Chapter 1218: Grasping the Opportunity

The Magistrate of Ju City felt a cold dread creep through him. He had only been in office for a few months; was his career already over? Losing his post was one thing; he feared he might lose his head too.

He stole a glance at Captain Shi of the Vixia army, who stood with a grim expression, reprimanding his subordinates for their failed search. The magistrate privately believed the condemned prisoner had already escaped Ju City. But no one dared voice that thought.

A shadow flickered outside, and a man rushed in. The magistrate focused his gaze, identifying him as a centurion. This centurion, one of Captain Shi's officers, burst in. Without a bow or a salute to his two superiors, he stated impassively, "I know who abducted Situ He."

He showed a sudden lack of deference to his superiors, and a red glow emanated from his eyes. Captain Shi, startled, cautiously inquired, "Venerable One?"

This centurion was another of the Xuanlu Evil Spirit's ghostly minions stationed in Ju City, and his current state clearly indicated possession. However, Captain Shi cared little about the abductors; his sole concern was the prisoner's location: "Where are they?"

"They have most likely left the city."

Captain Shi's heart grew heavy, as if weighed down by a great stone. Situ He's escape from Ju City constituted a serious dereliction of his duties. But the Xuanlu Evil Spirit paid no mind to his thoughts.

"Assign me two thousand men. I require them."

"Two thousand?" Captain Shi needed clarification. "For what purpose do you require two thousand troops?" Two thousand troops were not a paltry sum of silver to be handed out casually.

"Consider this a boon," Xuanlu said ominously. "This venerable one will act personally."

Captain Shi's surprise was immense. "You, venerable sir, will lead the troops yourself? Do you intend to seize Yaopo?" He had heard that this evil spirit was voracious and demanded a high price; engaging its services was no easy feat. Yet now, this ghost king declared it would personally intervene?

"No, I intend to conquer Rolling Stone Valley."

"Rolling..." Captain Shi thought he had misheard. "Isn't that... not considered a major enemy stronghold?"

"Naturally," Xuanlu said, giving him a cold glance. "How much longer will you waste my time with pointless questions?"

Realizing he was speaking to the Ghost King, Captain Shi felt a chill. He composed himself. "This subordinate cannot make such a decision. I must consult with my superiors."

The centurion's face remained blank, yet Captain Shi detected disdain in his voice. "In my previous army, a useless wretch like you wouldn't have survived two days."

Captain Shi choked on his words. He was familiar with the surrounding terrain; Rolling Stone Valley contained only a mine and a small village. While it appeared defensible, it was surrounded by barren, rocky mountains unsuitable for agriculture or sustained military encampments. What purpose would capturing it serve now? While the mine was valuable, could it sustain an army? Moreover, Ju City had suffered a severe setback tonight with the condemned prisoner's abduction. According to their original plan, they were to defend against the Situ clan's siege. But now that their crucial leverage was gone, would the Situ clan even bother to attack?

Captain Shi already had a mountain of problems, and now the Xuanlu Ghost King wanted to borrow two thousand men. This was truly... truly... It was a case of misfortunes never coming singly.

Knowing the Xuanlu Ghost King's power, he maintained his deferential tone. "Venerable One, I require a reason to present for approval. Why, why do you wish to attack Rolling Stone Valley?"

The Xuanlu Ghost King met his gaze. "Are you aware of the Rakshasa Armor?"

Captain Shi paused, then nodded. It was an ancient legend in the central-western Shining Gold Plains, and as a military officer, he was certainly aware of it.

"The Rakshasa Armor has emerged, and it may be in Rolling Stone Valley," the Xuanlu Ghost King stated coldly. "The Vixia war is at a critical juncture, and you have failed to subdue Situ despite prolonged efforts. Do you not wish to leverage the power of the evil armor?"

Captain Shi had never anticipated such a reason. After a moment of stunned silence, he replied, "I will immediately send a message via carrier bird."

Not daring to speak further, he turned to leave, but the Xuanlu Ghost King spoke again: "My true form will arrive soon. You had best have your troops fully prepared before the day after tomorrow." He did not explicitly state the consequences, but they were clear to all.

The main camp at Yaopo was brightly lit. Situ Yu stood outside the main tent, frequently gazing into the distant night sky. The night sky was clear and empty. Fu Liushan and he had agreed that once Situ He was successfully rescued, fireworks would be set off as a signal.

It wouldn't be so soon, he kept reassuring himself. Calculating the time, Master Fu's team would have only just infiltrated and were about to begin the rescue. His fists unconsciously clenched and unclenched. If they failed... Should the rescue fail, he would launch a swift, overwhelming assault on Ju City. As for Yaopo, he hoped the remaining forces could hold out until he returned with his troops. With a father's heart, he could not, under any circumstances, allow his son to be killed. Situ Yu took a deep breath, trying to calm the overwhelming anxiety in his heart.

Just then, he heard the most familiar voice from behind him.

"Father!"

It was Situ He's voice. Was he hallucinating?

"Father, I've returned!"

Situ Yu whirled around, only to see his son rushing towards him, flanked by several guards, his body stained with blood.

"A-He?" Situ Yu's joy was immense, yet the sight of blood on his son sent a jolt of fear through him. Immediately, a guard stepped forward, raising a lamp to illuminate Situ He's face. Any imposter or disguise would be revealed by the light. It was truly him, beyond a doubt.

Only then did Situ Yu step forward, firmly gripping his son's shoulders, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

"This..." His expression instantly darkened upon seeing the injury on his beloved son's hand. "Who did this?!" "Guards, where is the medical officer?" His heart ached with a father's deep connection.

"The Ghost King," Situ He replied. Being a condemned prisoner was no holiday; he had endured a terrible two days, including torture by the Xuanlu Ghost King. Though he swayed precariously, his mind was clear, and he spoke concisely: "The Xuanlu Ghost King sought to compel me to persuade Father to surrender."

The military doctor rushed over at the sound, and upon seeing Situ He's injuries, immediately directed him into the tent for treatment. As Situ He lay down on the narrow cot, his father questioned him.

"By the way, where is Master Fu's entire team? How is it that only you returned?"

"Huh?" Situ He paused, instinctively looking around. "Master Fu was here too?" He also knew Fu Liushan.

Situ Yu was even more surprised. "Master Fu didn't rescue you?" Then how did his son suddenly appear?

"No, no, it was an old acquaintance of mine!" Seeing the conversation stray, Situ He quickly redirected. "Father, now that I am free, what are your next plans?" This was the immediate priority.

Situ Yu's expression instantly became serious.

"My escape was so swift that the Vixia forces haven't even reacted yet," Situ He asserted. "They're likely still searching for me throughout the city. This is an opportune moment, Father; we absolutely must not waste it!"

From the moment he blacked out to his return to Yaopo, less than half an hour had elapsed! He still couldn't comprehend how He Xiao had brought him back. He could understand escaping Ju City, but the journey from Ju City to Yaopo was several miles, with winding, treacherous mountain roads at night. A horse running too fast could easily sprain an ankle or fall off a cliff. How then, could He Xiao have safely delivered him back to Yaopo in under half an hour? He hadn't felt a single jolt during the entire journey! It was utterly bizarre. The only plausible explanation was He Xiao's mastery of evasion techniques.

Situ Yu was asking him, "How long did your escape take?"

Situ He quickly shook his head, clearing his mind of distracting thoughts. "From the moment I was rescued until now, barely half an hour has passed."

"Half an hour!" Situ Yu's expression shifted, surprise evident on his face. As a military commander, however, his immediate thought was of the opportunity now before them. Just as his son said, his escape had been too swift for the Vixia forces to even react. Now was the perfect moment!

"Good, excellent," he said, sitting on Situ He's bed. "My original plan, had the rescue failed, was to attack Ju City before dawn. I estimate Ju City would have anticipated this and prepared their defenses."

Situ He immediately inquired, "What about the Vixia front line?"

The Vixia had another detachment stationed in Baijian Town, forming a pincer with Ju City, vigilantly monitoring the Situ army. The Situ army had suffered two defeats and had been forced to shift from offense to defense, finding themselves outmatched when fighting two fronts simultaneously. Whichever point he attacked, the other would exploit the vulnerability.

"Scouts report that the Vixia camp at Baijian Town was also lit throughout the night, their horses kept saddled, indicating they too were prepared. They likely intend to wait for me to move against Ju City, then attack Yaopo. My initial thought was to assign a thousand men to defend our camp here."

The Vixia were employing an obvious stratagem, and Situ Yu, though fully aware it was a trap, was prepared to walk into it, simply because he could not abandon his son. But that was before! Situ He's sudden liberation instantly reversed the situation. Situ Yu's vulnerability was gone, and the Vixia forces hadn't even realized it yet!

"But Ju City was prepared beforehand," Situ He pointed out, "with well-trained soldiers and ample provisions. If we were to launch a direct assault now, we would likely fail to take it quickly." Ju City was merely a decoy, designed to draw out the Situ clan. And the Vixia army in Baijian Town would still advance on Yaopo, attempting to break the Situ clan's front line.

Situ Yu nodded. "Precisely. A-He, what are your thoughts?"

Situ He hadn't slept for days, had endured torture, and lost a significant amount of blood. Even after the military doctor treated his wounds and stopped the bleeding, his limbs felt like lead when he lay down, and he longed to simply lose consciousness. Yet, at this critical juncture, he forced himself to stay alert. "Ju City is prepared for defense, but is Baijian Town? Their attention is fixed on Ju City ahead; they won't anticipate danger from behind."

His words were a revelation.

Situ Yu slammed his fist into his palm. "Brilliant! Baijian Town will never expect us to bypass Ju City and attack them instead! Yes, yes, this is an excellent idea! The Vixia want to surprise Yaopo? I will use their own tactics against them!" He rose and paced several steps. "But we must also create diversions to make the Vixia believe we are marching on Ju City."

Ju City had just been thrown into disarray and was still unaware of Situ He's escape, so Baijian Town would not receive the news so quickly. Speed is of the essence in warfare.

Situ Yu lightly patted his son's shoulder. "You rest and recover from your injuries. I will go make the arrangements." With his son safe, he was free to wage war without restraint.

Situ He exhaled. "This battle will surely be a great victory!"

The calming medicine's effects soon took hold. Before Situ Yu had even left the tent, he could no longer stay awake and drifted into a deep sleep.

The following day dawned clear and bright, with the sun high in a cloudless sky. Late that morning, a troop of men entered Jishi Village, inquiring after "He Xiao."