CHAPTER 275: CHAPTER 272: RESCUED

"Hurry up, he can’t run anymore."

"Catch him, and we all will receive high positions and great wealth."

The soldiers of the former dynasty charged madly at Old General Zhang and his few men.

The scent of blood wafted through the mountains and forests.

Old General Zhang, white-haired and clad in tattered, blood-stained clothes, despite having killed many, was eventually tightly surrounded by these soldiers.

The former dynasty’s people were determined to capture them, and even after losing so many men, they refused to give up.

The Deputy General in command saw Old General Zhang and his men in such a predicament and grew increasingly smug: "I really don’t understand what benefits Prince Guangyang gave you."

"Do you think you are still the renowned Loyal and Brave General you once were?"

"What are you all standing around for? Attack, they don’t have much strength left."

Indeed, Old General Zhang and his men were near the end of their strength. For years, they had been evading capture and living impoverished lives like commoners. For the past half month, being hunted had left them with nothing to eat, so even these seasoned warriors appeared so haggard and emaciated.

Especially Old General Zhang, who walked like a beggar, with disheveled hair hanging by his ears, looking even more aged.

"Hahaha, look at this state. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, how could I believe it? Yet, several generals in the court still display that solemn look every time they mention Zhang Sheng."

"Today, taking Zhang Sheng’s head will ensure we have something to boast about in front of our colleagues for a lifetime."

The Deputy General glanced warily at Old General Zhang, confirming that neither he nor his men had the ability to break through them with blood, then cautiously stepped out from behind a shield, grabbed a bow, and shot an arrow at Old General Zhang.

In the battle, Old General Zhang dodged the arrows, ultimately having one graze his cheek as it flew by.

The weapon in Old General Zhang’s hand had broken, and his grip on it trembled; ultimately, their dozen men could not match these soldiers.

The Deputy General’s last worry vanished without a trace, and he shouted, "Charge together."

Blood blurred Old General Zhang’s vision, and he realized today might be his end. He thought of those soldiers who had perished in battle with Prince Guangyang and suddenly felt envy.

Dying beside so many comrades and leaving with them, though regrettable, seemed a fitting road to peace. Prince Guangyang never surrendered until the end, and even if they were few in number today, they would follow the same path.

Old General Zhang tightened his grip on his sword, watching several spear points thrusting at him. He wielded his sword to block them, hearing the sound of his sword struggling under the force and breaking. If a little more strength were added, he would not be able to hold out.

Faintly, he seemed to hear some slight sounds.

It sounded like screams, voices smothered by someone, drowned out by the noise.

The sounds lasted briefly before someone shouted, "Someone... attacked us."

Everyone looked around.

Sunlight streamed into the woodland, revealing several shadows darting about swiftly. These individuals wielded sharp weapons, efficiently stabbing into the necks of the former dynasty’s soldiers.

Blood spurted out, and some couldn’t even scream.

Who are these people?

Old General Zhang and his men looked at this sudden reinforcement.

"Traitors, traitors,"

The Deputy General shouted loudly, trying to rally everyone to regroup. But his voice stopped abruptly because he saw a pair of cold eyes, and the next moment, the person wielded a weapon towards him. Without even a glance, that person continued forward, sword aimed at the others.

The Deputy General fell heavily to the ground.

The leader of the soldiers died miserably, and the remaining troops fled in panic for their lives.

The ones who came to assist Old General Zhang did not pursue them, instead walking over to Old General Zhang and his men.

Old General Zhang wanted to speak, only to see the young man in front of him pull down a cloth from his face, revealing a face in his early twenties.

Old General Zhang stared at this unfamiliar young man, observing his fierce and dignified demeanor, momentarily unable to determine his identity. It seemed the Eight States had no such person.

Old General Zhang heard the young man say, "Old General Zhang, let’s leave here first. Once we’re free of pursuers, we can talk in detail."

Old General Zhang didn’t refuse. Although this young man only brought eight attendants, their skills were exceptional, allowing them to unexpectedly scatter the pursuing troops. If this young man wanted to take his life now, it wouldn’t be easy, but not too difficult either.

Old General Zhang led his men west, and the young man didn’t question further, following Old General Zhang over mountains and waters.

After traveling twenty miles, they finally stopped.

Old General Zhang looked at the young man: "Who are you?"

Song Xian bowed to Old General Zhang: "I am Song Xian, Commander of Zhenzhou and Zhaozhou of Daqi, this expedition’s Western Expedition General."

Old General Zhang was astonished, showing an incredulous expression.

The people around the old general gasped: "Song Xian? Impossible, how could you be in the Dai State?"

Have you gone mad? The armies haven’t even clashed yet, and the Western Expedition General of Daqi isn’t at the Daqi border but secretly came to the Eight States.

And he only brought eight guards.

If his whereabouts were exposed, it would certainly bring a court siege from the former dynasty.

If the former dynasty people killed the Daqi commander at this time, Daqi’s military morale would surely be in chaos.

Old General Zhang looked solemn: "What proof do you have?"

Song Xian removed a personal seal from his waist and handed it to Old General Zhang to inspect.

Indeed, the Eight States had no such person.

Old General Zhang carefully examined Song Xian; the youngest Commander of Daqi, a border general that made the Liao people tremble in fear, should be someone like this.

Old General Zhang finally spoke, "Why are you here?"

"To discuss strategies with the old general," Song Xian said calmly, "to together eliminate the remnants of the former dynasty and reclaim the Eight States."

Old General Zhang frowned: "How did you know we were here?"

Song Xian replied, "A few months ago, I received an informant from Princess Jiahui, whom I ordered to sneak back into the Eight States to help gather information."

Old General Zhang had heard of the incident regarding Princess Jiahui being stripped of her title.

Song Xian continued, "Princess Jiahui manipulated the people of the Eight States, secretly scheming. Now the truth is out, and I sent that informant to the Eight States to persuade those enchanted by Princess Jiahui not to serve her any longer."

Song Xian, composed and unhurried, showed not the slightest tension, as if this wasn’t the Eight States, but instead the Zhenzhou he guarded.

Old General Zhang pondered for a moment and asked, "How did you know I would agree to help you?"

"For the people of the Eight States," Song Xian said, "my thoughts align with yours, to protect these innocent civilians as much as possible, sparing them the suffering of war and chaos."

Song Xian paused after speaking: "Additionally, I was entrusted by someone. Do you remember Dr. Xu Yi’s disciple Xu Tingzhen? And Old Liu’s family who left the Dai State."

Old General Zhang shuddered; he never expected in his twilight years to hear the names of old acquaintances once more.