217 Get on the Horse and Yousre a Thief V (2/2)
”Even if they were not the representative of those backing the Horse Gang, these ten riders must be in charge.” Ning Que looked at the Horse Gang who pointed at their camp with their riding crops. He looked at their mask and said in a low voice, ”We have to get rid of those ten if we have the chance. We might be able to get out of this then.”
Mo Shanshan stood by him and looked at them. ”You've once said that their goal is not the grains. Killing them would be useless.”
”The Horse Gang are simply thieves. They do not take orders from anyone. They are more afraid of death than anyone else. I believe that no matter the Palace or the Yan Kingdom, they must have each bought out different sections of the Horse Gang.”
Ning Que looked at her and said, ”That is to say, the Horse Gang before us do not belong to a singular entity. They are not a team. They only listen to the leader of the ten riders who arrived today. If we get rid of them, they will retreat.”
He added on seriously, ”I've said it once and I'll say it again. You are the strongest of the entire team. You must not show your hand until the very end. Otherwise, it'd be a waste.”
Mo Shanshan's hooded lids and long lashes cast a shadow on her snow white skin. She was extremely beautiful and adorable. However, her silence also made one antsy.
Ning Que did not bother with her but removed the heavy bag off the back of the big black horse. He then made his way into the horse carriage behind. He said seriously, ”The things in the bag are very important to me. Please guard them well.”
Mo Shanshan looked up and said, ”Your secret?”
”Indeed.” Ning Que replied.
”You seem to have lots of secrets.”
”You too,” Ning Que replied.
Mo Shanshan squinted slightly and asked, ”Why were you never worried that they might ambush us at night?”
Ning Que looked at her eyes and the light creases at the side. He could not help but think of the leaves of a certain plant. Perhaps the willow tree?
”The reason is simple. That is because it is difficult to find the gold hidden by merchants in the dark. If they search for it in daylight, they might get caught by the army. Ambushing us in the dark might also affect their shooting abilities, which is one of their best skills. They cannot accept this. It is unusual that they have followed us for so many days.”
Mo Shanshan's eyebrows rose. ”Since this is unusual, why would they not also do an unusual night ambush?”
Ning Que discovered that it was indeed easy to lose to the girl in white. He paused for a moment before replying, ”This is wisdom exchanged with fresh blood and death of their elders. They will not turn their backs against it.”
”Perhaps we should say that they do not wish to turn their backs against it. Because it has been drilled into their bones and their subconscious.” Ning Que looked at her. ”It's like how you write your talisman. You do not need to think how to write, and your hands would make a decision before your mind does. It will move on its own.”
Mo Shanshan looked at him silently before asking, ”You've studied talismans?”
Ning Que smiled warmly, ”A little.”
Perhaps it was the nearing battle, or the beautiful twilight, or the impending night. Mo Shanshan looked much more affable to him right now even though her eyes were proud and slightly cold and wooden. He thought to himself, that she had reason to, given her current position in the world.
Similarly, Mo Shanshan felt that the young Tang lad looked much more affable now.
...
...
Ning Que spent the night with a few other riders from the Yan army. He ordered for them to sleep perched on a horse. They were not allowed to shed their armor. Similarly, he had donned on a light armor of the Yan army.
”The relief troop is on their way. We will gain victory if we make it to noon.”
He looked at the slightly lost and numb cavalry of Yan seriously by the bonfire.
There was finally a change in the expressions of the Yan army as hope glimmered in their eyes.
Ning Que did not know if the relief troop will come. But he knew that come dawn tomorrow, the Horse Gang would definitely attack. If things did not go well, he would not hesitate to ride away on his big black horse.
He must not forget his package and Cat Girl, as well as Zhuo Zhihua... and Mo Shansahn. It seemed that he had too many things and people to bring along.