The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1518: Xue San Is Injured

"The city's perimeter is constructed from wood, standing two zhangs tall with average thickness. However, the entry and exit points are remarkably narrow, hindering the deployment of large troop formations. Furthermore, the terrain makes it difficult to utilize large siege weapons, transforming it into a fortress that is easily defended and arduous to assault." Xue San gazed at the military encampment below, his brow creased in thought. He could only describe the choice of this location for a camp as "cunning." Without intimate knowledge of the area, locating it would be a significant challenge. Even if discovered, as long as sufficient provisions were stockpiled, the rebels could withstand an enemy many times their size for an extended period. A prolonged conflict here would undoubtedly deplete the civilian populace and material resources at an alarming rate. Such a substantial camp could not possibly be sustained by the resources of a single county alone. It was no wonder that Baima County had been unable to subdue these rebels for so long.

"Record everything I state," Xue San commanded.

"Understood."

"The front is indeed difficult to breach, but this cavern presents a viable shortcut. If our army advances through here, we can achieve victory through surprise, striking directly at their core."

"Have you finished recording?" Xue San urged quietly, concerned about being discovered.

"Everything has been noted down."

"Excellent. Let us depart the way we came, moving with utmost stealth."

"Yes, sir."

The team member responsible for the map stood, preparing to leave, when suddenly, a boulder at the precipice fractured and tumbled down the slope...

"Blast it!" Xue San turned his head, watching with a sense of helplessness as the rock careened downwards. An intense wave of anxiety washed over him, feeling as though a heavy stone was crushing his chest, making it difficult to draw a breath.

"Enemies above! Swiftly apprehend them!"

"Flee!" Xue San bellowed. Realizing their concealment was compromised, everyone immediately scrambled back into the cave. Simultaneously, a volley of hundreds of arrows rained down from the sky.

"Watch out!" In a desperate moment, Xue San thrust the team member holding the map into the cave, thereby forfeiting his own chance for a swift entry. An arrow embedded itself in his thigh, while several others struck him but were deflected by his raincoat and the soft armor worn beneath, failing to penetrate.

"Damn it," Xue San gritted his teeth, uttering a quiet curse despite the searing pain.

"Commander, are you injured?" Several members, witnessing Xue San struck by arrows, promptly moved to support him, while others readied their crossbows to provide covering fire.

"It's a minor wound; I will manage," Xue San declared, waving his hand. Although the arrow had not struck bone, its penetration into his thigh rendered immediate movement challenging.

"We must depart swiftly."

"Understood."

Two or three members hoisted Xue San up and made a rapid retreat through the cave, with the rebel pursuit force close on their heels.

"Halt! Do not flee further!"

"Pursue them!"

Xue San could faintly discern the rebels' shouts from behind. A palpable tension gripped everyone, their legs pumping like twin engines. The realization that capture meant certain death spurred them onward.

"Covering fire!" The members tasked with guarding their retreat unleashed a continuous barrage of arrows, temporarily halting the pursuing rebels. The group managed to seize a brief respite, staggering out of the cave.

"Set me down," Xue San commanded. The group immediately halted, watching as he gritted his teeth and forcefully extracted the arrow from his thigh. He then tore a strip of cloth from his garment, fashioning a makeshift bandage to staunch the bleeding.

"Take the map and escape; do not concern yourselves with me," Xue San instructed.

"Absolutely not! We cannot abandon our commander to face this danger alone. We implore you to forgive our inability to comply," the group responded in unison, their refusal firm. Yet, Xue San remained resolute, his tone bordering on anger.

"This is a direct military order! I am wounded and our movement is greatly impeded. The blood from this injury will undoubtedly betray our trail. Hurry, leave now! If this map does not reach the General, then the comrades who perished at Eagle Ridge camp will have died in vain," Xue San proclaimed loudly.

"But... Commander, we can escort you and the map back together."

"If you do not depart this instant, I shall end my own life right here," Xue San declared, drawing a dagger and pressing its sharp point against his own neck, using his life as a direct threat to compel their departure.

"This..."

"Why do you hesitate? Hurry, make haste! If the pursuing force catches up to us, we will all perish," Xue San urged with palpable urgency.

"Flee with all speed."

"Understood, sir. Take care."

Finally, succumbing to Xue San's grim ultimatum, the team members departed, following the path leading away. Xue San, gritting his teeth against the pain, crawled into a dense patch of grass, utilizing the natural contours of the land and the surrounding foliage to conceal himself.

"The enemy has vanished."

"Quickly! Conduct a thorough search! Ensure none of them escape!"

"Yes, sir!"

Not long after, the Chasing Army emerged from the cave. Witnessing their comrades had already fled, the soldiers divided to conduct a search. Xue San remained concealed amongst the grass, appearing as if he were a part of the natural foliage. He dared not raise his head to survey the surroundings, nor even to take a deep breath. He was positioned a mere ten meters away from the Chasing Army, and any sign of carelessness could lead to his immediate discovery.

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

Eagle Ridge Camp.

"Old Ye, the camp construction has been fully completed. The warehouse and barracks are also finished. Most of the troops are now stationed within the camp, and all the Generals are awaiting further instructions."

"That swiftly?" Ye Shikai inquired mildly, expressing surprise that the entire encampment was erected in just two days.

"The brothers are harboring immense frustration; the entire army has forgone sleep for a single night, hurrying to finish the construction overnight. Fortunately, there's an abundance of trees in this area, so there's no lack of materials," Shangguan Jian elaborated.

"Old Ye, the entire army is expectant of your orders. Have you finalized your decision?" While Shangguan Jian was reluctant to interrupt, the Generals and soldiers had been clamoring for battle in recent days, clearly eager to set off and venture into the mountains to quell the rebel forces.

"The strategy is prepared, however... I am still lacking one crucial element." Ye Shikai’s brow furrowed, understanding his troops' yearning for a triumphant victory. Further delays might foster dissent within the ranks, but he could not proceed presently because... he had to await Xue San’s delivery of the Beast Mountain map. Without it, hastily deploying his forces would inevitably result in the loss of more lives with no strategic advantage gained.

Five days had now passed since the capture of Eagle Ridge Camp, yet there was no indication of Xue San's return with the map. Of course, one grim possibility remained: they might have been discovered by the rebels and... annihilated, leaving no one to relay any information back.

"Old Ye, I have faith in Xue San’s capabilities. However, they are currently deep within enemy territory, and the situation is uncertain. We cannot postpone the engagement solely based on waiting for them," Shangguan Jian offered his counsel.

"Let's wait a little longer. I believe he will not disappoint me," Ye Shikai murmured.