She Came to Heal, Stayed to Conquer

This battle concerns the safety of Beiguan, the safety of Da Jing, the lives and deaths of countless people. They are Da Jing’s protectors, the people’s shield. No matter what lies ahead, they must hold firm.

After eating, the soldiers quietly lay down to rest next to their posts, each tightly clutching their weapons.

These are their most loyal companions, having accompanied them through countless storms and battles.

The sun disappeared below the horizon, casting its last rays on these iron-blooded men.

The twilight was faint, stars seemingly dotted the deep night sky, accompanied by the chirping of crickets on the plains, silently keeping watch over these warriors.

The night grew deep and oppressive, covering the vast prairie. The moonlight flickered, as if even it feared the coming storm.

All around was silent, only the occasional howl of wolves from afar reminded us that this was a living world.

However, behind this calm, the Turkic army, this feared prairie adversary, was grandly advancing towards us.

The soldiers of the Vanguard Camp silently rested in concealed positions, waiting for that moment to charge like tigers down the mountain, delivering a fatal blow to the Turkic army.

As it approached the hour of Haishi, a fast horse galloped in, the sound of its hooves approaching.

Zhao Zun, not fully asleep, sprang upright. His deep eyes stared intently through the gaps in the grass at the approaching figure.

The rider came directly to Zhao Zun’s hiding place, dismounted, cupped his fists, and reported.

"Report! Scouts from the Turkic army were found one li ahead."

"Hmm, no need to investigate further, go rest!"

Zhao Zun waved to signal the scout to go rest, his eyes tightened, gazing into the distance.

Just as the scout returned to report, under the moonlight, the distant horizon was faintly filled with rising sandstorms, blocking out the sky.

Zhao Zun bent down, placing his ear to the ground, confirming the distance of the Turkic army again through sound.

In his ears, the roar of steel cavalry was like giant beasts in the dark, rapidly approaching. The thud of hooves was dull yet powerful, shaking the earth, intertwining with the wind forming a battle anthem.

The intense momentum shook his eardrums, causing heart palpitations.

After a while, Zhao Zun stood up, face solemn.

"Pass down the order. Everyone prepare, gather spirit, follow the plan."

Zhao Zun ordered in a deep voice to the lieutenant beside him, who took the order and quickly scattered, disappearing into the night.

According to Da Jing Army’s marching habits, camps are usually set up once night falls. But in spring, it’s windy season on the plains, the vastness difficult to avoid the wind.

And Niuwei Slope is the only place in the area sheltered from the wind. Therefore, Zhao Zun anticipated that even if they travel part of the night, the Turkic army would surely camp at Niuwei Slope.

And the terrain they chose after reconnaissance was the most sheltered section from the wind.

At the initial hour of Haishi, deafening hoofbeats sounded, the cavalry of Turkic army finally appeared in view.

Riding sturdy steeds, wielding sharp curved blades, they charged menacingly towards Zhao Zun and his men.

Zhao Zun crouched, hiding behind a tree, arranging the nearby grass used for cover.

Soon, the Turkic cavalry arrived on horseback. After dismounting, they casually inspected the area, then started setting up tents, lighting fires to roast meat.

The torchlight illuminated their busy figures, unaware of the hidden two-thousand strong Da Jing vanguard army in the darkness of the distant mountain side...

Meanwhile, over the mountain’s other side.

In the darkness, all was quiet, only the roar of the sidecar motorcycle echoed through the night, like a solitary beast bellowing in the wilderness.

The motorcycle sped on, night wind whistled past the ears.

Once the carefree heir Hua Tianyou was biting his teeth in silence, sitting behind Han Lei. Without a helmet, he let the wind cut across his face.

His right hand tightly clutched Ping Chuan’s shoulder, his heart full of worry for Zhao Zun, mixed with immense tension.

He didn’t know what this monster Han Lei was riding was called, but knew Han Lei was certainly anxious now, so he was embarrassed to ask.

He only knew this monster ran faster than the warhorses they usually rode. After nearly a hundred li, Han Lei had not rested it or fed it.

He guessed it was likely similar to the emergency vehicle used earlier, Han Lei’s specialized steed.

What made him tense was Han Lei’s superb driving skills, her speed too fast, with winding main roads not leveled, Han Lei rarely slowed down on turns, and he almost got thrown off several times.