The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Following the great victory at Lanpi Mountain, the Western Regions army stationed in Pingcheng suffered a significant blow. They were no longer as lax as before and intensified their daily training. Helian Ming personally led the training of soldiers, and more talented individuals from the northern desert tribes joined the Western Regions army, greatly increasing its combat effectiveness. An even larger war was brewing within the Western Regions army.

Yin Shuo brought Shangguan Xingyun to Chai Gu, who looked at the resolute young woman with admiration and was quite fond of her.

"That old bastard Shangguan Chenxing is really something, he's raised such a wonderful daughter!" Chai Gu said. "She's just like her father!"

"Marshal Chai, you flatter me!" Shangguan Xingyun said apologetically.

"Even the Marshal praised you! That proves you're truly remarkable!" Yin Shuo said.

"I just did what I was supposed to do; the credit belongs to everyone," Shangguan Xingyun said.

“Good! You have the demeanor of a chivalrous woman! You are one of the most admirable chivalrous people in my life!” Chai Gu said.

"It would be my honor!" Shangguan Xingyun said.

“We first need to analyze Helian Ming’s military strategy. Scouts have reported that many people from the northern desert tribes have recently come to their Western Regions army and are helping them train. It seems that their horsemanship and archery skills will become even stronger. Our weakness is that we are not as good as them in horsemanship, so we need to intensify our training. However, we also need to make good use of our strengths,” Chai Gu said.

"The Marshal is right! Our infantry must intensify their training in the skill of quickly cutting off horses' hooves with broadswords, so that all the cavalrymen from the Western Regions can be cut off from their horses and rendered incapable," General Wei Qiao said.

"After several battles with the Western Regions army, I think their soldiers are very afraid of fire attacks. Their clothes are all made of animal fur, which is not easy to extinguish once burned," Yin Shuo said.

"That's one way! Let's prepare more fire attacks to serve them!" Chai Gu said with a big laugh.

"We also need to mobilize the people on the border; they can be a strong logistical force for our army," Shangguan Xingyun said.

"Well said! The common people are remarkable!" Chai Gu praised.

Upon receiving news of the defeat at Lanpi Mountain, Nabru Khan of the Western Regions was furious and rebuked Helian Ming: "How could such a serious mistake be made at such a crucial moment?"

"Your Majesty! Please allow me to go to Pingcheng to assist my brother," Helian Hui requested.

"You don't resent me for keeping this from you, do you?" Nabru Khan asked.

"The Khan's decisions are all correct, and I and the entire Helian tribe will remain loyal to the Khan!" Helian Hui said.

"Good! Go to Pingcheng as soon as possible and assist Helian Ming in launching a large-scale war against the Great Lu Kingdom. It would be best to expand the scope further south!" Nabru Khan said.

"Yes, sir!" Helian Hui went down.

"Has Yuchi Liang arrived yet?" Nabulu Khan asked.

"Waiting outside the tent."

"Let him in!"

Yuchi Liang saw Helian Hui coming out of the tent from outside. They nodded to each other, and then Yuchi Liang went into the tent.

Nabulu Khan saw Yuchi Liang and said, "Minister Yuchi! I originally wanted to visit you in your tent, but I have been busy with government affairs these past few days and have not had the time. So I had to ask you to come here in person."

“In these extraordinary times, Khan need not worry about me. I am already ashamed that I cannot serve the country,” said Yuchi Liang.

“Don’t blame me! I was just afraid you were too soft-hearted,” said Nabru Khan.

"Your subject dares not! Your subject supports all of the Khan's decisions. Your subject knows that the Khan is acting for the sake of the entire Western Regions!" Yuchi Liang said.

"I'm relieved to hear that! How is your health recovering lately, my dear minister?" Nabru Khan asked.

"It's almost done," said Yu Chi Liang.

"Is it permissible to travel far?" Nabru Khan asked.

"Where does the Khan want me to go?" Yuchi Liang asked cautiously.

"Head to the northwestern border of the Great Lu Kingdom!" said Nabru Khan.

"I wonder where the Khan wants me to go and what I need to do?" Yuchi Liang asked.

“Li Linlie has been stationed on the northwestern border of the Great Lu Kingdom for many years. The defense there is impregnable. If you go there now, things will be different. In fact, once the army on the northwestern border is breached, the entire Great Lu Kingdom will be exposed to us. They never expected that it would be our main battlefield.” Na Bulu Khan smiled mysteriously.

“The Khan’s sending me there is meant to sow discord between the Khan and his ministers, causing Li Linlie to lose prestige in court. This will allow us to achieve our goal of replacing the commander,” Yuchi Liang said.

"My dear minister, you understand so quickly!" Nabru Khan said, clapping his hands.

“There is also a possibility that I will be killed by Li Linlie to show my loyalty to the court,” Yuchi Liang said.

“I think that’s unlikely. After all, you’re Yuchi Yu’s older brother! Li Linlie wouldn’t let the woman he loves be sad,” Naburu Khan said.

"When shall I depart?" Yuchi Liang asked.

"Set off immediately!" said Nabru Khan.

"Your subject obeys!" Yuchi Liang withdrew from the main tent.

Yu Chi Liang stepped out of the tent, stood at the door and glanced back. A chill ran through him as he thought, "Didn't you love my sister and was willing to lose everything for her? Truly, emperors are ruthless."

When Yuchi Liang returned to his tent, Shou Shangxing was already sitting inside, eating and drinking heartily.

"You don't look well, did you get scolded?" Shou Shangxing asked, holding a leg of lamb in his hand.

"No, the Khan asked me if my injuries had healed," Yuchi Liang said.

"Yuchi! Let me tell you, even if you recover, you can't say you're all better. You're just going to pretend! This situation is very unfavorable for you right now!" Shou Shangxing said, taking a bite of mutton.

“Nothing can be hidden from the Khan’s eyes,” Yuchi Liang said.

“He’s a man, not a god! With the influence of your Yuchi family in the Western Regions, as long as you deliberately hide it from him, he will make things difficult for you,” Shou Shangxing said.

“Things are different now!” Yuchi Liang said.

“You old rascal, there’s something more to your words,” Shou Shangxing said.

“Can’t you see? Today’s Bulu Khan is no longer the timid Khan of the past; he has become ambitious,” Yuchi Liang said.

“That’s true. Back when he was fighting against our Great Lu Kingdom, he was trembling with fear. But things are different now. He actually captured our Pingcheng,” Shou Shangxing said.

“Old Shou! I’m leaving here for a while. Be careful when you come back, I’m afraid they’ll bully you,” Yu Chi Liang said.

"I, Old Shou, am a martial arts expert. Who am I afraid of? But you, where are you going?" Shou Shangxing asked, putting down the lamb leg he was holding.

"Don't ask anymore! Just remember what I said." Yu Chi Liang began packing his belongings.

"Leaving right away? So hastily! I was hoping we could get drunk together again," Shou Shangxing said.

"Wait for me to come back!" Yu Chi Liang said.

Looking at Yuchi Liang's somber expression, Shou Shangxing said, "If I'm not mistaken, you're going to the Great Lu Kingdom!"

"Don't ask!" Yu Chi Liang looked up at Shou Shangxing.

“I knew it! I knew Na Bulu wasn’t up to any good! He definitely sent you to find your sister, that bastard Na Bulu! He sent you to sow discord between the Great Lu court and Li Linlie, that’s a ruthless move!” Shou Shangxing said.

“I didn’t say anything, so just pretend you don’t know anything. Don’t go anywhere; they’ll be watching you. Just stay here,” Yu Chi Liang said.

“I am the dignified leader of the Flying Sky Sect! Do they have the authority to control me?” Shou Shangxing said.

"Alright, aren't your disciples and followers just acting as their henchmen?" Yu Chi Liang rolled his eyes at Shou Shangxing.

“You’ve hit a nerve again,” Shou Shangxing said.

A short while later, a group of people stopped outside Yuchi Liang's tent. The leader went inside and urged, "Your Highness, it's time for us to set off!"

Yuchi Liang bid farewell to Shou Shangxing and boarded the carriage without looking back. The journey ahead was uncertain, and he had no idea what the outcome would be.