683. The Operation

Compared with the curved saber clenched in his hand, A Zheba preferred using a bow. He held the strange belief that a saber might injure its wielder, whereas arrows would not.

He still remembered how excited he had been when he received his first little bow at the age of five. He refused to let go of it even while eating or sleeping. In just three days, he had shot several tents full of holes and ruined a few of his mother's favorite garments. The servants had covered their bottoms as they went to complain, but his father had thrown back his head and laughed, scooped him into his arms, and loudly announced, "That's my son, the grasslands' divine archer!"

When he recalled that scene, a faint smile appeared on A Zheba's face. As he grew up, he had indeed become a divine archer. Unfortunately, ever since he had left his Lineage and come to the Dragon Court, the title had been worth nothing.

Noticing Li Man looking at him in confusion, A Zheba put away his smile and said quietly, "Nothing. I was lost in thought."

This was hardly the time to be lost in thought. More than thirty officers sat crammed inside the tent, leaving barely room to stand. Although there was still some time before the operation, everyone had a hand on his saber hilt, tense as though the enemy were standing right before them.

The people they were going to kill were not merely enemies. They were also their former direct superiors: three commanders of ten thousand and a deputy Captain.

The plan had two steps. First, they would kill the traitors and announce their crimes. Second, they would call on the soldiers to refuse to acknowledge any newly appointed Grand Commandant and follow the officers