The sound of insects was faint, and the sunlight gradually slanted under the cover of the leaves. The crowd passed through the mountains quickly and silently. When the sun set in the west, they finally stopped in the sparse forest between the mountains. The atmosphere of the temporary camp was somber.
Yan Qing sat by a rock under a tree and began to eat his dry food with some clean water. He looked at the sky and the surrounding terrain. Next to him, his subordinates gathered together, eating and whispering. Some were wiping their weapons, but no one made too much noise.
Not many people were clearly informed of where they were going this time, but in fact, a strange and somber atmosphere had enveloped the entire team with the abnormal actions of the past two days. As people whispered, everyone was mentally prepared. The higher-ups were ready to take advantage of this moment to go all out.
If one was not ruthless, one would not be able to stand firm. There were many people in Liangshan who were willing to risk their lives, especially the actions of the past few days. The purpose was clear, and the turn was clean and neat. It allowed everyone to regain the heroic spirit of the Liangshan Assembly. Although many things were not transparent now, the signals from the higher-ups showed that everything was going smoothly.
They took the county and dragged the officers and soldiers everywhere, making them awkward. During this period of time, what exactly was the purpose of "going all out" was actually secondary. In short, the attitude of "if you're not afraid, we'll be more ruthless", as well as the accurate and efficient morale in a few days, made people faintly feel that a big battle was about to happen.
As for what it was, even Yan Qing was not very clear at this time. After leaving Raoping County, Song Jiang and the others led the team and ran quickly. Their goal was quite clear. They originally estimated that they were going to take down the defenseless Fucheng County, or even take the opportunity to enter the state capital after disrupting the Wu Rui Battalion's pace. However, halfway through, there was something wrong with the route.
As a leader, he could always get something from the gaps in other people's words. In the team, there were occasionally people who were familiar with the surrounding terrain and mentioned places they had passed by. Yan Qing drew a map in his heart and tried to piece together his impression of the surroundings. A leader next to him came over and greeted him softly. He responded with a few words, and suddenly a thought came to his mind.
That was probably … the most likely inference, but if that was the case …
He turned his head and looked in the direction where Song Jiang, Wu Yong, and the others might be. Although the shadows of the trees were sparse, there were shadows of people. According to the rules at this time, everyone consciously kept their subordinates together. Other than the occasional contact, they would not wander around. Yan Qing furrowed his brows. What he was thinking, was it possible that it was true? Should he go and investigate? The rays of the setting sun shone on his face, and he was momentarily at a loss.
The bird chirped and flew away from the treetops.
*****
"… Right now, we're only two ridges away from the Zhan Family's Gorge. We can't start a fire. Fortunately, everyone has more or less sensed this and is mentally prepared. Victory or defeat depends on this … "
The grass was sparse, and there were flowers on the ground. Although the leaves were not very dense, the end of summer and the beginning of autumn was the time when the leaves were the most vibrant. Under the tree, Song Jiang, Wu Yong, Zhu Wu, and the others were holding a small map and talking softly.
"… I've been thinking too much. Now that they haven't reacted yet, I have no choice but to deal with this quickly …"
"… It takes four hours for the nearest Wu Rui Battalion to make a round trip. We appeared in Raoping yesterday, and there were all kinds of rumors flying around. Once there's news today, they'll definitely hesitate to lure us away. We'll have six hours or more. If we attack the camp at night, even if they're not too strong and can form a defense line, we can easily cut them apart … "
"… Thinking back to the battle at Lone Dragon Ridge, if I had decided to attack at that time, we wouldn't be here today …"
"Sigh, Military Advisor, there's no need to blame yourself. That day, no one expected what happened next. Liangshan … You and I, brothers, are of one mind. Yesterday's defeat might be our chance to win today. As long as we can get through this, Liangshan can rise again. At that time, we'll definitely make up for what that person took …"
"There's no need to do this … They wander around every day and set up camp at night. Defense is definitely not enough, but we still need to be cautious and not let our guard down …"
After the few of them finished their discussion, a few scouts led by Dai Zong finally returned and reported the situation to Song Jiang.
"… It's confirmed … the Zhan Family's Gorge …"
*****
"The Zhan Family's Gorge …"
Yan Qing's finger lightly drew on the ground as he frowned. The setting sun had already burned the last of its bright red color in the sky, pouring down like blood. Then, everything in sight …
Fengping, Raoping, and Fu An Districts formed a triangular area. Before attacking Fengping, the location of the Lone Dragon Ridge people and the location of the Wu Rui Battalion troops. When everyone appeared in Raoping, everyone's location was the possibility of everyone moving forward.
If the movement of the Lone Dragon Ridge people these days was to bite their own troops to death, and to encircle the Wu Rui Battalion … At this time, it was very likely that they were located between Fengping and Fu An Districts. The Zhan Family's Ao … was one of the possibilities.
Rumors were everywhere. The Wu Rui Battalion troops on both sides might not move. Even if they wanted to move, they might be a little further away. In the past half a month, this group of people had never dared to fight to the death with the army because they could no longer afford to waste their manpower. But if the first attack was to cut off all means of retreat …
And their target wasn't even the Lone Dragon Ridge people.
The answer in his heart was already on the verge of coming out. The sun gradually set. Gradually, the order to not light a fire, not to make any noise, to rest on the spot, and to make preparations came. When Yan Qing stood up, he saw Song Jiang talking to a group of soldiers in a low voice in the distance. After talking to this group, another group went over …
*****
"… The situation is special. Song Jiang can't speak loudly. Please forgive me, brothers … Since the beginning of the uprising, I have been favored by all of you. Song Jiang is incompetent and very ashamed … Now, we have been pushed to the extreme, but the turning point is also at this time … The strategists have done their best to plan for this opportunity …"
The sun set. In the sky, the moon that was missing a small piece had already risen, releasing its luster towards the land. A bird flew over the forest. Song Jiang walked in the army formation, cheering for the troops.
"... We have lost many of our brothers, and some of us have lost our loved ones. There is only one culprit behind all of this … This person is vicious and merciless. If he doesn't die, it will be difficult for us to have a day of peace … But I, Song Jiang, promise my brothers that there will be a chance soon. I can't say it clearly now. Everyone, eat something and rest for a while. Soon, you will understand … "
"We want to avenge our brothers and relatives … Soon, you will see how that person looks like crying and dying! And sooner or later, we will go to Jiangning again and … send this person's family to hell. At that time, no matter if it's his wife, his children, his relatives, or his friends, we won't let any of them go. Only in this way can we offer a sacrifice to the souls of the 50,000 brothers in Liangshan in heaven … Wait a moment, get your sabers ready, you'll see … "
"They think that we will keep running, that we only want to delay! But we will soon tell them that Liangshan … was built by fighting! "
*****
The low whispers were stopped by the shouts of the leaders. But in the forest, people were wiping their weapons. Every eye contact and body contact was filled with killing intent that could not be concealed. The moon was bright and the stars were sparse. Everything was solemn and quiet.
Yan Qing exhaled in the crowd. He opened his palms, clenched them, opened them, and clenched them again …
'That Ning Liheng is very powerful …'
'He might have been prepared …'
'Even if there are only 2,000 people in Dulonggang, they might still be able to hold on …'
'Liangshan has been forced into a dead end …'
'What I have to do next is not what I have to do. I have already done what he said …'
'Wu Yong and the others already know that there is a spy among the leaders. It is impossible that they are unprepared. There is a possibility that I will be exposed. Moreover, I might be acting smart and cause trouble …'
'But as long as they are not sure that I am the spy, they will not discover my secret actions. Even if they discover me, I might have already left …'
'Don't take the risk …'
'I can't just sit back and watch …'
He fell into great hesitation. He looked at the moonlight above the gap between the trees and shook his head.
'No matter how I think about it, I feel …'
'There is no need.'
'I will fight for my own life. Ning Liheng, since you are so smart, you must be prepared …'
'Squire, oh squire, I have already kept my promise. I should …'
*****
Time passed slowly. In the tranquility of the night, there was a sharp knife that continued to gain strength. Because of the silent oppression, it became even sharper. He put on his armor, rolled up his sleeves, and wiped the tip of his knife again and again …
With a whoosh, at the side of the camp, a figure hid in the bushes like a leopard cat, passing through under the moonlight.
The scenery in front of him kept appearing and separating. He did not need much time. A warning would suffice. It was a pity that he did not bring any fireworks or other things with him during this escape. But this place was not far from the Zhan Family's Gorge.
If that person died, everything would be for naught. The squire might not be able to be rehabilitated or live a good life in the capital. If Liangshan's results depended on this battle, he had to take this risk.
The bushes, trees, rocks, and darkness all moved towards the side silently under the rapid running of that figure. But it was also in this rapid running that a gust of wind attacked!
…
In the forest, the leaders greeted each other and made hand gestures. One, two … Finally, the 3,000 figures had already silently stood up and began to move forward.
While Yan Qing's subordinates were here, Zhu Wu had already arrived and appeared in front of everyone. In a moment, they merged into the advancing team and surged forward like a silent torrent …
…
With a smack, they exchanged blows in the darkness. Then, there were a few bangs. The blade stabbed out silently and landed in the air. Two figures leaped in different directions.
"Dean Dai …"
"What a handsome move."
The blade was hidden in Dai Zong's sleeve. Twenty feet away, Yan Qing turned around. Just in front of him, there were people coming over. One, two … Finally, a terrifying aura gathered. The leader's gaze was deep. He looked at him and shook his head.
"Yan Qing, oh Yan Qing, it's actually you in the end. It really makes my heart … ache!"
Under the moonlight, it was Song Jiang who was already ready to kill. After all, a ruthless and ambitious person would not blindly be kind to others. Behind him and beside him, Wu Song, Guan Sheng, Chai Jin, the Ruan brothers, and more than ten Liangshan elites had already arrived. The most eye-catching one was perhaps Xi Junyu, who had become pale and sickly from running all the way and being isolated. At this moment, he applauded. Finally, he could once again stand by Song Jiang's side as an important strategist.
"When the time comes, heaven and earth work together. When the time comes, the hero will not be free. After such a long time, we have used up all our tricks and schemes. It seems that for once, we can finally walk ahead of that person. Brother Yan, actually, Squire Lu is still alive, right … Congratulations … "
A somewhat weak, somewhat joyful, yet calm voice spread faintly in the night …
*****
Not long after, on the last mountain ridge, the first figure finally appeared silently. Then, like a swarm of ants, they swarmed up. Among the crowd, someone reached out and pointed to a place not far below, where there was not much defense … a camp of two thousand people.
Zhan Family Valley. The attacks came down like a torrent!
*****
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