Chapter Fifty-two: Reconnaissance

  The night sky was endless, the gentle breeze rustling, this summer day's cool wind should have made people feel relaxed and comfortable. But for some reason, the wind at this time blew with a chill, making one's hair stand on end. In Wang Shan's large camp, the chaos had subsided, after more than 200 heads were hung up as examples, no one dared to escape again. Although the soldiers still secretly spread rumors about how brutal Xu Wei's troops were, that was just hearsay, compared to the fear in front of them, it didn't amount to much.

  The bandits sat on the ground, some already fast asleep, while others still stared blankly at the burning bonfire with their eyes open. From the day they took to the grasslands, they had no idea what tomorrow would bring. Maybe they could repel another round of government troops; maybe they could plunder a batch of grain and eat for a few more days; or maybe there wouldn't be a tomorrow.

  For those who were forced to join, this night was destined to be a long and painful ordeal. On one side was the ruthless bandit leader, on the other was the fierce government army, they seemed to have no way out. Occasionally looking up at the hanging heads, these people couldn't help but lament, in such a vast world, why is there no way for us to survive? We just want a bowl of rice to fill our stomachs and a piece of clothing to cover our shame, why must it be so difficult?

  "Sleep, maybe we won't be able to sleep tomorrow." said a fellow who woke up from his dream.

  Yes, tomorrow maybe I won't be able to sleep, or maybe I'll sleep forever. Who cares? In this chaotic world, human life is cheaper than a dog's. As long as I have a bed to sleep in today, that's all that matters. Moving my numb body, just thinking of lying down, suddenly rubbing my eyes, could it be that I saw wrong? There seems to be shadows moving outside! Looking again carefully, no mistake, it is a shadow, slowly moving over. The patrolman has fallen asleep with his gun in his arms, humph, if discovered by the higher-ups, he'll surely get a good beating. No good! It's a person!

  "Officials, officials, officials..."

  "What's the big deal? Go to sleep..."

  "Fire! Put out the fire!" A loud cry echoed through the bandit camp. Countless bandits who had their peaceful sleep disturbed rubbed their sleepy eyes and cursed with unclear speech. When they opened their eyes to take a look, they were shocked! Indeed, fires had broken out! Not just once, but on the left, right, east sides, everywhere was on fire! Heaven! Even King Wang's main tent in the central camp was also on fire!

  "Government troops!" The Han man who had been possessed by the evil spirit finally let out a loud cry. Too late, the bandits on guard were still in their dreams, and they had their throats cut before they could even react. A figure swiftly slipped in, quickly lifting open the barrier. Almost at the same time, horseshoes clattered loudly from the west! Countless bandits jumped up, searching everywhere for their weapons.

  "The government army is attacking the camp! Everyone run for your lives!" More than one person shouted loudly. Upon hearing this, the bandits who were still searching for weapons to resist turned pale with fear, their minds went blank, and their bodies involuntarily followed their companions in a frantic dash to the east. The cavalry came charging in with great momentum, at incredible speed. The mounted soldiers wielded long spears and large axes, slaughtering everyone in their path. Many people had barely jumped up from the ground before they became headless ghosts.

  In an instant, the bandit camp was in great chaos. The thieves swarmed out and fled, all rushing to the east, but there were too many people, trampling each other, one fell down, tripping over a piece, and those behind didn't stop at all, regardless of their companions crying on the ground, heavily trampled.

  "Kill!" Just as they were about to rush out of the camp, a thunderous cry of "kill" came from the east! The first person, fully armed, held a five-foot long knife, with a chilling gleam in his eye! Behind him, countless figures surged forward like a tidal wave, shouting and killing their way in. Oh mother, heaven has no gate, earth has no road, is this really the end? The bandits were crying out to heaven and earth, desperate to the extreme.

  Just then, someone shouted: "The government troops are everywhere! There is no way to escape, those who can swim follow me into the lake!" As soon as the words were spoken, a large group of bandits were seen fleeing north, and that was exactly where the Great Wild Marsh was.

  Shouts, wails, killing sounds, footsteps, hoofbeats, and the crackling of flames all blended together in a chaotic mess. Not one person came out to give orders or organize, until Wang Shang emerged from the central command tent, disheveled and unkempt, only to be met by a warhorse galloping towards him at full speed.

  With a sudden leap, he narrowly avoided the galloping horses and stood up straight, shouting loudly: "Don't panic! Don't be chaotic! You bunch of fools, are you holding fire tongs in your hands...?" No matter how much he yelled and scolded, no one paid attention to him. He looked around with wide eyes, seeing the camp engulfed in a raging inferno, with enemies everywhere. The tens of thousands of soldiers and horses he had managed to rally were scattered and fleeing in all directions, some even kneeling on the ground, holding their weapons above their heads...

  His teeth were almost bitten to pieces, he stamped his foot fiercely and gave up! Today I admit defeat! My reputation is at stake, I'll reorganize the troops again! The sound of killing came from all directions in front of and behind him. Wang Shan was shocked, bent down to grab two handfuls of mud and smeared them on his face, then mixed into the crowd and ran with his head down. No! Why are they all running north? That's where the lake is! These gluttons, pigs and dogs, others haven't killed you, yet you're jumping into the lake to seek death!

  Struggling to squeeze out of the crowd, he was about to run east along the lake shore when a loud voice shouted: "Wang Shanzhou, don't run!" Turning his head, he saw a short and stout man with two short knives in hand, chasing after him with all his might.

  What bitter suffering!

  Wang Shan let out a loud cry, his legs bursting with energy as he sprinted wildly to the east. The man behind him switched one of his knives to his other hand and pulled something out from his chest pocket, shouting "Now!" in a low voice. As expected, Wang Shan fell forward at the sound of his voice. The man was overjoyed and rushed forward hastily, but before he could even reach Wang Shan, the latter suddenly sprang up, a cold glint flashing in his hand. The man's heart skipped a beat as he quickly raised his knives to block the attack. A crisp cracking sound rang out as Wang Shan's knife chopped down right in front of the man's chest - if he hadn't reacted in time, wouldn't he have fallen prey to Wang Shan's blade?

  Wang Shan's first strike missed, and he launched a fierce counterattack, each blow aimed at the vital spots. The man, however, remained calm, dodging nimbly as before, but suddenly ducked down and slipped past Wang Shan's attack. With a swift motion, he swung both blades across Wang Shan's legs. A muffled groan escaped Wang Shan's lips as he stumbled and fell to his knees, using his sword to prop himself up in an attempt to rise again. But the man had already pinned him down with his twin blades pressed against Wang Shan's neck.

  "An Qingzi Li Guan?" A name flashed through his mind, and Wang Shan involuntarily cried out.

  "Do you also know Grandfather's great name?" Li Guan's hands tightened, the knife had already cut through skin and flesh, Wang Shan endured the pain, forcing himself not to make a sound.

  "Li Guan is a great name, who in the world does not know him? Good fellow, today Wang certain recognizes me, but begs to spare my life. Let me reorganize my troops, and I am willing to share with brothers..."

  Li Guan didn't let him finish, cutting him off with a snort: "Pah! What kind of thing are you? Grandfather is now following the Jingwei Camp, Xu Wei, Xu Deputy Envoy, eating from the imperial court, using the imperial court, killing a rebel and getting three guans of reward. Now that we've caught you, it's a great achievement, Commander-in-Chief will definitely have a heavy reward! Collaborate with you as a bandit? Betray your mother's time! Get up!"

  Wang Shan knew in his heart that if he was caught, he would definitely die at the hands of Xu Wei. He gripped the steel knife tightly and thought about fighting to the death. Just then, Li Guan sneered from behind him, "Do you believe I can cut your tendons?"

  ..............

  A word once spoken cannot be taken back! The third watch has arrived!