Chapter 6: The Northern Rong Cavalry

As Ji Qingchen was dozing off in her tent, she seemed to hear the sound of urgent hoofbeats approaching from a distance.

Hmph! Leave! With a cold roar, Tuoba Ni hurriedly led the Northern Rong cavalry to retreat like a tide

Suddenly, he drew his battle knife and shouted loudly, "Warriors of the Great Yan, ten years ago at the Battle of Yanmen, one hundred thousand elite soldiers fell at the hands of the Northern Rong, and the crown prince of the Great Yan was also slain. This is a disgrace for the men of our Yan nation, a shame for our Yan nation's soldiers. Now our enemy is right before us. Are you afraid? Do you dare to fight?"

The cavalry clad in yellow-embellished armor truly represents the most formidable warriors of the Northern Rong. During the charge, not a single sound was uttered; the only noise was the thunderous sound of hooves striking the ground.

No wonder Tuoba Ni dares to speak so arrogantly! He indeed possesses this capability

Previously, when the two armies faced each other, Tuoba Ni, upon seeing the somewhat delicate Ji Qingchen on horseback, assumed that this Ninth Prince of the Great Yan was an inconsequential second-rate martial artist. Thus, he regarded him with a degree of disdain and did not take Ji Qingchen seriously. However, after witnessing Ji Qingchen's remarkable bravery in battle, he suddenly realized that he had underestimated his opponent's strength. He reined in his previous contempt and, upon seeing Ji Qingchen slay several Beirong cavalrymen, abandoned the idea of a direct confrontation, opting instead for a surprise attack from behind.

Your Highness, I fear we will not be able to wait for reinforcements" Guo Lun sighed as he spoke

For a moment, Tuoba Ni was taken aback

"Ji Qingchen, the grudge of the severed arm today will never be forgotten by Tuoba Ni! One day, I will reclaim it on the battlefield." After all the Northern Rong cavalry had retreated behind Tuoba Ni, he endured the pain and coldly spoke to Ji Qingchen.

As soon as Ji Qingchen emerged from the large tent, he noticed that his uncle Ye Qingchen had already rushed to the front of the tent. The entire camp had long since lit bonfires, and under the bright red glow of the flames, one hundred Feather Forest cavalry were already fully equipped and ready for battle

Suddenly, he was awakened. Just as he was about to inquire what had happened with the guards outside, he saw Guo Lun burst into his tent, fully armed, and said urgently, "Your Highness, there is an enemy attack!"

The enemy seemed to have not anticipated that the Imperial Guards had long been on high alert. Upon seeing that the one hundred Imperial Guards in the camp were not thrown into chaos by the sudden attack, but were instead already prepared for battle, they confidently refrained from charging and halted their warhorses at a distance of one hundred paces from the Imperial Guards

In just a moment, the formidable Imperial Guard cavalry was already in disarray.

Ji Qingchen's body trembled, and suddenly a phrase spoken by her teacher, Li Qingyi, surfaced in her mind: "In a duel between cavalry, the brave prevail when they meet on a narrow path!" On the battlefield, even when facing enemies that outnumber oneself by several times, as a commander, one must possess the courage to draw the sword and fight.

Ji Qingchen found it somewhat hard to believe, and with a loud shout, he forcefully shook his long sword to deflect his opponent's blade energy.

Your Highness, the Northern Rong cavalry has unexpectedly appeared in the heart of Ningzhou. I believe there must be something amiss in this matter, and we cannot blame Captain Guo and the Yulin cavalry. The urgent task is to return to Ningzhou City overnight, and I implore Your Highness to prioritize the greater situation!" At an unknown time, Ye Qingchen appeared before everyone, looking disheveled and covered in dirt.

Ji Qingchen also understood that tonight's events could not be blamed on Guo Hetushu.comcom Lun and the Yulin Cavalry. Guo Lun and the Yulin Cavalry had anticipated an enemy attack, but who would have thought that the attacking enemy would actually be the cavalry of Beirong

Ah—" Tuoba Ni let out a mournful cry, and immediately the horse began to gallop swiftly

The Northern Rong cavalry has appeared in the heart of Dayan. Could it be that someone in the court has already colluded with the Northern Rong? In order to kill themselves, would they dare to shift the blame onto Prince Ning? They are so bold as to allow the Northern Rong cavalry to pass through Yanmen Pass and set foot on the land of Ningzhou? Ji Qingchen felt a chill throughout his body, and at that moment, he clearly realized how formidable the enemies he would face upon returning to Junlin were, and how difficult his situation would be.

Do not fear—fight! Fight! Fight! One hundred feathered cavalry draw their battle blades, their eyes filled with blazing flames of war, and they roar loudly

At this moment, I see that the cavalry of the Northern Rong across the way is already preparing to charge! Tuoba Ni is issuing orders to the five hundred Yellow-Flagged cavalry.

Your Highness, please mount quickly. As long as Guo Lun and the Yulin cavalry, along with one other person, are alive, they will surely ensure your safe breakout. As for your concerns, once we reach Ningzhou, if Guo Lun is still alive, he will provide you with an explanation then!" Guo Lun, seeing a long fire dragon surging towards the camp in the distance, did not answer Ji Qingchen's question but spoke urgently instead.

Just a moment ago, he was still contemplating that since there were people in the court who did not want him to return to Yan, his journey back to Junlin would certainly not be smooth. However, he did not expect that as soon as he set foot on the land of Great Yan, he would encounter an assassination attempt by a cavalry unit of five hundred elite troops from Beirong.

However, at that moment, he was unable to turn around on the horse and could only twist his waist, forcefully flipping over on the horse's back. With the long knife wielded in a powerful rotational motion, he executed the most formidable move of the Blood Breaking Ten Techniques, known as "Against the Wind Blade." When the wielder of the knife rotates and delivers this strike, it can unleash a terrifying force without relying on the momentum of the warhorse.

In a moment, more than ten Feather Forest Riders hastily rode through the night towards Ningzhou City

Your Highness, you truly have a keen eye! In such darkness, you can still recognize us as the personal guard cavalry under the Northern Rong Khan! Indeed, I am Tuoba Ni, the great general under the Khan, and the deputy commander of the Yellow Banner.

Guo Lun received the order and strode away with determination

"General Guo, how long have our scouts been dispatched?" Ji Qingchen asked in a low voice

The two blades met once more, without the usual thunderous clash of metal, only a soft "crack" sound, as the opponent's sword split into two segments

Guo Lun was momentarily at a loss for words, his flushed face swallowing back what he wanted to say, and he could only turn and mount his horse, closely following Ji Qingchen's side.

Little did I expect that the opponent's battle knife was also a sharp weapon, as it effortlessly severed my curved blade in an instant

Guo Lun and Ji Qingchen shouted together

Ji Qingchen rode forward on horseback, charging ahead of the Yulin cavalry, and soon saw a fiery red wave surging towards him from a distance. In an instant, a cavalry unit of approximately five hundred men appeared before his eyes

With a startled exclamation from the ambusher, Ji Qingchen finally realized that the opponent was none other than Tuoba Ni, the commander of the Northern Rong Iron Cavalry

The formidable weapon let out a piercing howl in the night wind. The roar soared into the sky. Behind him, Guo Lun and the Imperial Guards raised their battle blades, charging towards the opposing Northern Rong cavalry.

Guo Lun did not speak in response; the candlelight within the room illuminated his face, making his complexion appear quite sinister

He is a civil official. Just now, when the Imperial Guard cavalry was engaged in battle with the Beirong cavalry, he was so frightened that he kept hiding under the cart

The Northern Rong cavalry is by no means comparable to ordinary elite cavalry. When they charge, they do not rely on torches at all; they swiftly maneuver their horses through the darkness, striking the helmets of the Feathered Forest cavalry with the pommels of their swords or delivering blows to the horses' legs with the backs of their blades.

The Feathered Cavalry was filled with righteous indignation, their eyes brimming with ferocity, waiting for Ji Qingchen's command to charge forward.

Ji Qingchen's expression changed suddenly

At present, I have only one hundred forest cavalry, while the opponent possesses five hundred elite cavalry. I can sense a terrifying aura of slaughter emanating from these five hundred elite cavalry, which is by no means inferior to the tiger and leopard cavalry of the Li Kingdom.

"Your Highness is joking; it is not as if I have never killed before. Why must Your Highness frighten Tuoba Ni?" Tuoba Ni laughed wildly, "Wasn't the Crown Prince Ji Chengqian of the Great Yan once hailed as the foremost spear in the Central Plains? Yet he was still beheaded by me, Tuoba Ni, in the battle at Yanmen. To be honest, I came here today specifically for you, Your Highness, intending to take another Great Yan prince's head back to present to the Khan as a merit."

One would never have expected that Ji Qingchen's swordsmanship would be so formidable; not only did it evade my sneak attack, but it also seized the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow, forcing me into a corner where, in a moment of desperation, I could only defend with all my strength

Ji Qingchen looked at the departing Beirong cavalry, and a look of relief appeared on her pale face

Ji Qingchen no longer dared to think further; he immediately withdrew his thoughts and discovered that a general in the Beirong cavalry, who was in his thirties, was also quietly observing him

Suddenly, at that moment, the sound of hooves rapidly approached from behind him. Instinctively, he turned his battle knife around and slashed back diagonally. He felt a sudden jolt in his hand, realizing that his strike had been parried. The harsh sound of metal scraping indicated that his opponent's blade was still cutting back against his own.

At this moment, the cavalry of the Northern Rong had already launched their charge

Fifty steps ... ...

At this moment, Tuoba Ni's left arm had already been severed, and blood was gushing out. He knew that if he did not receive timely treatment, not only would he have killed Ji Qingchen, but he would also lose his own life here

"The enemy situation is unclear. How do you plan to break through?" Ji Qingchen said coldly, ignoring the slightly pale-faced Guo Lun beside her, and mounted her warhorse, Xiying.

Guo Lun was taken aback, not expecting the seemingly gentle Ninth Prince to exhibit such a strong demeanor. He initially intended to refuse, but upon seeing the Ninth Prince's expression filled with a chilling aura and a hint of killing intent in his eyes, he hesitated and refrained from voicing his objections, following Ji Qingchen out of the main tent

scoundrel

The mighty Great Yan, shall never fall! Blood shall flow endlessly, and we shall fight to the death without rest!" Guo Lun shouted the battle song of Great Yan

Ji Qingchen glanced at the vast open field ahead and inquired of the weary Guo Lun beside her about their current location.

Those who cannot ride horses will stay here. We will return to Ningzhou and let the garrison handle the wounded and the bodies of our fallen comrades. Those who can ride should bandage their wounds immediately; we are heading back to Ningzhou City now. I want to ask Liu Donglou, as the General of Ningzhou, what kind of explanation he will provide for tonight's events, and what kind of explanation he will give to the fallen soldiers. Ji Qingchen thought for a moment and immediately issued the order. I want to ask Liu Donglou, as the General of Ningzhou, what kind of explanation he will provide for tonight's events, and what kind of explanation he will give to the fallen soldiers. Ji Qingchen thought for a moment and immediately issued the order

At night, the cold wind howls

Am I really being held back by someone at this very moment

And Ji Qingchen has fully mastered the true teachings of Li Qingyi in swordsmanship; this move, "Back Thorn," has never failed him on the battlefield

As the Northern Rong cavalry approached, the wind struck my face, sharp as a blade cutting against the skin

Today, I have finally returned to my long-lost hometown with great difficulty. Am I really destined to perish before achieving success in my endeavors?

Ji Qingchen urged his horse to catch up, but was blocked by several cavalrymen from Beirong who had arrived upon hearing the news. By the time Ji Qingchen dealt with these Beirong cavalrymen, Tuoba Ni had already been protected by his subordinates in the middle, and was now coldly staring at him.

Ji Qingchen was taken aback; his teacher was Li Qingyi, whose swordsmanship was the result of a lifetime of battles accumulated by the war god of the Li Kingdom, Li Yaoshi, on the battlefield. The sword technique was peculiar

Ji Qingchen let out a soft sigh. Since Ningzhou City was already in sight, it was equivalent to having reached the heart of Dayan. There was no need for his party to continue their forced march. After glancing at the weary soldiers and exhausted horses of the Yulin cavalry, he ordered Guo Lun to set up camp and rest on the spot, planning to resume their march after dawn

Ji Qingchen was well aware that in tonight's battle, facing five hundred elite cavalry from Beirong with just himself and one hundred Yulin cavalry, victory was nearly impossible. The only way to achieve success was to decisively slay the opposing commander. Thus, he urged his horse forward, relentlessly cutting down the Beirong cavalry around him, while his gaze began to search the battlefield for the figure of Tuoba Ni.

Unwilling! Unresigned! Ji Qingchen sighed, and a look of pain appeared on her pale face

However, Ji Qingchen remained silent, quietly observing the enemy cavalry ahead. He was acutely aware of the formidable combat strength of the Eight Banners of Beirong. The battle at Yanmen in the past, where one hundred thousand elite troops of Dayan fell to the three thousand iron cavalry of the Eight Banners of Beirong, was sufficient to illustrate the ferocity of this barbarian cavalry

Suddenly, with a loud "bang—", the cavalry from both sides collided fiercely.

"The blood flows endlessly, and we fight to the death!" Ji Qingchen shouted.

one hundred steps

As it was late at night, both sides had long been engulfed in a chaotic battle scene, with the sounds of blades clashing and the neighing of warhorses echoing all around, accompanied by the anguished cries of knights

In the distance, Guo Lun also heard Tuoba Ni's scream. He raised his eyes and saw Ji Qingchen, then urged his horse to charge towards her.

Bold!

At this sight, he was indeed startled into a cold sweat

Seeing the northern Rong cavalry, resembling tigers and wolves, about to charge towards oneself

"Your Highness, among the 100 elite cavalry, 80 have died, 13 are injured, and only 7 are still capable of fighting," Guo Lun said, lowering his head and not daring to meet the gaze of the young Ninth Prince. After answering the question, he suddenly dismounted and knelt before Ji Qingchen: "If it were not for Your Highness's superb swordsmanship, having severed the arm of the Northern Rong's commander with just one strike, I fear that the elite cavalry would have been completely annihilated in tonight's battle! Guo Lun has failed to protect Your Highness adequately; I implore Your Highness to punish me!"

Thus, he never had the slightest fear

With a thud, the remaining Imperial Guards collectively dismounted and knelt before Ji Qingchen, saying, "The Imperial Guards have failed to protect Your Highness, please punish us!"

Ji Qingchen gazed into the distance and discovered that the enemy cavalry opposite numbered approximately 500, all of whom were the iron cavalry of the Northern Rong.

He cast a reluctant glance at the nearly decimated Feather Forest Cavalry and the increasingly valiant Ji Qingchen and Guo Lun, let out a slight sigh, and issued the order to retreat

The commander of the Northern Rong cavalry, Ji Qingchen, turned his gaze towards him and shouted loudly, "Is it possible that the one ahead on horseback is the Ninth Prince of the Great Yan, Ji Qingchen?"

"You are the elite soldiers of the Northern Rong Eight Banners, the iron cavalry of the Yellow Banner?" Ji Qingchen did not answer but instead posed a question.

He has already deduced from Guo Lun's expression just now and the conversations with Ye Qingchen in the carriage over the past few days who the mastermind behind the cavalry that ambushed him is, certainly someone in Junlin City who wants to prevent him from returning to Yan

Ji Qingchen was left alone, surrounded by the Northern Rong cavalry, as Guo Lun and the other cavalrymen behind him were scattered, forcing him to fight desperately amidst the Northern Rong cavalry

This exhilarating strike made him roar, his face covered in blood as he brandished his battle knife and charged towards the next enemy

Ji Qingchen was searching for Tuoba Ni, but unexpectedly, Tuoba Ni came to him. He felt a surge of joy and raised his battle blade once more, gathering strength to strike down.

"Did you already know that someone would attack the camp?" Ji Qingchen suddenly turned around, her gaze sharp as she fixed it on Guo Lun.

The two sides are two hundred paces apart! In the faint glow of the fire in the pitch darkness, each can see the face of the opposing commander!

"The Deputy Governor of the Xianghuang Banner, Tuoba Ni? The name is quite nice. But you are quite bold! How dare you ambush the prince of the Great Yan in the heart of its territory? Does General Tuoba think that the Great Yan is so easy to bully? Does he believe that with just a few hundred elite cavalry, he can act recklessly here?" Ji Qingchen coldly reprimanded, observing the arrogant expression of the Northern Rong commander.

Having been a hostage in a foreign land for ten years, I have diligently practiced spear techniques, swordsmanship, horsemanship, archery, and have earnestly studied military strategies and tactics, as well as the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Was it not all for this day? To return to the State of Yan, to contend for the position of heir apparent, to make myself stronger, and no longer live under the shadow of others.

Guo Lun's face was already filled with fury. Ten years ago, in the Battle of Yanmen, the Great Yan lost one hundred thousand elite soldiers to the thirty thousand iron cavalry of the Northern Rong. The crown prince, Ji Chengqian, of the Great Yan was killed in battle, which has become a disgrace for the Great Yan and its soldiers. Now that the enemy is right before him, how could he not be enraged

Guo Lun and one hundred Yulin cavalry closely followed behind him, charging towards the Northern Rong cavalry

"The blood flows endlessly, and we fight to the death!" shouted the hundred feathered forest cavalry.

Killing! Ji Qingchen raised the Wolf Blade and then fiercely pointed it forward

The Northern Rong Eight Banners have long been known for the saying that eight banners cannot match ten thousand, and ten thousand cannot be defeated.

Ji Qingchen was taken aback, "Haven't we already arrived in Ningzhou? How can there still be enemies? Could it be nearby bandits?"

"No!" Guo Lun was taken aback and immediately accepted the order

two hundred steps

Upon leaving Ningwu Pass, they stepped onto the territory of Dayan. Traveling south for four hundred miles leads to Ningzhou City, where a hundred thousand troops of Dayan are on high alert. Moreover, Guo Lun had already sent word to Ningzhou City, instructing General Liu Donglou, the commander of the Northern Ning Operations, to dispatch an additional cavalry unit to escort His Highness. Thus, as they walked across the vast expanse covered in white snow, Ji Qingchen, Ye Qingchen, and Guo Lun felt a significant sense of relief in their hearts. It was at this moment that they realized the fatigue from days of travel had suddenly surged upon them.

Ji Qingchen was more surprised; during the Battle of Yanmen, he was only seven years old. He only remembered that his elder brother died at Yanmen, never realizing that it was the seemingly unremarkable Northern Barbarian general before him who had beheaded him.

In a moment of idleness, a wave of desolation surged into his heart

As the sound of hooves gradually faded into the distance, the night once again fell into silence. He then turned to Guo Lun beside him and asked, "What are the casualties? How many of us are left?"

He is a bit anxious; if this continues, he will be doomed!

Ji Qingchen knew that relying solely on the one hundred Yulin cavalry by her side, there was truly no chance of survival in tonight's battle

At that moment, Ji Qingchen's Wolf Blade had already descended. Suddenly, Tuoba Ni felt a bloodthirsty aura rushing towards him. He snapped back to his senses and saw a flash of blade light aimed at his throat. Without time to think, he instinctively extended his left arm. He then saw Ji Qingchen's blade light fall, and Tuoba Ni's arm was severed, flying through the air and creating a stunning arc adorned with blood, landing amidst the chaotic horse formation where it was trampled.

"What’s the matter? Are you angry, Your Highness? It’s a pity that anger serves no purpose; the battle blade of the Great Yan cannot be wielded with mere fury. However, even if you are upset, Tuoba Ni will not hold it against you. Tonight, you are destined to die here, so why should I bother arguing with a dead man?" Tuoba Ni laughed loudly.

Because he discovered that in just a moment, the Imperial Guards had already fallen into the encirclement of the Northern Rong cavalry, with Imperial Guards continuously being cut down from their horses by the Northern Rong cavalry

Ji Qingchen saw Guo Lun's expression and seemed to understand something immediately. In a cold tone, she said, "In the heartland of Dayan, there are actually those who dare to openly attack the camp without regard for the Yulin Cavalry. Their audacity is quite remarkable! Prepare the horses; I will go and see who has such great courage." Saying this, she hurriedly put on her clothes, strapped on her wolf blade, and strode out of the main tent.

Guo Lun began to examine the map he carried with him and carefully looked at Shaoqing. Only then did he respectfully respond that they had already arrived at Ningchuan, and that if they continued forward for another 300 miles, they would likely reach the administrative center of Ningzhou, Ningzhou City

Upon seeing their commander issue the order to retreat, the cavalry of the Northern Rong ceased their combat with the Feather Forest Cavalry and withdrew from the battlefield

Remember, this is the price you pay for stepping into the Great Yan. On the battlefield in the future, Ji Qingchen will surely take your head to avenge my elder brother

Ji Qingchen was momentarily taken aback, and suddenly understood the meaning behind Guo Lun's words

Suddenly, Ji Qingchen felt a surge of power throughout her body, and an overwhelming fighting spirit surged up within her heart

Guo Lun also tightly gripped the gun barrel, his hand holding the gun already creaking with anger

The long sword swept through the air with a piercing howl, its angle and speed completely exceeding the opponent's expectations

Confronted by the ferocious cavalry of the Northern Rong, Ji Qingchen urged his steed forward to meet a Northern Rong cavalryman. His long sword struck fiercely at the man's face, and crimson blood gushed forth as the blade was withdrawn, splattering all over him