Xiqiang Spies

Luo Yu and Xiao Shaoyou followed the group at a distance as they wound through a dilapidated neighborhood. The surrounding houses had long been abandoned, their walls covered in vines. They watched as the men slipped into several civilian houses.

Before entering, they furtively checked for any civilians nearby, practically writing "ghost" on their faces.

"Looks like they're not good people."

Xiao Shaoyou sneered:

"This area has been abandoned for a long time. No one usually comes here, yet they found their way in so easily. They must have been hiding here for quite some time."

"Let's wait."

Luo Yu flipped his hand, and the dagger Dawn appeared in his palm: "Like fish in a jar. Once we spot them, they have nowhere to run."

Soon, a large group of soldiers quietly entered the alley, about thirty to forty men, completely surrounding the houses.

"Boss, I'm here!"

The leader was Pang Fei, Xiao Shaoyou's deputy captain, a capable subordinate whom Luo Yu had met several times.

"There are about ten Xiqiang spies in this house. We'll storm in..."

Xiao Shaoyou briefly explained the situation. Pang Fei viciously drew his curved sword:

"Boss, don't worry. Just a dozen Xiqiang soldiers, what can they do?"

"Remember, leave one alive."

Luo Yu reminded:

"He's useful to us!"

"Got it!"

"Let's move!"

With a light wave of Xiao Shaoyou's hand, over twenty soldiers stood up with fierce looks. The rest guarded the street entrance to ensure no one escaped.

Pang Fei kicked open the door with his sword and charged in first. Soon, chaotic shouts echoed throughout.

"Who are you!"

"Damn, it's the Qian army! Fight them!"

"Damn Xiqiang bandits, kill them!"

Dozens of men fought fiercely in the houses, their shouts intense. Fortunately, this area was remote and didn't attract attention. Otherwise, news of Xiqiang soldiers in the city would have caused chaos.

Luo Yu and Xiao Shaoyou entered the courtyard where a chaotic fight was underway. As soon as they stepped through the gate, they felt a cold wind from the side. A Xiqiang soldier lunged at them with a curved sword.

"To die!"

Luo Yu sidestepped the sharp blade and thrust his right hand forward. Dawn pierced the Xiqiang soldier's throat precisely, a jet of blood spraying out, killing him instantly.

"Whoa, impressive skills."

Xiao Shaoyou gave a thumbs up: "No wonder you won two battles. Where did you learn these moves?"

"Stop joking, watch out!"

Luo Yu shouted coldly because he saw a Xiqiang soldier sneaking up from behind, his blade aimed at Xiao Shaoyou's back.

"Hmph!"

"A bunch of cats and dogs, trying to kill me?"

Though unarmed, Xiao Shaoyou remained calm. A powerful punch hit the Xiqiang soldier's face, shattering his teeth and spewing blood. Before he could fall, Xiao Shaoyou caught the curved sword and stabbed him to death.

Despite his scholarly appearance, he wasn't any softer than Luo Yu when it came to fighting.

The remaining battle was easy. Xiao Shaoyou's men were skilled, quickly killing all the Xiqiang spies except for one who was barely alive.

"This is the leader."

Pang Fei, breathing heavily, threw a captive to the ground. In the fierce battle, he had cut down two Xiqiang soldiers, his blade dripping blood, exuding killing intent.

"Qian army brats, if you have guts, let's fight fair on the battlefield! What's the point of outnumbering us!"

The spy leader was furious, shouting:

"You cowards! Hiding in Yunyang Pass all day!"

"Hmph, a bunch of spies have the nerve to talk about fair play?"

Xiao Shaoyou's eyes blazed with cold fury:

"Speak! How did you get into the city? How many of you are there? Who arranged this hideout?"

"Spit!"

The Xiqiang soldier spat viciously, his neck stiff:

"I won't say a word. Just kill me."

"Quite brave, aren't you?"

Xiao Shaoyou mocked:

"I've captured many Xiqiang prisoners. They all start off tough, but once they've been tortured and know what it's like to be worse than dead, they become more honest than anyone. I advise you not to suffer unnecessarily!"

Bare-faced threats and intimidation.

The Xiqiang soldier finally shut up, a hint of fear in his eyes.

"So, ready to talk?"

Xiao Shaoyou stepped forward, smirking: "If you answer honestly, I might let you live to return to the grasslands."

"Talk my ass!"

Just as they thought the Xiqiang soldier would confess, he suddenly lunged to the side. Pang Fei, caught off guard, was knocked back several steps by a headbutt. The spy took advantage of the moment to escape, dashing several steps away and about to climb over the wall.

"Damn, the Xiqiang bastard!"

"Don't let him escape!"

Pang Fei's face turned red with anger, charging forward in one stride. His curved sword swung out:

"Stop!"

"Don't!"

Luo Yu shouted in alarm: "Leave him alive!"

"Thrust!"

Before he could finish speaking, the blade stabbed into the Xiqiang soldier's back, killing him instantly. Looking at the blood-soaked corpse, both Xiao Shaoyou and Luo Yu's expressions were grim.

Pang Fei seemed to realize his mistake, standing uncertainly beside Xiao Shaoyou:

"Boss, I was rash. I was worried he'd escape..."

"Never mind."

Xiao Shaoyou laughed bitterly:

"Dead is dead. We can't bring him back. Clean up the scene, take away the bodies, and don't scare the civilians. Remember, keep this secret!"

"Understood!"

Xiao Shaoyou understood Pang Fei's actions. Better dead than escaped.

"Seems our lead is cut off again."

Xiao Shaoyou said helplessly: "Thought we could get some information from a live prisoner, but it all went to waste."

"Not completely useless."

Luo Yu sheathed Dawn, speaking coldly:

"Just as you said, this area has been abandoned for a long time, rarely visited by civilians. Yet these spies found their way here so easily. Someone must have arranged it for them.

What does that mean? It means there's a traitor in the city, and he's in a high position."

"Right."

Xiao Shaoyou's gaze turned cold:

"These days, refugees entering the city are carefully questioned. For them to slip past the guards would be impossible, especially with weapons. There must have been someone helping them!

But who?"

They exchanged glances. They had a feeling that this group of Xiqiang spies must have been brought in by the traitor.

"Let's report to General Kong."

After hesitating for a long time, Xiao Shaoyou said:

"Xiqiang spies are a serious matter. We can't keep it secret. Let's tell the general about the traitor too and figure out what to do."

"Agreed. I also have a feeling that there are more spies hiding in the city than just this group."

Looking at the dead bodies, Luo Yu raised his head:

"No time to waste. Let's go now!"