Chapter 382 Request Your Highness to Oversee Zhennan Pass

"What?!"

Xie Yun was shocked, and at the same time, a voice came from behind him.

He asked urgently, "What's going on? The fight hasn't even started yet!"

Wang Xu was startled by her. "You are...?"

"That's not important. Tell me quickly what happened. On the way here, we heard that the barbarians captured many people. Was the eldest brother injured while rescuing them?"

"So it's Your Highness!" Wang Xu clasped his hands in a fist salute to her. "That's right. The barbarians have repeatedly kidnapped caravans and civilians. Once, His Highness the First Prince was injured while trying to save people. A few days ago, in the early morning, the barbarian general Huert led his troops in several surprise attacks. After His Highness the First Prince led his troops to resist several times, he realized that the barbarians' actions were intended to test the strength of the troops inside Zhennan Pass. In order to prevent the barbarians from continuing like this, he decided to have his men carry out the same harassment against them."

His Highness the Crown Prince was still recovering from his injuries, so the operation was handed over to Deputy General Li. Initially, everything went smoothly. Deputy General Li led an elite squad of five hundred men and burned most of the granaries in the barbarian army's camp. However, as Deputy General Li led his squad back, they discovered dozens of women who had been abducted by the barbarians. These women were all from villages in the border region, and had been taken back by the despicable barbarians to be...military prostitutes!

In a moment of rage, Deputy General Li, driven by his desire to save lives, immediately changed his plans from a retreat to rescuing the women at all costs. Little did he know that these women were part of a trap deliberately set by the barbarians in their fury at the destruction of the granary. Deputy General Li nearly died there; it was only through the valiant efforts of the First Prince, who risked his life to engage the barbarian general, Huert, in dozens of battles before finally rescuing him.

Wang Xu became increasingly agitated as he spoke: "The barbarians are incredibly strong, and that Huert is especially burly. His Highness the First Prince was already injured, and the battle with Huert severely weakened him. After His Highness fought with all his might to lead Vice General Li back to Zhennan Pass, he collapsed and fell into a coma. It has been three days now, and His Highness the First Prince has still not regained consciousness."

The sounds were terrifying, partly due to anger at the barbarians' cold-blooded brutality, and partly due to unease about the situation, which was far more dire than they had imagined.

Before the battle even began, our commander-in-chief was already seriously injured.

This is not a good thing!

Xie Yun was also very worried, as almost all of the news he heard was bad.

Seeing that both of them looked unwell, Wang Xu sighed, "Actually, we can't blame His Highness the Crown Prince for this situation. When General Lu was around, the barbarians always kept their tails between their legs. But as soon as General Lu left, those bastards lost all shame and went against the rules, wantonly abusing and killing prisoners! If it weren't for saving the people, His Highness the Crown Prince wouldn't have been injured protecting a child, and Vice General Li wouldn't have almost died saving those women. In the end, it's all because those barbarians have no martial ethics!"

"And what's going on with the granary?" Xie Yun asked. "Since the barbarian granary was mostly destroyed, the barbarians should be desperately trying to obtain supplies, which is why they've repeatedly tried to harass us here. But according to Deputy General Wang, the barbarians only harass us, they don't attack, which is really strange."

Deputy General Wang shook his head: "I don't know. However, the granary is of utmost importance. No matter what the barbarians do, the granary must be defended."

"Yes, soldiers, you have worked hard. You have all made great sacrifices for the country."

"Your Highness, you flatter us. Protecting our country is our duty, not a matter of sacrifice! It's just that the barbarians are so treacherous and have already caused the loss of many of our brothers before the war even began. Once the flames of war are fully ignited, I'm afraid... Moreover, in any army, the commander-in-chief is the backbone of the soldiers. General Lu has returned to the capital to recuperate, and now His Highness the First Prince, who is temporarily acting as commander-in-chief, is also unconscious. Faced with the barbarians' continuous provocations, even with the strong forces at Zhennan Pass, morale is bound to plummet."

Wang Xu spoke passionately, his eyes filled with hope, and he knelt down with a thud. "The army is currently lacking a leader. The arrival of His Highness the Crown Prince and His Highness the Princess, both members of the royal family, will surely bring new hope to our army. Your Highness, I dare to beg you both to stay at Zhennan Pass and stabilize the morale of the army with the majesty of the royal family! If you two are willing to stay, our tens of thousands of brothers at Zhennan Pass will be like having a pillar of strength. Even if the barbarians have a fierce general like Huerte, we will dare to take up our swords and fight to the death, and we will never let an inch of the southwest fall into the hands of the barbarians!"

"General Wang, please rise quickly!" Xie Yunyang quickly helped him up. "The marshal of an army is the backbone of the army. With a major battle imminent, the barbarians have already seriously injured their commander. It seems like a test, but in reality, they are proceeding cautiously."

Xie Yun-yang frowned and said, "The Second Princess and I came here to visit my elder brother, but we didn't expect to encounter the barbarian's ambitions to change so suddenly. Zhennan Pass is in trouble, how can we back down? From this day forward, the Second Princess and I will go to Zhennan Pass to live and die with all the soldiers, to guard this southwestern border until my elder brother wakes up, until the barbarian army is defeated!"

Sheng Sheng clenched her little fist with great enthusiasm: "Mmm-hmm!"

Xie Yun-yang made a decisive decision: "General Wang, take us to Zhennan Pass immediately!"

Wang Xu was extremely excited: "Yes, Your Highness!"

*

The sudden arrival of Xie Yunyang and Shengsheng gave Zhennan Pass a boost. The war with the barbarians could break out at any time, and the Crown Prince's personal visit to the border at this time was undoubtedly inspiring.

Upon receiving the news, the lieutenants immediately organized their troops and greeted the troops at the military camp.

Xie Yunyang looked solemn, and Sheng Sheng followed closely behind.

The soldiers of Zhennan Pass had mostly been guarding the frontier since they joined the army. Apart from a few deputy generals who had seen Xie Yun in the capital, this was the first time they had seen His Highness the Crown Prince in person, let alone the Second Princess, Sheng Sheng.

The soldiers stood in formation, their armor plates rustling softly in the wind, and all eyes turned to the two men.

Xie Yun-yang had a gentle appearance and his clothes were not particularly fancy, but his inherent dignity was undeniable.

Sheng Sheng stood to her side, her white dress dusted with road dust. The little girl showed no sign of timidity; her eyes were clear and gentle. In such an environment, this six-year-old girl showed no fear or panic whatsoever.

Her delicate face was adorned with a faint smile. Her eyelashes were long, yet her gaze was steady. Though she still had a childlike innocence, her eyes already held a resilience beyond her years, making her stunning at first glance.

The two walked with steady steps, their ordinary clothes unable to conceal their noble air. Though they did not utter a word, they were enough to bring a sense of peace and reassurance.

However, what stunned the soldiers even more than the two noblemen was the enormous creature behind the golden-bred lady—a white tiger!