The barbarian army, though fierce in battle, lacked discipline, their ranks as scattered as a pile of sand.
Soldiers on perimeter patrol were slumped over, many gathered around bonfires, gnawing on lamb shanks and gulping down wine...
The man in black was skilled in qinggong and adept at concealing his presence, making it not too difficult to infiltrate the enemy camp under the cover of night.
He rubbed his reddened hands together, adjusted the Xuan Tie mask on his face, and scanned his surroundings. "Hmph, celebrating a victory like this. One would think you've already captured the capital..."
Muttering softly, the man crept towards Han Chi'er's large tent, crouched down, and pulled a small bamboo tube from his怀.
This contained a specially made smoke powder that, once inhaled, would render a person unconscious and unresponsive.
This man was Yun Siman, who had traveled a thousand miles from the capital.
After completing the task assigned by Gu Mingyan, Yun Siman had intended to return to Dashui Village to spend a peaceful New Year with his parents and family.
With the bamboo tube ready, Yun Siman chuckled, "Han Chi'er, you old fool, I'll see how arrogant you are when I drag you back to the capital this time..."
He mumbled as he carefully lifted the tent flap, peering inside with narrowed eyes.
A beautiful maiden sat before a long table, wiping the sweat from an old man's brow.
If Yun Siman guessed correctly, this white-haired elder must be the supreme commander of the barbarians – Khan Han Chi'er...
But who was the girl beside him?
Was she a maidservant who had accompanied him?
Never mind, it was just bad luck for this girl to run into Yun Siman. He'd poison her along with the rest today.
With this thought, Yun Siman inserted the bamboo tube through the flap and blew hard into the end...
Wisps of poisonous smoke stealthily drifted in, carrying a peculiar fragrance.
Han Chi Jiao, who had just helped Han Chi'er lie down on the bed, noticed a strange scent lingering in the air.
She furrowed her delicate brows and looked sharply towards the tent entrance. "Who's out there?"
Yun Siman: "..."
Good heavens, this girl was too vigilant.
"What's wrong, Jiaojiao?" Han Chi'er asked curiously.
Han Chi Jiao offered no explanation, instead throwing a handkerchief to Han Chi'er. "Abu, cover your mouth! Poisonous smoke is drifting in!~"
Playing such tricks on her was still too amateur.
Upon hearing this, Han Chi'er quickly sat up, covering his mouth and nose. "The army is under strict guard, who dares to intrude?"
It was obvious without asking; it must be the soldiers from the opposing Daliang Kingdom...
Unable to defeat the barbarian army in open combat, they resorted to such despicable means to assassinate Han Chi'er.
With a swish, Han Chi Jiao drew her dagger and charged out of the tent without a second thought, shouting as she ran, "Guards, catch the assassin!~"
Yun Siman, utterly bewildered: "???"
He had been discovered just like that?
He hadn't even managed to carry off that old rascal Han Chi'er before his cover was blown...
Alas, if he failed this mission, how would he report back to the Marquis?
"Forget it, I should just flee!~" Yun Siman put away the bamboo tube and sped back the way he came.
But Han Chi Jiao was no pushover. As the foremost female war god of the barbarians, how could she let Yun Siman escape so easily?
Following Han Chi Jiao's shouts, a large group of barbarian guards, like ants, quickly converged, surrounding the entire central command tent...
Seeing his escape route blocked, Yun Siman curved his lips. "Hmph, a mere trick!~"
He wouldn't dare infiltrate the enemy camp without some skill.
"Release the arrows!" Han Chi Jiao, clutching her dagger, shouted loudly.
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."
Dozens of arrowheads sliced through the night, shooting towards Yun Siman like shooting stars. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
An ordinary person facing such a barrage would either be shot dead or faint from fright.
Yun Siman, however, remained calm. He tapped his toes and with a 'swish,' he leaped into the air, his agile body landing steadily on the tent's pointed roof, evading the arrow attack...
Han Chi Jiao felt a surge of frustration. She hadn't expected this person's qinggong to be so formidable, as if he had grown wings and could fly at will.
It seemed she would have to take action herself.
"You scoundrel, stop!~"
"Nyah nyah, you can't catch me, hehe!~" Yun Siman stuck out his tongue and then soared into the darkness.
Han Chi Jiao: "..."
This person seemed rather dim-witted.
"You all stay here and protect Abu. I'll go catch him!~" Han Chi Jiao said, then gave chase at extreme speed.
Her subordinates exchanged bewildered glances, forming a human wall outside the tent to protect the Khan's safety...
Yun Siman moved like the wind, disappearing from the military camp in the blink of an eye and galloping across the vast snowy plains.
Han Chi Jiao pursued him relentlessly, as if harboring a deep hatred for Yun Siman.
"You scoundrel, if you don't stop, I, I will..."
"You will what?"
Yun Siman, running, looked back at Han Chi Jiao. "If you have the guts, bite me! Look at my tender skin, would you really dare to sink your teeth in?"
The two maintained a distance of about ten meters. Whenever Han Chi Jiao began to catch up, Yun Siman would quicken his pace, leaving her far behind...
"If you were a man, we'd have a fair duel!~" Han Chi Jiao panted, her face flushed and sweating. "If you win, I'll let you go. If you lose, you'll be my prisoner, understand?"
Yun Siman scoffed. "A good man doesn't fight with women. I don't have a habit of fighting with young girls. You'd best go find somewhere cool to relax!~"
Han Chi Jiao: "..."
This stubborn fool was impervious to reason.
"Then what do you want?" Han Chi Jiao, unable to run further, stopped and gasped for breath.
Yun Siman pouted. "Shouldn't I be asking you that? You're a young lady, staying up all night to chase after me. Aren't you afraid I'll kidnap you?"
It was over now. He hadn't captured Han Chi'er alive, and the other side would surely strengthen their defenses. It would be much harder for Yun Siman to capture him again...
"You were sent by the Daliang Kingdom to assassinate my Abu, weren't you?" Han Chi Jiao, catching her breath, subtly reached for her sleeve.
Yun Siman crossed his arms, contemplating how to report back.
Seeing the girl's aggressive demeanor, his eyes suddenly lit up, and an idea struck him.
This girl had called Han Chi'er "Abu" just now, so she must be his own daughter...
If he brought her back to the capital, the effect should be the same!
With this thought, Yun Siman pursed his lips and smiled. Just as he was about to speak, he saw a dark glint shoot out from Han Chi Jiao's sleeve, hurtling towards him.