Chapter 75: The Difficult Decision

"These people only just entered the city today, yet they managed to get here—it's not easy."

"Following the guidance of the Blaze Hound, several people made their way all the way into a narrow passage."

"This passage lies extremely close to the city wall; it looks like a place for storing siege equipment."

"But only Guan Shan and a few others know that there is a secret passage connecting inside and outside here!"

"This is precisely the spot that Guan Shan and the others had reserved in advance for the spy's operation."

"Anyone who does not know the location of the hidden door, upon entering the passage, will end up like these people—shot full of holes."

"Looking at more than ten corpses whose blood has long drained, their bodies riddled with arrows like a porcupine, clad in black."

"Even Gu Han turned pale."

"For those who regard death as homecoming, perhaps death is not frightening."

"But to be riddled with holes all over, feeling one's life force ebb away helplessly—that is when despair sets in."

"The person who crawled the farthest had even crawled over ten meters away."

"A long trail of blood stained the ground, shocking to behold."

"\"There is a traitor among us. \""

"Guan Shan made the judgment instantly."

"This passage is very hidden, piled full of equipment."

"Under normal circumstances, no one would discover this place."

"These people knowing this place must mean there is a spy assisting them!"

"Deng Li was shocked in his heart; Zheng De this fellow is pushing him into the fire pit."

"\"General, we must investigate this thoroughly! \" Deng Li said in a deep, indignant voice."

"Guan Shan nodded slightly,"

"\"Go find the city patrol and see how many people the Jia Yu Firm actually has; if there are missing persons, round up the rest. \""

"\"This time we must net them all! Anyone suspected, throw them in jail and interrogate them strictly! \""

"Deng Li accepted the order with a solemn expression and left."

"At this moment, Gu Han was still touching the corpses of the black-clad men."

"He searched up and down, even tearing open the clothes at the bloody, mangled spots, looking for anything valuable on these people."

"Gu Han's meticulous inspection pleased Guan Shan greatly; he nodded, his eyes also showing relief."

"\"Gu Han, did you find anything abnormal? \""

"Gu Han stood up, placing the tokens and storage bags he had searched from these people all before Guan Shan."

"\"I checked; the storage bags of these people contain no tokens proving their identity. \""

"Guan Shan was not surprised at all."

"Soldiers disguising as a merchant caravan to infiltrate an enemy country is already taboo."

"If even this little trick cannot be cleaned up, then the fellows of Dan Ren Cheng might as well buy a block of tofu and kill themselves."

"\"But... \""

"Gu Han's hesitant words drew Guan Shan's attention."

"\"Huh? Anything else discovered? \""

"Gu Han thought for a moment and said in a low voice,"

"\"The strongest among them seems to have only just entered the Martial Master realm. \""

"Upon hearing this, Guan Shan couldn't help but furrow his brow."

"He did not ask Gu Han on what basis he made that judgment."

"Instead, he said doubtfully,"

"\"If according to the earlier interrogation results, they are merely a vanguard troop sent to map our defenses, then a Martial Master should be sufficient, right? \""

"To Guan Shan, a Martial Master can be easily dealt with."

"But for the military, a Martial Master is capable of holding the post of Captain of Hundred or even Captain of Thousand."

"Absolutely not to be considered weak."

"\"If it's just mapping the terrain, then naturally it's enough. \""

"Gu Han chuckled, a flash of coldness in his eyes,"

"\"But if it's only mapping the terrain, why would Dan Ren Cheng go to such trouble, sending so many people to Mu Shan Cheng? \""

"\"Please, General, imagine this: which is more covert, acting alone or acting as a team? \""

"Guan Shan blurted out without hesitation,"

"\"Naturally, acting alone is harder to detect. \""

"After Gu Han nodded, he continued in a low voice,"

"\"This reasoning, surely the people of Dan Ren Cheng would understand as well. \""

"\"Moreover, once a Martial Master enters the city and is discovered, it will surely arouse our suspicion. \""

"\"By contrast, simply sending Martial Disciples into the city would eliminate suspicion and allow free movement. \""

"\"The Martial Master, being an awkward middle rank, would instead be more embarrassing. \""

"These speculations may seem like mere guesses, but they are sound and well-founded."

"Even with Guan Shan's experience, he could find no fault in them."

"\"Then according to your speculation, why would these people go to such great expense? \""

"Guan Shan looked curiously at Gu Han and asked,"

"\"Nearly a hundred casualties—surely it couldn't just be for a simple raid on us. \""

Without our knowledge, they could completely scatter their forces, dispersing throughout the city.

Even if we wanted to root them all out, we would likely have to spend considerable time.

Gu Han furrowed his brows in thought, and after a moment he voiced a speculation that even Guan Shan found startling,

By doing this, they probably aim to deceive us and let the true leader stay hidden, preparing for a big strike!

If we follow normal reasoning, with nearly a hundred of them dead, we would certainly think the mastermind behind them is dead.

Even if there were still doubts, we would think those who entered the city could not amount to much.

But this also gives those lurking in the dark an opportunity to pry open the city gate!

As soon as these words were spoken, Guan Shan's pupils suddenly contracted,

You're saying their true intention was not to draw maps, but to deceive and open the city gate during wartime, undermining our army's morale?

The worst-case scenario would be to let Mu Shan Cheng fall into a situation of being attacked from both front and rear!

The blow to morale would be extremely severe, possibly even leading to the annihilation of the entire Mu Shan army!

No, we can't take chances; we must capture those lurking in the dark!

Guan Shan's gaze turned solemn, and he immediately prepared to inform his elder brother, namely the Mu Shan general, Guan Zhen.

This matter is no longer something that he, as the chief instructor of the Second Camp, can handle alone.

General, Mu Shan Cheng now has five fortresses, internally connected to the main city, capable of holding a population of no less than 100,000!

Gu Han quickly assessed the situation and said in a low voice,

The enemy might be only a few people; trying to find a few among a population of a hundred thousand is like looking for a needle in a haystack!

At this moment, Guan Shan also calmed down; pure anger solves nothing.

Anger only clouds judgment.

Then what do you think we should do now?

Thoroughly investigate all businesses and shops in the city that have had trade relations with the Jian Chi State!

Gu Han said in a low voice,

Interrogate everyone who is suspicious, thoroughly, to prevent any from slipping through the net!

Guan Shan furrowed his brows tightly.

The military protects the locality, and naturally businesses are also under its protection.

And since Mu Shan Cheng is on the border, it can be said that every business there, to some extent, trades with the neighboring Dan Ren Cheng.

Gu Han's move is essentially to detain and interrogate all businesses!

If we really do that, a single misstep could provoke public outrage!

If we don't do this, once they succeed, Mu Shan Cheng will likely fall into disaster!

Gu Han's gaze was stern,

General Guan, please make a decision soon.