Chapter 341: Great Danger! (2) (1/2)
Chapter 341: Great Danger! (2)
As a lady of the Bai Clan, Bai Siling had been brought up in a privileged environment, and rarely were there matters she needed to worry over.
Throughout this operation, even in the conflict between Xu Gan, Huang Yongtu, and Wang Chong, she was able to remain on the fence and spectate leisurely.
But this time, Bai Siling couldn't help but feel deeply troubled.
This mission was issued by the royal court, so even if danger was lying ahead of them, they couldn't abandon it on a whim. However, their opponents, the Iron Cloak Highwaymen, didn't seem like ordinary bandits. To date, they hadn't seen the slightest trace of the other party, but the other party already had obtained crucial intelligence on them, even knowing their numbers.
This left Bai Siling deeply unnerved, which was why she invited Wang Chong over.
”Siling, it's nothing much for them to know our numbers. The military has the practice of allocating crockeries by the strength of the army. As long as they circumvent our men and examine the burnt marks left in our camping areas, it wouldn't be too difficult for them to determine our strength.” Wang Chong replied calmly.
”What's your name?” Wang Chong turned around to look at the man kneeling before him.
”Li Cangqi!” The man was taken aback, but he still straightened his back and reported his name.
Li Cangqi could vaguely sense that the young man before him was the true mastermind behind the army’s entire operation.
And despite informing the latter of the prowess of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen, this young man didn't show the slightest sign of being flustered at all. Instead, he was even able to calmly analyze how the Iron Cloak Highwaymen had deduced their numbers. This left Li Cangqi with a slightly peculiar sensation within.
There was something very different about the young man before him.
”Li Cangqi,” Wang Chong nodded, acknowledging him. ”It seems like you possess quite a deep understanding of the bandits and highwaymen along the west road. Let me ask you; if you were a member of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen, when would you strike?”
”Now!” Li Cangqi replied calmly.
Hearing those words, Wang Chong and Bai Siling traded gazes, and they could see the shock in each other's eyes.
”You are currently only around 100 li away from the territory of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen. Given their usual practice, they would surely strike before you, so as to catch you off-guard. Thus, I suggest that you retreat right now before it's too late. Otherwise, with your eighty men, it's impossible for you to be a match for them!” Li Cangqi advised grimly.
Hearing those words, Wang Chong's face darkened.
”This is bad, we must inform Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu of this!” Wang Chong abruptly got to his feet and rushed out.
Li Cangqi thought that their full force was gathered here, but that wasn't the case. Most armies would usually dispatch a force up to the den while the others remained at the bottom, so as to provide reinforcements if required. However, this group operated in a different manner.
Given Wang Chong’s understanding of Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu, they were likely to be at the next den thirty li away from here.
That was only 70 li away from the home base of the Iron Cloak Highwaymen!
If the Iron Cloak Highwaymen were to launch an attack, Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu would be in grave danger at this very moment.
”Retreat! Everyone, let's descend from the mountain now!”
Realizing the same thing, Bai Siling immediately sprang up from the tigerskin seat and rushed out of the den with Wang Chong.
Neighhhh!
Realizing the situation they were facing, the forty Great Tang cavalrymen charged swiftly down the mountain, not bothering to even sweep the den for spoils of war.
Like a furious dragon gliding through the lands, the group of forty swiftly galloped to the next den thirty li away.
While Wang Chong did have multiple conflicts with Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu, it was not his wish to see them slaughtered by bandits and highwaymen. More importantly, he couldn't bear to see forty loyal military veterans of Great Tang die in such a manner.
For cavalrymen who had dedicated their lives to Great Tang to be killed by mere bandits and highwaymen, this was a great dishonor.
As a man who had spent his days on the battlefield in his previous life, Wang Chong related deeply to this. Thus, he was unwilling to see such a situation occur.
Jyaa!
As if realizing the intentions of his owner, the White-hoofed Shadow also charged forward with its full might.
Xu Gan and Huang Yongtu had set forth rather early, and Wang Chong’s group had also spent quite some time in the previous bandit camp. Thus, they were currently an hour or two behind the other group.
For the first time, Wang Chong felt that this journey of 30 li was exceptionally long.