226: Chapter 0226 Believe Me?

Lin Xiao had no idea what was going on. How did the Khitan Army reach Sanhe Prefecture? Could it be that Songyuan had fallen?

And what about the Yan Kings Army? Did they just watch them enter?

Regardless, since the Khitan people had invaded, he no longer felt any psychological burden on his side!

"Brothers! Charge with me! Do not let a single Khitan dog escape!"

Lin Xiao shouted, spurring his horse and charging down first!

Watching the General's resolute figure, the cavalrymen felt their blood boil and immediately followed in his wake!

"Kill!"

As ten thousand horses galloped, the very earth trembled!

Many of these cavalrymen were from the Yan Region. Eager to return home, they only hoped their families were safe and sound.

Who would have thought that upon their return, they would see the Khitan people burning, killing, and looting?

It was as if they saw their own loved ones suffering such a tragic fate. Empathizing with the victims, they naturally could not tolerate this any longer!

On the other side, the Khitan cavalry had spotted the Great Gan Army from afar, charging toward Sanhe Prefecture.

The Khitan people were stunned at first. Realizing they were outnumbered, they hurriedly abandoned their prey and retreated back into the city.

"A large Great Gan Army is approaching! Retreat immediately!"

"Go report to General Qu Ke!"

Inside Sanhe Prefecture, in the middle of the street at the market entrance, in full public view.

A group of Khitan Army soldiers, wearing their hair in the Khitan style and clad in animal-skin armor, were assaulting a group of officials' female relatives like wild beasts.

The Prefecture Magistrate Lu Wentai, along with the Chief Clerk and several other civil officials, were tied up on the ground, being continuously whipped and humiliated.

A few tough military officers who had resisted to the death had already been hacked beyond recognition, a sight too gruesome to behold!

The streets were flowing with the blood of Great Gan men and filled with the wails of Great Gan women...

"Beasts! You bunch of beasts! You are worse than pigs and dogs!"

Watching his wife and daughter being tortured until they were unrecognizable, Lu Wentai wept uncontrollably, his face covered in tears and mucus, as he cursed them with a broken heart.

But the only response he received was a lash of a whip, leaving a bloody gash across his face!

The burly man sitting on a bear-skin chair nearby was named General Qu Ke, one of the three Silver Wolf Generals of the Khitan, holding the title of Ten Thousand Household Commander.

The Iron Kite Army led by General Qu Ke was an elite force second only to the White Wolf Cavalry.

Having conquered Sanhe Prefecture, General Qu Ke was in a pleasant mood, sipping fine wine and enjoying the "beautiful scenery" before him.

His greatest pleasure in life was the moment after winning a battle, when he could torture his enemies to death.

To him, this was the meaning of winning a battle!

"Don't whip them to death. Let them curse; it adds to the entertainment. Without an audience, it's no fun."

General Qu Ke joked, causing the officers and soldiers nearby to roar with laughter.

Just then, a cavalryman rushed over and reported loudly:

"General Qu Ke! A large Great Gan Army has been spotted in the west, at least ten thousand strong!"

General Qu Ke frowned. "The west? Prince Yan had all the garrison troops from Tai Prefecture transferred away, so how could... Did you see their banners?"

"We didn't have time to look; it was too hasty!"

"Useless trash!"

General Qu Ke stood up, picked up his short-handled curved saber, and swaggered away.

"Sound the horns and assemble! Tell them to stop looting and gather at the West City Gate immediately!"

"I will make these ignorant people from the Central Plains regret ever meeting my Iron Kite Army!"

Following General Qu Ke's order, the Khitan Army soldiers, who were enjoying themselves, hurriedly pulled up their pants and grabbed their weapons.

A few who were in the middle of their debauchery casually killed the captives beside them and let out beastly howls.

The sound of horns rang out!

The Khitan Army units throughout the city received the order.

Accompanied by cries of "Woo-hoo, woo-hoo," the army marched through the streets, heading straight for the West City Wall.

When they got close to the city, Lin Xiao saw the banners fluttering above: a totem of a strange bird.

"Husband, that is the Khitan Iron Kite Cavalry, led by the Silver Wolf General, General Qu Ke!"

Zhao Caiwei, following behind the man, immediately recognized them, as they were old rivals after all.

The surrounding generals heard her call him "husband" but didn't react much.

During these two days of marching, everyone had already become aware of the affection between the two.

In fact, the soldiers felt even more at ease now that Zhao Caiwei had become Lin Xiao's woman.

This was proof enough that the Cold Iron Guard had truly surrendered to the Zhenbei Army!

During these two days, Lin Xiao had also learned quite a bit about the Khitan from her.

Below the Khitan King, the highest-ranking general was the Golden Wolf General, the commander of the White Wolf Cavalry, General Yelu Chuku.

Because the White Wolf Cavalry had fewer than ten thousand men in total and were even more precious than the Cold Iron Guard, they usually only appeared as surprise forces.

The ones who usually clashed the most with the Great Gan Army at the border were the tens of thousands of elite troops led by the three Silver Wolf Generals.

Zhao Caiwei had actually provided detailed information about these individuals, their combat styles, and so on.

But Lin Xiao hadn't bothered to memorize it, because it wasn't necessary!

If the injured Zhao Yunting and the simple-minded Prince Yan could hold off the Khitan for so many years, that just showed the level of these barbarians!

To put it bluntly, they were just a group of savages still in the tribal civilization stage, only able to unite when an occasional strong leader emerged.

But their overall military proficiency was far inferior to the Northern Barbarians, let alone the Great Gan.

"General, they have closed the city gates! A direct assault might result in heavy losses!"

A dark-faced former White Kings Army general shouted from behind in warning.

This man was named General Jiao Daniu. He was naturally strong, bold yet meticulous, and had a sharp mind for command, making him highly respected by the soldiers.

However, because he lacked a background and did not come from the Five Great Sects, he had never been given important responsibilities in the White Kings Army.

Now that Lin Xiao had promoted both him and Lü Baisheng to garrison generals, General Jiao Daniu was flattered and held Lin Xiao in high regard.

"Indeed, perhaps we should surround Sanhe Prefecture first and consider our options?"

Lü Baisheng and the others also felt it was unwise; the siege equipment hadn't arrived yet, so how could they attack?

"Do not stop!"

Lin Xiao gave the order decisively: "Zhao Caiwei, lead one hundred elites from the Hanguang Battalion and enter the city with me through the front!"

"Lü Baisheng, General Jiao Daniu, take two detachments of troops, flank from both sides, and surround the entire Sanhe Prefecture from a mile away!"

"I want you to attack from the East Gate! Cut off the Khitan Army's retreat!"

"I want them all to die here; not a single one shall escape!"

The soldiers were suddenly jolted awake upon hearing this!

Was Lin Xiao planning to break the city with his own strength!?

They had almost forgotten! With the peerless martial arts of Lin Xiao, the city gate was as good as non-existent!

Remembering the battle at Jingmen, they all felt reassured!

"Understood!"

Lü Baisheng and General Jiao Daniu felt their blood pumping, and a fire ignited in their hearts!

"Third Battalion, Fourth Battalion, follow me and charge from the left flank!"

"Fifth Battalion, Sixth Battalion! Follow me!"

"Giddyap! Giddyap!"

As the army split like a tide from both sides, only Lin Xiao and the hundred personal guards led by Zhao Caiwei remained in the center.

They were the bravest warriors of the Hanguang Battalion, each with over thirty years of cultivation, proficient in sword, spear, riding, and archery, and skilled in both close and ranged combat.

Every one of them was a veteran of many battles, capable of holding their own!

Zhao Yunting had left these elite of the elites to Zhao Caiwei, which was also a gesture from an old father.

"Zhao Caiwei! Do you trust me?"

Lin Xiao looked back and grinned at the woman.

Zhao Caiwei did not speak, simply nodding firmly.

Her life, and the life of the Zhao family, had been saved by Lin Xiao, and she had resolved to entrust everything to this man.

Even if the man asked her to charge first, she would not frown in the slightest!

"Good!"

Lin Xiao laughed loudly: "Later, do not slow down! Everyone, charge into the city at full speed!"

"Yes!"

Over a hundred Cold Iron Guards in silver-gray armor let out a thunderous roar!

Their eyes were like steel blades, fixed on the tightly closed city gate ahead, without a shred of hesitation!

Lin Xiao had saved Zhao Yunting; for that alone, they were willing to entrust their lives to him!