Lord of the Desert

Chapter 550 Entering the City
November 6th, morning.

The sky is blue, the ground is white; the air is dry, cold, and crisp.

Linghe fell to the ground like a frozen python. Seven or eight fishermen, dressed in bulky sheepskin coats, searched along the icy white patterns on its body, tapping its scales as they went.

Boom, boom, boom.

The sound of ice hammers striking the river traveled quickly and far across the open river surface, sending ice shards flying like diamonds.

After a long while, with a soft "plop," the last thin layer of ice broke through, and the sound of rippling water was heard.

The sieve parted the ice, revealing the dark water surface where one could see their reflection.

The cable, with its barb and bait line attached, was lowered into the ice cave, waiting for a lucky one to bite, when it was interrupted by the sound of snow breaking and ice scraping from afar.

Oh no!

The fisherman slapped his thigh, annoyed that the sudden noise had driven away the fish, and looked up in annoyance.

Downstream to the southeast, a long line of ice sleds loaded with goods came galloping by horses, trailing a snow dragon.

"Get away from it, stay far away!"

Loud shouts echoed from afar, their texture hardened and brittle in the cold wind.

The fishermen reluctantly moved more than ten meters to the shore, but as they passed by, they were infected by the powerful and dynamic energy of the galloping horse and couldn't help but shout.

"Where did you come from, brother?"

"Old man, we're from Lin Yuan City..."

The driver in the car also shouted back.

A mile or so away, the sound of horseshoes clattering on the ice was barely audible.

"Is this the legendary ice transport?"

Hong Fanxian gripped the horse's reins and asked.

"I've never seen it on the Yao River before. Is it reliable?"

"Reliable!"

Yang Haorang nodded emphatically.

"In northern Xinjiang, there is snow for six months of the year. In winter, the ice on the Linghe River is so thick that even the largest vehicles cannot break it. In summer, when boats are in danger of reefs, shallows, and rapids, there are no such problems when the river is frozen. There is only a flat and wide road. The Linghe River has a rapid current and few large boats. If we really compare, the transport capacity of ice transport in winter is probably greater than that of water transport in summer."

“In Zhenbeiwei, every city adjacent to the Ling River has an ice caravan. Similar to other escort agencies, they not only transport goods, but also have specially made sheds on the carts, which are called ‘ice beds’ in the trade, and are used to carry passengers.”

After marching two miles, the Chisha army chose a gentle shoreline to cross the river.

The ice transport team had long since disappeared from sight, and cheers could be heard from downstream.

Hong Fan looked back from his horse and saw a huge bluefish being pulled out of the ice hole by a fisherman and thrown onto the ice, where it splashed and jumped in the cold and desolate world.

In the distance of the snow-covered plain, the mountains and the city are still just two illusory gray shadows.

A huge dry dock has been built next to the shipyard on the north bank of the Linghe River, with solid ramps and towing equipment. This is not a water-filled dock that can be seen everywhere along the Yaohe River, but an open-air berth full of thousands of sails.

The Linghe River's ferocity extends beyond its rapids and hidden reefs.

When the river freezes, the huge and ever-thickening ice layer will squeeze the hull of the boat from all sides. No matter how sturdy the wooden boat is, it cannot resist this absolute force of nature. At best, it will deform and crack; at worst, it will break the keel. And the ice jams during the thawing are even sharper than knives, which can easily shred any hard objects trapped inside.

To the left of the dry dock, the outline of the beacon tower city gradually became clear in everyone's eyes.

It stands alone on the northern bank of the Linghe River, armed with dark blue walls, like a stubborn crack etched into the vastness.

It was the end of the year, and the heavy snow had been hitting the walls built of huge stones, turning them into frost that shone with a cold, hard gray-white glaze under the sunlight; a faded flag fluttered in the wind on the top of the watchtower, seemingly bearing words, but unfortunately, they were difficult to decipher.

······
South of Fengsui City, an inn that usually had few guests was requisitioned by the garrison and was unusually bustling with most of the city's prominent figures early in the morning.

"You've all seen the message sent back by the Commandant of the Imperial Cultivation Bureau, haven't you?"

Suo Chengzhou, dressed in a neat official robe, looked up and asked.

"Nine giant spirits and thirty-seven wolf riders, but they didn't even manage to kill a single one before being sent to their deaths by firearms!"

He tried to hide the seriousness in his eyes, but the two iron balls in his hand spun faster without him realizing it.

"Judging from the tone of the letter, my family is afraid of raising Haorang."

Guo Han stroked his black beard and forced a mocking remark.

"He's probably scared."

Suo Chengzhou glanced at him sternly.

"But fear aside, Commandant Yang would never fabricate such a story. The news says that this is the inevitable outcome of the Battle of Heiniutun."

Although it sounds unbelievable, and although it is hard for people to imagine what they have never seen, there are no fools here - the city defense commander Yang and Guo Erduwei are well-known warriors, how could ordinary situations make them afraid?
For a moment, everyone fell silent, their thoughts unknown.

"Gentlemen, General Huo has made his meaning clear: these outsiders will not be allowed to grow powerful in the beacon tower." Suo Chengzhou glanced at the guards standing at the door and raised his voice.

"The Zhenbeiwei's two-hundred-year-old foundation lies here, and it is not something that the south can simply relinquish or take as it pleases!"

General Huo clearly refers to Huo Zhan, the General of the Left Guard of the Northern Garrison.

Upon hearing his name, the atmosphere in the hall became slightly more lively.

“To guard a town, it’s always easier said than done.”

Yong Yu remained noncommittal.

"Leaving aside the firearms, the Red Sand Army alone has three innate masters like myself—Xu Yuntao is a ruthless character who rose through the ranks in Huaiyang Kingdom, Lü Yunshi is a descendant of Lü Zhenguo from Shenjing, not to mention that Chixing. Our Fengsui City is just a small family business, it can't compare to the hidden dragons and crouching tigers of Linyuan..."

"It's not about confronting them head-on."

Suo Chengzhou sat up straight.

"As I told you before, Hong Fan is a kind and easy-going person; if we prepare generous gifts and make him look good, he won't be able to turn against us. As for the Chisha Army, no matter how powerful their firearms are, they still need people to feed their horses and horses, and they can't do without our Fengsui City in every aspect. We'll always find a way to keep them in check..."

Just as he was repeating this tirelessly, the sound of horses' hooves came from outside.

"The Red Sand Army is already ten miles away!"

A knight strode in, his beard and hair covered in frost.

"The main character is about to arrive. Let's go outside and wait."

Suo Chengzhou handed two iron pellets to his attendant and stood up first.

The ceremonial guards, a dark mass, marched down the street.

Leading the way were signs that read "Silence" and "Avoidance," carried at the very front by tall yamen runners; behind them were halberds and flags, with the blue flag in front indicating the rank of a fourth-grade official, while the guards behind them carried copper rods, paulownia staffs, and leather spears, clearing the way on both sides.

Outside the "Welcoming Grace Gate" south of Fengsui City, more than a hundred people crowded out, waiting with their hands tucked in their sleeves in the light frost.

As noon approached, a cold wind whipped up snowflakes and lashed at the faces of the officials in the beacon tower, making the temperature even colder than before.

But as the scouts returned one by one, and the silhouettes of the army emerged from the pale white icy mist in the distance, the lingering chill instantly vanished.

Beneath the faded gold plaque of Ying'en Gate, a group of civil and military officials craned their necks to watch the mighty army marching through the snow.

At the forefront of the procession, surrounded by the other soldiers, one man stood out from the crowd.

She had delicate features, fair skin, wore gleaming silver plate armor underneath, and a dark purple sable cloak on top...

Hong Fan was perched high on a tiger-eating beast with a scorched tail, approaching the city on horseback. To the eyes of others, he possessed a sharp and handsome appearance that transcended the mundane world.

Suo Chengzhou stared intently at him, and upon making brief contact with his clear and calm gaze, he immediately sensed a chilling and imposing aura.

The crown jewel of geniuses, the blazing star across the heavens, the supreme innate power...

The beacon tower city had 70,000 men and a city wall 50 feet high; its weight was beyond that of any single person.

But as Suo Chengzhou stood guard below the city, seeing the man who had attracted the attention of the entire nation arrive at this desolate border city, he felt a sense of unease, as if his priorities had been reversed.

"Ah."

He couldn't help but swallow hard, forcing himself to focus on the military formation behind Hong Fan. He saw that the generals' saddles were gleaming, and the soldiers were all wearing steel armor, which, along with the glint of halberds and swords, formed a cold and stern sight against the gray snow.

All the officials in Fengsui City were knowledgeable about military affairs and knew that during a march, armored soldiers would be carried by vehicles and that soldiers should be lightly armed. Therefore, the Chisha Army did this intentionally.

But no matter what, the quality of equipment cannot be faked.

As Yang Haorang predicted, that group of giant spirits failed to pose a threat...

Suo Chengzhou thought to himself, and saw Hong Fan dismount from his horse twenty meters away.

"Hong Fan, the captain of the Red Sand Army, greets everyone."

The cloak billowed in the wind, blowing away the scattered snowflakes.

He bowed with his hands clasped in a gesture of respect that was so elegant and graceful that it defied description.

Suo Chengzhou felt a little flustered. He glanced at the former "Number One Expert of Fengsui City" beside him and saw her unconsciously twisting her fingers, completely stunned.

Damn it, you're useless.

He cursed under his breath, forced a smile, and strode forward.

"The beacon tower guards Suochengzhou, we have long awaited your arrival!"

P.S.: Only 8,000 words.

My condition has been very bad for the past two weeks. I started to feel depressed on the 10th, and it got worse on the 12th and 13th.

I have to take a few days off to relax and recharge.

(End of this chapter)