Chapter 69: Commanding the Secret Guards
Whoosh—Anliu took out the signal fireworks from his arms, and brilliant fireworks exploded above his head.
Qin Xiangnuan looked up at the stars in the sky, silently calculating the time in her mind. Now it all depended on whether the secret guards would arrive first or Gu Mingqi's men would be closer to them. If they were really unlucky, they could only rely on the two of them to hold on for the time being. "Do you know how to use a crossbow?" Qin Xiangnuan took out a pocket crossbow from her arms, went behind a rock, closed her eyes, walked into the space where Anliu couldn't see her, took out enough bows and arrows for two people, and handed the things to Anliu.
"These! These are all top-quality arrows."
Anliu looked at the crossbow repeatedly in surprise, raised it and aimed at the open space at the foot of Phoenix Mountain. He was reluctant to shoot an arrow and rubbed it lovingly, "Miss Third, are these the inventory of the General's Mansion? This is completely different from the ones used in the army. The arrowhead is sharp, but the arrow body is very light. I think it should be faster and more dexterous and lighter than the ones we use." He analyzed it decisively, secretly memorized the structure in his mind, and thought about telling Jiang Lin when he got back.
Since she gave it to him, Qin Xiangnuan didn't think about keeping it for herself.
"The crossbow has nothing to do with Daddy. I made it when I was bored at home. The arrowhead is sharp and has a curved hook. Once it penetrates the flesh, it will tear out several pieces of flesh if you try to pull it out. If you see Gu Mingqi's men later, just shoot them in the heart. Even if they don't die, I will make them suffer half to death."
Qin Xiangnuan took out a red porcelain bottle from her arms like a magic trick and poured the emerald green liquid on the arrow.
In the quiet before the battle, Anliu crouched over curiously, wanting to touch it with his hand. Just before he could do so, Qin Xiangnuan suddenly shouted in a low voice, "Don't move! If you don't want to die, stay away!" Frightened, Anliu dared not approach, holding his breath. Only then did he realize that Qin Xiangnuan had piled all the arrowheads soaked in potion on the ground and was cooling them with cold air.
"This is the poison I prepared. When it is mixed into a person's blood, it will temporarily paralyze the person's nerve center." Qin Xiangnuan explained with professional terms. Seeing Anliu's confused expression, he changed the subject quickly and said, "The person's limbs will become stiff, weak, and unable to move. Be careful later and don't let the arrow hit your own people." Qin Xiangnuan estimated that the time was about right and picked up the arrow on the ground.
Anliu was frightened by her and didn't dare to reach out to take it.
Qin Xiangnuan sighed helplessly. When she heard footsteps, she signaled Anliu to get ready quickly. "As long as the skin is not broken and no blood is touched, everything will be fine now!" After hearing her assurance, Anliu put the arrow in his arms, adjusted the crossbow, hid in the best ambush spot, and observed the situation at the foot of the mountain.
The footsteps were chaotic, with a few urging voices in between.
Qin Xiangnuan heard the sound of cart wheels scraping against the stones on the ground, shook her head, walked down the mountain, and said with relief, "They are our own people. Pick them up and send them to the cave safely!" After she finished speaking, Anliu heard their voices and confirmed their identities.
In just half a day, Anliu doubted himself many times.
He had been with Jiang Lin since he was seven years old, rising before dawn to train and sleeping at three in the morning. Jiang Lin had always praised him as a standout among the secret guards, consistently ranked in the top three, and capable of holding his own against even the most powerful masters. But in front of Qin Xiangnuan, even if Anliu didn't want to admit it, he could sense the huge gap. Qin Xiangnuan far surpassed him in terms of thinking, hearing, physical strength, and judgment.
"Is this talent? A natural ability?"
This was the only explanation for the undercurrent. He longed to meet Qin Guang more and more, and felt that the general who defended the country should be even more powerful.
Qin Xiangnuan had no idea what he was thinking. She anxiously ran to the front of the people in the general's mansion and counted the number of people in the shortest time. "Did you encounter any trouble on the way? Are there any injuries?" Qin Feng shook his head, panting with exhaustion, but he knew the situation was urgent and he couldn't complain. "Grandma is a little tired, and the aunts are carrying the children, so they have some bumps and bruises, but nothing serious."
"Okay, you guys, take them to hide in the cave in front."
Qin Xiangnuan spotted several pale-faced secret guards and gestured for them to seek refuge in the cave. Naturally, the secret guards were unwilling to do so, standing there and shouting, "We can still fight, but we don't want to..." What kind of brains are they? Qin Xiangnuan didn't bother to argue with them. She simply stood high up, the cold wind whistling her hair. Her face was filled with determination and solemnity, making you want to surrender.
"I only ask you one question, Ling, do you listen or not?"
Qin Xiangnuan knew their identities and pulled out the jade token Jiang Lin had given her. The moment she revealed the token, all the secret guards knelt on the ground, not daring to speak. "Today, I demand that you protect the people in the General's Mansion. No matter what noises are heard outside, you are not allowed to come out of the cave without my order. Do you understand?" Silence met her in response.
"Are you all dumb? Or deaf?"
Qin Xiangnuan couldn't hold back her anger and asked loudly. This sound made everyone present's heart tremble a little.
Anliu stood beside Qin Xiangnuan and finally spoke out, "Seeing this token is like seeing the prince. Anyone who dares to disobey will naturally be punished according to family law!" His words completely made the several secret guards lower their heads. They frowned and answered with gritted teeth, "Yes! I obey your orders!"
"Hurry up."
Qin Xiangnuan urged them, pulling Qin Yi and Qin Feng aside. "Second Uncle, Cousin, you've all lived with Dad, so you naturally know this battle won't be easy for us to win. Later, you'll listen to my orders and push these rocks down. Anliu and I will stop them in advance. If any fish slip through the net, as soon as they rush up, you'll lead them there!"
"Brother Wang, stand behind that quagmire and try to attract their attention."
Qin Feng looked back at the bubbling mud pool and suddenly thought of the swamp in Savage Valley. He asked in a low voice with lingering fear, "Could this be?"
"That's right."
Qin Xiangnuan handed two extremely long wooden sticks to Wang Qiang, "As long as their calves are submerged in the swamp, you use the sticks to hit them quickly to make the swamp flow as fast as possible and don't let them run out!" According to the terrain, she had already arranged all the traps that could be made in a short period of time. The rest was to do her best and leave the rest to fate.
There were faint footsteps in the distance. Qin Xiangnuan looked up at the sun rising from the horizon, took a deep breath, raised his right hand high, and decisively gave the order, "Release!"
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