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墨書 Inktalez
Shabao Town is located fifty miles west of Tingzhou Prefecture, where merchants come and go, making it a lively place for rest. The team of Xu Zhen is currently stationed ten miles outside Shabao Town, not in a hurry to enter the city.
The group of scouts following along consists of eight riders, all experienced and sharp-eyed. They have not realized that they are being watched by Zhou Cang and remain hidden behind a small hill two miles outside the camp.
Following the orders from Xu Zhen, Zhou Cang did not act hastily. It was only after the caravan set up a large camp and the guards unloaded their horses that he brought Ero out, leading two horses as if searching for a place to graze.
Once they left the camp, the two mounted their horses and proceeded at a slow pace. The scouts, feeling vigilant, concealed themselves with their knives ready. However, seeing that Zhou Cang and Ero were alone without any attendants, they felt slightly reassured.
Zhou Cang and Ero did not head toward the hill but searched along the lush South Side of the hill, seemingly looking for a place to let their horses graze and drink.
After their figures disappeared, the scouts relaxed. Having been on the move for most of the day and seeing Xu Zhen set up camp, they dismounted to rest, taking out flatbreads and jerky to fill their stomachs with mare's milk.
As elite scouts, they maintained constant vigilance; even during brief rests, they took turns eating. Four brothers stood guard on the perimeter while the other four finished eating before switching places.
The four scouts spread out slightly, facing away from each other to keep watch in all directions. One of them on the South Side noticed two horses sniffing their way down to a meadow at the foot of the hill and became alert, letting out a soft whistle.
The scouts possessed extraordinary eyesight and memory; recognizing people and horses was an essential skill, so how could they fail to recognize these two steeds?
Although Zhou Cang had War Elephants, his mount was a Dragonborn Steed captured by Xu Zhen from Murong Xiao. He had developed a bond with this horse over time and took it wherever he went.
Such tall and exceptional steeds were rare, making them unforgettable to the scouts.
Upon hearing their companion's whistle, the other three hurriedly gathered together, crouching low as they stealthily descended the hill while keeping an eye on their surroundings.
However, before they could reach the foot of the hill, a faint grunt suddenly echoed from above. The four immediately sensed something was wrong, realizing they had fallen into an enemy trap designed to lure them away. They quickly turned back and ran up the hill.
Just after taking a couple of steps, a Ghost Monk clad only in a diagonal monk robe appeared, charging forward like a mad bull with a short, wide blade in hand!
Beside the ghost monk was a burly man with a fierce beard, wielding a massive broadsword. The two of them were like raging rhinos unwilling to yield, kicking up clouds of dust while moving with an unusual lightness, as strange as crocodiles gliding swiftly across the water's surface!
"Attack!"
The four scouts glanced over and saw another four Comrades lying unconscious on the ground, their fates unknown. Realizing that the two strange figures before them were not to be trifled with, they drew their long knives and maintained a coordinated formation, advancing rather than retreating, actively charging toward Zhou Cang and Ero.
Ero was the leader of the Eighteen Protectors. Having grown up alone and trained in life-and-death situations within the temple, he emerged as a ruthless character from among hundreds of orphaned disciples. He dedicated his life to protecting the Primordial Bon Religion and would not hesitate to kill to safeguard the Pope.
The four scouts, relying on their numbers and concerned for their Comrades' lives, slashed through the air with their knives, producing sharp whistling sounds. Their battlefield techniques aimed at severing heads and hamstringing horses were simple yet effective, effectively sealing off Zhou Cang and Ero's escape routes.
Who was Zhou Cang? A formidable warrior capable of holding back thousands. He paid no heed to the scouts' trivial attacks; swinging his broadsword freely, he made it clear that no matter how straightforward their moves were, they could only evade him!
One scout, feeling somewhat confident in his strength and having received recognition from his Comrades in the military, charged forward decisively. However, Zhou Cang effortlessly cleaved through his knife, sending half of it flying back with a sharp sound that left a deep gash on his cheek and severed part of his ear!
Realizing he was at death's door, the scout instinctively dodged without even crying out in pain. As Zhou Cang prepared to strike again, the scout hurriedly rolled away. Just as he lifted his head, he saw a massive foot descending upon him, plunging him into unconsciousness.
In just a brief moment, another scout who had avoided Zhou Cang's attack came charging back in. Zhou Cang sneered coldly and was about to take him down as well when he noticed Ero had plunged his large blade into the ground and was grappling with two other scouts barehanded. Feeling unsatisfied, he discarded his broadsword and charged forward with fists like watermelons.
Seeing Zhou Cang discard his weapon shocked the scout instead of encouraging him. Zhou Cang had already completely suppressed him with sheer presence; feeling tense, the scout's hands trembled as he swung his knife horizontally. Zhou Cang easily dodged it; his fist struck like a heavy hammer from Chang'an's city gate, sending the scout flying like a kite with its string cut, rolling over more than ten feet before coming to rest unconscious.
Although Ero was unarmed, he had already subdued the two scouts. Seeing Zhou Cang also abandon his weapon for fists made him realize that his companion felt unsatisfied. With a cold snort, he picked up one unconscious scout under each arm and walked over to retrieve his blade. With a flick of his toe, he lifted it up and bit down on the back of the blade as he ascended the mountain.
He wasn't showing off his martial skills; rather, his blade was meant for killing. Once drawn, it would inevitably claim lives—he would not sheathe it without bloodshed. However, prior to this mission, Xu Zhen had instructed him to leave someone alive; thus, he refrained from using his knife.
Zhou Cang was unexpectedly stubborn, challenging Ero. As Ero walked with a faintly unconscious scout in each hand, wielding a large blade and moving swiftly, Zhou Cang's competitive nature flared up.
Ero had no intention of competing. Seeing Zhou Cang turn away in frustration, he glanced back and noticed Zhou Cang stacking the two unconscious scouts on his shoulders. He hurried to his own weapon, kicking it away with a swift motion.
Ero was walking ahead when the weapon whistled past him. He could only dodge to the side. Just as the weapon flew by, a gust of wind rushed in, making Ero's nose itch. When he focused his gaze, he saw Zhou Cang sprinting past him while carrying two living people. As the weapon prepared to land, Zhou Cang kicked it again and chased after it.
No matter how formidable Ero was, he had to admit Zhou Cang's strength. Although he was known as the Vajra of Subduing Demons and regarded as a fearsome figure, this imposing man from the Tang Dynasty was not just any person; he was a beast of extreme savagery.
Seeing Ero's startled expression, Zhou Cang realized he had finally intimidated this ghostly monk. Though he didn't speak it aloud, he felt a surge of joy inside.
Zhou Cang had always been skeptical of gods and spirits. He didn't trust these devout guardians much. For the safety of his Lord, he preferred to be bold and show these monks his capabilities, making them understand that any harm intended towards Princess Jinyang would lead to their own demise.
Though Zhou Cang's actions might seem excessive, one couldn't deny that his loyalty was unmatched. It was the duty of Death Warriors to sacrifice their lives for their Lord's safety, but it required immense effort to become smarter for that same purpose.
With such loyalty came wisdom; previously, Zhou Cang had been wise yet foolish, dismissing deeper thoughts and favoring brute force to solve problems. However, for Princess Jinyang's sake, he began using his intellect.
Zhou Cang and Ero tied the eight scouts onto their warhorses and mounted their steeds, guiding the pack animals with ropes as they stirred up clouds of dust on their way back to camp.
Princess Jinyang had been waiting outside Yuanmen. Upon seeing Zhou Cang and Ero bravely facing eight opponents together—and sensing a hint of hostility in Ero's gaze towards Zhou Cang—Xu Zhenxin felt suspicious but ordered that the scouts be separated for interrogation.
Speaking of torture and interrogation, Zuo An and Gem, two crafty creatures brimming with ideas, became excited and volunteered eagerly. Before Princess Jinyang could respond, they had already slipped into the tent.
In no time at all, Zuo An and Gem had darted through six or seven tents. They whispered among themselves before reporting back to Princess Jinyang.
"Isn't it too quick for interrogation?" Xu Zhenxin wondered in surprise as he saw them approach awkwardly. Princess Jinyang quickly asked, "Why so fast? Have you uncovered any important information?"
Zuo An and Gem were pushing and shoving each other when Zuo An stepped forward, grinning sheepishly and said, "Master... they... they seem to be speaking Turkic Language, and we... can't understand..."
Xu Zhen responded with a silent stare.
Caesar was equally at a loss. Xu Zhen pretended to be angry and gave Zuo An a light hit before entering the tent with Caesar to interrogate. Both of them were proficient in Turkic Language, so they weren't worried about communication issues.
However, the information provided by these scouts made Xu Zhen's head ache; they were actually people from Ashina Helu!
Ashina Helu was originally a general of the Western Turkic, who had once been part of the Yeh Hu faction. After being defeated by Yipishikui during the Zhenguan Era, he led three thousand followers to flee to the Tang Dynasty.
At that time, the Tang Dynasty was engaged in a campaign against Kucha, which is why Ashina Helu was appointed as Commander of the Kunqiu Military and marched towards Kucha. Later, due to his achievements, he was promoted to Yaochi Governor and Shabolayehu.
The Tang Dynasty had always seen many foreign tribes arrive, such as Qibi Helix, Asena Sher, Zhi Shili, and Heichi Changzhi, all of whom were formidable generals.
However, based on the scouts' intelligence, it seemed that this Yaochi Governor Ashina Helu was planning a rebellion!
Xu Zhen mulled over this information repeatedly, gritted her teeth, ordered Zhou Cang to stay behind at the camp while she took Old Black and headed first to Tingzhou County to alert the Tang Garrison. It would be best if they could mobilize troops for defense; otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable!
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