CHAPTER 412: CHAPTER 41 MARRIAGE ALLIANCE_1

All around, fleeing soldiers from the Qian army were everywhere, pursued by the knights of the North Guard army. Some Qian soldiers knelt, pleading for surrender. However, what awaited them was a merciless saber strike.

These were Li Fusheng’s troops, the army of a madman. They were accustomed to such ruthless executions. The crimson in Li Fusheng’s eyes mirrored the true state of their own hearts.

However, Zheng Fan was indifferent to all this, too unconcerned to intervene. War was indeed this cold and brutal. He also understood that for an army that had used blitzkrieg tactics to bypass enemy defensive lines and penetrate deep into their territory, capturing prisoners was an unaffordable luxury. They simply lacked the manpower to manage or control them.

Furthermore, Li Fusheng and his troops were to continue south by the next day; they certainly couldn’t bring these burdens along.

Ordinary soldiers were one thing, but enemy officers and nobles were certainly not among these burdens.

It was due to the unique nature of this army—whose men seemed infected by their main general’s madness, turning them into bloodthirsty killers—that Zheng Fan had seized such a great opportunity.

Zheng Fan reached out and ripped the jade pendant from Zu Dongcheng’s waist.

In his previous life, Zheng Fan hadn’t cared for jade, nor did he know much about it. However, since waking up in this world, he often encountered such things.

Siniang was quite knowledgeable in this area and would always chat about it for a bit after finishing her needlework.

Yet, even to Zheng Fan, a layman regarding jade, it was obvious this pendant was valuable.

TSK, TSK, TSK.

Zheng Fan got up just as a group of knights raced by him. After they had passed, he saw one knight turning back. Who else could it be but Liang Cheng?

Liang Cheng was covered in blood. Judging by its color, it was all from the Qian people; his own blood was black.

"My lord."

"Having fun?"

Liang Cheng gave a reserved smile.

Zheng Fan noticed Liang Cheng’s armor was damaged in several places. Clearly, he had endured significant harm and danger while breaking through the enemy formation.

But Liang Cheng’s survivability on the battlefield was trustworthy. If nothing else, his inherent zombie lineage alone was like having a "health lock" cheat active.

"Get me an informant," Zheng Fan said, pointing to the unconscious Zu Dongcheng beside him. "I suspect this one’s a big fish."

"Alright."

Liang Cheng rode off.

About a quarter of an hour later, Liang Cheng returned, a bleeding Qian soldier slung across his horse’s back.

Capturing a fleeing Qian soldier now was as easy as catching a wild goat. However, as the North Guard’s pursuit spread out, one had to ride further to catch a "live goat."

THUMP!

Liang Cheng unceremoniously dumped the Qian soldier from his horse onto the ground.

"Don’t kill me, I beg you... don’t kill me... don’t kill me..." This Qian soldier was utterly terrified.

Judging by his relatively young appearance, it was likely his first time on a battlefield. Unfortunately for him, there was no gentle introduction; he had run straight into the North Guard army—and not just any part of it, but the most frenzied contingent of its six.

"Don’t be afraid, I won’t kill you. Just tell me, who is he?" Zheng Fan pointed at Zu Dongcheng.

The Qian soldier looked up at Zu Dongcheng and hesitated. Clearly, he recognized him; more clearly, he was debating whether to answer.

Just then, Liang Cheng pressed his saber to the soldier’s throat. The cold touch made the soldier feel as if he were greeting Death in a mirror.

"He... he is Zu General."

"Zu General?"

"The young master of the Zu family army."

"Zu Zhuming’s son?" Zheng Fan asked.

Zheng Fan knew of the Zu family army; they were one of the units previously dispatched north.

TSK, TSK.

Chief Zheng felt a surge of satisfaction; his luck was truly unparalleled. In his previous life, his comic studio was constantly suppressed. In this life, however, he seemed to stumble upon merits wherever he went. This was the correct way to live!

"The Zu family army... was the formation at the very front earlier the Zu family army?" Zheng Fan asked.

"Yes, yes."

"Oh, alright. You can go now."

"Ah?" The Qian soldier was somewhat taken aback.

Liang Cheng smacked the soldier’s back with the flat of his blade, saying, "Scram."

The Qian soldier immediately scrambled away, half-running, half-crawling.

Looking at his joyous movements and excited expression, perhaps happiness was indeed that simple.

So simple was his happiness, yet it was short-lived. After running only a few dozen meters, he was cut down by a passing North Guard cavalryman with a single slash.

"My lord has made another great contribution," Liang Cheng congratulated.

"It’s alright."

"The Zu family army indeed had some skill. If it hadn’t been the North Guard charging them, but some other unit, breaking through their formation would have been truly difficult."

"What do you think of the North Guard army?"

Liang Cheng hesitated for a moment, then answered, "Like wolves and tigers."

Indeed, Zheng Fan mused.

"But rest assured, my lord, our future troops will be no worse than the North Guard army."

"I have confidence in that."

Zheng Fan slapped the unconscious Zu Dongcheng’s face, saying, "Carry him."

Liang Cheng immediately bent down and hoisted Zu Dongcheng onto his shoulder.

The two of them, leading their horses, began to walk back.

Ahead, where the charge had occurred, North Guard soldiers were tending to their injured fellow soldiers.

Compared to their accomplishments, these casualties were negligible. Besides, no atmosphere of sorrow hung over the battlefield.