BSI Chapter 389 We absolutely cannot let His Majesty's people run into Fan Li!
Chapter 389 We absolutely cannot let His Majesty's people run into Fan Li!
at the same time,
In Han Zhong's camp, the bugle call had already sounded for the third time.
Fifty thousand troops lined up outside the camp, banners fluttering and swords and spears like a forest.
The morning light shone on the armor, giving it a cold, sharp glow.
The warhorses snorted and their hooves paved the yellow earth, raising clouds of dust.
Inside the main tent, Han Zhong and Qin Mu were standing in front of the map, discussing their next tactics.
Qin Mu was currently in Liu Bai's appearance.
His face was square, with high brow bones, deep-set eyes, and a jawline that was as sharp as if it had been carved with a knife.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the map, his voice low and steady.
"General Han, tomorrow morning, you will lead the main force to attack from the front to draw the Moon Goddess Cult's attention. We will infiltrate from the flank and strike directly at the core."
His finger traced across the map, pointing to the location marked as a secret passage.
"Are your men in ambush here?"
Han Zhong nodded, his voice steady.
"Reporting to you, sir, we have already dispatched three hundred elite soldiers to ambush at the canyon exit, equipped with bows and arrows, tripwires, and traps. If the Moon Goddess escapes through the secret passage, she will surely be captured."
Qin Mu glanced at him, his gaze calm, like a stagnant pool, revealing no ripples.
"The general has considered everything carefully."
Han Zhong lowered his eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.
He has something on his mind.
He has been thinking about Xu Longxiang since last night.
That favor was like a stone stuck in his chest, pressing down on him, and he couldn't move it no matter what.
He promised Xu Longxiang that he would spare his life, but Liu Bai in front of him was a powerful expert at the half-step land immortal realm. How could he rescue the person under Liu Bai's nose?
He could only pray in his heart that the situation would be chaotic enough, that Liu Bai would be too preoccupied to care about anything else, and that Xu Longxiang would be able to find his own way out.
He tapped his fingers lightly twice on the map, about to say something more.
The curtain was lifted.
His deputy, Zhou Cheng, strode in, his steps hurried and hurried, his face solemn, and his forehead beaded with sweat.
He walked to Han Zhong's side, bent down, and lowered his voice.
"General, there is a general outside who says he has important news to report."
Han Zhong frowned.
"Since he has important business, let him in."
Zhou Cheng's expression turned even more bitter; his lips moved, but he hesitated to speak.
His gaze swept quickly over Qin Mu, then returned, his Adam's apple bobbing.
"General, this officer's situation is rather special..."
He gave Han Zhong a wink.
The glance was quick, as quick as a candle flame being blown away by the wind for a moment, but Han Zhong saw it.
Han Zhong's heart skipped a beat, as if a stone had fallen from a great height and hit his chest, leaving a dull ache.
He understood instantly.
Xu Longxiang has arrived!
Han Zhong's face remained unchanged, except for a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, forcing out a smile.
He turned around, faced Qin Mu, clasped his hands and bowed.
"Mr. Liu, this deputy general's situation is a bit special; he can't meet with just anyone. I'll go over there first and be right back."
Qin Mu looked at him and smiled.
"Go."
Han Zhong breathed a sigh of relief.
He straightened up, turned around, and walked out of the tent.
His steps were steady and unhurried, as if nothing had happened.
Zhou Cheng followed behind him, his steps lighter than when he came, but his back was already soaked with cold sweat.
The reason he hesitated and didn't speak directly was because the person in the tent was the sword fanatic Liu Bai.
What secrets could be whispered under the nose of a powerhouse at the half-step terrestrial immortal realm?
He could only use eye contact, speak cryptically, and gamble on the tacit understanding between himself and the general.
Thankfully, the gamble paid off.
The two walked out of the main tent, and after walking a dozen steps, Han Zhong stopped only after confirming that the people inside could no longer hear them.
He turned around to face Zhou Cheng, his voice low, like an echo coming from underground.
"Has it them arrived?"
Zhou Cheng nodded, his voice also very low.
"Only one person came. The main person didn't show up."
Han Zhong frowned, his brows furrowing into a deep "川" shape.
He muttered something under his breath.
"What the hell is going on?"
His fingers tapped lightly twice on the hilt of the sword at his waist, his mind racing.
Xu Longxiang didn't come; he only sent Fan Li.
What does this mean?
Was Xu Longxiang tied up with the Moon Goddess Cult, or did he have other plans?
"This is serious!" His voice deepened. "We absolutely cannot allow them to meet with His Majesty's people, or things will go terribly wrong!"
Zhou Cheng's complexion was also not good, a mixture of pale and bluish-white, like an old cloth that had been soaked in water.
He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
"General, rest assured, I will do everything in my power to hold him off. I will not let him leave the camp even a step!"
Han Zhong nodded, but a deep weariness welled up in his heart.
He regretted it a little.
He regretted agreeing to Xu Longxiang's request, and he also regretted listening to Zhou Cheng and asking His Majesty for help.
If he didn't agree to Xu Longxiang's request, he wouldn't be caught in the middle and put in a difficult position.
If he hadn't asked His Majesty for help, Liu Bai wouldn't have come here, and he wouldn't be living in such fear and anxiety.
But he knew that regret was useless.
That's how the battlefield is; situations change rapidly and are unpredictable.
No one can predict the course of the battlefield; all they can do is adapt to the situation, act according to circumstances, and do their best.
He took a deep breath and gradually suppressed his surging emotions.
"Walk."
He strode toward the tent where Fan Li was located.
Zhou Cheng followed behind him, his steps hurried and heavy.
The two walked through several rows of tents and stopped in front of an inconspicuous little tent.
The tent curtains were drawn low, and there were no lights inside, only a few rays of morning light seeping in through the gaps, illuminating the tent in a dim light.
Han Zhong lifted the tent flap, bent down, and went inside.
Fan Li sat on a wooden stool in the tent, wearing a dark blue scholar's robe, a cloth belt around his waist, and black boots.
His face was thin, with three long strands of beard hanging down to his chest, and his brows exuded the elegance and composure unique to scholars.
When he saw Han Zhong enter, he stood up, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed.
"General Han, how have you been?"
Han Zhong quickly returned the greeting, his posture respectful.
"Mr. Fan, you're too kind. May I ask what brings you here today?"
Fan Li shook his head, a humble smile on his lips.
"I dare not presume to give instructions. I am merely here to assist the general on the orders of the prince. Please feel free to ask if there is anything I may do to help you."
Han Zhong nodded, his gaze lingering on Fan Li's face for a moment.
"Then where is your prince now?"
Fan Li stroked his beard, his voice steady.
"Currently at the Moon Goddess Cult's headquarters, with the Moon Goddess."
Han Zhong's brow twitched slightly.
Xu Longxiang did not leave as expected.
What is he planning to do by staying in the Moon Goddess Cult?
Is it really for communication, or is there another motive?
He didn't ask any more questions, he just nodded.
"Alright. If you have any information about the Prince of Zhenbei, please inform him promptly."
Fan Li smiled.
"Of course. My only purpose here is to deliver messages. Everything else is up to the general to decide."
The weight that had been hanging over Han Zhong's heart eased slightly.
He was afraid that Fan Li was a commander sent by Xu Longxiang.
If that were the case, he would become a puppet, caught in a dilemma.
Fortunately, Fan Li was just there to deliver a message.
A smile appeared on his face, and his tone was a little more relaxed than before.
"That's good."
He paused, then his expression became serious.
"However, Mr. Fan, please do not leave your tent unless absolutely necessary."
Fan Li frowned slightly.
Han Zhong quickly explained, speaking a few beats faster than usual.
"My army includes not only my personal guards, but also men sent by His Majesty. If they discover you, it will be troublesome!"
Fan Li's brows relaxed, and he nodded.
"Don't worry, General, of course I know that."
Han Zhong breathed a sigh of relief.
He continued, "If there's any disturbance, just report it to my deputy, and he'll relay it."
He pointed to Zhou Cheng behind him.
Zhou Cheng stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed.
Fan Li glanced at Zhou Cheng and nodded.
"That's excellent."
Han Zhong clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Then I'll go and take command of the battlefield. Please wait here for a moment, sir."
Fan Li returned the greeting. "General, please proceed."
Han Zhong turned and walked out of the tent, with Zhou Cheng following behind him.
The curtains fell, obscuring the dim light inside.
The two walked a dozen steps and stopped in an empty open space.
The morning light shone on them, casting their short, thick shadows on the ground.
Zhou Cheng looked excited, his eyes shining.
"General, this is wonderful news!"
Han Zhong hummed in agreement and nodded.
His voice was soft, carrying a sense of relief and relaxation.
"With Fan Li here, we can accurately grasp Xu Longxiang's movements and thus better implement our plan."
Zhou Cheng nodded vigorously, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"General, you are wise! We were worried that we wouldn't be able to accurately track Xu Longxiang's movements, thus missing the opportunity to rescue him and do him this favor. But now, Xu Longxiang has actually handed his movements over to us, giving us more room to maneuver and less room for error!"
Han Zhong nodded, his gaze falling on the low tent.
"That's right. The most important thing now is to prevent His Majesty's men from running into Fan Li. Otherwise, everything will be exposed!"
Zhou Cheng straightened his chest and patted it.
"General, rest assured, I will keep a close eye on Fan Li and will absolutely not let him leave the camp even for a moment!"