Chapter 504: First Volume, Chapter 504: The Search and Exterminate Army Assembles

First Volume, Chapter 504: The Search and Exterminate Army Assembles

The night grew deeper.

At the Mountain Foot of Bei Di Qingyu Shan, six thousand Scouring Soldiers had completely encircled the entire mountain.

Xu Qian directly moved his Ying Zhang to the base of Qingyu Mountain, to gain immediate control over the mountain assault progress.

The six thousand troops, dispatched from various County Cities, set up tents on the spot for rest, awaiting a second siege of Qingyu Mountain at dawn the next day.

Xu Qian stood outside his Ying Zhang, staring at Qingyu Mountain, his eyes flashing with fierce malice.

Since suffering his last major defeat, Xu Qian had never let it go; he secretly swore he would not rest until every last Rebel on Qingyu Mountain was slaughtered.

Only at the Zishi Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour did Xu Qian finally sleep, filled with bitter resentment.

Five li south of the Zhongjun Daying lay the makeshift camp of the Xiongying Brigade.

Inside the tent, Chen Ping, Ma Ning, and the Night Owl Leader still studied the Sand Table, analyzing the situation on Qingyu Mountain.

Originally, Chen Ping had planned to wait until Xu Qian suffered repeated setbacks, then report to his superiors to strip Xu Qian of his Inspector title, before devising how to besiege Qingyu Mountain.

But… no one had expected Xu Qian to strike first, sending messengers straight to the Front Line superiors to accuse Chen Ping of "negligence and lack of effort."

Chen Ping understood perfectly—Xu Qian was shifting blame, more accurately, dumping the black pot onto Chen Ping's shoulders.

Upon learning of the failed Bandit Suppression, the superiors flew into a rage and immediately dispatched a messenger to rebuke Chen Ping, ordering him to cooperate unconditionally with Xu Qian.

It was from the Night Owl Leader that Chen Ping learned Xu Qian's Mentor was a Classmate friend of the Front Line superior.

Chen Ping had no choice; though he knew a forced assault would play right into the Enemy Army's hands, he could only grit his teeth and proceed.

If they were to fight, they must inflict maximum casualties on the Enemy Army—any loss of enemy manpower was their victory.

But three full days had passed since the last mountain assault!

That bastard Xu Qian had no understanding of "Military Command is as firm as rock." He had vowed to attack the next day, yet delayed for three days because several Reinforcements had not yet arrived.

He called it "achieving victory in one stroke."

To hell with "one stroke"—the men holed up on Qingyu Mountain weren't bandits or outlaws; they were Tianji Camp Guards. Who knew how many Traps they'd set in these three days?

Beside him, Ma Ning let out a bitter laugh: "General, there's something I'm not sure whether to say or not."

"When we came to reinforce, it was to avenge our Xiongying Brigade brothers. Now we're mired here, trapped. Working with a scoundrel like Xu Qian is worse than facing the Beixi Black Cavalry! At least when exchanging arrows, we're all two shoulders and one head—life or death is just a gamble."

"But now? It's truly fucking humiliating!"

Chen Ping felt as if he'd swallowed a fly, but what could he do? Xu Qian was the Inspector—rank crushed all.

"Stop complaining. Think about how to assault the mountain."

The Night Owl Leader stared at the crude Qingyu Mountain Model on the Sand Table, pointing to the MountainWaist: "If we can drive the Enemy Army above this line, we've already won half the battle."

"Above the MountainWaist, the land is barren—nothing but stone. Even if the enemy seized some Materials and Supplies, they lack water and shelter. In three days, the outcome will be clear."

"But…"

"Below the MountainWaist, the forest is dense and the Terrain complex. The Tianji Camp Guards move like fish in water. To drive them uphill will cost heavy casualties."

Saying this, the Night Owl Leader narrowed his eyes and lowered his voice: "Xu Qian has already planned it—he'll order your Xiongying Brigade to dismount, turn Cavalry into Ji Zhan, and make Ji Zhan the vanguard to lead the charge into the mountain tomorrow."

"Xu Qian is proud of this plan—he claims your Xiongying Brigade are Elite Soldiers, top-tier morale, unlike other garrison troops who crumble under pressure. He says you'll hold firm."

"As long as your Xiongying Brigade doesn't break, the rear garrison can follow you up, charging forward…"

Chen Ping waved his hand, face dark as storm clouds: "Stop."

Chen Ping deeply appreciated the Night Owl Leader's warning, yet felt only rage and sorrow.

Turn the Xiongying Brigade into Ji Zhan vanguard? Only Xu Qian could conceive such a scheme!

Cavalry without Warhorses facing Tianji Camp Guards, famed for their peak Ji Zhan? Ha—he couldn't even bear to imagine the scene.

Ma Ning clenched his teeth: "General, if we must… let's kill Xu Qian. Then say the Enemy Army descended and assassinated him—we failed to avenge him…"

"That bastard won't rest until he's wasted every last bit of our strength."

"The Front Line is desperate. The only elite force we can recall is ours. If our men are slaughtered, those worthless garrison troops won't even hold the mountain—they'll be crushed by the Tianji Camp Guards! And then, the black pot will still fall on us…"

Chen Ping hesitated. Though his hatred for Xu Qian had reached its peak, killing a superior was no different from treason.

Wasn't every Chen Family descendant known for loyalty and righteousness? How could he commit such a disgraceful act?

As Chen Ping wrestled with this, a commotion rose from afar—then shouts of battle, then screams and wails.

The three men exchanged glances and rushed out of the tent toward the Zhongjun Daying—flames blazed across the night, turning darkness into daylight.

Chen Ping instantly realized: the Zhongjun Daying had been hit by a Night Raid from the Tianji Camp Guards!

Chen Ping clenched his fist, teeth grinding: "That bastard Xu Qian! He stationed the Zhongjun Daying at the Mountain Foot—so close! He's practically inviting the Tianji Camp Guards to strike! He might as well have left the army in Mingyun Township!"

Chen Ping spun and dashed back into the tent, emerging moments later armored and helmeted, spear in hand: "Bring my Warhorse! Xiongying Brigade, by order—hurry—"

Before he could finish the word "reinforce," a Scouring Soldier staggered over, collapsed to his knees, and howled in tears.

"General, hurry to aid the Zhongjun Daying! The Enemy Army launched a surprise attack!"

Chen Ping was about to give the order when Ma Ning grabbed his arm.

Ma Ning shook his head, signaling Chen Ping to ignore it—let Xu Qian be slaughtered. Once Xu Qian was dead, Chen Ping would be Main General. Without that shit-stirrer, taking Qingyu Mountain would be a matter of time.

Chen Ping couldn't bring himself to accept it—until the Night Owl Leader suddenly drew his sword and severed the pleading soldier's head.

"Since the General lacks the heart to act, I'll lend a hand."

"The Front Line comes first. We cannot afford rear chaos. If blame follows, I alone will bear it!"