“Iron Tiger Camp! Assemble! Protect the grain convoy!”
Chen Fengzhi no longer had time to kick Monkey. He roared at the top of his voice.
The Iron Tiger Camp soldiers were well trained. They quickly surrounded the grain convoy in the centre.
Only then did Chen Fengzhi find a moment to slap Monkey on the shoulder. “Brother, I have to go. You must stay alive!”
Monkey gave Chen Fengzhi an annoyed glance. “Alright, stop making a fuss! Look at you, acting like you’ve never seen the world. Being friends with you is embarrassing!”
Only then did Chen Fengzhi realise that Monkey showed no sign of tension.
Not just Monkey. The other escorts remained calm too. They simply checked their equipment. None formed up yet.
Before setting out, Meng Tianhai had instructed that during the journey, the Iron Tiger Camp would follow Zhang Liang’s command.
Seeing Zhang Liang deep in thought with his head lowered, paying him no attention, Chen Fengzhi did not approach.
He grabbed Monkey’s arm and asked, “What is happening?”
“A single white signal arrow means danger has been spotted, but the threat level is low. It is just a reminder to stay alert. If the enemy is close, it would be two arrows. If we encounter the enemy head-on, it is a single red signal arrow.”
Seeing Chen Fengzhi was genuinely tense, Monkey explained, “The scouts have probably noticed something unusual. As for what, someone will come back shortly to report, and then we will know.”
“Are you sure?”
“I am the chief of the Zhenyuan Escort Agency’s scout team. When sir set the signal levels, he discussed them with me. Do you think I am sure or not?”
“Oh yes, you are the scout captain.”
Only then did Chen Fengzhi remember he still owed Monkey a kick. He quickly made up for it. “You bloody scout, why wear such heavy armour? Can you even run in it?”
Even though Jin Feng had tried to reduce the weight of the plate armour, for safety it still weighed several dozen jin.
Ordinary soldiers might not endure it.
At times like this, the benefits of Jin Feng requiring the escorts to persist with weighted cross-country training became clear.
They had been marching from Great Python Slope for a quarter of an hour. The pace was not slow. They had covered nearly half the distance, yet the escorts were hardly breathing heavily.
Even someone slight like Monkey could still chat and laugh with Chen Fengzhi.
“Our sir says to maintain specialities while developing comprehensively. So besides scouting, I must also fight and learn command.”
Monkey said, “Besides, the land north of Xichuan is flat. You can see for miles. For an expert of my level to take the field personally, would that not be wasting talent? Better to train the men under me.”
“Keep bragging! Do not think I do not know. Your sir literally kicked you into the black-armoured unit.”
Chen Fengzhi took his usual jab at Monkey, though inwardly he was deeply envious.
He knew Jin Feng was grooming Monkey, which was why he forced him to study command.
“What do you know? Sir says beating is affection, scolding is love. Kicking me means he does not treat me as an outsider. If you want my sir to kick you, he cannot even be bothered.”
Monkey looked smug, as if being kicked was a great honour.
He was not lying either. For outsiders, Jin Feng would not even bother raising his foot.
Back in Xihewan, many old soldiers and villagers took pride in having been kicked by Jin Feng.
Female soldiers and workers boasted about joking with him.
A reserved man like Jin Feng always appeared serious and proper when visiting the textile mill.
Being able to joke with him meant a close relationship.
The bigger the joke, the closer the bond.
So now the textile mill women were gradually starting to rival those at Tieguan Mountain.
“Alright, no more nonsense with you.”
Chen Fengzhi bumped Monkey. “Tell me more about your scout team’s signals. Besides white and red, what else is there?”
Monkey was about to reply when a faint whistle suddenly came from behind.
Looking back, they saw two streaks of light rise into the sky behind them, one red and one white.
Monkey, who had been completely calm until now, changed expression dramatically.
Having experienced it once, Chen Fengzhi did not shout immediately this time. Seeing Monkey about to move, he quickly grabbed him and asked, “What does this mean?”
“Red means the scouts are very close to the enemy. Adding a white one indicates the danger level is very high!”
Monkey said quickly, “Danzhu must have sent men for a sneak attack, so they carried no torches. The scouts only spotted them when close!”
With that, Monkey snapped down his helmet visor and merged into the ranks.
In less than a minute, the escorts formed a triangular array.
The male soldiers on the outside, black swords in hand.
