Qin Sang thought to herself, 'I was just being polite, do you really have something for me to do?'
But she had just said the words herself; could she really take them back now?
She could only brace herself and maintain a faint smile as she asked:
"What is it?"
Lin Qi spoke up:
"Sister-in-law has helped us so much; we absolutely cannot let you take any more risks for our sake. Since you were able to successfully steal so many things without being discovered, you must have a way to leave. Why don't you escape tonight? If we win in three days, we will go to Xiakou Village to thank you."
Lin Qi was worried about her safety. Qin Sang waved her hand and said:
"What will happen to you if I leave? If I'm going to leave, it definitely won't be until after these next two days. Otherwise, what will you eat during that time?"
Qin Sang wasn't just acting brave; she had her listening devices, allowing her to grasp the enemy's movements in advance.
Moreover, she had already done so much. If she failed now right at the finish line, it would be a huge loss.
So, she was determined to help until the end:
"Don't worry. If you can't win the fight, I guarantee I'll run faster than any of you. Just don't worry about me."
Qin Sang believed that if a fight really broke out, Lin Qi and the others would draw the fire. As a lone woman, her escape wouldn't attract much attention.
"By the way, I've mapped out this entire area while stealing things these past few days. Do you know this residence well? Do you want me to tell you about it?"
Lin Qi nodded eagerly. How was this any different from someone offering a pillow just as he was getting sleepy?
"Sister-in-law, you really remember it all? That's wonderful! We were thrown here after being wounded and haven't been out since. We have no idea about the defenses or the layout. We were just thinking of climbing the wall tonight to scout it out."
"Alright, I'll draw a map of the residence's layout for you to see. That way you'll know what's going on and won't be flying blind."
Qin Sang went to the fire, picked out a piece of charcoal, and began drawing on the table:
"We are here, and this is the backyard..."
Qin Sang had dealt with Rebel Soldiers here before, and she had used her Drone to check the place many times during the past few nights. She knew not only where the Chief Officer's room was but also how many soldiers guarded each courtyard and how often the Patrol Team rotated.
Qin Sang had also been preparing for her own departure, so she had scouted all of this in advance.
Seeing that Qin Sang insisted on staying to take the risk with them, the men said no more. They all thought to themselves that if things went south, they would hold out until their death just to ensure Sister-in-law escaped safely.
With a detailed map of the residence, Lin Qi began gathering his subordinates to formulate a strategy.
Qin Sang didn't interject further; it was best to leave professional matters to professional people.
She had already shown enough capability; there was no need for unnecessary additions.
Lin Qi truly lived up to his title as the Young General of the Zhenbei Army. Knowing they were outnumbered, he set a strategy to end the battle quickly by capturing the leader first.
Over the next two days, the Zhenbei Army soldiers went through rounds of drills and sparring. Qin Sang watched like she was viewing a silent action movie—fists hitting flesh and every move a killing blow. It was quite a spectacle.
During these two days, no one came to deliver food. Aside from the soldiers guarding the door, everyone else seemed to have forgotten about them.
On the third day, Qin Sang decided to take the initiative. Early that morning, she began banging on the courtyard gate:
"Someone come quickly! Let me out! They're all dead, hurry and let me out..."
No one answered her, but the sound of footsteps could be heard running away.
Qin Sang put on her earphones, and before long, she heard the voice of the captain:
"Is it true?"
"It should be true, but we didn't go in to check."
"Useless! Must this general personally make a trip for such a small matter?"
The soldier said submissively:
"Captain, we were also afraid—afraid of an accident. After all, that General Lin is valiant and skilled in battle. We... we are no match for him. If something really happened, our two heads wouldn't be enough to pay for it..."
Hearing their cautious tone, the captain snorted coldly:
"At least you were prudent. Fine, go call a few men. We'll send them on their way."
Qin Sang returned to the room and signaled to the men on the beds. They immediately lay down.
A short while later, the courtyard gate was opened, and a group of people rushed into the servants' quarters.
Qin Sang huddled in the corner:
"Captain, they're all dead! It has nothing to do with me, I... I..."
The captain looked at Qin Sang and sneered:
"How can it have nothing to do with you? You're the one who treated them to death. Men, tie her up. We'll send her to the General of the North Commandery Residence to atone for her crime later."
Qin Sang said in a panic:
"No! It's not my fault, please don't..."
Seeing Qin Sang's reaction, the captain curled his lips in satisfaction:
"I hadn't figured out how to stay out of this, but heaven is helping me. You, a scapegoat, delivered yourself to my door. You've really helped us solve a big problem."
The captain raised his hand and waved, ordering:
"Leave Lin Qi's body alone, but cut off the left ears of the others and throw the corpses into the river to feed the fish."
The soldiers behind him split up and stepped forward. Just as they were about to draw their blades, the wounded soldiers lying on the communal bed suddenly jumped up. The bedding they were covered with was thrown over the soldiers' heads, turning them into blind, headless flies in the blink of an eye.
They swung their blades wildly in panic until the cold sensation of blades against their necks made them hit the pause button:
"Don't move."
The captain was about to explode in rage when he felt a weight on his own shoulder. Glancing down out of the corner of his eye, he saw a cold, gleaming spear pressed against his neck, radiating a murderous intent.
"You'd better not make a sound."
Lin Qi's warning carried a cold indifference. The captain didn't dare move and raised his hands tremblingly:
"You're alright? Your injuries..."
Lin Qi held the spear and moved from behind him to his front. Behind Lin Qi, his men were busy tying people up and stripping them of their clothes.
The captain had only brought about ten of his confidants. Moreover, the Southern Army was composed of people who loved ease and hated work, fearing death above all. Caught off guard, how could they be a match for these Zhenbei Army soldiers who had been on the battlefield and fought Tartars? They couldn't even summon the thought of resisting.
Lin Qi reached out and stripped the Broadsword and horsewhip from the captain's waist, saying coldly:
"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed; we won't be dying."
The captain's expression was full of shock and fear:
"Gen... General Lin, please... give me a break. I... I was also forced into this..."
The Zhenbei Army men were currently changing clothes. Half of them stuffed the soldiers' mouths and tied them together with ropes, stripping all ten of them of their ability to move.
Everyone quickly donned the soldiers' armor and waited behind Lin Qi.
Qin Sang had been watching from the corner. She was standing by the window, which had been left open. If Lin Qi and the others failed, she would immediately escape through the window, climb the wall, and run to the stream in the back garden.
That stream led all the way to the large river outside the town. Following the water, Qin Sang could also escape.
However, seeing that Lin Qi's plan was proceeding smoothly for now, Qin Sang did not flee.
The Zhenbei Army soldiers were well-trained. After dealing with those soldiers, they stood ready, waiting for Lin Qi's next command.
Lin Qi also put on a set of armor, holding his spear in one hand while a dagger appeared in the other. He moved behind the man, the tip of the dagger pressing against the man's lower back as he reminded him:
"Walk out."