Counter-Ambush (Part Two) [Monthly Ticket Request]

Since he had been ordered to carry out an ambush, the defending general hadn't taken many troops with him this time. At most, he had three thousand men. When they heard the news, not only were these three thousand soldiers free of any fear about heading into battle, but excitement practically spilled from every face. They rolled up their sleeves, eager to fight, their hearts pounding. Ever since Xin Country had been destroyed, they hadn't encountered any major battles. And without a battle, where would their spoils come from?

Bandits passed like combs; soldiers passed like rakes.

Seeing their high morale, the defending general raised a hand and gave the order.

Three thousand troops marched out of the city. The commoners fled at the sight of them. Only after the dust raised by the soldiers had settled and their footsteps had faded did someone timidly poke their head out to look, fear impossible to hide in their eyes. Someone whispered, "What are those bastards going out to do this time?"

Ever since this bunch arrived, the place had known no peace.

One commoner answered, "Going hunting again?"

Someone who didn't understand asked, "What's there to hunt at this time of year?"

Those who did understand went deathly pale and slammed their doors shut. The other commoners who had been watching hurried to shut their doors too, lest they bring trouble upon themselves. It wasn't that they were too cowardly. It was simply that those soldiers, from top to bottom, were no good.

Some bootlicker had once said something like, "A battle-hardened army has nowhere to display its courage or hone its edge; it's like a piece of scrap iron left to rust." When the defending general heard this, he thought it made sense. So he took prisoners out of the