Chapter 523

First Volume, Chapter 523: Evacuation Operation

Qin Feng…

At this moment, Chen Ping finally understood why Qingyu Mountain had resisted capture for so long!

According to the intelligence provided by the Night Owl, Qin Feng possessed not only exceptional military mastery but also deep expertise in mechanical arts.

That was why, despite having few troops and no proper tools, the enemy on the mountain had been able to carve out countless rolling stones and fortify the summit into an impregnable stronghold.

"At all costs, eliminate Qin Feng…"

Chen Ping took a deep breath, slowly rose to his feet despite his exhausted body, his gaze unwavering: "Qin Feng, the day I reclaim command will be your death day!"

On the other side, utterly drained, Qin Feng leaned against the cliff wall; barely had he closed his eyes when a sound came from the sheer rock behind him.

He sprang up immediately and saw the Brocade Guard climbing up along the cliff ropes.

"Young Master, Chen Si has learned you are within Di territory; the imperial order has reached Chen Ping, commanding him to seize back command. Additionally, three thousand Xiongying Brigade and two thousand Snow Wolf Brigade have been withdrawn from the Front Line, determined to eliminate you at all costs. You must evacuate Qingyu Mountain immediately."

Qin Feng knew well: even if Chen Ping merely regained command, he would lose all chance to escape Qingyu Mountain, let alone with five thousand elite troops returning.

Though physically and mentally exhausted, Qin Feng did not hesitate for a moment: "How is the camouflage materials preparation coming?"

The Brocade Guard replied grimly: "We only plundered six carts and over a hundred sets of clothing—insufficient to equip the entire army."

Hearing this, Qin Feng felt a mix of emotions—the Brocade Guard did not yet know how severely the soldiers had been decimated, now reduced to barely one hundred men.

But no matter what, Heaven had not abandoned Qin Feng!

The evacuation window had arrived; Qin Feng did not lament fate or wallow in sorrow—he was coldly rational, and immediately ordered all soldiers to prepare for evacuation.

Qin Feng stood atop the Watchtower, observing the enemy camp on the MountainWaist; time passed, Zishi Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour Hour neared, then shouts erupted from the MountainWaist, followed by blazing fires.

Realizing Chen Ping's coup had begun, Qin Feng acted without hesitation: "Begin the retreat!"

As planned, Ning Hu led the way down the mountain, positioning his guards at the Mountain Foot to hold the line against any unexpected enemy patrols, while Qin Feng took the rear guard.

The guards had strongly opposed this, but military command was absolute—no room for argument!

The coup on the MountainWaist intensified; Qin Feng knew nothing of the details, only that the enemy army had begun turning on itself.

About one Envoy passed; the soldiers had gradually descended the mountain. Though they had carried as much materials and supplies as possible, much food remained.

Gazing at the stronghold on the MountainTop, which they had held for nearly a month, Qin Feng took a deep breath, slung the sack full of food onto his back, turned away without hesitation, and slid down the rope inch by inch.

As his feet touched the ground, Ning Hu immediately handed him a garment—a simple, plain hemp robe.

Everyone changed clothes, piled all materials, armor, and weapons onto the carts, covered them with cloth, tied them into bundles, and set off at full speed toward the Zhengxi direction.

Throughout the entire operation, there was little talk; every soldier moved with perfect tacit understanding.

They fled over thirty li without stopping, only halting at dawn in a shallow hollow for rest.

Meanwhile, at Qingyu Mountain's search-and-destroy Camp, after a night of fierce fighting, Xu Qian's loyalists were finally slaughtered; when Chen Ping burst into the Ying Zhang, Xu Qian and Liu Qing cowered in the corner, pale as death, trembling uncontrollably.

Sensing the blazing fury in Chen Ping's gaze, Liu Qing swallowed hard, crawled on his knees to Chen Ping's feet, wailing incessantly:

"General Chen, I'm just a lowly messenger, merely passing orders—this was all Xu Qian's doing! Please treat me like a fart and let me go!"

Liu Qing, once fiercely loyal, had become a traitor without hesitation.

Xu Qian, terrified and furious, stared at Liu Qing but dared not speak.

Chen Ping kicked Liu Qing aside, his eyes icy: "Lowly? If not for your sly whispers and malicious slander, how would Ma Ning have been killed?"

"Let you go? Hah! Everyone else in this camp may be spared—but not you! Soldiers! Drag this dog out! No need to trouble the King of Hell—build a cauldron of oil, fry him alive. His rotting flesh can feed the beasts."

Hearing this punishment, Liu Qing lost control of his bowels, his former arrogance vanished completely.

"General Chen, spare my life!"

"I am a County Assistant Magistrate, a court-appointed official—you cannot execute me without imperial decree!"

"General! General… Chen Ping, I'll curse your ancestors—I'll haunt you even as a ghost!"

Chen Ping ignored Liu Qing's curses; his sharp gaze flickered to Xu Qian.

Merely a glance sent Xu Qian trembling all over.

"C…Chen Ping…"

Before Xu Qian could finish, Chen Ping cut him off coldly: "You're a Prefect. Now that it's come to this, why waste words? Give yourself dignity."

With that, Chen Ping waved his hand: "Xu Qian is a high-ranking Prefect. Without the Emperor's decree, no extreme punishment—just take him out and behead him."

Xu Qian, Liu Qing, and all their Supervisor of the Army faction members were executed.

Chen Ping, clad in armor, stepped out of the Camp and looked at the bewildered soldiers, speaking gravely: "Xu Qian and Liu Qing cared only for glory, ignoring the lives of our soldiers—they have been executed under military law. The farce of storming Qingyu Mountain ends here!"

"All soldiers: withdraw from Qingyu Mountain, establish outer garrisons, and encircle without attacking—that is the superior strategy. Wait for the elite troops from the Front Line to arrive, then decide our next move."

Chen Ping stared deeply at the MountainTop stronghold, though not a single enemy was visible; still, given the ferocity shown in the prolonged battles, he remained cautious.

For safety and to prevent further losses, Chen Ping ordered no probing attacks—only led his army down Qingyu Mountain to begin constructing makeshift camps nearby.

Only at noon the next day did the massive force of elite cavalry finally arrive at Qingyu Mountain.

The Deputy General dismounted, bowed to Chen Ping: "General Chen, have Xu Qian and Liu Qing been executed?"

Chen Ping returned the bow: "General Ma, you've endured a long journey—thank you. Xu Qian and Liu Qing, those two scoundrels, have already been executed on the spot."

Ma Zhuangsheng and Chen Ping were both Gate Generals, holding equal rank; as both were officers of the Xiongying Brigade, they were close, always addressing each other as brothers.

Ma Zhuangsheng, seeing Chen Ping's wounds, felt deep concern, but as men, no words were needed; he looked up at Qingyu Mountain's impregnable stronghold and sighed:

"The superior strategy is to outwit the enemy; the middle strategy is to fight in the open; the inferior strategy is to attack a fortified city.

"Qingyu Mountain's terrain is steep; only the southern Shan Po is slightly gentler—but it's narrow as a thread. A small force can hold the Guan Ka with ease.

"Only a fool like Xu Qian would ever attempt to assault such a stronghold!"