The border was lost and the news of the kingdom's defeat seemed to have grown wings and spread throughout the southern towns in a short time, casting a heavy shadow on people's hearts. Many civilian and wealthy businessmen who were deeply terrified of the war began to flee everywhere, and their embarrassing figures could be seen on the plain roads.

"strangeness--"

On the flat road of guarding the carriage to the Yannan Mountains, Singers rode a maroon war horse, his resolute and dark face frowned, and muttered to himself with a serious expression.

"Captain! What are you wondering?" The team member who heard him muttering was puzzled.

"Larang, I found myself overlooking an important issue." Singers looked deep at the fugitives who were carrying the hunched on the road ahead and said, "Why did the news of the failure of the frontline war suddenly come here? The border is at least a thousand miles away from the towns near the Yannan Mountains. You and I have been scouts. Even if we rode horses day and night, it would take several days to bring the military information. Assuming that the kingdom had special communication methods to learn in time, do you think the kingdom would spread this news that affects people's hearts at will?"

"Captain, do you think someone deliberately incites chaos in the kingdom?" Ralang's eyes flashed.

"I do have this suspicion." Singers nodded. "When I sent Romu to inquire about the local security situation, he told me that it was quietly circulating in the public circle that the Heather Empire had captured most of the Windsor Plain. Soon after, the troops will point directly to the Yannan Mountains in the north, so we will see many escapees on the road these days."

"All nonsense!" Ralang said furiously: "No matter how powerful the Heather Empire is, it is impossible for him to quickly capture the Windsor Plain. Among them, it must be the spies of the Heather Empire who are spreading rumors and bewitching!"

"I and you have roughly the same view." Singers said: "No matter how poor the strength of the troops stationed in the south of the Kingdom can delay the Heather Empire for ten days and half a month. Once the main force of the Kingdom reinforcements arrives, it will inevitably set off a wave of counterattack and repel the barbaric invasion of the Heather Empire in one fell swoop!"

"Damn spy!" Ralang seemed to have determined his guess and gritted his teeth: "Don't let me meet them, otherwise I will definitely tear them to pieces!"

Singers remained silent because his mind was already immersed in another serious question.

Spy is rampant, why is the Supervision Office responsible for investigating and endangering the rule of the kingdom slow to see any movement?

The deeper you think, the heavier you are.

The towns in the distance gradually appeared with blurred outlines. This is the town closest to the Yannan Mountains. As long as you pass this town, you will be able to pass through the ancient forest road through the Yannan Mountains. One day, they will be able to successfully arrive in Linquan Town to complete this employment mission.

Singers took a deep breath and drove away the chaotic thoughts in his mind. Everything was to worry after the task was over.

Besides, what can he change if he knows too much?

"What happened before? Paiqi! Go up and take a look!"

When everyone was about to arrive in the town, a large number of noisy and congested people gathered in the city gate in the distance. Singers, who noticed this situation, immediately ordered his team members to come forward to find out.

Paiqi rode his horse and came back quickly. When he heard his investigation results, everyone was stunned.

Lin'an Town searched for spies, and no one was allowed to enter or exit.

"Captain Singers! What happened before?" Joanna, who was unaware of the carriage, opened the window and leaned her head to ask Singers who were escorting beside her.

"Madam Joanna, we may not be able to enter the town ahead today." As he said that, Singers sighed and repeated the findings.

"Brother Alan!" Joanna, at a loss, quickly looked at Xia Lan in front of the frame.

Xia Lan looked up at the sky. The sun had not set yet, and there was still some time before evening.

"Are there any other roads leading to the ancient Linmu Road besides Lin'an Town?" Xia Lan turned to Singers and asked.

"Yes!" Singers, who often accepts caravan employment commissions to walk north and south of the kingdom, nodded and said, "But we need to go around a big circle..."

"Let's take a detour right away." Before the other party could finish speaking, Xia Lan decided without hesitation.

"But if you go by, the road is long. The road is rugged and you can't reach the ancient road in the forest in a short period of time. Moreover, the sky will be dark and there are dangers at night, so I don't recommend going by now." Singers frowned.

"No need to say too much, just follow the order and execute it." Xia Lan said indifferently.

Singers stared at Xia Lan with a pale face, and nodded after a long time.

"If an accident occurs on the way, please do not blame our poor guard!"

Joanna looked at the two of them with a worried expression. Singers' reminder made sense. But why did Alan choose to act alone?

"Mom! Are we going to rush tonight?"

In the carriage, Nina lay on Joanna's thigh with a listless look, feeling the bumps and discomfort.

"Be good to Nina! We can rest in a while!" Joanna suppressed the vomiting in her chest and abdomen, and reluctantly comforted her with a smile.

The poor road conditions after the detour were beyond Xia Lan's expectations. The bumpy terrain and the gravel made it extremely difficult for the carriage to move. Especially after nightfall, it is difficult to distinguish the road conditions. From time to time, the wheels will hit protruding stones and cause the entire carriage to fluctuate violently. If this continues, the carriage will inevitably fall apart.

"Captain Singers, prepare to find a place to sleep in the open."

Finally, Xia Lan gave up her plan to travel overnight.

"Page, check in front of you if there is a suitable place to sleep in the open."

Singers didn't even look at Xia Lan, and snorted coldly in his heart, and gave orders directly to his companions.

"Okay!"

When Paiqi heard this, he pulled the reins and quickly left the team, and disappeared in front of everyone in the blink of an eye.

...

...

The carriage that Joanna and her daughter were riding was loaded with a lot of luggage, including tents and other bedding supplies. Of course, bringing these was Xia Lan's suggestion.

After Paiqi's investigation, everyone led him to a plain covered with grass, and quickly started to build tents, make fires and set up pots, patrols and alerts, arrange traps and other matters. Although the Shanying Squad has a small number of people, the division of labor is clear and the organization is orderly. The army's strong style is no less than those elite mercenaries with reputation.

After enjoying the hot soup and pie dinner, the exhausted Joanna and his daughter said hello and fell into the tent and fell asleep.

Xia Lan sat alone in front of the fire, her eyes fixed on the beating flames.

At this time, Singers strode to him, looked at Xia Lan with a blank expression and said, "I hope you can respect our opinions next time."

"You are a mercenary, I am an employer. It is always natural for mercenaries to obey their employer's orders. Since you embark on the path of mercenaries, don't say anything respectful. Haven't you realized your mercenary career over the years?" Xia Lan said carelessly: "Unless you are willing to give up your reputation as a mercenary, don't say these naive words to me again."

"If you have also been a mercenary, you will naturally know that only respect can bring sincere help from the mercenary!" Singers narrowed his eyes.

"Do you know why I hired you instead of other stronger mercenary groups in Fei'an Town?" Xia Lan changed the subject.

"I'm indeed a little curious." Singers said coldly.

"The reason is very simple. You have the least threat to us." Xia Lan glanced at Joanna's tent and said.

"Do you think we will be the scum among the mercenaries?" Singers, who noticed the other party's eyes, immediately understood what he meant, and his face couldn't help but become gloomy.

"There are so many places to walk, and you can encounter anything." Xia Lan said.

"You are the darkest-minded person among the employers you have ever met." Singers said without hesitation.

"Why can't you be cautious rather than being dark?" Xia Lan said lightly.

"When I was patrolling outside just now, I suddenly thought of a question." Singers stared at him and said, "I don't understand why you were anxious to go north after hearing the news of the border loss. Now you even have to take a detour and hurry through the Yannan Mountains!"

"So what?" Xia Lan picked up a branch and pulled the burning fire.

"Did you expect the border to fall early in the morning and the Heather Empire will lead the army north?" Singers said.

"If you were the commander of the Heather Empire, how would you formulate the next strategic policy after you defeat the enemy's borders in the Angrien Kingdom?" Xia Lan gave her own answer without waiting for the other party to answer. "If I were the commander of the Heather Empire, I would divide my troops into two groups, drive straight in, and lead the army to the Yannan Mountains to block the reinforcements of the Kingdom!"

“…”

Singers' expression changed, but he heard the other party continue.

"The Yannan Mountains are not only a natural danger that is far from the north and south of the Angrien Kingdom, but also an obstacle to the Kingdom's dispatch of a large number of troops to the south! Once it occupied a few key roads that traveled to the Yannan Mountains in the forest, the Heather Empire could complete the offensive and defensive transformation. In turn, relying on the geographical advantage to snipe the reinforcements of the Kingdom, and wait for another army to complete the strategy plan and join the north. Do you think the Kingdom still has a chance of winning?"

"Who are you?" Singers snapped.

"A ordinary person who fled." Xia Lan said calmly.

"Will an ordinary person know what you said?" Singers sneered: "Are you thinking I'm a fool?"

"If you were not a fool, why would you become a mercenary now?" Xia Lan said.

Singers opened his eyes wide open, and a cold light flashed across his long sword from his waist slashed towards Xia Lan's neck.

Bang-

With a light sound, sparks flew everywhere.

Xia Lan took away the burning branch that blocked the Singers sword's edge and shook her head.

"Don't forget that I am your employer, killing the employer is a serious crime for a mercenary."

Ignoring Singers with a look of shock, Xia Lan clapped her hands, threw the branches into the fire, stood up and turned away. (To be continued.)
Chapter completed!