The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Sun Xiaozhun rushed around tirelessly, handling logistical issues.

The rebel army's commander, "Scholar General" Su Dan, was stationed at Ning'an County, methodically transferring supplies, setting up the burning city plan, while continuously withdrawing the main force.

Assassin Nie Yurong sat idly in the government office all day, unable to meet Zhao Douan.

That day, seemed almost "peaceful and uneventful."

However, everyone knew this was merely the prelude to the storm, beneath the placid surface were raging torrents.

...

The third day.

At dawn, during the darkest hour, the Capital Camp quietly began its operations, divided into three routes, executing Xue Shence's strategy for a wide-scale counterattack.

In the darkness, on a mound outside the city, Wei Xianzong in full military attire, with a sharp blade at his waist, scanned the soldiers of the Suicide Camp standing in several rows ahead.

Each soldier exuded vigor and ferocity, selected from the elite of the Capital Camp, wearing only soft armor for nimble movements, without mounts, carrying no firearms, only blades and swords.

In front of the soldiers, before Wei Xianzong, was a large wooden barrel, open at this moment, next to it were stacked bowls of wine.

"Today, I shall lead you like a sharp blade into the enemy's camp, paving the way for the army at the rear. We shall enter dangerous grounds alone, hence the name Suicide!"

Wei Xianzong's gaze was sharp, his voice resonant, carrying an inspiring force: "Drink this wine in full, depart at once, I promise nothing else but one thing, in this assassination strike, I shall charge at the forefront, if I retreat, you shall kill me!"

Having said this, he took the lead in picking up a bowl and filling it with wine, each soldier following suit, muttering in a deep voice: "No regrets even in death!"

The entire camp simultaneously tilted their heads back, drinking the cold wine, and threw the bowls to the ground.

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Wei Xianzong drew his sword, turned, and pointed towards the darkness in the direction of a town.

This was Wuhe Town, a significant garrison town ahead of Wenshui County, and a strategic vanguard on the frontline.

At this moment, the pre-dawn darkness began to disperse, Wei Xianzong led the entire Suicide Camp, stealthy and ghost-like, his formation resembling a black river, quietly advancing towards the town.

Behind the low city walls of Wuhe Town, rebels stood on guard, torches burning in the darkness.

They were not rebels from elsewhere, but were originally soldiers from the Inspection Bureau within Wenshui County, surrendered and became "pseudo army" after the rebel army took over.

These past days, the "pseudo army" had remarkably low morale, secretly brewing a sense of unease.

Because they learned that the court's reinforcements were arriving, Su Dan might not hold out and was going to flee, those items brought in for igniting the burning city plan were evidence.

Of course, the burning city plan was only circulated within the army, the civilians in the occupied zone knew nothing about it.

Suddenly, the guard dogs lying behind the walls all pricked their ears, barking fiercely towards the outside of the town.

The rebel army members at the Inspection Bureau immediately shook off their drowsiness, quickly becoming chaotic, a man on the high watchtower vaguely saw someone approaching, trying to sound the alarm drum, but unexpectedly got shot in the chest by a dark arrow in the darkness, falling weakly from the watchtower.

The rebel army members were shocked, the majority were archers, yet with the dark sky, they could not shoot arrows, hastily seeing a group of enemies had already climbed over the low "city wall."

"Enemy—" someone attempted to shout, suddenly held back by a comrade from the Inspection Bureau: "What are you shouting for? Can we hold a frontline town alone? Better to surrender."

A group of "pseudo army" had no fighting spirit, nor any intent to fight to the death, tacitly squatted down, bound their own hands, declaring their identity as former members of the Inspection Bureau.

Moreover, someone was instructing a comrade: "Quickly get rid of those dogs, don't let them disrupt the Capital Camp's brothers."

"Also, dismantle those bows and crossbows, deliver them to the gentlemen of the Capital Camp, be quick."

This scene left the soldiers of the Suicide Camp who sneaked into the town in bewilderment.

Everyone exchanged glances, they had even drank the booster wine beforehand, the atmosphere was fully set, yet the defense of Wuhe Town was astonishingly weak, and they surrendered directly, how could this be?

"Captain, do we still kill?" a soldier asked the deputy of the Suicide Camp.

The latter replied gruffly: "Kill what! Just tie them up, and wait for the troops behind. Hey, where is Wei?"

Wei Xianzong had disappeared.

At this time, in the best residence within Wuhe Town, Chen Yong, the garrison captain, was awakened by the dogs barking.

Quickly dressing, he walked out of the room with shoes on.

As one of Su Dan's trusted subordinates, he was responsible for guarding this town, yet since yesterday, the elite within the town began their withdrawal, he did not leave, one was to cover the main force's retreat, the other was to prepare the burning city plan for this town.

"Knock, knock."

The courtyard door was knocked, an urgent voice came in: "Captain, there's a situation, suspiciously court scouts approaching!"

What? Chen Yong startled, swiftly stepping outside, grabbing his sword during the process, asking: "How is the situation now?"

"Temporarily nothing, but the troops are uneasy, so..."

"A bunch of rabble!" Chen Yong cursed angrily, unlocking and pushing open the courtyard door, seeing a trusted comrade trembling outside, behind which hung a faint scent of blood.

Not good—

A alarm rose in Chen Yong's heart, without hesitation, his sword swung outside, and the comrade screamed, falling to the ground, yet no enemy was seen.

"You killed the wrong person." A cold voice came from behind.

Chen Yong was horrified, about to turn around, only to see a long blade pierce through his chest.

Wei Xianzong drew back his sword, frowned at Chen Yong choking on the ground, tightening his brow: "The main force has begun withdrawing, they left you people as a blind eye technique, Su Dan never intended to fight the court, he only thinks of running. Xue Shence was deceived by this Su Dan, they should have attacked yesterday."

Left you people as a blind eye technique, Su Dan never intended to fight the court, he only thinks of running. Xue Shence was deceived by this Su Dan, they should have attacked yesterday."