Gu Yun's expression darkened—something was wrong. Sixty rooms had been checked against fifty-seven on their records, which meant only three remained unsearched. The odds that the wooden box lay in one of them was a mere five percent—hardly promising. If the box wasn't in the rear courtyard, why had Su Ren gone to such lengths to station so many men there? Was it merely a ploy to mislead the enemy? Then where was the wooden box hidden? In the central courtyard's main hall? The study? Or perhaps the side chamber?
Furrowing her brows in contemplation, Gu Yun murmured, "Let me see your map again."
"Yes, ma'am." Ge Jingyun pulled the map from his sleeve and unfurled it before her. Under the moonlight, the intricate layout seemed overwhelming, yet Gu Yun voiced neither complaint nor confusion. It was as though navigating in the dark was second nature to her. Her keen eyes swept over the diagram repeatedly, her voice devoid of emotion as she inquired, "Has the troop deployment changed since our last infiltration?"
He had spoken to other soldiers during the headcount just moments ago, trying to gather information. Ge Jingyun pondered for a moment before answering with careful deliberation, "The rear remains heavily guarded. More than half the troops are stationed there. But one thing stands out—the commanding officers are concentrated between the rear courtyard and the central courtyard. Around five hundred soldiers are garrisoned there, yet only about two hundred actually patrol the rear."
Five hundred garrisoned and only two hundred patrolling—where were the rest stationed? Could that be where the box was?
A gleam flickered in Gu Yun's eyes. "Well played, Su Ren," she thought with a hint of admiration. Those five hundred weren't truly there to defend the rear quarters. The patrols were nothing more than a ruse. Their actual purpose was to intercept any infiltrators before they could reach the central courtyard. In truth, their true objective was to secure the heart of the encampment.
Thus, with the watchtower at the front and fierce generals at the back, the unpatrolled central courtyard had become the safest and most inconspicuous location of all.
Her slender finger traced the map. Based on Su Ren's temperament, he would never place the box in the main hall.
Then—it must be...
Her index finger halted.
Gu Yun's catlike eyes shimmered with cunning beneath the night sky. She crooked her finger at Leng Xiao and Ge Jingyun, a sly smile dancing on her lips. "You two, come here. We'll divide our forces. Leng Xiao, you'll take…"
The night deepened. What should have been a still, slumbering hour instead pulsed with chaos, ignited by the blaze of torches and the thunderous cries of relentless assaults. Su Yu had changed formations, and the vanguard had already reached the base of the watchtower.
There were only two ways to breach it: batter down the gates or scale the high walls. Attacking from above was difficult—the walls towered three zhang high. Even if they managed to hook the rope ladders up, the climb would be time-consuming, and the defenders above were shielded by a rain of arrows, not to mention the hundreds of soldiers lying in wait atop the walls.
Hence, Su Yu had chosen to ram the gates.
Dozens of soldiers at the front hoisted a massive tree trunk—so thick that it required two men to wrap their arms around it—and began striking the gate in unison, each blow echoing ominously through the towering bronze doors, shaking the hearts of all who heard.
From atop the wall tower, the entire encampment—its rear courtyard and outer movements—was clearly visible. Su Ren stood there, watching the soldiers pound his gate with no trace of fury on his face. Instead, he looked pleased, even serene.
The fact that new recruits performed so well meant that the Su army would soon welcome yet more elite warriors. Naturally, he was pleased.
On the other side, Han Shu chuckled heartily. "Their formation's not bad. Only half a month of drills, and they can already switch between two formations without falling into chaos. First time on the battlefield, and not a hint of panic—excellent!"
"If you keep relying solely on that arrow barrage, it won't be long before your gate is splintered," Han Shu added with a trace of glee. Su Ren's arrows couldn't stop this new blood—shields raised high, they advanced in lockstep. So long as their formation held, even a storm of arrows would do little.
"Men," Su Ren called softly.
"Here, General." A lieutenant quickly stepped forward.
"Switch to stone assault," Su Ren ordered. After a pause, he added, "Use smaller stones."
"Yes, sir."
Hearing this, Han Shu burst out laughing and clapped Su Ren heartily on the shoulder. "You really do have a soft spot for talent—even in battle, you're thinking of the next generation!"
Su Ren merely smiled, his deep black eyes scanning the camp below, searching quietly for Gu Yun. She couldn't have just sent a scouting party to the rear courtyard and then done nothing more. There was still half an hour before dawn. What was she planning?
As the soldiers turned to stone warfare, rocks the size of a man's head rained down from above. Even with shields, the impact was brutal. The previously tidy formation quickly fell into disarray, and the tide of battle began to shift.
Just as the front lines were on the brink of collapse, a volley of fire arrows flew from both sides of the wall. Sparks erupted across the ramparts, forcing the defenders to split their forces between extinguishing flames and fending off attackers. For the soldiers battering the gate below, it was a much-needed reprieve.
Suddenly, flames burst across the gate. Han Shu's eyes lit up with delight. "My lady has arrived."
Su Ren's spirits lifted—she was finally making her move.
A sudden weight pressed on his shoulder. Startled, he heard Han Shu exclaim, "Look behind you!"
Su Ren turned. From the rear courtyard, a fresh wave of black-clad figures surged forth—hundreds of them flooding toward the central courtyard. And in their hands? Towering shields—those used in siege warfare!
What were they planning?
While Su Ren and Han Shu watched in stunned silence, Su Yu too found himself filled with questions. Why was Qing Mo sending reinforcements now? Even if she planned to attack, wouldn't it make more sense to strike after he had failed?
Just then, a shadow approached him—it was Gu Yun.
With a faint smile, she stood beside him. Su Yu asked curiously, "Aren't you supposed to be commanding your troops? What brings you here?"
Gu Yun shrugged. "I've already issued my orders. Now it's up to them. Besides, this round is a test of their strength. I can't step in even if I want to. So why not enjoy the best vantage point?"
She always had these vague, yet oddly convincing justifications. No one could refute her. Looking toward the tower, where defenders were juggling fire, arrows, and incoming soldiers, even the well-trained troops began to falter under the pressure.
Su Yu chuckled. "I thought you wouldn't attack tonight—just let me test Second Brother's defenses, then make your move tomorrow. Didn't think you'd lose patience so quickly."
Gu Yun arched a brow. "And here I thought your elaborate plan was to probe his weaknesses for a strike tomorrow night. Do you really think your sly fox of a brother will keep the same formation two nights in a row?"
Su Yu's brow furrowed. Of course, he knew his brother wouldn't be predictable. But surely he wouldn't completely shift tactics every single night?
Gu Yun thought differently. "Tonight is when Su Ren and his men are at their most relaxed. It's also our best chance at victory. If we don't win tonight, even united, we may not stand a chance in the battles to come."
The Su army had always been proud and invincible. Overconfidence was their greatest flaw. Tonight was their most vulnerable moment.
After a long silence, Su Yu slowly nodded, then sighed, "But there's only half an hour until dawn. Victory may already be out of reach."
These seasoned generals would recover quickly from disarray. And if Su Ren sent another hundred reinforcements, it would be even harder to win.
A soft smile played on Gu Yun's lips. "That's not necessarily true."
Su Yu was momentarily taken aback—what gave her such confidence?
No sooner had she spoken than a resonant hum echoed through the night. A streak of silver light shot from the darkness and embedded itself in the city wall—it was a spear!
The shaft still trembled with the force of its throw.
Following the silver flash, Su Yu's eyes widened. A massive ballista had been wheeled into place. Dozens of soldiers strained to pull its thick bowstring taut—and their "arrows" were none other than spears.
What in heaven's name were they planning…?