Chapter 70

"You said that, isn't it a bit too alarmist?"

Guan Shan furrowed his brow, for a moment unable to gauge the situation.

Instinctively wanted to refute Gu Han's speculation.

If someone else spoke up, saying that the people of Jian Chi State would disguise themselves as a merchant convoy to deal them an indefensible blow.

Guan Shan would definitely, at the First Moment, loudly scold the other party and drive them out!

Although there are many grudges between the countries, border clashes are inevitable.

But war is basically open and aboveboard.

The act of soldiers disguising themselves as a merchant convoy, even if called a taboo, is not an exaggeration!

Anything that happens once will happen again.

Once such a thing has happened the first time, thereafter any country's merchant convoys wanting to conduct normal business will face numerous obstacles!

This will deal a heavy blow to any country that wants to continue developing.

Even to the point of cutting itself off from the forest of nations in Dongzhou!

"Surely not?"

Deng Li thought for a while, and also wondered aloud,

"If Jian Chi State really did that, wouldn't it be asking for trouble?"

If surrounded by hostility from all neighboring countries, the fate awaiting Jian Chi State would almost only be national annihilation!

Only in this way can we possibly eliminate the consequences of troops masquerading as merchants.

To let trade between the surrounding countries return to normal.

Gu Han understood their concerns.

Even the second uncle from his past life who once shook China could not have imagined that someone among his own allies would actually pull such a trick!

Of course, the person who employed this tactic, although ultimately won this battle.

But even if it didn't earn a reputation lasting ten thousand years, they still failed to leave any good name.

"But what if the other side harbored the idea of wiping out everyone in Mu Shan Cheng in one battle?"

Gu Han said lightly,

"They only need to kill everyone, prevent the news from leaking out of Mu Shan Cheng, and who could know what means they used to accomplish all this?"

Upon hearing Gu Han casually speak of encircling and slaughtering hundreds of thousands of people.

Guan Shan and Deng Li both couldn't help feeling a chill run down their spines.

Mu Shan Cheng plus the surrounding small towns, that's a population of hundreds of thousands!

Even if they could capture Jian Chi State's border pass.

They would certainly not even consider slaughtering all the civilians!

Creating such a killing karma will eventually come back to haunt them!

So at first, when they heard Gu Han say that there might be spies among the merchant convoy,

the most they considered was that someone might want to sneak in to gather intelligence.

rather than directly choosing to collaborate from inside and outside!

"Better to believe that something exists than to believe it doesn't!"

Guan Shan, having weathered great storms, quickly agreed to Gu Han's suggestion,

"Deng Li, you first go secretly investigate, get the details of those few firms, remember not to be discovered."

"Since we've decided to get to the bottom of things, we might as well inspect each one thoroughly!"

Deng Li nodded, received the order, and quickly left.

Gu Han's eyes showed some worry as he asked,

"General Guan, will Instructor Deng acting alone encounter danger?"

Although Instructor Deng's ability is not shabby, after all that merchant convoy also has experts starting at the Martial Master level.

Guan Shan chuckled lightly and said calmly,

"Rest assured, unless those people don't plan to come back alive, they definitely wouldn't dare to startle the snake."

"Moreover, in this regard, there's no one in the military camp more professional than Deng Li."

Seeing Guan Shan so confident, Gu Han could only return to the camp with a heavy heart to briefly gather with a few brothers.

……

Inside the city.

Deng Li hurried all the way to the garrison of the Jiayu Firm.

He first observed secretly, then stepped forward and knocked on the door.

Soon a voice came from inside the door,

"Who's there?"

"I want a good sword; do you have one here?"

As Deng Li's words fell, the gate quickly opened.

He looked around, then quickly slipped into the courtyard.

At this moment in the courtyard, Qiu Lin had already left, only Zheng De and Wang Hai remained here.

"Deng Li? How is it you?"

Zheng De knew that among the middle ranks of Mu Shan Cheng there were also Jian Chi State's insiders.

But he never expected it to be Dutong Deng Li!

As the instructor for each batch of new recruits, Deng Li may not hold a high position in Mu Shan Cheng, but he is absolutely deeply trusted!

Cut the idle talk—did you leak something and get caught by Gu Han?

Zheng De heard this and was instantly shocked; he never expected the matter to reach Deng Li so quickly!

When we entered the city, Gu Han and we made a deal, and ever since he's been tailing us.

I once sent Wang Hai to tail him, but got nothing.

Since you've taken action, do it cleanly and swiftly!

Deng Li said, frustrated that you won't improve,

Now Gu Han has already leaked the news to Guan Shan's side; this trip is exactly Guan Shan sending me to investigate.

Zheng De's face drastically changed.

Then what should we do?

Why not just go back and tell Guan Shan that nothing abnormal was found?

Deng Li's face turned grim.

Are you a bastard, or do you think I'm an idiot?

If I report nothing abnormal and Gu Han doesn't let up, sneaks over to investigate and something goes wrong, in the end the blame won't fall on me.

Zheng De's face flushed with embarrassment; after a moment, he spoke in a low voice.

Why not bring the message over, then we'll push out a few scapegoats for you to gain merit?

This way you'll earn Gu Han and Guan Shan's trust, and we'll clear our suspicion.

Their operation this time is crucial.

Once suspected, the success rate will drop sharply.

The operation is about to start; they must dispel Guan Shan and his men's doubts.

Deng Li thought it over and also deemed Zheng De's suggestion feasible.

Alright, quickly find a scapegoat; I'll go back to find Gu Han.

Time flew by.

That evening, Deng Li came to the camp, brows furrowed, and sought out Gu Han.

General Guan sent me to find you; let's go.

Gu Han's brows furrowed slightly.

He felt something was a bit off.

If Deng Li finds a problem with the convoy, General Guan has two options.

First, avoid alerting them and turn their plot against them.

Second, crush them with thunderous force.

If it's the first option, just have Deng Li bring a word to notify me.

If it's the second option, in their eyes Gu Han is merely a martial novice and can't help at all.

Furthermore, after the operation, just inform me.

Either way, there's no need for extra steps.

Having Deng Li bring me to find General Guan would be pointless.

Thinking this, Gu Han felt a hint of wariness.

Instructor Deng, we brothers are still eating; may we wait a moment?

Deng Li's eyes darkened slightly.

I can wait, but General Guan may not be willing to wait.

Gu Han's heart skipped a beat; things are indeed not good!

Given General Guan's high regard for him, he wouldn't care about a mealtime.

But Gu Han is merely suspicious now and dares not openly break with Deng Li.

If Deng Li truly harbors hostility, he cannot withstand it.

Gu Han gave Deng Li a slight smile.

Please wait a moment, Instructor Deng; I'll greet my brothers so they don't worry.

Deng Li nodded anxiously.

Hurry up, don't keep General Guan waiting too long.

Gu Han approached Gu Chen and the others, speaking softly.

General Guan has business with me; I'll go with Instructor Deng.

After saying that, Gu Han quickly followed Deng Li away.

Gu Chen saw this and immediately stopped training.

Gu Han's earlier gaze, surely everyone noticed.

This must be because Gu Han didn't want Instructor Deng to notice, so he dared not voice his suspicion directly.

Later we'll split up; we must find General Guan as soon as possible to report the news.

Gu Lin's gaze was solemn.

Hopefully we're overthinking.

They never imagined that Instructor Deng, whom they live with day and night, could also be problematic.

But Gu Han is their brother; no matter how careful, it's not excessive.

After all, Gu Lin and the others haven't received Guan Shan's care.

They hadn't even entered the area where the generals' camp is when they were intercepted.

The area ahead: without the generals' orders, soldiers may not enter without permission.

Several people held long spears, crossing them to block in front of Gu Lin and the others.

Gu Lin and the others suddenly became somewhat anxious.

Time waits for no one; if Gu Han really encountered trouble, it would be over.

At that moment, Gu Lin's eyes shifted, and he said in a low voice,

"This brother, we have an urgent matter concerning Gu Han to report to Chief Instructor Guan."

Upon hearing this, the several stern-faced guards' expressions changed slightly.

They had heard Gu Han's name quite often recently.

The first-place winner of the Ten Camps Competition who came out of the Logistics Camp was even more widely known in the Military Camp!

"You guys, are you Gu Han's several older brothers?"

"That's right, I am Gu Lin."

Saying this, Gu Lin took out his identity token.

After the guards inspected it, they immediately ordered the few people nearby to guard the pass well.

He then quickly led Gu Lin and the others toward Guan Shan's central tent.

After knocking, Guan Shan's voice soon came from inside.

The guards stayed outside, only letting Gu Lin and the others enter.

Gu Lin entered the tent, seeing only Guan Shan inside, his expression suddenly changed greatly.

"Chief Instructor Guan, something serious has happened."

Because of Gu Han, Guan Shan's attitude toward Gu Lin and the others was also not bad; he laughed and said,

"Don't be anxious, speak slowly."

But Gu Lin didn't dare to speak slowly.

He hurriedly said,

"Just now, Instructor Deng Li came to the camp, saying that you, Chief Instructor Guan, wanted to see Gu Han, and then took Gu Han away from the camp."

"We were worried that something was abnormal, so we came to report to you."

As soon as Gu Lin's words fell, Guan Shan stood up with a solemn expression.

He had indeed let Deng Li investigate the issues with those caravans this afternoon.

But up until now, Deng Li has not reported back.

Guan Shan merely thought the situation was difficult to investigate and didn't take it to heart.

But now it seems he may have trusted Deng Li too much!

"Do you know which caravan Deng Li took Gu Han to?"

In order not to waste time, Guan Shan must quickly pinpoint the location.

However, after Gu Lin and the others looked at each other, they simultaneously shook their heads.

However, at that moment, a knocking sound suddenly rang out again.

"Come in."

A soldier, having received the order, entered the tent and said respectfully,

"General, Dutong Deng sent me to report; he has taken Gu Han to verify the suspicious personnel in the caravan."

"Huh?"

Guan Shan was momentarily stunned.

He couldn't quite figure out what Deng Li was up to.