Chapter 222: Sneak Attack
The topic discussed today was regarding the previous sneak attack by the Western Rong People. Chen Lingyuan and some deputy generals advocated for launching a sneak attack in return, while another group expressed opposition, preferring a direct confrontation on a proper battlefield.
Mo Ziyuan listened to the discussions around him escalate into arguments, then shifted his steps to the side. This wasn’t his home turf, and he didn’t want to get involved.
But his unwillingness to participate didn’t mean others wouldn’t drag him in. Soon, Kong Xiao suggested that Mo Ziyuan, with his agile skills, was the perfect candidate for this sneak attack.
“Young Master Mo, this is also to demonstrate our army’s might. Young Master Mo wouldn’t refuse, right?” Kong Xiao said with a fake smile, provocatively looking at him.
“Whatever General Chen decides, I will execute.” Mo Ziyuan said unhurriedly, while glancing at Chen Lingyuan who was watching the spectacle nearby. Don’t think he didn’t know what he was scheming, hmph!
Chen Lingyuan touched his nose. The best candidate in his mind for leading the sneak attack this time was indeed Mo Ziyuan.
After everyone else had left, looking at Mo Ziyuan’s darkened expression, Chen Lingyuan asked, “What are you angry about?”
Mo Ziyuan choked, “Did you and Kong Xiao plan this in advance to send me?”
“No,” Chen Lingyuan quickly denied, “Although I did intend for you to go, I never mentioned it to anyone before.”
“Really?” Mo Ziyuan looked at him suspiciously, making him bristle. “You brat, doubting me? Am I that kind of person?”
“Hard to say. After all, when facing Kong Xiao, it’s hard for me to conclude what kind of person you are.”
Chen Lingyuan was exasperated but couldn’t find words to retort.
“You’re really giving me full authority over tonight’s sneak attack mission?” Seeing his embarrassed expression, Mo Ziyuan stopped mocking him and asked.
“Nonsense! Do you think I’d fake it?”
“Personnel and sneak attack time decided by me too?”
“What else? Since I’m giving you full authority, I naturally won’t interfere anymore.”
“Alright then, no need for others. Tonight, Xin’er and I will go. As for the time, I’ll decide later since I haven’t thought it through yet.” Mo Ziyuan said.
Chen Lingyuan understood his meaning right away. This was to guard against Kong Xiao!
Though he felt a bit unhappy inside, he didn’t show it. After all, his trust in Kong Xiao was one thing, but he couldn’t expect Mo Ziyuan to trust him the same way!
But this personnel selection······
“You’re sure it’s just you and Lin Xin going?”
“Yeah! For a sneak attack, fewer people are better. Besides, Xin’er’s skills are even better than mine. The two of us are enough.”
“Alright, then I’ll look forward to your good news.”
“General, rest assured.”
Back in the camp tent, Lin Xin was sitting at the table fiddling with a row of bottles and jars on it.
“What are these for?” Mo Ziyuan picked up a palm-sized small can nearby, opened the lid and peeked inside, immediately feeling utterly unwell and nearly throwing the can far away.
“What are you doing with this thing? And,” he glanced at the other cans, “these aren’t all that, are they?”
Lin Xin almost laughed herself breathless at his horrified look, holding it in for a while before pointing to another small-necked, big-bellied can and telling him, “These are bugs that Military Doctor Chu asked me to look after. Except for the one in your hand and this one, the others aren’t spiders.”
Mo Ziyuan silently moved away from those cans and sat on her bed instead. “Xin’er, forget those bugs for now. Tonight, come with me to the Western Rong People’s camp. Let’s go give them some trouble.”
“Sure, no problem. Just the two of us?”
“Yeah, just us. Too many people and I’m afraid they’ll drag you down.”
Lin Xin gave him an approving gaze. “Not bad, you’ve got awareness. Having you to drag me down is enough; any more and I might not be able to manage.”
Mo Ziyuan was quite pleased hearing the first half, but his face fell at the latter part. He reached out, yanked Lin Xin forcefully from the table into his arms, and held her tight, narrowing his eyes dangerously as he asked, “What did Xin’er just say? I didn’t hear clearly.”
Lin Xin: “······”
“Since we’re acting tonight, I’ll arrange these bugs first. Otherwise, if something goes wrong, I’m afraid Military Doctor Chu will chase me all over the military camp.” Lin Xin said while using a clever move to slip out of Mo Ziyuan’s arms.
After dinner, Mo Ziyuan and Lin Xin changed into night clothes and left the camp under cover of darkness.
“During today’s meeting, the general set the sneak attack time for the third watch. Kong Xiao was there too, so the news likely leaked. That’s why I moved it up.” Near the Western Rong People’s camp, Mo Ziyuan whispered to Lin Xin.
Actually, Lin Xin thought moving it up wouldn’t help much; one day was enough for them to prepare. The current issue was: “Are you sure Kong Xiao will tell that man in black?”
“Most likely.” Mo Ziyuan affirmed.
“Alright, then let’s see if you’re right.” With that, the two hid their figures, avoided patrolling soldiers, and sneaked into the enemy’s camp.
“Have you all made preparations? No mistakes, right!” Kong Xiao paced back and forth in his camp tent with hands behind his back, glanced at the time, and irritably asked the man in black occupying his bed.
“Stop circling. It’s making my eyes dizzy.” The man in black said irritably. “As long as your intel is accurate, there won’t be any mistakes.”
“What do you mean?” Kong Xiao stopped pacing, widened his eyes, and stared at the man in black. “So if something goes wrong, it’s all my fault? I should’ve······”
“Should’ve what? Not cooperate with me? Hah,” the man in black sneered. “You want to be Great General and control the entire camp? You can only cooperate with me, unless you don’t want to live.”
Kong Xiao was shocked. “Y-you didn’t say that before.”
“Before,” the man in black snorted coldly. “Kong, get this straight: as long as you obediently follow my orders, everything promised before will be yours. But if you try to play smart and do something stupid to get yourself killed, you can imagine the consequences!”
Kong Xiao felt all his strength drain away, going limp. He dragged his heavy steps to the table, sat down, covered his face, and buried his head deeply into his knees.
He now regretted it deeply. How could he have been so muddle-headed as to cooperate with this person? He knew full well that Western Rong People were full of tricks, ruthless and cruel—why had he made that choice?
But now, regretting it was too late. The news had been passed on, and from this moment, he had thoroughly betrayed his country and tied himself to this man in black.
Seeing his state, a flash of impatience and mockery passed through the man in black’s eyes. If he weren’t seriously injured, why would he need to cooperate with such an idiot?
