478: Chapter 478 So it was you all along

Lin Xiao only then realized that the medicine of this world did not have the term "surgery."

Gu Zhiyao likely suspected that he had a connection with the founder of Medicine King Valley, which was the Heavenly Palace.

"I have conquered the Northern Barbarians and Western Qiang. In their Shamanism temples, I discovered many ancient texts concerning the Celestials."

"The surgery you performed, Dr. Gu, is also recorded in those texts."

Lin Xiao made it up on the spot; anyway, there was no way for her to verify it.

"So that's how it is..."

A hint of regret appeared in Gu Zhiyao's eyes.

Lin Xiao was puzzled. "Dr. Gu, why do you seem a bit disappointed?"

Gu Zhiyao kept her head down, busy with the finishing touches. "It's nothing. I just thought the Prince was also proficient in surgery and wanted to discuss it further."

Lin Xiao knew the woman wasn't telling the truth, but he didn't have time to dwell on it right now.

"Khitan King Yelü Dachuan is dead. I must return to the Northern Border."

Although Lin Xiao believed in Xiao Qingxuan's strength, he was still worried deep down.

Whether that Yelv Heqi was a man or a ghost was still up for debate; it would be better to eliminate him as soon as possible.

With the combat power he helped them boost and the pills, Zhao Caiwei and Mu Wanying should be fine.

"Rest assured, Prince. Now that my foster father is out of danger, I will spread the news of Khitan King Yelü Dachuan's death throughout Khitan as quickly as possible."

Tulishen cupped his fists and said, "Once my foster father wakes up, we will surely visit the Prince to express our gratitude in person!"

Lin Xiao nodded and looked at Gu Zhiyao. "Dr. Gu, are you coming with me, or...?"

Gu Zhiyao glanced at Marshal Suhe and said, "I'll stay for now. Marshal Suhe is only truly out of danger once he wakes up. If something happens to him, my reputation will be ruined."

"Besides, the Prince has already fulfilled his promise. It's just my bad luck that I couldn't find the lost treasure of my sect."

"I, Gu Zhiyao, have always been a woman of my word. Once the Prince has decided what he wants me to do, just say the word."

Lin Xiao nodded inwardly. Although she seemed a bit crazy at times, when it came to treating patients, this woman was very responsible.

Taking Gu Zhiyao along would indeed slow him down.

Gu Zhiyao bit her red lips. "Go quickly, Prince. The troubles in the Northern Border are no less than those in the Yan Region, not to mention you have the Empress Consort to worry about."

"In that case, take care, Dr. Gu."

Without waiting for Gu Zhiyao to say anything more, Lin Xiao moved like the wind, soaring toward Alimu Mountain.

Gu Zhiyao watched the man's rapidly receding back, a wave of loss washing over her heart.

They had only been together for a few days; why was she so reluctant to see him go...?

...

The border between Liang Province and Cang Province.

The vanguard of the grand army of thirty thousand Azure Dragon Guards could already see a county seat in Cang Province not far away.

"Eh? Isn't that place Niutou Town? Did I remember it wrong? Why does it have city walls?"

An Azure Dragon Guard captain looked suspicious.

"That's old news. Ever since the Northern Trade Alliance rose to power, this little Niutou Town on the border has become filthy rich."

"At the end of last year, it was promoted to a county. However, only that one side of the city wall was finished, along with a gate. The three sides within Cang Province are not yet complete."

Beside him, a burly and powerful general with a thick beard looked as if he knew everything.

"So that's it. General Cao Wang is so well-prepared; no wonder he's the vanguard general," the captain praised.

"Haha, our General Cao Wang is a famous general of this age who dealt a heavy blow to the elites of the White Kings Army in the Battle of Jingtian! Naturally, he wouldn't fight an unprepared battle!"

"Indeed, in less than half a year, General Cao Wang has already been promoted three ranks. We, his old subordinates, have also benefited from his success."

Several veterans from the Jingtian garrison were all deeply moved.

If Lin Xiao were present, he would surely recognize that this burly man was General Cao Wang, the "superior" he encountered in Jingtian while impersonating the Qing Kings Army.

By clinging to Lin Xiao's coattails during the Battle of Jingtian, combined with his own courage and resourcefulness, General Cao Wang had finally become famous in a single battle!

Many people believed it was General Cao Wang who won against the odds, defended Jingtian, and wiped out thirty thousand of the White Kings Army!

But General Cao Wang knew very well in his heart that the mysterious "Disguised Lin Xiao" who appeared briefly was the real key!

While clearing the battlefield afterward, General Cao Wang found the body of Disguised Lin Xiao, who had long been hacked to death.

General Cao Wang was certain that this wasn't the "Disguised Lin Xiao" he knew; the imposter was most likely the Prince of Zhenbei!

It wasn't that he was incredibly brilliant, but rather that he couldn't think of anyone else besides the Prince of Zhenbei who could be so divinely brave!

But he had no evidence at all, and no one would believe him anyway; after all, dead men tell no tales.

In the end, General Cao Wang could only accept the military merit in a daze. Not only did he join the Azure Dragon Guard and rise three ranks, but he also became the vanguard general this time.

"General Cao Wang, in your opinion, are the Prince and the Marshal really sending us to support the Zhenbei Army?"

A garrison general asked nervously, "What if the Zhenbei Army doesn't let us into Cang Province?"

General Cao Wang said with a grim face, "Military orders are absolute. Since the orders we received are to take over the defenses of Wu Mountain and Baishui commanderies, failing to do so would be our fault."

"Are we really going to attack the Zhenbei Army's cities? The Zhenbei Army helped us deal with Prince Bai..."

General Cao Wang glared at several of his subordinates. "Shut up, all of you! Anyone who shakes military morale before a battle will be dealt with by military law!"

He felt helpless as well; how could he not understand that the soldiers had doubts and resistance toward this deployment?

But as a general from the Qing Kings Army, he could only obey Prince Qing's orders.

He could only hope that the Zhenbei Army truly needed support, rather than it being just Prince Qing's "wishful thinking."

"General! Look! Is there someone on the city wall?"

Someone shouted. General Cao Wang snapped back to his senses and looked up, and indeed, he saw a figure with fluttering robes standing atop the newly built city wall.

Although her face couldn't be seen clearly from a distance, her extraordinary grace could still be felt; she was definitely no ordinary person.

Just as General Cao Wang and the other soldiers were wondering, the graceful figure leaped high into the air, as if flying.

After drawing two arcs in the air, the figure descended rapidly, landing in front of General Cao Wang and the others.

*Thud!*

The earth trembled, dust flew, and a large crater actually formed in the ground!

The horses were startled and let out bursts of neighing.

General Cao Wang and his group hurriedly controlled their reins, their expressions changing drastically.

She could have landed softly, but the reason she descended so rapidly was to give them a display of power!

There was no doubt that the woman before them had unfathomable martial arts!

When the dust cleared, everyone saw the woman clearly: she wore an elegant white sash-waisted dress, and her jet-black hair, like a waterfall, was tied with a blue ribbon.

Her face was as beautiful as a celestial being's, yet it radiated a nobility and majesty that made people afraid to look directly at her.

General Cao Wang's hands trembled as he gripped the reins. Although he was on horseback and looking down from above, in front of this stunning beauty, he felt no different from an ant!