Chapter 43

You didn't say the person waiting for you outside the city would come soon? We've been waiting almost one hour already—are they coming or not?

Outside the South Gate of Humen Pass, Yang Hongyue had already grown somewhat impatient; after she had arranged all military affairs, she and Shen Tianxing came to the South Gate to wait, and the longer they waited, the more impatient she became.

General Yang, why are you in a hurry? My people need to bring my wife along—after all, I don't know how long this trip to the capital will take, and I can't leave her in my village. Just be patient; at most wait another one hour.

Shen Tianxing answered with a smile; earlier he had already sent a mental message to Tian Guangguang, letting him bring Qin Mingyue to Humen Pass—given Tian Guangguang's lightness skill, carrying Qin Mingyue would take at most two hours.

Additionally, Shen Tianxing used an intermediate fourth-tier soldier summon token, summoning a more comprehensive assault infantry, which is an upgrade from the sword-and-shield infantry.

They carry a long blade and a short blade on their person, and also have a shield; normally worn as a heart‑protecting mirror on the chest, in battle it can be removed and enlarged by about one circle, roughly the diameter of a forearm.

As for the special fourth-tier soldier summon token, there are 100 of them, with a bewildering variety of troop types; Shen Tianxing also spent a while before discovering this special type, the tunnel soldiers, and chose to summon them.

The tunnel soldiers' weapon is an entrenching shovel, which is also the specialized tool they use to dig tunnels; they have few bonuses to strength, speed, and defense, but they possess a special skill called Softening.

Using this skill can soften the ground to the greatest extent, allowing tunnels to be dug extremely quickly; it can be said to be the signature ability of this special troop type.

Yang Hongyue felt stifled, but in order to better infiltrate the capital and rescue her family, she could only endure it, even forcing out a fierce smile.

Shen Tianxing didn't mind either; the two waited patiently there, and after about one hour they could see in the distance 100 cavalry, 500 assault infantry, and 100 tunnel soldiers, along with Tian Guangguang and Hong Yi.

Of course, the most important was Qin Mingyue descending from Tian Guangguang's back; upon seeing Shen Tianxing, she excitedly ran toward him and couldn't help shouting loudly.

Tianxing!

Shen Tianxing opened his arms and caught the rushing Qin Mingyue in an embrace; Yang Hongyue beside him flashed a hint of displeasure on her face, but quickly returned to normal.

Tianxing, what's happened? Why do we suddenly have to go to the capital?

Something happened; someone rebelled, though explaining it is rather complicated. We are sneaking into the capital to rescue people; originally we shouldn't have brought you, but my absence might be lengthy.

Leaving you alone at the frontier would be too dangerous, which is why I decided to bring you along. Just stay at ease following me; don't ask about anything else—just trust me.

Qin Mingyue nodded, then suddenly noticed Yang Hongyue beside her, blushing as she pushed Shen Tianxing away.

I pay my respects, General Yang.

Yang Hongyue nodded, but didn't say anything, really not knowing what to say.

Your people are not bad—these cavalry have second‑rank strength, and those 500 you mentioned are third‑rank? Even these shovel‑wielders are third‑rank, which makes even this general a little doubtful.

When Yang Hongyue said this, she also glanced at Zhao Lingfei and Tian Guangguang; he has seventh‑rank sixth‑layer strength, so he could naturally tell that these two are at least seventh‑rank as well, though Yang Hongyue could never see through Shen Tianxing's true strength.

General Yang, you won't suspect me of privately raising heavy troops to rebel, will you? With so few people it wouldn't serve that purpose anyway—after all, even with third‑rank strength, facing hundreds of thousands of troops would exhaust one's strength and lead to death.

This general will tentatively believe you—stop the nonsense, let's move out. However, with so many people the target would be too conspicuous; let's take the cavalry ahead, and the others can follow behind in a dispersed manner.

Fine, no problem—we'll follow General Yang's orders; let's go.

Shen Tianxing patted the warhorse beside him, then leapt onto it, reached out and took Qin Mingyue's hand, pulling her up as well; she sat in front of him.

Yang Hongyue flashed a hint of displeasure, then mounted her horse, waved her hand, and the party set off.

General Yang, wait for us—we want to follow Vice Commander Shen together.

As the party had just set out, a voice came from behind—Zhang Yun's, along with the dozens of elite soldiers who had survived guarding the gate tunnel, including Shen Tianxing's old fellow villager Shen Erhu.

The road ahead is high mountains and distant waters, fraught with danger—are you sure you want to follow? You'll lose your lives.

Yang Hongyue halted her horse, turned her head, frowned, and asked.

General Yang, we are soldiers; if it weren't for Vice Commander Shen in the previous battle at the North City Gate, we would have died already—this life is his, so what is there to fear? If we can help you achieve this goal, we will die without regret.

That's right, we will die without regret.

Zhang Yun led the way, and the others echoed in unison; Yang Hongyue didn't look, but they instead glanced at Shen Tianxing—it was somewhat unexpected how strong his cohesion is.

If that's the case, then follow along—I suppose the Vice Commander won't object, right?

General Yang has decided, so you may follow—but it's truly dangerous; if you die, don't blame me.

Shen Tianxing wore a satisfied smile, and Zhang Yun and the others also laughed.

We're not afraid; we'll die without regret.

Alright, let's set off.

Congratulations, host, you have triggered the third‑stage main quest: rescue the nation's pillar, Old Marshal Yang Tieqiang, guarantee he leaves the capital alive and makes him loyal to the host, time limit six months.

Completing the quest rewards 500,000 Killing Value, a designated Ultimate Grade Martial Arts Fragment, the Golden Roc War Boots upgraded to intermediate, the Divine Weapon Dragon Pattern Cape, a Super Second‑Tier Soldier Token, one Ultra‑modern Spacetime Gift Box, Martial Arts Experience increased by 50%, two Advanced Lottery draws, five Intermediate Lottery draws, ten Beginner Lottery draws, and 1000 taels of gold; failure results in the host's eradication.

The third‑stage main quest has become somewhat different; rescuing the person isn't hard—just find him and stuff a Small Return Pill into him in one breath—but getting Yang Tieqiang to pledge loyalty to Shen Tianxing is difficult.

However, the richness of the rewards exceeded Shen Tianxing's expectations, and since the main quest cannot fail, he must undertake it no matter how difficult.

How does this main quest feel like it's trying to get me to rebel prematurely? On what basis does the system's main quest stand?

And why does it feel like hardly anyone notices you, and even if they do, it's just a glance, with no concern at all?

Shen Tianxing inquired via mental transmission, and Hong Yi replied, somewhat displeased:

Of course, it's based on the situation in this world and the host's impending events; the task is formulated accordingly.

Furthermore, the host is not among the rebels—aren't you supposed to help Qin Mingyue restore her country? Using this opportunity as a springboard is the most fitting.

Lastly, it's simple: unless I wish it, aside from you, to everyone else I have no presence—you can think of it as most of the time they regard me as transparent.