After receiving his orders, Ma Kui carefully selected a hundred scouts. Their cultivation bases had all reached the Middle Three Grades, and each was among the very best under his command.
Clad in heavy iron armor that gleamed black, Ma Kui said gravely:
"The general has ordered you to ascertain the approximate number of barbarians hiding in the outposts."
"If you discover any, withdraw immediately."
"Under no circumstances are you to linger and fight."
The hundred scouts in Grass-Green Rattan Armor answered in unison, "Yes!"
Although their cultivation bases already rivaled those of ordinary barbarian warriors, and their movement techniques and speed could even let them escape a barbarian brave alive, the vast forests beyond Mengshui Pass were all barbarian territory.
Once discovered, if several barbarian warriors surrounded them, they would die on the spot no matter how capable they were.
Even Ma Kui, let alone these scouts, had never ventured more than a hundred li out when personally leading the garrison on patrol, lest he alert too many barbarians.
Ma Kui swept his gaze around and waved an order. "Bring the wine! Serve the wine!"
Before long, each of the hundred scouts held a bowl of wine, staring straight ahead with resolute eyes.
Ma Kui took a bowl and raised it. "With this wine, I shall send you off with courage!"
"Valor!"
"Great Wei, valor!"
"Great Wei, valor!"
Not only the scouts, but the surrounding soldiers who heard the word "valor" also shouted in unison.
For a time, cries of valor echoed above all of Mengshui Pass.
Xiao Jinghong glanced back, thought briefly, then ordered Shi Junqing beside her:
"General Shi, to guard against any barbarian movements, from today onward, the soldiers on the walls must keep their armor on!"
"Impose a curfew within the pass, change the patrol