The crowd watched with eager eyes.
Since General Tian had returned, would he stay forever?
This time, they had to protect General Tian well!
This was the heartfelt wish of every white-robed soldier.
The figure on horseback glanced at the crowd and replied, "We shall drink horses at the vast sea one day, until then, farewell, and do not miss me nor disturb me!"
Drink horses at the vast sea!
The crowd watched the retreating figure galloping south, their hearts a mix of sorrow and joy!
General Tian was gone!
But, General Tian had promised to lead them to drink horses at the vast sea!
The so-called vast sea was the general term used by the people of Da Qian for the deserts and large lakes of the north.
To drink horses at the vast sea, was it not to charge into the desert and annihilate the barbarians!
The previously exhausted crowd was once again filled with renewed spirit!
General Tian would not abandon them!
Only Lü Changhe savored General Tian's parting words.
Do not miss, do not disturb?
"General Lü, General Tian just said do not disturb. Does he mean we should not go to Shenwei Mansion to disturb General Tian anymore?" a captain asked weakly.
Lü Changhe snapped back to attention and said loudly, "That's not true! General Tian just manifested himself!"
With that, Lü Changhe roared at the crowd, "What are you all standing around for, you damn fools? Hurry up and clear the battlefield and return to Yanzhou!"
The crowd chuckled and scampered off to clear the battlefield.
Those warhorses and military equipment were worth a fortune. If they could be collected, another cavalry unit could be formed!
On horseback, Lü Changhe and Zhuo Ying shed tears of emotion, gazing in the direction where General Tian had disappeared, feeling as if they had lived through another lifetime.
General Tian!
He had returned, and become even more formidable!
"General Lü, do you think General Tian's divine power increased because he received the people's worship, and that's why his weapons and horses became even more terrifying after he manifested?" Zhuo Ying asked incessantly.
Lü Changhe narrowed his eyes and said sheepishly, "General Zhuo's words make so much sense, I have nothing to say in response…"
He had considered this possibility himself, but something still felt off.
As soon as a certain someone arrived in Yanzhou and bought vast tracts of land, General Tian manifested?
Unlike the relief of the white-robed soldiers after surviving, the military camps in the northern border of Yanzhou felt as if facing a great enemy.
Tens of thousands of barbarian troops were now stationed a hundred li to the north, capable of attacking Yanzhou at any moment!
Zhuo Wulue and others closely monitored the barbarians' movements, racking their brains for countermeasures.
Dugu Yuncheng, in his military tent, laughed heartily, leisurely sipping the "A Drunk for a Hundred Years" wine sent by his family.
"With the white-robed soldiers annihilated and Lü Changhe dead, that old dog Lü Yi will lose a major support in the future!"
At the same time, in the barbarian army camp, the Left Xian Wang's face was grim, his teeth clenched.
"Why has the unit sent to annihilate the white-robed soldiers not returned with news of victory yet?"
The generals seated on either side also looked puzzled. "Even if those white-robed soldiers are well-equipped, they are all new recruits. Four thousand against fourteen thousand, they should be no match for our barbarian iron cavalry!"
The Left Xian Wang sneered, "Naturally. This is my chance to regain my authority. I cannot let the Chanyu and the Right Xian Wang look down on me again! As soon as the Yanzhou people dare to come out of the city to respond, our army will advance and cut off their retreat!"
Due to his previous defeat in battle and the embarrassment of his mission to Da Qian, his authority had been undermined upon his return to the barbarian lands. He was eager to achieve merit and restore his image.
After General Tian's death, the white-robed soldiers were the greatest faith of the Da Qian soldiers. By crushing their faith, the morale of the northern border troops would plummet!
The generals laughed heartily, "The Da Qian ruler and his subjects are at odds. The barbarians will sooner or later have opportunities!"
Just as they were basking in their得意, an urgent report came from outside: "Left Xian Wang! The defeated army from the east line is returning with a report!"
Defeated army!
Everyone was stunned. They saw several blood-soaked barbarian soldiers rush into the tent, kneel down on the spot, and their voices were filled with terror.
"Left Xian Wang! General Tian appeared on the battlefield, killed General Hu Yan, and led the white-robed soldiers in a counterattack. We were almost completely annihilated!"
The words of the defeated soldiers struck them like a thunderclap, leaving everyone stunned!
General Tian?!
The Left Xian Wang's pupils contracted, his breathing became rapid, and he roared, "Nonsense! Did you encounter an enemy ambush, or did you flee first due to a battle defeat!"
Another soldier shook his head in terror, "We were defeated by the white-robed soldiers led by General Tian. Only over three hundred brothers survived, and they are waiting outside the tent…"
"Left Xian Wang, he, he, he, he killed his way back from hell!"
The soldier's terrified murmur caused the Left Xian Wang to slump onto his chair, trembling all over, utterly lost!
He hadn't died? Or had he manifested?
Or was it true that he had killed his way back from hell to seek their lives!
The Left Xian Wang's breathing became rapid, and he angrily shouted, "Drag these deserters out and have them executed!"
Despite the soldiers' wails and pleas for mercy, the Left Xian Wang paid no mind, merely gripping the arms of his chair, his teeth chattering!
"Left Xian Wang, what shall we do?" The generals were also anxious, like ants on a hot pan.
They had calculated everything, but they never expected General Tian to break their plan!
The Left Xian Wang finally regained his senses and stammered, "Retreat, retreat! Retreat immediately!"
"General Zhuo! The barbarians are retreating northward!"
Zhuo Wulue and the generals were baffled as they discussed the barbarians' movements.
"How is this possible?" Dugong Yuncheng exclaimed, slamming his hand on the table upon receiving the news.
The barbarians were fine, so why were they suddenly retreating!
Yanzhou had not even received news of the white-robed soldiers' complete annihilation!
Out of caution, Zhuo Wulue and others abandoned the pursuit, only dispatching scouts to continue monitoring the barbarians' movements. Once it was confirmed that the enemy had fled, they would send troops to provide support.
In the dead of night, Liang Xiao quietly returned to the back mountain.
In the cold wind, Hong Xiu stood with his palms clasped together, waiting patiently.
Bai Ye Feiying whined softly, eating the fodder placed beside him.
Liang Xiao dismounted and bowed deeply to Hong Xiu, "Thank you, Master! Please, Master, keep this a secret for me!"
Hong Xiu nodded slightly and sighed, "No matter who asks, this humble monk is merely a groom, responsible only for tending to horses and washing equipment. I will answer nothing else."
Liang Xiao was extremely grateful. He took off his blood-stained helmet and battle robe, and stored them along with the Tianlong Pocheng Halberd in Hong Xiu's room, planning to retrieve them later.
Taking advantage of the pre-dawn darkness, Liang Xiao quietly snuck back into his courtyard, only to find two young women sitting in the courtyard, lost in their own thoughts.
Jian Qinwan was also here!
Liang Xiao was surprised, and Jian Qinwan and Yue Lian also saw Liang Xiao.
"Young Master…" Yue Lian's surprise was mingled with nervousness as she stole a glance at Jian Qinwan, then signaled to Liang Xiao.
"Is the female Bodhisattva also suffering from insomnia? What a coincidence?" Liang Xiao laughed heartily and walked over.
Jian Qinwan glared at Liang Xiao, her eyes even more resentful, "Where have you been sneaking around again, stealing or peeking at some girl bathing?"
Liang Xiao paused, then said sincerely, "That's not important! By the way, Female Bodhisattva, after we leave Yanzhou, let's go to Mount Tian. I want to properly thank your mother."
The Tianlong Pocheng Halberd was too practical!
If it were in its silver spear form, Liang Xiao would clearly be able to use it for a longer duration than in its silver halberd form.
However, the complete Tianlong Pocheng Halberd's power and efficiency far surpassed that of a silver spear, making it a perfect match for Liang Xiao!
"At least you have some conscience…"
Jian Qinwan felt slightly better, but then she let out a snort, "However, don't think you can change the subject. Where exactly have you been? You've made me unable to sleep, and if you don't explain it clearly to me today, you won't sleep either!"