Chapter 75
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“Whoosh, whoosh…” An arrow flew through the air and struck a horse before it could react. Another arrow followed immediately, piercing the horse’s head and killing it instantly.
Uncle Ping had been alert from the moment the first arrow was fired, by the time the second arrow struck the horse’s head, he had deftly moved the terrified Tuoba Jiu to the back of the carriage.
“It’s over, it’s over! It must be the Great Yan cavalry, the Red Robe Army has come! We’re finished!” Tuoba Jiu’s hands and feet had gone limp, he clung to the side of the carriage, trembling uncontrollably.
Uncle Ping cast a disdainful glance at him, his disdain evident in his eyes. What a useless person! If it weren’t for Hunle Wang’s orders to bring him back, he wouldn’t have bothered rescuing him. “Shut up.”
With a moment of relative quiet, Uncle Ping calmly analyzed the current situation. He knew that panicking would only worsen matters during critical times. They had come all this way, so where had they exposed a vulnerability? How had the Red Robe Army learned of their whereabouts?
He surveyed his surroundings. While the arrows hadn’t ceased, they didn’t dare to shoot at the carriage itself. A decision formed in his mind: they had to keep a firm grip on Duan Wang. They were afraid of the unknown, which would buy them some time. He had already informed Hunle Wang, the reinforcements should be arriving soon. If they could endure this period, the enemy would have no choice.
Duan Wang was in the carriage, and Uncle Ping decided to take advantage of the situation. If he could get on the carriage and use Duan Wang as a shield, who could harm him?
Deciding to act, Uncle Ping was about to make his move when he was suddenly held back by a hand. Tuoba Jiu, with snot and tears running down his face, implored, “Uncle Ping, what do we do? Are we going to die here?”
Uncle Ping impatiently shook off his hand and was about to extend his head to mount the carriage and use Ming Yu as leverage. However, as soon as he exposed his head, an arrow shot towards him. If he hadn’t pulled back in time, that arrow might have pierced his throat. Even though he avoided it, a streak of blood marked his face.
Inside the carriage, Ming Yu heard the commotion outside and finally felt relieved. Their people had arrived; there was hope of escaping now. Unfortunately, he had been forcibly fed a concoction on their way, the effects of the drug hadn’t worn off yet. Otherwise, he would have crawled out of the carriage long ago.
This situation couldn’t continue. Uncle Ping’s eyes flicked towards Tuoba Jiu, considering the value of this man in comparison to Duan Wang. If he used Tuoba Jiu as a human shield, he might have a better chance of success. He hadn’t fully thought through the consequences when Tuoba Jiu nervously pulled out a wooden plank from beneath the carriage. “This… Can we use this… as a shield?”
Uncle Ping glanced at the wooden plank. Oh well, for now, this person could stay. After all, he was Hunle Wang’s brother. He begrudgingly took the plank and positioned it in front of him. With determination, he resolved to take Duan Wang with him.
Summoning his courage, he flipped onto the carriage. Just as he was about to roll inside, a red-tasseled spear blocked his way. Uncle Ping dodged to the side, drawing the dagger from his boot to defend himself. However, the spear moved like a swimming dragon, thrusting straight towards his face.
Caught off guard, Uncle Ping maneuvered his body, using the wooden plank to block the attack. But his balance was compromised, and he was forced off the carriage.
Looking up, he saw a sorrel horse, dressed in red robes and white armor. Who else could it be but Xie Yixiu? Having missed his chance, Uncle Ping found himself at a disadvantage, step by step. Despite his agile form, he narrowly dodged a few close calls. Nevertheless, in the end, he was wounded in the left arm by Xie Yixiu’s spear.
Xie Yixiu no longer paid him any attention and leapt onto the carriage, pulling open the curtain. Though he had mentally prepared himself, seeing Ming Yu’s dark hair loosely tied in a bun, with the remaining black strands cascading down, his elegant eyebrows gently arching, and his eyes reflecting the stars’ glow like peaches and blossoms, filled with delight and anticipation as they gazed at him—Xie Yixiu’s heart pounded fiercely at this moment.
By now, dust clouds were rolling in from the west; it seemed the enemy’s reinforcements were arriving.
Xie Yixiu steadied his turbulent emotions. “Your Highness, I’ve arrived to rescue you…,” he said. However, as he spoke, he realized something was amiss. Ming Yu saw him and didn’t react, not even uttering a word. “Wang Ye?”
Ming Yu blinked, and Xie Yixiu understood. It was clear to him that Ming Yu was under some form of control. When they had briefly met at the pass, Ming Yu didn’t call for help, leading Xie Yixiu to believe he was being threatened. But now, it seemed there was more to this situation than met the eye.
With time running short and no room for lingering, Xie Yixiu bowed respectfully. “Wang Ye, please forgive my tardiness.”
Finishing his words, he leaned down and picked up Ming Yu. Observing the ruched dress Ming Yu wore, Xie Yixiu swiftly removed his own red cloak and wrapped it around him. Only then did he carry Ming Yu out of the carriage.
Seeing Xie Yixiu rescue Ming Yu, Uncle Ping realized that their plans had been foiled. There was no way back now, they were likely to face repercussions if they returned. Their reinforcements were arriving, and even delaying for a moment might provide a glimmer of hope.
Despite his injury, Uncle Pingrushed forward, ready to prevent Xie Yixiu from joining the Red Robe Army.
Xie Yixiu, concerned about injuring Ming Yu, deflected Uncle Ping’s attacks. With Ming Yu incapacitated, he couldn’t move, and the circumstances were unclear. He realized that engaging with Uncle Ping would only buy time. Instead, he aimed to retreat and avoid further confrontation.
Seeing Xie Yixiu’s intentions, Uncle Ping seemed to grasp them. He now had Ming Yu in his hands, Xie Yixiu would need to consider his safety. This would likely prevent Xie Yixiu from using his full strength against him, leaving an opening for Uncle Ping to possibly detain Ming Yu.
This thought prompted Uncle Ping to disregard his own well-being and launch a relentless assault towards Xie Yixiu, who was carrying Ming Yu. With Ming Yu’s status as a Wang Ye, Xie Yixiu wouldn’t allow any harm to befall him. Uncle Ping saw a chance in this situation—if he held Ming Yu hostage, he might have a chance to turn the tide.
It had to be said that, having followed Song Lian for so long, his style of action has become ruthless and unscrupulous, capable of understanding the intricate relationships between interests in an instant. He knew how to seize opportunities that are advantageous to himself, his skill in strategic calculations was already at a high level.
At the beginning, Xie Yixiu was indeed forced into a difficult situation by Uncle Ping’s reckless attacks. However, Xie Yixiu was a skilled individual. He possesses a deep understanding of the rapidly changing dynamics on the battlefield and was adept at seizing opportunities and strategizing for his own advantage.
Understanding Uncle Ping’s intentions, Xie Yixiu’s eyes grew cold and filled with a killing intent. In this situation, Ming Yu’s current state pointed towards this man as the mastermind. He had no qualms about eliminating him!
Startled for a moment by his intense gaze, Plain Uncle was caught off guard. But in that very moment, as if in a swift dance, Xie Yixiu spun around and with a kick, sent him flying.
With this, Xie Yixiu regained his advantage and swiftly leapt onto the horse with a push from his foot.
Just then, behind him, the sound of an arrow piercing the air was heard. A fierce gust of wind rushed straight toward his back. Ming Yu’s heart raced, almost coming to a halt; if he couldn’t avoid this arrow in time, Xie Yixiu would be in serious trouble.
“Be careful!” Ming Yu strained his voice to its limits, finally managing to make a sound. However, his throat, irritated by days of being drugged, was dry and hoarse. These words were barely uttered before his burning throat sent waves of pain and a hint of bloodiness.
Xie Yixiu glanced at him, his expression calm. He didn’t seem to be concerned about the incoming arrow. As it came closer, he drew his sword from his waist, as if having eyes on his back, and deftly struck the arrow out of the air.
Ming Yu let out a sigh of relief, but he realized that the enemy reinforcements had arrived.
Xie Yixiu had managed to deflect the arrow, but in doing so, the enemy cavalry had caught up. Following closely, a rain of arrows fell, Xie Yixiu swiftly wielded his sword to create an impenetrable shield, protecting Ming Yu. Escaping by horseback was no longer possible. The way back was sealed off by the dense shower of arrows.
“We’re on the territory of Suixi Kingdom now. Do you think you can go back? Duan Wang Ye and General Xie, my Wang Ye has been waiting. How about the two of you come with me?” Chacha Qi’s clear voice echoed.
It was unexpected—just capturing a seemingly useless Wang Ye would have been enough, but now, they were also presented with Xie Yixiu. This deal was even more valuable. He deliberately intercepted the path back to Shi Chongguan for the two of them. As long as they couldn’t return to the Great Yab, these two would be stranded alone, unable to escape from his grasp.
This area already belong to the territory of Suixi, the Great Yan calvary wouldn’t dare to enter easily. The enemy’s forces were fully mobilized; it’s like a full-scale deployment. The Great Yan army’s arrival was merely a gesture; it’s like throwing eggs against a stone wall. Xie Yixiu had originally planned to venture in alone. As long as he could bring Wang Ye back within the borders, he would have no worries. However, the enemy arrived too quickly; they truly live up to their reputation as the swift and agile Suixi cavalry.
Ming Yu smirked, poking his head out. Perhaps because they had left the Shi Chongguan, Uncle Ping hadn’t continued administering him medicine, allowing the effects to wane. He exerted himself, coughed a few times, and forcefully swallowed down the taste of blood in his throat. After clearing his throat, he said, “Many thanks for your kind intentions, General. I am physically weak and particularly prone to discomfort in unfamiliar surroundings. So, I’d like to decline your offer of hospitality in this esteemed land.”
He concluded in a hushed tone near Xie Yixiu’s ear, “Let’s go in the opposite direction.”
Xie Yixiu quickly grasped Ming Yu’s intention and nodded. With their forward path blocked, they had no choice but to venture deeper into the heartland of Suixi.
He fixed the direction in his mind, turned his horse around, and galloped away. Chacha Qi had originally thought that sealing off the escape route would guarantee their capture, but he hadn’t anticipated that the two would suddenly turn and head towards Sui Xi’s heartland.
“Go after them!” Chacha Qi, frustrated and infuriated by their unexpected move, waved his hand, ordering everyone to chase after them and ensure their capture.
Ming Yu, having exhausted himself from his earlier words, took a moment to catch his breath before requesting, “Tear off a piece of red cloth for me.”
Xie Yixiu didn’t waste words, promptly following Ming Yu’s instructions. He ripped a piece of fabric from his sleeve and handed it to Ming Yu.
At Shi Chongguan, A Bing had been restless since the appearance of the reinforcements. Seeing the precarious situation of Wang Ye and the general, he could no longer restrain himself. No, Wang Ye and the general were in grave danger; he had to go and rescue them.
However, as A Bing turned around, he was blocked by others. “The general issued orders earlier to refrain from rash actions.”
“Utter nonsense!” A Bing glared, “Wang Ye and the general are trapped in the enemy’s midst. You’re telling me not to act rashly? Should I just stand by and watch them being captured?”
At this moment, Great General Wei, too, was sweating nervously. He held the “Thousand-Mile Eye” in his hand, staring unblinkingly at the two figures. If things took a turn for the worse, he might have to deploy the stationed troops for assistance. Though he knew that infantry had no chance against the grassland cavalry, delaying the enemy momentarily could be beneficial. Furthermore, with the Red Robe Army coming to their aid, there might still be a chance for the two to turn the situation around.
As Great General Wei swiftly calculated how to deploy the troops, a flash of red agility caught his eye. His heart leaped with joy; he had already grasped their intentions.
Without hesitation, he immediately ordered the Red Robe Army to leave the pass and harass the enemy’s rear, slowing down their pursuit. This was merely a feint, meant to buy time for the two men to escape.
Initially, A Bing thought Great General Wei was sending troops to support them, but he was surprised to see that it was just a feigned attack on the enemy’s rear. He couldn’t understand why such an order was given. To him, sending troops or not seemed to make little difference in the situation.
“Great General Wei! What is your intention?” A Bing didn’t care about being discreet and openly questioned in front of everyone. The others were equally puzzled by the order and turned their gaze to Great General Wei.
If it were anyone else, daring to openly question the general’s orders would likely have resulted in immediate consequences. However, Great General Wei only kicked A Bing and huffed, “I have my reasons. You daring little brat, want to try defying my orders?”
A Bing had been picked up by Ming Yuwhen he first arrived in Liangcheng, and later entrusted to General Xie Yixiu to train by his side. Though he didn’t stand out much, his wolfish nature was fully present. He was sharp and fierce, in a short period, his growth had surpassed everyone’s expectations.
General Wei held him in high regard. He often regretted that he hadn’t encountered such a promising talent to pass on his legacy. If his own nephews had half of A Bing’s abilities, he could have retired comfortably, no longer needing to endure hardships here.
For generations, the Wei family had been stationed on the border, their children and nephews had all grown up in the military. Yet, there wasn’t a single one among them who caught his eye.
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