CHAPTER 328: CHAPTER 325 INITIATIVE

Song Xian looked down at Xie Liangchen.

The young girl’s body was covered in blood and dirt, but it was unclear whether she was hurt. Her complexion was poor, her lips pale, and her eyes filled with bloodshot lines.

On his journey back, Song Xian had already predicted that the situation in Dai State wouldn’t be good, and he thought several times about what he would do if he arrived to find the checkpoint overrun...

It was only after seeing her that he finally breathed a sigh of relief, but upon examining Xie Liangchen’s condition closely, his heart was on edge once more.

Song Xian carefully inspected the bloodstains on Xie Liangchen’s dress.

"It’s nothing," Xie Liangchen said, "It’s not my blood. I wasn’t hurt."

Song Xian spoke softly, "I’ve brought medical workers and medicines. Let them handle things here. You go rest nearby and wait for me."

Xie Liangchen nodded.

Song Xian still didn’t release his hold.

"Song Xian," Xie Liangchen gently reminded him, "I can stand firm now."

Only then did Song Xian slowly ease his grip, gently moving his arm away from her waist.

Xie Liangchen was about to ask Song Xian how things were; it had been less than three days since he arrived, so the battle in Taiyuan Prefecture must have been thrilling.

But when she raised her head, she saw Song Xian’s deep gaze; he didn’t give her a chance to speak, fixed his stare on her, saying, "Don’t worry, leave everything to me."

"Be careful." Xie Liangchen suddenly reached out and grabbed the hem of Song Xian’s robe, her eyes full of concern.

This was the first time she took the initiative to pull him.

Seeing the girl’s soft gaze, if it weren’t for the inappropriate setting, Song Xian feared he would reach out and embrace her.

This simple gesture softened Song Xian’s solemn expression, "Alright."

With that, Song Xian turned around, mounted his battle horse, and rode towards the city gate, transforming all his worries and tenderness into a fighting spirit at that moment.

Once Song Xian’s figure was out of sight.

Xie Liangchen took a long breath and turned to see Chen Zhongdong’s stunned face.

Chen Zhongdong rubbed his eyes, smearing the dirt on his face even more flamboyantly, his mouth agape, wanting to speak but unsure of what to say.

After a long time, Chen Zhongdong swallowed, wondering if he had seen wrong—just then, General Song had hugged Sister Chen, and moreover, General Song had smiled at Sister Chen...

Xie Liangchen cleared her throat, "I can..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Zhongdong eagerly turned away, "I’ll...I’ll...I’ll go help support the wounded."

Chen Zhongdong fled, as if guilty, without looking back.

Xie Liangchen said the words she was about to utter, "I can explain." Of course, there was no need now, as Chen Zhongdong seemed to have formed his own understanding of the matter.

The medical workers, out of breath, dismounted, carrying their medicine kits over.

Xie Liangchen did not go to rest; she went up and led the medical workers into the military tent where the wounded were being housed, knowing the battle was still unresolved, and no one understood the condition of the wounded better than she did.

...

When reinforcements arrived, Cheng Yanzhao, standing on the city tower, was the first to sense the anomaly. He had fought alongside Song Xian for a long time, and they understood each other well; the city gate that had been trembling moments ago was suddenly reinforced.

Before Cheng Yanzhao could order someone to check, footsteps had already sounded: the Song Family’s House General ascended the city tower and slew several Liao people who had climbed up.

They cleared the tower and began to hurl stones down.

Cries of pain echoed from below, greatly diminishing the Liao people’s momentum in their siege.

"A Xian is here." Cheng Yanzhao looked at Xie Shao Yuan, wiping the sweat from his face.

Xie Shao Yuan looked over, spotting a young man standing before him; the youth’s brow and eyes were filled with authority, and upon sighting him, the soldiers’ morale was further uplifted.

After three rounds of "Arrow Rain," the Liao people retreated once more.

The soldiers on the city tower finally had a chance to catch their breath.

Cheng Yanzhao finally had the opportunity to pull up Song Xian.

Once inside the city, Chang Yue reported to Song Xian about Xie Shao Yuan’s situation; just as they were about to face the Liao, there was no time for these matters, but now Song Xian naturally wanted to spot Xie Shao Yuan in the crowd.

"I’ll introduce you," Cheng Yanzhao knew what Song Xian had in mind and pulled him over, "This is Uncle Xie."

Uncle Xie? If Xie Shao Yuan hadn’t been there, Song Xian would have already interrogated Cheng Yanzhao about when the Cheng Family and Xie Family became acquainted.

Xie Shao Yuan was about to bow to Song Xian when his arms were steadied by Song Xian’s firm grip.

Xie Shao Yuan was somewhat surprised, raising his eyes to look at the young man before him.

The young man’s eyes were bright, naturally meeting his gaze with friendliness; amidst those burning eyes rested a hint of joy, though Xie Shao Yuan couldn’t discern where this joy originated.

Xie Shao Yuan, typically an amiable person, smiled and said, "You’re being modest, General Cheng, I could hardly bear the title ’Uncle’."

Song Xian nodded, "You’re right; Cheng Yanzhao doesn’t understand etiquette; he is always uninhibited in the military and wants to get close to everyone he sees, so please don’t mind him."

Was this the previously formal General Song? It seemed like he had turned into a compliant young man? Although the remark might have been unfair to General Cheng, Song Xian’s demeanor drew praise from those observing, "Very well-mannered."

"Uncle," Song Xian said, "the wind is strong here; let’s talk inside the tower."

Xie Shao Yuan agreed, immediately sensing something was off.

How peculiar, wasn’t Song Xian just saying Cheng Yanzhao shouldn’t call him "Uncle"? How had Song Xian taken up the address momentarily?

Having been called "Uncle" twice, Xie Shao Yuan was unsure why these generals were eager to be close to him.

Song Xian saw Xie Shao Yuan’s brows furrow slightly, and then his pupils filled with coldness when he exchanged glances with Cheng Yanzhao.

Cheng Yanzhao shivered in the chill, wondering what had happened; what was wrong?

The three sat down.

Song Xian said to Xie Shao Yuan, "We have broken through Taiyuan Prefecture, the Pseudo King is doomed to escape, Old General Zhang is also well; Uncle can rest assured."

These words...

Xie Shao Yuan realized in his heart that Song Xian knew of their relationship with Prince Guangyang; otherwise, he wouldn’t have mentioned Old General Zhang.

Song Xian continued, "Just now, I saw the main general of the Liao, the Third Prince Ge Kun, whom Empress Dowager Xiao favors most."

Xie Shao Yuan nodded, "It’s indeed Ge Kun; I saw him from afar in Lingqiu."

Song Xian said, "Xiao Xingzong is cunning, and it’s uncertain we’ll capture him, but since Ge Kun has arrived at Daqi’s checkpoint, I must find a way to try."

Xie Shao Yuan asked, "Try...what?"

Song Xian replied, "Take Ge Kun; whether he’s killed or captured, we can use him against Xiao Xingzong."

If Ge Kun dies, Xiao Xingzong would be shunned by Empress Dowager Xiao, his status in Liao would plummet henceforth. If we capture Ge Kun, an envoy can be sent using Ge Kun to exchange for Xiao Xingzong.

Xie Shao Yuan’s spirits lifted unexpectedly, realizing Song Xian had not only come to defend the checkpoint but aimed to resolve the issue of Xiao Xingzong in this battle.

Xie Shao Yuan worriedly said, "Ge Kun has brought many troops; leading an army against him would be dangerous for General Song."

Perhaps Song Xian had a solid plan; while others might not, Song Xian had taken only a few days to overcome Taiyuan Prefecture.

Xie Shao Yuan was ready to listen attentively, but found Song Xian standing up, saluting perfectly, "Thank you, Uncle, for your concern."