Chapter 22

After catching his breath for a moment, Qin Feng slowly walked to where Bian Zheng had fallen, looking at the two bodies lying on either side, "I told you long ago that those ranks were just a scam, I didn’t expect you to actually believe it. What’s so great about being level seven? You even thought you could crush me. Go to the netherworld and complain to the old man there about those old immortals at the South Heaven Gate."

Bian Zheng, of course, could no longer hear. But he truly died with his eyes open, both eyes on his two halves of a body staring wide at the sky with a crescent moon hanging above.

Qin Feng reached out, pulling a metal plate from the other’s waistband. Looking at the inscription on the plate, it was indeed the identity plate of the Thunder Army. In fact, just by looking at Bian Zheng’s attire, one could tell he wasn’t from the Western Qin border army. The Western Qin border army was always a group of beggars.

Sighing, he continued to search, finding a bottle of pills, several silver bills, and a seal. There was nothing else.

"This time, we’re in for a big loss." Leaning on his saber to stand up, Gao Yuan thought to himself. The grand plan, guaranteed by the high officials of the court to be foolproof, turned out to be a big trap. If Marshal Zuo fell into it this time, the western region of Great Chu would surely suffer a great calamity.

Returning to the camp, it was almost dawn. The Death Corps had already eaten breakfast and were fully packed, waiting for their commander to return before setting off. Shu Fengzi had returned at some point and was animatedly talking to the monk and Scissors, holding something and swinging it back and forth.

"Commander Qin is back!" Hearing the soldiers’ shouts, the three turned around, looking at Qin Feng’s ashen face, slightly surprised.

"Commander Qin, should we continue to set off?" Scissors asked.

"Set off my ass!" With a clank, Qin Feng threw his iron saber to the side, plopping down on the ground and lowering his head in thought.

"What’s wrong? Did you take crazy medicine this early morning? Or did you get raped by a wild animal in heat in the Falling Petals Mountains?" Shu Fengzi chuckled, coming over and showing Gao Yuan what he was holding, "See this? A snow bat, the thing I’ve always wanted to catch but never could. This time it finally fell into my hands."

Qin Feng looked up, seeing the bloodstains and claw marks on Shu Fengzi’s face, and sighed, "If it were just a wild animal that raped me, it would be better. Shu Fengzi, we’re in big trouble."

Seeing the serious expression on Qin Feng’s face, the smiles on the others’ faces vanished instantly. They all knew Qin Feng; if it weren’t a huge problem, he wouldn’t show such an expression.

"Our western border army has fallen into a big trap this time. Marshal Zuo and the others are likely doomed." Qin Feng said, each word deliberate, "The Thunder Army is here, Li Zhi is here. The court’s plan for this operation is completely under their control. They have set up a web of traps, waiting for Marshal Zuo to fall into it. There are no enemies ahead of us, nothing at all. The main force of the enemy is all on Marshal Zuo’s side."

Scissors, the monk, and Shu Fengzi’s faces turned pale in an instant.

"How could this happen? Wasn’t it said to be foolproof?" Shu Fengzi muttered.

"Foolproof my ass." The monk, rubbing his freshly shaved head, said angrily, "War is inherently unpredictable and extremely dangerous. There’s no such thing as foolproof. Thinking that way is a big problem itself."

"It’s too late to talk about this now. What’s certain is that there’s a fundamental problem with this plan. The mole in Western Qin controlled by the court’s internal guards is definitely a problem." Qin Feng said, "We can’t move forward."

"Commander Qin, are you thinking of going to rescue Marshal Zuo?" Scissors asked in a low voice.

"Rescue?" Qin Feng laughed bitterly, "I wish, but is it possible? How far are we from Marshal Zuo? It would take the army at least ten to twenty days to get there. Even if we don’t eat, sleep, or relieve ourselves, it would still take ten days. By the time we get there, the yellow chrysanthemums will be cold."

"What should we do then?" Scissors asked, relieved.

Qin Feng lowered his head and thought for a moment, "Scissors, Monk, you immediately lead the Death Corps back to Jingjing Pass. If Marshal Zuo really falls into the enemy’s trap, the small Jingjing Pass will definitely not hold. When you get back, notify everyone in Jingjing Pass to retreat to Nanyang Prefecture with you. Burn down Jingjing Pass. There are still over ten thousand troops in Nanyang Prefecture. Add your retreat, and hold Nanyang City firmly. All other small garrisons in Nanyang Prefecture should also retreat to Nanyang City to strengthen its defenses. Other places may not be defensible."

"Will Lord Feng believe us if we return without evidence?" Scissors asked.

"Lord Feng is not a muddled official. He will definitely understand that you wouldn’t joke about this. If Marshal Zuo is finished, Nanyang Prefecture will surely be plundered by the Western Qin again. If Nanyang City is also captured by the Western Qin, his position will be at an end. So, whether he believes it or not, he will strengthen the city’s defenses. This time, with the Thunder Army here, the Western Qin’s appetite might be much larger. Nanyang City is the essence of Nanyang Prefecture. Plundering Nanyang City would be equivalent to plundering the entire Nanyang Prefecture," Qin Feng said.

"Where will you go if we return to Nanyang City?" Shu Fengzi suddenly asked.

"Right!" The monk also called out, "Commander Qin, you’re not thinking of going to that dragon’s den alone, are you? Besides, what good would it do for you to go alone? It would be a waste!"

"Right, Commander Qin, we can’t afford to lose you now!" Scissors also said, "Given the current dire situation, we need to prepare for the worst. If you leave the army as the commander, it will affect morale!"

Qin Feng glared at them, "I have to go and see. Marshal Zuo has been good to me. There are also Langya and Leopard there. They are my brothers. They have survived through countless battles, and their chances of survival are high. Moreover, we need to understand the enemy’s detailed situation to prepare for future battles. We need to know the scale of the Western Qin forces and their combat objectives. We can’t fight blindly."

"Can’t this be done by sending a few scouts?" Shu Fengzi asked.

"Do you not know what kind of people we have in the Death Corps? In the past, with the army’s discipline and rules, they could behave. Now, if we send someone out, they might run away in an instant," Qin Feng sneered, "You lead the retreat, I’ll go and gather intelligence. Don’t worry, I’m not a fool. I won’t run into the enemy. I just need to gather some information. Besides, I can run fast."

The Death Corps began to retreat. They, who had been preparing to flee all along, quickly set off on their journey. However, their faces were no longer as relaxed as they had been in the past few days. They would soon face the most difficult battle in history. The garrison in Nanyang City was far inferior to the western border army in terms of equipment. If the Western Qin launched a large-scale attack, it was uncertain whether Nanyang City could be held. Other units could flee, but they could not.

"Be careful." Shu Fengzi didn’t say much, pulling out a few small bottles from his chest and handing them to Qin Feng, "These are some medicines for treating internal and external injuries. Take them, they might be useful."

"Thank you!" Qin Feng smiled and nodded, "Fengzi, when you return to Nanyang City, leave the Death Corps. This time, the Death Corps might not survive. Other units can flee, but we can’t. We can only fight to the death. When the time comes, Lord Feng will likely use the Death Corps to the fullest."

Shu Fengzi nodded, "I will leave. In this kind of battle, I won’t be much help and might become a burden. But before I leave, I’ll prepare more medicine for them."

"That’s good. If I don’t die, come find me later." Qin Feng laughed.

Looking at Qin Feng, Shu Fengzi suddenly smiled, "Qin Feng, are you going to take this risk for Princess Zhaohua? She’s a good girl, isn’t she?"

"Partly for her." Qin Feng sighed, "The court might not care if others die, but if Princess Zhaohua dies, how many people in Nanyang Prefecture do you think would have to die to appease the court’s anger?"

"Damn it, they were the ones who made this battle plan!" Shu Fengzi said angrily.

Qin Feng smiled coldly, "They will have countless excuses to push the responsibility down. So I have to go and see."

"Be careful. If it gets too dangerous, run. Wherever you go, you can still live. You don’t have to hang yourself on one tree."

"That’s true. Maybe I’ll follow you and run around the world later!"