The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1514: Heavy Losses

"What, a mere hundred-plus individuals?" Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian exchanged bewildered glances upon receiving this intelligence. Eagle Ridge camp, the crucial gateway to the entirety of Beast Mountain, boasted a terrain easily fortified and exceedingly difficult to breach. Had Ye Shikai been in Yan Yu’s position, he would have garrisoned at least two thousand troops, capable of holding out for over a fortnight with competent leadership. Yet, Yan Yu had deployed just over a hundred, leaving the camp virtually undefended.

"Indeed, and the majority of the enemy forces stationed there were the old, infirm, and disabled. They collapsed at the slightest pressure. General Man has secured the entire camp and is preparing to dispatch a messenger to inform you."

"Let us inspect the situation ourselves." Ye Shikai rode directly into the camp. The scene mirrored the soldier’s report; there were no indications of any significant conflict. Squads of Qin soldiers were escorting captives. Ye Shikai approached for a closer examination, and as suspected, the youngest among the prisoners appeared to be around fourteen, while others were emaciated, as if they hadn't eaten sufficiently for an extended period – a collection of refugees, essentially.

"Are these individuals the prisoners of war?" Shangguan Jian dismounted, scrutinizing each person with care. Their hands were clasped behind their heads, their faces etched with apprehension, bearing no resemblance to hardened warriors.

"Reporting to Military Marquis Shangguan, they are. They surrendered without resistance upon our entry, hence no lives were taken."

"Very well, escort them away." Shangguan Jian gave a slight nod, instructing the soldiers to maintain strict custody.

"Old Ye, it appears our initial objective has been accomplished. With Eagle Ridge camp under our control, they have relinquished the strategic high ground. We can establish our forward base here, enabling offensive operations from an advantageous position and defensive resilience when required, thus dictating the tempo of the battlefield," Shangguan Jian remarked, turning to Ye Shikai with a palpable sigh of relief. He had braced for a fierce engagement but was taken aback by the unexpected ease of their victory.

"Something feels amiss. Why would they deploy such a minimal contingent?" Ye Shikai remained troubled by the inexplicability of the situation. Yan Yu, a former General of the Wei State, shouldn't have committed such a tactical oversight, should he?

"Old Ye, could it be that Yan Yu anticipated our arrival and opted to conserve his forces, eschewing direct confrontation, and has thus already retreated from Beast Mountain?" Shangguan Jian ventured a guess.

"That is improbable. Rashness prior to battle is a grave folly for any strategist. If I were Yan Yu, and my intention was to preserve strength and withdraw from Beast Mountain, I would have heavily fortified Eagle Ridge camp. Firstly, its defense would serve to impede our advance, granting him ample time for evacuation; secondly, it would sow confusion among our ranks, leading us to believe their forces remained within Beast Mountain," Ye Shikai countered. In essence, Yan Yu had virtually no logical reason to relinquish the camp willingly.

The two continued their advance into the camp with their guards when a faint, acrid odor permeated the air.

"Shangguan, do you detect an unusual smell?" Ye Shikai’s expression darkened as he inquired curtly. Shangguan Jian inhaled deeply.

"It carries a resemblance to... oil."

"What? This is not good." Ye Shikai's exclamation was sudden as he hastened into a nearby warehouse. Pushing the door open, he entered directly. Within the confines of the structure, the potent aroma of oil was unmistakable.

Drawing his sword, Ye Shikai struck a powerful blow against the warehouse’s ceiling beam, dislodging numerous dark, solid fragments that rained down.

"What is this substance?" Ye Shikai posed the question, prompting a guard to step forward. The soldier retrieved a piece of the falling material and examined it under the flickering firelight.

"Sir, it appears to be charcoal."

"Damn it all." Ye Shikai gazed upwards, observing that the ceiling beam was laden with dark charcoal, and the walls were smeared with oil.

"All troops, evacuate the camp immediately." Ye Shikai burst out of the warehouse, his voice resonating with urgency. Initially, the soldiers did not respond promptly, but a short distance away, Man Cang overheard the shout and rushed over.

"Sir, what has transpired?"

"The camp is saturated with combustible materials. The enemy intends to lure us in and then engulf the camp in flames. Quickly, order all soldiers to withdraw at once," Ye Shikai urged, his tone laced with severe anxiety.

"What? But a significant number of our soldiers have already established their encampments here."

"Cease your chatter and retreat with haste." Ye Shikai, consumed by urgency, kicked Man Cang to the ground, his voice hoarse with desperation.

"Understood."

The entire army, acting upon the relayed command, commenced their withdrawal from the camp. However, with three thousand troops needing to evacuate and the camp situated in a perilous location with narrow access points, the process was fraught with difficulty.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Abruptly, countless flaming projectiles arced from the forested perimeter surrounding the camp, descending like celestial fire upon the encampment.

Ah, ah, ah.

As fiery arrows impacted the rooftop, the charcoal layered upon it swiftly ignited. In mere moments, flames consumed the structures, and a deluge of arrows descended. The entire encampment was soon ablaze, with numerous soldiers trapped by the inferno, unable to escape. Fire clung to their forms, inflicting unimaginable agony, compelling them to writhe upon the ground.

"Quickly, shed your burning garments!" Ye Shikai commanded. The camp was laden with flammable materials; besides charcoal, barrels brimming with fuel were stacked high. The slightest spark threatened to trigger explosions, spewing burning liquid onto the soldiers, whose clothes, once alight, became deadly shrouds.

"Sir, be cautious." Man Cang raised a shield, deflecting an arrow aimed at Ye Shikai's head. They had not yet exited the camp's confines, remaining vulnerable to the enemy's volleys. The soldiers, having discarded their armor, were defenseless, falling one by one to the incoming shafts.

"Hurry, evacuate the camp immediately!" Ye Shikai shoved Man Cang aside, his voice booming. The 3,000 soldiers faced a devastating assault, their resolve crumbling. The once-orderly retreat devolved into a chaotic scramble, with untold numbers falling victim amidst the pandemonium.

*Whoosh.*

An arrow hurtled from the sky, embedding itself in Ye Shikai's left arm. A searing pain shot through him, confirming he had been struck.

"Sir!" Witnessing this, Man Cang immediately moved to aid Ye Shikai. "Shield bearers, protect the General!"

A contingent of guards elevated their shields, forming a defensive Wall before Ye Shikai. Despite the throbbing pain, Ye Shikai clenched his jaw, held his breath, and wrenched the arrow from his limb. Crimson blood erupted, cascading from his elbow down to his palm.

"Old Ye, this location is far too perilous. We must retreat now," Shangguan Jian urged.

"I cannot. So many of our brothers have not yet escaped. I must remain here to guide them," Ye Shikai declared resolutely.

"Old Ye, entrust the command to me. Man Cang, escort the General to safety!" Shangguan Jian's command rang out.

"Understood, sir, let us proceed." Man Cang forcefully propelled Ye Shikai away. Under the escort of the guards, they made their departure from the embattled camp.

Two hours elapsed.

"Medic, was the arrowhead poisoned?"

"Fortunately, the arrowhead carries no poison, nor did it fracture the General's bone—merely a flesh wound. Half a month's rest should suffice," the medic offered reassurance within the barracks, tending to Ye Shikai's injury. An iron-tipped arrowhead, slick with blood, rested on a nearby tray. Ye Shikai's gaze was fraught with concern. The physical pain from the arrow wound paled in comparison to the anguish in his heart. The troops had endured grievous losses from the fiery assault, and the full extent of the casualties remained unassessed.