Chapter 404

Xiao Yuanhang stroked his daughter's head, "Yes, mother and wife, and the eldest son are still in Jingcheng."

Since the Ni Ze dare to strike while His Majesty is personally on campaign, taking advantage of the empty Jingcheng, the Ning Prince's Mansion will naturally not let them off.

Xiao Ran jumped up: "Seventh brother?"

Gongsun Yue's little face also turned pale: "Mother Consort!"

Xiao Ningchen asked: "Father, has His Majesty's great army returned to Jingcheng?"

Xiao Yuanhang nodded: "His Majesty, on his way here, received our victory report, and immediately learned that Jingcheng had changed, and he has already turned the great army back."

"Order us to return to Jingcheng swiftly."

Although Xiao Ningxun was also anxious in his heart, he still spoke to comfort: "The Imperial Teacher holds a lofty position in the court, the Seventh Prince, though young, handles matters steadily, and the eldest brother is holding down the Prince's Mansion."

"Father, there's no need to be overly anxious; we will rush back swiftly and act according to the situation."

Xiao Ningchen said: "Exactly, the situation in the capital is unclear, His Majesty's great army has not yet arrived, and delay will bring change!"

Xiao Yuanhang shouted: "Pass the order!"

"Those with more serious injuries, stay at the Main Camp and continue to recuperate!"

"All who can ride and wield a blade, gather immediately!"

"Discard unnecessary baggage, bring only dry rations, arrows, and personal weapons!"

"In two hours, break camp and set out!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers sprang into action quickly, inspecting horses, arranging light crossbows, and bundling dry rations.

The border's bloody battle had just ended, and the beacon fires of Jingcheng flared up again, but they had no time for fatigue; a new fire burned in their eyes.

Jifeng patted Xiao Yuanhang's shoulder: "This mess looks even more troublesome than cleaning up my stupid older brother, so I won't go to Jingcheng with you to join the fun."

He cracked his mouth, revealing his habitual unrestrained smile: "Out on the steppe there's still a wolf cub; if I don't go back to discipline it soon, it might treat my Golden Tent as its own dog den."

Xiao Yuanhang solemnly clasped his fists: "In this border battle, I owe timely aid to the Great Khan; I will keep it in my heart."

"If you need help in the future, please speak up."

"Xilu and my Lie State shall forever be allies."

"Whether we're allies or not, that's another matter," Jifeng said with a careless expression, extending his big hand to rub Tuan Tuan's head, "I came for her."

He bent down, scooped up Tuan Tuan in one motion, and skillfully perched her on his broad shoulders.

Tuan Tuan wrapped her arms around his big head: "Uncle Jifeng, are you leaving again?"

Jifeng, carrying her, spun around a few times on the spot, then held her in his arms, deliberately rubbing her soft little cheek with the new stubble on his chin.

Tuan Tuan dodged while she couldn't help but giggle.

"Little punk, remember this!" Jifeng pointed toward Xilu: "You are the holy maiden of my steppe; the steppe will always keep the fattest sheep and the warmest felt for you!"

"When all this messy business is over, come to the steppe to find me! Next time I'll teach you to lasso wolves—I guarantee it's more fun than horseback riding!"

"Really?" Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up as she nodded vigorously: "Mm! I will definitely go! I also want to go see if Fanfan has grown up!"

"It's a promise!" Jifeng extended his little finger.

"Pinky swear!" Tuan Tuan also stretched out her little finger and solemnly hooked it with his.

Jifeng set her down, stood up, and ruffled the top of her head.

He clasped his fists toward everyone in the tent: "Take care, all of you!"

Everyone returned the salute: "Take care!"

Jifeng turned and walked out of the big tent.

He swung onto his horse, his golden blade slicing the air in a void strike, and shouted loudly: "Warriors! There are still senseless livestock at home waiting for us to clean up—let's go!"

"Woo——!"

A mournful horn sounded, and the steppe cavalry mounted one after another, following their Great Khan as they kicked up dust toward Xilu.

Two hours later,

Before the Lie State's Main Camp, a force now reduced to ten thousand had already finished assembling.

Xiao Yuanhang, clad in light armor, scanned these lads who had followed him through bloody battles and now must march to another unknown battlefield.

"The capital region is in turmoil! As subjects, we cannot shirk our duty! This expedition is solely to support the king and quell rebellion, to sweep away treacherous villains—march out!"

"Yes!"

Ten thousand voices answered in unison, shaking the wilderness.

Chu Yuan, Tuan Tuan, and Gongsun Yue rode together in a light carriage, while Xiao Er cracked the whip: "Giddyap!"

Tuan Tuan poked her little head out of the carriage window and asked Xiao Er: "Second Uncle! Uncle Zhang, Uncle Fang—where are they? I haven't seen them these days."

"You definitely won't find them—everyone's hiding it from you so you won't be hurt."

Xiao Er's heart ached: "Your Uncle Zhang is here; there are just too many people, you can't see him."

"Uncle Fang and the others… their injuries are worse, so they stayed behind in the Main Camp to recuperate."

"Oh!" Tuan Tuan beamed: "Then once they're better, I'll go find them to play!"

Chu Yuan sensed something, silently pulling Tuan Tuan to his side: "Sit tight, the road is still long."

On the steppe, a secluded valley over a hundred li outside the Royal City.

Here are stationed Bateer, Gongsun Heng, and the troops brought from Da Xia.

Bateer stood alone outside a shabby tent, gazing toward the Royal City.

"Ekej," he murmured, "just wait a bit longer—our son will soon take back everything that belongs to us."

"When I ascend to the Khan's throne, I will surely welcome you back to the Royal Court in grand style."

Footsteps sounded from behind; Bateer turned and saw it was Gongsun Heng.

"Mr. Jiang," Bateer said, still accustomed to addressing him that way, "what's the matter?"

Gongsun Heng gave a slight smile: "The messenger has arrived."

Bateer's eyes lit up: "What did His Majesty say?"

Gongsun Heng replied: "His Majesty asks how the situation stands now, and whether we need to send more troops to the Crown Prince."

"Yes! Of course!" Bateer was so happy he almost jumped up.

"Those chieftains, as fickle as grass on a wall, I finally persuaded to return to the Royal City and gather the senior ministers and elders to discuss my matter—this is a rare opportunity!"

He grew more excited as he spoke: "If we could have a hundred thousand troops now, which of those elders and ministers would dare say no?"

"Even if Jifeng rushes back, what can he do? Haha, the Great Khan's position is already mine!"

He grabbed Gongsun Heng's arm: "Mr. Jiang! Hurry, hurry and reply to His Majesty! Tell him I urgently need reinforcements—the sooner the better!"

"As long as I become Great Khan, Western Lu will forever be His Majesty's most loyal hound!"

"All right." Gongsun Heng gently withdrew his arm, patted his shoulder, "Crown Prince, don't rush—I'll go to the tent now to write a reply to His Majesty, expressing the Crown Prince's sincere devotion."

"Good, good, good!" Bateer urged repeatedly, "Go! Go write!"

Gongsun Heng turned and walked into the tent.

Bateer looked toward the Royal City again: "Eji, did you hear that? The Emperor of Da Xia is going to send me more troops! Our good days are coming!"

The next moment.

"Pfft!"

Bateer's body stiffened suddenly; he lowered his head and saw a dark sword tip pierce his chest, blood dripping down in strands.

A rush of blood foam rose in his mouth, followed by icy cold and pain; he slowly turned his head in a daze to look behind.