Chapter 72: An Overly Smooth Operation

"Let's go."

Deng Li led Gu Han back to the Military Camp.

All the way, Gu Han still did not let his guard down.

But no mishap occurred either.

Guan Shan followed all the way back, his eyes showing some doubt.

"Could it be that I wrongly blamed Old Deng?"

But Deng Li, without any pretense, took Gu Han away directly, indeed raising many doubts.

After returning to the Military Camp, Deng Li, carrying the man in black, entered the interrogation room.

"Ah!!"

Soon came a series of hair‑raising wails from the interrogation room.

Gu Han couldn't help but shiver.

Only someone a bit more ruthless than a butcher could endure such an interrogation!

"Even if you kill me, I still know nothing!"

Amid the howls, a defiant resistance laced the cries.

The sound gradually faded until it fell into dead silence.

Soon after, the interrogation room opened.

Gu Han peeked in and saw, in the pitch‑black surroundings, a motionless person lying on the floor.

A faint scent of blood wafted to his nose.

"It's already been fully interrogated."

Deng Li's voice sounded beside Gu Han's ear, startling him instantly.

"Instructor Deng, when did you start floating around like a ghost?"

Deng Li chuckled,

"It's just that your attention has been on that person all along."

Gu Han rolled his eyes and said irritably,

"What's the situation?"

"They are also scouts from Jian Chi State's Dan Ren Cheng, infiltrated the caravan to this place to probe the city defenses."

Deng Li paused, suddenly startled,

"Why am I telling you so clearly?"

This is vital military intelligence.

Although Gu Han, through his outstanding performance, had earned the attention of General Guan Zhen,

his position was still only that of Logistics Camp chief.

In principle, he had no right to inquire about such crucial intel.

"Deng Li, how's the information I asked you to gather?"

At that moment, Guan Shan's voice suddenly came from the darkness.

Deng Li's heart startled; he quickly saluted the appearing Guan Shan,

"Greetings, General Guan."

Gu Han returned the salute as well.

Guan Shan waved his hand,

"No need for so much ceremony."

Deng Li glanced at the old Shen Zai Zai, and at Gu Han who seemed not to intend to leave, and held back his words.

"Today's news was originally Gu Han's accidental discovery."

Guan Shan sensed Deng Li's hesitation, waved his hand broadly, and laughed loudly,

"Whatever the findings, it's fine to speak them out."

Deng Li nodded and, following his earlier words, continued,

"Jian Chi State, fearing the newly built forts around Mu Shan Cheng,"

"the commander of Dan Ren Cheng specifically dispatched scouts to draw defense maps, seeking weak points in the deployment, waiting for a chance to break through."

All this sounded plausible, yet Gu Han furrowed his brow, feeling something was off.

Too smooth!

He smoothly detected the caravan's anomaly, and Deng Li smoothly captured two map‑making spies.

Then, in a perfectly logical manner, he exposed all the Chamber of Commerce's spies.

It all seemed as if it had been prearranged.

Guan Shan said in a deep voice,

"Has the interrogation yielded the remaining enemy scouts' list?"

Deng Li nodded,

"According to that person, a total of twenty of them infiltrated the caravan this time, and the list has already been recorded."

After pondering for a moment, Guan Shan did not immediately issue orders, but looked at Gu Han,

"Gu Han, what do you think of this matter?"

After all, the clue came from Gu Han's meticulous investigation, and Guan Shan intended to cultivate Gu Han, hence the question.

Gu Han stroked his chin, thinking rapidly.

Twenty scouts, hand‑picked to infiltrate the caravan and enter Mu Shan Cheng, is certainly not a minor operation.

It makes sense for Danren City to risk the total annihilation of twenty scouts to infiltrate Mushan City.

Interpretation: Dan Ren Cheng is willing to risk the total annihilation of twenty scouts to let them infiltrate Mu Shan Cheng; that is reasonable.

We need to keep numbers: twenty.

Use terms: Dan Ren Cheng, Mu Shan Cheng.

We translate the term for scout as "scout", not as Martial Practitioner or Martial Master.

Thus: "Dan Ren Cheng is willing to risk the total annihilation of twenty scouts to let them infiltrate Mu Shan Cheng; that is reasonable."

Make sure it's one line.

But Gu Han couldn't get past the White-Clad River Crossing battle he had heard of.

"However, precisely because Gu Han had heard of the battle example of the white-clad crossing the river, he could not get past this in his mind."

Keep the term "White-Clad River Crossing" as is.

Thus: "However, precisely because Gu Han had heard of the battle example of the white-clad crossing the river, he could not get past this in his mind."

"General Guan, since the scouts are ready to die, even if Instructor Deng Li takes the poison, it won't change their resolve to die."

Keep the quotation marks and use "Guan Shan" for "General Guan".

We use "Instructor Deng Li" to translate the term for the instructor.

Thus: "\"General Guan, since they are scouts who view death as homecoming, even if the poison is taken by Instructor Deng Li, it will not change their resolve to die. \""

Guan Shan, with a Furrowed Brow, said, "What do you mean?"

Use the glossary term "Furrowed Brow" to translate the phrase describing a furrowed brow, e. g., "Guan Shan, with a Furrowed Brow, said, 'What do you mean?'"

Thus: "【64】 Guan Shan Furrowed Brow, 'What do you mean?'"

"He named other scouts in the caravan, but that doesn't mean only these twenty are spies."

The term for spy/traitor is translated as "spies", preserving any numbers.

Thus: "\"He spoke the names of other scouts in the caravan, but that does not mean that only these twenty are spies in the caravan! \""

Gu Han said in a deep voice,

"Gu Han said in a deep voice,"

Thus: "Gu Han said in a deep voice,"

"He did this to gain Instructor Deng Li's trust and to seek death."

"His doing this is solely to gain Instructor Deng Li's trust and to obtain a death!"

Thus: "\"He did this solely to gain Instructor Deng Li's trust and to obtain a death! \""

"If there are innocents in the caravan, they could even be among these twenty."

"If there are unaware people in the caravan, it's even possible they are among these twenty."

Thus: "\"If there are unaware people in the caravan, it's even possible they are among these twenty. \""

"His actions are probably meant to confuse everyone."

"His actions are probably meant to confuse the senses!"

Thus: "\"His actions are probably meant to confuse the senses! \""

As Gu Han spoke each word, Instructor Deng Li broke out in a cold sweat.

"As Gu Han uttered each sentence, Deng Li had already broken out in a cold sweat."

Thus: "As Gu Han uttered each sentence, Deng Li had already broken out in a cold sweat."

Every point Gu Han made matched their prior arrangements exactly.

"Every point Gu Han said corresponded exactly to their prior arrangement!"

Thus: "Every point Gu Han said corresponded exactly to their prior arrangement!"

If it's not Zheng De and others who are the spies infiltrating Mushan City.

"If it's not Zheng De and others who are the spies infiltrating Mu Shan Cheng."

Thus: "If it's not Zheng De and others who are the spies infiltrating Mu Shan Cheng."

Instructor Deng Li even had to suspect that Zheng De's group might be the side with the spies.

"Deng Li even had to suspect whether it was Zheng De's troop that was actually the side producing the spies!"

Thus: "Deng Li even had to suspect whether it was Zheng De's troop that was actually the side producing the spies!"

But at this point, whatever Instructor Deng Li says only deepens Guan Shan's suspicion.

"But at this point, whatever Deng Li says will only deepen Guan Shan's suspicion of this."

Thus: "But at this point, whatever Deng Li says will only deepen Guan Shan's suspicion of this."

Instructor Deng Li could only stay silent and look to Guan Shan for a decision.

"Deng Li could only keep silent, looking toward Guan Shan, who had the idea."

Thus: "Deng Li could only keep silent, looking toward Guan Shan, who had the idea."

"What you say is not without reason."

"What you say is not without reason."

Thus: "\"What you say is not without reason. \""

Guan Shan's gaze toward Gu Han was full of admiration.

"Guan Shan's gaze toward Gu Han was full of admiration."

Thus: "Guan Shan's gaze toward Gu Han was full of admiration,"

"Now is the critical moment between Mushan City and Danren City; logically, it's better to mistakenly kill than to mistakenly release."

"Now is precisely the moment when Mu Shan Cheng and Dan Ren Cheng are on the verge of conflict; logically, it's better to mistakenly kill than to mistakenly release!"

Thus: "\"Now is precisely the moment when Mu Shan Cheng and Dan Ren Cheng are on the verge of conflict; logically, it's better to mistakenly kill than to mistakenly release! \""

Upon hearing that, Instructor Deng Li's heart leapt to his throat.

"As soon as those words were spoken, Deng Li's heart leapt to his throat."

Thus: "As soon as those words were spoken, Deng Li's heart leapt to his throat."

However, Guan Shan's next words let his heart settle back down.

"However, Guan Shan's next sentence let his heart fall back into his belly."

Thus: "However, Guan Shan's next sentence let his heart fall back into his belly."

"But the caravan is the foundation of each nation's economic construction; only through trade can the economy thrive and the nation prosper."

"But the caravan is the foundation of economic construction for all nations; only through trade can the economy thrive and the nation prosper."

Thus: "\"But the caravan is the foundation of economic construction for all nations; only through trade can the economy thrive and the nation prosper. \""

Guan Shan said in a deep voice,

"Guan Shan said in a deep voice,"

Thus: "Guan Shan said in a deep voice,"

"Issue my order: detain the Jia Yu Trading House and any other businesses with spies, interrogate them one by one until we confirm there are no spies left."

"Convey my order: detain the Jia Yu merchant house and any other merchant houses harboring spies, interrogate them one by one until we confirm there are no spies left!"

Thus: "\"Convey my order: detain the Jia Yu merchant house and any other merchant houses harboring spies, interrogate them one by one until we confirm there are no spies left! \""

As Guan Shan holds a high position, he naturally has more to consider.

"Guan Shan, being in a high position, naturally has more matters to consider."

Thus: "Guan Shan, being in a high position, naturally has more matters to consider."

It's not as simple as just killing everyone to solve everything.

"It's not that a single order to kill all will solve everything."

Thus: "It's not that a single order to kill all will solve everything."

But he cannot ignore the spies threatening Mushan City's safety.

"But he also cannot ignore the spies threatening Mu Shan Cheng's safety."

Thus: "But he also cannot ignore the spies threatening Mu Shan Cheng's safety."

Detaining everyone instead of executing them all is already the greatest concession he can make.

"Detaining everyone instead of executing them all is already the greatest concession he can make."

Thus: "Detaining everyone instead of executing them all is already the greatest concession he can make."

Upon hearing that, Gu Han and Instructor Deng Li both let out a sigh of relief.

"Upon hearing this, Gu Han and Deng Li both let out a sigh of relief."

Thus: "Upon hearing this, Gu Han and Deng Li both let out a sigh of relief."

Gu Han was relieved that even if other spies remained in the caravan, imprisoning them would at least reduce their threat.

"Gu Han felt fortunate that even if other spies remained mixed in the caravan, imprisoning them would at least reduce their threat."

Thus: "Gu Han felt fortunate that even if other spies remained mixed in the caravan, imprisoning them would at least reduce their threat."

It's normal for one person to be tight-lipped, but it's impossible for everyone to stay silent!

"It's normal for one person to be tight-lipped, but it's impossible for everyone to stay silent!"

Thus: "\"It's normal for one person to be tight-lipped, but it's impossible for everyone to stay silent! \""

As long as we keep the initiative in our hands.

"As long as we keep the initiative in our own hands."

Thus: "As long as we keep the initiative in our own hands."

Sooner or later we can root out everyone!

"Sooner or later we can dig out everyone!"

Thus: "Sooner or later we can dig out everyone!"

What Instructor Deng Li was relieved about was that the caravan was largely preserved.

"What Deng Li felt fortunate about was that the caravan was largely preserved."

Thus: "What Deng Li felt fortunate about was that the caravan was largely preserved."

The next steps, if carefully planned, still offer hope.

"The upcoming actions, if carefully planned, still hold hope."

Thus: "The upcoming actions, if carefully planned, still hold hope."

"General Guan, let me lead this operation?"

"General Guan, let me lead the troops for this operation?"

Thus: "\"General Guan, let me lead the troops for this operation? \""

Instructor Deng Li clasped his fists and volunteered.

"Deng Li clasped his fists and volunteered."

Thus: "Deng Li clasped his fists and volunteered."

However, Guan Shan gave him a deep look and then said:

"However, Guan Shan gave him a deep look and then said,"

Thus: "However, Guan Shan gave him a deep look and then said,"

"Although Danren City's elite scouts sent are mostly Martial Practitioners, with few Martial Master-level scouts."

"Although the elite scouts sent by Dan Ren Cheng are mostly Martial Practitioners, there are few Martial Master–level scouts."

Thus: "\"Although the elite scouts sent by Dan Ren Cheng are mostly Martial Practitioners, there are few Martial Master–level scouts. \""

"But if there is still a strong expert hidden among them, can you handle it?"

"But if a strong expert is secretly hidden among them, can you handle it?"

Thus: "\"But if a strong expert is secretly hidden among them, can you handle it? \""

"Not to mention far away; just speaking of Zhang Meng, the scout deputy commander, even if Guan Shan personally goes up, he may not be able to firmly capture the opponent."

"Not to mention far away, just speaking of Deputy General Zhang Meng, the scout deputy general, even if Guan Shan personally went up, he might not be able to firmly capture the opponent!"

Thus: "\"Not to mention far away, just speaking of Deputy General Zhang Meng, the scout deputy general, even if Guan Shan personally went up, he might not be able to firmly capture the opponent! \""

Instructor Deng Li's face looked somewhat grim.

"Deng Li's face looked somewhat grim,"

Thus: "Deng Li's face looked somewhat grim,"

"I will obey the command."

"\"I, the subordinate, will obey orders. \""

Thus: "\"I, the subordinate, will obey orders. \""

Guan Shan stepped forward, patted Instructor Deng Li's shoulder, and laughed:

"Guan Shan stepped forward and patted Deng Li's shoulder, smiling,"

Thus: "Guan Shan stepped forward and patted Deng Li's shoulder, smiling,"

"Don't be discouraged; it's not that I don't trust you, but now is the eve of the new year, and we cannot afford any laxity."

"\"Don't be discouraged; it's not that I don't trust you, but now is the eve of the new year, and we cannot allow any slack. \""

Thus: "\"Don't be discouraged; it's not that I don't trust you, but now is the eve of the new year, and we cannot allow any slack. \""

"This time I will personally lead the team; you should come along too."

"\"This time I will personally lead the troops; you should come along as well. \""

Thus: "\"This time I will personally lead the troops; you should come along as well. \""

Just then, Gu Han suddenly whispered:

"Just then, Gu Han suddenly spoke softly,"

Thus: "Just then, Gu Han suddenly spoke softly,"

General Guan, can I come along?