"Historical records?" everyone was startled.
They were all warriors and did not understand these complexities. They couldn't fathom how the historical records of the Tianri tribe and the two former dynasties were related to the current situation.
However, Liang Xiao's intelligence came partly from Elder Chen and partly from the Stealth Wolf Guard and Shadow Guard.
"As various pieces of intelligence were combined, these folk rumors slowly began to form a pattern. The Wu Dynasty is currently unknown, but the Great Zhou Dynasty once had a 'Great Zhou Martial Saint,' a divine general as valiant as the King of the East Sea, who had shattered invasions from surrounding alien races, including the barren lands!"
A Great Zhou Martial Saint as powerful as the King of the East Sea?
Everyone was stunned. Lü Changhe scoffed, "What Great Zhou Martial Saint, King of the East Sea? They can't compare to our General Tian!"
Although this sounded dismissive of ancient figures, in Lü Changhe's heart, even the founding marshal, the Marquis Dingguo Gongsun Wuji, could not compare to Liang Xiao, let alone famous generals of former dynasties. The initial impression was halved!
"The bravery of ancient people should not be underestimated," Liang Xiao said, then added, "Xichuan is fraught with dangers. Each dynastic change meant that war seldom reached Xichuan, thus preserving some ancient texts. When the true historical families arrive in the capital, we can inquire further."
The others nodded blankly, understanding little.
To them, if the enemy dared to come, annihilation was the only response!
Christy could finally get out of bed and walk around with ease.
Under the meticulous care of Mu Xueqin and the others, Liang Xiao's wives had recovered exceptionally well, their figures not showing any signs of distortion from pregnancy.
One day, accompanied by Buti and Liang Mingyu, Christy went to visit Sophia.
"Sister."
Sophia, who had been weeping on the bed, finally turned around and wiped her tears upon hearing Christy's call.
"Sister, I am so scared..."
Christy said gently, "You are very safe here. No one will harm you..."
Yet, inwardly, Christy felt a flicker of concern.
Zuo Jing had repeatedly warned her to be wary of Sophia.
Christy, always intelligent, could tell that Zuo Jing had no intention of sowing discord between her and Liang Xiao, but was purely concerned for the safety of Liang Xiao's family.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingyi felt that Sophia's physique resembled that of her master, the late leader of the Spring Return Sect.
Now that Sophia had given birth to Liang Xiao's daughter, Liang Xinyu, it would be inappropriate to make the child guard against her aunt in the future.
Sophia was anxious, nodding listlessly.
Christy saw this and sighed, "Shall we go for a walk?"
Sophia's beautiful eyes lit up, "Where to?"
Liang Xiao, Zhuo Xun, Jian Qinwan, and Luo Qingxue were already waiting in the courtyard. Only Yue Lian was still too weak to get out of bed.
Liang Xiao observed Sophia and smiled, "The autumn air is crisp and refreshing. You haven't seen your sister in a while, so come out and relax."
Sophia merely looked at Liang Xiao with a faraway gaze, nodding obediently, "Whatever you say..."
Jian Qinwan and the others remained silent.
Liang Xiao chose a riverside path south of Yanzhou City, accompanied by three hundred guards.
This river was a tributary of the Tianjiang. The terrain was low, with cliffs on both sides of the river about five zhang high.
It was a rare autumn outing, and everyone in the Liang manor was in high spirits.
Sophia also became quite talkative, but she voluntarily maintained some distance from everyone. Occasionally, she would glance at Liang Xiao, lower her head, and a tear would well up.
The guards and maids of the Liang manor were also puzzled.
This sister of the wife of the Marquis of Anguo was said to be so gentle that she wouldn't even step on an ant when walking. Why was she so insecure facing their second young master? Did she have feelings for him?
Liang Xiao merely smiled, accompanying his wives, and instructed everyone to light fires to roast sweet potatoes, corn, and some skewers of meat.
Jian Qinwan and the others certainly dared not eat them, but these items were more than enough to reward the manor's staff.
"Sister!"
Just as everyone was in high spirits, Christy's startled cry drew everyone's attention.
It turned out that Sophia had walked towards a distant log bridge and stepped onto it. The log bridge trembled faintly.
"Be careful!" the guards exclaimed, rushing to help.
However, they saw Sophia walking on the log bridge, which was about three zhang long, with the lightness of a swallow. She easily reached the other side, looking relaxed, and waved at Christy.
"Sister, you try it too!"
Liang Xiao's expression changed. Christy was already pale with fear, "I dare not..."
"It's so simple~" Sophia walked back and forth several times, like a joyful lark, leaving everyone almost dumbfounded.
Liang Xiao watched Sophia, who looked smug, and quickly grabbed Christy's hand, preventing her from going.
The log bridge was five zhang high, with a rushing river below.
If Sophia had only walked across once, it would have been one thing. But she dared to walk back and forth repeatedly?
Even Liang Xiao himself would not take such a pointless risk, as there was no benefit to be gained.
Liang Xiao then recalled Sophia's tenderness towards small animals in the past.
A person who disregarded their own life, how could they respect the lives of others?
"Sister, hurry back!" Christy urged anxiously.
Despite her suspicions, Sophia was indeed her elder sister, and she could not disregard her safety.
Sophia merely stood on the opposite side of the log bridge, blew a whistle, and waved at Liang Xiao and the others, "Farewell for now~"
Liang Xiao's brow furrowed. He then saw six horses galloping from a distance.
With his exceptional eyesight, Liang Xiao immediately noticed that five masked figures on horseback were holding crossbows, while another figure in white held a long saber, all with fierce expressions.
Liang Xiao made a decisive move, took the Sunset Bow and Dragon Tooth Arrow, which had been prepared in the wooden box in front of Qin Xin, and shot an arrow into the distance.
Sophia cried out in surprise and retreated several steps. She looked back to see that one person had already been hit by an arrow and fallen from his horse!
"Assassins!" The Liang manor guards were prepared, holding shields and forming a defensive line to protect non-combatants.
Liang Xiao shot four more arrows consecutively, killing the four individuals wielding crossbows.
The last masked figure in white, holding a long saber, rode a black steed no less impressive than Wanli Yunyan, charging forward. 138 Reading Network
Sophia, who had been looking terrified all along, finally grabbed the man's hand, mounted the horse, and they galloped away.
After mounting the horse, Sophia looked back at Liang Xiao, her usually obedient and timid face now contorted with hatred.
Liang Xiao immediately drew his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming to shoot the white-clothed man, intending to kill them both.
The Dragon Tooth Arrow tore through the air and, in an instant, traversed fifty zhang before being deflected by the masked man's saber!
Liang Xiao was startled and immediately shot a second arrow. However, due to the increased distance, it was again deflected by the masked man with his long saber.
"To be able to easily block a Dragon Tooth Arrow at this distance requires at least the martial prowess of Lü Changhe's level," Liang Xiao mused.
But what truly surprised him was how the enemy had confirmed "Sophia's" presence here and managed to dispatch elite cavalry to retrieve her.
Christy was also dumbfounded. When she came to her senses, her face was filled with disappointment.
Her sister had willingly gotten onto the assassin's warhorse and run away like this?
"It seems sister really is..." Suppressing her grief, Christy had to accept reality.
Liang Xiao immediately notified the guards to send someone to examine the bodies on the opposite side and informed the entire Liang manor to be wary of "Sophia" from now on.
In the woods, Sophia was still trembling.
The masked man in white said coldly, "Eliza, you claimed that you would brew a fatal blow against Liang Xiao even if you had to lurk for ten years. Why have you suddenly abandoned your plan and decided to go home?"