The sudden appearance of enemy forces and a lama aroused Luo Zheng's suspicion. The lama's physique and appearance initially seed very similar to the State Preceptor, but his face was obscured by a scarf, making identification difficult. With satellite support, Lan Xing could easily identify his skull. Looking at the escort team, their guns never left their hands, and they appeared tense, as if facing a formidable foe.
The team was getting closer. Should they attack or not? If the lama was indeed the State Preceptor, not attacking would an missing an opportunity. But if they did attack, they could eliminate the lama, and the hundred or so enemies wouldn't pose too much concern. After the attack, they could vanish into the forest, impossible to track. The idea tempted Luo Zheng.
At this mont, Lan Xue and the others turned to Luo Zheng, waiting for the combat signal. The opportunity was rare, and no one wanted to miss it. A hundred or so enemies weren't threatening; the team had rested all night and rebuilt their strength. Luo Zheng noticed everyone's eager gazes and felt swayed himself, raising his hand.
Just as Luo Zheng was about to lower his hand to give the attack command, a thought struck him. If the lama on horseback was indeed the State Preceptor, why send only a hundred escorts, when there were surely more n available? Was this not a ploy to provoke action? Realizing this, Luo Zheng shuddered and quickly gestured to abort the plan.
The team didn't understand why Luo Zheng decided to call it off but chose to trust him and lowered their guns, casting puzzled looks at Luo Zheng and the approaching team without acting out. Luo Zheng also put down his gun and lifted his binoculars to continue observing, feeling increasingly uneasy.
The enemy forces passed before them and gradually faded into the distance. Watching their backs, Luo Zheng felt a growing weight. Noticing their curious expressions, he explained, "This team presents an anomaly. If the lama is indeed our target, allowing him to leave isn't a big deal. Away from the temple valley and into the city offers better chances. But if not? It feels like a trap and warrants caution."
The logic was sound to everyone; they blad Luo Zheng not in the least for being cautious. Opportunities co again, but life is singular. Lan Xue asked, "Should we follow them and see what's behind?"
Luo Zheng nodded thoughtfully, signaling the group to move. Unwilling to let go, he raised his binoculars again to survey the direction the enemy ca from. Soon after, another group of soldiers appeared in the lens—densely packed. Shocked, Luo Zheng focused on this new force.
Quickly, Luo Zheng assessed this was another enemy force, no less than five hundred strong, with over a hundred mounted n, slowly advancing at leisure. Realization dawned that the earlier group of a hundred was bait. Had they acted, this force would have pounced. Luckily, no shots had been fired.
With the situation clear, Luo Zheng stayed put, continuing his observation. Seeing Luo Zheng motionless, the others, having moved ahead, exchanged puzzled looks, sensing trouble and dispersing to hide and prepare for combat.
Gradually, the sound of trampling reached their ears—the thuds of a hundred or so horses unmistakable. They pricked their ears, and soon even the snorting of horses was just audible, making them tense, loading bullets, eyes on Luo Zheng.
Still perched silently in a tree, Luo Zheng observed the unit, counting about six hundred disciplined and well-ard soldiers, the sight impressive. He felt relieved, breathing carefully so as not to be detected.
After so ti, the team moved off into the distance. Luo Zheng climbed down, signaling the group to regroup, their faces alight with worry and curiosity. With a serious deanor, Luo Zheng explained, "The previous unit was indeed bait. How else would a hundred be escorting when manpower isn't lacking? That lama wasn't real. The trailing force numbers six hundred n plus a hundred cavalry."
"What?" Shock shifted over their features, relief tagging their gazes at Luo Zheng. Thankfully, no attack command had been issued.
Lan Xue remarked gravely, "A hundred scouts in front, six hundred reinforcents behind. aning the temple valley has around three to four hundred troops stationed."
"That's just apparent. The temple is built into the mountain. No one knows if it's hollow inside with n concealed. Without surveillance directly opposite, it's feasible. Sneaking up with Incendiary Bombs to engulf the temple in flas could expose any traps." Aggravated, Luo Zheng shared his insight.
The suggestion, while intriguing, was impractical given the surveillance. Pondering in silence, Lan Xue suggested, "We should assault deeper into the temple valley, divert attention. I'm more petite and can blend in easier. I could try obtaining a military uniform to infiltrate."
"No, that's not an option." Luo Zheng rejected firmly.
"Find their water source. Capture venomous snakes to contaminate it." Ghost Hand proposed.
Eyes brightened at the idea, proven effective more than once before. Luo Zheng felt tempted, but stated, "It's difficult. A lake within the valley serves as their water source, guarded by soldiers with no way to approach. The valley's entrance is even inaccessible."
Acknowledging Luo Zheng's reasoning, they faced a deadlock, frustration simring at their inability to find a solution. Reflective, Luo Zheng suggested, "Infiltrate the temple valley, observe for a day or two. We'll spot a flaw eventually."
Nodding in agreent, without better alternatives, they gathered their gear and proceeded toward the temple. By noon, seeing a troop approaching, they swiftly hid and observed—identifying it as the previous unit, returning fruitless, lama included.
Relieved with laughter, the team watched. Yet Luo Zheng was unsettled; such an elaborate deceptive tactic wasn't simple. The sole shortcoming being the escort team's numbers. If there had been around three hundred that ti, Luo Zheng might have acted. Could the State Preceptor have allowed an escort of only a hundred?
Military strategy focused on alternating strengths with falsehoods; yet the ruse was excessive. It suggested a lackluster Commander's knowledge of him, a fortunate developnt. Buoyed by newfound confidence, Luo Zheng gripped his sniper rifle, striding forward with a sharpened gaze.
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