Troops Arrive at High Pointed Mountain

As the sun set, it painted the entire sky a dark red. At the foot of High Pointed Mountain, in the Fire Tribe's camp, bonfires were already burning. The flames danced in the twilight, illuminating the busy figures in shifting light. The air was filled with the aroma of roasting meat, the neighing of warhorses, and the faint sound of crying from afar—more than eight thousand people from the captured Wolf Tribe's affiliated tribes, huddled together in a makeshift open space, like a flock of frightened sheep.

Yan stood on a large Dashi high in the camp, looking at everything. Behind him were towering, steep High Pointed Mountain covered in dense Forest Wood. In the darkness, the tops were obscured, but he could vaguely see a few lights flickering halfway up the mountain— the Wolf Tribe's lair.

Five days have passed since they arrived at the foot of High Pointed Mountain. In these five days, he and Dali led more than 1,100 cavalrymen, divided into 22 teams, and meticulously combed through this area like a comb.

None of the Wolf Tribe's affiliated tribes escaped. More than 8,000 people, including the elderly, women, and children, knelt on the ground, trembling, as the Fire Tribe's cavalry drove them out of their dilapidated thatched huts. No one resisted.

The able-bodied men had long been taken away by the Wolf Tribe, leaving only the elderly, women, and children. They looked at the Fire Tribe warriors riding tall horses and wielding bronze weapons with nothing but fear in their eyes.

Surrender and you will not be killed!

These four words, like a spell, made them obediently put down their crude weapons and follow the Fire Tribe. Yan looked at the prisoners, but his heart was not much turmoil. Three years of hard labor was the punishment they deserved.

Over the years, the Wolf Tribe has been committing murder and arson. These people have acted as accomplices, helping to transport grain, guard prisoners, and produce goods. Although they are not the direct murderers, they cannot escape responsibility. After three years, those who perform well will be pardoned, while those who perform poorly will continue to work. Yan turned around and looked in the direction of High Pointed Mountain. That was the real target.

"Boss!"

A voice rang out, and Yan turned his head to see Yingmu, who was striding over with a grilled fish in his hand.

"Boss, have something to eat." Yingmu handed over the fish. "You've been standing here for half an hour."

Yan took the fish, took a bite, and found the fish meat to be very tender and perfectly grilled, but it tasted bland to him. His mind was filled with images of High Pointed Mountain.

"Boss," Yingmu sat down beside him, also looking at High Pointed Mountain, "Why haven't those people from the Wolf Tribe made a move?"

Yan remained silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"Have no idea."

This was exactly what he couldn't understand. For five days, their Fire Tribe had been leading people to arrest and capture people from affiliated tribes at the foot of this mountain, causing such a commotion, yet the Wolf Tribe's stronghold hadn't reacted at all, neither sending troops to rescue them nor coming down the mountain to harass them.

They didn't even send down a scout. They just stayed hidden in the mountains, not moving an inch. This is abnormal, extremely abnormal. Xueya is treacherous, cunning, and ruthless. He's never the type to sit idly by and wait to die. Even if he can't win, he'll find ways to ambush, harass, and create trouble. How could he be so quiet?

"Could it be... that they've already run away?" Yingmu suddenly asked.

Yan paused for a moment, then shook his head.

"Impossible. High Pointed Mountain is their stronghold, which they've cultivated for over a decade. How could they possibly give it up so easily?"

Yingmu scratched his head, also thinking it unlikely. As the two were talking, a commotion came from afar. Yan looked up and saw a troop heading this way. In the firelight, he could vaguely see that most of them were infantrymen, a dark mass of at least a thousand people.

"It's Uncle Dazhuang!" Yingmu exclaimed in surprise.

Yan stood up and strode forward. Sure enough, the group was getting closer and closer. The leader was Dazhuang, who was riding a chestnut horse. He was covered in dust but looked energetic. Behind him were a densely packed group of infantry, at least 1,300 men, and about 100 cavalrymen, who were scattered on both sides of the group for guard duty.

"Uncle Dazhuang!" Yan strode forward.

Dazhuang dismounted, strode over, and hugged Yan tightly.

"Good lad!" He patted Yan on the back forcefully. "I heard you did a good job? You captured all the Wolf Tribe's affiliated tribes?"

Yan smiled and nodded, "More than eight thousand people, not a single one escaped."

Dazhuang's eyes lit up, and he burst into laughter.

"Great! Excellent! Now the Wolf Tribe is toothless, all alone!"

He released Yan and looked around. The camp was large, with tents standing in rows and campfires flickering. In the distance, the group of prisoners was huddled together in a dark mass, like a shadow.

"Those people, are they the subordinate tribes of the Wolf Tribe?" Dazhuang asked.

Yan nodded. "Yes, more than 8,000 people, mostly the elderly, women, and children. The able-bodied men were all taken away by the Wolf Tribe, and I estimate that most of them died outside."

Dazhuang nodded, then turned his gaze to High Pointed Mountain.

"What's the Wolf Tribe doing? Any activity?"

Yan shook his head, a solemn expression on his face.

"That's the strange thing. We've been here for four days and made such a commotion, but the Wolf Tribe hasn't reacted at all."

Dazhuang frowned.

"Not a sound at all?"

"No," Yan said. "They didn't send out troops, didn't harass us, didn't even send out scouts. They just stayed hidden in the mountains, not moving an inch."

Dazhuang remained silent for a while.

"I've dealt with Xueya a few times; he's cunning and treacherous, not the type to sit idly by and wait to die." He paused. "Could it be... they've already escaped?"

Yan gave a bitter laugh.

"Yingmu asked the same question earlier, but I always felt it was unlikely. High Pointed Mountain is their old stronghold that they've built up over many years; how could they give it up so easily?"

Dazhuang thought for a moment and said, "Anyway, we'll find out tomorrow."

Yan nodded. "That's what I was thinking too. Tomorrow morning, I'll lead some men up to test the waters and launch an attack."

Dazhuang patted him on the shoulder. "Be careful."

As they talked, the two walked toward the center of the camp. By the fire, Dali was discussing matters with several leaders. When he saw Dazhuang arrive, he quickly stood up.

"You've finally arrived!"

Dazhuang walked over with a smile and sat down next to him.

"There was a slight delay on the way."

Dali chuckled, "It's good that you're here! It's good that you're here!"

Several leaders came over to pay their respects, Dazhuang nodded in response to each of them. Then he asked about the situation over the past few days. Yan recounted the operations of the past few days in detail, from dividing the troops to capture the affiliated tribes, to the capture of all eight thousand people, and then to the unusual quietness of the Wolf Tribe. After listening, Dazhuang pondered for a while.

"You did the right thing," he said. "To be on the safe side, let me take action first. Now we have enough people, and we can go up the mountain tomorrow."

He looked at Yan: "You just said you knew about the defenses at High Pointed Mountain?"

Yan nodded. "Yes, I've interrogated prisoners from the Wolf Tribe before, so I know some things. There's only one path on the mountain, so narrow that only two or three people can walk side by side. It's steep on both sides, easy to defend and difficult to attack, and there are several checkpoints halfway up the mountain."

Dazhuang frowned as he listened.

"So, a direct assault would result in significant losses."

Yan said, "That's right, so we can't fight head-on."

He pulled a rough animal hide map from his pocket and spread it on the ground.

"Look, this is the foot of the mountain, this is the first checkpoint, this is the second... and finally, the Wolf Tribe's lair, on a slightly flat area halfway up the mountain."

His finger moved across the map.

"These checkpoints are all made of large logs, very sturdy wooden barriers. Each checkpoint is only guarded by one person, so it's not easy for us to break through."

Dali scratched his head. "Then what do we do? Are we just going to keep surrounding it like this?"

Yan shook his head.

"No need to surround it, we have a way."

He pointed to the locations of the checkpoints on the map and said, "If we can get past the first checkpoint, they won't be able to hold the second one."

Dazhuang's eyes lit up.

"You mean..."

Yan said, "Tomorrow I will lead five hundred infantrymen to take turns attacking. First, we will use powerful bows to suppress the enemy and prevent them from showing their faces. Then, we will send men to rush down to the pass and use fire to attack."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Once we open a gap, we'll charge in, take down each checkpoint one by one, and finally capture the stronghold."

Dazhuang thought for a moment and nodded.

"This method is feasible, but you need to be careful tomorrow. Although the Wolf Tribe is small now, they are all desperate men. Their last stand could be very dangerous."

Yan nodded. "I know."

Dali said from the side, "Yan, shall I go up with you tomorrow?"

Yan shook his head. "No need. You take some men to block the foot of the mountain and prevent the Wolf Tribe from escaping. I'll take five hundred infantrymen, that'll be enough."

Dali wanted to say something more, but seeing Yan's determined look, he could only nod.

"Alright then. Be careful."

Yan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

He then looked at Dazhuang: "Uncle Dazhuang, tomorrow you will send eight hundred infantrymen to help me guard those prisoners. I will take the remaining five hundred with me."

Dazhuang nodded. "No problem."

After the matter was settled, everyone chatted for a while before dispersing. Yan stood alone by the fire, watching the flickering flames, silently thinking about tomorrow.

Wolf Tribe, Xueya, tomorrow is the decisive battle. He took a deep breath, turned and walked into the tent! The next morning, before dawn, the camp was bustling with activity. Five hundred infantrymen stood in neat rows, wearing leather armor, holding weapons, and their faces were full of murderous intent.

Yan stood at the front of the team, checking everyone's equipment: three hundred strong bows, one hundred arrows for each person, two hundred wooden shields, torches, oil, hemp ropes... all kinds of siege equipment were fully prepared.

"Is everything ready?" Yan asked loudly.

"Ready!" the soldiers answered in unison.

Yan nodded and shouted, "Let's go!"

The column slowly started moving towards High Pointed Mountain. Behind them, Dazhuang led eight hundred infantrymen, arranging for the guarding of prisoners. Dali led half of the cavalry, scattered around to keep watch. Yan watched the mountain road getting closer and closer, and gripped the bronze spear in his hand tightly.