Chapter 432
She resolutely charged into the sea of fire with Shen Qingzhu, seeking death with all her heart, yet she did not cry!
But when she saw her eldest sister, for some reason, she felt fragile and vulnerable.
The silver-armored woman on the swift horse, her armor gleaming coldly, nocked an arrow and drew her bow, her face calm as she aimed at Zhao Sheng…
In that brief moment when their eyes met, Zhao Sheng’s eyes widened with shock. Within a split second, his body instinctively reacted by retreating rapidly, rolling to the side. Still, the arrow pierced his collarbone straight through, lodging in the thick armor. The force of it made his head buzz. Had he been a second slower, the arrow would have gone through his throat.
The Bai family guards following closely behind Bai Qingyan raced forward to rescue.
Though she did not kill Zhao Sheng, she forced him to retreat. Bai Qingyan pulled the reins tight, her horse reared, and she leaned down to grab Bai Jinzhi’s outstretched arm, hauling her onto the horse.
Bai Jinzhi lay prone across the horse’s back, turning her head to look at Bai Qingyan and choked out, “Eldest Young Lady!” before she could no longer hold on, her vision darkened, and she passed out.
Lu Ping dismounted, intending to help the heavily bleeding Shen Qingzhu onto his horse, when he saw a Liang soldier raising a knife towards him.
Bai Qingyan drew an arrow from her quiver in a flash, her movements seamless as she nocked, drew, and released it. The arrow swiftly shot through the Liang soldier’s throat. She shouted sternly, “Retreat!”
The sudden appearance of the Bai family guards on horseback caught the Liang Army by surprise. They looked on in shock as the well-trained Bai family guards swiftly pulled the Jin Army soldiers onto their horses and galloped away.
Bai Qingyan had ordered that the mission’s priority was to save lives, avoiding engagement with the Liang Army. The Bai family guards remembered her words, rescuing the Jin soldiers and retreating without indulging in battle.
Seeing the rescuers all retreating on horseback, Bai Qingyan finally put away her bow, leading her guards to cover the retreat as she turned her horse and whipped it into a gallop.
Zhao Sheng broke off the arrow’s tail, pressing on the bleeding wound. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, “Archers! Shoot them for me!”
The archers immediately drew their bows and shot in the direction of Bai Qingyan’s fleeing group. However, they were too focused on escaping and moved too quickly. Moreover, the pursuit through the forest minimized the effectiveness of the arrows. Zhao Sheng had only brought a few archers, who could not hit the experienced Bai family guards fleeing effortlessly.
“Chase!” Zhao Sheng used his sword to lift himself up, gritting his teeth.
“Report!” A Liang soldier ran up the mountain, kneeling as he reported, “General Zhao, the Jin Army is attacking from below! Our army is leaderless. Please descend at once…”
The Jin Army dared to return and attack!
Zhao Sheng glanced at Bai Qingyan’s group, who were about to disappear from sight, biting his teeth in frustration. Missing them today, who knows when would be another chance to kill Bai Qingyan!
“Descend the mountain!” Zhao Sheng immediately led his troops down the mountain.
In the battle below, Wang Xiping saw the firelight from the mountains start to descend like a glittering snake. He deduced that Bai Qingyan had successfully rescued the people. Even if she had not, he could retreat with his troops, luring the Liang Army and buying Bai Qingyan time to rescue.
Wang Xiping immediately shouted, “Retreat! Quickly retreat!”
He turned his horse around, leading the cavalry to a speedy withdrawal.
·
Inside Longyang City, Liu Hong was restless, standing on the city wall, quietly waiting.
The night was dark and windy, with no moon in sight. A cold wind carried hints of moisture, with heavy rain imminent.
Liu Hong stared at the undulating hills outside the city. There were no lights visible, only a red glow in the sky towards Huoshen Mountain.
As Bai Qingyan predicted, the Liang Army had sent tens of thousands to dig trenches by Longmu River after nightfall, intending to flood Longyang City.
But the Jin Army had not been idle either. Following Bai Qingyan’s instructions, Liu Hong ordered the civilians to be moved to the high ground between Longyang City and Youhua City for safety this night.
He sent a force of ten thousand in five groups to destroy the Liang Army’s supply routes.
Another group, led by Lin Kangle, was dispatched to harvest the wheat, ensuring it would be completed by night’s end.
Under the cover of darkness, both the Liang and Jin armies moved silently, preparing for the coming conflict.
By now, Liu Hong had to admire Bai Qingyan’s foresight, as she had accurately predicted Xun Tianzhang’s strategy against the Jin Army.
Reflecting, Liu Hong thought that if it weren’t for Bai Qingyan’s previous victories against Xiliang, earning her merit despite her age, he might not have trusted her even though she was from the Bai family.
It was because of her significant victory in the southern battle that Liu Hong took her words seriously. The Jin Kingdom could no longer afford to lose a commander like Bai Qingyan!
“Timing wise, they should be back by now!” Liu Hong was deeply worried.
“Commander, do not worry too much!” Consoled Fu Ruoxi, who returned with his wounds bandaged. “The Princess of Zhen’s archery is never in vain. With the Bai family guards and General Wang Xiping protecting her, she will be safe!”
Liu Hong nodded.
The city defense general hurried over, reporting, “Commander! A group at the south gate claims to be Bai family guards, escorting a woman and requesting to see the Princess of Zhen. Your orders?”
Liu Hong turned to him, “The Bai family guards want to see the Princess of Zhen?”
“Yes!” The general nodded.
With Bai Qingyan absent, it was uncertain if they were genuinely her guards or Liang Army infiltrators.
“Have them wait outside the city until the Princess returns and decides.” Liu Hong ordered.
“Yes!” The general responded and left.
Returning soldiers from Huoshen Mountain, their wounds newly bandaged in the infirmary, were deeply concerned.
“I wonder if General Wang Xiping managed to rescue the Centurion!” one wounded soldier voiced his worry.
The Centurion, Du Sanbao, was demoted to Corporal after the southern campaign for dishonoring Ji Langhua.
But to the soldiers, Du Sanbao was courageous and loyal, always their Centurion at heart.
“Of course, he will! The Princess of Zhen herself went! Remember, when the Commander tried to stop her, she declared, ’The Bai family’s principle is to never abandon any blood-stained comrade!’ She will definitely rescue our Centurion and the County Lord of Gaoyi!”
“During the southern campaign, I heard in the infirmary that the Princess and our Centurion always led the charge! Bai family’s County Lord of Gaoyi even distracted the Liang Army to ensure a safe escape for her comrades. It’s reassuring to fight under leaders willing to risk their lives alongside their soldiers. No wonder the Bai family army is so united!”
“Indeed, unlike our lofty generals who always hide at the back, ready to flee if we lose the battle!”