Chapter 44 "You have protected me for a long time, and I want to protect you once too."

Xun Xiao was as ghostly as a ghost, and with a flick of his toes he was already crossing the stream.

Xie Ci bent down, and Gu Wan immediately jumped onto his back. Xie Ci leaped forward, and the sound of the wind whistling was steady and light, and he caught up with Xun Xiao in the next moment.

Xun Xiao was in charge of interrogating the Beirong people, Xie Ci ordered them to rest and discuss the matter of returning to Yizhou with He Yuan, while Gu Guan served as a representative to comfort the women and children returning to Yizhou.

But you have to know that the early scouts had already gone to the Qingshui River Valley, and the rest and reorganization of the army, including the return of Xie Ci to Yizhou, only took two hours in total.

Now more than half of the day had passed, the mountain wind was howling, the war horses had been led out again and were being fed their armor again, and the faint clatter of horses' hooves made the matter even more tense.

The three of them increased their speed to the maximum.

Xun Xiao led the way and they headed straight for the back mountain, where there was a small path connecting to other large and small Hu settlements in Guzang Mountain. They could also cross the mountain to Longzhou, and the farthest they could go was by crossing Yinshan Mountain to the grassland.

These Beirong people came here by walking along these rugged mountain paths.

At the entrance to the back mountain, several Beirong people who looked like blood gourds were thrown there. He Yuan had been called by Xun Xiao to wait here, and he was guarding these Beirong people while waiting.

Seeing Xun Xiao, Xie Ci and the other two appear, He Yuan quickly waved, "This way!"

He carried a Beirong man on his back and led the way.

Xun Xiaoxie Ci picked up two of them at once and passed them by without slowing down.

Although He Yuan's lightness skills were far inferior to those of Xun and Xie, he was very fast in climbing mountains and wading through water. He carried a person on his back like a monkey, and walked into the mountains on the wet and slippery mud and rocks.

The mountain path twisted left and right, following the slope of the mountain. After passing several forks, there was only one road left. After walking for about seven or eight miles, they finally came to a large, natural, flat stone platform. He Yuan climbed up and pointed below, "It's right here!"

Xun Xiao thanked him and dropped the person off. Gu Guan quickly stepped forward and took a look. He saw that the area under the stone platform suddenly opened up. It was a valley with a much lower altitude. A narrow mountain path, twice as wide as the one they came from, passed underneath.

He Yuan said, "This is the only mountain road in this area that can be used by cars. After reaching Dazhu Mountain, we can remove the wheels, lift the car over the ridge, and continue driving."

This mountain road connected many of the Hu people's settlements in Guzang Mountain. They usually used this road to trade with each other. It could go to Longzhou and also cross the mountains to reach the Northern Rong.

The howling wind blew even the hem of his armor off, blowing off Xun Xiao's cotton hood and causing his cloak to whistle and flutter. He revealed half of his face and scalp, which had been burned and pitted. He stared at the mountain road below, and finally revealed a chilling hatred that cut through his bones: "My mother was taken away along this road."

This confirmed news was obtained from Guiyi Prefecture. Some Hu people saw it when they went up the mountain to pick mushrooms, and the styles of the carriages and sedans matched each other.

Xun Xiao's voice was hoarse, as if it was filled with blood.

However, this is not the point Xun Xiao wants to talk about today.

He turned around suddenly and said, "One of the smuggling routes of the Northern Rong people passed through here. From five years ago until the beginning of last year."

At the beginning of last year, all the male members of the Xie family were executed, and the female members of the Xie family and Xie Ci were imprisoned awaiting exile.

In other words, this was the real smuggling route, which was immediately cut off after the Lantian treason case.

The other party was not only smuggling, but also starting to lay out a plan, which began five years ago and came to an abrupt end after they successfully framed the Xie father and son.

The rest of the Lingzhou case and the Pennsylvania case were just to deal with Zhao Heng, Qin Xian and others.

This one is the real smuggling route back then.

Xun Xiao: "These Northern Rong people who traded with him were from the Tuo'edun tribe."

He Yuan lowered his head and said, "They always passed by at night, with a lot of cargo. It wasn't until last year that we found out that they seemed to be from the Northern Rong."

These mountain roads were also used by peddlers and Hu merchants. No one knew about it at first because they filled the wheel tracks. Later, as they did it more and more often, it was gradually noticed. It was not until the year before last that He Yuan and his men discovered something was wrong and intercepted the other party. During the fight, they discovered the totem tattoos on their bodies.

But by that time, Xie Xinzhong had already passed away, and ordinary Hu people only knew how to collaborate with the enemy but not smuggle. It was difficult for them to go back to Yizhou at that time. After receiving a large amount of grain from the other party as payment, they acquiesced to the other party's permission to pass through.

He Yuan was filled with regret.

In fact, those Beirong people kept their mouths shut and none of them confessed.

But it doesn't matter, they have clues!

With a "rip" sound, the upper body clothes of several Beirong people were torn open by Xun Xiao, and Xie Ci and Gu Guan immediately saw a blue-black tattoo of a flying eagle with flapping wings on their left shoulders.

Xun Xiao said coldly: "This is the tribal totem of the Tuo'edun tribe."

He Yuan also immediately nodded to confirm this.

Gu Guan immediately squatted down. These Beirong people were beaten to a bloody mess, their muscles bulging and their eyes bloodshot, but they still tried to pounce fiercely. Xie Ci stepped on their hearts. Gu Guan wiped the blood off their skin with a handkerchief and examined them carefully: "These tattoos are very old, there are no signs of secondary processing."

"It was tattooed when I was a kid, probably around three or four years old."

Gu Guan wiped the flesh with his hands, examined it one by one for a moment, and quickly came to a conclusion.

The Beirong boy who got the tribal totem tattooed on him was exactly three or four years old!

In this way, the possibility of disguise is very, very small.

"Hehe, yes, we are from the Tuoedun tribe, you are absolutely right!"

Even though those Beirong people couldn't even get up, their eyes were still as ferocious as those of wolves on the grassland.

Do you still want to play the game of making the virtual real and the real virtual?

Xun Xiao sneered, his brows furrowed. He suddenly leaned over and grabbed the Beirong youth on his left who was shouting the most ferociously. "Do you have any family?"

He spoke word for word: "I went to the Tuo'edun tribe and killed them all, breaking their breastbones one by one, digging out their hearts and lungs, and tearing their flesh into pieces. I killed the old ones, the children too, and killed them all!"

Xun Xiao looked horrible, with distorted eyes and a hoarse and piercing voice like a devil that had just crawled back from hell. He glanced at the Beirong people, and their shouting curses suddenly stopped.

This reaction.

It is 100% certain that it is Tuoedunbu.

Xun Xiao let go and stood up, and found Xie Ci looking at the mountain. Xie Ci suddenly asked He Yuan: "Over there, over there, and over there, are there also large areas where surrendered people live?"

He Yuan was stunned for a moment, then nodded immediately: "Yes."

Xie Ci turned around suddenly and asked: "Besides you, is there any other place that was bribed by Beirong?"

The Guzang Mountains were rolling and undulating, and Guiyi Prefecture was definitely not the only place that had been denied disaster relief grain. Looking over from the stone platform, one could faintly see the outline of the vast plain of the Qingshui River Valley. Xie Ci suddenly realized that this was a semi-enclosed terrain, heading straight for the position of the Wei rear army at the mouth of the Qingshui River Valley. There was actually more than one Guiyi Prefecture!

There is also the Liangshui River that runs through the mountains. There are several points where the embankments can be dug to flood the Qingshui River Valley Plain.

Xie Ci realized something was wrong right away, and he immediately understood Xun Xiao’s last sentence.

"It seems you have discovered it too?"

The mountain breeze with moisture made people's backs feel cold. Xun Xiao walked to Xie Ci's side, and the two stood on the top of the stone platform overlooking the mountain. The half-enclosed mountain in front of them was like a big tiger's mouth, facing the Qingshui River Valley Plain, roaring and opening, eager to devour.

"Bei Rong and that bastard have been preparing for many years, and it is indeed extraordinary." Xun Xiao's face was grim.

I originally thought that once the issue of Guiyi Prefecture was resolved, most of the danger would be resolved, but now I suddenly realize that it is not that simple.

They successfully opened a gap, but the subsequent rush to provide support was the real key.

Otherwise, it is hard to say whether we can successfully turn the tide.

"That's where Qin Xian is, right?"

The Lingzhou Suzhou Army led by Qin Xian, Su Zhen and others is located at an extremely dangerous angle. Once the situation on the battlefield changes drastically, they will be the first to bear the brunt!

"He's dead!"

Gu Wan's heart sank instantly. She ran up and asked, "How could this happen?!"

Xie Ci was furious and turned around suddenly: "Tell me! Have you contacted other Huzhous?!"

His voice was sharp, and the Beirong people screamed, rolled over and wailed heartbreakingly, with blood spurting out.

Gu Guan didn't have even a trace of mercy. When these Northern Rong people threatened to return to Yizhou and kill the Wei army of 500,000, they didn't show the slightest mercy.

She was extremely anxious. Would they suffer the same tragic defeat as when a 150,000-man army was annihilated?!

"I say! I say! There is—"

"We have already sent people to Pingqingzhou, Zhaowuzhou, and Siguchuan!"

Once their psychological defenses were broken, these Beirong people finally collapsed and hissed.

…

Xie Ci and Xun Xiao threw the wailing Beirong people down with one hand.

The latter fell to the ground, twitching and motionless.

The scarlet blood stained the whistling mountain wind, dark clouds rolled in the sky, and a heavy rain was about to come.

Xun Xiao looked up at the sky, then suddenly turned back to stare at him, his gray robe fluttering. He said, "Xie Ci, stop hiding it! Use all your skills—"

These Beirong people didn't know who was behind the scenes, but the leader of the Tuo'edun tribe knew. "Capture one of the Tuo'edun people and everything will be clear."

"Also, if you don't do your best, Qin Xian and the others will die on the Qingshui Valley battlefield."

Xie Ci raised his eyes suddenly. Perhaps only Xun Xiao saw through that he had been holding back and never used his full strength on the battlefield.

"You don't have to tell me, I know!"

Before yesterday, Xie Ci might have still hesitated, but after Gu Wan disappeared, he had already figured it out.

That's what he's going to do too!

Xie Ci turned around abruptly and walked back quickly.

…

Two hours were almost up, and the cavalry and young and strong Hu soldiers in Guiyi Prefecture had already lined up in an orderly manner.

Including young and strong women who volunteered to go, there were a total of 43,000 people.

The early scouts rushed back, "Report--"

The scouts rolled off their horses. The battle of Qingshui Valley had already begun this morning!

The main armies of both the Great Wei and the Northern Rong were marching rapidly. Once they came into contact, a life-and-death battle broke out. The rumbling of war drums shook the earth like a tide, and even Guiyi Prefecture where Xie Ci was located could feel it clearly.

The roar of the battle was like the beating of a drum on the heart.

It makes people's nerves tense all of a sudden.

The ears of the war horses stood up and twitched slightly. The 40,000 Guiyi soldiers clenched their weapons tightly. They were determined to move forward and their morale was unprecedentedly high.

And Xie Ci has put on his armor again.

This incident was unexpected, but also reasonable. At this moment, Xie Ci was calmer than ever before.

He said to Gu Wan, "This is an opportunity."

It was extremely dangerous, and he might never come back, but it was also an opportunity he had been waiting for for a long time.

The young man holding the reins, clad in heavy black armor, stood tall, handsome, and imposing. Compared to a year ago, the gorgeous beauty of his brow and forehead had faded, and his youthful appearance had become more resolute, revealing a new and powerful character.

Xie Ci said, "I can't always be the Fourth Young Master."

Qin Xian and his men had always addressed him as the Fourth Young Master. It was a respectful title, no problem at all, but it wasn't Major General, General, or Master.

Qin Xian and the others kept asking him to sit in the main seat, but Xie Ci didn't sit down because he knew it wasn't the right time yet.

Xie Ci has always known this.

He has been waiting for an opportunity to become their true master.

Today's one is it.

Danger is inevitable, and it may be a life-threatening situation, but Xie Ci must go.

"good!"

The two of them had been traveling together for so long, and Gu Wan understood almost immediately. She also put on her armor and led the warhorse, "Let's set off now!"

"No!"

She turned over and tried to mount the horse, but Xie Ci grabbed her and said, "Awan, don't go this time—"

Xie Ci had never intended for her to go with him from the beginning. Gu Wan turned around in surprise and looked into her eyes: "I can do it."

You've said it many times, I can do it.

So don't worry.

Xie Ci didn't want to experience that kind of heart-wrenching pain again. He whispered, "You've protected me for a long time, and I want to protect you for once."

Gu Wan was really surprised this time.

——So you also knew that I protected you?

Yes, at the beginning, facing the loyal young man who was lying on the ground with a broken chest and bones, she had some protective thoughts, but she herself was not even aware of it.

But today he suddenly revealed it.

It turns out that Xie Ci has always known.

He knew she had protected him.

Xie Ci wanted to reach out and touch her face, but he tried his best to hold back. "Second sister-in-law probably won't go either. Why don't you go find her?"

"Wait for me."

I will come back victorious!

Wow.

Gu Guan really had a feeling that Xie Ci had suddenly grown up. That young and confused boy suddenly remained in his green memories. The boy in front of him had truly grown up.

He will soon grow into a majestic man like a giant pillar.

"Well, I believe you."

Gu Guan suddenly felt relieved and gained more confidence in Xie Ci, and was no longer worried or confused.

In an unknown previous life, Xie Ci also became famous in one battle and then became a powerful figure.

She laughed, took two steps back, and her smile became brighter. "Okay, then you go first. I'll go find my second sister-in-law and Wenxuan!"

Xie Ci nodded vigorously. He looked at Gu Wan deeply, jumped on the horse, squeezed the horse's belly, and turned to go to the front.

Get moving soon.

With a loud shout like splitting mountains and splitting rocks, the gate of the village opened wide, and the cavalry and the returning infantry moved, pouring out like a tide, rushing faster and faster, and disappearing from sight in the rolling mud.

…

Gu Guan and the women and children of Gui Yizhou rushed out and sent them all the way to the village gate. In the end, everyone turned into a small black dot.

She turned around and whispered a few words to He Yuan's wife, Liu. Liu quickly followed He Yuan's instructions and took the women and children back to close the village gate.

Gu Guan took a few guards with him, mounted his horse, and headed towards the battlefield in Qingshui River Valley.

Even though it was far away, the sound shook the mountains. However, before she could go around the edge of the battlefield to look for Qin Ying, she saw several horses galloping towards them from afar.

Qin Ying brought Qin Wenxuan with her. She brought Qin Wenxuan with her to this super battle, but this time, there was a little unexpected surprise.

Gu Wan was a little distracted because she suddenly remembered a modern joke: "Under what circumstances would a man want to protect a woman?"

She was speechless for a moment because of her own nonsense, and then when the distance got closer, Gu Guan saw that Qin Ying was followed by several agile young men.

Qin Ying's tense expression couldn't help but reveal a bit of joy: "Yuan Niang! Xie Jiawei is back——"

Really?

Gu Guan looked carefully and saw several familiar faces of Xie Yun.

The latter hurriedly got up from the ground and greeted with a fist.

After a quick meeting, everyone couldn't help feeling a little uneasy, looking up at the battlefield filled with billowing smoke.

Xie Yun and his companions looked anxious, feeling that they were late.

After thanking them, we should be arriving at the battlefield by now, right?

The author has something to say:

The number of Xie Jiawei is not too large, after all, he is Jiawei, but it is an important milestone for Xie Ci, which means that he really has a team that is completely his own.

But these are all things of the past. The most important thing now is tomorrow’s battle!

If we lose, it is hard to say whether we will repeat the same mistake of 150,000 soldiers being annihilated.

Ah Xiu is here haha! Heart to heart~ See you tomorrow, dears!! (づ￣3￣)づ