Scouts reported, Lü Changhe's eyelids twitched, and he immediately ordered, "You few immediately return to notify the Yan Prefecture garrison for support. We will escort the people of Guizi and fight our way back! Release the fire horses!"
At his command, the scout party hurried towards Yan Prefecture City.
Five hundred spare warhorses were brought by the white-robed soldiers, most of them mares, with bundles of oil-soaked straw tied to their backs.
The white-robed soldiers immediately selected a hundred of them for the Guizi escorts to switch to, and transferred the oily straw from these new horses to their old ones.
"What are you preparing to do?" The Guizi warriors looked at the five hundred horses, bewildered.
The troops continued their journey eastward, and with the new horses, the carriages greatly accelerated their pace.
As they traveled, a barbarian cavalry force of several thousand finally appeared in the northern wilderness.
"Light the fires and release the horses!"
Lü Changhe decisively gave the order.
The white-robed soldiers immediately turned the heads of the five hundred warhorses, lit the dry straw on their backs, and then whipped them fiercely.
The five hundred warhorses, in pain, fled in a panic, galloping towards the front!
The people of Guizi were shocked.
Lü Changhe smiled wryly and continued to direct the troops to retreat.
Rescuing the Guizi forces was the top priority. He had intended to emulate the ancients and use fire oxen, but bringing oxen would be too slow, so he could only try using warhorses as a substitute, which was a pity for the five hundred warhorses.
The neighing of the warhorses echoed through the wilderness, and the thousands of barbarian cavalry also spotted the inferno ahead, observing vigilantly.
The five hundred fire horses, in agony from the burning on their backs, galloped madly, soon approaching the barbarian forces and charging into their ranks, trampling and kicking.
Hearing the mares' cries, dozens of ungelded stallions among the barbarian cavalry also became agitated.
The barbarian cavalry descended into chaos, with some riders unable to control their mounts. A dozen or so were thrown from their horses and trampled to death by the frenzied fire horses on the spot!
"The people of Da Qian are so cunning! But this can only delay them for a while! Kill these warhorses immediately!" The barbarians, unable to capture the warhorses, could only hastily deal with them.
It wasn't until noon the next day that the scouts finally returned to Yan Prefecture City to request reinforcements.
"Have the Guizi forces been found?" "The white-robed soldiers need rescue!"
The officers and soldiers received the news and quickly assembled. Just as they were about to discuss dispatching troops for a rescue, another scout urgently reported: "Report! A large barbarian cavalry army has appeared to the north, numbering at least twenty thousand, and is heading for Yan Prefecture!"
"What!" Zhuo Wulüe and the others slammed the table and rose to look out.
Zhuo Wulüe said gravely, "The barbarians are treacherous, but no matter what, we must rescue General Lü's white-robed soldiers and the Guizi forces!"
Dugu Yuncheng, standing nearby, sneered, "Rescue? Commander Zhuo, you are a military advisor. Can't you see that the barbarians are trying to lure the snake out of its hole and annihilate our rescue forces?"
Zhuo Wulüe frowned, staring at Dugu Yuncheng, "The barbarians cannot possibly send their entire army. Even with a thousand-mile march, how many troops could reach here? How important are the white-robed soldiers and the Guizi forces? Don't you have any idea?"
Dugu Yuncheng retorted angrily, "If anyone is to blame, it's General Lü's unauthorized actions. The two thousand white-robed soldiers made such a big commotion, and going there will only expose the Guizi forces! With the enemy at our gates, and still unsure how many reinforcements are behind them, sending a large army to rescue them is suicidal!"
A third of the generals voiced their agreement, while another half hesitated.
"The barbarian cavalry are well-trained. If our army leaves the city, what if they take the opportunity to attack the camp!" a general finally couldn't help but question Zhuo Wulüe.
Zhuo Wulüe angrily replied, "Those are two thousand white-robed soldiers! We must dispatch a surprise force for rescue, how can we stand by and do nothing!"
"Who is going to die? Commander Zhuo, are you going?" Dugu Yuncheng taunted.
Just as Zhuo Wulüe was about to respond, a young general behind him immediately volunteered, "Father, your son is willing to lead two thousand white-robed soldiers to rendezvous with General Lü!"
This person was Zhuo Wulüe's eldest son, Deputy General Zhuo Ying!
Zhuo Wulüe nodded with satisfaction, "Zhuo Ying will lead the troops to support. We will deal with the barbarian cavalry outside the city and act according to circumstances!"
A sharp glint flashed in Dugu Yuncheng's eyes. He glared resentfully at Zhuo Ying and turned to leave.
Zhuo Wulüe glanced at Dugu Yuncheng's retreating figure, did not hesitate, and immediately began to deploy troops.
Zhuo Wulüe looked north, and suddenly thought of Liang Xiao. He took out his seal and a blank piece of paper from his pocket, stamped the seal, and called for a trusted subordinate.
"Inform the Marquis of An Guo of the front-line situation truthfully!"
At Bodhi Temple, after Yue Lian applied medicine to Liang Xiao, she said happily, "Young master is finally recovered. From now on, you only need to follow the Medical Saint's prescription for tonics, and the scars will heal completely!"
Liang Xiao smiled and said, "Yue Lian, do you remember what I told you when we discussed the annulment of the engagement with Qingxue? Whether the engagement is annulled or not, I can start a family and establish a career. I'll tell you when my injuries are healed."
Yue Lian complained, "I remember! But young master, you are not allowed to have thoughts of annulment! Miss Luo is so well-matched with you and is now deeply in love with you!"
Liang Xiao chuckled and nodded.
This silly girl...
Just as Liang Xiao was about to explain, Chen Shaoling's voice came from outside: "Marquis of An Guo, there is a person who claims to be a close friend of Miss Yue Lian, requesting to see you both!"
"Close friend?" Liang Xiao and Yue Lian exchanged glances, their surprise evident in their eyes.
They followed Chen Shaoling to the main courtyard and saw the Tianshan swordsmen arrayed on either side of a bearded man, watching him vigilantly. Jian Qinwan, in particular, had her sword drawn, just in case.
The man was burly, and his muscular physique could be faintly seen through his thin clothing, clearly indicating he was an expert.
"Greetings, Marquis of An Guo!" The man knelt before Liang Xiao, his voice respectful.
Liang Xiao's expression changed drastically, and he said sternly, "It's you!"
The crowd, not knowing why Liang Xiao's face had suddenly changed, was about to inquire when the man placed his left fist on the ground.
A jade pendant dropped from his hand, drawing everyone's attention.
Seeing the jade pendant on the ground, Liang Xiao and Yue Lian's expressions changed again. Yue Lian quickly took out her own jade pendant from her purse.
They were not exactly identical, but at least they were a pair!
The man remained kneeling, his voice low but sincere, "Marquis of An Guo, this matter concerns your and Yue Lian's lives. I wish to speak with you two privately..."
"Why should I trust you?" Liang Xiao's gaze became even more wary.
The man maintained his sincere tone, "You can have me searched. I am not carrying any weapons. You have a sword, and I am no match for you..."
Only then did everyone notice that the man was dressed lightly.
Liang Xiao frowned and said, "Female Bodhisattva, all you Tianshan heroines, please step aside."
Jian Qinwan was carefully pondering the man's words. Upon hearing Liang Xiao's request, she had no choice but to take her senior sisters to another courtyard.
Chen Shaoling volunteered to search him. At the man's active request, even his private parts were tapped with the sword sheath.
"Marquis of An Guo, he is indeed not carrying anything," Chen Shaoling reminded him.
The man trembled and said, "Marquis of An Guo, I have come with sincerity. This matter must only be known to you and Yue Lian!"
Liang Xiao drew the sword from his waist, signaled Chen Shaoling and the others to withdraw, and beckoned to the man, "Bring the jade pendant and come here!"
The man followed Liang Xiao and Yue Lian into Liang Xiao's courtyard, and couldn't help but ask, "This matter must be kept secret. Are there ears behind the wall?"
Liang Xiao stared coldly at the man and said sternly, "Show me your true face!"
The man was startled, and Yue Lian also looked at Liang Xiao in confusion.
Liang Xiao said, "Yue Lian, he is the leader of the assassins who attacked us on Mount Tian that day!"