Bai Xiaowen sent Li Shuyi to slip through Nanzheng's east gate under cover of night and meet Yang Song.
As an agile Awakened, Li Shuyi had no trouble infiltrating Nanzheng. But she could not defeat the troops guarding the gate and open it by herself.
The fighting strength of the Three Kingdoms Plane World's inhabitants was not to be underestimated. At least one Leader Tier general guarded Nanzeng, along with numerous elite officers and a great many archers and crossbowmen who took turns on night watch.
Even if Li Shuyi performed beyond her usual limits and killed the east gate's commander in an instant, elite officers would surround her while the archers and crossbowmen loosed a volley. She would have no hope of escape.
Awakened had too little health, unlike Spirit-Realm Lords and bosses, who had extra Life Value and damage reduction. Armies of native inhabitants had always been the bane of Awakened.
After meeting Yang Song, Li Shuyi first presented him with gold, silver, and jewels, then conveyed Duke Yan's generous offer to accept him.
Yang Song's eyes lit up at the sight of so much treasure. When he heard that Duke Yan would also reward him according to his merits, possibly even granting him a marquisate, he thumped his chest and declared:
"Tell Duke Yan he can rest easy. I've wanted to join him for a long time. I urged Zhang Lu to surrender, but he refused to listen. Now that Duke Yan's army is at the gates, I'm willing to help from within. At the fourth watch, raise a white flag at the east gate as a signal, and I'll secretly open it."
Li Shuyi despised this sort of traitor in her heart, though she looked delighted. After settling a few details, she took her leave, slipped