Chapter 369 (1/2)

Chapter 369: Worthless Deaths

The officers had heard what was going on. They knew there was no need for so many of them if they were only going to steal the supplies. They a.s.sumed Nan Xun was going to pick one of them to lead a team.

“I'm going to lead the team for intercepting the supplies myself,” Nan Xun said.

The officers didn't expect that. Stealing supplies might seem like a simple enough task, but it wasn't. It was a common tactic. Eastern Wu was likely to have foreseen their action. If their operation failed, it could mean deaths. That was why anyone of importance was rarely a.s.signed to such a task.

“Please allow me to do it,” an officer spoke up.

Nan Xun waved a hand dismissively and sat down. “I'm not arguing with you. What I want to talk about is the general battle plan tomorrow.”

“Eastern Wu will be ready, but they know they can't put too many people to safeguard the supplies. At most, they may put one officer in charge, and they won't do anything until noon. If that's the case, there's no reason for us to go head to head with them… March out tomorrow morning and catch them off guard. Forget about the supplies… I'll teach you how you're going to command the troops. Do not make any mistakes. You have to convince them that I'm still in the army.”

Nan Xun talked until his voice was hoa.r.s.e. He finished a pot of tea himself, which helped a little.

The officers had learned a lot from Nan Xun that night. Their eyes were bright with excitement.

When the meeting ended, the day was about to break. It was time for them to set out. Nan Xun made his way back to his tent.

Jun Huang was already awake when he entered. She looked up at him and smiled. “You must have formulated a plan already. We should go. Time's a wastin.”

Nan Xun took the tea Jun Huagn had asked for earlier and left the tent with her. They joined up with a team of soldiers and rode out.

The sun hadn't risen above the horizon. It was dark, and the wind was chilling. Jun Huang leaned closer toward Nan Xun. The horses left hoof prints on the snow.

They moved quickly. Soon, they heard something approaching them. They exchanged a glance and dismounted. After hiding the horses, they went up a hill and lay low.

Nan Xun was almost on top of Jun Huang, s.h.i.+elding her from the falling snow. He pulled her closer, worried that she would feel cold. “Take this. Just to be safe.”

Jun Huang turned to see Nan Xun handing her a dagger. She took it without hesitation.

Illuminated by the rising sun was a group of men. They were Eastern Wu's couriers.

Once they had entered the circle Nan Xun's men made, Nan Xun charged out with his soldiers. The sudden turn of events caught the couriers off guard.

Nan Xun's men were quick and agile. The couriers had been in a rush to deliver the supplies. They didn't dare cause a delay when Ji Bo was in such a hurry. Thus, they hadn't gotten much sleep. The ambush caught them by surprise. Many of them were struck down before they could even draw their swords.

A courrier who had been staying at the back started. Recognizing the futility of resistance, he fled. Jun Huang spotted him running away. She narrowed her eyes and went after him.

The man didn't expect that. He drew his sword. Jun Huang only had a dagger as her weapon. She picked up a wooden branch to block the blade.

The man relaxed when he saw that his pursuer was a woman. He struck at Jun Huang with quick and precise moves.

Jun Huang backed away from a coming slash, her back knocking into a tree. With an eyebrow raised, she kicked the trunk to propel herself and leapt over the man's head. The man dodged to the side quickly, but Jun Huang's dagger managed to cut his arm.

Nan Xun finished off the couriers and came for Jun Huang before the man could strike again. He kicked the man in the back and knocked him off the hill.

Jun Huang was going to rush down to take care of the man, but Nan Xun stopped her.

“Are we just going to let him go?” she asked.