The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1495: Beginning the Counterattack

"Indeed, our arrival was swift. These villagers wouldn’t have time to gather all their valuables, nor their livestock. Lao Er, instruct the men to conduct a thorough search."

"Eldest Brother, I also heard that a General is getting married in the village today. There must be considerable wealth. Since we are so formidable, they surely fled, leaving their riches behind."

"Precisely! After today, we shall be wealthy, haha!" The two bandit leaders, leading their men, advanced towards the village, utterly oblivious to the approaching peril.

Within the village.

"General, the bandits are closing in from all directions as anticipated," reported Luo Li’s subordinate to Ye Shikai.

"Excellent. Proceed with the plan. I want not a single one of them to escape," Ye Shikai stated coldly.

"Understood."

Ye Shikai produced a signal arrow and launched it skyward...

Whoosh.

The signal arrow sliced through the air, emitting a sharp, piercing whistle that resonated throughout the entire village.

"Eldest Brother, what was that sound?"

"I have no idea..."

Aaahhhh.

Following the arrow’s signal, screams erupted from all over the eastern part of the village. The cries of the bandits echoed from every direction—southeast, northwest, everywhere...

"The bandit leader is right there! Brothers, kill them all!" Suddenly, from the rooftops on both sides, a dozen figures clad in black appeared. They wore light armor, wielded crossbows, and had short swords sheathed at their waists. Leading them was Xue San. Throughout their journey, he had guided his squad in tracking these bandit leaders. The signal had sounded, marking the commencement of the slaughter.

Hundreds of crossbow bolts rained down from above, striking the unprepared bandits and immediately felling a large number.

"Eldest Brother, we’ve fallen into a Qin Army ambush!"

"Damn it, call for reinforcements quickly!" The bandit leader, gritting his teeth, managed to pull the crossbow bolt from his wounded arm and bellowed, his longsword at the ready.

"We cannot! Our forces are too dispersed, and the winding paths make regrouping difficult," replied Second Master. The bandits were scattered throughout the village, and judging by the sounds of chaos, they were indeed being ambushed by the Qin Army.

"Everyone, do not panic! They are but a few dozen men, and we outnumber them significantly! Follow me quickly, and find cover from the crossbows!" the bandit leader commanded. He still had over a hundred men with him, whereas Xue San’s squad numbered just over twenty. At the leader’s rallying cry, the bandits, recovering from the initial onslaught, grabbed wooden planks, bamboo baskets, and even coarse cloth to use as makeshift shields. Xue San and his smaller squad could only rely on their crossbows for ranged attacks from above.

"Quick, hand me a bow and arrows!" The bandit leader snatched a longbow, enduring the throbbing pain from his arm wound, and drew the string taut to take aim.

Whoosh, bang.

Xue San narrowly dodged as the arrow, loosed with incredible force, slammed into a mud wall like a cannonball, blasting a large hole through it before continuing its trajectory through the wooden roof.

"My word, such immense strength," Xue San couldn't help but exclaim. The arrow flew with the power of a projectile weapon, and indeed, this bandit leader was a burly man, his arms thicker than many villagers’ thighs, possessing the sheer might required to draw such a powerful bow.

"Sir, what is our next move? The bandits have retaliated, and we have lost the element of surprise," a squad member inquired.

"Fear not. It is time for us to withdraw as well. The ensuing battle is for the General to handle," Xue San declared. "All members, retreat immediately! Let us proceed to another location!"

"Understood."

"Understood."

Inside the village, hearing the commotion from the east, Ye Shikai grasped the situation. The flanking garrison squad had initiated their attack; now it was his turn to lead the main force.

"Guard troops, on my command, mount up!" Ye Shikai commanded loudly. Two hundred guards swiftly mounted their warhorses, ready for action. Behind them were several hundred villagers. Some wore light armor fashioned at the blacksmith's forge, while those without donned thick layers of cloth, creating rudimentary armor. Villagers who lacked proper swords carried farm implements like sickles, hoes, and rakes, or even kitchen knives, prepared to fight until their last breath.

"Brothers, you have fought alongside me on numerous occasions. Today marks a joyous day for me. We shall fight together once more—are you afraid?"

"Not afraid!"

"Not afraid!"

The guard troops, though few in number, were filled with indomitable spirit, their shouts echoing throughout the village.

"Very well! Once we emerge victorious, we shall return for feasting and drinking!" Ye Shikai drew his sword, wheeled his horse around, and pointed towards the eastern village.

"Guards in the vanguard, civilians in formation behind, charge with me!" Ye Shikai roared, his warhorse thundering forward, leading a direct charge towards the eastern village, the guards hot on his heels.

"Villagers, let's join in, let's drive these robbers out completely!"

"Charge!"

..................

Meanwhile, roughly twenty miles from the village, beside a flowing river, a woman was seated on the riverbank, enjoying the gentle breeze. Not far from her, two to three hundred guards, all armed with longswords and crossbows, stood at attention. Only Hua Liandie possessed such a formidable presence in this area.

"Today... is also his day of joy. Humph, that fool, so conceited. And to think I once thought highly of him," Hua Liandie murmured, plucking petals from a flower. She grumbled softly, having not seen Ye Shikai for days since her abrupt departure, nor having exchanged any correspondence.

"Ma'am, we've just received intel. Two hours ago, Shangshui Village was attacked by robbers. The situation is unclear," a guard suddenly reported, approaching Hua Liandie.

"What? How many attackers?" Hua Liandie was startled by the news, the flower in her hand falling to the ground.

"It's estimated there are no fewer than a thousand."

"This is terrible! How could this happen?" Hua Liandie stamped her feet in distress. She rarely lost her composure, and her long-serving guards had never witnessed her in such a state.

"Ma'am, what should we do?"

"We'll head to Shangshui Village, of course. With so many robbers, even if he mobilizes everyone, he could be in danger."

"But... we only have three hundred men here. If we were to gather troops from the county, it might be too late," the guard replied.

"But combined with their forces, we should have enough to face these robbers. No more talk, let's leave immediately," Hua Liandie stood up. Opting not to ride in a sedan chair, she mounted a horse and directed it towards the village.