Chapter 49: Boarded the Pirate Ship, and Still Want to Escape?

The Su family?

Upon hearing this, Chen Jun beside him constricted his pupils.

He looked at Su Mu in a somewhat shocked manner.

"The eldest son of the capital's Su family who was assassinated and killed not long ago, Su Mu?"

"You are still alive?"

Chen Jun gasped, saying in utter shock.

He was well aware!

The news of Su Mu still being alive, once it reached the capital, would cause an earth-shattering tremor.

On one hand, Su Mu's maternal grandfather was the Libationer of the Imperial Academy, and his maternal uncle was the Marquis Suppressing the West—both renowned and ruthless figures.

On the other hand, there were the Imperial Guards and the newly rising noble Han family, both factions eager to support the second son!

These two major factions had been locked in a fierce, irreconcilable struggle recently, suffering heavy casualties—all because of Su Mu!

Never had he expected that he was still alive!

And now, he had even appeared right here.

Chen Jun swallowed hard.

At this moment, even Fatty Li and Lei Yan wore expressions as if they had just seen a ghost.

The eldest son of the Su family?

Even they had heard whispers of this news!

To think Su Mu's identity was this explosive!

In stark contrast, Su Mu remained entirely calm as he looked at Jiang Tian opposite him.

"Jiang Tian, is it really that strange that I am still alive?"

Su Mu walked toward Jiang Tian step by step.

Seeing the look in Su Mu's eyes, Jiang Tian's pupils constricted.

After a moment of silence, he spoke with solemnity: "I merely heard others say that you had already perished, so seeing you in the flesh comes as a bit of a surprise."

Su Mu placed a hand directly onto Jiang Tian's shoulder.

"Head of the Jiang family, is it? Shall I help refresh your memory regarding how I was assassinated, gravely wounded, and left for dead in the mass graves some time ago?"

"Right as my consciousness was fading, I faintly caught sight of the token belonging to your Jiang family hanging from the waist of the man who transported me."

Jiang Tian's expression abruptly darkened. He brushed Su Mu's hand aside and said coldly, "Spare me your nonsense!"

"Don't think I am unaware that you are simply trying to throw dirty water on me!"

Su Mu spread his hands and looked at Jiang Tian with tranquil composure.

"Whether it is dirty water or not, you know very well in your heart."

"When I return to the capital later, I will naturally explain this matter to my grandfather and uncle."

"At that time, they will also investigate the truth of the matter."

"Then we shall speak of it after you return to the capital!"

Jiang Tian clenched his fists, let out a cold snort, and turned on his heel to leave.

Watching Jiang Tian's departing figure, Chen Jun and the others finally snapped out of their daze.

Chen Jun, in particular, looked at Su Mu with a complex gaze in his eyes.

"So you were the eldest son of the Su family all along!"

"No wonder such an outstanding talent suddenly emerged here in Qinghe Town!"

"As for the credit of heavily injuring the High Priest, you can keep that merit for yourself!"

In comparison, Chen Jun had no desire to become embroiled in the affairs of the Su family.

Although he had managed to attain the rank of Inspector, the waters of the Su family ran far too deep.

He had a premonition that the power struggle within the Su family was, to a certain extent, a game of chess between the Chancellor and another towering figure.

This was not something a minor pawn like him could afford to meddle in.

Once sucked into it, life and death would be entirely out of his hands.

Su Mu shook his head, looking at the man before him with the corners of his lips curling up slightly.

"Lord Chen, since you accepted this merit in the first place, we are now grasshoppers tied to the same rope."

"During this period, I have already arranged for people from the Tianxiang Restaurant to spread word of your achievements far and wide."

"I imagine that by now, many people within the capital must already be familiar with your esteemed name."

"Therefore... you are already in too deep to pull yourself out."

The corners of Chen Jun's mouth twitched.

This Su Mu!

He was simply unbelievable!

"I can explain!"

Chen Jun gritted his teeth and said hastily.

Su Mu clasped his hands behind his back and locked eyes with Chen Jun.

"Lord Chen, do you think there are few people like Jiang Tian who would rather kill the innocent by mistake than let a suspect go?"

"Will they believe that you are completely innocent and have nothing to do with me?"

Hearing this, Chen Jun squeezed out a helpless smile.

"Su Mu, you win!"

"However, because of you, our relationship with the Jiang family can now be considered thoroughly broken."

"Jiang Tian came here this time precisely to ensure we cannot leave Qinghe Town easily."

"Thus, once the barbarians dispatch a massive army to crush our borders, we will have no retreat left whatsoever."

Chen Jun said with considerable annoyance.

Originally, according to his plan, he only needed to hold out until the seven frontier cities were breached, and then he could naturally and smoothly leave Qinghe Town.

Not only would he face no mortal danger, but he would also secure heavy patronage.

That was a foolproof investment with guaranteed returns.

Yet now, they had been driven into a desperate corner.

"What if I told you that we can hold Qinghe Town?"

"When the time comes, with this military achievement under our belts, do you all suppose the imperial court's rewards will be lacking?"

Su Mu said casually.

Chen Jun and Lei Yan exchanged glances.

Hold Qinghe Town?

If they could genuinely withstand the barbarian invasion!

That would undoubtedly count as a monumental contribution.

Returning to the capital, they would receive immense grace and favor!

Yet, could it truly be held?

Those were the fierce Tiger and Wolf Cavalry!

Moreover, if they guessed correctly, the commanding general ought to be Huyan Lie.

He was an absolute powerhouse and a ruthless tyrant!

Throughout the entire Great Liang, there was scarcely a single general who possessed the confidence to handle Huyan Lie's offensive.

"If we can hold it, then naturally... but"

Before Chen Jun could finish his sentence, Su Mu interrupted him.

"In my dictionary, there are no 'buts'."

"Qinghe Town shall stand as secure as an iron fortress!"

Su Mu retrieved a parchment scroll from his tunic.

Seeing this, the others crowded around.

Upon gazing at the clear and meticulously detailed topographic map, each of them could not help a sigh of admiration.

"This map is simply a masterpiece! Every single terrain and geographic feature near Qinghe Town is depicted with absolute clarity!"

"Indeed! Looking at this map, I feel as though the entire landscape surrounding Qinghe Town instantly springs to life in my mind."

"Whoever drew this map possesses extraordinary craftsmanship!"

Su Mu shook his head as he looked at them.

"I did not bring you here to marvel at this!"

"There is only one reason I am showing you this map!"

"And that is because the terrain and landscape near Qinghe Town are complex, filled with endless mountains, canyons, and precipitous cliffs."

"The Tiger and Wolf Cavalry are cavalrymen; they cannot traverse layer upon layer of obstacles the way infantry can. Therefore, to maximize their mobility, if my guess is correct, Huyan Lie will choose these three routes as his directions of advance."

"However, based on my understanding of Huyan Lie, his combat style is quite unconventional. He favors catching the enemy unaware and seizing victory with thunderous speed."

Lei Yan furrowed his brow, staring intently at the terrain map before him, and fell into deep thought.

"You mean to say? Huyan Lie will abandon standard offensive tactics, discard the advantages of cavalry, split his forces into smaller units, march through these mountain forests, and attack Qinghe Town in the shortest possible time?"

If cavalry were to use those three regular routes on this terrain map, they would have to make a massive detour.

It would cost them an extra three days of travel.

Yet, if they marched as infantry through these mountain forests, they could arrive outside Qinghe Town three days ahead of schedule!

By then, under the cover of night, there would indeed be a genuine possibility of capturing Qinghe Town in the blink of an eye!

At this thought, Lei Yan drew in a sharp breath of cold air.

Had it not been for Su Mu pointing this out!

He would have nearly fallen into a cognitive trap.

And naively assumed the Tiger and Wolf Cavalry would launch a frontal assault using conventional cavalry tactics!

Su Mu smiled and nodded, pointing at the topographic map.

"Now that we are aware of their plan, what if we dispatch men to lay an ambush within these mountain forests in advance, using superior numbers to crush the few?"