Chương 19: Chapter 19 Hunting Bandits in the Desert 2/3

Again, like last time, I apologize for the late release. Anyway, here is the chapter.

Zhao Wen POV

Listening to Mo Fan, the rank 3 guard captain of the Xi caravan, explain how they had been ambushed, encircled, and annihilated, Zhao Wen received a more in-depth idea of how groups of Gu masters fought.

According to Mo Fan's description, it seemed like the bandits had positioned Gu masters with ranged attacking methods on the sand dunes, launching a barrage of low-ranked attacks at the caravan guards, forcing them to either take cover, activate defensive Gu, or charge up the dunes.

If the caravan guards charged up the dunes, they would be faced with coordinated fire from the ranged Gu masters while melee-focused Gu masters intercepted them.

If they made it past all of these obstacles, then a rank 3 Gu master was waiting at the top, ready to wipe any rank 2 from existence or delay a rank 3 guard captain.

"Captain Mo, are you certain that the bandits employed such sophisticated tactics? Although we don't doubt your words, the Ye clan wants to make sure that the intelligence we receive is accurate and correct."

Being brought out of his ruminations by a question asked by Elder Song, Zhao Wen observed Mo Fan's eye twitch slightly as he answered Elder Song's question in the affirmative.

"Lord Elder, I swear on my ancestors and on my cultivation that I have spoken the truth."

Nodding in response, Elder Song looked towards the nominal leader of this expedition, Xie Long, and when he received a nod from him, Elder Song turned back to Mo Fan, saying,

"Thank you for your report. You can rejoin your companions now. Also, your young master should have already been healed by Elder Ye Du; he should be inside the medical tent at the moment."

Zhao Wen observed as Mo Fan nodded in acknowledgment before withdrawing from the portable house-type Gu, leaving only the Ye clansmen inside.

Waiting for someone to break the silence, Zhao Wen observed the gathered Elders one by one. Elder Song and Elder Luo seemed to be deep in contemplation, their faces slightly scrunched up as they thought about the information they had received.

Xie Long, on the other hand, was observing Zhao Wen, and when their gazes met, he asked a question.

"Elder Zhao, what is your opinion on the ambush the Xi caravan endured? Do you think that Mo Fan spoke the truth, or do you think he was exaggerating?"

Hearing Xie Long's question, Zhao Wen quickly recognized its nature as a test by Xie Long. Knowing this, Zhao Wen took his time formulating an answer.

"I think that the ambush was well organized and executed. The bandits probably spent a long time preparing for this ambush.

They managed to catch the Xi caravan while they were moving through rough terrain and weren't expecting an attack. This probably indicates that they knew the route of the Xi caravan in advance, perhaps through thorough scouting or via an insider.

All in all, as described, it seems like a well-executed and planned ambush where all of the bandits cooperated to take down the Xi caravan efficiently and quickly."

Nodding slightly in acknowledgment of Zhao Wen's analysis, Xie Long asked,

"And what are your thoughts on Mo Fan's reliability as a witness?"

"Lord, young clan leader, in my opinion, we should treat Mo Fan's report as factual and plan accordingly.

If he exaggerated the capabilities of the bandits, then we will simply have over-prepared, but if he didn't exaggerate, then we won't be caught off guard when faced with the bandits."

Hearing Zhao Wen's argument, Xie Long and the other two elders present nodded in approval of his argument.

"Ha, I know I've said this before, but Lord Han truly found himself a good heir. Your analysis showed your maturity and wisdom, something I wish more of the younger generation would showcase."

Hearing Elder Luo's praise, Zhao Wen thanked the Elder for the praise before giving him an inquiring look.

Noticing Zhao Wen's unasked question, Elder Song snorted in annoyance, saying,

"I hope the Breeze gecko mating season is particularly harsh this year; that ingrate deserves it for causing this mess."

Seeing that the conversation was being derailed, Xie Long acted to bring it back to the subject at hand.

"Alright, that's enough. We need to discuss our next course of action."

Having received new intelligence from the Xi caravan remnants, the Ye clan expedition started to reevaluate their mission.

They had originally set out under the expectation that they were dealing with disorganized demonic path bandits, but now that assessment seemed quite unlikely.

Taking into account the seemingly targeted strike against the Ye caravan and the organized nature of the ambush against the Xi caravan, the Elders concluded that they might be dealing with the forces of a nomadic clan or a foreign elite troop sent to harass the Ye clan.

"What are the chances this is the vanguard or main force of a nomadic clan?"

Hearing Zhao Wen's question, Elder Luo responded, saying,

"We can't rule out the possibility of this being a nomadic clan, but I find it unlikely that any but the most desperate nomadic clans would resort to this sort of raiding inside the territory of a large-sized clan like our Ye clan."

Saying this, Elder Luo adopted the tone of an educator as he continued,

"As you know, most nomadic clans are small to medium-sized clans who lack a spirit spring and thus need to constantly move around while acting as caravans, mercenaries, or bandits to get by.

They might be the remnants of a destroyed clan, unfortunate fellows whose spirit spring dried out, or exiles escaping internal conflict.

Their origins don't really matter that much, as the main distinguishing feature of nomadic clans, as opposed to settled clans, is that they are highly mobile, which means that they are more willing to raid and pillage as the consequences can be avoided by leaving the affected region.

These clans are then hired by large-sized clans or by super clans to complete various tasks on their behalf, whether it be guarding an important trade route or raiding a rival.

Although I find it unlikely that any nomadic clan would be crazy enough to agree to raid the Ye clan, there are always lunatics who might attempt it for a large enough price."

"Alright, I understand. But if you think the nomadic clan theory is unlikely, that means you think it is more likely that we are dealing with an elite troop, right?"

Hearing Zhao Wen's question, Elder Luo solemnly confirmed his question,

"Yes, I believe that what we are dealing with is a part of an elite troop. The coordination, the uniformity of the Gu described, and the well-executed ambush lead me to believe that we are dealing with an elite troop dispatched to harass the Ye clan's trading routes."

"Unfortunately, Elder Luo is most likely correct in his analysis of the enemy, and as Elder Zhao previously stated, we need to treat the enemy as if they were an elite troop even if they turn out to be mere bandits.

Either way, we need to come up with a plan of action quickly, as the trail the bandits left behind after attacking the Xi caravan will soon disappear."

The group nodded in response to Xie Long's statement, starting to discuss how they should go about the pursuit of the enemy.

"So we are all in agreement that we should launch a night attack against the bandit camp if possible?"

Seeing no objections, Xie Long moved on to the following question, asking,

"What should we do with the Xi caravan remnants? We certainly can't leave them stranded in the middle of the desert."

"Well, we could drop them off at Fei Xi oasis. If we take a roundabout route towards the ambush site, we can drop them off at the cost of spending some four extra days to arrive."

Hearing Elder Song's response, Xie Long said,

"Unacceptable. By that time, we would have lost the trail and become unable to track the bandits. Does anyone else have any ideas?"

"Lord, young clan leader, can't we recruit the Xi caravan remnants and add them to our force when we attack the bandits?

If you recall, the Xi family's young master seemed quite desperate to regain his cargo. What if we use this and negotiate for him to order his guards to assist us?"

Hearing Zhao Wen's suggestion, Xie Long started ruminating while Elder Luo said,

"I doubt he would agree to such a thing. He has already lost most of his guard force; if he loses more, then he won't be able to make it back to Fang Clan city."

Exiting his rumination, Xie Long said,

"There is no harm in asking him. If he agrees, then we have more Gu masters to face the bandits, and if he disagrees, we can get away with dumping him somewhere along the way."

"Who should bring this proposal to him?"

"How about Elder Du? The Xi family young master should have a good impression of him considering it was him who healed him."

Nodding in agreement, Xie Long ended the meeting for now while Elder Du left to talk with the unfortunate Xi caravan leader.

Mo Fan POV

Sitting on the back of one of the Ye clan's sandgulls, Mo Fan was still fuming over the decision the Xi family's young master had made.

[I don't understand, does that wastrel not realize that we are being used as meat shields by the Ye clan?]

Sighing in frustration again, Mo Fan observed the position of the Sun, trying to judge when it was time for the hunting party to make camp.

They had been moving for the past three days, already having passed the place the Xi caravan was ambushed; they had scavenged anything useful before continuing the chase.

Recalling what had happened the same day the Xi caravan was recruited, Mo Fan couldn't help but

applaud the Ye clan's recruitment methods.

Mo Fan had been invited to drink tea with two of the Ye clan elders, one an old man who cultivated the enslavement path and was the controller of the sandgull group the Ye clan rode, the other a young man seeming to be less than 20 years old but having a cultivation surpassing Mo Fan's own.

During this meeting, the Ye clansmen had hinted to Mo Fan that if he joined the Ye clan, he would receive the position of an elder, even receiving the surname Ye as long as he or his descendants married into the clan.

Receiving a similar invitation for tea the following day as they made camp for the night, Mo Fan had been given some primeval essence stones under the excuse of restoring his stockpile before the battle.

Turning his attention back to the present, Mo Fan couldn't help but admit that he was tempted to accept the Ye clan's offer.