Jiang Huoer hadn’t expected this trick. All the Mongol soldiers were hidden in the narrow path, cavalry mounted on their horses. He could occasionally hear their hushed whispers about encircling the Great Ming forces in one strike.

Luckily, everything still fit his plan. The ropes binding his hands had just been broken. No one would notice his movements now.

They seemed ready for a quick battle. Jiang Huoer saw no heavy cavalry in his view—not after breakfast when he’d secretly peeked ahead. Their formation used three columns, the traditional Mongol Cavalry tactic.

“Good thing it’s not too passive,” Huor sighed. His head throbbed from yesterday’s long march and poor rest. His body ached with exhaustion. He just wanted this resolved so he could sleep.

Yang Su’s second echelon advanced into the valley.

“She’s still a woman. Too far to see clearly now. If she’s pretty up close, don’t kill her—let me take her as my wife,” Arslan said naively.

“Are you stupid? That’s Yang Su’s Vice General, Lieutenant Liu. She leads the second echelon. If you spare her, she’ll kill you. We won’t save you,” Shao Bu shot Arslan a disdainful glance.

“Tch, I was just talking. I’m a rough man—I can’t think that much.”

“Shh! Stop chattering! If they spot us, we get nothing!” The tension made them noisier. “My Mystic Divination Art can’t hide sounds. Be careful!”

The Strategist had to intervene. Suryehok was the only one quietly watching the enemy. Duermu handled troop movements.

Yang Su entered the valley—it seemed deserted. He stayed alert. After entry, he split a hundred elite soldiers: fifty on each side. He paced the area—about three li long, just over one li wide. Extremely narrow.

As Yang Su reached the middle, Lieutenant Liu’s team entered. She kept glancing up, fearing falling boulders. But nothing happened by the time she joined him.

Less than a hundred meters ahead lay the cave. Had they really fled?

“General, what now? Proceed deeper?”

“Hmm. We must check the cave,” Yang Su nodded. “Stay put until I enter. If I’m ambushed, watch my signals: one hand raised—charge; a fist—approach (safe); both hands—retreat immediately.”

“That won’t do. Let me—”

“I’m commander. You’re deputy. Obey me.” Yang Su’s firmness showed his leadership in crisis.

“They seem to be planning something,” Shao Bu whispered. “Entering the cave?”

“Likely,” Duermu nodded. “We’ll wait. Only after Yang Su brings in Princess Taikang’s guard can we strike.”

Years on the grasslands taught patience. Waiting days meant nothing. Duermu guessed Yang Su would order the move by noon or dusk. Staying overnight? Foolish. With the valley sealed by Mystic Gate Concealment into a no-exit trap, a night raid could wipe them out. Yang Su wouldn’t risk it.

Inside the cave, Yang Su found only traces of habitation: charred fire spots, scattered iron pots, messy cooking tools. A hasty retreat.

“So they fled…” Yang Su rubbed his head. He’d fail the Emperor’s task.

He exited, sighed, and raised a fist.

“General? No one inside?” Lieutenant Liu peeked in.

“Gone. They knew we’d come and avoided a fight.”

“If only I’d killed the escapees at the eastern section…” Lieutenant Liu always blamed herself—a mix of pessimism and optimism. Split personality, almost.

“Not your fault. None expected the Mountain Bandits’ intelligence.” Yang Su scanned the area.

“General, what are you doing?”

“Checking for ambushes. We’ll rest here for lunch. In half an hour, bring in the Princess’s unit. After eating, withdraw before sunset for Spirit Martial Town.”

“Before sunset?”

“Yes. Night here is unpredictable. Bandits might raid. We’ll camp where we rested yesterday, then leave at dawn. We’re already one day late. Two more days to Spirit Martial Town—three days total. Delay further, and it’s four. They’ll welcome us politely but resent this delegation.”

“Understood, General.” Lieutenant Liu nodded.

“Duermu’s prediction worked,” Suryehok smiled faintly. “Now we wait for the third echelon. Shao Bu, focus only on the Princess. When they reach the valley’s middle—we strike.”

“Yes!”