Although Jiang Huoer had stayed silent earlier, pretending to be mute, he’d genuinely feared they’d cut out his tongue.
Based on the terrain, the horses, and what those men said, they clearly planned to kidnap Princess Taikang to bargain with the Emperor. Their confident expressions showed absolute faith in their deployment. Their plan was solid. If Jiang Huoer did nothing, the Imperial Capital forces entering this area tomorrow would walk straight to their deaths.
Jiang Huoer deduced they’d wait for the main Imperial Capital troops to enter, then unleash cavalry to charge the formation. Even without heavy cavalry, the horses bursting from narrow paths would scatter the troops instantly. No battle formation could hold.
He needed a plan... He had nothing left; his only Huoer High Altitude Cannon was taken. They probably saw it as a toy. A bit of gunpowder remained—enough for two shots—but they’d never dare fire it. That cannon was powerful and loud. If they made noise, the Imperial Capital forces would send scouts and spot them immediately.
What usable items did he have? Jiang Huoer recalled his bamboo basket. He’d packed most firearms except his big cannon. Divine Mechanism Arrows—he had about ten. A Single Barrel Fire Gun. And a fresh, untested Triple Barrel Fire Gun. Medicines? His mom had packed those; he’d taken none. Wait... he had taken something...
A smile tugged at Jiang Huoer’s lips. That item would definitely work.
To retrieve it, he first had to free his wrists. Luckily, jagged rocks littered the stable area. Even at night, Jiang Huoer saw clearly and found them easily.
Guards here were less alert than at the cave. None approached him. They must truly believe his story—or were overly confident in their plan.
After untying the ropes, Jiang Huoer didn’t linger. Dawn was one or two hours away. Better early than late; daylight would ruin everything. The stable was still far from his stash. Time was precious.
Climbing the slope, he made a slight noise. His heart nearly jumped out. But the dozing guards didn’t stir. He slipped past.
He’d planned to grab just the medicine pouch. But with no time to return, he took everything. Medicine stuffed into his pants pocket. Firearms...
“How could I forget this?!” Jiang Huoer exclaimed, staring at the spherical object in his hand. This was his only successful bomb—not a cannonball, but a true explosive.
At its top sat a pin he’d shaped with a silver needle. Pulling it ignited a longer fuse, delaying the blast for throwing. Without a mold, making pins was hard. He’d only ever built two bombs: one he’d detonated earlier, and this one.
“I’d planned to keep it as a souvenir, sigh...” He shook his head, sighed, kissed the Huoer Bomb, and tucked it into his right pocket.
Jiang Huoer glanced up. The sky was already lightening. He had to hurry back.
As the Eastern Dawn broke, smoke rose from stable kitchens. Battle loomed; both men and warhorses needed feeding.
If kitchens were together, he could dose them all at once. But they were separate. Daylight forced stealth. He’d have to dose the horses instead.
Sorry about this, guys, but a little gut cleanse might do you good~~~
The medicine only worked when the horses moved. Jiang Huoer wasn’t worried about exposure.
Before breakfast, Suryehok and Duermu checked on Jiang Huoer, bringing food. Duermu was meticulous; Jiang Huoer noticed him studying the knot while untying it. But Jiang Huoer had anticipated this—he’d woken a half-asleep Mongol soldier to retie him on his return.
People don’t remember things done while drowsy. Even if recalled, that soldier wouldn’t rush to report it.
“Stay here quietly,” Suryehok said. “After we finish, we’ll decide your fate.” Inwardly, he and Duermu agreed: this man must live.
Killing him mattered little. After this morning, they’d retreat to the Northern Frontier. Long-term, his technology benefited the Mongol Troops and future strategies. He had to survive.
Jiang Huoer nodded.
“Did you check earlier?” Suryehok asked Duermu back in the cave. “No issues?”
“Everything’s normal,” Duermu nodded.
“Good. Next, we face the Ming Army.” Suryehok’s expression darkened. “We barely slept last night. Rest comes after this battle—sleep all you want then.”
This fight was hard-won for Suryehok. Since the news arrived, he’d had no proper rest. Years of battling the Ming Dynasty brought only losses. Not one victory. They’d even bribed Ming border generals with tribal beauties for this chance. He couldn’t miss it.
“Chief, I’ll lead the vanguard,” Arslan said. “Have cavalry create an opening for Shao Bu to charge the enemy rear. Except for Princess Taikang, I can kill anyone I want.”
Suryehok nodded. “Kill whoever you can.”
