Chapter 54: Lurking Like a Camp

"Stitched together that way, this actually turns out to be a big fish," Chen An said with a profound smile. "How about it? Should we find a way to strike a blow at him?"

"However, someone of Moche's status should have quite a few guards around him. Won't we be at a disadvantage?"

"If you aren't going, I will."

Siyu suddenly spoke up.

Chen An hurriedly grabbed Siyu, who was trying to leave. "What's wrong with you? Why do you look so emotional?"

"My father died at the hands of Moche," Siyu said, her eyes wide. "I must personally slaughter that bastard Moche!"

"Don't be in a rush. The matter certainly has to be dealt with, but how to handle it requires me to plan carefully."

Chen An's mind was racing.

...

In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight once again illuminated this grassland, the scene that had been a river of blood just last night now bore no trace at all, as if nothing had ever happened.

Due east of Lake Jamu, after a few eagle cries, dense shadows surged from the horizon.

The number of shadows was massive, stretching as far as the eye could see, estimated to be around several thousand people.

A military banner emblazoned with a "black tiger pouncing on its prey" fluttered gently in the wind.

A hundred cavalrymen cleared the way, iron armor gleaming sternly, driven by eight horses abreast.

The man sitting in the grand chariot weighed at least three hundred catties.

Inside the light, gossamer curtains, songs were sung and dances performed, while three delicate women smiled and embraced one another.

Vibrant and full of charm, their colorful robes drifted like immortals.

The grassland was vast with abundant resources, and the Sixteen Tribes each blossomed in their own way, but very few could truly hold the reins of leadership.

The Jiuli Tribe was undoubtedly one of them.

And as the Junior Khan of the Jiuli Tribe, Moche was naturally a favored son of heaven.

Having successfully plotted his strategies, he had set his sights on the southern grassland. Now, things were progressing smoothly; not only had he won over four tribes, but he had also annihilated the Yuling Tribe.

Although there had been a few minor twists and turns along the way—such as Siyu being intercepted, his vanguard forces repeatedly suffering heavy setbacks, and even his sworn brother being killed by his own hand—fortunately, the overall situation had not been delayed.

With everything now in readiness, he only needed to perform the sacrifice to heaven at Lake Jamu before launching a full-scale invasion of the Central Plains.

Once he had this springboard, he could press straight north or roam freely across the south.

The momentum to unify the world was now unstoppable.

However, Moche still had one matter that troubled him deeply.

That was the fact that unknown when, a spirit of rebellion had arisen within his own tribe.

Some of the old fogies were actually saying that he was prone to bringing disaster to the grassland.

Dammit!

If it weren't for the fact that those old bastards still held some influence, would he have lowered himself to throw them a bone?

Fortunately, the matters concerning the sacrifice to heaven were about to be completed.

The time to strike had finally arrived!

Seeing that Moche was in a good mood, his favorite concubine immediately spoke in a sweet voice, "Congratulations, Khan, on soon performing the sacrifice to heaven. Sweeping away the Han court is also just around the corner."

Moche yawned, his brows twitching as he said, "Hmph, if it weren't for my old man back then, just those few old fellows wanted to block my path?"

"You are a dragon among men, Khan, an eye-opener for us all."

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately drew praise from several of the maidservants nearby.

Terrified of having their thunder stolen, the maidservants vied with one another to flatter Moche.

In an exceptionally fine mood, Moche instantly intended to stage a passionate battle with them right in front of everyone.

Never did he expect that just as he had pulled down his pants, he would be interrupted by his personal guard.

"Khan."

"What is it, rushing about like that? Didn't you see I'm busy with important business?"

"The three hundred vanguard troops of Wuliangke have suddenly gone missing. Scouts report that something may have happened."

"Those idiots of the Hedahe tribe are all a bunch of good-for-nothings. Aside from drinking and fighting, they haven't a shred of discipline."

"Regardless, the situation ahead is unclear. Shouldn't we send someone to investigate?"

"No need!" Moche said with extreme annoyance. "Those good-for-nothings must have gone somewhere to drink. Pay them no mind."

"But..."

The commander of the personal guards wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Moche.

"This Khan has waited for more than twenty years, and finally the grand ceremony of sacrificing to heaven is here. Now you're telling me we should pause and postpone it?"

A trace of displeasure appeared on Moche's face as he rested his hand on the armrest of the dragon chariot, tapping his fingers listlessly against the back of the chair.

"No, no, no, this subordinate wouldn't dare. This subordinate is merely worried."

"There's nothing to worry about! Although Wuliangke is greedy for wine and brainless, the three hundred iron cavalry under his command are elites of the Hedahe tribe. Unless they run into a massive army of a thousand men, they won't suffer a loss."

Moche retorted, "Then tell me, based on the cowards in the Liyang Dynasty's Ministry of War, do they have the guts to send people to declare war on us?"

The personal guard commander dared not argue any further, and only lowered his head to say, "The Khan is right to discipline me. It was this subordinate who was foolish."

"Very well. Since you are uneasy, let's pitch camp here tonight. Once you've investigated thoroughly, we will set off." Moche reminded, "However, you'd better be quick. My patience is not inexhaustible after all."

When the setting sun once again sank into the Yin Mountains, candlelight flickered inside a mountain cave.

Xiao Gui tapped his fingers against the map on the ground, his brows furrowed tightly. "Today, the battalion commander and I went to investigate and found that Moche's main camp is heavily defended. We can't figure out his exact location, so a frontal assault is unlikely to have much chance of success."

The wind outside the cave already carried a hint of chill, rustling the withered grass.

"Judging by our current capabilities, I'm afraid there is only one path left to walk," Chen An analyzed. "Unless someone can find Moche's main tent, allowing us to exploit the void and launch a decapitation strike, we might still have a glimmer of chance."

"I'll go."

A voice came from the entrance. Siyu stood at the door dressed in plain clothes, her eyes flashing with an unusual light. "I am originally from one of the eighteen tribes of the grassland. I am familiar with their attire and speech, and furthermore, I have seen Moche. I will certainly not forget his appearance."

Her fingertips trembled slightly, yet her voice was exceptionally firm. The bloody vengeance of the Yuling Tribe being slaughtered flashed through Siyu's mind every single day.

Chen An looked at her reddened eye rims, fell silent for a moment, and then nodded heavily. "Be careful in everything. Returning alive is what matters most."

When the night was as dark as ink, Siyu, having changed into grassland attire, had already slipped into Moche's camp.

She paced leisurely among the tents.

Whenever patrol guards questioned her, she would reply in fluent grassland language, and the just-right reverence in her eyes when mentioning tribal names prevented the guards from harboring any suspicion.

Relying on her understanding of the rules of the eighteen tribes of the grassland, she soon found the main tent flying the tiger-head banner amidst a cluster of heavily guarded tents.

The candlelight inside the tent cast Moche's fat figure through the felt cloth. Siyu gripped the short dagger hidden in her sleeve, her palms slick with cold sweat.

She quietly parted a corner of the tent curtain and saw Moche leaning over his desk shouting, his back as arrogant as a starving tiger on the grassland.

Just as Siyu was wondering how to sneak inside, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the door.

"Khan, your midnight snack is ready."