14: Chapter 0014 The Friend in My Mouth

Before long, the masked Leng Bingyan was invited into the military tent.

When General Zhao Kuan and the others saw the woman's gait and posture, they all felt she possessed an extraordinary heroic aura and dared not underestimate her.

“Miss Leng, I am Zhao Kuan. What message did Lin Xiao ask you to deliver?”

Leng Bingyan performed a formal salute and said, “General, Lin Xiao said that if the Northern Barbarians' vanguard has not attacked Stone Fortress by the hour of the Dragon tomorrow morning, he asks that you take the initiative to lead your troops out of the city!”

w̆̈̆̈k̆̈̆̈̆̈ă̈̆̈n̆̈̆̈.c̆̈̆̈ŏ̈̆̈m̆̈̆̈ Read with ease.

“What did you say!?”

“Leave the city? Is he crazy!? We only have three thousand troops. How can we fight against ten thousand enemy cavalry!?”

Several school-level officers nearby immediately couldn't stand listening to any more.

General Zhao Kuan signaled for everyone to be quiet and said, “Let this lady finish her words.”

Leng Bingyan thought to herself that this General Zhao Kuan did indeed have the air of a great general.

“Lin Xiao said that General Zhao only needs to lead five hundred men out of the city, flying the banner of the ‘Dead Soldier Battalion.’”

“Then, once the Northern Barbarian Army moves, no matter how many people come, you must immediately turn back to the city and continue to defend to the death!”

Everyone looked at each other, somewhat bewildered.

“What does that mean? Just go out to trick the barbarians? What use is that?”

“Exactly, it doesn't solve the problem at all! We still don't have provisions; we're still just waiting to die!”

General Zhao Kuan narrowed his eyes. “Did Lin Xiao say anything else?”

Leng Bingyan replied, “He only said that if the General trusts him, then do as he says. If not, he will still do his best to delay the Barbarian Army's offensive.”

“He has already killed one barbarian Chiliarch, one Centurion, and over a hundred barbarian cavalrymen. He hopes the General will grant him a bit more trust.”

Hearing this, the school-level officers nearby all thought it was absurd!

“Over a hundred men? By himself? Were the barbarians drunk or something?”

“Exactly, anyone can brag. I could say I chopped off the Golden Tent Khan's head!”

“Enough!! All of you, shut up!!”

General Zhao Kuan shouted a reprimand, “Which of you has killed a barbarian Chiliarch!? Step forward for this General!!”

The group of school-level officers heard this and were instantly silenced.

In the army, military merit was the ultimate proof.

By killing a barbarian Chiliarch, Lin Xiao could fully be promoted from a common soldier to Deputy Commander of the Border Army!

After all, any barbarian Chiliarch was a cavalry commander who had survived a hundred battles on the field, and most were Northern Barbarian nobles!

A hint of admiration appeared in Leng Bingyan's eyes. This General Zhao Kuan was indeed a talented commander!

Although the Great Gan had overthrown the Western Shu imperial family and occupied Western Shu's land, making them enemies of Western Shu...

Both countries ultimately shared roots in Central Plains culture, and historically, both had suffered from the burning, killing, and looting of the Northern Barbarians.

Therefore, as long as it was about resisting the barbarians, Leng Bingyan still supported it.

“General Zhao, in my view, Lin Xiao's martial arts are indeed very high. You can fully trust his words.”

“You say they're high and they're high? What does a woman like you know?” a bearded officer nearby said disdainfully.

Leng Bingyan said nothing, only drawing her sword with a 'clack'. After unleashing a sword qi like a startled swan, the sword was swiftly returned to its scabbard!

The bearded officer felt a chill on his chin...

He touched his beard... it had fallen off!?

Everyone in the military tent gasped, and the bearded man broke into a cold sweat!!

“General, I have delivered the message I was meant to bring. Farewell!”

Leng Bingyan turned and left the camp, and no one dared to stop her.

Under the cover of night, Leng Bingyan found the small courtyard of Lin Xiao's home and leaped over the wall.

Candlelight was still burning inside the house. Through the window, Leng Bingyan saw the silhouette of a woman.

With a nervous heart, she went up and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?”

A woman's crisp and pleasant voice came from inside the room!

Leng Bingyan knew it all too well and hurriedly said, “Your Maj... Qing'er! It's me! Bingyan!!”

The room was quiet for a few seconds before the door was opened.

Xiao Qingxuan was dressed in a simple long dress, her black hair hanging to her waist, looking as pure and beautiful as an immortal under the moonlight.

“Bingyan? Is it really you!?”

Leng Bingyan's eyes turned red, and she knelt directly on one knee, sobbing in a very soft voice:

“Your servant's daughter, Leng Bingyan, pays respects to Your Majesty... I have arrived late to protect you, please punish me, Your Majesty!”

Xiao Qingxuan hurriedly helped her up. “I am now just your childhood playmate, a sister who grew up with you. Call me Qing'er.”

“Is your father, Great General Leng Duo, well? That day he led men to draw away the pursuers, and I didn't even know if he was alive or dead...”

Leng Bingyan wiped the corners of her eyes. “Father is well. He is in a hidden place, conserving strength, farming the land, and training soldiers, planning the great task of restoring our nation.”

“Your Maj... Qing'er, let me take you away. Father told me to find you; as long as you are still alive, the banner of the Western Shu imperial family has not yet fallen!”

A hint of emotion appeared in Xiao Qingxuan's eyes. “The Great General is truly loyal and devoted...”

“That is natural. Not just my father, but many old officials of Western Shu are waiting for you to return!”

Leng Bingyan remembered something and hurriedly asked, “By the way, Qing'er, did you bring the Heirloom Seal of the Realm? That is the key to restoring the nation!”

“Right now, that rebel younger brother of yours has become a puppet Prince Regent. He doesn't dare to ascend the throne precisely because he doesn't have the Jade Seal!”

Xiao Qingxuan gave a bitter smile. “Since you've tracked me here, you should also know what I've been through.”

“The Jade Seal was stolen by a group of thieves long ago, and its whereabouts are unknown...”

Leng Bingyan's brow furrowed. “That is indeed troublesome, but... it's fine. You are the legitimate Empress of Western Shu to whom the late Emperor passed the throne. If you return, everyone will follow you!”

Xiao Qingxuan smiled and shook her head. “Bingyan, do you really think that without the Heirloom Seal of the Realm and without military power, I can command a hundred responses and make those old officials of Western Shu risk their lives for me?”

Leng Bingyan's expression froze, her eyes becoming conflicted.

“Actually, both you and I understand in our hearts that although Western Shu fell, on the surface it looked like my brother refused to accept me as Empress and secretly conspired with the Prince of Nanling.”

“But in reality, it was a large group of people within Western Shu who did not accept me, which is why my brother's desire for power was encouraged.”

“For me to want to return to Western Shu and reclaim the throne is as difficult as ascending to the heavens!”

Xiao Qingxuan sighed softly, her voice filled with endless bitterness and helplessness.

“Then... then at least let me take you away from Stone Fortress first! This place is about to be overrun by the Barbarian Army. It's too dangerous for you here!”

Leng Bingyan's tone was urgent; she only wanted her best sister to be safe.

Xiao Qingxuan bit her rosy lips, but she refused.

“I cannot leave.”

“Why!?”

“Because... I must wait for my husband to return.”

Leng Bingyan was instantly petrified, stunned for a long while before coming back to her senses.

“You... what did you say!? You have a husband!? You're married?!”

Xiao Qingxuan's fair face flushed red as she nodded. “His name is Lin Xiao.”

“What!?”

Leng Bingyan nearly spat out a mouthful of blood!!

After all that trouble, the ‘friend’ that bastard was talking about was himself!!