206: Chapter 0206 A Real Person

Lin Xiao could sense a subtle, inadvertent aura of killing intent.

It was like a lion so old it was nothing but skin and bones; it seemed on the verge of death, yet one dared not approach it lightly.

Because you never knew if this old lion still had the strength to strike with one final claw!

"The God of War from the northern border, the Earl of Cangbei personally enfeoffed by His Majesty—how could you suddenly come to our Cold Iron Guard camp all alone?"

Zhao Caiwei immediately handed over the letter written by General Zhao Kuan.

"Father, it was Brother Zhao Kuan who was concerned about us and implored Lin Xiao to come and provide support..."

"Is it Kuan'er?"

Upon hearing his nephew's name, Zhao Yunting's expression was clearly moved.

There were many descendants of the Zhao family's collateral branches, but few caught his eye. General Zhao Kuan had been diligent and upright since childhood, so he was very fond of him.

In his early years, he had personally taught General Zhao Kuan swordsmanship and spear techniques, treating him like his own son. It was only because General Zhao Kuan did not want to be the subject of gossip that he hadn't brought him into the Cold Iron Guard.

After reading the letter, Zhao Yunting's eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face.

"A good child... even at a time like this, he still thinks of his uncle. He is truly a worthy descendant of my Zhao family."

"All these years, I have regretted more than once that if I had forced him into the Cold Iron Guard back then, with his ability, he would have definitely achieved great things."

"It is I who have failed Kuan'er..."

Zhao Caiwei and Zhao Cailing were also teary-eyed; they knew that the Zhao family had actually reached a critical moment of crisis.

However, most of the Zhao family clansmen were incompetent and lazy, unable to help at all.

If there were just a few more in the younger generation like General Zhao Kuan who could handle things on their own, they wouldn't have had to let a woman like Zhao Caiwei take charge.

After Zhao Caiwei joined the army, she even delayed her marriage.

Many clansmen even mocked her behind her back, calling her an unwanted tomboy and an old maid.

"Father, Brother is now in the Zhenbei Army, also making a name for himself. You should be happy for him," Zhao Caiwei comforted him.

Zhao Yunting nodded, then looked at Lin Xiao and said, "Lin Xiao, that you could come to assist our Cold Iron Guard, I, this old man, acknowledge this favor."

"However, in this world, apart from one's parents, there is no kindness without reason. You must... have other motives, right?"

Lin Xiao did not mince words and said frankly, "This junior is bold, but I ask that General Zhao lead the Cold Iron Guard to submit to the Imperial Court and assist our Zhenbei Army in suppressing the rebellion of the feudal kings!"

The large tent fell silent.

Zhao Caiwei revealed a helpless look of "as expected."

While Zhao Cailing had an expression that said, "This person is so stupid."

"Hahaha..."

Zhao Yunting laughed until he coughed twice and said, "Lin Xiao, you really dare to speak your mind!"

Lin Xiao said, "General Zhao, living on the border, I know deeply how much suffering the common people will endure due to the internal turmoil of the Great Gan."

"Therefore, I am determined to pacify the world for the Imperial Court. The Cold Iron Guard is one of the five great iron cavalries, and you, General, are a famous general of your generation whom I admire."

"Joining forces with me, we will surely be able to take E Prefecture. At that time, we will rendezvous with my Zhenbei Army, and we will take Sha Prefecture in one fell swoop!"

"By then, the White Kings Army will surely be in chaos, and we can attack into Yong Province to capture the traitor Prince Bai!"

Zhao Yunting listened patiently, smiling slightly.

"It is good to be young... At your age, I was truly not as good as you..."

Lin Xiao looked expectant, "Has the General agreed?"

Zhao Yunting shook his head, "Your idea is good, but the late Empress and the Prince of Yan have shown us kindness."

"Unless the Prince of Yan abandons us, otherwise... the Zhao family cannot betray His Highness."

"If an army loses the words 'loyalty and righteousness,' how is it any different from bandits?"

Looking at their weathered father, the sisters Zhao Caiwei and Zhao Cailing had eyes filled with heartache and sorrow.

Lin Xiao sighed, "General, what you say is absolutely correct. It was this junior who was abrupt."

"Since that is the case, then in tomorrow's battle, I will assist you in capturing Jingmen of E Prefecture. Once the first battle is over, I will leave!"

Zhao Yunting was stunned, "You still want to go on the expedition with us?"

Lin Xiao nodded, "That's right. I made a promise to Brother Zhao, and I must keep my word!"

"You, aren't you afraid of twisting your tongue by boasting?"

Zhao Cailing said coquettishly, "You came alone; how many Zhao family members can you protect?"

"Cailing, do not be rude!"

Zhao Yunting reprimanded her and said solemnly, "Lin Xiao is the God of War of the border. Even Martial Arts Grandmasters have been killed by him; fighting against a hundred alone is not a problem for him."

"Ah? He is that powerful?"

Zhao Cailing stuck out her tongue. She usually spent all her time studying medicine and really didn't know.

"Lin Xiao, you should go back. We have received General Zhao Kuan's intentions, and you need not feel any burden regarding this matter."

Zhao Yunting waved his hand, "You have more important things to do; don't waste your time here..."

First, he didn't think that having one extra person, Lin Xiao, could change much.

He himself was a master of the spear, but so what? In the midst of a chaotic army, life and death were just a matter of an instant.

Second, if anything were to happen to Lin Xiao, General Zhao Kuan would also suffer.

There was one more important point: he admired Lin Xiao for protecting the common people and guarding the border, and he did not want to see Lin Xiao sacrifice himself in vain.

"General Zhao, you have misunderstood; I am not asking for your consent."

Lin Xiao smiled, "Even if you drive me away, I will not leave."

"You... sigh..."

Zhao Yunting looked helpless. He was also a tough man of the army and naturally understood how heavy a promise between men could be.

He admired Lin Xiao even more and felt happy for General Zhao Kuan's foresight.

"Since that is the case... then I ask Lin Xiao to head straight to Jingmen tomorrow with my daughter, Zhao Caiwei."

Zhao Yunting said, "As long as we take Jingmen City, we will have a foothold, and the rest will be easier to fight."

Lin Xiao did not hesitate and immediately clasped his fists, "This junior will naturally do my best!"

"Then my daughter will be in your care, Lin Xiao," Zhao Yunting also stood up to return the salute.

Walking out of the army tent, Zhao Caiwei led Lin Xiao back to his tent to rest.

"Did my brother not tell you that my father could not possibly betray the Prince of Yan?"

"He did, but the Cold Iron Guard has such a great reputation, and I am quite envious. How would I know without trying?"

"I thought Lin Xiao was a prodigy of his generation, but it turns out... you are also this foolish."

"Hahaha... This time it was truly a loss; all my efforts in rushing here were in vain!" Lin Xiao shook his head repeatedly.

Zhao Caiwei sighed, "Tomorrow, you only need to take care of yourself. If danger arises, I will find a way myself."

"What does Miss Zhao Caiwei mean? You don't believe I can protect you well?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

Zhao Caiwei shook her head, "I am a general. If I go to the battlefield and need a man to protect me, what would the soldiers think?"

"That's simple. You just need to say that I fell for Miss Zhao Caiwei at first sight, and then protecting you on the battlefield would be a matter of course, wouldn't it?"

Lin Xiao felt that if he could bring this woman back, she would definitely be of great use!

Not to mention her good looks and strong martial arts, the key was that she learned everything quickly; she was a jack-of-all-trades!

"Lin Xiao!"

Zhao Caiwei suddenly stopped, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, somewhat annoyed, "Is mocking me fun?"

"Mocking?"

Lin Xiao was puzzled, "How could it be? I am praising you. You are beautiful, and that is why everything makes sense."

"You..."

A flush appeared on Zhao Caiwei's face, and her eyes were moist; she was so anxious she wanted to hit someone.

"I am twenty-seven, but so what? I have no intention of marrying in this life. I hope Lin Xiao will not speak such frivolous words!"

Lin Xiao finally realized. Could it be that she had been mocked by many people about marriage before, which was why she was so sensitive?

After all, in this world, women generally married early.

Su Wansha was twenty-two and already felt like an old maid.

A woman of twenty-seven who was unmarried and spent every day in the army must have heard plenty of gossip.

Lin Xiao knew that his previous words were a bit inappropriate, so he said sincerely, "Miss Zhao Caiwei, perhaps I spoke too casually, which caused you some misunderstanding."

"Hmph," Zhao Caiwei snorted lightly, "Just remember that for next time, General..."

But before she could finish speaking, Lin Xiao added very seriously:

"Miss Zhao Caiwei, twenty-seven for a great beauty like you is nothing at all. Your beauty is one in ten thousand, and your temperament is even more refined and otherworldly. If I have said even half a lie, may I be struck by lightning!"

Lin Xiao was very down-to-earth. Surely you should believe him now, right?

The scene fell into an eerie silence.

The patrolling soldiers who happened to be passing by and the few soldiers on guard duty all showed signs of their pupils constricting...

This night shift was just too explosive! What did they just hear!?

Zhao Caiwei's cold and clear face slowly changed from astonishment to a sense of helplessness and panic!

Having lived for nearly thirty years, she had encountered a lecher for the first time! And the other party was a great general!?

Zhao Caiwei felt her head spinning and couldn't think at all, so she had to walk quickly toward the barracks on her own.

She needed to find a basin of ice water to wash her face, otherwise she wouldn't be able to face anyone!

But just at this moment, two tall figures walked over from the front, their expressions unkind?

"Big Brother? Second Brother?"

Zhao Caiwei's expression instantly turned cold, and she felt that something was not right.