origins and their purpose in coming to Shangmu without holding anything back.

In the darkness, Tu Tu Kesiluo suddenly smiled and slowly said, "Little Eagle Mountain; I know this place."

Du Du Gaocen looked shocked and demanded, "What do you mean?"

Tu Tu Kesiluo's expression did not change, "It means nothing; I just want to tell you that everyone on Little Eagle Mountain was killed by me."

"By the way, your good brother Wei Wei Aotian was also beheaded by me with a single slash in the bustling market of the city."

He smacked his lips, "The blood from his throat sprayed out very far; it almost splashed all over me."

Du Du Gaocen sneered with a "Hmph," mocking, "Just relying on you alone, you could kill so many of our brothers? You are simply risking your life to brag."

"I can mercifully give you a chance; if you kneel down and apologize for your wild words just now, I can let you end your life quickly."

"Otherwise, I guarantee you will leave this world in extreme pain, enduring unimaginable torture before taking your last breath." A ruthless light flashed in Du Du Gaocen's eyes.

Tu Tu Kesiluo, with the sharp blade still pressed against his neck, laughed lightly again, "I can also give you a choice: either submit obediently and surrender, or I will personally deal with you. Choose for yourselves."

Seeing Tu Tu Kesiluo's calm demeanor, Du Du Gaocen had already completely lost his patience.

He swung the heavy blade in his hand, his eyes shooting out anger, and roared, "Just one person dares to speak so wildly; it is simply a joke! I want to see how you alone will deal with us!"

Tu Tu Kesiluo's voice was cold as ice, "You all remember clearly: it is I, Tu Tu Kesiluo, who will personally end your lives!" Before the words had finished, the silver-white long sword at his waist had silently left its sheath, reflecting the moonlight, with a chillingly menacing cold light!

The battle of life and death was already about to erupt!