The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1520: The Vanguard Position

"If Xue San has not been apprehended, he should be in enemy territory now, concealed and awaiting our arrival. Furthermore, each team member is equipped with provisions for seven days. Therefore, as long as he hasn't fallen into enemy hands, he must still be alive. Our only path to rescuing him is to launch an immediate troop deployment."

"Old Ye, dwelling on Xue San’s safety is unproductive. The longer we hesitate, the greater the peril he faces. To effect Xue San’s rescue, the most effective strategy is to shatter this stalemate and seize the initiative with a troop deployment," Shangguan Jian continued to persuade the indecisive Ye Shikai.

"Very well," Ye Shikai finally relented after a significant pause.

"We shall commence our troop deployment immediately, using this map as our guide. Our objective is to reach the destination before nightfall, after which we can deliberate on strategies to breach the enemy encampment," Ye Shikai declared, his voice laced with resolve. Logic had ultimately prevailed over his initial inclination; Shangguan Jian’s reasoning was sound. If their aim was to locate Xue San, a military advance was unavoidable. Nevertheless, this decision carried immense risk, a veritable gamble staked entirely on Xue San’s life. Ye Shikai was betting that Xue San had not been captured, and that conquering Yan Yu’s camp would lead to his discovery. Conversely, should Xue San already be a prisoner, Ye Shikai’s advance would seal his fate, potentially provoking Yan Yu into executing him out of spite—a precarious balance between moving forward and succumbing to a deadly consequence...

Barracks.

"General, I volunteer to serve as the vanguard. Should we fail to breach the enemy lines, I shall accept full military reprisal."

"Grant me this opportunity, General."

Numerous commanders stepped forward eagerly, vying for the vanguard position, each exuding confidence and unwavering determination. They had been petitioning Ye Shikai for such a chance almost daily. This was evidently not merely an opportunity for a fierce engagement but also a pathway to career advancement and the accrual of military merit. No leader wished to forgo this chance.

Meanwhile, Man Cang stood quietly at the rear. Both Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian observed the tall, dark-skinned soldier, sensing his unspoken guilt over the recent debacle.

"Man Cang, step forward to the center," Ye Shikai commanded with practiced indifference.

"Understood."

Man Cang advanced slowly, feeling a palpable unease under the scrutinizing gazes of the assembled commanders.

"General."

"Man Cang, are you prepared to assume the role of vanguard?" Ye Shikai inquired. The question startled Man Cang, causing him to visibly flinch.

"I..." Man Cang hesitated, perhaps believing himself undeserving of such a crucial assignment.

"The Man Cang I once knew was a warrior of exceptional valor, one who charged headlong into the Wolf Clan’s ranks with bare chest bared, capturing enemy generals amidst swarms of enemy soldiers. What has transpired? Has a single setback shattered your resolve?"

"Reporting, General—I harbor fears of... misguided command..."

"Preposterous!" Ye Shikai’s sharp retort cut Man Cang off.

"As the vanguard, your sole duty is to charge forth with your soldiers and secure victory. The losses incurred are beyond your direct control," Ye Shikai admonished sternly. He recognized that the devastating fire attack on Eagle Ridge had inflicted a deep psychological wound, a 'heart demon,' that now paralyzed Man Cang’s willingness to lead troops into combat. To recover, this inner turmoil had to be confronted and overcome.

"I now present you with an opportunity to avenge our fallen comrades, a chance to cleanse yourself of this shame. You shall be the vanguard. By nightfall, you will reach the enemy encampment and launch a concerted assault throughout the night. By noon tomorrow, I expect the enemy camp to be utterly neutralized. Do you accept this mission?"

"Yes, I accept the command," Man Cang responded, kneeling on one knee and bowing. The General’s forceful words had brought a new clarity to his mind. Having endured the enemy’s fiery onslaught, Man Cang might never again exhibit the reckless abandon of his past. However, in a peculiar way, this transformation was beneficial. Henceforth, Man Cang would approach his duties with greater meticulousness and a more calculated mindset, despite his inherent gruffness. This hard-won lesson had come at a significant price.

"All troops, heed my command: march with haste and ensure your arrival at the designated location tonight without fail. This time, I shall lead the charge personally."

"Yes."

"Yes."

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

Beast Mountain, Forest.

"These infernal bastards, of all places to aim, they had to shoot my leg," Xue San grumbled, tearing a clean strip from his tattered clothing to re-bandage the wound on his thigh. In these times, without modern medical supplies, even Ye Shikai couldn't equip every soldier with a complete first-aid kit. Thus, when injured, only a clean cloth could be used to staunch the bleeding.

In past conversations, Ye Shikai and Xue San often jested about Xue San’s notorious past as a thief, a true 'God Stealer.' Like any habitual thief who dances with danger, Xue San knew that even the most cautious could sometimes slip up. The greatest fear for a captured thief wasn't just a beating, but the damage to their legs, which would spell the end of their thieving career.

Xue San found refuge amidst some dense bushes, the persistent rain falling from above making it difficult to tend to his wound, necessitating frequent bandage changes. Consuming the last of his dried rations, Xue San lay in wait, his anticipation focused on the arrival of Ye Shikai’s forces.

"Search quickly and thoroughly; General Yan has ordered an exhaustive sweep. Don't miss a single spot—there are bloodstains in that cave; someone is injured," a stern voice commanded.

"Understood! Let's spread out and conduct a meticulous search," another replied.

Meanwhile, distant voices gradually reached Xue San. Lifting his head to cautiously observe, he saw them – the rebel troops of Beast Mountain, appearing to be on patrol. Since Yan Yu was aware of the cave's existence, leaving it unguarded for the Qin Army was not an option. Xue San had initially assumed they would seal it off, but to his surprise, two days had passed without any such action. Instead, patrols of the rebel army moved in and out of the cave daily.

"Centurion, why is the General neglecting this cave? What if the Qin Army uses it for a surprise attack?" Xue San, concealed within the bushes, overheard this question from seven or eight patrolling soldiers a dozen steps away.

"Haha, consider it, this cave is so narrow that even two or three individuals can barely squeeze through together. How many soldiers does the Qin Army have? Attempting to pass through here would take one to two agonizing hours!"

"But what if the Qin Army dispatches a small team for a stealthy infiltration? Wouldn't that present them with an opportunity?" another soldier inquired.

"Rest assured; from what I've gathered, General Yan has positioned numerous ambush squads around the cave. Any Qin soldiers foolish enough to linger here are simply marching towards their demise."

"Ah, I understand now. General Yan's strategy is ingenious, setting a deadly trap for the Qin soldiers."

"Haha, precisely—those Qin soldiers cannot possibly last much longer. With such a large contingent, imagine the sheer volume of food their camp requires daily. Within one to two months, at best, they will be forced to retreat to the county town."