NOVEL NEXT Chapter 251: Hunted Down
After the elite soldier left the commander's tent, Feng Xiyan turned to look at Tan Pengtai and asked, "General Tan, how is the preparation for the secret tunnel's plan?"
Tan Pengtai calmly replied, "The preparation is complete. The plan can begin anytime."
"Very well." Turning to Fan Wanming, Feng Xiyan instructed, "General Fan, bring a small team with you and wait outside the inner entrance. Kill whoever came out of the secret tunnel."
Fan Wanming clasped his fists and responded, "This subordinate accepts the order."
After saying that, Fan Wanming left to do his task.
Turning to Xue Ruhong, Feng Xiyan said, "General Xue, you will lure the enemies hidden inside the city to the secret tunnel."
Xue Ruhong nodded, "This subordinate accepts the order."
After Xue Ruhong left, Feng Xiyan said, "General Tan, you will support the others and prepare the gunpowder. Light it up when you receive the signal."
Tan Pengtai clasped his fists and responded, "This subordinate accepts the order."
Left with only Zhan Qi, Tuluo Cheng, and Ding Zhenshun, Feng Xiyan said, "General Zhan, you will lead five hundred soldiers from the Mo Dao team and force Kai Mu and his soldiers into the secret tunnel together with Vice General Mo Yuan later."
Zhan Qi's eyes lit up at the mention of fighting, and he replied excitedly, "This subordinate accepts the order!"
When Zhan Qi left the tent, Feng Xiyan turned to Ding Zhenshun. "General Ding, you are injured, so you shouldn't join this plan. Just in case, the security of Xiqiang City will be handed over to you today."
Ding Zhenshun clasped his fists and replied, "This subordinate accepts the order."
Feng Xiyan nodded at his words and added, "Good. You may take your leave."
"Yes, Great General." With that, Ding Zhenshun nodded to Tuluo Cheng before leaving the commander's tent.
Left alone with Feng Xiyan, Tuluo Cheng looked at Feng Xiyan with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Clenching his hand, Tuluo Cheng lowered his eyes and thought, 'No wonder he could defeat the 400,000 troops of my Yuezhi Tribe with only 20,000 troops. With how deep his mind is, there are not many people who could rival Feng Xiyan on the battlefield.'
Raising his eyes to look at Feng Xiyan, Tu Luocheng thought to himself, 'Maybe Feng Xiyan can really help me get revenge and take back the command seal.'
While he was thinking, Feng Xiyan glanced at him and saw the calculation mixed with hope and admiration in Tuluo Cheng's eyes. Looking away from him, the corner of Feng Xiyan's lips curved up slightly.
While Feng Xiyan and the others were secretly executing their plan, outside the outer entrance of the secret passage, Kai Mu was growing increasingly anxious.
Looking at the sky that began to brighten, he asked impatiently in a low voice, "Where are the others? We need to move in before the sky brightens up!"
Being asked by him, the man who controlled the eagle began to sweat.
Lowering his head, the man swallowed in fear and replied, "Please be patient, Supreme General. Our people are hiding in different places. To gather them, it will take time."
Hearing this, Kai Mu suppressed his anxiety and impatience. Gritting his teeth, he took a deep breath to calm down and stared at the entrance of the secret passage.
Half an hour later, the first group finally arrived. Moving cautiously through the night, they quickly gathered around Kai Mu.
The captain stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and greeted, "Supreme General."
Kai Mu's gaze swept over the small group. His brow furrowed as he asked, "Why are there only so few of you? Where are the others?"
At this question, the captain lowered his head and replied, "Reporting to the Supreme General. While we were awaiting orders, we were ambushed by a group of masked men. Most of our brothers died under their swords."
Kai Mu's frown deepened at his words while a dark premonition slowly grew in his heart. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Did you recognize those masked men?"
The captain hesitated, then shook his head. "This subordinate could not identify them. However, when this subordinate crossed blades with one, this subordinate noticed a carving etched onto their black masks."
"Carving?" Kai Mu asked, his voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
The captain nodded. "Yes. The ones who hunted us were wearing masks engraved with the image of an ancient beast, Fu Zhu."
Hearing this, Kai Mu's expression stiffened as he muttered under his breath, "A carving of an ancient beast, Fu Zhu…"
Seeing him lost in thought, the captain asked cautiously, "Supreme General… Do you know who they are?"
Kai Mu's eyes flickered with uncertainty as he answered, "There is a rumor… that Feng Xiyan commands a hidden force of martial experts. Fiercely loyal, never stepping into the light. Anyone who has seen them… never lived to tell the tale."
His tone grew heavier as he added. "The most distinct mark of these people is their black masks, each bearing a unique carving of different ancient beasts."
Glancing at the captain, Kai Mu added coldly, "You are fortunate indeed to have survived after crossing paths with them."
The captain shuddered as the memory of those cold eyes behind the mask resurfaced in his mind. A chill ran down his spine, and he swallowed hard as cold sweat covered his back.
Noticing his fear, Kai Mu said grimly, "Since you have encountered Feng Xiyan's shadow guards, you should understand their strength."
The captain nodded, and Kai Mu asked, "Tell this general. How strong are they compared to us?"
The captain hesitated, then finally admitted, "We would not stand a chance. If there is anyone who can face them… it is only you, Supreme General."
Kai Mu's frown deepened at the captain's voice, disbelief lacing his voice. "Are they truly that strong?"
The captain dared not answer further and kept his head bowed in silence.
As Kai Mu was deep in thought, two more groups finally arrived. Yet, each had fewer than fifty men.