Chapter 116: The Ambush on Hu Camp

The Hu tribesmen were not as meticulous as the Han people. Perhaps having suffered some setbacks in recent years, these Hu men no longer released prisoners so readily. They insisted on discussing among themselves how to deal with the captives who had been delivered right to their doorstep.

Tang Jian remained calm and composed, as always. A seasoned veteran of many battles, he naturally had his own plans in mind. His subordinates, perhaps seeing their commander’s indifference, showed little fear.

In contrast, Yanshan was anything but composed. He paced back and forth, hands clasped, his expression anxious and restless.

“What do we do? What do we do? They say the Hu are unreasonable. What if they just drag us out and slaughter us? It’s freezing cold, and they probably have nothing to eat—would they treat us as some kind of appetizer?”

Before Logang could speak, Xiaozhi patted Yanshan on the shoulder and said, “Don’t worry, Yanshan. I’ve been to prison several times; everything will turn out fine, right?”

Yanshan shot him a sideways glance, clearly displeased. If the prison was the dividing line, Yanshan was inside it. Xiaozhi, however, seemed like a free man outside, casually indifferent.

“That’s not the same. Before, at least we were in Anping County, under Han laws and customs. Now it’s the Hu—if they say kill, they kill without any responsibility!”

Xiaozhi began to realize the seriousness of the situation. His usual carefree smile faded, replaced by awkwardness and doubt.

Meanwhile, Tang Jian sat cross-legged, seemingly meditating, perhaps contemplating a strategy. Logang felt that as long as the Duke of Ju was present, the situation wasn’t too dire. After all, this game followed the historical timeline, and Tang Jian’s fate had yet to end here, indicating he could escape.

“Don’t panic. The three of us...” Logang gathered Yanshan and Xiaozhi in a circle, “We take turns watching over Duke Ju, this important figure. We must stick with him. As long as he’s safe, we’ll be safe.”

Yanshan was somewhat skeptical: “He’s a minister, his status is different from ours. The Hu might still spare him because of his rank. We don’t have much influence on the court.”

Logang replied, “We were sent by the Song state’s public security. Out of respect for the Duke of Song, they won’t just abandon us. In any case, whenever Duke Ju makes a move, we follow immediately.”

Yanshan nodded, and Xiaozhi smiled brightly.

“After a few experiences, you get used to it.”

On the snowy plains, several horses galloped swiftly southward, trampling through the snow and mud.

“Can the Han really be trusted?”

“Whatever. They pay us to do the job. After years of wearing ragged clothes and enduring the elements, can you handle it?”

“That’s the fate of our nomadic tribe.”

Qin Yang, already asleep, snored loudly, disturbing Xiaozhi’s rest. He nudged Qin Yang a few times, but there was no response. The group was trapped inside a Mongolian yurt, guarded by several Hu men outside. Someone must have spoken out, for suddenly, everyone was bound tightly like cattle.

“This guy sleeps really soundly, can fall asleep even in this situation,” Yanshan envied their calm.

Logang added, “Even more impressive are those around him—unfazed by such loud snoring.”

Though bound, Tang Jian maintained the dignity of a minister, sitting upright among the group.

“If Duke Ju is too exhausted, maybe he should rest. Enduring this isn’t a solution.”

Tang Jian didn’t even blink, his demeanor resolute, as if ready to face the executioner at any moment.

Logang said, “Do you see the difference in response when faced with the same problem, knowing the disparity in our abilities?”

Yanshan replied, “That’s the look of a great general—calm even when death is near.”

Xiaozhi said, “Incredible. Such a realm is beyond ordinary people like us.”

Suddenly, snoring came from Tang Jian’s direction. The Duke of Ju was apparently asleep with his eyes open, as if in deep thought.

The three exchanged awkward smiles.

Around midnight, Logang, half-awake, sensed a noise nearby and felt a burning discomfort. Looking around, Xiaozhi and Yanshan were covered in snow and mud, but Tang Jian, Qin Yang, and the others were nowhere to be found.

Drawing back the tent flap, outside fire blazed high with sounds of slaughter. Qin Yang led an assault into the Hu tents, swiftly beheading the surprised Hu warriors. Blood mingled with melting snow. The Hu were caught unprepared, many still without their woolen clothes, cut in half with body and clothing alike.

A Hu warrior wielding a curved saber was stabbed in the back by Tang Jian. Blood splattered across Tang Jian’s impassive face. At that moment, he was death incarnate, the grim reaper controlling the fate of these Hu men.

Tang Jian was sharp and clear-headed. When the blade stuck in a Hu warrior’s body and couldn’t be withdrawn, he grabbed the Hu’s curved saber and, with a few others, headed toward the Hu leader’s tent.

Yanshan was horrified. He had witnessed bloody battles in the Sima estate of Anping County but never a fight of this scale. If that was a gang brawl, this was a soldier’s desperate fight, putting their lives on the line. Before he could react, dozens of Hu heads fell, bodies lifeless on the snowy ground like puppets, limbs sprawled and trampled mercilessly.

Qin Yang dragged the Hu leader out of the tent by his knife. Laughably, two captured Han women were beside him, terrified. Though the Hu chief was naked, he could not lose face before the women he had conquered.

Feigning nonchalance, he raised his head arrogantly, like a lord above reproach.

“What’s the matter? My captives look quite lively.”

Tang Jian slapped the Hu leader’s face, shattering his dignity.

“Such audacity, still brazen on the brink of death.”

“Hmph. Living on the grasslands, I know no fear. No matter, your Han women are delicious. I had three of them—it was enjoyable.”

Qin Yang searched the area thoroughly but found no third woman. He reported back to Tang Jian, “No sign of a third woman, but on the ground…” His lips twitched, “There were torn clothes and bones.”

Xiaozhi was so frightened he nearly collapsed, eyes wide with horror. Logang showed no outward emotion but his mind churned.

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