Chapter 67 Mark You Are Back
Xie Zhao summoned someone and sent Lu Tingwan down the mountain that night. But if she could come back once, she could come back a second time. He really underestimated her.
Lu Tingwan was unwilling to give in. She wanted to regain the tenacity she had lost in Kyoto.
She confronted him head-on, at least she had to get the divorce papers...
Three days later, the army arrived at the foot of Qingyao Mountain. Qingyao Mountain was surrounded by black armor, and Cheng Xianzhi launched a fierce attack and sent 500 people to explore the route along the mountain along the pass.
In order to avoid traps set by bandits, the soldiers were extremely cautious in their exploration. Just after passing the mountainside, there were more than a dozen trails that dispersed at an intersection. With so many trails intersecting, the soldiers could not find out which one led to the mountain.
The map only recorded the path crossing, but there was no sign of going up the mountain.
Cheng Xianzhi stood there and gave the order, "Divide into teams of three, each team at a junction. I want to see what secrets lie ahead at Qingyao Mountain."
Less than an hour later, the soldiers who were sent out came out with wounds on their bodies: "Your Excellency, the way up the mountain is blocked. The brothers who accompanied us were unable to avoid the trap and have died."
As he expected, Qingyao Mountain was not as easy to conquer as he had imagined.
So far, apart from wild beasts, the only sounds in Qingyao Mountain are the wind, and there is no trace of the bandits from Baita Village. The more peaceful it is, the more danger it hides.
"Sir, it seems these bandits have been prepared for this." Han Zhou drew his sword and pointed it towards the mountain. "Why not try it from a distance with a bow and arrow?"
If someone is trapped behind rocks in the jungle, an arrow passing through the forest can hit the bandit, regardless of casualties.
Cheng Xianzhi frowned, his cold demeanor taking on a sharp edge.
"inappropriate."
At this moment, it is not known whether the bandits have any innocent people as hostages. There are dozens of families living in Baita Village. If the bandits are forced into a corner, they may take the villagers with them to be buried with them.
Since the Binzhou bandit suppression campaign began, many bandits have been forced into desperate situations and threatened the lives of civilians. He has to resist the threats of the bandits, strengthen the prestige of the army, and cannot turn a blind eye to the lives of civilians.
He always found a way to solve the problem, to facilitate the conversation, or to find an opportunity, and he could always resolve it.
Han Zhou's method is a bit risky, but it can definitely detect the enemy.
Xie Zhao had already anticipated that if the army attacked with arrows, the village just happened to be short of bows and arrows. As long as he dared to shoot, he could use these arrow feathers to penetrate their armor one by one.
Half an incense stick later, another soldier returned, their armor ripped open. "Sir, this path is fraught with danger. Even with extreme caution, the trap could still be triggered, and an arrow could pierce your throat without you even having time to react."
Then more soldiers turned back.
"The bandits were cunning. Rocks rolled down on the way up the mountain. Fortunately, our subordinates reacted quickly..." The soldier survived the disaster and was breathing heavily.
Sharp arrows, crossbows, boulders, spears, torches...
Each path has different traps.
Cheng Xianzhi looked indifferent and said with interest, "It seems that Qingyao Mountain is full of talented people."
Han Zhou nodded, a fierce attack was no longer feasible.
"It's better to withdraw the troops and set up camp five miles away from the foot of the mountain, and then deal with them properly." Han Zhou also became interested, and the pleasure of meeting an unbeatable opponent reached its peak at this moment.
"Retreat." Cheng Xianzhi raised his right palm and clenched it into a fist.
The soldiers supported each other and followed him down the mountain.
In the main hall, Bai Tu was very pleased with himself: "The army retreated down the mountain. With just a few traps, they were scared and fled. I think this Minister Cheng from Kyoto is no more than that."
The brothers were immersed in the temporary victory, and the morale of the village soared.
But Xie Zhao's eyes were covered with a layer of haze, and he could not see the road ahead clearly.
"Cheng Xianzhi is a meticulous person, that's why we dare not advance rashly. Thank you brothers for your hard work today, this battle is inevitable." Xie Zhao wiped the arm crossbow that had been with him for many years.
A good sword is forged through repeated grinding. When necessary, he knows what to choose.
"Second Master Bai, take a few brothers and take stock of the village's food reserves to see how long they can hold out."
Bai Tu retreated after receiving the order.
Just as I left the main hall, I saw Lu Tingwan turning back.
He almost thought he saw a ghost.
"That so-and-so," he tugged at the subordinate behind him, "Is that that so-and-so?"
"Yes, it's Miss Jiang. Why is she back again?" The subordinate touched his head.
Lu Tingwan passed by the two of them, glanced at them, and hummed softly, "Good evening, Mr. Bai."
Bai Tu stood there in a daze. Why did Lu Tingwan's eyes, which were arrogant and nonchalant, reveal a sense of ruffianism?
When the curtain was lifted, Xie Zhao thought it was Bai Tu who had returned.
"Why aren't we enough people?" He focused on the map. "Our final evacuation point isn't at the bottom of the mountain, but at the summit."
"Evacuate from the peak?" Lu Tingwan's voice drowned out the atmosphere in the house.
Xie Zhao's palm loosened and the drawing rolled off.
"You, Jiang Yanli?"
That's right, she's back.
Three days ago, she stood here and tried to persuade Xie Zhao, but Xie Zhao refused to listen and even knocked her unconscious and sent her down the mountain.
She was gathering military intelligence along the way down the mountain. Cheng Xianzhi was cautious and would definitely not give Xie Zhao and the others a chance to counterattack.
No one took her up the mountain, so she had only one way to get up the mountain. That road was blocked by the army during the day, and then turned back down the mountain. It must have been blocked by the mechanisms and formations that Xie Zhao had told her about.
When Lu Tingwan thought that he had his moments of failure, he felt a little happy.
The dozen or so roads that eventually lead to the village are a chain of roads and intersections that are interconnected, just like an ant nest. Once you enter the path, you will fall into a tangled spider web.
That was one chance among thousands of possibilities. The reason why Lu Tingwan was able to go up the mountain from here was thanks to Xie Zhao who had taken her there once before.
The mark she left behind is unique.
Jiang Yanli didn't rush in like he did the last few times, nor was he filled with anger. Instead, he casually sat down on the desk that Xie Zhao often used.
Xie Zhao, who was originally half-lying on the bench, was getting up and said helplessly: "You are back after all."
Lu Tingwan only cared about himself and said, "Cheng Xianzhi is not easy to deal with. You have no chance of winning this battle."
"Cheng Xianzhi?" Xie Zhao's eyes flashed with suspicion. "Do you recognize this person?"
"I recognize him." Lu Tingwan said frankly, "Based on my understanding of him, you have no way out."
"You just said to evacuate the summit? That's..."
"Jiang Yanli!" Bai Tu stepped in and interrupted their conversation. "Do you recognize the dog officer leading the army?"
Lu Tingwan nodded.
"Does he recognize you?"
Lu Tingwan glanced at Xie Zhao, who was staring at him, waiting for an answer.
She agreed.
"That's easy," Bai Tu said, carrying his broadsword. "A Zhao, leave Jiang Yanli behind. Our chances of evacuating will be much higher."
Lu Tingwan didn't dare to think about what Bai Tu meant.
Xie Zhaohe stopped: "Bai Tu, what do I want you to do?"
Bai Tu said stubbornly, "Since she knows that bastard Cheng Xianzhi, what are we afraid of? You let her go down the mountain twice, and she came back again. Isn't this God's will?"
"The anti-bandit army is stationed at the foot of the mountain. How did you get up the mountain alone?" Xie Zhao's eyes narrowed as he asked the key point.
Lu Tingwan explained: "I came up from the road crossing."
Crossing!!
Xie Zhao's heart sank, and he felt vaguely uneasy.
"How do you remember such a winding road after walking it once?" Xie Zhao stood up at this moment and looked down at her. His aura was more oppressive than ever before. Lu Tingwan felt a chill unconsciously. This long-lost chill was something she had always felt from Cheng Xianzhi.
"You, you took me here before. I left a mark. We can naturally find it by following the mark."
"You left a mark?" Bai Tu couldn't hold back any longer and roared, "A Zhao, you still want to protect her?"
"Get out," Xie Zhao ordered. Bai Tu rarely saw him angry. "I don't want to say it again."
"Besides you, does anyone else know about that mark?"
Lu Tingwan was pressed into the corner, not daring to move: "No, no."
Seeing that she was frightened, Xie Zhao calmed down and put away his edge: "How did you get to know him?"
"He came to my shop once to buy something for his wife, that's all." Lu Tingwan lied.
Xie Zhao frowned slightly, "Since you want to come back, stay in the village. You are not allowed to go out without my permission."
Lu Tingwan nodded in agreement. They all knew each other had ulterior motives, yet they kept quiet. Xie Zhao knew Lu Tingwan wouldn't do anything detrimental to the village; he was simply worried that Xie Zhao and the others would be apprehended and executed by Cheng Xianzhi.
She didn't want this battle to end in a river of blood.
She didn't want to be either side.
The next day, Bai Tu and others brought five days' worth of dry food up the mountain. Lu Tingwan didn't know what they were planning at the top of the mountain, or whether they were waiting for the army to attack the mountain and then use this opportunity to lure them to the top of the mountain to be surrounded and killed.
Xie Zhao's schemes and tactics were far beyond her understanding. She became more convinced and determined that Xie Zhao could not die in this battle. That would be too worthless.
The villagers were shaken by the confrontation between the two sides, but no one stood up to resist Xie Zhao. Instead, they showed more concern for the brothers coming in and out. In their hearts, these people were their family.
It is the god who protects them.
The bandit-suppression army rested for a night and regrouped. Cheng Xianzhi sent people up the mountain again to look for other routes up the mountain from the foot of Qingyao Mountain.
But nothing was found.
"If there is an obstacle at the road entrance, it means there must be a road leading to the mountain. Otherwise, they wouldn't go to the trouble of setting a trap." Cheng Xianzhi concentrated and calmed down, not being impatient.
"According to your instructions, I have heard some rumors about Qingyao Mountain from the villagers near the foot of the mountain." Han Zhou nodded respectfully.
"Qingyao Mountain has two leaders. Five years ago, the bandits in Baita Village weren't as powerful as they are now, nor were they equipped with sophisticated weapons. The leader at the time was called Bai Tu, but later on, the leader changed hands. The current leader is Xie Zhao, who is proficient in weapons, has extraordinary martial arts skills, and knows Qimen Dunjia. If it weren't for the scarcity of resources in Baita Village, I'm sure our casualties yesterday would have been even greater."
"Xie Zhao?" Cheng Xianzhi muttered the name, deep in thought. "If I can use this man, I'm sure I'll have a better chance of winning against the Jiang faction."
"Your Excellency is wise, but I don't know Xie Zhao's intentions. I think we can send someone up the mountain to negotiate peace."
Cheng Xianzhi did not agree immediately. According to this person's personality, he might not be able to
He is willing to surrender, otherwise he would not have arranged the formation so carefully, and every move is aimed at killing.
There is a determination to die.
After much deliberation, Cheng Xianzhi led another team up the mountain. The mechanisms at the road crossing that were triggered yesterday were mixed together. He squatted down and fumbled for the ingenious mechanism inside. He was able to use local materials to conceal his tracks. The confrontation with this person, whom he had never met before, made him more interested in him.
Going further along the trail, there are more than a dozen forks in the road. Each road leads to countless forks, and finally they converge into the main road to reach Baita Village.
Lu Tingwan climbed the mountain here.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
