jdhmnovel Chapter 813 War Brewing: Night Shadow and Night Owl's Rescue (Page 12)
Chapter 813 War Brewing: Night Shadow and Night Owl's Rescue (Page 12)
The night was as dark as ink, spilling over every corner of Qingzhou City. The once bustling streets were now filled with unease due to the governor's order to "suppress the rebellion" and the subsequent "house arrest" of General Lin Ping, the General of the Northern Garrison. The atmosphere was as oppressive as the sea before a storm.
Deep within a secluded courtyard of the governor's mansion, in an inconspicuous secret room, candlelight flickered, illuminating two resolute yet beautiful faces.
"Time is of the essence, let's split up and act now." Zhou Mi, the former leader of "Night Shadow," Lin Ping's most secretive intelligence organization, broke the silence of the secret room with her sharp, eagle-like gaze and decisive tone. Dressed in a close-fitting outfit with a sword at her waist, she showed none of the fragility of an ordinary woman, only the composure and competence of someone who had weathered many storms. "Lin Xue, you're in charge of secretly contacting our old comrades in the army, especially those reliable brothers who followed our elder sister in battles across the country. Tell them that our elder sister has been wronged, that we're going to rescue her, and ask them if they're willing to work with us. Remember, it must be done in secrecy, absolutely no alerting them. The key is to get control of those crucial positions, such as the heads of the city gate guards, the armory, the granary, and the mid-level officers of several main battalions."
"Understood!" Lin Xue replied in a deep voice, her eyes flashing with anxiety and anger. She possessed exceptional martial arts skills and a forthright personality. Although her reputation in the army didn't match that of the rising star Lin Ping, she had still earned many loyal and trustworthy brothers through thick and thin, thanks to her passionate spirit and genuine skill. Hearing Zhou Mi's instructions, she almost immediately went into action, her clenched fists turning white at the knuckles. Her elder sister, Lin Ping, was her benefactor, her idol, and the very soul of the Qingzhou Army. Now that her idol was tarnished and morale was wavering, how could she stand idly by?
Zhou Mi nodded, satisfied with Lin Xue's reaction. She turned to the other side of the secret room, where a dozen or so men and women stood with calm demeanor and wary eyes. They were the remaining core members of the "Night Shadow" organization, as well as some of the "Night Owl Guards" loyal to Lin Ping—Lin Ping's personal guard, which was now leaderless due to the captain's serious injury, and was temporarily under Zhou Mi's coordination.
"Night Shadow" and "Night Owl Guard" are Lin Ping's two sharpest hidden swords. Normally, each has its own specific duties: one is responsible for intelligence gathering, infiltration, and assassination; the other for close protection and carrying out top-secret missions. Now, for a common goal—rescuing Commander Lin Ping—these two elite forces are united for the first time so closely. Coupled with the military forces that Lin Xue can contact and mobilize, they are not without leverage; however, these leverages must be used wisely, or they will face utter destruction.
"Sisters, brothers," Zhou Mi's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a power that pierced the heart, "Our eldest sister has been falsely accused and imprisoned. Governor Wang Song is a wolf in sheep's clothing, plotting to seize military power; his heart deserves to be condemned! We, 'Night Shadow' and 'Night Owl Guard,' were established and nurtured by our eldest sister; our lives were given to us by her, and our loyalty belongs only to her! Tonight, we will let Qingzhou City know that as long as we have a breath left, we will never let these treacherous villains succeed!"
"We swear to serve our elder sister to the death!" "Rescue the general!" "Slay the traitors!" Deep, powerful responses echoed in the secret chamber, carrying long-suppressed anger and a do-or-die determination. Fifty-odd people, though few in number, were each elite warriors handpicked from the best. Gathered together, their combined aura was enough to terrify any opponent.
Zhou Mi raised her hand, signaling everyone to be quiet: "Very good! Now, I will assign specific tasks."
She walked to the simplified map of Qingzhou's city defenses hanging on the wall and pointed at it with her finger: "First, the intelligence team. Immediately mobilize all available informants to closely monitor the governor's mansion's every move, especially the exact location where Eldest Sister is being held, the guard rotation schedule, and troop deployment. At the same time, closely monitor the movements of the heads of key departments in the city, especially those officials recently promoted or transferred by Wang Song. Investigate their backgrounds, weaknesses, and loyalty to Wang Song. I need to know every sneeze and every secret conversation Wang Song has!"
Two members of "Night Shadow" bowed and accepted the order. They were slender and had bright, alert eyes, like the most perceptive cats in the dark.
"Second, the infiltration team." Zhou Mi pointed to the high wall of the governor's mansion. "Find a way to infiltrate the core area of the governor's mansion, draw a detailed map, and mark patrol routes, sentry post locations, and traps. If possible, try to establish direct contact with the eldest sister to understand her situation and needs. Remember, safety first. If exposed, evacuate immediately. Do not linger in battle. We cannot afford to lose any of our members."
The three most agile and stealthy members of the "Night Owl Guard" and "Night Shadow" exchanged glances, a hint of excitement and determination flashing in their eyes, and replied in a deep voice, "Yes!"
“Third, the supplies team.” Zhou Mi turned to a woman from “Night Shadow” who appeared older and more meticulous. “Weapons, armor, medicine, rations, ropes, fire starters… immediately take stock of all the items that might be needed. If there are any shortages, find a way to get them from our secret base, or… ‘borrow’ them from the enemy! Note that the movements must be discreet and must not attract anyone’s attention. Arrows and medicine, in particular, must be prioritized to ensure sufficient supplies.”
"Fourth, the external liaison group, led by Lin Xue." Zhou Mi looked at Lin Xue again. "Your task is the heaviest and most crucial. The veteran brothers in the army are our greatest support. You must walk a tightrope, both awakening their loyalty and ensuring Wang Song doesn't notice anything amiss. I'm giving you three days. After three days, I need to know exactly how much force we can mobilize in the army, especially at the city gates, armories, granaries, and main force battalions. How confident are we? Remember, only find absolutely reliable people; it's better to have fewer but better people than more and more mixed ones. If the news leaks, we'll all be doomed!"
“Don’t worry, Zhou Mi!” Lin Xue’s eyes were firm. “I trust the brothers in the army! They won’t forget the kindness Big Sister showed them! I will bring back news within three days!” She knew this was not just trust, but a heavy responsibility. She turned and left the secret room without hesitation, disappearing into the night like a gust of wind. Her figure blended into the darkness, like a stone thrown into the sea, silent yet carrying the power to create a huge wave.
“Fifth, the reserve team.” Zhou Mi’s gaze swept over the remaining people. “I will personally lead them. We are responsible for providing support to each group at any time, handling emergencies, and formulating and refining the final rescue plan based on intelligence from the front lines. We need to prepare at least three rescue plans: the best plan is to use pressure and evidence from the military to force Wang Song to release our eldest sister and restore her military power; the middle plan is to create chaos, use a feint, and take the opportunity to forcibly rescue our eldest sister from the governor’s mansion; the worst plan…” Zhou Mi’s voice paused, a ruthless glint flashing in her eyes, “If our eldest sister encounters any misfortune, or if Wang Song is determined to kill her, we will spare no effort to assassinate Wang Song, and then… with Lin Xue or a highly respected figure in the military as our leader, we will raise an army to purge the court of corrupt officials and avenge our eldest sister!”
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison, their voices filled with sorrow and determination. The worst course of action meant that Qingzhou City would be completely engulfed in war, and that they would bear the stigma of "rebellion," but for Lin Ping's sake, they had no other choice.
The candlelight in the secret room still flickered, illuminating the young yet resolute faces. Fifty elite soldiers, like fifty sparks gathering strength in the darkness, awaited only the command to ignite a prairie fire.
Chapter 1: Undercurrents Flowing
Lin Xue didn't go home. She didn't even have time to grieve or be angry; the immense pressure forced her to remain absolutely calm and efficient. She changed into an inconspicuous coarse cloth outfit, smeared some mud on her face, and looked like a down-on-his-luck man doing odd jobs near the military camp. She knew that Governor Wang Song must have already ordered increased surveillance within the army; any unusual gathering or contact could lead to her death.
She didn't go directly to the high-ranking officers. Those men were either under close surveillance by Wang Song or their attitudes were ambiguous and hesitant; contacting them rashly would be too risky. Her targets were the mid-level officers and the backbone of the rank-and-file soldiers—those old brothers who had fought alongside her on the battlefield, drunk together around the campfire, and received kindness from Lin Ping.
Her first target was Zhang Meng, the garrison commander of the South Gate. Zhang Meng was a typical northern man, hot-tempered and brave in battle. He always obeyed Lin Ping's every word, even idolizing her. Years ago, during a fierce battle with barbarians, Zhang Meng was seriously wounded. It was Lin Ping who personally led men to drag him from a pile of corpses and then summoned the army's best physician to save his life. Zhang Meng had always remembered this kindness.
Lin Xue didn't go directly to the South Gate tower, but instead went around to a secluded little tavern in the south of the city. This was a place Zhang Meng used to occasionally come to have a couple of drinks. The owner was an honest local who always turned a blind eye to these military men. Lin Xue had given Zhang Meng a secret signal, known only to the old brothers, through a reliable member of the "Night Shadow" gang—"The moon is beautiful tonight, perfect for a couple of drinks to relax."
Night deepened, and the tavern was nearly empty. Lin Xue chose a secluded corner spot, ordered the cheapest liquor, and sipped it slowly. Her heart, however, was pounding with anxiety. She didn't know if Zhang Meng would come, or if his stance remained the same.
Just as Lin Xue was about to lose her patience, a burly man in civilian clothes, yet still exuding military bearing, walked in. His eyes scanned the tavern warily before finally settling on Lin Xue. Despite her disguise, Lin Xue's upright posture and the heroic air between her brows made Zhang Meng recognize her at a glance.
A flicker of surprise crossed Zhang Meng's eyes, quickly turning into deep worry. He didn't approach immediately, but instead ordered a drink from the bar, pretending to drink casually while secretly glancing around. After confirming there were no suspicious individuals, he picked up his drink, strode to Lin Xue's table, plopped down, and lowered his voice, his tone urgent and angry: "Brother Lin... Brother Lin? What brings you here? Things are so tense in the city right now, you..."
“Brother Zhang,” Lin Xue interrupted him, her voice hoarse and low, “I’ve come to see you because of my eldest sister.”
"Big Sister..." Zhang Meng gulped down a mouthful of wine, slamming his fist on the table, drawing the attention of the guests nearby. He immediately realized his lapse in decorum, took a deep breath, and gritted his teeth, saying, "That damned Prefect Wang Song! Heartless and ungrateful! How much blood has Big Sister shed for Qingzhou, how many merits has she made? He actually... he actually framed Big Sister for treason! I wish I could chop him to pieces!"
Hearing Zhang Meng's words, Lin Xue finally felt a sense of relief. She quickly gestured for Zhang Meng to speak softly, "Brother Zhang, this is not the time to speak in anger. My elder sister is currently imprisoned in the governor's mansion, and her situation is unclear. We cannot stand by and watch her be harmed by treacherous people!"
Zhang Meng suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Lin Xue: "Brother Lin, tell me! What do you need me for? I'd go through fire and water, I'm not a hero if I even flinch! As long as you can save my sister, I'll give you my life!"
"Good! Brother Zhang, you're a true man!" Lin Xue was thrilled. "We need your strength. The South Gate is one of the gateways to Qingzhou, and its geographical location is crucial. I need you to guarantee that the South Gate will be under our control at critical moments. We don't need you to turn against us immediately, but at the very least, you can't hinder our actions, and you should find ways to provide us with convenience, such as... creating some 'chaos' at specific times, or letting some 'special' people pass through."
Zhang Meng nodded without hesitation: "No problem! Most of the brothers in Nanmen have been through thick and thin with Big Sister and me. Wang Song's nonsense won't fool them! As long as Big Sister needs us, Nanmen is ours! You tell me when and how to do it, and I, Zhang Meng, will never hesitate!"
"Alright!" Lin Xue patted Zhang Meng's shoulder forcefully. "Brother Zhang, this matter is of utmost importance; we absolutely cannot let a fourth person know about it. This is the contact code and token." She took out a small wooden plaque with a special pattern and a piece of paper with a simple code written on it from her bosom. "If we need to take action, I will send someone to find you with this. Until then, you should continue as usual—drink as usual, train as usual—and not let anyone see through our disguise."