Chapter 45: Flying Sand (II)

A hundred li from Kuixi City lies an unnamed valley, lush with vegetation and shaded by forests.
Few people dwell here, and almost no one settles in this area. With so few visitors, there was no need to give it a name. Thus, since writing emerged in this region, the valley has had no official name.
However, hunters who came here for hunting commonly called it Wild Wolf Valley, as they often saw wild wolves while hunting—wolves that traveled in packs and dared to prey on prey much larger than themselves.
Hunters dared not travel at night and only hunted in groups during the day, leaving quickly afterward to avoid trouble.
Humans can sometimes be very similar to wolves—fierce, hypocritical, traveling in packs, and competing fiercely after hunting. In this strict hierarchical system, only the strongest alpha wolf could enjoy preferential treatment and the freshest meat.
General Ruitai was undoubtedly such an alpha wolf—skilled at scheming, fierce, and hypocritical. At least in the area around Kuixi City, he could command everything as he saw fit. The king hardly interfered in politics, so these accumulated matters naturally fell to Ruitai to handle. If any wolf dared to challenge his authority, it would be devoured completely!
To become an alpha wolf, one must first learn to disguise oneself and then be able to win instantly, leaving no chance for the opponent to breathe!
Once wolf claws are revealed, there’s no reason to pull them back!
“General Ruitai, do you really think the Tang army will pass through this valley? This is a desolate place even herb collectors disdain to visit; probably only wild beasts roam here.”
An officer from Kuixi City, resembling a squad leader, rubbed his sore back and turned his head carefully to ask.
They had been lying in the overgrown bushes for half a day, exhausted and dizzy. In that time, not a single Tang soldier, let alone a passing caravan, had been seen. General Ruitai must have heard some slanderous rumors to think the Tang army would appear in such a place.
Hah, was he crazy enough to seek glory at all costs?
Tang generals weren’t fools. Even if they really had to pass through Kuixi City’s territory, they wouldn’t take this deserted route.
“Stop talking nonsense. When has my judgment ever been wrong?”

Ruitai glared fiercely at the deputy commander and said, “If you don’t want to go back to the camp and get whipped, keep a close eye on things. Report immediately if there’s any movement from the Tang army!” The deputy commander felt a chill down his spine under Ruitai’s glare and smiled brightly, “As you say, sir. Who would go out of their way to trouble themselves? Don’t worry, with me here watching, not a fly will get through!” “Hmph, it’s good you understand!” Ruitai, however, didn’t have such patience. With a scoff, he said, “I’ll go back to serve His Majesty the King. I leave this place to you. If anything goes wrong, your skin will pay the price!” He had been guarding here with these men for half a day, suffering greatly from mosquito bites. As the great general of Kuixi City, when had he ever endured such suffering? Though capturing the Tang leader in person was tempting, it paled in comparison to the bewitching curves of the Persian woman in the palace. Sigh, just thinking of that beauty made Ruitai’s blood boil, as if he had become ten years younger. Her snow-white breasts were as pure as holy wine wrapped in sheepskin, and her soft, plump buttocks made him reluctant to take his hands off her. At the thought of her currently strutting around in the palace, Ruitai felt warmth spreading through his lower body. “Stay alert! Don’t fall asleep!” In high spirits, Ruitai gave a few more instructions before leaving the Nameless Valley under the escort of his trusted guards. “Tch!” As soon as Ruitai left, the previously obsequious deputy commander spat out a thick clump of phlegm. “What kind of guy is that? I reckon you’ll die at a woman’s feet sooner or later.” It wasn’t surprising that the deputy commander spoke vilely—while the soldiers lay in ambush here motionless, waiting for the Tang army, he ran back to the palace to enjoy himself with the Persian woman. How could that be fair? “Guys, don’t be so hard on yourselves. Get up and stretch your limbs!” The deputy commander brushed the grass leaves off his buttocks and waved at the soldiers from Kuixi City hiding in the bushes, giving them loud orders. “Ow, it hurts so much! Lying in this cramped space is really awkward!” “Tell me about it. We’re packed together in such a small space—how can we possibly be comfortable?” “It rained a few days ago, and the ground is damp. It’s really annoying!” “Well, at least Deputy Commander Ka is good to us. That General Ruitai—what a jerk!” “…” The soldiers from Kuixi City got up and stretched their backs to relieve their stiff muscles. Lying there for half a day, constantly surrounded by mosquitoes, they now felt itchy all over and extremely hot.

“Look, Team Leader Ka, the sun has risen again, damn it! You know, when it’s time to dry the grain, we beg and plead for shade, but as soon as we want some cool weather, this old bastard shows up and makes things worse!”
The one complaining was a thin man with a sharp mouth and pointed features. He seemed quite familiar with Team Deputy Kalia, and they started chatting casually.
“Enough of your complaining. Instead of wasting time complaining, save your energy and think about how to spend the reward money. If you dare spend it on those women in the back alleys of South City again, I’ll break your legs for your parents!”
Kalia glared at him and spoke coldly.
“Ah, come on. Do I really seem like the kind of guy who ignores women, especially a bunch of prostitutes?”
The thin man laughed brightly. “But Team Leader Ka, it would be great if there really is a reward. I’m just worried that after working hard for days, we might end up with nothing.”
“You idiot, you’re still thinking about the women in South City!”
Kalia laughed and kicked the thin man in the back, saying, “Putting aside everything else, that old bastard’s judgment is pretty reliable. Since he says so, we might as well wait here. It’s an easy catch anyway. If the Tang army really comes, we can capture their general and present him to the emperor for a reward. If they don’t pass by here, it’s that old bastard who’ll be held responsible, so we won’t lose anything.”
“Ah, ah, Team Leader Ka really sees things far ahead!”
The thin man flattered him subtly. “But these guys have been guarding this valley for half a day without eating or drinking. Even the strongest person can’t withstand such hardship. What if we let them go to the river ahead to fetch some water and cook?”
His words were quite clever, and Kalia found them pleasing.
“You’re good at talking!”
After thinking for a moment, Kalia nodded. “Fine. I’ll leave them to you. Get back in the time it takes to drink tea. If you miss that deadline and delay the mission, I’ll deal with you!”
“Of course not! Come on, haha, haha…”
With Kalia’s approval, the thin man was overjoyed and stepped back outward.
“Hurry back! Don’t mess things up!”

Although slightly uneasy, Kalia still let the soldiers go. They were all just servants who worked hard for their generals—why should unfortunate people make things harder for other unfortunate people!
Hmm, this was the perfect time to slack off and take a short nap!
Seeing his troops gradually walking away, Kalia found a clean boulder to lie on. He was too tired; as soon as he rested his head on the stone, he fell asleep…
Thousands of Tang cavalry were charging toward him, and Kalia could clearly see the gleaming swords in their hands!
“Someone, help!”
Kalia screamed desperately, but no one came to his aid. As the Tang cavalry got closer, he panicked and jumped up. Damn it, where had all these bastards gone?
“Someone, please…”
Suddenly, he felt something blocking his throat and could no longer make a sound!
Damn it!
Instinctively, he tried to get up and run, but found himself trapped, unable to move. He struggled and saw that it was a string of soft, vine-like things—yet they were tinged red, evoking fear at the mere sight.
It was intestines, dead people’s intestines!
“Help! Save me!”
He cried out loudly, but no sound came out. He could only watch as thousands of Tang cavalry rushed toward him!
“Help!”
“Don’t come near!”
A Tang general in black armor rode up beside him and raised his sword high, ready to slash his neck.
“No!”
“Stop!”
Kalia jolted awake, gasping for breath. He instinctively touched his neck, taking a while before pulling his hands away. His clothes were soaked with sweat, and his cheeks were covered in large beads of sweat.
It was just a nightmare!