Chapter 551

Is this the Northern Border cavalry famed as the strongest under heaven?

Chen Zhong knows better than anyone—they once trampled the Northern Desert grasslands, forcing even the Xiongnu to grit their teeth and pay tribute, let alone the weaker Xianbei tribes.

The defenses on the city walls were already ready, but when they saw the Mysterious Armor cavalry rising to power, the garrison couldn't hide the fear in their eyes.

Hooves shattered the land outside Chang'an City, emitting a dull roar like a steel giant beast charging straight at Chang'an. If you lowered your head and looked closely, you'd see ripples spreading on the moat despite no wind.

That was the earth's ripples kicked up by the heavy-armored iron cavalry as they ran.

The archers stationed up front forgot to blink, their hearts filled with utter despair. Can they even survive to withdraw from the walls today?

The Northern Border's steel torrent split into two shades: the most murderous black, the coldest silver, and in between a striking huge fuzzy mass.

Even the well-informed Chang'an Imperial Guard had never seen what kind of creature this was!

And the Northern Border's warhorses—black and white, not a single mixed hair among them! Just this fact shows Northern Border's wealth. Never mind the common black horses; even picking six pure-white steeds without a single stray hair for the emperor's carriage would be a strain.

Yet the Northern Border's silver-armored unit rides exactly these white horses!

The sun blazed; Chen Zhong squinted to size up the Northern Border King in the middle. He was fairly recognizable—a half-grown youth in a full suit of silver armor, likewise wearing a metal visor that covered his face completely. His white horse was even more divine; from afar you could tell it differed from the white horses of the snow cavalry beside it. Many felt only the king's White Dragon deserved the title of heavenly horse.

Dragon head, phoenix neck, vigorous and upright. When it ran, flowing clouds seemed to roll, as if its hooves never touched the ground, swiftly sweeping over the grass.

Whether it was his mount, his armor, or even the legendary pet at his side, all showed that the daring youth riding ahead was the Northern Border King—no mistake possible.

Chen Zhong felt uneasy; he hated that he only now saw the Northern Border cavalry, hated that he only today met Bai Li Jing. If… if he had seen them earlier… he wouldn't have chosen the Jiangxia King.

One misstep, and the whole board is lost.

The Northern Border cavalry had more combat experience than Chang'an's leisurely garrison; when they first attacked Chang'an they felt no fear, only surging excitement. The city before them was the most prosperous capital under heaven, a distant symbol from their youth.

It was the prosperous city of their dreams.

At the height of summer, Chang'an lay under a scorching sun; no one knew whether the walls were defended with boiling water or hot oil, but steam constantly rose, making the whole city swelter.

The king narrowed his eyes, once again sizing up his homeland after years apart.

The year he took part in the Wanshou Festival, his Mysterious Armor cavalry was already taking shape; to say he never imagined today would be a lie.

He knew that besides the second brother seizing power, neither the eldest nor the fourth brother could tolerate him wielding great force and living freely in Youzhou. By then he could not surrender; he'd have to fight for his life, already prepared to take this step—people don't look out for themselves without heavenly retribution! Yet he never expected this day to come so soon.

He thought this day should be years later, after the father emperor's demise and his own arrival at middle age… yet he never imagined that the father emperor, who spent every day in the palace indulging himself and keeping himself in fine shape, would die in his prime.

He had thought he'd still attend a few more extravagant Wanshou Festivals, perhaps growing shabbier each year due to lack of funds? The old man was still around, and he could keep playing the misery act to escape tribute for a few more years, as long as his skin was thick enough…

Now, returning to Chang'an City, his father was already gone.

Even the realm had changed hands.

Thinking of that, all that remained was a sigh.

The cavalry stopped directly twenty meters outside the moat—a distance not to be underestimated—while the archers on the city walls had already nocked their arrows, yet the king paid no heed.

He leaked to the Marquis of Dongdu: 'Xuanping Gate has three iron chains, and inside the gate are set up anti-horse obstacles and archers.'

The Marquis of Dongdu nodded solemnly: 'The commander leading the troops is Chen Zhong; the main force should be the Chang'an East-West Major Camp. They're likely out of practice, and judging by the garrison's strength alone they might not even match Hongnong. Your Highness, should we strike at each gate separately or focus the assault on Xuanping Gate?'

The king narrowed his eyes at Chang'an's towering walls: 'Our cavalry isn't good at scaling walls; it was tailor-made to deal with the various steppe tribes. Later we'll have to retake Shu and southern Yunnan, so we might need to drill.'

'Your Highness is right.'

'Today won't work; let's put on a hard charge against Chang'an City for our good royal uncle.'

But before that, a procedure must be followed. For example, proclaiming the king's righteous stance?

Chen Zhong, whose family had been threatened into relocation, felt his teeth ache at the thought—who didn't know Bai Li Jing was doing this for his beloved royal brother? Yet he had to believe it.

When the Marquis of Dongdu finished, it was the king's turn. He lowered his voice, sounding mature: 'Northern Border King, Bai Li Jing.'

Even the mythical beast loitering at the White Dragon's feet glanced at him—what's wrong, his throat feeling off?

Upon hearing that, the archer battalions on the opposite wall all glanced sideways—at this range, if the shot landed they'd surely earn a marquisate!

'……He really came? And he dares to stand up front?'

'Who knows if it's really him—maybe a puppet stand-in? Would the Xie clan place him in such a dangerous frontline spot?'

'But I've heard that white giant beast is the Northern Border King's beloved pet, always accompanying him whether walking or sitting.' The two commandants stood straight, exchanging only murmurs with their mouths.

'Chang'an garrison in the city! Let me guess—most of you, perhaps all, came from my father emperor's East-West Major Camp? Bai Li Jun seized the throne, sparked civil war, and you still help him defend the city? I urge you to turn back to shore!'

'You're betraying the Jin clan, betraying all under heaven! The blades in your hands should be turned toward the steppe barbarians and southern savages, not here toiling for Bai Li Jun's crown!'

'I have come to retake Chang'an and rescue the imperial prince; my Northern Border's Mysterious Armor cavalry is invincible under heaven. You too are children of the Jin clan—one family, why slaughter each other and waste your lives?!'

Chen Zhong felt blood welling up inside, thinking that for someone so young to spout such high-sounding nonsense was surprisingly smooth.

'Northern Border King, if you love the people, why not retreat to the Northern Border? His Majesty said he'd divide rule with Your Highness along the Luo River—he would absolutely keep his word, never go back on it.'

'Hah! Words from a usurping traitor and rebel royal—how could this king believe them?'

Chen Zhong: ……Quite reasonable.

If he took Chang'an City, giving him half of Great Jin wouldn't satisfy him—why settle for half when he could have the whole?

The Great King said disdainfully: "Chang'an's troops live in comfort and ease, grown accustomed to luxury; they have likely long forgotten the gleam of swords and blades of the Northern Border. What do you have to block the Northern Border cavalry? Open the city gates quickly and hand over Baili Jun; once I rescue the imperial brother, I will plead for General Chen."

By the way, General Chen, don't forget—your head is lent to you by me, merely placed on your neck temporarily.

The Great King said this in public, and Chen Zhong's face changed dramatically.