On February 16, where Qinghe, Wuan, and Wuyang Commanderies met in Hebei, beside the Qing Zhang River, the rain eased slightly at daybreak, giving way to a thin mist. This left quite a few people in the Exorcising the Dragon Army's main camp uneasy.
"Mist means the sky is about to clear. Our breakout before dawn tomorrow will have one less layer of cover." Outside the Central Army Tent, Xu Shiying watched the sky with a dark expression.
At these words, Wu Jingfeng grasped something and grew agitated. "If we'd known, we should have broken out last night."
"There's no use saying that... If we'd really broken out last night, we might have been too rushed." Xu Shiren argued earnestly, then turned to Zhang Xing. "Chief, could we take this opportunity to prepare more dry rations? The mist can hide the cooking smoke now."
"I'm afraid there won't be time." Ma Wei promptly rejected the suggestion. "This thin mist won't last long. If it disperses right away while the cooking smoke keeps rising, we might end up outsmarting ourselves."
"I see." Xu Shiren immediately nodded and said no more.
"Then go see to your duties!" Zhang Xing nodded and gave the order. "Follow the plan we just agreed on!"
The chiefs commanding troops saluted and departed, but Zhou Xingfan did not budge. Seeing this, the others, including Ma Wei, Cui Suchen, and even Wang Xiongdan, left first. Even Jia Runshi withdrew into the tent, leaving only Zhang Xing, Xiong Bonan, and Zhou Xingfan.
Only then did Little Zhou step forward. "Third Brother, what's going on with Chief Xu?"
"Which Chief Xu?" Zhang Xing asked seriously.
"Xu Shiren," Little Zhou answered bluntly. "It isn't a question of whether the mist disperses. Even if it stays, can it hide anything from a