Chapter 276: Tracking the Old Nest

"What, Shennü Daren has descended upon Beijiang?" Zhang Zhao was even more agitated. "Then this proves that Prince is favored by the gods, that Prince is the true Dragon Emperor, the future master of Daliang Kingdom..."

Xiao Moting furrowed his brows and immediately stopped him.

"General Zhang, get up first."

If words like these were to spread, it would be treason!

Zhang Zhao stood up from the ground, trembling, still unable to contain his excitement.

In his eyes, because Xiao Moting had a deity behind him, he was the next ruler of the kingdom.

Xiao Moting took out the Locator, opened the video on the Tablet Computer, and began to study it with several trusted aides.

Seeing the video on the Tablet Computer, Zhang Zhao was once again shocked and let out a series of exclamations.

With the explanation in the video, the group quickly understood how to use the Locator.

The Locator was only the size of a button; once placed inside an item, it was very difficult to discover.

"That's it." Zhang Zhao immediately had an idea. "Prince, after my observations during this period, what these rebel forces love to plunder most is grain. We can hide the Locators inside the grain sacks and pretend to transport grain. After the thieves carry away the sacks containing the grain, we can then use the Locator sent by Shennü Daren to find their hideout."

"That is possible." Xiao Moting nodded. "However, this matter must not be known to others, especially the Imperial Guard."

"This subordinate understands." Zhang Zhao hurriedly patted his chest. "This matter will definitely be done quietly; I will never let anyone else discover it."

Afternoon.

Zhao Li was patrolling the mine with several Imperial Guard soldiers when he suddenly saw several carriages parked at the mine entrance, with soldiers unloading the sacks from the carriages and placing them on the ground.

He immediately walked over and examined the sacks.

"What is inside the sacks?"

A soldier who was moving grain looked up and replied.

"Reporting to Commandant Zhao, General Zhang bought a batch of grain at a low price from a nearby town."

"But this batch of grain got damp, and with the weather being humid lately, General Zhang was afraid the grain would mold and grow worms, so he had us move the grain down to dry it out first and remove the dampness. We will move it into the Warehouse after it is thoroughly dried in two days."

Zhao Li looked at the sacks suspiciously.

"Grain? The garrison at the mine is not short on food, so why buy damp grain?"

"It's just because it's cheap." The soldier smiled honestly. "Although the Northern Frontier Camp sends us grain, it's better to stockpile a bit more just in case."

Zhao Li said, "Open the sacks, let me see."

After saying this, he gestured with his hand.

The several Imperial Guard soldiers behind him rushed forward, roughly pushing the soldiers aside, and opened the sacks one by one.

"Whoosh."

Golden wheat grains poured out of the sacks, accompanied by a pungent, damp, moldy smell.

"Cough, cough..." Zhao Li impatiently waved his hand. "It really is grain. Your General Zhang is truly too stingy; it's not like there is a lack of military funds, yet he insists on buying this moldy grain."

Having said that, he turned and left.

Watching Zhao Li and the Imperial Guard leave, Xiao Dabao and Qin Zhan, who were not far away, breathed a sigh of relief.

The Locator was hidden inside the grain sack; fortunately, it was small and hadn't been discovered by Zhao Li.

Soon, the soldiers placed the sacks of grain by the roadside to dry.

By evening, Zhang Zhao ordered part of the grain to be moved into the storehouse, and the remaining twenty or thirty sacks that wouldn't fit were left piled by the roadside.

Night soon fell.

By the roadside, two soldiers guarding the grain were both leaning against trees, dozing off.

Xiao Moting, Qin Zhan, and the others were hiding in a nearby house, waiting anxiously.

Time passed second by second, and the moon had already climbed into the middle of the sky.

Xiao Dabao was waiting impatiently and lowered his voice.

"Qin Zhan, do you think these rebel forces who steal things will come tonight?"

Qin Zhan rubbed his nose. "They should. We moved the grain with such fanfare during the day that even Zhao Li was attracted over. These rebels are hiding in the mountains, lacking clothing and food; how could they not come over after smelling the scent?"

"Then if they don't come, won't we have waited all night for nothing?"

"This..." Qin Zhan couldn't say.

At this moment, Xiao Moting spoke up. "If they don't come tonight, they will definitely come tomorrow night. During the snow disaster last year, there was no food in the nearby villages. These rebels hiding in the mountains have even less to eat. If they want to survive, they have to come and steal grain."

Just as he was speaking, two bird calls suddenly came from outside.

This bird call was the signal sent by the soldiers keeping watch!

Xiao Dabao's spirits were instantly lifted. "They're here!"

Xiao Moting immediately looked out through the crack in the window.

In the night, more than a dozen agile figures jumped down from the mountain and headed straight for the grain.

The two soldiers guarding the grain hadn't even had time to resist before they were knocked unconscious to the ground.

The figures picked up the sacks and ran quickly toward the mountain.

In the blink of an eye, the dozens of sacks of grain on the ground had been completely cleared away.

"This speed is just too fast." Xiao Dabao stared wide-eyed. "The mountain is so steep, yet they move as if they are flying."

Xiao Moting stared intently out the window, only withdrawing his gaze once the figures had disappeared.

"This group is well-trained, possesses extraordinary skills, and is extremely obedient to orders; they are most likely soldiers."

He turned his head and said to Qin Zhan.

"Take out the Locator."

Qin Zhan took out the Locator, and on the gray LCD screen, a light dot was flashing continuously.

"Prince, they have headed into the mountains."

Xiao Moting nodded and gave the order in a deep voice.

"Let's follow!"

In the night, three hundred Northern Frontier Army soldiers quietly left the mine and dashed toward the mountains.

Xiao Moting held the Locator, following the flashing signal on it, and walked at the very front.

The mountain terrain here was indeed steep, and there were falling rocks; a moment of carelessness could lead to a fall down the mountain, so it was no wonder the Northern Frontier Army could not catch this band of rebels.

Xiao Dabao said while panting as he climbed the mountain.

"Qin Zhan, why do you think these rebels are hiding in the mountains? What if we go over there and they have superior numbers?"

"What is there to fear from them?" Qin Zhan said dismissively, "We are fully armed; we have even defeated the barbarians and the Daye Army, so why fear this band of rebels?"

The three hundred Northern Frontier Army soldiers had all brought their equipment, wearing Bulletproof Vests under their battle robes, carrying long sabers, and also carrying Walkie-talkies, as well as several Electric Saws.

Everyone used Flashlights to climb the mountain through the night.

One hour later, Xiao Moting stood before a cave.

The massive cave had a very level entrance, with clear signs of human habitation.

"Look, our Saltpeter!"

Xiao Dabao exclaimed in a lowered voice.

Piled at the cave entrance was a heap of ore, which was precisely the Saltpeter Mine lost from the mine site.

"Prince, shall we charge in?" Qin Zhan asked, gripping his sword hilt.

Xiao Moting pondered for a moment.

"They are inside the cave, and we do not know their true strength."

"Set a fire first and smoke them out!"

At Xiao Dabao's command, hundreds of Northern Frontier Army soldiers immediately rushed forward and blocked the cave entrance tightly.

The remaining Northern Frontier Army soldiers took the Electric Saws and began felling trees and chopping wood on the spot.

"Vroom, vroom, vroom."

The Electric Saws emitted a loud roaring sound, and soon several trees were felled.

The people inside the cave noticed the commotion and were about to rush out immediately.

"Fire arrows!" Qin Zhan shouted loudly.

The Northern Frontier Army soldiers lying in ambush outside the cave immediately drew their bows and fired arrows!

From inside the cave came several screams, clearly indicating that someone had been hit by arrows.

Immediately afterward, no one dared to rush out again.

With the Electric Saws, the firewood was quickly chopped.

The Northern Frontier Army soldiers piled the branches at the cave entrance, sprinkled them with alcohol, and lit them with a lighter.