Squad Leader Wu and a squad leader under his command exchanged a smile. Together with five others, making a group of seven, they led Zhuang Xian out of the camp.
The remaining group teamed up with Ruan Buchai and the others, leaving the camp and heading down the mountain in the opposite direction.
It was still the Hai hour, and autumn insects were chirping wildly, spending their last breaths. The faint moonlight barely allowed them to make out the path ahead.
Zhuang Xian and Xie Lingyun walked in the front, followed closely by Zhang Huchen. The remaining three seemed somewhat timid, shoulders pressed together, trailing two steps behind.
When they reached an earthen ditch, Squad Leader Wu said in a low voice:
"This is the spot where you will be on guard from now on. You should have already learned the standard operating procedures for hidden sentries. Shifts will last for three hours, and another group will come to relieve you when the time is up."
"The small path ahead is the patrol route you need to cover..."
With that, he pointed to a winding earthen road at the base of the slope that looked like a coiling snake.
"If there is any unusual activity, you must send someone to investigate immediately. If you encounter Beiliang Tartars, gather intelligence and report back in a timely manner..."
Zhuang Xian listened in silence and nodded. As he flared his nostrils, a faint scent of blood drifted into them.
Two steps away, Zhang Huchen had already jumped into the earthen ditch and slowly moved to the left.
Then he walked over to the right side, squatted down, pulled out some grass, and sniffed it.
"Did you find something?"
"Squad Leader Zhuang, many patches of grass smell of blood, and it's strongest right here. The blood hasn't even dried completely yet..."
Zhuang Xian frowned and gestured for the others to spread out.
He then jumped into the earthen ditch himself and pulled some grass to smell.
"It seems the previous hidden sentry died right at their post. Judging by the strength of the scent, it happened no more than three days ago..."
Zhang Huchen lowered his eyelids, glanced sideways at Zhuang Xian, and said nothing more.
The four men who had spread out to the left and right walked back one by one, all nodding affirmatively to indicate they had found bloodstains.
Squad Leader Wu spoke up:
"I wouldn't have guessed it. You're just a kid, but you've got some skills. Are there any military households in your family?"
Zhuang Xian shook his head. "No, just a father and a younger sister. My father injured his foot hunting earlier this year, so now he can only follow hunters up the mountains and do odd jobs that don't require heavy lifting."
"Hahaha... Then you'd better work hard and make something of yourself, lest your family's hopes go unfulfilled."
"That's right. Your crippled old man is probably waiting for you to get promoted, get rich, and live a life of luxury and ease."
Though the words were offensive, Zhuang Xian acted as though he hadn't heard them, simply calming his mind and extending his awareness outward.
With his current strength, within a radius of five paces, he could perceive even the slightest rustle of grass and wind; beyond that, his eyes were more reliable.
Chirp-chirp!
The squad leader under Squad Leader Wu curled his lips and made a strange insect-like chirping sound. The seven veteran soldiers immediately dropped low, rolling into the nearby tall grass and earthen pits.
"Tartars!"
Hearing the warning, Zhuang Xian bent his knees and pressed his hand downward, signaling the others to remain hidden in place.
"There are three of them. They should be scouts who finished their patrol and are heading back!"
A moment later, three Tartars truly did walk past along the small earthen path.
"A golden opportunity..."
"The Tartars are tired, and they think there are no hidden sentries here anymore. The six of you, go up and kill them!"
Squad Leader Wu's eyes burned with intensity as he lowered his voice and said to Zhuang Xian:
"We'll follow closely behind and provide timely backup!"
Zhang Huchen narrowed his eyes and pressed his hand against the steel saber tucked behind his waist.
Xie Lingyun turned his head and glared angrily at Squad Leader Wu and the veteran soldiers:
"There are three Tartars, and even elite troops fighting at a ratio of three to one would need nine people to have a fighting chance. Are you sending us to our deaths?"
Squad Leader Wu's expression sank instantly. "This is a military order! Do you intend to disobey..."
With that, the men behind him cast vigilant gazes toward Zhuang Xian and the other five.
"Hmph! We have more experience killing Tartars than you do. This is the best opportunity to wipe out these three. If you follow orders, all three Tartars will be fair game for everyone. If you disobey, once we get back to the military camp, it'll be off with your heads on the spot without trial!"
"You!"
Xie Lingyun's eyes blazed with fury. "You go too far!"
Zhuang Xian turned sideways and raised a hand, pressing Xie Lingyun back down.
"Squad Leader Wu, we accept the order!"
"Hmph! You're quite the man after all..."
Squad Leader Wu looked surprised. "Remember, once you go up, concentrate your strength first to surround and kill one of them. We'll rush over right after to pin down the other two. This battle will be a piece of cake!"
"Alright!"
Xie Lingyun's eyes were full of suspicion. "Don't you dare play any tricks!"
Zhuang Xian patted him on the shoulder and led Zhang Huchen and the other three as they crept forward.
"Brother Zhuang, they clearly want to send us to our deaths and won't provide any backup at all."
"Three Tartars... Today makes only twelve days we've been in the army... How are we supposed to fight this!"
When the other three heard Xie Lingyun say this, they all shuddered. Who knows who was the coward among them, but their upper and lower teeth were chattering *clack, clack, clack*.
Aside from Zhuang Xian, the only one who kept a cool head was someone else.
Zhang Huchen drew his saber from behind his waist to his chest, his fingers tensing. With a faint, muffled *click*, the steel saber slipped out of its scabbard.
Zhuang Xian nodded inwardly and said:
"I'll take the lead in the front. Zhang Huchen, stay on my left, and Xie Lingyun on my right!"
"Miao Hongfeng, Wu Shiqian, Chen Qishi! The three of you head to the right and flank them. You just need to pin down one person!"
"Remember the saber techniques from our training these past few days, and pay attention to covering for one another and each person's assigned responsibility!"
"Understood..."
"Got it."
As Zhuang Xian looked at the three of them trembling while clutching their sabers, he was genuinely afraid that once they charged forward, they would forget to even draw their blades.
"Like Zhang Huchen, draw your sabers first, and keep it quiet!"
"Clack-clack-clack—"
Then Zhuang Xian took the lead, extending a hand.
He brushed through the tall grass, slowly closing in.
A moment later, Zhuang Xian and the other two reached their designated positions, only a few paces away from the Tartars slowly walking along the path.
They only needed the three on the other side to get into position, and according to the plan, they would spring out to catch the Tartars off guard and ultimately pin down one of them.
Zhuang Xian would then be able to strike from behind with lightning speed and cut down a Tartar.
As the distance closed, they gripped the steel sabers in their hands ever tighter.
Five paces, four paces...
Three paces...
Two...
Zhuang Xian relaxed his bent knees, preparing to leap up and slash.
Right then, a violent commotion rang out in the silent mountain forest.
Bang!
...
Miao Hongfeng, Wu Shiqian, or Chen Qishi—it was pitch black, and there was no telling which one it was—tripped over an old tree root and sprawled headlong onto the path.
Zhuang Xian: ...
Xie Lingyun, Zhang Huchen: ...
..
..