40: raid

Chen Linsheng quickly stepped into the Water Patrol Division Yamen. The soldiers, who had already received instructions, immediately led him through several courtyards to a heavily guarded conference hall.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a solemn and tense atmosphere rushed out.

The doors and windows inside the hall were tightly shut, and heavy curtains blocked the sound and light from outside. Only a few oil lamps flickering on the long table illuminated the faces of the people gathered, casting them in alternating light and shadow.

The air was thick with the smell of ink, mixed with a faint, almost imperceptible scent of nervous sweat.

His gaze quickly swept across the room.

Senior Brother Shi Poyue and Head Constable Wang sat in the main seats. Flanking them were Second Senior Brother Di Moyu, Third Martial Sister Liu Ruyan, and three other sturdy men dressed in Water Patrol Division officer uniforms.

All eyes were currently focused on him.

Hanging on the wall was a huge map titled “Detailed Map of the Upper Qing River and Swampland.”

Black Fish Bay and Crocodile Mouth Islet, where the Water Bandits were entrenched, were conspicuously circled in cinnabar ink, looking like two hideous wounds on the map.

“A Sheng, come and sit.”

Seeing him enter, Shi Poyue's serious expression eased slightly. He beckoned and pointed to an empty seat beside him.

“Everyone is here. Let's begin the discussion.”

Chen Linsheng sat down as instructed, feeling the oppressive atmosphere in the hall, knowing that the matter was of great importance.

Shi Poyue skipped the pleasantries, looked at him sharply, and cut straight to the chase:

“A Sheng, tell everyone exactly what you overheard in the reeds again. Do not miss a single detail.”

Chen Linsheng took a deep breath, met the scrutinizing gazes of the crowd, and recounted everything he had seen and heard that day in a clear and steady voice.

His narrative was logical and clear. He even deliberately mimicked the tone of the two conspirators, driving the key pieces of information—“the Hour of Zi three days from now,” “Shi Poyue leading the team,” and “Black Fish Bay sudden attack”—into everyone's minds like heavy hammers, word by word.

When his voice trailed off, the conference hall fell into a deathly silence.

“Clap!”

A hot-tempered officer with a scar across his face suddenly slammed the table, causing the solid wood surface to tremble.

His beard and hair bristled as he roared, “Damn it! There really are internal traitors eating us from the inside! If I drag him out, I'll skin him alive!”

Another, more composed officer gasped, his face showing intense fear:

“If it weren't for Junior Brother Chen happening upon this news... if we had been completely unaware and rushed in according to the original plan... that would be no different from lambs walking into a tiger's den. The consequences would be unimaginable!”

Although Head Constable Wang already knew the news, his face was ashen, clearly furious inside.

He looked at Shi Poyue: “Brother Shi, the news is absolutely certain. It seems our previous deduction was correct; there is indeed a problem internally. What should we do next?”

Shi Poyue's gaze was calm as water. He exchanged a look with Head Constable Wang, then scanned the crowd and said solemnly, “Head Constable Wang and I have tentatively decided: we will fight fire with fire!”

His finger tapped the location of Black Fish Bay on the map: “Outwardly, we will proceed as usual, feigning preparations for the Black Fish Bay sudden attack scheduled for three days from now. I have already let others see this top-secret operational plan, and the mole will certainly pass it on.”

“As for the real operation,” Shi Poyue's finger swept sharply to the side, landing heavily on Crocodile Mouth Islet, his eyes sharp as knives, “it will be moved up to the Hour of Zi tomorrow night!”

He elaborated on the plan:

“This battle will be split into two routes: overt and covert.”

“The overt route will be personally led by Head Constable Wang, commanding the main force of the Water Patrol Division, heading to Black Fish Bay with great fanfare to launch a feint attack. Your mission is not to defeat the enemy, but to create a massive commotion, firmly attracting and pinning down the main force and even the reserves of the Water Bandits, making them absolutely certain that our main attack direction is there!”

“The covert route will be led by me personally, commanding an elite surprise attack squad that I will select.”

Shi Poyue's gaze swept over Chen Linsheng, Liu Ruyan, and Di Moyu.

“The members include my Personal Disciples from the Yangwei Martial Arts Hall, as well as several reliable and highly skilled brothers from the Water Patrol Division. Tomorrow night, we will travel in fast, unlit boats, using the cover of darkness to quietly circle around to the rear of Crocodile Mouth Islet.”

Speaking of this, Shi Poyue's brow furrowed slightly, and his tone carried a hint of hesitation: “Crocodile Mouth Islet is surrounded by water on three sides, with cliffs everywhere. A frontal assault is extremely difficult, and the Water Bandits' defenses are certainly tight. The only weakness lies in a nearly vertical cliff on the back mountain and the waters below it. The terrain there is treacherous, the currents complex, and the Water Bandits rely on this natural barrier, so their defense is bound to be lax. If we can silently climb the cliff from this spot and sneak into the heart of their lair, we can coordinate an attack from inside and out, achieving success in one fell swoop!”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

“However, that cliff is slippery and steep, about Ten Zhang high. The underwater situation is unknown, and there might be hidden sentries. Trying to climb up without alerting the enemy is extremely difficult, posing an ultimate test to one's Aptitude for Water, Climbing Skill, and courage. Among us, who can take on this crucial role as the vanguard?”

Silence fell upon the hall.

Di Moyu's Movement Technique was agile, but he was more adept at maneuvering on land.

Liu Ruyan's Palm Technique was fierce, but her Aptitude for Water was not top-tier.

Shi Poyue himself possessed the greatest strength, but as the core of the squad, he needed to coordinate the overall situation.

That cliff was indeed a difficult obstacle.

Just then, Chen Linsheng stood up. Under the surprised gazes of the crowd, his tone was calm yet carried an undeniable firmness: “Senior Brother, Head Constable Wang, everyone, I can do it!”

Swish, swish, swish. Everyone's attention instantly focused on him.

Liu Ruyan couldn't help but tug secretly at his sleeve, giving him a meaningful look, and whispered, “A Sheng, don't be rash! That cliff is no small matter, and the underwater situation is unknown...”

Chen Linsheng gave Third Martial Sister a grateful look, but slowly shook his head. He scanned the faces of the officers present, noting their varying degrees of suspicion, and declared loudly:

“I am not speaking carelessly. Since childhood, I have practiced Herb Gathering in the mountains, and Climbing cliffs and precipices is commonplace for me; I have considerable experience in it. Through recent diligent training, my Aptitude for Water has also reached Minor Achievement, and I am confident I am no worse than ordinary Water Demons. Furthermore, my eyesight is good, allowing me to see at night, making me perfectly suited to serve as this scouting vanguard!”

He paused, raising his voice slightly, imbued with a resolute Aura:

“If you gentlemen do not believe me, I, Chen Linsheng, am willing to sign a Military Pledge! If my failure leads to the exposure of the surprise attack, I am willing to face Military Law punishment!”

His determination was not merely a surge of youthful passion.

On the one hand, he was duty-bound to suppress this group of Water Bandits who plagued the local area.

On the other hand, he had already confirmed that the Water Patrol Division's Merit Treasury contained the Spirit Medicine “water essence algae.” This item is mild in nature and has an excellent effect on Tempering the Skin and Membrane. If used in conjunction with the ice muscle pill, it would certainly advance his already rapidly improving Skin Quenching process even further!

This operation was a great Opportunity to earn merit and exchange it for water essence algae.

More importantly, he deeply understood the importance of reputation.

This was not a chaotic era, and blindly hiding one's strength was not the best strategy.

On the contrary, if he could distinguish himself and achieve extraordinary merit in this battle, his reputation would quickly spread along with the Water Patrol Division's victory reports.

This would serve as an invisible protective talisman and aid for his future participation in the Martial Examination, and even for walking the Dao of Martial Arts.

Reputation, sometimes more than martial power, could deter petty criminals and bring unexpected resources and Opportunities.

As the saying goes, make a name for yourself early!

Shi Poyue gazed deeply at Chen Linsheng, seeing the undeniable confidence and resolve in his eyes. In his mind flashed Chen Linsheng's extraordinary achievements: Minor Achievement in Piled Stance after fifteen days, five Skin Quenchings in just over a month, and the timely reporting of the intelligence yesterday.

After a moment of silence, Shi Poyue slammed the table decisively and declared, “Good! I trust my Junior Brother! This crucial vanguard mission will be entrusted to Chen Linsheng!”

Seeing Shi Poyue's strong support, and observing Chen Linsheng's resolute attitude, which seemed genuine, Head Constable Wang exchanged glances with the other officers and nodded heavily:

“Junior Brother Chen possesses extraordinary courage! Since that is the case, it is settled!”

Shi Poyue scanned the crowd, and in a low, powerful voice, made the final decision:

“Gentlemen, the key to this battle lies in deception. The more believable the deception, the smoother the surprise attack, and the fewer casualties our brothers will suffer.”

“We will Openly Repair the Plank Roads While Secretly Crossing the Chencang Pass—we shall proceed according to this strategy!”

His finger pointed heavily at Crocodile Mouth Islet on the map:

“Head Constable Wang, I entrust the frontal feint attack to you. You must make it lively and ensure the Water Bandits' main force is firmly pinned down in Black Fish Bay!”

“Rest assured, Brother Shi! I, Old Wang, will make sure those Water Bandit brats can't lift their heads in the frontal engagement!”

Head Constable Wang boomed his response, his eyes blazing with Battle Intent.

“The surprise attack squad will be led by me personally. Chen Linsheng will be the vanguard, responsible for scouting the cliff path and leading the climb to establish a Landing Zone! Liu Ruyan and Di Moyu, you two will follow closely to provide support and eliminate any potential hidden sentries! The rest of the selected brothers will act upon our signal!”

“Yes!”

Chen Linsheng, Liu Ruyan, and Di Moyu responded in unison, their eyes gleaming.

“The action plan is set,” Shi Poyue concluded solemnly, his gaze sweeping over everyone present like lightning. “The true intent ends in this hall! From now on, everything proceeds according to plan, and no one is allowed to leak a single detail! Violators will face Military Law!”

“Yes!” Everyone responded with awe.