"Alright, since you put it that way, I’ll go reassure the brothers. However... Old Ye, if you can’t conquer Beast Mountain within a month, you’ll become a laughingstock among the people." What Shangguan Jian referred to was naturally the oath Ye Shikai had made before setting out. After all, he was now a "public figure," and if he could not fulfill his boastful claims, it would inevitably tarnish his reputation. Now, with Ye Shikai’s repeated military successes and rapid rise, it would be a great loss if his reputation were to be ruined because of this.

"Haha, so that’s what you’re worried about? Those are fleeting things, not worth holding onto. Besides, only a week has passed, and there’s plenty of time left. But what’s most important now is whether Xue San can deliver the map."

As the two spoke, they walked out of the barracks, only to be stunned by the scene before them.

Nine chiliarchs, dozens of Five Hundred Masters, and thousands of soldiers were neatly kneeling on one knee. Anyone who saw this scene would be struck by its sheer spectacle.

"What are you all doing here?" Shangguan Jian hadn’t expected them to act this way and shouted sternly.

"Today, I lead the camp soldiers here to request battle from the General. Please give me two thousand soldiers, and I guarantee to conquer Beast Mountain," said a leader chiliarch firmly. Ye Shikai recognized him as someone from Shangshui Village. When Ye Shikai was still the village chief, he had been one of his squad leaders. Because of his bravery in battle and exceptional courage and loyalty, he was promoted by Ye Shikai, making him a trusted subordinate.

"We all have the same intention. We swear to avenge nearly a thousand fallen brothers and ask the General for permission."

"Please grant us permission, General."

"Please grant us permission, General."

The soldiers shouted in unison, and from their cries, Ye Shikai could hear the suppressed rage in their hearts. Since leading this force, Ye Shikai had never suffered such a defeat. The soldiers had never endured such grievances either.

"Fellow soldiers, I completely understand your feelings. This time, we were ambushed, and we lost so many brothers. This is my responsibility." After Ye Shikai finished speaking, he made a deep bow before the soldiers. After the battle at Eagle Ridge, although the soldiers did not blame Ye Shikai, he was filled with self-reproach and had never had the opportunity to apologize to the whole army.

"General, you’ve led us to so many victories. We don’t blame you. It’s those treacherous soldiers’ tricks. We need to make them pay with blood."

"That’s right, blood for blood."

"Level Beast Mountain."

"Everyone, calm down, please," Ye Shikai shouted loudly when he saw the scene getting chaotic, and only then did the soldiers quiet down.

"We don’t have a specific target right now. Charging into the mountain recklessly and impulsively will only lead you to a pointless death. The comrades standing beside you include friends, fellow townsmen, and even brothers. Do you want to leave this mountain with their bodies?" Ye Shikai scolded loudly.

"General, none of us have been to Beast Mountain before. How could we possibly know the way?"

"That’s right," the soldiers echoed one after another.

"So, we’re waiting for an opportunity, the best chance, to defeat them with the smallest cost. We..."

"Report..." Suddenly, a messenger galloped over, shouting loudly, drawing everyone’s attention to him.

"Reporting to the General, Xue San’s squad has returned."

"That’s great," Ye Shikai exclaimed, clenching his fist. The opportunity he had been waiting for had finally arrived.

...............

Inside the barracks.

"Quick, come in quickly," Ye Shikai called out to everyone to come in. Their faces were all dirty, clearly having wandered in the jungle for a long time. Many had injuries on them, likely from battles with the enemy.

"Wait, where is Xue San?" Ye Shikai suddenly realized Xue San was missing, his expression changed, and he immediately inquired.

"Commander Xue... got injured. To cover us, he ordered us to take the original route back and deliver the map..."

"Where is he?" Ye Shikai shouted, one of the rare moments when he lost his temper, even startling Shangguan Jian beside him. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"He... I don’t know."

"Damn it," Ye Shikai’s anger flared up, and he instinctively drew his sword. Shangguan Jian quickly intervened and held him back.

"Old Ye, this was Xue San’s decision. The squad members were only following orders," Shangguan Jian shouted loudly, pulling Ye Shikai back to his senses from his rage.

Bang.

Ye Shikai’s hand loosened, and the sword dropped to the ground with a clear collision sound. He slumped back into his seat, feeling powerless. The prospects for Xue San were bleak. If he had really been sacrificed...

Ye Shikai couldn’t bear to imagine that scenario.

"General, here is the map that Commander Xue tasked us with bringing back. We encountered enemy attacks on our way and only managed to shake them off after an arduous battle." A team member handed over the map, which clearly marked the location of the rebel camp and various routes, including the cave.

"By chance, we found a cave. This cave leads directly to the enemy camp, but later we were discovered, which is why we were pursued by the enemy."

"You’re saying there’s a cave that connects directly to the back of the enemy’s lair," Shangguan Jian perked up at this information.

"Yes."

"Nonsense, what’s the use now? When they chased you, they already found that cave. Is Yan Yu a fool? Wouldn’t he seal it off?" Ye Shikai, still angry, shouted at the team members.

"That’s true," Shangguan Jian sighed. Now that the rebels knew there was a passage that could directly penetrate their ’heart’ from behind their lair, how could they possibly leave it for the Qin Army?

"But with this map, we now know the enemy’s exact location. It also marks the distribution of the camp. Old Ye, with this map, we’re bound to win," Shangguan Jian nodded and said, indicating for the squad members to leave, noticing Ye Shikai’s low spirits.

"Old Ye, do you really think Xue San has fallen?"

"Of course not," Ye Shikai pounded his head forcefully. He believed in Xue San’s abilities and desperately didn’t want to believe he was dead. But having penetrated deep into enemy lines and being injured by arrows, who could guarantee he was unharmed?

"Old Ye, you’re now not only Xue San’s brother but also the commander of nearly ten thousand brothers. We have all the conditions, timing, geography, and human harmony in our favor. We can’t hesitate anymore; let’s go to war."