HNYWEF -Chapter 123 Pre-Battle Deployment

In the thirteenth year of Daye, Wagang Stronghold.

Outside the tent, the sky was vast and clear, with not a trace of wind. Inside, however, the atmosphere was anything but relaxed.

A long table stood in the center. On it was a map—made of sheepskin, its edges already frayed and worn. Dense lines and markings covered its surface.

Several people stood around it, staring in silence for a long time.

Shan Xiongxin pointed at a spot on the map, his brows tightly furrowed.

“This is the formation’s core. The message from Luo Cheng says the eye of the Bronze Flag Formation is right here.”

Xu Shiji leaned in to take a closer look.

“How is things on his side?”

Shan Xiongxin replied, “He’s already inside the formation, posing as Ding Yanping’s adopted son. No one suspects him. This map was drawn bit by bit over the past few days while he was inspecting the formation. It was sent out overnight through a courier. He still has to stay inside.”

Li Mi sat at the head seat, holding the map without saying a word.

His gaze lifted from the map and landed on Li Shimin.

Li Shimin stood by the table, staring at the map, not meeting his eyes.

A few seconds of silence passed inside the tent.

Li Shimin spoke.

“This formation can be broken.”

His voice was not loud, but steady.

“But there is one thing we must think through first.”

Shan Xiongxin looked at him.

“What thing?”

Li Shimin raised his head, his gaze sweeping across the tent.

“How do we withdraw after the battle.”

The tent fell silent for a moment.

Xu Shiji reacted first. He looked at Li Shimin, his brows twitching slightly.

“You mean…”

Li Shimin nodded.

“The formation is set in front of Dongling Pass, a place of dangerous terrain—easy to defend, hard to attack. The other rebel factions will inevitably have their own intentions. We may be able to fight our way in easily, but if we are blocked on the way out, we’ll be like turtles in a jar.”

He paused.

“And the families.”

Those two words changed the atmosphere in the tent instantly.

Shan Xiongxin’s brows deepened further.

Xu Shiji said nothing, but his hand pressed against the table.

Li Mi placed the map down.

He looked at Li Shimin.

“Your suggestion?”

Li Shimin said, “Before the battle, move the families away. Find a safe place, and bring them back after the fighting ends.”

He glanced outside.

The tent flap was slightly open, revealing the sky beyond.

Blue. Empty. Nothing in it.

“Today’s weather is good. Suitable for travel.”

After he spoke, he withdrew his gaze.

No one answered.

Everyone was thinking.

Relocating families was no small matter.

Hundreds of people—old and young, families packed together, some walking, some carried. How many escorts would be needed? Where would they be placed? How much time would it take?

Li Shimin knew what they were thinking.

He spoke again.

“I’ll handle this. No need for too many people—about a hundred strong men will be enough. I’ve already chosen a place. Thirty li to the south, there is a mountain hollow with water and food. It can hide them for half a month without issue.”

He looked at Li Mi.

“Commander, what do you think?”

Li Mi was silent for a moment.

Then he nodded.

“Fine. You handle it.”

Li Shimin cupped his hands.

“Yes.”

Outside the tent, the sun was bright and warm.

Not far away, Zhou Xiong squatted under a tree, leaning against the trunk. He had a blade of grass in his mouth, eyes half-closed as he basked in the sunlight.

He had heard everything inside, but did not take it to heart.

Those matters were not his concern.

He only needed to think about one thing—

How to save those three people in the coming battle.

Qin Yong.

Luo Shixin.

Ma Jinhua.

He squinted as sunlight filtered through the leaves, falling in scattered patches across his face, flickering and dazzling.

And her.

The corners of Zhou Xiong’s mouth lifted slightly.

She was probably at home right now, taking care of the child.

The little one had just learned to crawl and would roll all over the place. She couldn’t handle him alone and always called for his help.

But even when he went, he couldn’t really help much. He would just squat nearby and watch her carry the child back and forth, humming tunes he didn’t understand.

Her humming was off-key, not pleasant.

But the child liked it. The moment he heard it, he would stop crying.

As he thought about it, Zhou Xiong suddenly laughed out loud.

A carefree, almost foolish laugh.

Someone nearby kicked him.

Zhou Xiong looked up.

Cheng Yaojin stood in front of him, looking down.

“What are you laughing at?”

Zhou Xiong spat out the grass stem.

“Nothing.”

Cheng Yaojin squatted beside him.

“They’re discussing important matters inside, and you’re sitting outside sunbathing?”

Zhou Xiong said, “My important matters aren’t inside.”

Cheng Yaojin froze slightly.

“What do you mean?”

Zhou Xiong didn’t answer.

He looked at the sky.

The sky was blue.

So blue it felt unreal.

He squinted, letting the sun warm his face.

His thoughts kept turning over those names.

Qin Yong.

Luo Shixin.

Ma Jinhua.

Her.

Not a single one could be lost.

The sun shone down. A dry wind passed by.

He stayed squatting there, the corners of his mouth still lifted.

And they refused to come down.