The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Yuchi Liang and Yale embarked on their journey back to the Western Regions. Yale couldn't wait to secretly send a message by carrier pigeon to Bulu Khan, hiding everything that had happened in Ningcheng from Yuchi Liang.

When Nabru Khan received the message from Yelu, although he still had doubts about Li Linlie's surrender, he felt that the time to attack the Great Lu Kingdom could not be waited any longer and that a full-scale attack must be launched immediately.

The entire Western Regions tribe was united in their determination to attack the Great Lu Kingdom, and soon the royal court advanced another fifty kilometers.

Meanwhile, Helian Ming on the northeastern border launched an attack on Chai Gu's army.

Two hundred thousand troops from the Western Regions and two hundred thousand troops from the State of Lu faced off outside Pingcheng.

"Marshal! When Helian Ming attacked Pingcheng, I missed the opportunity to fight him. Now let me be the vanguard and have a go at him!" Yin Shuo said.

Chai Gu glanced at Wei Qiao and said, "General Wei, please entrust the first battle to General Yin!"

"Alright! Let General Yin give us a good start. Today, I, Wei Qiao, will feed my long-starved sword. It's been so many years since I've tasted blood," Wei Qiao said.

"Beat the drums!" Chai Gu said.

The three drummers swung their drumsticks and began to beat the drums rhythmically and energetically.

Yin Shuo stepped forward first, and Shangguan Xingyun reminded him from the side, "General, be careful!"

Yin Shuo glanced back at Shangguan Xingyun, smiled knowingly, and raised his spear to charge towards the Western Regions army.

"Yin Shuo of the Great Lu Kingdom is here to meet you in battle!" Yin Shuo shouted loudly.

"Brother! I'll take on the challenge!" Helian Hui said.

"Be careful!" Helian Ming said.

"Helian Hui from the Western Regions has come to meet us!" Helian Hui announced.

Helian Hui raised his spiked club and charged at Yin Shuo. Soon, the two clashed, their weapons exchanging sparks as they fought for a hundred rounds without a clear victor. Helian Hui, relying on his massive size, suppressed Yin Shuo, who constantly changed his spear techniques, keeping Helian Hui busy and flustered.

"Helian brat, I'm going to beat you so badly you'll be crawling on the ground looking for your teeth today!" Yin Shuo said, hitting and cursing at the same time.

"You defeated enemy of our Western Regions army are still so arrogant! Shameless! Take your life!" Helian Hui swung his spiked club and smashed it fiercely at Yin Shuo.

Yin Shuo dodged the attack in a flash. He ordered his horse to retreat about fifty meters. Helian Hui thought Yin Shuo was going to escape back to the camp, so he laughed loudly: "Yin Shuo, you little brat, you've been defeated by me, Helian Hui, so quickly!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Helian Hui saw Yin Shuo galloping towards him on horseback. The speed was so astonishing that Helian Hui's mouth dropped open and his eyes widened. Before he could even raise his spiked club, Yin Shuo's spear knocked him off his horse. If he hadn't dodged quickly, Yin Shuo would have killed him on the spot. Helian Ming was also drenched in a cold sweat. He immediately ordered a full-scale attack, and Helian Hui narrowly escaped a horrific death.

"Marshal, I, Old Wei, will charge at them first!" Wei Qiao led the soldiers of the Great Lu Kingdom toward the Western Regions army.

The two armies quickly clashed, both sides displaying high morale. Chai Gu oversaw the battle from the rear, while his four sons charged into the fray. His eyes were fixed intently on the battlefield; the sounds of fighting and the clash of weapons stirred his long-dormant fighting spirit. He was instantly filled with fervor; he had waited for this day for a long time. He seemed to see himself on the battlefield again. Chai Gu brandished his broadsword and charged towards the Western Region army. Seeing their commander charging into the enemy, the soldiers, their blood boiling, followed him into the fray.

Yin Shuo charged straight at Helian Hui, who raised his spear to meet Yin Shuo's spear. The two clashed and fought for thirty rounds. Yin Shuo gradually became exhausted and was clearly at a disadvantage.

Upon seeing this, Shangguan Xingyun spurred his horse to Yin Shuo's side and said, "General Yin!" He raised his twin swords and took Helian Ming's spear.

Seeing Shangguan Xingyun's inexplicable excitement, Yin Shuo was instantly filled with strength. He used his spear to block Helian Ming's spear and said, "Miss Shangguan, let me handle this!"

Helian Ming was quickly at a disadvantage under the combined attack of Yin Shuo and Shangguan Xingyun. The other soldiers were also entangled with the soldiers of the Great Lu Kingdom and could not come to his rescue. He thought to himself, "Helian Hui! Why don't you come and save me!" He dared not be distracted, for fear that he would become their victim if he was not careful.

At this moment, Helian Hui's arm was already injured when Yin Shuo knocked him off his horse. He couldn't hold a weapon with his hand, and he was having a hard time protecting himself. He had no mind to save his brother.

Soon, the morale of the Lu Kingdom's army clearly surpassed that of the Western Regions army. The soldiers of Lu Kingdom fought with increasing ferocity, while some soldiers of the Western Regions army threw down their weapons and fled back. At this time, Helian Ming was also injured. Several of his subordinates finally came to his side and rescued him from Yin Shuo and Shangguan Xingyun. Seeing that the situation was unfavorable to him, Helian Ming immediately shouted for a retreat.

Seeing their commander flee, the Western Region soldiers turned and ran back. The Lu army pursued them and drove the Western Region army out of Pingcheng.

Pingcheng was once again in the hands of the Great Lu Kingdom. The soldiers of the Great Lu Kingdom climbed onto the city gate, threw down the banner of the Western Regions, and hung the banner of the Great Lu Kingdom on the city gate. The soldiers waved their weapons and cheered for victory.

Yin Shuo stood on the city wall and tears streamed down his face. It had been so difficult. He thought of the 30,000 soldiers who had defended Pingcheng with him. Their blood had been spilled on this land, and their lives were forever frozen in that year.

"Brothers! Pingcheng is back! Rest in peace!" Yin Shuo shouted.

"General Yin! They saw it. You are a good leader. They will be proud of you!" Shangguan Xingyun said.

"Thank you!" Yin Shuo said excitedly.

"Strengthen the entire army's vigilance! In case the Western Regions army launches a surprise attack!" Chai Gu ordered.

"Marshal Chai has not been on the battlefield for many years, yet he remains as sharp as ever. I admire him greatly!" Wei Qiao said.

"Old Wei! Don't flatter me! You're not bad either!" Chai Gu said with a big laugh.

"Marshal! Pingcheng has returned to our hands. Please decide on my punishment!" Yin Shuo said as he approached Chai Gu.

“Yin Shuo! Your performance today was witnessed by all the soldiers in the army. As for your mistake, it was simply due to poor personnel management. When the time comes, Lao Wei and I will do our best to exonerate you. His Majesty will not hold you accountable because of your loyalty to the court,” Chai Gu said.

“The Marshal is right. General Yin, you don’t need to worry. Pingcheng has been recovered now, and the people in the city still need your comfort. After all, you are most familiar with the situation here,” Wei Qiao said.

"I thank you for your kindness, teacher and General Wei. I will do my utmost for the people of Pingcheng," Yin Shuo said.

"Excellent!" Chai Gu said with satisfaction. "For a woman like Miss Shangguan to be so fearless on the battlefield truly shows she comes from a military family and has the bearing of General Shangguan!"

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

Yin Shuo saw the shy blush on Shangguan Xingyun's face and thought it was beautiful. He couldn't help but feel a flutter in his heart. Just then, Shangguan Xingyun looked at him, and their eyes met. Shangguan Xingyun lowered her eyelids shyly.