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墨書 Inktalez
After leaving the camp, Princess Jinyang entrusted Zhang Jiunian with overseeing the situation. After all, Li Mingda was still in the camp, and they needed to be vigilant against the Barbarians ahead while also guarding against pursuing enemies from behind. Any unexpected events could lead to dire consequences.
The reason for employing both strategies was due to Princess Jinyang's careful consideration. However, sending Gao He Shu back to the camp to report caused Zhang Jiunian to feel a twinge of unease and doubt. Nevertheless, concerning the Lord's safety, Zhang Jiunian had no choice but to discuss matters with Li Mingda and Li Dejiang.
To his surprise, Li Mingda decisively sided with Princess Jinyang. As a result, the brothers quickly packed up and mounted their horses, led by Gao He Shu, rushing to support Princess Jinyang.
After riding for only four or five miles, scouts from Rouran reported that they had encountered a large number of Barbarian cavalry!
Zhang Jiunian's heart sank. He quickly rode up to a high point for a better view and saw a clear river winding like a blue ribbon across the grassland. On the opposite bank, large tents appeared like white clouds. On this side of the river, amidst piles of rocks and tall grass, stood Princess Jinyang, tall and proud like a spear, defiantly holding her sword. Beside her was none other than Caesar, dressed as a shepherdess.
Strangely, before Princess Jinyang knelt seven or eight herdsmen in neat rows. Behind these herdsmen, about fifty or sixty knights were approaching rapidly!
Given Zhang Jiunian's troops, the Red Armored Brothers and the Rouran cavalry would easily overwhelm these fifty or sixty Barbarians if they charged. However, if they alerted the tents on the opposite bank, it would spell trouble.
Based on the scale of this tribe's tents, they could muster at least three hundred young cavalrymen and archers. Once a large-scale conflict erupted, even if they could temporarily relieve Xu Zhenzhi from siege, they would eventually be overwhelmed by this tribe's cavalry and archers!
Just as he hesitated, Zhang Jiunian noticed that Princess Jinyang was waving her long sword in the air several times without intention. His heart tightened; this was a signal among the Tang army indicating to hold their position!
Princess Jinyang had already calculated Gao He Shu's return time and figured it was about time. She secretly observed changes in their surroundings and saw Zhang Jiunian on the high slope in his red armor. She quickly signaled him with her long sword to retreat temporarily.
Only then did she lower her sword as the opposing knights had completely surrounded her and Caesar.
The young men on the ground and many warriors noticed their kin arriving and hurriedly got up. Their faces were filled with excitement and enthusiasm, showing no signs of shame. Clearly, they had come to firmly believe in Princess Jinyang's identity as the child of the Fire God. Seeing their kin in such a tense standoff, they repeatedly urged calmness and rushed to explain to their leader.
The Barbarian man riding a black horse was around forty years old—strong and dark-skinned with curly beard hair and large silver rings in his earlobes. He jingled with silver bells on his body; he must have been an elder of that tribe. Hearing the young man's account, he looked at Princess Jinyang with surprise and suspicion while slowly circling his horse but dared not glare at her anymore.
Others lacked the elder's authority; upon hearing the vivid explanations from the young man and seven or eight witnesses present—and seeing the black ash on Princess Jinyang's sword while smelling sulfur lingering in the air—they became even more convinced and had already lowered their weapons.
Princess Jinyang slightly raised her head and gazed directly at the elder with deep and wise eyes as if trying to see through his innermost secrets. The man was startled and quickly avoided her gaze.
Caesar had long established a tacit understanding with Xu Zhen. At this moment, he stepped forward and shouted at the man, "Who goes there! You see Son of Ahura, why do you remain mounted and arrogant?"
Xu Zhen felt unbearable pain in her left hand, but since Caesar had already spoken, she had to take advantage of the attention drawn to him. While the others were distracted, she discreetly brushed her waist pouch and rolled out a fireball.
The Black Horse Man felt a chill run down his spine at Caesar's commanding voice. He could sense the strong smell of blood emanating from Caesar. This woman appeared as beautiful as the moon in the sky, yet she had no idea how many lives she had taken!
Taking advantage of the man's momentary distraction, Xu Zhen shouted loudly. As everyone turned to look, she lightly flicked her finger on the blade, producing a crisp sound. The fireball ignited, and a small flame suddenly appeared on her fingertips, lively and dancing like a sprite!
"Boom!"
The knights across from them fell from their saddles in unison. As the saying goes, hearing is deceiving while seeing is believing. Xu Zhen's act of summoning flames with her bare hands was nothing short of divine power, far beyond what ordinary people could achieve!
The Black Horse Man's face changed dramatically. After jumping off his horse, he hurriedly knelt on the ground and addressed Xu Zhen, "Servant Ulyet humbly greets Yarbo!"
Xu Zhen secretly grinned and extinguished the flame on her fingertip before speaking aloud, "I have traveled the seas and received divine revelation last night. I have come from the west to bestow blessings upon the people of the grasslands. Why do you harbor treacherous blood? Do you wish to place your kin in peril amidst blades and bloodshed?!"
She deliberately spoke in an ornate manner. Although the Tuguhun often traded with Western Liang and Border regions, and many people on Kuber Prairie understood Tang Language, her words left them confused and unable to grasp their meaning. They secretly believed that Divine Child was profound and wise, deepening their admiration.
While Silver Wolf Boy and others were kneeling in reverence, Caesar had already informed Xu Zhen of his findings during his stealth reconnaissance. There was a strong smell of blood within the camp, and women were boiling herbs inside; there must be injured individuals needing treatment.
Although it was uncertain whether Murong Xiao was present in the camp, Xu Zhen's mention of ominous signs caused Ulyet and others to feel shaken; they believed that she possessed prophetic insight!
Considering this, Ulyet cautiously reported back, "Servant did not intend to offend Yarbo. It is merely that our elders have formed an alliance with Murong Family. Now that Murong Family has brought disaster back to our tribe, they have forced our young men into servitude to intercept the mighty army of the Celestial Empire. Ulyet is powerless to stop it!"
Xu Zhen initially intended to intimidate these Barbarians but unexpectedly extracted information about Murong Xiao so easily. She felt great joy inside but maintained an air of calmness on the surface, slightly furrowing her brow before gesturing to Ulyet and others, saying, "Since I have received divine revelation, I will not allow you to suffer harm from wolves or blades. Lead me back to your camp; I shall deal with that wolf for you and help avert disaster."
Caesar had never seen Xu Zhen play the role of a mystic before. Watching her exaggerated performance and seeing the sincere faith on the faces of the Barbarians made him chuckle inwardly but dare not express it openly. He found it amusing yet could not help but see Xu Zhen as a mischievous child, making her seem endearing and approachable.
The herdsmen were delighted to hear that the divine envoy, Xu Zhen, was willing to help them dispel disasters and pray for blessings, as well as deal with the fierce Murong Xiao. However, Ulyet found himself in a difficult position.
Their tribe was small and could only rely on the Murong Clan to survive, which was why they were reluctant to offend the Murong Family. This dependence also explained why the Murong Family could annually draft young members of their tribe into military service.
Now, with Murong Xiao and thirty or forty light cavalry suddenly arriving and demanding precious medicinal supplies from their tribe, even having the chief's beloved wife personally attend to them, Ulyet's daughter was also taken to the camp to tend to Murong Xiao and his companions' injuries.
Ulyet was a warrior; if he were alone, he would have fought Murong Xiao to the death. However, they had to consider the interests of the entire tribe. They absolutely could not and did not dare to confront the Murong Family directly.
Like others, he saw hope in Xu Zhen, but he also understood that neither the divine envoy nor any miracle could provide them with strength. No matter how powerful Xu Zhen was, it was just her and Caesar against the Murong Family—how could they possibly contend?
The others noticed Ulyet's prolonged silence and hesitated to respond to Yarbo, feeling frustrated. They were all young men, the future hope of their tribe, and they had long grown weary of living under the oppression of the Murong Family. The arrival of Xu Zhen was undoubtedly a turning point in their fate; it was the will of the Fire God!
The Fire God had sent Yarbo to inspire them to burn away past humiliations in order to embrace a new life!
Caesar, who had been born and raised on the grasslands and understood the dynamics among various tribes well, quickly grasped Ulyet's predicament upon seeing his demeanor. She leaned closer to Xu Zhenzhi and quietly shared her insights about the underlying issues.
Upon hearing this, Xu Zhen let out a soft sigh, her disappointment evident on her face as she shook her head and made a gesture as if to leave.
The crowd showed expressions of reluctance and frustration. Suddenly, the Silver Wolf Boy stood tall, his face resolute as he gritted his teeth and said to Xu Zhen, "Yarbo, please wait! Yin Zong is willing to follow you!"
This young man named Yin Zong, accompanied by his silver wolf, disregarded the astonished looks from his tribesmen and quickly followed after Xu Zhen!
Having grown up alongside wolves in a tribe that revered them as totems, his status was naturally significant. Yet instead of living a life of luxury, he had absorbed their tenacity and independence. He could no longer endure the oppression from the Murong Family!
The scene of Xu Zhen battling with wolves ignited a fierce miracle within him; it left an indelible mark on his heart as he witnessed her summon great flames.
Xu Zhen's actions seemed to open a door for this young man, revealing another world—colorful, free-spirited, filled with dreams!
His gaze was filled with a longing for freedom, which moved the Xu Zhen. He had initially planned to take this opportunity to leave, return to High Slope, and then have Zhang Jiunian launch a surprise attack to swiftly capture Murong Xiao and the more than thirty Cavalry. But now, he finally had to use his secret arrangements!
He cast an appreciative glance at Yin Zong, then patted the latter's shoulder and laughed heartily, "What a Wolf-Blooded Child! Once I retrieve Saler Water, I will wash away your mundane shackles, allowing you to run like a wolf and soar like an eagle!"
The Xu Zhen glanced at Yin Zong and noticed a silver jug made from cow horn at his waist. He reached out and swiftly cut the jug's cord with his fingers, causing it to fall naturally into his hand.
This was a common technique used in Illusion, but in the eyes of these Barbarians, it became yet another divine feat!
The Xu Zhen paid no mind to it, holding the silver jug in one hand as he walked step by step to the riverbank, then leaned close to the water's surface and slowly walked toward the center of the river.
"This... this is impossible!" Ulyet suddenly exclaimed, as if struck by thunder. Watching the Xu Zhen walk on the water's surface step by step, he resembled a divine messenger descending from heaven. Everyone felt utterly ignorant of this world!
Yin Zong looked at the back of the Xu Zhen and suddenly shed tears. He seemed to see heaven affirming his choice, strengthening his pursuit of freedom!
When the Xu Zhen returned from walking on the river, everyone knelt down on the ground. He sprinkled the water from the silver jug onto them and then shouted angrily, "Get up!"
The crowd felt as if they had received enlightenment and stood up abruptly. They saw the Xu Zhen grasping Yin Zong's hand high above his head, his expression solemn as he proclaimed loudly, "All men are born free! Who is destined to kneel and serve others? Who is willing to be a beast of burden?"
(Note: The water-walking magic trick has been performed by many magicians; I recommend Chris Angel's version.)
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