CHAPTER 432 SOMETHING BIG

Rocky came back to pass through the moorland to return to the campsite. Upon reaching, he

immediately convened a meeting with Marin, Sabina, and Dunn at the campsite.

"Commander Bai, have you formulated a new plan? Is that the reason why you called for us so

suddenly?" Dunn looked anxious with a hint of optimism as he asked in a coarse tone.

Simultaneously, Marin and Sabina also fixed their gaze at Rocky while sharing Dunn's curiosity and

stress as well.

"I just acquired the information that a really powerful enemy was posted in the Timber Deity Empire's

garrison. With this new leader, I believe it will be a difficult task for our forces to recapture the Hippo

Land and beat this intimidating enemy." Rocky frowned as he revealed the concerns that kept him from

being hopeful about the recapture's outcome.

"How did you come across this crucial information?" Marin looked at Rocky with bafflement as she put

forward her doubt. Earlier, Rocky seemed careless like a casual young man with no concern in life. But,

now looking at him, he appeared to be completely transformed. He was solemn and yet afflicted by this

dire situation.

"Commander Dunn, from this moment forth you will need to maintain close surveillance of the ferry to

the Hippo Land. I will need all the details pertaining to the transportation of grain and supplies, through

the ferry by the Timber Deity Empire, and also the number of soldiers transported by the ferry every

day. Report back to me every evening with all of these details, please." Rocky gave clear and concise

orders to Dunn in a serious tone right then.

"Yes, sir. I understand!" Dunn nodded instantly as he accepted the order.

"Meanwhile, Commander Marin and Commander Ji, starting tomorrow, both of you need to lead the

soldiers for a frontal attack to the Hippo Land, like clockwork every six hours. But remember you don't holds text © rights.

have to have a real engage in a full-frontal attack leading to a battle, instead, a feint like a threat will be

enough to keep them at bay. Within an hour of initiating such an attack you will have to retreat..." Rocky

then explained his order to Marin and Sabina.

"I don't understand. What kind of an attack is this? What message will we be sending?" Marin

expressed in an extremely perplexed tone.

"Well, for now all you need to do is blindly follow my commands step-by-step. You don't have to doubt

anything." Rocky lashed back in a serious yet harsh tone as he gave Marin a sharp look.

Marin met Rocky's intimidating gaze as she wondered, 'What happened to him? He seems to have

gotten serious, overnight. Moreover, this strategic method of engaging the enemy, every six hours,

devised by him sounds like a farce that will just blow up in our face.' She could sense that there was

something fishy. But it was too soon for her to be able to figure out what was going wrong no matter

how hard she tried to think it through again and again.

For now, Sabina did not say anything instead she turned around and left with the directive.

Under Rocky's directive, Marin and Sabina dedicatedly led over three thousand soldiers to feint the

Hippo Land for three days in a row. They retreated to the camp after an attack which lasted less than

an hour each time. Some guards of the Timber Deity Empire were left confused about what was

happening.

On the first day's engagement, the Timber Deity Empire guards defended their lands with determination

and a positive attitude. But after two days, their determination had deterred as they became

increasingly passive and did not pay heed to the incoming attacks no matter the frequency. The

soldiers now began to think that the opposition was only trying to scare them because the Crimson

Dragon Army didn't have the courage nor the resources to fight them.

Finally, on the third night the tides began to turn.

"Mr. Mu, I think the Crimson Dragon Army has performed pathetically when compared to the previous

three attacks. Their determination seems to be wavering. They are not resolute enough to fight with us,

and seem weak enough to bow out. Should we lead our soldiers to launch a full-fledged attack to wipe

them out once and for all?" Commander Wei said with confidence as his pride seemed to have swollen.

He also seemed annoyed by the recurring harassment from Crimson Dragon Army over the past three

days. The army came across as an impatient crowd of lunatics who had nothing else to do other than

relentlessly provoke the guards of their defense line several times a day. The guarding soldiers too

were greatly disturbed since the enemy did not seem interested in a real fight with them yet repeatedly

incited them.

"If you want to bear a bellerophon letter to launch reckless assault, I will not stop you," Woods who sat

in a chair next to him responded, with a straight face as he stared into an abyss while also casually

drinking his tea, without looking at Commander Wei even once.

"Mr. Mu, you are really hilarious! I'm just talking the talk and will rely on Mr. Mu to lead us to walk the

walk." Commander Wei's face instantly flushed red with embarrassment, feeling a little shameful upon

hearing Woods' response. Normally, he did not slavishly depend on Woods since, after all, he was the

commander. But instead, Woods helped him check the attacks from the Crimson Dragon Army three

times!

What's more, Woods was sent to the camp by higher-ranking officials who could have borne great

influence and along with their prestigious background. So, Commander Wei could only turn a blind eye

to whatever Woods said or did.

"We need to be careful if the Commander who is leading the Crimson Dragon Army is that person. He

started this maneuver on his side!" Woods spoke out suddenly, while maintaining a firm gaze forward,

almost as if he murmured just to himself.

"That person? Who are you talking about?" Commander Wei was taken aback with shock.

"Commander Wei, just inform the entire army force to remain highly vigilant at all times, no matter what

the opposition seems to be doing, we cannot seem weak at any given time. Tell them to never lower

their guard despite the prevalent situation!" Woods got up from his seat and left after leaving clear

instructions for Commander Wei.

A few more days went by, business went on as usual on the Crimson Dragon Army's side. They came

to feint the Hippo Land several times each day and retreated, maintaining the given interval as usual.

They seemed determined and focused while carrying out their commands. The whole atmosphere

seemed like that of children playing house games.

While on the other hand, the Timber Deity Empire guards could not care more to take their challengers

seriously let alone fight with them. There was a growing sense of confidence that the Crimson Dragon

Army would not dare to break through the guard line. So now the guarding soldiers were just having a

gala time watching, mocking and laughing at the challengers who moved back and forth. The guarding

soldiers were quite enjoying the farce being performed, every day at regular intervals, on the guard

line. But someone finally broke down finding the entire charade completely unbearable.

"Rocky..." Marin broke into the Commander's camp, fuming with anger, as she stared at Rocky who

comfortably sat in a chair. He seemed to be in deep slumber at that moment when she shouted.

"Commander Marin? What is it that brings you here? Is there something you want from me or would

like to discuss?" Rocky opened his eyes as he jumped out of the chair and stretched lazily. He seemed

to be free of any concern. After fully snapping out of his sleep, he asked Marin as she continued to

stare at him furiously.

"Rocky Bai, do you have any idea how many days it has been since we have been feinting their guard

line? How many more days should we continue this charade?" Marin blurted out. For several days, she

had been leading the soldiers to feint the Hippo Land after which even the soldiers had started

grumbling. They had never heard, let alone see such a method of engaging the enemy. Besides, they

were being taunted, mocked and laughed upon by their enemy for their cowardice. But they were brave

soldiers who'd rather fight to the death on the battlefield than bear such an insult and not do anything

about it.

"So, these days do the Timber Deity Empire's guarding soldiers sit tight, without the slightest inclination

to fight, at the sight of our Crimson Dragon Army?" Rocky asked optimistically as he predicted the

scene at the defense line.

"Now how could you possibly know that?" Marin's beautiful eyes were now wide open with shock as

she heard Rocky's precise prediction. It was true, the guard soldiers of the Timber Deity Empire were

not bothered in the least to engage them instead enjoyed watching them toiling on their own.

"That is good to hear. This is exactly how favorable I wanted the situation to be." Rocky smiled in a sly

manner as he began to speak again, "Now everything is in order and prepared in our favor, except for

one crucial element! I wonder if Commander Dunn will bring us good news today?"

Speak of the devil! The second Rocky finished speaking, Dunn walked into the tent.

"Commander Bai, transportation ships, loaded with grains and other supplies, from the Timber Deity

Empire will be arriving tonight," Dunn reported back.

"Well, this is good news indeed. How many transportation ships are expected to arrive tonight?" Rocky

smiled calmly yet optimistically as he continued to inquire.

"Keeping the sea traffic and flow of transportation boats in the ferry these days in mind, the number of

incoming boats will not be less than five," Dunn estimated not knowing how this information could favor

them.

"Commander Dunn, please gather all the ropes we brought and re-weave them into new ropes which

are three times wider than its original size. Then attach ten strong iron hooks on each of the ropes. I

need you to finish this task before the sun sets today," Rocky immediately gave Dunn clear instructions.

"Yes, sir," Dunn left the tent, determined to finish the task on hand before the deadline.

"Commander Marin, please lead a troop of over five thousand soldiers to lie in ambush on the west

side of the Hippo Land. We will launch a full-scale attack tonight," Rocky gave another order, but this

time to Marin.

"Is this meant to be a feint yet again?" Marin glared at Rocky with lost hope.

"No, tonight it will be a real fight. And I expect you to clean their field this time with all the building

aggression and frustration." Rocky nodded his head as he gave her the go-ahead to fight. A cold look

appeared in his sagacious eyes.