Chapter 93

The residents of Huguan, though more numerous than those of Jinyang, still numbered less than three-tenths of the population at its peak. Thus, the city was filled with abandoned houses, often with dozens of neighboring homes unoccupied. Gao Xiang crouched low, moving between the empty houses. His movements were agile and alert, his steps silent, like a leopard running through the jungle.

His target was the military camp in the southern part of the city. The distance was short, and with his agility, he could reach it in half a moment. If he could return to the camp and firmly control the four-tenths of the troops stationed in Huguan, the situation could still be salvaged. Otherwise, there was no need to say more; only death awaited him.

Thinking this, Gao Xiang's heart grew hotter, but his steps suddenly stopped.

"Come out," he sneered.

"Come out!" he growled again.

The moonlight shone over the night in Huguan, and the surroundings were silent, with no unusual movements.

Gao Xiang clenched and unclenched his fists several times, the joints cracking. He shouted again, "Come out!"

"Ah..." a voice sighed, "General Gao, General Gao, why go to such lengths?" As he spoke, a middle-aged scholar emerged from behind a nearby earthen wall. Soon, one by one, warriors appeared from the ruins around, surrounding Gao Xiang in the center.

The middle-aged scholar had a square face and a long beard, exuding an air of authority. He was Hou Mo, the chief clerk of the General of the Horizontal Wilderness. This man was a strategist for Long Jimeng. It was under Hou Mo's persuasion that Gao Xiang had decided to break away from Lu Yao's forces. Despite his scholarly appearance, Hou Mo, like Gao Xiang, had a penchant for indulgence. In fact, they were old drinking and gambling buddies.

The warriors surrounding Gao Xiang numbered about twenty. From their appearance and attire, they were clearly from the nomadic tribes beyond the borders. Though they varied in age and rank, they all exuded a formidable presence. Gao Xiang, an expert in martial arts, knew at a glance that these were elite warriors, each worth a hundred men. In the wilderness, each of them could be a leader of a band of outlaws.

Gao Xiang's eyes flickered, his heart pounding harder, and his limbs growing colder. He knew that in this situation, death was inevitable.

He remained silent, flipped his hand, and drew his sword, holding it across his chest.

"Brother Gao, don't be rash!" Hou Mo said with a sincere expression, "This is all a misunderstanding. Can I explain?"

Gao Xiang sneered but said nothing.

Hou Mo said with deep concern, "Brother Gao, General Long has always treated you with great affection and trust. When you expressed a desire to lead a separate force, he granted you the position of military commander and assigned half of the entire army to you. When you showed a fondness for wine, women, and wealth, he lavished you with gold, silk, and women. Whenever he obtained rare treasures, he shared them with you. You are a man of bold nature, unwilling to be bound by military discipline, and General Long never imposed any restrictions on you. Why did he do this? He hoped you would join him in achieving great things."

Gao Xiang's expression changed slightly, then he said coldly, "What about the hundreds of armored soldiers hidden in the general's residence and the men surrounding me here?"

"That was just a precaution," Hou Mo's expression remained unchanged. "Isn't it said that a plan will fail if it is not kept secret? To achieve great things, one must have a backup plan."

"Achieve great things? What great things?"

"Since the founding of the Han dynasty by Emperor Gaozu, the Han Empire has lasted for four hundred years. However, it has been plagued by eunuch corruption, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the rise of traitors like the Cao and Sima families. For over a hundred years, the imperial temples have been without offerings. In recent years, the Sima family's tyranny has led to the suffering of the people, with only one in ten surviving. The Sima brothers and their sons have been killing each other, weakening their own power. Liu Yuan, the King of Han, is a descendant of the Blue Wolf and White Deer, and a nephew of the Han royal family. He has been chosen by the wise to continue the legacy of the three ancestors. Therefore, General Long..."

Gao Xiang, impatient, said, "Old Hou, spare me the long speech. I'm a simple man and don't understand. Just tell me, what do the Xiongnu plan to do with me?"

Hou Mo was secretly delighted, knowing that Gao Xiang was ultimately a man who feared death. He said seriously, "At this moment, Prince Liu He, the Left Virtuous King of the Han Kingdom, has arrived in Huguan. General Long has strongly recommended you to His Highness. Brother Gao, you grew up in the northern frontier, and you must know that the Xiongnu admire brave and strong men, not weak scholars like me. When I came, Prince Liu He personally instructed me that with your bravery, you would be of great use to our Han Kingdom. If you are willing to join General Long, the positions of General of Martial Valor and Governor of Shangdang are waiting for you!"

Gao Xiang's eyes lit up, and he unconsciously lowered his sword. "Really?"

"Really!" Hou Mo said loudly.

"Truly? Don't you think I'm a simple man, Hou Chief Clerk!" Gao Xiang's eyes darted, suspiciously asking.

Seeing Gao Xiang's act, the surrounding Xiongnu warriors all showed looks of disdain. Hou Mo, however, laughed and walked towards Gao Xiang, "Hahaha, General Gao, you worry too much..."

Before he could finish, a blade of light flashed, cutting Hou Mo in half at the waist.

Hou Mo's upper body fell to the ground, and his intestines spilled out, spreading a foul odor. He did not die immediately, his eyes wide open, staring at his severed waist, and he let out a terrible scream.

"I may not be a good man, but I won't betray my ancestors," Gao Xiang licked the blood from the corner of his mouth and sneered, "Killing this traitor, I can die without regret."

The dozens of Xiongnu warriors were stunned by his move, hesitating for a moment before roaring and charging at Gao Xiang.

In the residence of the General of the Horizontal Wilderness, Liu He said calmly, "It's time. Act now."

Following his order, the situation in Huguan changed dramatically.

In the southern military camp, several high-ranking officers held an order from General Long Jimeng, commanding Gao Xiang's troops to form ranks outside the camp. Then, a large number of Long Jimeng's direct troops rushed in, disarming them. Gao Xiang's men were in chaos, but without their officers, they were quickly suppressed. Over a dozen leading soldiers were executed on the spot, their heads hung high on the flagpoles.

In the elegant room of the Chunfeng Tower, where red candles burned, the silk curtains were suddenly torn down, and the sound of blades slicing through the air followed. In an instant, three men who had been lively a moment ago were cut into seventeen or eighteen pieces. The gushing blood splattered onto the fair skin of the courtesan, eliciting a sharp scream.

At the southern gate of Shangdang, where the smell of wine and meat lingered, Zhu Yunzhi, who had been drinking with Yu Xi in the gatehouse, suddenly felt dizzy and fell to the ground. Yu Xi calmly put down his wine cup, took a short knife from his sleeve, and lightly slit his throat.

The dozen men waiting quietly by the wall lifted their cloaks, revealing their armor and weapons. They rushed to the city tower, cutting down the unprepared soldiers like slicing through melons.

Yu Xi, perched on the city tower, directed the men to quickly lower the drawbridge. The heavy drawbridge crashed onto the ground on the other side of the moat, making a loud noise that echoed in the quiet night.

This loud noise was like a signal. In the dark night outside the city gate, a light appeared. Then came five, ten, a hundred lights, spreading out as far as the eye could see. Moments later, Yu Xi saw an entire army illuminated by countless torches.

They were the Xiongnu.

******

The recommendation period for the Wind and Cloud Rankings is about to end, and the increase in the number of favorites is not significant, which is quite embarrassing... The next phase will be a long period of no promotion, and I will continue to write as usual. I hope all readers will continue to support and help! If it's convenient, I would be grateful if you could help with some advertising... ORZ

In the past few days, several friends have left positive comments in the book review section, which I find very touching. Additionally, I am grateful for the continued support from the friend "Not the Wind."

On Baidu Tieba and Longkong, several friends have written long reviews. I am deeply honored by their attention and will post the reviews in the related sections of the work.

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