A fierce wife enters the house: She helps up a house full of spineless people.

"Set off!"

With a wave of his hand, Zhang Kui sent the group slithering into the dense forest beside them like a silent snake.

The mountain path was difficult to traverse, covered with bushes and thorns. The path Zhang Kui chose hugged the ridgeline, winding through the dense forest. Although this meant slower progress, it was the least likely way to be spotted by the rebels.

As the sun slowly veered westward, the light in the woods grew dimmer.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, it got completely dark, and the group finally stopped.

They were in a sheltered mountain hollow, a place so low that it was difficult to spot from the outside.

"Rest where you are! No fires allowed!" Zhang Kui ordered in a low voice. "Send men to keep watch, and the rest of you, eat something and regain your strength!"

With the order given, the tension finally eased. The soldiers, exhausted like dead dogs, didn't care about the cleanliness of the ground. They plopped down, took out the dry biscuits that were already soaked with sweat and softened, and began to gnaw on them with the cool water from their water bags.

Wang Tianfang found a big tree to lean against and took out a flatbread to eat. The flatbread was dry and hard, and it pricked his throat.

After finishing the flatbread, he hesitated for a moment, then took out a small packet wrapped in oil paper from his inner pocket. Inside were several strips of dark, dried meat.

This was made by Jinzhu herself. She said it was marinated with several kinds of ingredients and then air-dried so it could be stored for a long time and was very filling, so he could eat it when he needed it most.

Now, he felt it was time. The job he was about to do was one where his life was at stake, so he needed to save up some energy.

He tore off a strip and put it in his mouth. The jerky was hard, and he had to use his teeth to chew it, but as he chewed, a rich meaty aroma and salty taste spread in his mouth.

"You little rascal, you're really something, even giving yourself an extra meal."

A dark figure sat down beside him; it was Zhang Kui. Wang Tianfang chewed on the dried meat, saying nothing, but simply handed the oil paper package to Zhang Kui.

Zhang Kui waved his hand, pulled a dark leather bag from his pocket, unscrewed the cap, and took a swig. A strong smell of alcohol immediately filled the air.

"Want some drinks?" Zhang Kui handed the leather bag to Wang Tianfang.

Wang Tianfang looked at the leather bag and shook his head: "Captain, drinking alcohol is not allowed in the army."

"What kind of rules are these!" Zhang Kui laughed and cursed, then took a big gulp and exhaled comfortably. "This is something to boost my courage. We're about to have a close call with death, and I'll feel uneasy if I don't drink something hot. Besides, are we even in a military camp? No! We're in the open field! A general in the field may disobey orders, understand?"

Seeing that Wang Tianfang still wouldn't accept it, he didn't force him and simply put the leather bag away himself.

"Kid, aren't you afraid?" Zhang Kui leaned against the tree, turning his head to look at Wang Tianfang. This young man had remained remarkably calm since the ambush, calmer than a new recruit on his first battlefield. He didn't even blink when he killed.

"I'm scared," Wang Tianfang answered honestly.

Wang Tianfang swallowed the jerky in his mouth and continued, "I'm afraid I'll never see my wife again if I die."

"Haha!" Zhang Kui couldn't help but chuckle softly, his chest trembling. "You're a real man, kid."

Wang Tianfang didn't reply. He missed Jinzhu, the warm meals she cooked, the warmth of her body against his when they slept at night, and the way she smiled at him. Thinking about these things only made him feel better; it was as if something was gripping his heart, a bittersweet ache.

Zhang Kui's laughter stopped. He patted Wang Tianfang on the shoulder, his tone becoming more serious: "It's good to be afraid. Those who aren't afraid of death are fools, and they'll be the first to die. If you're afraid, you'll start thinking about how to survive. I've been on the battlefield for over ten years, fighting my way from south to north, and I've killed countless people, but before every charge, my legs still cramp up."

"Alright, you can rest for a bit too." Zhang Kui stood up, patted the dirt off his backside, and said, "I'll go check ahead again. Everyone, listen up and keep your eyes peeled."

After Zhang Kui left, Wang Tianfang ate the last bit of dried meat, feeling full and regaining a lot of his strength.

He checked his gun and quiver, then tucked the short knife at his waist inside.

Ma Ergou came closer, his face still pale, his lips trembling: "Squad leader, I... I'm so panicked, my heart is pounding like a rabbit in my chest."

Wang Tianfang glanced at him and said calmly, "Just jump. If you don't jump, you'll die."

Ma Ergou was stunned by his words.

Another hour passed, and Zhang Kui returned.

"Get up! Prepare to depart!"

Everyone immediately got up, quickly tidied their things, and the team regrouped.

"Once we cross this ridge, we'll reach the rear of the rebel camp. We need to sneak down from a cliff." Zhang Kui's voice carried a hint of excitement and ruthlessness. "Our scouts have already discovered that their provisions are piled up on the west side of the rear camp, near the mountain wall—two large heaps. There aren't many guards, just a hundred-man squad patrolling. This is our chance!"

He glanced at the crowd: "When we go down, split into ten teams of two. I'll lead the way and take out the sentries. The rest of you follow, find your positions, and wait for my signal. If you see any fire, whether it's burning or not, retreat immediately! Return the way you came and regroup here! If you get separated, find your own way out. Survival is the priority! Understand?"

"Understood!" the crowd replied in hushed tones, their voices resolute.

"Alright!" Zhang Kui waved his hand. "Let's go!"

The night was as dark as ink, and even the moonlight was completely obscured by thick clouds.

Wang Tianfang followed behind Zhang Kui, crouching low, moving almost touching the ground. The rocks underfoot were slippery, damp with cold dew, and he had to make sure each step was firm before daring to move forward.

They had already crossed the ridge and were now making their way down a steep slope. It was more like a cliff than a slope, but thankfully it was covered with various shrubs and vines for support.

Zhang Kui moved nimbly, like an old ape, silently sliding down the slope. Wang Tianfang imitated him, trying his best not to let his weapon hit the rocks and make a sound.

Finally, my feet slipped and I landed on flat ground.

Zhang Kui gestured for him to stop, then clung to the shadows of the mountain wall like a gecko, peeking out with half his head.

Wang Tianfang also squatted down, holding his breath, his heart pounding. He could smell the stench of horse manure and the odor of sweat carried on the wind.

In the distance, flickering lights could be seen—torches from the rebel camp. Indistinct shouts and the snorting of horses could also be heard.

They were very close.

Zhang Kui turned back and made a few hand gestures to Wang Tianfang. Wang Tianfang understood; there was a sentry hidden under a large tree about thirty paces ahead.

Zhang Kui pointed to himself, then pointed in that direction, indicating that he should handle the matter. He then pointed to Wang Tianfang, and then to the bow and arrows on his back.

Wang Tianfang immediately understood.

Zhang Kui pulled a short dagger from his waist, put it in his mouth, and then crouched down like a snake, slowly making his way towards the big tree along the shadow of the mountain wall.

Wang Tianfang slowly, extremely slowly, took the longbow off his back. This process felt more exhausting than fighting a battle, as he was afraid the bowstring would snag on something.

He drew an arrow from his quiver and nocked it. The arrowhead was different from the others; it was tightly bound with oil-soaked linen.

This is the kindling they prepared.

He knelt on the ground, drew back the bow halfway, and aimed the arrow steadily at the two huge dark shapes in the distant camp. That was their target—the haystacks.

It was quite far, at least 150 steps. And it was too dark; I could only see a blurry outline.

Wang Tianfang squinted, trying to regulate his breathing and sense the wind direction.

He could sense that the wind wasn't strong tonight and was blowing from the side. He needed to tilt the arrow tip slightly to the left.

Time ticked by, and suddenly, a very faint groan came from ahead. Wang Tianfang knew that Zhang Kui had succeeded.

Without the slightest hesitation, Wang Tianfang took out a tinderbox from his pocket and brought it to the arrowhead. He used his body to shield it, preventing the light from leaking out.

With a "sizzle," the oilcloth on the arrow was ignited, and a small cluster of flames suddenly shot up.

It's now!

Wang Tianfang suddenly stood up, leaned back, and drew his longbow taut like a crescent moon! The bowstring creaked under the strain. All his strength was concentrated in his arms and back.

"Buzz—"

With a muffled thud, the rocket, trailing a streak of fire, shot like a meteor, tearing through the dark night sky and hurtling towards the distant shadows.

Almost the instant the arrow was released, Wang Tianfang rolled away and hid in the shadow of the mountain wall, then ran back without looking back.

"Fire! To the west! Fire to the west!"

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"