A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1138: What’s There to Fear About Death?!
Previously on A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace...
General Yang found himself utterly perplexed, unable to decipher the situation no matter his efforts.
Nevertheless, he resolved to make his final stand at the mountain closure a glorious one, pouring immense effort into his preparations.
First, the number of patrols and defensive measures were doubled.
Second, ambushes were strategically placed throughout Yinshan City, designed to catch any approaching enemy completely off guard.
Third, he left no stone unturned, pushing himself to sleep only three to four shichen a day.
The remaining hours were consumed by a frantic analysis of military intelligence, spirited discussions on tactics, and the diligent study of military texts in a bid to devise a strategy to shatter the enemy's forces.
In essence.
General Yang was committing his absolute all to this pivotal battle.
...Monster was under immense pressure.
Every few days, he would don a disguise and infiltrate the enemy's camp.
His sole objective was to swiftly locate the unassuming young soldier who served as his informant.
Regrettably...
Three days had elapsed, and he still had no clue as to the identity of the messenger providing him with crucial information.
This was, to him, an 'utter disgrace'!
Observing his frantic state, even Rat found himself hesitant to tease him.
"Hey, you, can you actually do it or not?"
"Was the reputation you’ve cultivated over the years as an informant merely an exaggeration?"
Monster, disinclined to even cast a glare, responded with a cold hum, choosing to ignore him.
Rat, undeterred, continued to prod.
"If you can't, why don't you just throw in the towel!"
"Let me handle it!"
"Who knows, perhaps I could achieve better results than you!"
Finally, Monster shot him a fierce glare.
"Get lost!"
With those words, he stood up resolutely, preparing once more to alter his appearance.
"I must go again; I refuse to accept failure!"
He clenched his teeth, a defiant resolve etched on his face.
Rat was about to unleash another volley of taunts.
At that precise moment, Xia Tingfeng entered from the outside.
Upon witnessing their recurring argument, he sighed but chose not to intervene.
He turned and placed a hand on Monster's shoulder.
"Going again?"
Monster nodded affirmatively.
"There's no intelligence I cannot uncover!"
Xia Tingfeng offered a word of caution.
"This is a military encampment, quite unlike the usual street gossip. Do not overexert yourself; prioritize your safety!"
Monster's expression turned outwardly proud.
"What military camp, what not!"
"There is only information I choose not to know; there is nothing beyond my reach!"
"Big Brother, just wait and see; today, I guarantee my success!"
Xia Tingfeng's demeanor shifted drastically.
"You..."
"Do not take such unnecessary risks! The enemy is known for their ruthlessness, bloodlust, and brutality!"
"The moment you are discovered, your demise is virtually certain!"
Monster shot another furious glare in Rat's direction.
"Even if it leads to death, it's still preferable to someone who merely spews empty words!"
Xia Tingfeng: "..."
Rat: "..."
After a brief, stunned silence, Rat felt a pang of awkwardness but stubbornly retorted.
"Who is merely good at talking!"
"I'm telling you, it's best if you don't go!"
"Don't we all lack wives yet?"
"That fellow Tiger is also quite useless, unable to even secure a wife; the three of us can't continuously be this pathetic!"
Monster glared at him.
"Are you still alive?!"
"How could I possibly perish before you guys!"
"Even when it comes to finding a wife, I'll be the one to accomplish it before you all!"
He then cinched his belt tightly and donned the distinctive sword wielded by the Western Xia soldiers.
"Big Brother, await my news tonight!"
Having spoken, he turned and vanished into the enveloping darkness of the night.
Xia Tingfeng's eyes betrayed his deep-seated worry.
Rat shared the same sentiment.
Their years of brotherhood had forged an unbreakable bond.
The harsher their words, the deeper their unspoken concern.
Should something truly befall this companion, he could not fathom...
how he would endure the days ahead?!
Speaking of procuring wives.
However, they held no official titles, received no salaries, and possessed no formal positions; what dowry could they possibly offer?
Big Brother was in a more fortunate position.
Leveraging his own capabilities, he had earned the Emperor's trust, married a respectable lady, and started a family.
Yet, Big Brother's circumstances differed from theirs.
He hailed from a lineage of officials, possessing both father and mother, his achievements were the fruits of his own merit.
But the three of them, orphaned and without parental guidance, were mere street urchins.
Had they not encountered Big Brother, they might still be engaged in petty squabbles in some grimy alley over a morsel of bread or a sliver of pickled vegetable.
Their street-honed survival skills were merely for staying alive.
If they could truly extricate Big Brother from his predicament and safeguard the lives of his soldiers.
What was there to fear in the face of death?!
Monster, how could I possibly not worry about you!
But how could I possibly fail to understand your resolve?!
If I were in your shoes, I too would venture forth without a second thought!
Xia Tingfeng and Monster gazed out into the shadowy expanse beyond the tent, remaining in silent contemplation.
Tiger, diligently standing guard at the tent's entrance, had eyes reddened with suppressed anger.
He silently swore an oath.
"If those scoundrels dare to lay even a single finger upon you!"
'I will wade through hell to sever all their heads, turning them into headless eunuchs in their next existence! Damn it!!' ... Time crawled by, each second ticking away. A full day elapsed. Two days passed. The Great Chu Army Camp remained without any dispatch from Monster. Tiger was the first to exhaust his patience. "No, I refuse to acknowledge military protocols any longer! I am going to find him!" Rat desperately restrained him. "Absolutely not! You must heed our elder brother’s words; you are a soldier of the command!" "If anyone is to venture forth, it should be me! Who in the blazes do you presume yourself to be?!" Tiger's eyes blazed with fury, resembling a ferocious, enraged black bear. He bellowed. "Elder Brother! I no longer care about my rank; I depart this instant!" Rat's visage contorted to a deep purple with rage. He leaped and assailed him with fierce curses. "You’ve certainly grown bolder! Cease this contention; I am the one going!" "It is not you! I am going! You..." "It is I who am going!" A furious black bear and a leaping simian engaged in relentless, combative bickering. Xia Tingfeng could finally endure it no longer. "Enough!" "None of you shall be departing!" Sudden silence descended upon the tent. The pair exchanged glances, then incredulously turned towards Xia Tingfeng. "Elder Brother, you cannot possibly be contemplating a departure!" "No, Elder Brother, as our leader, you cannot act independently; it transgresses military regulations!" "Precisely... If the Emperor were to learn of this, dire consequences would ensue!" The two took turns to lecture him. Mere moments prior, they were embroiled in bitter animosity, yet now they appeared as brothers. Xia Tingfeng issued a sigh of profound helplessness. "None of you are departing! Furthermore, I shall not be going either!" The pair immediately felt a surge of relief wash over them. However, the instant their guard lowered, intense apprehension resurfaced. "What about Monster then?!" Xia Tingfeng remained silent. He harbored a heavy heart, utterly incapable of impulsive action without knowledge of the situation on the other side. At the most extreme, it would mean... Losing one is acceptable, but losing another is not! "What do you imply by 'what about'? What precisely are you doing?!" A voice, recognized instantly, pierced the air. A familiar form materialized from the exterior. Before the trio could even react, the figure was already positioned before them. "All of you, each in turn, have you missed me?" Monster inquired with a jovial smile. The three snapped their heads up. First, they scrutinized him with disbelief, then instinctively patted him down from head to toe... Finally... Three forceful fists descended. "You scoundrel, you caused us undue worry!" "Were you near death out there? How long did it take you to return?!" "Damn it all, you made me fret for naught!" Monster winced, his gaze lifting upwards. "Hmm? Tiger, what seems to be the matter with your eyes?" Tiger averted his gaze to the heavens, then back to the ground. "The wind is quite strong today."