Chapter 486: First Volume, Chapter 486: Sudden Encounter with the Supervisor of the Army

First Volume, Chapter 486: Sudden Encounter with the Supervisor of the Army

The Snow Wolf Brigade is a renowned elite force in the army; if a conflict truly breaks out, with neither numerical nor tactical advantage, the outcome seems easy to foresee.

Moreover, this Snow Wolf Brigade Light Cavalry carries the heavy responsibility of hunting down Tianji Camp Guards; Supervisory Special Envoy Chen Si personally ordered them to trap the Tianji Camp Guards within Da Di territory at all costs—if they fail, even a hundred heads won't be enough to pay the price.

The Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander hesitated long, then reluctantly saluted with a fist over palm: "Verbal sparring was never my intent—I merely feared enemy secret infiltration. Since you are brothers of the Snow Wolf Brigade and carry urgent duties, no need to waste time here—proceed with your mission at once."

Since the other side had already accepted them as Snow Wolf Brigade cavalry, Qin Feng naturally would not press the matter and risk exposing himself.

Without further delay, he waved his hand and led his troops onward toward the interior.

Watching the retreating backs of Qin Feng and his men, the Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander frowned slightly, his eyes filled with doubt: "Why would these Snow Wolf Brigade cavalry go through so much trouble carrying so many spare horses? If they needed mounts, there are plenty of spares within our territory—why such an elaborate effort?"

The Deputy beside him pondered: "Could it be they've already located the Tianji Camp Guards' movements and fear they'll escape, so they're preparing for a full-speed pursuit?"

The Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander fell silent for a moment, his doubt unchanged: "That's possible, but according to military intelligence, the Tianji Camp Guards fled south from Yangchang Mountain and should be within a hundred li north of the Front Line. Look at these men—each carries two spare horses; anyone unaware would think they're planning a thousand-li raid."

Saying this, the Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander waved his hand, and immediately a scout stepped forward.

"Vice Commander, what are your orders?"

The Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander narrowed his eyes, staring fixedly at Qin Feng and his men, who were gradually vanishing beyond the horizon: "Beixi County's secret infiltration capability is extremely strong—whether Tianji Camp Guards or Brocade Robe Guards, they're all masters at it; even my Da Di Night Owls have suffered repeated setbacks. For safety's sake, follow them swiftly and observe covertly."

"If these men are Liang Kingdom troops in disguise, immediately notify nearby garrison troops to encircle and annihilate them; if they're truly Snow Wolf Brigade, ignore them and return immediately."

The scout did not hesitate and spurred his horse after them.

The Raiding Cavalry Vice Commander still felt uneasy and summoned another scout: "Rush at once into Liang Kingdom territory, find the Snow Wolf Brigade's superiors. If you can't find them, head straight to the Shuaizhang Camp and get this matter clarified. Move fast—these men all carry spare horses, capable of rapid advance or retreat; delay means court-martial!"

The scout bowed tightly, then turned and dashed toward Liang Kingdom territory.

Meanwhile, Qin Feng led his light cavalry at top speed toward Qingyu Mountain.

Qingyu Mountain is only one hundred and twenty li from the Front Line; with light cavalry speed and spare horses, they could make a round trip in just four hours.

Just as Qin Feng prepared for a one-strike victory and rushed to Qingyu Mountain to retrieve Ning Hu and the others, he was forced to halt again.

This location was still seventy li from Qingyu Mountain, situated in an open plain; on the western horizon, a force of troops appeared.

Qin Feng dared not approach Qingyu Mountain rashly, fearing exposure of his intent.

As the distance narrowed, he estimated the enemy force numbered roughly one hundred.

They were all light cavalry, yet three riders carried massive black banners bearing an Eagle Totem.

The temporary Deputy leaned close to Qin Feng and said in a low voice: "Trouble, Thousand-Man Commander—these men are Xiongying Lü light cavalry!"

Upon hearing "Xiongying Lü," Qin Feng's right eyelid twitched.

The combat effectiveness of the Xiongying Lü was unquestionable—even among the many elite troops of Bei Di, they stood as the foremost.

Whether Qin Feng's meticulously trained Beixi Black Cavalry or the Tianji Camp Guards, all had suffered defeats before the Xiongying Lü.

The Xiongying Lü was truly the pinnacle of light cavalry!

Qin Feng swiftly signaled his men to hold their ground and not panic.

Seeing the small Xiongying Lü cavalry unit approaching slowly and steadily, Qin Feng whispered to his Deputy: "Aren't the Xiongying Lü all deployed to the Front Line? Why are they here?"

The Deputy was a native of Liang's Northern Border, once a civilian laborer in the Border Army and Piaoqi General's camp—he knew every faction along the border intimately.

Seeing the slowly approaching Xiongying Lü cavalry, his face turned grim, and he whispered back: "They're flying banners—these aren't ordinary cavalry. They must be… a temporary detachment of the Supervisor of the Army!"

Qin Feng suddenly understood.

With the war between the two kingdoms raging fiercely and heavy pressure on the Front Line, deserters inevitably arise; these Xiongying Lü cavalry are rear-area patrol supervisors—any troops found fleeing or moving without orders are executed on the spot as a warning to others.

Supervisors of the Army are far harder to deceive than ordinary patrol light cavalry.

Qin Feng immediately asked his Deputy: "Is that little tail still following us?"

The Deputy nodded vigorously: "Still trailing at a steady distance."

Qin Feng took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with lethal intent—he prepared for the worst: "Order the men to keep watch on that scout. If our identity is exposed, eliminate him at all costs—do not let him carry word back to the Front Line patrol!"

At that moment, the Xiongying Lü Supervisor of the Army halted thirty steps away.

Immediately, under the lead commander's glance, a Vice Commander stepped forward from the ranks and walked alone toward Qin Feng.

The Vice Commander's sharp gaze swept over Qin Feng and his men twice, then said sternly: "I am Vice Commander of the Sixth Battalion of the Xiongying Lü, patrolling this area. Which unit do you belong to? Why have you left the Front Line and come here?"

Qin Feng remained expressionless, saluted with a fist over palm: "We belong to the Snow Wolf Brigade, ordered to hunt down Tianji Camp Guards."

Upon hearing Qin Feng's reply, the Xiongying Lü Vice Commander's eyes flashed a piercing look, as if trying to pierce through him; after a moment, he found nothing, remained silent, and turned back to report to the lead commander.

The lead and deputy commanders whispered briefly, occasionally glancing toward Qin Feng.

Though Qin Feng's face remained calm, his heart tightened.

From their words and actions, it was clear they did not trust him.

As Qin Feng expected, the Vice Commander returned, shouting before reaching him: "The Snow Wolf Brigade enforces strict military discipline. If you carry urgent duties, do you have a command scroll?"

Qin Feng raised his hand; the Deputy swiftly pulled a Xuelang Lv Command Scroll from his pack and handed it up.