The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 1553: Robbery

"Faster, hurry up." Man Cang roared. Arrows filled the sky, and countless soldiers were struck down. Man Cang felt anxious, but there was little he could do. Some of the wounded brothers were not killed instantly but lost their mobility. Those nearby helped them up, while others who fell were pinned down by more arrows before they could even rise.

"The rebels are over there, eliminate them."

A contingent of the Qin Army rushed forward, obstructing their path. Man Cang bellowed and charged, his sword flashing as he severed necks. He snatched a shield, using it as a battering ram to force a passage. Fortunately, it was merely a small detachment of the Qin Army, numbering only a few hundred. Combined with everyone’s desperate will to escape, they swiftly broke through.

"General, an increasing number of Qin Army soldiers are converging."

Man Cang’s Iron Armor Army had engaged in a brutal all-night battle, remaining sleepless and already fatigued. Facing the Qin Army, whose numbers far exceeded theirs, the defense became a struggle.

"Damn it, leave a squad with me to cover the injured brothers’ withdrawal." Man Cang commanded, and hundreds of soldiers turned back. Their sudden counter-assault caught the Qin Army off guard.

"Quickly, wounded brothers, make haste and leave." Man Cang directed the soldiers to form a shield wall, leaving an opening in the center to protect the others.

"Understood."

"Rebels, surrender now, and your lives will be spared." The Qin Army's call for surrender echoed from a distance. Man Cang scoffed coldly. Having previously served with the Wei Army and witnessed the Qin Army’s nation-conquering prowess, he understood their grim reality. Surrendering meant a certain death, merely a swifter path to the grave.

"Brothers, many of you have faced numerous battles alongside me. Do you intend to surrender?" Man Cang bellowed.

"Better to die than surrender."

"Better to die than surrender."

"Better to die than surrender."

The resolute shouts of hundreds of soldiers reverberated like thunder. Despite being a remnant force, their fighting spirit remained unbroken, and with such conviction, they were prepared to stand their ground.

"Excellent! The wicked Qin forces butcher the innocent. Today, we shall face them!" Man Cang seized a spear from the ground and hurled it with force, striking a mounted Qin Army commander.

"Advance, and put them to the sword!" Thousands of Qin Army soldiers charged. From afar, their mass appeared dense, an overwhelming and suffocating force.

Man Cang commanded his soldiers to raise their shields, utilizing the narrow terrain to impede the Qin Army’s relentless advance.

"Brothers, hold the line!" A powerful surge of the Qin Army pushed back hundreds of Iron Armor soldiers several steps. Man Cang exerted all his strength to ultimately halt the deadly momentum.

"Spears out!"

Following the command, the soldiers forming the shield wall retracted their shields. The Iron Armor soldiers positioned behind them thrust their long spears forward several meters, penetrating the foremost rank of Qin Army soldiers and even striking those behind.

After the spears were withdrawn, the leading Qin Army soldiers fell, and the Iron Armor soldiers immediately raised their shields once more to fend off the subsequent attackers.

"Just like that, again, spears out!"

"Loose the arrows!"

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

"Not good, the Qin Army is unleashing arrows! Raise your shields quickly!" Man Cang yelled. Just as he finished speaking, a volley of arrows descended. Had they been a moment slower, they would have been struck down.

"I am here!" Suddenly, a voice cried out from the rear. Shangguan Jian, at the head of his cavalry, had arrived.

"Wonderful! Brothers, our cavalry has arrived!" Hearing Shangguan Jian’s voice, Man Cang was so overcome with relief he nearly wept. Without this reinforcement, they would have almost certainly perished.

"Man Cang, take the remaining brothers and retreat swiftly. I will cover your withdrawal with the cavalry."

"Understood."

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

Nanyang County.

"Report to Commander Xue, we have located an armed group ahead, consisting of approximately five to six hundred individuals." A guard inquired.

"Armed individuals? Who could they be?"

"Their armor is a mix, and their weaponry is quite worn. They do not resemble a unit of the Qin Army. They are likely local insurgents or perhaps bandits."

"What, bandits?" Upon hearing this, Xue San finally exhaled, a wave of relief washing over him. If they were mere rebels or bandits, they might not dare to cause significant trouble. However, encountering the Qin Army would have spelled certain doom.

"Yes, sir."

"Xue San, what is transpiring outside?" He Linghan inquired softly, opening the carriage window.

"Madam, please do not be concerned. A group of mountain bandits has been spotted ahead. I shall handle the situation to ensure our journey continues unimpeded."

"Xue San, look, those people are approaching us," Hehua exclaimed, pointing into the distance. Indeed, the shadowy figures of a group emerged from afar, making their way towards them.

"Madam, remain here while I manage this situation." Xue San maintained a calm demeanor. He still commanded two thousand elite guards, the ultimate trump card of Ye Shikai. Ordinary bandits would find themselves utterly outmatched.

Xue San advanced with his contingent. As anticipated, the approaching group was mostly clad in civilian attire, augmented by leather and wooden armor. Their armaments primarily consisted of common chopping knives and axes, supplemented by a few bronze daggers and spears—truly a band of brigands.

"Who goes there?"

"This route is under our control. All who wish to pass must pay a toll."

"Hahaha, a gaggle of robbers presumes to demand our bounty?" Xue San scoffed, signaling with his hand. The hundreds of soldiers behind him promptly raised their crossbows, ready to unleash their volley. The equipment of Ye Shikai’s guards was the product of meticulous craftsmanship by master blacksmiths, featuring crossbows with an impressive range of several hundred meters, far exceeding that of the standard Qin Army bows.

"So, you still insist on demanding payment?"

Upon witnessing the display of their superior armament, the robbers indeed felt a surge of apprehension. They were significantly outnumbered and their equipment paled in comparison.

While Xue San was capable of handling the robbers, he personally preferred to circumvent unnecessary confrontations. After all, they were in transit, and haste was paramount; there was no time to squander on petty bandits.

"So it transpires that you are from the Qin Army; what a fortunate encounter."

"My good sir, I have no desire to cause you undue trouble, as I am engaged in official duties today. If it is wealth you seek, I do possess some. Accept it and clear the path. Otherwise, the army arrayed behind me possesses the might to annihilate you with ease." Xue San retrieved a pouch laden with gold bars and a measure of silver, tossing it towards them.

"Indeed, this military man exhibits a certain unrestrained charm. If my assessment is correct, you were once a celebrated figure in the Jianghu." The bandit leader appeared quite taken aback by Xue San’s decision. Had it been any other general, they might have been massacred on the spot. Xue San's bearing more closely resembled that of a daring outlaw than a stern general.