Chapter 116: Counter-Accusation of Surveillance, Cutting Down the Rebel Forces in Succession

The city garrison, having secured their food and water, was initially elated. However, two days passed without the slightest intention of launching a sortie to harass the enemy, choosing instead to remain entrenched and await reinforcements.

Han Chong, burning with impatience, could not help but ask the Grand Protector, Shang Yongxin: "Grand Protector, the city is now well-supplied with grain. Yet, the enemy forces from both nations continue to pillage the people of the Northwest. We cannot simply sit idle; we should be launching continuous raids to strike at them."

"Ah, General Han, that is where you are mistaken. Our city is under siege. While the crisis of supplies is temporarily resolved, we must not act rashly. If we provide the enemy with an opportunity, would that not lead to the fall of the city and our defeat?" remarked the Deputy Grand Protector surnamed Duan with a thin smile.

"The Imperial Court established this Protectorate to protect the nation and its people. If we merely hole up waiting for rescue, watching them die without taking action, does that not make our title a hollow formality?"

"General Han, I advise you to weigh your words carefully. A commander must consider the big picture. I cannot risk the city for the sake of a few commoners. If the city falls because of such recklessness, how would I answer to the Imperial Court?" The latter’s expression darkened as he frowned and rebuked him.

"General Han, do not let your achievements inflate your ego to the point of underestimating the enemy. The battlefield changes in an instant, and we are currently besieged on all sides. If we make a mistake now, it will be too late for regrets. The military strategy is for the Grand Protector to decide. You are new to the battlefield and do not understand its perils, so your naivety is, perhaps, understandable." The Deputy Protector surnamed Song sneered, privately thinking that these people from the Demon-Slaying Division were nothing more than reckless brutes ignorant of warfare.

Han Chong was about to retort, but General Xun stopped him, signaling him to say no more.

"Hehe, Grand Protector, Deputy Protectors, please do not take offense. General Han is not one to seek glory; he was simply anxious and spoke without thinking. We shall take our leave."

"General Xun, please do."

After Han Chong and his party left, the Deputy Grand Protector surnamed Duan chuckled: "Grand Protector, these officers from the Demon-Slaying Division are truly reckless. No wonder they were sent here to serve as mere defensive fodder. In my view, that General Han will surely not stay in line. We should keep him under surveillance; otherwise, if he causes any trouble, we shall regret it bitterly."

"Very well, let Deputy Protector Duan handle it. But ensure they are not alerted. After all, the Demon-Slaying Battalion is the talisman of our Beiting Prefecture; we must not sour relations."

"Rest assured, Grand Protector, I know the limits."

Before long, several secret sentries appeared outside the courtyard where the Demon-Slaying Battalion was stationed. Though they hid themselves well, they could not escape the keen eyes of the Demon-Slaying officers, who were all incensed.

"This is outrageous! These Beiting protectors are not only cowardly and fearful, but they also return kindness with enmity. General Han helped them secure food and water, and now we are being watched in return. What do they take us for?" The lean General surnamed Li grumbled, complaining incessantly to the other officers.

"General Li, do not speak such nonsense. As a commander, it is human nature to fear defeat and blame; being cautious is not necessarily wrong. They are merely a bit too conservative. Unless we have a better plan, it is best not to stir up trouble," General Xun said in a deep voice.

Han Chong pondered for a moment before cupping his hands: "General Xun, I truly cannot bear to sit here in the city waiting for death. Firstly, I cannot bear to see the villagers outside being slaughtered. Secondly, even when the Zuo Wei Guard army arrives, it will be difficult for them to pass through the enemy’s defensive lines. Therefore, I wish to leave the city alone to disrupt the enemy’s ranks. I hope you will grant your permission, General."

"Heh, our hero Han is going to perform another grand feat. Just make sure you don't turn into a deserter," sneered General Li.

"General Li, if you could leave the city unscathed and dared to defect, I would follow you," General Xun retorted sharply, causing the latter to pout and remain silent.

"General Han, we have all seen your resolve. Since you have made your decision, I will not stand in your way. I only hope you will be extra careful. If you encounter any danger, return as soon as possible."

"Thank you, General Xun, for your trust. I know how to conduct myself."

That night, Han Chong transformed into a shadow, easily evading the secret sentries and leaping over the walls. He exited through the East Gate as before, headed straight for the foot of the mountains, and then stealthily moved southward.

At dawn the next day, after traveling four hundred miles through the night, Han Chong reached the peak of a small, protruding hill and looked around, taking in the landscape for a hundred miles.

Below, in the hollows of the ravines, he saw seven or eight small villages. Soldiers from the Beilu Kingdom were shuttling through the rugged gullies and deserts, plundering grain and women, committing every imaginable atrocity.

Without hesitation, Han Chong charged in, slaughtering them as he went; the enemy forces were scattered like chaff before the wind.

The ravines were narrow and difficult to traverse, cutting the horses' speed by nearly half. Hundreds of bandits were chased by Han Chong with no way to flee, and in less than half an hour, they were completely wiped out.

He then moved to the next area, repeating this process several times. Thousands of enemy soldiers were slain, and even the Heavenly Realm minor generals were no match for a single stroke of his sword.

...

In the main hall of the Beiting Grand Protector’s Office:

"General Xun, why is General Han not here? Could it be that he feared for the safety of Beiting City, or perhaps he was dissatisfied with our rejection of his proposal yesterday and has fled the city?" the Deputy Grand Protector surnamed Duan asked with a cold, sneering tone.

"Not at all, Deputy Protector Duan, do not misunderstand. It was my order for him to head south to scout whether the Beilu main force had laid any ambushes, in preparation for assisting the Zuo Wei Guard army." General Xun was displeased, thinking to himself that this deputy was targeting his Demon-Slaying Battalion at every turn.

"Humph! Beiting is in dire need of men right now, and the Zuo Wei Guard army will not arrive for at least ten days. Why the need to go and assist them so soon?"

"Oh? Are you saying, Deputy Protector Duan, that you are interfering in the internal affairs of my Demon-Slaying Battalion? Have I even been stripped of that small right?"

"Please, both of you, calm down. We are surrounded by strong enemies; let us not argue over this. If General Han is such a cowardly person who failed to live up to my expectations, then let him go."

The two men snorted and fell silent. Just as General Xun was about to take his leave with his officers, a scout entered.

"Report to the Grand Protector! A hawk message from the south indicates that secret sentries have spotted a swordsman in black who suddenly appeared behind the enemy lines and slaughtered thousands of Beilu flying cavalry who were pillaging the villages."

"What? Thousands?" The officers were all stunned. Could this swordsman be General Han?

"Hehe, Deputy Protector Duan, the 'deserter' you spoke of has just proven his innocence with the heads of thousands of bandits. It is far more satisfying than sitting here and doing nothing," General Xun said with a laugh, feeling a surge of satisfaction.

The latter’s mouth twitched, and his face turned pale.

"Cough! That black-clad swordsman may be General Han, or he may not. Scout further!" Shang Yongxin waved his hand.

"As you command."

...

The next day, news reached the Beilu military camp that a black-clad swordsman had appeared in the southern ravines, suspected of being the one who had raided the camp and set fires the night before, having already slaughtered thousands of soldiers.

The Beilu Marshal was furious and ordered his generals to lead their elite experts to encircle and kill him.

However, after another day, news arrived that the cavalry had been decimated and the generals had been killed in action.

The Marshal was filled with resentment and fury. He had never imagined that his grand army of two hundred thousand from the Beilu Kingdom would be thrown into chaos by a single man.

Now, his army’s supplies were exhausted, and if they did not retreat, they would starve to death in this land.

With no other choice, he dejectedly ordered his personal guards to light a blue-black signal flare in front of his tent.