Chapter 3, Initial Victory

The Northern Frontier Protectorate generally extends from the Altai Mountains in the north to the Tianshan Mountains in the south, from the Dzungarian Basin in the east to the Chu River Valley in the west, encompassing the city of Suiye. Its jurisdiction is subject to constant changes in response to the situation, potentially reaching beyond Lake Balkhash to the Talas River basin near the Caspian Sea. It includes the Gelo tribe of the Western Turks, the three-surnamed Yanmian tribes, the Shisuo Gemohe tribe of the Tujue, and various tribes of the Uighurs, among others, resulting in a diverse population and extensive territory.

Long Ying ordered the burial of the deceased, and then summoned Lin Zhuang and Ding Fumin, praising them greatly. The elite troops formed by the integration of the two armies made their initial appearance, showcasing their extraordinary combat strength and seamless cooperation in tactics, achieving results that exceeded expectations

Another is Jun Huaipiao of the Gaochang tribe, in his twenties, with a tall and handsome appearance, full of youthful passion. He is skilled in the use of the spear and excels in horseback archery, having dominated the grasslands since the age of eighteen without ever facing defeat. Such a person would never be willing to sit idly by and await his fate

The twelve riders dispersed, observing the weakening flames of the ancient fortress. Among them, six riders circled westward around the fortress, clearly in pursuit of the elite troops they believed to be accompanied by dragon eagles.

Dusk

The desolate wilderness transforms into a weightless shadow, chasing the silhouette of the wind as it passes through the courtyard

Everyone gritted their teeth at the brutal methods of the Xue Yantuo bandits, wishing to devour their flesh and drink their blood, yet felt powerless to act. However, the opportunity has finally arrived; being able to observe them expose their tracks up close is likely an unprecedented occurrence.

Seeking the Difficult Path: "If we want to return alive, we must be at least as ruthless as the other party. If we are defeated this time, will Bian Ao leave even half a life?"

Ahead, the sounds of slaughter were deafening. It turned out that the scouts had already been silently dealt with. At this moment, in conjunction with the offensive of the Dragon Eagles and others, they sprang from their ambush. After a volley of arrows, the enemy was left with no power to retaliate, and the war turned into a one-sided massacre

Since Li Shimin ascended to the throne during the Tang Dynasty, the national strength flourished. After defeating the Turkic Khagan Xieli, rulers from all directions feared and submitted. Consequently, two major protectorates, Anxi and Beiting, were established in the Western Regions, incorporated into the Tang Dynasty's administrative division of Longyou Dao. The so-called protectorate is a complete military and administrative system, under which there are numerous subordinate units such as small protectorates, commanderies, and prefectures, executing the edicts of the Celestial Empire

Hu Yi sighed, "How is that possible? Even with the technique of listening to the ground, one cannot discern the number of these wicked bandits with their horses' hooves."

The wasteland dancer shook her head and sighed: "Neither porridge nor rice, but a state banquet"

As the leader of the bandits, "Wolfman" Li Dinggu had yet to comprehend what was happening, Long Ying had already seized the opportunity to descend from the sky with a thunderous roar, kicking Li Dinggu's companion beside him off the horse with such force that bones shattered and flesh tore, taking his place on the horse.

At this moment, the wind swept through the courtyard, swiftly seizing the horse and the * map * book. The rainbow sword, as thin as paper, resembled a deadly talisman. There was no general among the subordinates, and soon the cavalry from the wasteland surged in from the left flank of the enemy's cavalry, like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, causing the bandits to collapse and scatter.

The Wasteland Dance: "How to Handle Prisoners?"

Bian Ao did not underestimate his opponent, but psychologically, Long Ying was already his "defeated subordinate." He had little concern for Long Ying and, confident in his own strength and resources, believed he had a significant advantage in numbers. Marching in familiar territory, he felt assured of victory. After all, the Xue Yantuo people were skilled in night combat; even if the enemy had superior numbers, they were not afraid to engage directly, let alone when the opposing force was merely a thousand men.

Our side suffered only over 20 casualties, yet none were fatal. Such a record can be considered a resounding victory

Long Ying changed the topic and said, "How can Brother Tiger speak Chinese so well?"

Suddenly, someone in the enemy cavalry ignited a torch, raising it high above their head and waving it three times. It goes without saying that this was a signal to notify the bandits in the rear to catch up and regroup. Feng Guoting and Huangyuan Wu were not surprised at all, while the others were utterly impressed, bowing down in admiration. Such "martial prowess" was indeed unprecedented, greatly boosting Long Ying's confidence.

This battle was personally supervised by Bian Ao, who led three thousand bandits to ambush along the essential route of the Peacock River. His cunning plan was to launch a pincer attack on Long Ying in conjunction with his subordinate general, "Wolf Man" Li Dinggu, who commanded one thousand five hundred bandits. However, Long Ying saw through this scheme.

Ding Fumin said: "At dusk, we should continue our journey. There is still the matter to be addressed, which is the more than 500 warhorses. It would be a pity to leave them unused."

Three sharp and brief cries of agony echoed from about one hundred feet ahead on the right, indicating that it was a fatal arrow, leaving no chance for another scream of despair

Long Ying nonchalantly remarked: "Now we are as if we have captured a group of irredeemable felons, with irrefutable evidence, but we are unable to send them for trial. If they were to be tried, it would certainly result in the death penalty, wouldn't it?"

The wind passed through the courtyard path: "Someone has arrived!"

Yutian master Rong Jie was taken aback and said: "How could Lord Eagle possibly count how many people there are? Up to now, I can only see a mass of shadows."

The wind passed through the courtyard and said: "As long as one has witnessed you wielding your weapon to strike the heavens, traversing the enemy ranks as if entering a realm devoid of opposition, it is difficult to regard you as anything less than extraordinary"

The Khitan once was a vassal state of the Celestial Empire

The elite troops swiftly departed, seemingly without a care for defense. In reality, scouts were dispatched in all directions, and ahead lay warriors from the Tianshan tribe who were on alert. Any movement within a hundred miles would not escape their notice. Long Ying only requested five hundred warriors from Wu Zhao, not out of arrogance, but because he understood the situation in the Western Regions and had carefully devised this strategy. With more people, how could they come and go as freely as they do now, like a divine presence?

In the past, Li Dinggu, who was notorious for his merciless killings, now found himself engulfed in a terrifying sense of nightmare. The situation before him felt so unreal; his brothers surrounded him on all sides. Yet, in a fleeting moment, he saw the Dragon Eagle, which he had once besieged in the northern part of the city of Kuche, now riding alongside him like a comrade, revealing teeth as white as snow in the night, greeting him with a smile. The horror of being unable to act, as if trapped in a dream, enveloped him, making him feel as though he were submerged in icy water. There was no time to draw the spear that hung at his side; he could only hastily unsheathe his dagger. However, in a flash of light and shadow, the Dragon Eagle's thunderous strike had already swept across his neck, and his head, refusing to close its eyes in death, spun upwards into the sky.

The usually silent Guan Yi said coldly: "I will take responsibility for this matter; I will teach them to dig their own graves and bury themselves alive"

The gaze of the wasteland dancer was cast upon the ancient fortress, ablaze with fire, and she felt deeply: "Who, except the deranged, wishes to instigate war? Our war is a necessary evil, and we must harden our hearts to it"

Everyone was astonished, staring at him in disbelief

During the peak of the Tang Dynasty, Anxi and Beiting each established a Grand Protector, ranked as a second-class official, appointed by the court. The respective Protectorate and prefectures were governed by local tribal leaders, who held the titles of Protector and Inspector, and these positions were hereditary, further recognized and conferred by the Tang court, all in an orderly manner

The first to depart was the garrison, consisting of over one hundred individuals, who took away all the pack animals and supplies. Long Ying pursued a whirlwind-style march through the desert, with each person carrying only ten days' worth of rations, sustaining themselves through battle. They first targeted the blood-soaked, guilt-ridden horse thieves, followed by the Turkic invaders.

Long Ying, Mi Nan Tian, Feng Guo Ting, Huang Yuan Wu, Hu Yi, Jun Huai Pu, Guan Yi Fu, Da Da, the eight individuals, ascended and descended through the deep recesses of Mu Ling Pass, evading more than ten sentry posts of bandits, and reached the mountainous area on the other side of the Kuruktag Mountains. From the high cliffs, they overlooked three sturdy wooden stockades, standing majestically in the gravel area, arranged in a triangular formation at the edge of Sha Xi.

Wasteland Dance: "It was I who persuaded her to stay in Kucha. She is most weary of the struggles and vendettas, actions where it is either you die or I die, which are truly unsuitable for her to partake in. The condition is that I must arrange for you to go to Kucha."

The last is Guan Yifu, who shares a deep friendship with the Wildland Dance. He is usually taciturn, not due to a profound inner world, but rather because he values action over words. Since childhood, he has been passionately devoted to martial arts, seeking out renowned masters and honing his skills to develop the "Yan Yuan True Qi," which allows him to defeat enemies from a distance of several meters using his true energy. However, no one knows his origins.

Long Ying said with a bitter smile: "Aren't we doing exactly what she despises?"

Having finished speaking, he left

After the ignition ceremony personally conducted by Long Ying, the well-prepared elite troops immediately set off. Among the thousands of people, there were over two thousand cavalry, thanks to Guo Yuanzhen's "Horse Exchange Method," which allowed each person to have two horses for replacement. The soldiers were elite, and the horses were also carefully selected, capable of withstanding wind and snow, being strong and robust. These horses, originating from the plateau, were shorter in stature, but their endurance surpassed that of the top warhorses of the Great Zhou, although they were slightly slower.

Ding Fumin said: "I do feel a bit uncomfortable, but after Eagle Master explained, I only feel that I am doing what I should be doing"

Long Ying noticed that the gazes of more than ten people nearby were all fixed on him

No one answered him; they merely held their breath and quietly observed the rapidly approaching enemy

The thirty-seven warriors from the Western Regions are highly skilled and possess rich combat experience, among whom three stand out particularly. First and foremost is Hu Yi from the Uighur tribe. This man is as robust as an iron tower, with a thick neck and broad shoulders, and is a renowned warrior of his clan. His internal and external martial arts have reached the pinnacle of excellence. Although he has a bit of arrogance, he recognizes and values true heroes, and upon meeting Long Ying, they find a kindred spirit, making him a remarkable figure on par with Long Ying and others.

The Dragon Eagle is precisely determined to turn the tide when it has already collapsed

Do you have any news about that kid, Chan, who is a disciple?

The title of "Thief King" is well-deserved, characterized by ruthlessness, precision, and fierceness. He silently observed until the Dragon Eagle left the fortress, certain that they would take the safe route along Peacock River as expected, before striking decisively. He planned to launch a pincer attack while they still left traces, but unfortunately, his opponent was the Dragon Eagle

Without turning back, as soon as the enemy cavalry appeared under the starlight, just as Longying had said, among one hundred and twenty people

The Anxi Protectorate, with its vassal states primarily located east of the Congling Mountains, includes the most significant countries of the Anxi Four Towns: Kucha, Shule, Yutian, and Yanqi. Initially, Suye was one of the Four Towns, but later it was assigned to the Northern Court Protectorate, thus being replaced by Shule.

"My goodness, it really is twelve people, not a half less. Lord Eagle is truly impressive"

The one portraying the Dragon Eagle is Mi Nantian, riding the striking Xue'er, leading the way. They all have a "light band" tied on their foreheads, supplied by Ding Fumin. This was a clever tactic devised by the Dragon Eagle and Guo Yuanzhen to deal with Sun Wanrong during their nighttime operations. After improvements, with the addition of bands coated in "luminous paint," they appear like glowing fireflies up close, clearly distinguishing friend from foe

Long Ying Song took a breath and said: "There are only twelve foot soldiers clearing the way, and behind them there are still over a hundred cavalry. Beyond that, it is unclear!"

Long Eagle, Wind Passing Through the Courtyard, Wilderness Dance, and thirty-seven masters from the Western Regions, taking advantage of the enemy's scouts being drawn away by the elite troops, stealthily made their way to the northern wilderness of Luktag, lying in wait behind a giant rock to observe the situation of the ancient castle half a mile away.

At dawn, after counting, over 700 enemies were killed, more than 100 were captured, and the opposing forces were almost completely annihilated

At dusk, the ancient castle caught fire, flames soaring into the sky, sending forth billowing clouds of thick black smoke straight towards the heavens

Long Eagle Dao: "After tonight, there will be more warhorses. How about letting these five hundred horses lead the charge for us?"

Only by observing the dragon and eagle soaring against the sky, equipped with three arrows and a heavy sword at the waist, does one still move with ease and grace, making it difficult for others to comprehend

Others have their own strengths; when combined with the trio of Long, Ying, and San, they still possess the strength to confront thousands of troops, even in the face of overwhelming odds

As the wind swept through the courtyard with a hearty laugh, it suddenly accelerated to its limit, shooting forward like an arrow, traversing through the forest and fields to catch up with the dragon eagle. Although still trailing by four or five zhang, it was now effectively moving in tandem.

The dragon eagle displayed an expression of keen attention and said, "My goodness! There are at least one thousand people following behind, it must be a grand feast"

The masters such as Hu Yi finally experienced the unfathomable techniques of the Dragon Eagle Ghost God. Everyone initially held the mindset of not seeking success, but rather hoping to die gloriously in battle, wrapped in horsehide, with a tragic yet pessimistic outlook. However, this quickly transformed into a bright future filled with hope. After shaking off their despondency, their morale soared to its peak, and they charged recklessly towards the enemy.

As the wind passed through the courtyard, Ding Fumin appeared with a heavy expression. He was asked, "General Ding, are you feeling reluctant?"

Long Ying said with delight: "My dear brother, you truly understand my heart. Why didn't Xiumei come with you?"

Lin Zhuang made a gesture of decapitation

Others exerted their strength, suddenly generating a powerful momentum that forced the enemy to retreat. No longer needing to hide or conceal themselves, they could unleash their full potential

The breeze passed through the courtyard lightly: "Is it porridge or rice this time?"

However, this order has not been restored since the suicide of Zizhong and the rebellion of Sun Wanrong. The Great Zhou Dynasty, unable to look outward, could only return to guarding its borders, while the power of Mo Chuo continued to grow, resulting in the current situation. It can be said that the present conflict is essentially a power struggle among the various clans within the former Northern Court Protectorate. The victor will not only possess the territory of Northern Court but will also likely engulf the Anxi region.

The Wildland Dance whispered in the ear of the Dragon Eagle: "Ask! I know you are enduring great hardship."

Lin Zhuang made a gesture, directing his subordinates to oversee the execution process

Another master from Kuche, Xiao Gao, said lightly: "They deserve this retribution." He then followed Guan Yifu.

Master Eagle is truly humble

Aside from Feng Guoting, whose expression remained unchanged, the others such as Huang Yuanwu, Lin Zhuang, Hu Yi, and Jun Huai Pu all displayed a look of relief. The tribes beyond the Great Wall prioritize survival above all else, thus they would never show mercy to their enemies. Given their current situation, it is impossible for them to take captives; releasing them would only increase the number of enemies they face. Moreover, these individuals are all ruthless characters who would cause immeasurable harm to innocent lives.

Upon seeing this, Long Ying was overjoyed and nearly burst out laughing, exclaiming: "The horse thieves who come and go like the wind have actually become as slow as snails, and this scoundrel still hasn't made it home by now. Ha! This is truly delightful!"

The gazes of the crowd turned towards the left, where a figure on horseback emerged from the darkness like a ghost, silent and swift. Clearly, some measures had been taken with the horse's hooves, as it made no sound upon landing.

This fellow abandoned Suoge and switched allegiance to Mo Chuo, who regards him as a national guest and treats him with great honor. However, it is not surprising that Mo Chuo values him, as he is the only one capable of going head-to-head with Eagle Master.

At this time, the Peacock River area received good news from the Tianshan brothers of Dada, indicating that Bian Ao had retreated in the face of difficulties, withdrawing to the wooden village outside the northern end of Muling Pass

Hu Yi was responsible for interrogating the prisoners of war and returned saying: "Not a single one of these scoundrels is not a tough man; even if we cut their flesh, they can still keep their mouths shut."

Long Yingdao: "Do not flatter me; there are many talented individuals beyond the frontier. I am merely fortunate not to have encountered them. As for you, my elder brother, I no longer dare to consider myself in the same league."

Surrounded by a multitude of thieves, upon witnessing their leader being slain, each one was filled with terror. The dragon eagle charged left and right, while the horses surged forward and backward, shadows flickering and exploding in an instant. Wherever it went, people were thrown into disarray, and blood and flesh flew in all directions

Huang Yuanwu watched their retreating figures and said, "Xiao Gao has a close relative whose entire family was tragically killed at the hands of Bian Ao."

After the main force of the bandits passed the ancient castle, the Dragon Eagle's assault team rushed out from their hiding place in the mountainous area, slanting towards the enemy cavalry in pursuit. Each of these individuals was a master in their own right; within a few miles of short distance, they did not need to hold back their strength. Once they unleashed their agility, they swiftly closed in on the galloping horses

The methods of communication and command involve using bamboo whistles for close range and fireworks rockets for long distance. The entire military march is a process of mutual adaptation between the two armies. One thousand soldiers are divided into fifty teams, each consisting of twenty individuals, with a team leader assigned. One hundred soldiers form a regiment, which is led by a regimental commander, and ten regiments make up a brigade. Long Ying is not like an ordinary aloof commander; from the very beginning, he integrates with everyone, fostering a brotherly bond among all. Coupled with his god-like prestige and his grand objective of rescuing the military and civilians of the Western Regions from dire straits, this unites the troops as one, elevating their morale.

Suddenly, the dragon eagle soared upward, reaching a horizontal branch high up on an old tree. Using the branch for leverage, it launched itself like a cannonball into the night sky. At the highest point, it drew its bow, nocked an arrow, and released it. These numerous complex actions were completed in the blink of an eye, and by the time it descended to another tree's horizontal branch, three arrows had already been shot into the air.

Leading the group is Long Ying, followed closely by Feng Guo Ting and Huang Yuan Wu. Some others are keeping close behind, while a few lag behind by more than ten zhang. However, overall, the formation remains sharp and relatively intact, with a good coordination between the front and back.