Chapter 229

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A large bird soared across the sky.

Its shadow swept over the grassland.

The sun climbed higher.

Icicles slowly melted into water,

Gradually soaking the yellow grass.

Come next year, as soon as the spring breeze blows,

Tender shoots will emerge from the damp earth.

By then, the wild grass will have withered into mud, becoming fertilizer for the new grass, helping them grow strong and bloom in midsummer.

When autumn and winter arrive, the grass will turn yellow again, covering the ground like a blanket, its dry body sheltering next year's new life.

The cycle continues, life persists.

This place was beautiful.

The resting spot had a grove of trees, a small river, and backed onto a grassland. It was hard to leave.

This scenery was so stunning that if they had phones, a simple photo could turn it into a ticketed attraction.

Jiang Mianmian tucked her small sword away, as her mother had warned of an ambush.

She stood facing the grassland, her rabbit fur coat billowing in the wind, holding her sword with a serious expression.

Jiang Yu called out, "Mianmian, come here."

"Coming!"

Jiang Mianmian trotted over.

Elder Sister handed her a walnut kernel sprinkled with sesame seeds.

"Try this, it's deliciously fragrant."

Jiang Mianmian looked at her sister's belly.

It was frighteningly large, and she kept eating.

The ambushers outnumbered them several times over.

Passing through would certainly lead to a fierce battle.

So what should they do?

Jiang Feng said, "That's the only way through. If we detour over the mountains, it'll add two days to our journey. Plus, we have women with us, and Jiang Yu is pregnant. Mountain paths would be difficult."

Meng Shaoxia suggested, "Father, why don't we rest now and launch a night attack? Strike first for the advantage."

Jiang Feng turned to look at his brother-in-law. You've changed, he thought. Not only has your square face become rounder, but your heart has also grown darker. You never used to suggest sneak attacks. Could it be that proximity breeds similarity... No, I'm not a pig.

Seeing his brother-in-law's innocent gaze, Meng Shaoxia quickly explained, "They dare to ambush government officials. With so many of us, and them lying in wait, they clearly don't intend to leave survivors. We must strike first."

Jiang Feng patted his brother-in-law's shoulder and looked up at the clouds racing across the sky. "Father, Shaoxia is right. We should strike first. Those people are lying in ambush without food or water. We can't poison them, but we could use fire attacks, then throw in poisonous herbs. They still need to breathe. Fire plus poison - that should finish them off!"

Jiang Changtian gave his son an approving look.

His half son-in-law Shaoxia was clever, but his thinking was too straightforward. The enemy was well-prepared for their ambush. Attacking them from below, while a counterattack of sorts, would still result in heavy losses. Every person they had brought was an elite among elites, and he was reluctant to waste them like that.

A true villain prioritizes achieving the goal, regardless of how despicable the means.

Qin Luoxia offered, "I'll start the fire. I have experience from cooking every day."

Jiang Changtian replied, "Sister Xia, this is too dangerous. Let Feng and Shaoxia handle it."

Meng Shaoxia: ... There was love there, but not much.

......

That night, Jiang Mianmian was still awake when she heard a distant commotion. She saw smoke rising from the far-off mountains, with patches of bright light.

In the endless dark night, a glow had appeared.

It was beautiful.

Like a grand firework blooming on the grassland.

Jiang Mianmian wondered if there might be wild goats, if there were any kebabs, if there was any delivery service. She craved a midnight snack.

She lay down, her stomach making gurgling noises.

The journey was long, and midnight snacks were necessary.

She got up and climbed out of bed.

......