Chapter 335 Bandit’s Pass

Chapter 335: Xiangma Plain

Cui Ji was silent for a few seconds, then his low voice sounded in the darkness: "You want to strike at Xiangma Plain."

Cheng Ge nodded vigorously in his arms, his hair brushing against Cui Ji's jaw: "Exactly! Strike the snake at its vital spot—if we're robbing supplies, we hit the main supply route!"

"That's not going to work." Cui Ji's voice remained calm, carrying his usual prudence. "You can't get past Wild Fox Valley. That terrain is impassable."

"We can use ropes!" Cheng Ge immediately countered, his eyes gleaming. "Pick the best scouts and handpicked men from the mountain battalion, equip them with grappling hooks and the necessary tools.

We descend from the most treacherous, most lightly defended cliff face of Wild Fox Valley, slip in unnoticed, lie in wait near Xiangma Plain, and strike when the time is right!"

Cui Ji shook his head slightly, clearly unconvinced by Cheng Ge's idea.

"Even if you somehow make it past Wild Fox Valley and successfully intercept the supply convoy, the Northern Di's main supply route being hit is no small matter. The enemy will notice right away and send elite cavalry chasing after you.

With captured supplies and baggage weighing you down, there's no way you'd outrun light cavalry.

Retreating back up those steep cliffs the same way would be next to impossible.

In the end, the enemy would corner you between Wild Fox Valley and Xiangma Plain—like a turtle in a jar."

This analysis was cold and brutal, hitting directly on the plan's fatal flaw—the escape route.

Hearing this, Cheng Ge wasn't discouraged. In fact, he'd already anticipated this objection.

He immediately fumbled inside his clothes and pulled out a parchment map, spreading it out on the bed between them in one swift motion.

He then rolled over, lying flat next to the map, and eagerly waved Cui Ji over.

Cui Ji watched his flurry of movements, his gaze shifting slightly, and followed suit, rolling over.

The two lay side by side on the bed, heads almost touching, both staring at the map.

Cheng Ge first breathed on his fingertips to warm them.

Then, with a warm fingertip, he tapped precisely on a river that originated near Wild Fox Valley and ran along the edge of Xiangma Plain.

"Here," his voice dropped even lower with excitement, but stayed perfectly clear, "look at the course of this river!"

Cheng Ge's fingertip traced the river's course, finally stopping at an unremarkable mark where the base of Wild Fox Valley's cliffs met the Xiangma Plain. His voice was brimming with barely suppressed excitement.

"A couple of days ago, I secretly sent Wufeng and some men on a risky recon. At this spot, right at the waterline under the cliff, there's a hidden entrance to an underground river.

And not far inside that underground river, there's a natural cavern—really well hidden."

He spoke faster and faster, his thinking razor-sharp. "We can set up two escape routes.

If we can pull back before the enemy's main force reacts, we climb back up the cliffs with ropes the same way.

But if... if things go south and the enemy catches us, and there's no time to climb, then we change course and duck into the underground river with the grain.

Any supplies we can't haul out in time can be stashed in that cavern.

Once the heat dies down, we move them out in batches through the underground river or other hidden routes!"

He laid out the most critical piece of the whole plan—that unexpected escape route and hiding spot—right in front of Cui Ji.

The plan was bold and risky, but the discovery of the underground river and cavern made it almost unbelievably feasible.

It was no longer a pure gamble; it now had room to maneuver and retreat.

Cheng Ge finished and whipped his head around, his bright eyes urgently seeking Cui Ji's in the dim light.

The tip of his nose nearly touched the other man's chin: "What do you think? Is it feasible?"

Cui Ji lifted his gaze from the carefully marked underground river and cavern on the map and settled it on Cheng Ge's face, so close to his own.

In the flickering candlelight, he could clearly see Cheng Ge's cheeks flushed pink with excitement.

His eyes now burned with anticipation, and he could even see his curled lashes flutter with each blink.

Cui Ji didn't answer right away. Instead, he slowly looked away from Cheng Ge's face.

His eyes went back to the decisive mark on the map, and he was silent for a full three breaths.

The tent was so quiet you could hear every breath.

Finally, he spoke, low and slow, his voice giving nothing away: "...It's feasible."

Those two words sounded like heaven. Cheng Ge's eyes suddenly lit up, his brows curving on their own.

The corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably, showing a row of small white teeth, while he screamed inside: I'm a goddamn genius after all!

Cui Ji watched his utterly unguarded expression, and the corner of his own mouth curved into a barely visible smile.

He wasn't just humoring Cheng Ge—the tactic was extremely bold and risky, but it did have a real chance of working.

Besides, in a clash between two armies, grain was the foundation of morale and the biggest source of confidence.

Last time their supplies were hit, the enemy hadn't managed to take much, but the fire had destroyed most of it.

Though the matter had been hushed up, the camp had been forced to immediately cut daily rations.

From officers to soldiers, with less food in their bellies, unease and suspicion naturally crept in.

To say there wasn't a shred of panic or doubt in the army would be a flat-out lie.

The Northern Di's move—stealing supplies was secondary; breaking morale was the goal. They were aiming to shake the very foundation of the Cui Family Army.

If they could turn the enemy's tactics against them and successfully raid the Northern Di's supply route—even just part of it—

what they'd gain wouldn't just be food supplies, but a heavy blow to enemy morale and a huge boost to their own army's spirit.

Cheng Ge, thoroughly satisfied, carefully folded the map and tucked it back into his shirt.

He obediently put his head back on the pillow, leaving only his still-bright eyes fixed on Cui Ji.

"We should handle this sooner rather than later—we need to move fast. Given the current situation, the Northern Di is likely to make another move. We can't just sit around."

Cui Ji gave a slight nod, acknowledging his reasoning.

The impact of the lost supplies was quietly spreading through the camp, and it definitely needed to be dealt with quickly.

Seeing this, Cheng Ge's eyes darted around, and he seized the chance to speak, his tone a little probing: "So... who are you planning to send to lead this mission?"

Cui Ji reached out and tucked his exposed, still-chilly hand back under the warm blanket. Hearing this, he turned his head to look at Cui Ji, answering with a question instead: "Who do you think would be suitable?"

At that, a flicker of embarrassment crossed Cheng Ge's face, mingled with eager anticipation.

He edged closer to Cui Ji, his voice barely above a whisper: "Then what do you think... how about me?"

Cui Ji went silent.

A sudden silence fell over the tent.

Cui Ji looked at the man beside him, who'd gotten a bit thinner from the hard training these past days, his face still showing signs of illness.

Cui Ji refused without hesitation: "No." His tone was crisp and decisive, leaving no room for argument.

The anticipation on Cheng Ge's face froze instantly, then shifted to displeasure and urgency.

"Why not? This plan was my idea. If anything unexpected comes up, I can adapt in the moment.

Besides, my archery is decent—I can provide cover from a distance. I won't be a burden!"

Cui Ji remained unmoved, even closing his eyes. His tone was calm but left no room for argument: "Too dangerous. You're an instructor. Your duty is to train troops, not to charge into battle."

"So what if I'm an instructor? Does that mean I can't fight the enemy? Isn't this archery of mine meant for killing foes?"

Cheng Ge was getting irritated. He nudged Cui Ji's side with his elbow.

Cui Ji kept his eyes shut, as if already asleep, but the taut line of his jaw showed he was listening.