This was an illusion, or perhaps history that had unfolded in the distant past. Born across ages, how could these people ever truly remember him?
"Load two more bolts for me."
Hu Min reached into the quiver behind his back, finding only two bolts left. "One for you, one for me." Without Prefect Sun's chests, these supplies would have run out long ago.
He loaded the bolt for He Lingchuan. "Any last words to pass on?"
"Yeah." He Lingchuan raised his crossbow, aiming toward the carriage barricade. "I just want to know why Prefect Sun fled with bear traps in his luggage."
Several Gale soldiers nearby chuckled upon hearing this. Hu Min couldn't help taking another look at him. "Whoever makes it back alive finds out the reason and burns paper to tell the other. How about it?"
"Works for me."
With a sharp crash, a carriage was smashed to splinters; the final defensive line was about to fall.
From He Lingchuan's vantage point, his comrades ahead hunched slightly, dropping into half-squats in horse stances as they braced to meet the surging enemy tide.
Propping himself against the earthen riverbank wall, he stood straight.
If this was the final battle, he shouldn't die lying down.
*Whoosh.* His final bolt took down an enemy.
With his marksmanship, at least it hadn't gone to waste.
The Baling troops surged forward like a tidal wave.
He Lingchuan tossed aside the crossbow, drew his long saber, and strode forward to meet them.
Once more, it was time for close combat.
Just then, a shadow suddenly swept down from the sky.
A Baling soldier had just charged before He Lingchuan, but before he could swing his blade, something plunged from above and slammed the enemy to the ground.
It was a short-feathered strange bird nearly three feet tall, sporting a pointed beak filled with jagged teeth, bat-like wings, and sharp talons at the tips of its wings.
Its wingspan reached an astounding two zhang or so.
The moment it hit the ground, it let out a screeching caw—*screeech*—shrieking so loud He Lingchuan's eardrums ached.
The friendly troops fared relatively well, but numerous Baling soldiers clutched their ears and stumbled back a step or two; evidently, this creature possessed a sonic attack. If not for the empowerment of the State Token, ordinary men would have dropped headfirst to the ground, knocked unconscious.
He Lingchuan was dumbfounded as well.
This thing looked so familiar—wasn't it the monstrous bird from the Panlong illusion?
Of course, it differed somewhat from the one in the Panlong illusion. For instance, it was much smaller, its flesh was no longer deathly pale, it was plainly a living creature, and its eyes could dart around...
Furthermore, He Lingchuan was certain it had not formed from a swarm of bats.
Yet for something that existed in the illusion to actually appear here meant—
On the ground, Hu Min shouted, "Reinforcements are here!"
His voice was saturated with the ecstatic joy of surviving against all odds.
Almost simultaneously, the long, rousing blast of a war horn sounded behind the Baling army.
Standing on the midslope, everyone could see turmoil breaking out in the enemy's rear by the flashes of lightning across the sky.
An army seemed to have struck into their flank from behind, banners snapping fiercely in the wind.
Commander Xiao brandished his spear, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Hold the line, brothers! General Red is here!"
General Red!
That name possessed magic, instantly injecting fresh vitality into the exhausted warriors.
Everyone felt that the sabers they could barely grip suddenly became light again.
He Lingchuan cut down an enemy, swaying on his feet.
He had long reached the end of his rope. Every breath pulled agonizingly at his chest; the medicinal effect had worn off, and every movement brought excruciating pain.
Commander Xiao even found a moment to steady him, patting his chest. "Hang in there, we've won!"
Nothing could sound sweeter than those words.
The dawn of victory lay right ahead, in that relief force baring its fangs and claws like a flood dragon diving into the sea.
He Lingchuan couldn't resist clambering onto a boulder, eager to see what the legendary General Red looked like.
By all accounts, General Red should be right beneath that fluttering crimson banner.
His gaze followed the great flag downward when suddenly, the world spun.
...
"Don't, don't, don't, don't, don't—*ah!*"
He Lingchuan bolted upright with a roar, terrifying the servant beside him.
"What are you doing?!" He Lingchuan glared at him furiously.
Just a sliver, just that close, and he would have seen General Red!
To be shaken awake at this exact moment made his blood boil with fury.
"E-Eldest Young Master, please calm down!" the servant stammered, terrified by the young master's fearsome morning temper. "The Master ordered that you head to the side hall immediately for an important announcement! Madam and Second Young Master have already arrived."
"An important matter? What important matter?"
"I'm not sure, but the Master is in a great hurry."
"Got it!" He Lingchuan waved him off, rubbing his face in utter exasperation.
Daylight had already broken. Outside, the breeze was gentle and the scenery bright. Blossoms drifted in profusion beneath the old osmanthus tree, and a few petals fluttered quietly into the room.
It was a serene morning, just like any other. No one knew that He Lingchuan had dreamed back to Panlong, spending an endless, blood-soaked night there.
Right, his left hand.
He raised his left hand and flexed his fingers.
Well, intact and unhurt, as nimble as ever.
It really had been a dream after all, even if the pain had felt so real. Knowing that kind of damage couldn't carry over into reality put his mind at ease.
Calming his thoughts, He Lingchuan finally climbed out of bed to get dressed.
That battle in the riverbed—did the Gale Army win in the end?
There shouldn't be any suspense about that.
Commander Xiao had promised him that if he returned alive to the city, he could join the city garrison.
He had no interest in joining any garrison, but perhaps he could forge closer ties with those tough soldiers.
What a pity. Now that he had logged out, would all the goodwill he'd spent the entire night farming reset back to zero?
He Lingchuan sighed. Fastening his lapel, he suddenly noticed the divine bone pendant hanging over his chest was emitting a faint red light.
"Hm? What's this?"
He lifted the divine bone for a closer look, but it went dark again, as though the flash a moment ago had been nothing more than his imagination.
It normally had no presence whatsoever, completely belying its lofty name. It had only ever triggered a passive effect in the Panlong illusion, granting him immunity to Sun Fuping's Blazing Conflagration technique.
He Lingchuan pinched, twisted, and channeled true qi into it, but nothing happened at all.
Forget it. Time to head to the side hall.
His family was gathered around the dining table in warm harmony. The moment He Lingchuan stepped into the side hall, He Chunhua waved to him, beaming with delight. "Come quickly, great news!"
He Lingchuan walked over and pulled out a chair. "Old Man, you expecting?"
The old butler served him a bowl of thin mutton noodles. The broth had simmered gently for four hours, paired with hand-rolled noodles and garnished with tender green scallions; modest to the eye, but richly flavorful.
He Lingchuan sat down and slurped up several mouthfuls. Ah, satisfying!
Speaking of which, his appetite seemed to have grown again; one or two bowls definitely wouldn't be enough.
He Yue didn't bicker with him today either, chiming in, "It truly is wonderful news."
Even Madam Ying was smiling with pursed lips, radiating joy.
"The memorial has reached the capital, shaking court and country!" He Chunhua said, enunciating every syllable. "For meritorious service in putting down the rebellion, and especially for executing that traitor to the state, Sun Fuping, the royal court has promoted me to Area Commander of Xiazhou, effective immediately!"
He set an official scroll cylinder on the table. "The edict has arrived; the imperial rewards are still on the way."
He Lingchuan slapped his thigh, beaming from ear to ear. "Leaping several ranks in one bound straight to the top! Old Man, our family has struck gold!"
Chapter 93