Chapter 995

Chapter 995: Taking Action

The wolf howls persisted throughout the night.

Many found it difficult to rest, as the distant cries seemed to possess a magical quality, seeping into the ears of the sleepers and jolting them awake.

The howls didn’t emanate from a single direction; they fluctuated, sometimes sounding distant, only to suddenly echo from a nearby location moments later.

Yet, when the scouts from the Yulin Guards ventured out to investigate, they returned with nothing to report.

This relentless disturbance was both infuriating and disheartening.

By the next morning, as the bridal procession prepared to move again, many were yawning, their eyes heavy with sleep.

“This is a common tactic employed by prairie bandits,”

Sun Zhengheng, the leader of the Yulin Guards, said to Wang Chen, “We must be under surveillance!”

“Could it be the White Wolf Bandits?”

Wang Chen inquired, “If it’s the White Wolf Bandits, and they have ties to Dayan, would they still target us?”

“Not everyone is in favor of the alliance between our two nations…”

Sun Zhengheng replied in a deep voice, “There are opponents in Dayang as well as in Dayan!”

Wang Chen nodded in agreement.

Dayang and Dayan are both vast empires with large populations and extensive territories. Centuries of history have accumulated numerous issues, making the internal situation quite complex; such occurrences are to be expected.

Regardless of whether it was the White Wolf Bandits or not, the bridal procession was truly being tested on this expansive prairie.

For three consecutive days, the bandits’ harassment did not cease.

In addition to disrupting the procession’s rest with their howls, they also dispatched small groups of riders to scout around the campsite, frequently launching probing attacks.

These bandits were exceedingly cunning; they avoided direct confrontations with the Yulin Guard scouts. Instead, they would shoot a few arrows from a distance and then quickly retreat.

Slicker than eels!

Moreover, their equestrian skills were superb, and the horses they rode were exceptionally fast, making it impossible for the patrolling Yulin Guards to catch up.

One Yulin Guard, driven by anger, chased after the bandits for several miles, only to be ambushed by the bandit riders.

Fortunately, his comrades arrived in time to rescue him, averting a potential tragedy.

However, this incident significantly dampened the morale of the Yulin Guards, making them realize that not all bandits were a disorganized mob that could only prey on common people!

“Tonight, all Yulin Guards are to remain at the campsite. No one is to venture out without orders,”

By the evening of the fourth day, Wang Chen said to Sun Zhengheng, “As for these bandits, leave them to me.”

Previously, Wang Chen had held back from intervening, primarily out of respect for Sun Zhengheng’s authority and without intending to overstep. Moreover, he hadn’t anticipated the bandits to be so crafty and troublesome.

As a result, the morale of the bridal procession had greatly suffered; they couldn’t rest well at night and had slowed their pace during the day.

If this continued, by the time the main force of the bandits attacked, it would be surprising if the Three Thousand Yulin Guards could utilize even half of their strength!

Sun Zhengheng hesitated for a moment but finally said, “Just be careful!”

Based on his understanding of Wang Chen, Sun Zhengheng knew that while Wang Chen was young, he never bragged or spoke carelessly.

Wang Chen smiled and said, “Don’t worry.”

If he were to be injured by these bandits, it would indeed be a colossal joke.

That night, as the bridal procession set up camp once more, they deliberately chose a hillside sheltered from the wind. They significantly reduced the size of their camp and connected the wagons end to end to form a simple fortification.

The Yulin Guards, following orders, stood behind this line of defense, protecting the central convoy carrying the princess.

The weather that night was unfavorable; the wind soon picked up, and large dark clouds obscured the moon, enveloping the vast prairie in darkness.

As expected, accompanied by the rising and falling howls of wolves, bandit riders appeared around the camp like phantoms, their presence akin to the claws of a vicious beast!

A fierce bandit stealthily approached the camp, observing the convoy illuminated by the flickering campfire. A savage grin spread across his rugged face.

In the next instant, he drew back his longbow, an arrow painted black steady on the string.

For a bandit skilled in horseback archery, using a powerful bow to launch an arrow hundreds of steps away was an effortless task.

However, just as this bandit was about to release the bowstring, an inexplicable chilling sensation suddenly surged within him, a wave of immense fear rising in his heart.

Thud!

An arrow, shot from an unknown source, mercilessly pierced through his skull!

This formidable bandit died instantly, falling from his mount with his longbow still gripped tightly in his hand, without even a cry escaping his lips.

The nearby companions had yet to realize the danger; they excitedly raised their bows and arrows.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The deadly arrows came from the darkness, like scythes wielded by the Grim Reaper, each one taking a life, accurate, swift, and sharp to the extreme.

“Ah!”

Finally, one of the attacked bandits let out a piercing scream that carried far on the wind.

At this moment, the bandits, who thought they could toy with the Yulin Guards like they had done in previous days, began to realize that the roles of hunter and prey had switched.

The opponent’s counterattack was far more powerful and terrifying than they had imagined!

One by one, companions fell to the underworld, while the remaining bandits were unaware of where the attacks came from. The fear of death swiftly shattered their combat spirit, causing them to scatter in flight.

However, the slaughter did not cease; the fleeing bandits were still struck by arrows shooting in from behind.

Now, the remaining bandits grew even more panicked. They couldn’t help but emit frantic howls, speaking in the local dialect, as if that could chase away the “devils” behind them.

But the louder they called, the faster the deadly arrows came.

Some bandits escaped nearly ten miles but were still shot down!

This dark slaughter did not last long; only a few lucky bandits managed to escape, and after that night, the irritating wolf howls ceased.

Members of the bridal procession finally had a good night’s sleep, causing everyone to wake late the next day.

When the patrolling Yulin Guards emerged, they discovered the bodies of bandits lying around the campsite, and horses wandering nearby, having lost their riders.

This scene left many stunned.

After a quick count, they discovered over a hundred bodies!

All killed by arrows.

Such a result left Sun Zhengheng in disbelief.

He knew it was Wang Chen’s doing but had no idea how Wang Chen accomplished it.

It should be noted that these bandits were no ordinary thieves; they also had the advantage of being familiar with the terrain.

Yet, they were annihilated by Wang Chen without leaving a trace!

After this battle, Wang Chen’s prestige as the envoy of the marriage rose sharply within the bridal procession.