Chapter 61 - Reconnaissance (1/2)
”Thank fucking god I was there to save these kids. The general would have skinned me alive otherwise,” sweat trickled down the side of his face just thinking about what would have happened if he had messed this mission up.
”Wait, if the General knew her father was coming here, or even just her, he wouldn't have sent me alone. There would at least be one of the bigger armies here,” he thought to himself, confused.
”Did the General Li know your guys were coming?” he asked with a frown.
She shook her head, ”No, Father knew there probably would be leaks along the way so he only told the general that someone from the royal family was coming over and that he should keep an eye on the caravan.”
”Aha, no wonder. I'm pretty sure he would have even come himself if he knew her father was coming,” Hao Xuan thought inwardly.
”Alright. You've eaten and healed. I'm going to go probe around the area, maybe find out the bandits exact location and then we can leave. We have to regroup with my subordinates and then we can make a plan to get your dad out.”
”Yes,” she obediently nodded in response although it was obvious she wanted to jump into action right that second.
Hao Xuan once again left to search for the bandit camp. It was about 7 a.m and the sun had barely come out but below the tree line, it was still completely dark.
He slowly made his way to the caravan ruins and from there looked for any footprints to follow. Unfortunately, it had already been almost 2 days since the caravan was ambushed and the rain had washed away all evidence.
”Hmm?” he finally noticed the new crater that was filled with water. ”This wasn't here last night,” he looked around and found three other small holes. With a bit more 'investigation', he found four sets of footprints that had left deep impressions in the ground. They were formed when the four Jia soldiers fell down the night before and were about half a foot deep. There were less noticeable because of the water that had filled them up during the rain.
”So, that way then?” The footprints were facing south, meaning they came from somewhere north.
”It can't be that easy to hide more than 400 people. And they should have stayed close enough to send reinforcements,” he figured and slowly starting moving back into the jungle.
”A rat just entered the trap,” a being imprisoned in chains with its head completely covered in bandages spoke with a muffled voice. It was in a large tent with no furniture other than a chair.
”How far?” asked a hooded figure sitting on the chair in front of it.
”Three miles. Coming in from the south-east.”
”Just one?”
”Yes.”
”Good. You'll be set free once we have what we are looking for. This is your home, it would be a shame if you died without even knowing why. Keep cooperating and it will be over quick,” the hooded figure said once again and left.
The four Jia soldiers were standing outside. As soon as they saw the hooded figure come out of the tent they bowed their heads, ”Your Highness!”
”How many times have I told you not to address me like that? I am but a shadow, treat me as such,” the figure spoke nonchalantly but the soldiers felt an invisible pressure, ”He's angry,” they thought.