She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

"Ma Cheng, time waits for no one. Notify the brothers in the Vanguard Camp to prepare. In the time it takes for incense to burn, we’ll head to Niuwei Slope for an ambush."

"Yes!"

Ma Cheng accepted the order, his eyes brightened with a surge of battle spirit.

Fighting alongside Zhao Zun, no matter what mission they were on, he always felt full of confidence.

Because Zhao Zun always recognized his talent and saw his brave contributions.

As he was about to turn and leave, Zhao Zun patted him on the shoulder, and they walked outside the tent together.

Making sure Li Gang couldn’t hear, Zhao Zun lowered his voice and said, "First, follow the orders seriously. Once this battle is over, I promise I’ll seek justice for you."

Warmth surged in Ma Cheng’s heart upon hearing this.

He looked at Zhao Zun with gratitude and said softly, "Thank you, Prince. Ma Cheng is willing to go through fire and water for you without hesitation."

"Go!"

"Hmm!"

Ma Cheng responded and then turned to leave.

Zhao Zun returned to the main command tent, once again seriously confirming some scouts’ information with Li Gang.

Once the incense burned out, Zhao Zun and his trusted aides, disregarding the fatigue from traveling overnight, led two thousand soldiers from the Vanguard Camp. Mounted on war horses, they dashed out of the city gate toward Niuwei Slope.

On the city wall, Li Gang, the defending general of Yong’an City, watched Zhao Zun leading the Vanguard Camp like an arrow leaving the bowstring, and his tense heart finally relaxed a bit.

The deputy general beside him asked in a low voice, "General, could they buy us a few days’ time?"

"Not sure." Li Gang’s expression was complicated, "Zhao Zun’s reputation strikes fear into the hearts of the three northern countries. Hopefully, he truly has some skill to pull off a successful raid."

"But even if they delay for a few days, the court’s soldiers might not arrive in time. Mr. Cao’s side is hard to support us, and we..." the deputy general’s face was solemn.

Before the deputy general could finish his sentence, Li Gang’s brow suddenly twitched, his posture straightened, his face showed a look of facing death fearlessly.

"Regardless of the Vanguard Camp’s outcome, we can’t just wait idly. Order the soldiers to move all defensive supplies to the wall. Then take turns resting. Before the court’s soldiers arrive, we must hold Yong’an City at all costs."

"Yes!"

As the military orders were issued, the deputy general immediately stood with reverence, invigorated.

After the deputy general descended the city wall, Li Gang watched the increasingly distant figure of the Vanguard Camp and muttered to himself.

"This time, I reckon you’ll find it hard to escape death. Once you die, the merit for repelling the Turkic forces will be mine. If you help me defend Yong’an City with fifty thousand soldiers, that contribution won’t be small. I won’t be stingy either and will certainly burn plenty of offerings for you."

...I’m the lazy dividing line...

At night, the roar of the motorcycle engine broke the silence. The night wind was like a knife, painfully cutting across faces.

Han Lei rode her modern three-wheeled motorcycle, with Ping Chuan armored and riding in the sidecar.

The bright headlights illuminated the winding official road, as the motorcycle raced like a wild horse, bumping and speeding along the road, kicking up swirls of dust.

Han Lei was as calm as water, her eyes fixed ahead, with only one thought in mind — to catch up with Zhao Zun and the others as soon as possible.

According to Ping Chuan, they left about three hours after Zhao Zun, and every second counts.

The official road was not smooth, and even though Ping Chuan was strapped in with a seatbelt, he bounced up time after time due to the bumps.

His armor and sword kept bumping against the motorcycle’s body, creating a clashing sound that was particularly grating in the quiet night.

However, as a person from ancient times, Ping Chuan did not feel any discomfort, but instead wore an excited expression.

"Miss Han, your vehicle is truly amazing! It’s even more convenient than the emergency vehicle, and rides faster than a horse!"

Ping Chuan’s voice came through the whistling wind, reaching Han Lei’s ears.

Han Lei did not divert her gaze and shouted loudly in her soft voice, "It’s just the road isn’t good. If it were, it could go even faster. Hold on tight!"

Ping Chuan had known Han Lei for the longest time, accustomed to her bringing out various household items unexpectedly.

Yet, perhaps because it was Ping Chuan’s first time on a motorcycle, or because he was about to be by the Prince’s side, he spoke constantly along the way, unlike his usual quiet self.

Han Lei didn’t really want to talk to him, because speaking allowed the night wind to rush straight into her mouth. But alas, Ping Chuan just wouldn’t stop.

"And Miss Han, the mysterious weapon you used to save us last time was truly amazing! Killing enemies from far away with such ease – it’s exhilarating to think about. Oh! If only I could have such a weapon too!"