The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1521: Rescuing Xue San

A smattering of patrol soldiers from the rebel army were engaged in conversation nearby, entirely oblivious to Xue San's presence, concealed a mere five meters away in the dense foliage behind them. He could discern their every word quite clearly.

"This is dire news. Should the main contingent venture this way, they'll be walking straight into a well-laid trap," Xue San's mind raced with alarm. Now privy to this critical intelligence, his immediate priority was to devise a method for preventing his comrades from proceeding to this location. Yet, he himself was in a precarious situation, struggling just to make his own escape; how could he possibly relay such a vital warning?

"Alright, let's persist with our search. No slacking, mind you, or if the higher-ups catch wind of it, we might as well forget about dinner tonight."

"Indeed, let's move out."

As that particular unit gradually moved away, Xue San let out a long, drawn-out sigh of relief. They had been mere steps from discovering his hiding spot—an encounter so close it felt like brushing against imminent danger. After a considerable interval, Xue San managed to shift his aching body; the injury to his leg seemed to have worsened significantly, rendering movement a torturous affair.

"Blast it all, I must leave some kind of trace," Xue San painstakingly crawled onward. He dedicated a substantial portion of his day to marking the crucial parts of the route, etching symbols onto tree bark with the sharpened edge of his dagger. Despite his strenuous efforts, Xue San could not harbor any certainty regarding the efficacy of his actions—this was not the modern era where a simple phone call or a quickly dispatched message would suffice. Wounded and deep within enemy territory, his life hung precariously in the balance, susceptible to being extinguished at any moment. When Xue San made the momentous decision to dispatch the squad back to the main camp, he had already braced himself for the ultimate sacrifice. All that remained for him now was to offer a silent prayer, hoping fervently that none of his brothers would be foolish enough to venture this way...

Summoning every last reserve of his strength, Xue San hoisted himself into the sprawling branches of a large tree, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.

"Brother Ye, I've done all that I could. At the very least, I haven't let you down."

.......

"Yan Yu, after all, is a seasoned veteran general of the Wei State. The terrain here is replete with dense thickets, and even though we're on a forced march, we must remain vigilant for any enemy reconnaissance. I harbor concerns that they might lay an ambush for us en route," Ye Shikai cautioned the vanguard unit. They were tasked with being the "eyes" of the entire army, a crucial role that Xue San had always capably fulfilled. With his absence, someone else would inevitably need to step into those shoes.

"Understood, General. Rest assured, we will diligently ensure the safety of the entire army."

"Shangguan, how much further is our destination?" Ye Shikai inquired.

"Approximately ten kilometers, give or take. Xue San's map is remarkably accurate and appears to indicate a secure path. Observe, there are at least three routes depicted here that were previously unknown to us. We can utilize these smaller passages for infiltration," Shangguan Jian remarked, gesturing towards the map.

"Your assessment is correct," Ye Shikai responded with a calm demeanor. As a "God Stealer," he naturally possessed an innate "affinity" for pathways, particularly those serving as escape routes.

"Old Ye, there seem to be quite a number of roads leading into that camp. My suggestion is that we divide our forces," Shangguan Jian suddenly proposed.

"Divide our forces," Ye Shikai echoed, his voice a low murmur. He wasn't particularly concerned about the combat prowess of his soldiers, but rather the increased vulnerability to enemy ambushes that often accompanied more fragmented movements in complex environments.

"Precisely. Take a look at the map – the enemy encampment is bordered by a long, narrow stretch of forest. Effective deployment will be challenging there. Instead, we should infiltrate from multiple directions simultaneously, creating a pincer movement to encircle the entire camp."

"Halt the main army," Ye Shikai commanded, his gaze fixed intently on the map, his mind deeply engrossed in contemplation.

"Old Ye, is something amiss?"

"Nightfall approaches. It would be prudent to establish our camp here and allow the troops to rest. We will recommence our advance at first light. Go and inform Man Cang. Upon our arrival, I am granting him a single day to secure the camp. Failure in this endeavor will result in a court-martial," Ye Shikai stated with apparent nonchalance, though Shangguan Jian could discern the gravity behind his words. For Man Cang, this directive served less as a threat and more as a powerful motivator. He was renowned as the army's most courageous general, and if Man Cang were to truly commit himself, the camp would likely fall within half a day.

Deep into the night, Ye Shikai illuminated his immediate surroundings with a flickering oil lamp, meticulously poring over the map spread before him. He harbored a strong suspicion that Yan Yu might already be fully aware of their every intention. To ultimately gain the upper hand in this conflict, his primary objective was to "conceal his forces" effectively.

"You previously mentioned the existence of a cave that supposedly offers direct access to the rear of the enemy camp, is that correct?" Ye Shikai inquired of the squad members positioned before him, his tone remarkably steady.

"Affirmative, General. We observed it quite clearly with our own eyes. It is true."

"Yan Yu is not an imbecile. If he is aware of this cave's existence, it is highly unlikely he would neglect its potential strategic importance," Ye Shikai mused aloud, his eyes thoughtfully scanning the faces of each team member.

"However, General, whatever we can conceive, he is likely capable of considering as well. Perhaps our best course of action would be to employ an unexpected tactic, using this very information against them."

"General, what are your explicit orders?"

"You all served diligently under Commander Xue. If I were to offer you an opportunity to rescue him at this very moment, would you readily accept?" Ye Shikai posed the question.

"I would most certainly accept."

"My allegiance is unwavering; I would."

"Consider it done. I would."

The assembled group knelt on one knee, their resolute affirmations echoing with palpable conviction. Ye Shikai experienced a profound sense of gratitude for having such loyal and dedicated brothers by his side—their unwavering support made every hardship worthwhile.

"General, when Commander Xue threatened to harm himself, we were forced to withdraw. Honestly, after we returned to the camp, it felt like sitting on pins and needles. Every one of us longed to go back and rescue our commander. Please, General, grant us this opportunity," the leading soldier pleaded.

"Do you truly mean it?" Ye Shikai inquired, his gaze intense.

"If there's even a shred of falsehood in my words, may lightning strike us down."

"Very well, I shall grant you this chance. Prepare your provisions tonight and depart immediately," Ye Shikai agreed, nodding his head.

"Thank you, General." Overcome with emotion, the soldiers stood to attention.

"However, before you embark, there are a few crucial points I must impress upon you," Ye Shikai announced, motioning for silence.

"Firstly, you are venturing into a dangerous territory, a tiger's den. Should the enemy discover your presence, you will be completely isolated with no reinforcements to expect."

"Secondly, Commander Xue's whereabouts remain unknown. We don't even know for certain if he has fallen into enemy hands. If he is still within the forest, locate him. But if he has been captured, do not act rashly – return at once and report to me."

"Thirdly, should Commander Xue be confirmed deceased, attempt to retrieve his body. If that proves impossible, then let it be; Commander Xue will not hold it against you from the afterlife." Ye Shikai's voice grew hoarse at this point. Naturally, he dreaded such an outcome, but if Xue San was indeed gone, he desired to bring back his remains. At the very least, to ensure a proper burial; Xue San had traversed the world his entire life, and he could not allow him to become a solitary spirit on this desolate mountain.

"Understood," the soldiers replied in unison.

"Understood," they echoed.

"Excellent, you may proceed. If all goes according to plan, you should arrive at your destination before daybreak. Take heed and protect yourselves." Ye Shikai had his guards bring out several large flasks of fine wine. What was initially intended for a victory celebration would now serve as a parting toast with the departing team.