294: Unclear password

Midnight, at the hour of Zi.

The Encampment was filled with the sound of snoring, yet in the main tent at the very center of the Encampment, many Generals had quietly gathered.

They were so close together that it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were shoulder to shoulder, but these comrades, who usually chatted freely, were all silent today.

The main tent was not lit; the dark night filled the space around everyone, and only a few heavy breaths could be heard.

It wasn't until Tian Liang lit an oil lamp and walked into the main tent, stepping lightly to the head position, that he raised the lamp, illuminating Xing Daorong's expressionless face.

"Everyone, perk up," Xing Daorong said softly.

Instantly, countless eyes in the main tent lit up, all fixed on Xing Daorong at the head.

"I have received a Military Order; there will be an operation tonight.

Now, go wake the sleeping Soldiers; everyone must be assembled by the quarter-hour before Chou Shi.

And do it quietly, without making a sound," Xing Daorong's eyes instantly turned cold and ruthless. "If there's a panic, if one squad panics, I'll kill the Squad Leader; if one team panics, I'll kill the Centurion; if one hundred panic, I'll kill the Military Marquis!

I will use the heads of all three ranks above them as a sacrifice!"

"Understood!" the Generals responded excitedly. This was serious; there must be a big move!

They had been cooped up and driven crazy these past few days!

"Quieter!" Xing Daorong said softly, a hint of urgency on his face.

These pig-headed people, I just told them to be quiet, and they make such a loud noise!

"Understood," the Generals responded softly, but when combined, it still made a considerable sound.

“Go,” Xing Daorong waved his hand impatiently, then had Tian Liang carry his mountain-splitting axe, and strode out of the main tent!

Under the cover of night, in a snoring barrack, a person quietly approached. That person, using the faint candlelight, accurately found the one he was looking for.

"Liangzi, Liangzi, wake up, it's Guo Jiu," the person gently pushed Liangzi's shoulder, but Liangzi remained sound asleep.

Seeing Liangzi unresponsive, Guo Jiu reached out and grabbed the qin sword Liangzi was hugging.

"Who!" Liangzi felt the qin sword being grabbed, instinctively held it tighter, then gripped the qin sword tightly and suddenly asked.

"Hehe, Liangzi, don't be agitated, it's Guo Jiu," Guo Jiu laughed.

Liangzi was still a bit groggy, his eyes still blurry after just opening them. After he adjusted to the dim light in the room, he carefully examined the person in front of him. Only after recognizing the newcomer did Liangzi's hands, which were gripping the qin sword, slowly relax.

"Squad Leader, you scared me to death, what's wrong?" Liangzi breathed a sigh of relief.

"It's an emergency, no choice. Wake your men; there's a mission," Guo Jiu laughed, then added, "Keep it quiet, don't cause a disturbance. This is confidential."

"Understood," Liangzi's eyes lit up, then he 'swished' up and started patting each person to wake them.

"Dabo, wake up," Liangzi pushed the Soldier named Dabo.

"Who is it? I don't want you, madam, get me Xiaotaohong instead," a Soldier mumbled, though he was refusing, his face appeared slightly lewd.

His dark thigh was pressed against a sleeping Soldier next to him, and he occasionally let out lewd chuckles, a string of drool escaping the corner of his mouth.

Liangzi slapped him across the face with a "crack" and angrily said, "Open your dog eyes and see who I am!

Xiaotaohong? Madam? To hell with it! How are you so familiar with that place, no wonder you haven't married yet, you spend all your hard-earned money on prostitution." Liangzi roared in a low voice.

The Soldier suddenly woke up, "Squad Leader, why is it you? Weren't you in the room with the madam?"

"Go to hell, get up," Liangzi was a bit angry. Seeing him still dazed, he gave him another slap, spat, and went to wake the next person.

Guo Jiu smiled silently at this, then turned and left for the next barrack.

Such scenes were happening all over the Encampment, and the Soldiers moved in an orderly fashion.

At this point, Liangzi led the disheveled Soldiers out. "Squad Leader, ten men from one squad, all present!"

"Well done," Guo Jiu nodded. Soon, people continuously emerged from the barracks, all in units of 'squads.' Once the numbers were complete, Guo Jiu ran to find the Centurion.

While this wasn't as fast as an emergency assembly, it had the advantage of stealth. Moreover, Xing Daorong had given them some extra time, so they had ample time and didn't need to rush, to prevent mistakes born of haste.

The Army thus relayed the information upwards, layer by layer, until it finally reached Xing Daorong's ears.

"Reporting to Colonel, This humble general, Li Mu, has led my camp's 28,714 men, all present!" Li Mu reported in a low voice.

"Reporting to Colonel, This humble general, General Yang Ye..."

...After the three reported in turn, Xing Daorong asked, "No trouble, right?"

"None," the three replied in unison.

"Good, instruct the entire Army to wrap the horses' hooves," Xing Daorong ordered.

"Understood!" the three responded, then turned to relay the order.

Another incense stick passed, and the entire Army was already prepared to depart. Just then, a scout quickly ran in from outside and whispered into Xing Daorong's ear.

After listening, Xing Daorong signaled the entire Army not to make any move, then took a few Generals and walked out.

Xing Daorong ascended to a watchtower, beside him was a massive crossbow! The crossbow, which usually required two men to operate, was now easily operated by Xing Daorong alone. He then handed the crossbow over to Tian Liang, while the Soldiers beside him, not knowing what he intended, could only stand still.

Not long after, Xing Daorong felt the ground slightly shake, then opened his eyes. Before the others had noticed anything, he took over from Tian Liang, regaining control of the crossbow.

Immediately after, the few Soldiers beside him also reacted, instinctively drawing their swords, and then, wanting to beat the drum to sound the alarm, they were stopped by Tian Liang.

From a distance, a large Army, cloaked in the thick black of night, stealthily approached. Xing Daorong's crossbow's direction constantly rotated with the center of the Army; he always aimed at that one person.

The Army halted its advance just outside the Encampment, and neither side spoke.

"Ask the question," Xing Daorong said softly.

"Understood!" Tian Liang responded, then cleared his throat and called out softly:

"Tomato readers are all gods!"

As he finished speaking, a voice from the opposite side also came: "Sword-like eyes and starry brows are deadly handsome!"

Xing Daorong released the crossbow in his hand, turned it around, and said to Tian Liang, "Let them wait outside; we'll go out."

"Understood!" Tian Liang responded, then jogged out.

Xing Daorong descended from the watchtower, muttering to himself as he walked, "What kind of password is this from the Lord? Why is it so strange?"

At the same time, Wei Liang also frowned slightly, not understanding the meaning of the password, but seeing someone walking out from the Encampment, he went to meet him.

"Is the person coming Colonel Wei Liang?" Tian Liang jogged over and asked.

"Precisely!" Wei Liang said in a deep voice.

"This humble general salutes Colonel!" Tian Liang bowed respectfully, "My Lord will arrive shortly, please wait a moment."

"Mm," Wei Liang nodded, not saying much more.

Soon, the main gate of the Encampment opened, and Xing Daorong's broad figure emerged from it!

"Old Wei, have you seen the Lord?" Xing Daorong asked directly.

"No," Wei Liang shook his head.

"Then we can only wait here," Xing Daorong sighed, but the next moment, a scout approached him.

"Sir, the General has arrived."