Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 132 1 Capture 1 Release

The polite refusal by the stream at Guyun Ridge did not cause Chen Xing to show the slightest sign of defeat. He watched Jia Wen and his group disappear into the depths of the forest, then turned to his slightly indignant guards and said calmly, "Let's go back." It was as if this trip had truly been just an unsatisfying visit to a secluded place.

However, upon returning to Xinghuo Fortress, Chen Xing did not put aside the matter of Jia Wen. On the contrary, he summoned Li Shu more frequently to receive reports on the movements of Jia Wen and his group after leaving Guyun Ridge. At the same time, more secretive and targeted instructions were issued from the inconspicuous courtyard of the Military Affairs Office, transmitted to specific nodes in the southwest via hawks and fast horses.

Three days after politely declining Chen Xing's offer, Jia Wen led his small team of fewer than ten men and quietly left the Guyunling mountain pass where they had been staying for several days. They abandoned their few worn-out horses and most of their belongings, carrying only essential provisions, water, short weapons for self-defense, and a small amount of gold, silver, and valuables, plunging into the deeper, more treacherous reaches of the Xiaoshan Mountains. Clearly, Chen Xing's sudden appearance and recruitment had unsettled the already suspicious Jia Wen. He decided to completely abandon the relatively easier hilly terrain and instead take the more difficult but secluded mountain paths, hoping to completely shake off any potential pursuit and attention.

They traveled by night and hibernated by day, choosing only the most secluded and treacherous paths frequented by wild animals, enduring harsh conditions and sleeping in the open—a truly arduous journey. Jia Wenben, a scholar, was not physically strong; after days of trekking, his face grew increasingly pale, and his steps faltered. He relied entirely on the support and care of his loyal and robust former subordinates from Xiliang. Their provisions quickly ran out, forcing them to rely on gathering wild fruits and setting makeshift traps to catch small animals for sustenance. Water was also frequently scarce. Although poisonous insects and ferocious beasts were not common in the mountains, the rugged terrain and harsh weather had already exhausted this small fleeing group, and their morale was low.

However, even in such a difficult situation, the vigilance and caution in Jia Wen's narrow eyes remained undiminished. He often rested, gazing from a high vantage point at the path he had come from and ahead, his brow furrowed, seemingly constantly assessing the risks and reconsidering his future. Chen Xing's appearance was like a boulder thrown into the stagnant lake of his heart, creating ripples far beyond what was visible on the surface.

That evening, they laboriously traversed a steep ridge, and ahead lay a relatively flat valley with sparse trees. In the center of the valley, a clear stream meandered, shimmering in the afterglow of the setting sun. For the group, who had been without water for most of the day and were parched, this was undoubtedly a godsend.

"Sir, there's a water source ahead!" a guard exclaimed excitedly, his voice hoarse.

Jia Wen also breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "Let's go rest and fetch water. We'll set up camp here tonight."

The group roused themselves and quickened their pace toward the stream. However, just as they were about to step onto the relatively open grassy area beside the stream, the two guards at the front suddenly stopped, their pupils contracting sharply, their hands instantly gripping the hilts of their swords!

Dozens of figures silently rose from the shadows of the trees on the opposite bank of the stream and the gentle slopes on both sides! They were dressed in gray-brown camouflage clothing that blended into the colors of the forest, their faces painted with greasepaint, and they held loaded crossbows, the bolts gleaming coldly, already aimed at Jia Wen and his group! These people moved silently, clearly elite troops who had been lying in ambush for some time!

"Ambush!" the guards shouted, quickly closing in to shield Jia Wen, whose face had turned pale. They drew their weapons and formed a small circle back to back, but facing dozens of crossbow bolts ready to fire, everyone knew that in this relatively open area, resistance would only increase casualties.

Jia Wen's heart pounded violently, and his face turned from white to pale. He forced himself to calm down, his gaze quickly sweeping over the ambushers. Their equipment, formation, and even the silent, professional, and chilling aura they exuded suggested they were no ordinary mountain bandits, much less pursuers sent by the King of Xiliang.

A name flashed into his mind almost instantly—Chen Xing!

Sure enough, a man who appeared to be the leader emerged from the shadows of the trees opposite. He was not masked, revealing a weathered face with sharp eyes; he was one of Chen Wei's most capable scout captains. Across the stream, he clasped his hands and called out loudly, "Is that Jia Wen from Liangzhou? Mr. Jia? I am Wang Cheng, a scout captain from the Xinghuo Fort Military Affairs Department. I have been waiting here for you for some time on the orders of my lord."

The voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear, carrying an undeniable certainty.

Jia Wen's last shred of hope vanished. It really was Chen Xing's man! He had been able to predict his route so accurately and set up an ambush in advance! This intelligence capability and planning method secretly alarmed Jia Wen.

He composed himself, pushed aside the guards in front of him slightly, stepped forward, and tried his best to keep his voice steady: "It is indeed me, Jia. General Chen said the other day that he would 'never force anything,' but today he has set up an ambush here. I wonder what his intention is? Could it be that your words, like those of Han Sui, are unreliable and change from morning to evening?" His words were accusatory and sarcastic.

The captain, Wang Cheng, remained composed and respectfully said, "Sir, you misunderstand. My lord did say he wouldn't force you to serve, but he also instructed us to 'monitor your movements and ensure your safety.' The journey to the southeast is treacherous, with bandits lurking and the possibility of pursuers from Xiliang. My lord is concerned for your safety, so he ordered us to secretly accompany and protect you. Just now, I saw you wanting to rest here. This place may seem flat, but it is actually low-lying. If it rains at night or there is a flash flood upstream, it would be very dangerous. Moreover, there have been signs of wild beasts appearing recently. For your safety, I had no choice but to reveal myself and humbly request that you move."

His words were impeccable, turning "ambush and encirclement" into "showing up to protect," and "obstruction" into "persuading people to leave the dangerous place." He fulfilled Chen Xing's promise of "not forcing" while demonstrating meticulous "care" and pointing out the potential danger of the place, making it difficult for anyone to refute.

Jia Wen sneered inwardly, thinking Chen Xing had quite the tactics, but on the surface he had to soften his tone: "Oh? In that case, I must thank General Chen for his 'meticulous concern.' However, I am used to being wild and cannot accept such 'protection.' Please make way, Captain, and we will leave on our own."

Wang Cheng shook his head: "Please forgive me, sir. I am under orders to 'ensure your safety.' If I allow you to spend the night in such a dangerous place, I would be failing my lord's command. Three miles ahead, there is a sheltered cave that we have prepared in advance. It is dry and safe, and there is clean drinking water and some dry food. Please condescend to rest here for the night. After dawn, I will not stop you from going wherever you wish, and I can also provide you with some travel expenses prepared by my lord for your journey."

Having said all that, the words were both soft and firm, offering a way out while reiterating the stance of "not interfering," and even providing travel expenses—truly taking courtesy to the extreme, leaving almost no reason for anyone to lash out.

Jia Wen remained silent. He glanced at his exhausted, thirsty guards, then at the dozens of cold crossbow bolts opposite him, knowing that a direct assault would be futile. They were clearly "inviting" him to a safer place and offering assistance; a forceful refusal would only make him appear ungrateful and might provoke them into taking even more drastic measures under the guise of "doing what's best for him."

"Heh..." Jia Wen finally managed a somewhat stiff smile. "General Chen... is truly thoughtful and considerate. Very well, I'll follow your lead. I'll trouble you for the night."

"Please, sir." Wang Cheng stepped aside to make way, gesturing for them to proceed. He also gave a signal, and the crossbowmen on both sides slowly lowered their crossbow bolts, but remained on alert.

Surrounded by guards, Jia Wen was "escorted" across the stream and followed the direction indicated by Wang Cheng. Sure enough, not far away, under a sheltered rock wall, they found the cave, which had been simply prepared, lined with dried thatch, and even had a makeshift stove made of stones. In one corner of the cave, there were several bags of millet, a jar of water, and even a small bag of salt and a few pieces of dried meat.

This is no "temporary setup" at all; it was clearly meticulously prepared over a long period of time!

Jia Wen felt a chill creep into his heart, gaining a completely new and frightening understanding of Chen Xing's intelligence capabilities and operational efficiency. This man not only had precise knowledge of his movements but had also arranged such a "safe house" in this remote mountain area in such a short time. The sheer efficiency of his subordinates was astonishing.

That night, Jia Wen barely slept a wink. Faint sounds of patrolling scouts from Xinghuo Fortress could be heard outside the cave, while inside, his guards nervously took turns keeping watch. In the firelight, Jia Wen's gaunt face shifted with an uncertain expression. Was rejecting Chen Xing really the right thing to do? This man's methods were so sophisticated, his control so strong, and he seemed to genuinely possess immense patience and "respect" for him. Continuing the escape, the road ahead was uncertain; where could he possibly escape to? He couldn't return to Xiliang, the Central Plains were an even deeper quagmire, and other places…

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Wang Cheng personally came to the cave entrance and presented a heavy cloth bag with both hands: "Sir, this is some travel money prepared by my lord for you, totaling twenty taels of gold, fifty taels of silver, some copper coins, and several notes that can be exchanged for money and goods in some counties in the North and Central Plains. My lord said that the journey is long and arduous, and he hopes you will take care on your journey. If fate allows in the future, or if you change your mind, the gates of Xinghuo Fortress will always be open to you."

Jia Wen silently accepted the cloth bag, finding it heavy in his hand. He opened it and glanced inside; the yellow and white contents gleamed, and the letter was exquisitely made, clearly not a perfunctory gift. This "farewell present" was undeniably generous.

He took a deep breath, bowed slightly to Wang Cheng, and also seemingly to the direction of the unseen Chen Xing, his voice hoarse: "Please convey my gratitude to General Chen for his generous gift. Farewell."

Without another word, Jia Wen, accompanied by his guards and carrying the heavy bag of gold and silver, once again embarked on the mountain path heading east, watched by Wang Cheng and the others. This time, however, their steps were heavier, and their feelings were more complex.

With one move (encirclement), and another (polite departure), Chen Xing demonstrated both his all-encompassing control and strength, while maintaining a humble and generous demeanor. This maneuver, like a needle hidden in cotton, made the proud and resourceful Jia Wen feel a profound sense of powerlessness and... a subtle, almost imperceptible wavering for the first time.