The warm June breeze couldn't chill her skin, but Zhao Cheng's words touched Deng Yanjiao's heart. The little girl's nails gradually shortened, the green in her eyes faded, and that innocent, naive feeling vanished in an instant, replaced by a mature, sensitive expression. She nestled happily in Zhao Cheng's arms.

After a long while, the two parted ways.

No one rushed them, no one felt anxious or blamed them for fear of being overtaken, and they were given this little bit of warm time.

Seeing the blood on Deng Yanjiao's face, everyone understood that Deng Yanjiao had resolved a hidden crisis. Regardless of the danger of the crisis, they were all grateful to Deng Yanjiao.

Zhao Cheng wiped the blood from Deng Yanjiao's face. Judging from Deng Yanjiao's proactive attack, he had already analyzed some things and asked, "Is it that bad guy?"

Deng Yanjiao nodded.

Do you need a rest?

Deng Yanjiao shook her head and said, "I want to be with my brother."

Zhao Cheng said no more, took Deng Yanjiao's hand and walked into the group, carrying her as they continued forward.

One day later.

The battle between Wang Yuluan and He Zhi and Yue Jiti continued, with both sides fighting to the death and suffering heavy casualties. Even the three hundred soldiers of the garrison suffered significant losses.

The Zhao family's group entered a valley, getting closer and closer to Jinghai, but at noon that day, they heard faint footsteps behind them.

Heng Wenhao didn't turn around and said, "Here we go again."

Zhao Cheng glanced up at the valley and muttered to himself, "This is the last gamble."

Heng Wenhao stopped and said, "I'll do it."

Zhao Cheng said, "You misunderstood me. Just follow me, and I'll take care of my own arrangements."

Heng Wenhao suddenly realized something and looked up at the valley, asking in surprise, "Is there another trick up your sleeve?"

"It can't be considered a backup plan, it's just a dying struggle."

Zhao Cheng sighed, "If the old man hadn't taken this gamble, we wouldn't be in this passive position. Of course, I'm not saying this to blame him, but it's just that things have come to this, and this is the only way."

The group continued into the valley for a while, and the footsteps behind them grew louder and louder. Just then, another group came running towards them.

The leader was dressed in armor, wearing a white cloak, and a white mourning headband.

Zhao Cheng dismounted to greet him, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "General Xiao, you've had a long journey."

Xiao Luofeng said seriously, "We're all on the same side, don't say such things. Luo Mu notified me after receiving your letter, I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time."

Zhao Cheng asked, "How many people are there?"

Xiao Luofeng said, "One thousand five hundred."

Zhao Cheng thought for a moment and said, "There are at least seven thousand people left in Chengdu."

"I am not afraid."

Xiao Luofeng drew his sword and solemnly said, "I was able to be appointed as General Longxiang in this life thanks to the young prime minister. I should repay him with my life."

"I don't want your life, I want you to live."

Zhao Cheng surveyed the troops behind Xiao Luofeng and said, "The Qingdong Marquis's men are sticking to the Zhenhai Camp. Once they enter the valley, they can launch a pincer attack on them. However, the Qingdong Marquis's cavalry cannot exert their advantage in the valley. I only have one thing to say: delay as long as you can, and retreat when you can't delay any longer."

Xiao Luofeng remained silent.

While Zhao Cheng and Xiao Luofeng were talking, Heng Wenhao was constantly surprised, not expecting that Zhao Cheng had managed to bring in another 1,500 people.

When Zhao Cheng and Xiao Luomu discussed the money exchange at the Dongfang Restaurant, Zhao Cheng casually mentioned that as the Dongfang Chamber of Commerce grew larger, it would be necessary to develop its own armed forces. The two immediately agreed. Zhao Cheng suggested that Xiao Luomu recruit wounded soldiers who had retired from the Zhenhai Camp to serve as instructors for training new recruits. So Xiao Luomu funded the training of Xiao Luofeng, who was still in mourning, to lead this force. However, due to the short timeframe, they only managed to train 1,500 men.

Originally, Zhao Cheng and his group were heading south to Lingshan without intending to touch Xiao Luofeng's team. However, when they went east to Jingdong County, Zhao Cheng sensed something was wrong and immediately asked Yuan Fei to arrange for members of the flying team to send a message to Xiao Luomu.

Only Zhao Cheng and Yuan Fei knew about these things; they hadn't even told Zhao Huan, which is why Heng Wenhao was so surprised.

Once they leave this valley, they can reach the seaside in two more days of rapid travel, so Zhao Cheng said this was their last gamble.

Yang Taozhi didn't return, and there was no news about Zhao Yan and Zhao Hu. Everything was unknown, and worrying was pointless. They could only keep their heads down and charge forward.

Zhao Cheng instructed, "Keep going."

Heng Wenhao gestured to the group, and the group continued forward, passing by Xiao Luofeng's group.

Looking in the direction from which the Zhenhai Camp had come, Xiao Luofeng smiled and said, "My team was trained according to the Zhenhai Camp's standards, and all the generals at all levels came from the Zhenhai Camp. I never expected that the first opponent we would encounter would be the Zhenhai Camp. What a coincidence!"

Zhou Nuo jumped out of the carriage, holding the Jingling Bow, and said, "I will stay and assist General Xiao."

Xiao Luofeng quickly said, "How can that be? Miss Zhou, you should go with the young prime minister!"

"It's been a long time since I've heard anyone call me that."

Zhou Nuo stood beside Xiao Luofeng and asked with a smile, "General Xiao, how did the Battle of Lingshan go?"

Xiao Luofeng said, "That's naturally delightful!"

Zhou Nuo said, "We were partners in the Battle of Lingshan, so what's wrong with partnering again?"

Xiao Luofeng didn't know how to answer, so he looked at Zhao Cheng.

Zhou Nuo also looked at Zhao Cheng.

Zhao Cheng remained silent until he noticed their gazes, then said, "Let Xiao Nuo stay."

Xiao Luofeng grew anxious and said, "What if something happens to Lady Zhou? How could I bear the responsibility?"

Since Zhao Cheng had made his decision, he wouldn't change it; he was well aware of the significance of Zhou Nuo staying behind.

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