The Bodyguard King's CEO Wife-Chapter 1367: The Well Water Is Poisoned

Two thousand soldiers, along with three hundred cavalry, are all under the command of Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian, which shows how much Han Hao trusts them. Although Shangguan Jian is still a Hundred Generals and Ye Shikai remains the village chief at this moment, with so many troops under their command, they can be fully considered "Chiliarchs."

Compared to the original route, the path may need more travel, but it is relatively more hidden. There are many small junctions here, which are only marked on detailed military maps, so the Wolf Clan should not know of this route’s existence.

Early morning.

"Shangguan, we’ve traveled all night, let’s take a short rest." Ye Shikai pointed to a village ahead and said.

"Sounds good, there seems to be smoke from cooking in the village, indicating many villagers are there. Once inside, we can also replenish our water supply." Shangguan Jian answered. Compared to dry food, carrying half a month’s worth of water would be a massive burden on the soldiers, so they only prepared three days’ worth of water, with the rest needing to be replenished from wells and rivers along the way.

"Advance, enter the village." Shangguan Jian shouted loudly.

"Wait a moment." Ye Shikai suddenly said, the smoke from the village seemed faintly black. Typically, cooking smoke is white, so why is there black smoke?

"There is suddenly black smoke ahead. Why don’t you lead the main forces to wait here? I’ll take five hundred infantry to scout the situation." Ye Shikai suggested.

"Alright, better safe than sorry, be quick, we need to rush day and night. If there is nothing unusual, the main forces will enter the village to rest immediately."

"Okay." Ye Shikai nodded, instructed Man Cang to select five hundred soldiers, and quietly approached the village.

"Village chief, there doesn’t seem to be anything unusual here." Once inside the village, Man Cang looked around and observed villagers working, women weaving fabric at home, and handling their chores.

"We cannot be complacent. Since the Wolf Clan can send so many cavalry into Qin Territory, intending to obstruct logistics and personnel replenishment on the frontline at all costs, this village is remote, and now ensure there is nothing unusual."

"Rest assured village chief, I’ll lead people to investigate first." Man Cang took a few brothers forward and shouted loudly, "Who are the Three Elders of the village, come out quickly."

The nearby villagers were startled by Man Cang’s shout, but then again, seeing Man Cang looking fierce, they thought he was an emerging God of Slaughter.

"Dear army officer, I am one of the Three Elders, may I ask what’s going on?" An elder hurried over, followed by several young men from the village, with a look of panic.

"Let me speak." Ye Shikai dismounted his horse, realizing Man Cang’s long knife might scare the villagers.

"Elders, we are troops heading to the front lines to fight, passing through your area. I wonder if you have seen any suspicious persons or the Wolf Clan’s army."

"This... the village has not had any contact with the outside world for a long time, nor have any strangers appeared recently." The Elder answered hurriedly.

"Well then, do you have any water sources here?" Ye Shikai’s expression changed slightly, shifting his inquiry.

"Yes, yes, yes, there are eleven wells in the village, with sweet water..."

"That’s great, I’m parched. Elder, please lead us there." Man Cang eagerly said, after a night of rapid marching, the soldiers and warhorses were very hungry and thirsty.

"Alright, follow me, dear army officers." The Elder responded repeatedly, leading Ye Shikai’s group and some village youths to a well north of the village.

"Elder, there’s a well at the village entrance, why did you bother taking us all the way north?" Ye Shikai asked with confusion. Walking through, the village population seems small, but there are many houses, and the ones on either side of the path appeared long deserted.

"This... army officer, you may not know, the village’s well water source varies. Some wells are fed by outside rivers, others by mountain springs, deep and cool, making for sweet water, like this well."

"Give me the water scoop." Man Cang took a large water scoop intending to drink from the well water.

Whack

Suddenly, Ye Shikai flicked his whip, knocking over the scoop.

"Village chief, what is this...?" Man Cang stared at Ye Shikai, puzzled.

"Elder, you drink first." Ye Shikai passed the scoop to the elder.

"I... am not thirsty."

"Not because you’re not thirsty, but... has it been poisoned?" Ye Shikai smashed the scoop into the ground.

"You old scoundrel, dared to poison." Man Cang grabbed the elder’s collar, lifting him off the ground.

"Mercy, spare me, dear army officer."

Several village youths rushed over to help but were immediately intercepted by other soldiers.

Ye Shikai glanced at them, despite facing sharp spears and swords of the Qin Soldiers, they showed no fear, which is not typical of ordinary villagers.

"Careful, we are in danger." Ye Shikai suddenly warned. While speaking, those youths drew blades from their sleeves and lunged at the unsuspecting Qin Soldiers.

"Everyone be warned, they are Wolf Clan." Ye Shikai drew his sword, loudly alerting as many emerged from nearby houses wielding weapons, dressed as villagers. Although they weren’t dressed like the Wolf Clan, their weapons revealed their identity.

Wolf Clan’s long knives and daggers, weapons unattainable by Central Plain villagers. Looking at their calloused hands, it’s evident they’ve wielded knives long-term. Most crucially, their gaze was deadly.

"Engage."

"Attack."

Fight broke out immediately, tens of Wolf Clan jumped from rooftops expertly and lethally, immediately taking down four or five Qin soldiers. The narrow alley made wielding spears awkward, while the Wolf Clan’s daggers and sabers proved sharp and lethal.

"Man Cang, go call reinforcements, I’ll cover you." Ye Shikai, wielding his bronze sword, dispatched two Wolf Clan spies, securing the alley entrance with some Qin soldiers. They didn’t expect an ambush, bringing only about twenty-odd troops.

"Yes, village chief." Although Man Cang worried for Ye Shikai, calling reinforcements promptly was crucial for safety. He wielded twin blades, slashing his way towards the village.

"Follow me," Ye Shikai led the remaining Qin soldiers while retreating, as several Wolf Clan spies emerged atop rooftops, firing arrows at the alley.

"Raise your shields." Ye Shikai grabbed a shield to block arrows and cover soldiers retreating behind him.