Even though the Imperial Army of the Tang dynasty had discovered his arrangements in the monastery outside the city, he was still a step ahead of them!
Sacrifices were bound to be made in order to achieve great things!
As for the thousand or so Goguryeon warriors and his three loyal subordinates, the old woodcutter didn't think much of it.
Dying here was better than dying on the battlefield.
If the Tang dynasty were to invade Goguryeo, the casualties wouldn't just be this few. He had to eliminate the warmongering faction with the least amount of losses, and at the same time, assassinate the officials of the Tang dynasty to weaken their strength.
This bit of sacrifice was truly insignificant!
At most, he would only feel that it was a pity that the plan had failed.
As the saying goes, 'Where there's life, there's hope'. No matter how many people died, as long as he was still around, the Tang dynasty would pay the price.
After a moment of silence, the old woodcutter took out a notebook from the bottom of his clothes and sat on the bed. A contemplative look appeared in his eyes.
This was a habit of his. No matter what operation he was in, he would always consider the gains and losses involved, and he would summarize his experiences and lessons.
This was the reason why he was able to raise the influence of the Goguryeons to such an extent and launch so many assassinations against the Tang dynasty, stirring up a storm in the Tang dynasty, and yet, no one was able to do anything to him.
"This failure is too bizarre. Where did I go wrong?"
The old woodcutter sat on the bed with a grim expression.
His plans had never failed since more than a decade ago. This was the first time he had failed so miserably, and it was in such an important operation.
This plan had mobilized more than a thousand elite warriors from the empire, and it had taken four months. He had considered all aspects.
Throughout the entire process, there wasn't the slightest mistake, and there wasn't any abnormality either. Just where did the problem lie?
The old woodcutter's mind was in turmoil. If he couldn't make sense of this problem, he wouldn't be able to carry on with the next operation.
This wasn't the only thing that he couldn't understand. He had spent a great deal of effort to build up those ten or so gathering points.
For a whole 15 years, there were no problems.
On the surface, he used those of the same clan who opened restaurants and gambling houses to attract the attention of the Tang dynasty. These people would never commit crimes for the rest of their lives, nor would they be caught.
On the other hand, the ones who were actually taking action were all guests or Han Chinese, hiding among the crowd and shuttling back and forth.
This strategy had never been seen through before.
But all of a sudden, it was seen through. The old woodcutter could not understand it no matter how hard he tried.
It was as if there was an enemy in the dark who had seen through all his tricks. The feeling of being exposed and unable to hide made him feel uncomfortable all over.
The old woodsman sat there motionlessly as he went through everything that had happened in his mind.
"… Which Wang Clan's brat?"
The old woodcutter's eyes narrowed and his expression suddenly became incomparably cold.
On the Tang people's side, no matter how he thought about it, the most suspicious person was that boy named "Wang Chong". Although he still couldn't believe that someone could defeat him in terms of stratagem.
But when he thought about that boy's reputation in the Tang dynasty, this kind of situation was completely possible.
"I really underestimated him. I should have taken care of him first before taking action."
The old woodcutter's hands were clenched so tightly that cracking sounds could be heard. His eyes were filled with thick killing intent.
"But it's not too late. After arranging the last base, I will summon warriors from the empire and completely eliminate the Wang Clan. "
The old woodcutter clenched his fists and abruptly stood up from the bed.
Although the operation had failed, he had not suffered a crushing defeat. That final base was his only hope. The people in the base were all familiar with him and had a deep understanding of the Tang dynasty.
As long as these "sparks" still existed, he could summon experts from the empire in a short period of time and rebuild more than 10 bases. This was also the main reason why he returned to the city this time.
After arranging the subordinates in these bases, he would leave this place and lie low until the wind blows over. When the wind blows over, he would come back to rebuild the things he had lost, and even build an even bigger base.
"Time to go."
The old woodcutter took off the bamboo hat on his head and placed it on the bed. Now, even those woodcutters who had greeted him before could not recognize him.
As for those Tang people, it was impossible.
Striding out, the old woodcutter, a middle-aged silk merchant, strode out of the room.
Once he left this room, no one would be able to recognize him.
"Buzz!"
Just as he walked to the door of the room, he seemed to have sensed something. The expression on the old woodcutter's calm and composed face suddenly changed drastically.
"How is this possible?"
The old woodcutter's eyes widened in shock, and his face paled significantly. Bang. With no time to think, the old woodcutter closed the door and hurriedly returned to his room.
"Hurry up, this is the place! Surround this entire place … "
A loud voice came from outside, followed by a series of galloping horses.
The old woodcutter's heart immediately sank.
With no time to think, the old woodcutter took off his silk robe, folded it as fast as he could, and put it back under the box. Then, he covered it with the old clothes and changed into the old woodcutter's attire. Then, he took the bamboo hat from the bed.
After thinking for a moment in the room, the old woodcutter finally pushed the door open and walked out. The bundle of firewood was placed at the door. The old woodcutter lowered his head and put the bundle back on his back. Then, he calmly walked to the firewood mound.
Although everything happened so suddenly, and the Tang dynasty Imperial Army that appeared in the temple outside the city actually came here, the old woodcutter had absolute confidence in his disguise.
Regardless of which aspect, the old woodcutter believed that he had not left any flaws. These people would never see through him.
"Stop!"
But just as he reached the firewood mound, a stern shout came from above.
"Young Master, this old man is just a woodcutter. I still have to deliver firewood to others later. Gongzi, why must you make things difficult for me? "
The old woodcutter lowered his head and sighed. His voice was filled with deep exhaustion. He looked like an ordinary woodcutter who had been busy for an entire day just for the sake of his livelihood.
"Wang gongzi, are you certain that this is the place?"
Hearing the old woodcutter's words, Ma Yinlong turned around and looked at the young man beside him.
The group that had appeared outside the firewood mound was none other than Wang Chong, Ma Yinlong, Steel Arms, The Eagle, One-eyed, Wang Chong's Uncle Li Lin, and dozens of Imperial Army members.
As soon as the battle at the monastery came to an end, Wang Chong immediately led his group here. He said that he was here to capture some King Sosurim.
Everyone thought that it would be another intense battle, but who could have thought that Wang Chong would actually come to this inconspicuous firewood hut?
"That's right. Chong-er, are you certain that this is the place?"
Wang Chong's Uncle Li Lin asked doubtfully. This was an ordinary firewood hut, short and shabby. There were many similar huts in the capital.
Li Lin also suspected that Wang Chong might have made a mistake.
"Old man, let me ask you. Did you see anyone suspicious around here? For example, someone with three sabers? "
Li Lin said with a frown as he rode on his horse.
"Old masters, you must be joking. I'm just a woodcutter, how could I know so much?"
The old woodcutter shook his head with a bitter smile.
"Wang gongzi, are you sure?"
Solitary Wolf asked as the doubt in his eyes deepened.
To think that they were so excited just a moment ago. Could it be that the person Wang Chong wanted them to capture was this old woodcutter? Wasn't that a little too ridiculous?
The others sat on their horses. Although they didn't say anything, their eyes revealed the same puzzlement.
"Hahaha …"
Hearing their words, Wang Chong burst into laughter.
"Elders, I've said that I'll bring you to King Sosurim, so naturally, I'll bring you to him. Men, surround this place for me. "
"Yes, lord!"
In an instant, dozens of Imperial Army cavalrymen, who were brimming with vigor and exuding powerful auras, surrounded the shabby woodshed without saying a word.
Upon seeing this sight, the old woodcutter's heart sank.
"Hahaha, King Sosurim, to think that you, as a member of the Goguryeon royal family, would actually think of disguising as an old woodcutter."
Wang Chong placed his hands on the back of his steed, and his body leaned forward slightly as he stared at the old woodcutter with interest.
The battle in the monastery had ended, and he had reaped a huge harvest.
Seeing how King Sosurim, who was disguised as a woodcutter, thought that he was being discreet, he decided to wait patiently for the other party to return to the capital first before leading his men to rush over.
Thinking back to the Goguryeon spy who had stirred up two storms in the Central Plains in his previous life, and looking at the old woodcutter before him whose face was covered in soot and dust, Wang Chong couldn't help but feel an indescribable sense of comedy. He couldn't help but burst into laughter.
With so many experts around, Wang Chong wasn't afraid that the other party would escape.
"King Sosurim, you've worked hard. You managed to disguise yourself as an old woodcutter with soot, mud, and dry wood. Even your speech is so similar. And your fluency in the language of the Central Plains … You must have put in a lot of effort, right? "
Wang Chong mocked.
"I don't know what gongzi is talking about."
The old woodcutter shook his head furiously. His heart had sunk, but he didn't show it on his face.
What in the world was going on?
Thoughts flashed across the old woodcutter's mind, but he couldn't figure out what had attracted the attention of the Imperial Army of the Tang dynasty.
"Wang gongzi, I would love to find King Sosurim to avenge my humiliation. However, are you sure that this is King Sosurim? "
Ma Yinlong turned his head around and asked with a grim tone.
It was rare for Wang Chong to hear such a tone from him, and judging from his expression, Wang Chong could tell that the other party was speaking to him seriously.
Clearly, Ma Yinlong didn't think that the other party was the 'King Sosurim' he was looking for. It was already a blessing that he didn't fly into a rage on the spot.
"It's a pity that you didn't recognize your enemy of fifteen years."
Looking at Ma Yinlong's complexion, Wang Chong sighed inside. Logically speaking, Ma Yinlong should have had a deep impression of King Sosurim. However, it was hard to say whether Ma Yinlong's eye of discernment was simply too poor for him to be unable to recognize his mortal enemy, or that King Sosurim's disguise art was simply too powerful. Not only did he alter his appearance, he even altered his disposition. Even his old nemesis, Ma Yinlong, was unable to recognize him.
But regardless of which it was, Wang Chong knew that he had to give him an explanation. Otherwise, the four might really think that he was trying to fool them, and that would erase the goodwill they had for him.
"The Eagle, do you still remember the old woodcutter I asked you to keep an eye on a few days ago?"
Wang Chong turned around and asked.
"I do. Isn't he just a woodcutter?"
The Eagle replied in astonishment.
"But didn't we look into it? There's nothing wrong with that woodcutter. He only goes to the monastery to deliver a bundle of firewood, and he only stays there for a few seconds a day. "
Noticing the doubtful gazes from the others, The Eagle smiled awkwardly. Scratching his head, he hurriedly explained the matter that had happened a few days ago.
This had happened three days ago. At the time, Old Eagle had sent a few large birds to scout the surroundings of the monastery. Among them was an old woodcutter.
Back then, Wang Chong had him check on everyone. This old woodcutter was one of them.
However, back then, The Eagle had confirmed that there was nothing wrong with him. He was just an old woodcutter who delivered firewood to the monastery.
The time he stayed there was always very short, and his activities were very regular as well. He had never stepped into the monastery before.
Back then, Wang Chong didn't say anything, only instructing him to send a nightingale to follow the old woodcutter.
In the past fifteen years, The Eagle had trained all kinds of birds other than eagles. This was to avoid being discovered. Back then, the Goguryeons were extremely familiar with his eagles, and they could even recognize them from afar.
That was how The Eagle had managed to develop this new ability.
However, even The Eagle himself had forgotten about the old woodcutter.
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