CHAPTER 1098: CHAPTER 602: AT YOUR COMMAND, ESCORTING COMMANDER ZHAO BACK TO THE CITY

"He... He truly is the world’s..." Huang Xiaorou stammered as she asked.

Yu Xiu glanced at her dismissively, saying, "He recently broke through to a high grade. He’s itching to test his saber on someone. This group of rebels can be handled by him alone; we just need to wait to cross the bridge."

A high grade in the world... Huang Xiaorou swallowed hard, her eyes filled with admiration, "And you all are..."

The corner of Yu Xiu’s mouth curled under her veil, teasing, "Want to witness a real flying sword?"

"... No, no need." Huang Xiaorou shivered, dazzled with awe, with only one thought in her mind:

What kind of monsters are these people? Where did such formidable figures come from?

While they conversed, Zhao Douan had already, with a single saber, crossed the stone bridge, leaping onto the "watchtower" at the bridgehead of the military town.

He drew the bowstring, shooting down the rebels who had dispersed within the small town, fleeing in all directions.

"With my current combat strength as a high grade in the world, I don’t need to use Pei Niannu. I alone can annihilate such a small military town."

Zhao Douan put down the Taibo Bow, standing on the watchtower, surveying the remaining rebels as they scattered into the forest, silently concluding:

"However, the cost isn’t small. If there was a master here with strength comparable to mine to hold me back, these rebels, if not fleeing, could still pose a threat."

Shaking his head, he put away his bow, drew the Chasing Saber, cut down the rebel flag on the city head, then his ears twitched as he glanced towards the northeast road.

His vision extended far, revealing a group of cavalry galloping towards them at the snowy road’s end, hooves hitting the ground like war drums, startling countless birds and beasts in the forest.

Soon, these cavalry approached, led by a young lieutenant clad in silver armor, speeding like lightning to arrive, spotting Zhao Douan on the watchtower from afar, his eyes brightened, swiftly pulling the reins!

"Neigh!"

The Young Master Tang Ping reined in his horse, dismounted swiftly, and sprinted to the bridgehead, confirming multiple times in shock and doubt before kneeling on one knee, clasping his fists and loudly announcing:

"Vice Commander Tang Ping of Divine Mechanism Camp, ordered to escort Commander back to camp!"

Clatter...

Behind him, a large group of Divine Mechanism Camp soldiers also dismounted, carrying firearms, following suit, and saluting in unison: "Firearms Camp of Divine Mechanism Camp, ordered to escort Commander back to camp!"

Zhao Douan stood on the city wall, wiping his face to reveal his true appearance, smiled slightly, "You’re late."

Tang Ping blushed, awkwardly explained, "We were held up by rebel blockades on the way, fought through several rounds, hence the delay."

Zhao Douan sternly said, "I don’t want to hear excuses. If you wish to make amends, capture those fleeing soldiers!"

"Yes, sir!" Tang Ping responded, stood up, waved his hand, as the elite soldiers of Divine Mechanism Camp dispersed in pursuit.

Zhao Douan nodded with satisfaction, leapt down from the watchtower, swooping like a great bird, lightly returning to the other side of the caravan, concealed his murderous aura, and cheerfully said, "Could you please push the corpses on the bridge aside, then you can cross the bridge."

Only then did the armed guards slowly come to their senses, their faces filled with respect.

How could they not know the identity of the person before them?

"You are... that Zhao... Commander Zhao?" The head guard, Old Huang, shivered all over, his beard quivering, shrinking a size.

Zhao Douan nodded with a smile.

It really is him... Huang Xiaorou’s mouth was dry, staring at that handsome face, thinking about the past half year throughout Yu Country’s rumors about this Empress’s Imperial Consort, the Chaos Suppression Grand Commander’s deeds, her heart pounded wildly, feeling a sense of absurdity.

A small figure like herself... unexpectedly had the fortune to accompany the legendary Zhao Douan for many days... she even warned and taught him... Huang Xiaorou wished she could crawl into a hole, both excited and fearful.

Yu Xiu gently comforted her, saying, "Don’t worry, although he has a bad reputation, he isn’t truly bad. He won’t mind your minor improprieties."

Zhao Douan wasn’t pleased, "Daoist, what do you mean by my bad reputation?"

Yu Xiu glanced at him, "Heh heh."

"..." Zhao Douan: Can’t be bothered to argue with you!

...

...

In a short while.

The caravan successfully crossed the bridge, and Tang Ping also led the Divine Mechanism Camp to capture the twenty-some fleeing rebels, binding them in the snow in a row.

"Master." Tang Ping clasped his fists, "Awaiting your orders."

Zhao Douan nodded but didn’t continue killing. Instead, he faced the terrified rebels, calmly saying, "Do you know who I am?"

The rebels shivered, not daring to answer, but their eyes showed understanding.

Zhao Douan continued, "Today, I won’t kill you. You can return to Hu Ting, tell Prince Jing that I’ve come. Let him wash his neck clean and wait for me. It’s time to settle our old score."

"Get lost."

Tang Ping saw the bewildered rebels, coldly laughed, drew his blade, cut their ropes, and kicked them, "Still not leaving?!"

"Thank you, Commander, for sparing our lives! Thank you, Commander, for sparing our lives!"

The remaining terrified rebels narrowly escaped death, expressing endless gratitude as they fled.

Once they left, Zhao Douan ordered a small contingent of soldiers to guard White Stone Bridge for the court’s subsequent reinforcements.

Thereafter, he separated from the caravan, traveling alone in a carriage with that coffin, escorted by Tang Ping, heading towards the Hu Ting camp.

...

...

This time entering Hu Ting wasn’t via the eastern canal but through the western road.

As they were about to arrive, Zhao Douan lifted the carriage curtain, looked out towards Hu Ting.

He saw the vast city shrouded in snow, devoid of the festive decorations customary for the New Year.

Moreover, on the city walls, a peculiar sight displayed, where the rebel and court flags each occupied half in a strange stalemate.

Like a chessboard, interlocked and crisscrossing, the white and black pieces each held half.

"Master, currently we and the Jiancheng Army each occupy roughly half of Hu Ting’s territory, even dividing Hu Ting’s main city east-west into north-south halves. As it’s winter now, there’s generally a ceasefire, but there are minor skirmishes occasionally."

Tang Ping rode beside the carriage window, hastily explaining.

Zhao Douan gazed at the flags swaying in the cold wind of Hu Ting city curiously, "Why haven’t you captured the entire city?"

Tang Ping ground his teeth, "It’s because the Jiancheng rebel army is shameless, knowing there are many civilians living in Hu Ting city, which the court is wary of, making it difficult to use cannons within the city, thus they drag out the situation. The Jiancheng army continuously avoids engaging in open battles with us on the plains, since there our firearms can overpower them. They’re clever, either choosing urban street fights or complicated terrains like forests and swamps..."

Zhao Douan didn’t interrupt, listening to the Young Master’s complaints, gaining a general understanding of the eastern front’s situation.

Information given by Prince Huaian inevitably had some lag.

And the fact that the two armies each occupy half the city yet strangely maintain balance amazed Zhao Douan, giving him a feeling akin to Germany’s division into East and West Germany... though very different.

"The Secretariat Envoy and others are at the north gate waiting for you. Everyone has heard about what you’ve achieved in recent times, Commander." The Young Master spoke excitedly, his eyes filled with admiration.

Zhao Douan smiled without speaking.

In this era of war, his few major victories swiftly turned public opinion, especially establishing immense prestige in the military.

Previously, despite some jealousy and whispers of Zhao Douan being the "Empress’s Gigolo" within the army, after pacifying the western front and defeating Mu Prince Manor, Zhao Douan’s popularity within the military became unmistakable.

As they spoke, the party arrived at the north gate of Hu Ting.

The gate was wide open, revealing from afar a group of people standing amid the snow, watching intently.

Zhao Douan exited the carriage, mounted a warhorse, and as they neared, he recognized one familiar face after another:

"Military God" Xue Shence, "female chancellor" Mo Chou, Commander of Divine Mechanism Camp Shi Meng, "Firearms Camp Supervisor" Chen Gui, Shipping Governor Ning Zechen, and Tang Jinzhong leading the Imperial City Tributor... he even spotted the former Qingzhou Commander Wei Xianzong amongst them.

Behind these familiar faces were also many soldiers from Divine Mechanism Camp and Three Thousand Camp.

"Hahaha," amid laughter, Xue Shence strode confidently ahead, leading the crowd, looking at Zhao Douan, saying, "Commander Zhao, we’ve been eagerly awaiting you!"

Mo Chou, who hadn’t been seen for a while, followed closely, having clearly darkened and grown weary over the months, yet her eyes became sharper.

She looked at Zhao Douan, smiling, "Long time no see."