Chapter 39

"Damn it... This time, it feels like I came back from the dead."

Lin Chong's complaint was met with a somewhat agreeing tone from Ma Hua.

"This time, the Mongol army's movements were really impressive, don't you think, Commander?"

Ma Hua's question was met with a nod from Guo Guang.

"Right, his tactics are impressive. But that's not enough to destroy the Black Wind Gang. They are a group with strong martial arts, so unless the other side deploys martial artists, it will be difficult to deal a significant blow to the Black Wind Gang. Still, the Mongol soldiers suffered a blow in this battle, which is a problem."

"But aren't the Mongol soldiers just a presence that doesn't matter much to our allied forces? Would it really be a problem if their morale drops a bit?"

"Not exactly. There's a big difference between fighting with just the Black Wind Gang and forming an allied army with them. Even if you think they're useless, you still have to cater to their chieftains' moods. If we don't work well together, even things we could do alone won't be possible. In the worst case, we could be attacked from both sides due to the chieftains' betrayal and be completely wiped out."

"That's true. By the way, now that the battle is over, do we really need to go see Habur?"

"Ugh..."

Ma Hua was puzzled by Guo Guang's sudden strange reaction.

"Why are you like that?"

Ma Hua, looking bewildered, and Guo Guang, looking terrified... Seeing their expressions, Lin Chong found it amusing and said to Guo Guang as if he knew everything.

"Hehe, these days, just thinking about Habur makes me think of fresh, bloody meat."

"Actually, these days, I even dream about bloody meat jumping into my mouth... What should I do about this?"

"How about taking a break from each other for a while?"

"Taking a break? It sounds easy, but it's a bit..."

"Why not? Did you get caught in some weakness?"

"Weakness?"

Guo Guang smiled bitterly, thinking, "Maybe."

At first, Habur was overwhelmed by Guo Guang's terrifying aura, with his black armor and face mask, only showing cold eyes. But as time passed, she noticed his gentle and kind nature, his inability to be too aggressive with women, and a softness that couldn't be found in the fierce Mongol men who had survived brutal competition. Once she instinctively picked up on these traits, it became her world. Her subordinates found it very amusing to see Guo Guang being controlled by the young Habur, and they would encourage her, saying things like "That's the nature of men" and "You have to educate your husband this way," which made life hell for Guo Guang.

'How could living with a young girl be so difficult...'

While Guo Guang was sighing deeply, he received some very welcome news. A messenger came running and shouted,

"Commander Guan is preparing to move out."

Guo Guang, puzzled by the sudden news, asked,

"Why?"

"He's detaching from the main force as soon as everything is ready. I don't know the details."

Guo Guang nodded, as if to say, "There's always a way out, even if the sky falls."

"Really? What a coincidence... Even if you trip and fall, you land face-first on a coin. Good, Ma Hua!"

Ma Hua smiled, as if to say, "I can't stop you."

"Yes."

"Tell everyone to prepare for the move. Also, prepare enough food for a few days, just in case. I'll go to the tent."

Ma Hua chuckled.

"Should you report to Habur?"

Hit where it hurt, Guo Guang shouted,

"Don't say nonsense and go quickly!"

"Yes!"

As Guo Guang entered the tent, Habur followed and hugged him.

"Is it over now?"

"The battle today is over."

"Are you tired? Sit down. Should I prepare a meal?"

Guo Guang smiled awkwardly.

"No, I don't need a meal. I have to move out now... I might not see you for a few days."

Habur looked a bit disappointed but soon perked up and started moving busily. She had learned from her late mother that when her husband goes to war, she should make him leave with a peaceful mind, not by causing trouble. Habur brought a full bowl of mare's milk wine and smiled.

"Even if you're leaving now, you should eat something. There's no meat prepared, but at least have some mare's milk wine."

Guo Guang forced a smile and declined.

"I'm fine..."

But Habur, who firmly believed that she should feed her husband well before he left for battle, thought that since he had come to see her, she should take care of him.

"Have at least a little. The grassland nights are cold. Drinking mare's milk wine will keep you warm."

Smiling, she filled a bowl and offered it sincerely. Guo Guang, unable to refuse, took the bowl and drank it down. Habur, watching him with a smile, poured another.

"Have more. A strong man needs to eat a lot."

"I'm full now..."

After finishing another bowl, Guo Guang was finally free from the fear of mare's milk wine. He stroked Habur's head and said goodbye. Although he firmly believed he wouldn't die, Guo Guang, who had no experience in war, always wondered if this might be the last time he saw Habur when he left for battle, so he always said goodbye to her.

"Be good. That's what a good girl does."

"Yes."

The endless Tengling Plain... It's called a plain, but there are gentle hills scattered here and there. In one corner, Black Wind Gang members were busy changing clothes, and on another hill, men in black armor, each carrying a large sword on their waist or back, were looking at a point on the horizon.

"We've come quite a long way, so the enemy probably hasn't noticed us yet."

"Right. Commander Guan seems to be quite skilled at surprise attacks."

"Hehe, it's amazing."

"What is?"

Guo Guang's tone was sarcastic.

"Who would have thought that the Great Black Wind Gang is actually a group skilled at surprise attacks."

Ma Hua's expression turned serious.

"Well, that's what you have to do. To make the most of a small, elite force, a surprise attack is the best."

"By the way, from 25 li (about 10 kilometers) away, the enemy really looks like ants. The city of Bao looks like a toy."

At this moment, Lin Chong, dressed in Mongol clothes, came running up, panting, and handed a set of clothes to Guo Guang and Ma Hua. Ma Hua, taking it absentmindedly, asked,

"What's this?"

Lin Chong smiled and replied,

"What else? Mongol clothes. Commander Guan's order is to wear these for the night raid. And tie this white cloth around your left arm to show that you're on our side."

Ma Hua, taking off his armor and about to put on the Mongol clothes, frowned.

"Ugh... What's this smell?"

Lin Chong smiled, as if it was obvious.

"Mongols hardly ever bathe, so of course their clothes smell. But I specially picked less smelly ones for the commander and you."

Ma Hua, not thinking about the effort, got angry.

"You picked these? These?"

"What can I do? The order came suddenly, and we could only get about 300 sets. Where was there time to wash them?"

"Now that you mention it... If I had known, I would have brought a set from Habur."

"Good idea, but the main camp is dozens of li away. Do you want to go back alone?"

"..."

"Stop complaining and put them on. Who doesn't have a nose? They'll know you're wearing them."

Guo Guang, who had been silently watching the Mongol camp, turned to Lin Chong.

"When is the surprise attack supposed to start?"

"Yes, it's supposed to start at the third watch. Since we only have 300 sets of clothes, the best martial artists in the thousand-man unit will wear them, and the rest will guard the armor and lie in ambush to help the raiders retreat. The remaining ambush group will be commanded by Commander Mengjue."