My enemies became my companions

Chapter 616 Gaoliang Mountain (Part 2)

After the bugle call ended, a rank of armored cavalrymen positioned themselves atop the mountain path, seemingly ready to charge at any moment. Though numbering only a dozen or so, they were all on high alert. The mountain path was neither wide nor narrow; if the rank of cavalry charged down, Yang Chongwei and his men, positioned at a lower level, would crumble instantly if the front line couldn't hold. Unfortunately for them, the Ironscale Army was positioned directly behind their weakest point. Thinking of this, the soldiers with swords and shields in front swallowed hard, looking up through the firelight at the lithe, armored warhorses. A charge from them would be like a tidal wave crashing down on an iron tower.

"Hey, new guy Yang, how have you been?"

"A new broom sweeps clean, and no matter how much fire they burn, it shouldn't reach my Qin family."

The heavily armored man, dragging his warhorse poised for battle, spoke in a loud voice.

Yang Chongwei's expression softened slightly, a look of surprise appearing on his face, before his brows furrowed in a serious expression.

The appearance of the Iron Scale Army in Guiyang was unexpected, but it didn't surprise Yang Chongwei. Southern Xinjiang borders Guiyang and is a vital trade route to the Central Plains. Over the past few decades, the Annamese Prince's Mansion has grown increasingly powerful, and with no one to restrain it, it was normal for the Qin family army to move freely in Guiyang. What truly astonished Yang Chongwei was that these Iron Scale Army soldiers not only appeared here in time, but their leader also knew his surname.

You should know that he is a general of the Imperial Guards from the capital, the emperor's teacher.

This glimpse reveals the astonishing extent to which the Annam Prince's Mansion and even the entire Qin Clan of Longwei have infiltrated the surrounding areas of southern Xinjiang.

Yang Chongwei frowned and spoke again. This time, although he asked a similar question, it wasn't a harsh interrogation, but rather a routine question.

"Who goes there? State your name. Do you know that this is an investigation by the imperial court?" His voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced through the grim atmosphere of the mountains.

Above the mountain path, the heavily armored general's helmet twitched slightly, as if he were smiling. He spurred his horse forward a couple of steps, the horseshoes striking the rocks with a crisp sound that was particularly jarring in the tense silence.

“Lord Yang,” this time it was not the man from before who spoke, but the adjutant beside him, “I am Qin Jingde, and this is my superior and cousin, Qin Jingshan.”

After a brief introduction, Qin Jingde's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible mockery, yet maintained a facade of respect. "The Iron Scale Army, the Qin family. Our duty is to protect trade routes and eliminate villains. As for investigating cases..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the refugees surrounded by the Imperial Guards and the lone carriage, finally settling on Yang Chongwei's face. "This place is desolate, filled with a mix of refugees, probably not a suitable place for your investigation, sir. You are carrying out your mission by imperial decree, and we dare not obstruct you. However... this murky water is unpredictable, and as a newcomer, sir, I fear you may not be able to navigate it properly."

These words are a veiled barb.

Yang Chongwei remained silent. A mountain breeze swept by, rustling the armor plates. The imperial guards behind him also felt the invisible pressure, gripping their weapons tightly, yet none dared to move. The dozen or so riders above them stood as silent as mountains, their long halberds pointed diagonally, their poised stance more oppressive than any roar.

He knew what the other party meant by "I don't understand." The tentacles of the Annamese Prince's Palace, this perfectly timed "chance encounter," the other party's knowledge of his identity... all of this was depicting a behemoth entrenched in the southern border.

"It is my duty, and I will do my best to fulfill it."

Yang Chongwei's voice regained its usual composure, even carrying a hint of deliberate calmness.

"Since your esteemed residence has guards here, I imagine that no villain would dare to act recklessly. I still have imperial orders to carry out, so it is inconvenient for me to stay here any longer."

He abruptly waved his hand, his voice rising sharply with an unquestionable command: "Listen to my orders! Retreat! Clear the way!"

"My lord?!" A guard exclaimed in surprise, clearly unwilling to accept it.

"Listen to my command!" Yang Chongwei shouted sternly, his eyes fixed on the silent black torrent of iron above the mountain path.

The talk was loud, but the action was weak. The Imperial Guard soldiers looked at each other in bewilderment, but orders were absolute. The swordsmen in the front ranks slowly lowered their shields and sheathed their swords. Although their faces showed confusion and reluctance, they obeyed orders and retreated to both sides of the road, clearing a path in the middle. The encirclement collapsed silently. The refugees, still in shock, stared blankly at this sudden turn of events.

Above the mountain path, Qin Jingshan didn't say much. He simply pulled on the reins and made a gesture. The Iron Scale Army tacitly loosened their charging stance slightly, raising their halberds slightly. However, the cold intimidation remained, like a sharp sword hanging overhead, watching the Imperial Guards slowly retreat and regroup.

Yang Chongwei took one last deep look at the carriage and the man in the bamboo hat, then glanced at the silent Iron Scale Army on the cliff, his expression complex.

He turned his horse around, said nothing more, spurred it on, and rode off along the way he had come. The Imperial Guards followed closely behind, their armor clashing, their footsteps heavy, and they quickly disappeared around the dark bend in the mountain path.

The mountain wind howled, leaving only the panting breaths of the refugees who had survived the ordeal, and the statue-like figures of the Iron Scale Army on the cliff.

.....................

The Ironscale Army walked alongside the carriage, but the coachman, wearing a straw hat, remained calm and steady on the reins.

Although the storm seemed to be all bark and no bite, Chen Yi knew that it was far from over.

Even Yang Chongwei, the military commander of the Imperial Guard, couldn't understand why the Iron Scale Army would appear here, and Chen Yi was even more puzzled.

Qin Qingluo's people? The cult's help? Zhu E's arrangement? Or... just a small accident?
The sound of horses' hooves echoed along the mountain path. The refugees following behind would occasionally glance up, but they dared not look for too long. The dark, imposing figures of the Iron Scale Army exuded an indescribable sense of oppression.

Once they turned off the mountain path, the Ironscale Army slowed their pace and stopped in front of a village, whereupon the large caravan of refugees also came to a halt.

Qin Jingde rode his horse at a trot and circled the entire carriage, his eagle-like eyes discerning its unusual nature. Though seemingly simple, the outer walls had been aged twice, the shafts were sturdy, and the deliberately enlarged axles concealed a sophisticated structure that made steering easy. The carriage appeared to be of medium size, but in reality, the carriage was extremely deep and the interior space was spacious.

Hearing some noises inside the carriage, Qin Jingde leaned closer to lift the curtain and take a look.

The man in the straw hat turned his head to the side.

Qin Jingde's expression suddenly became unpredictable. He pulled on the reins and walked away. Several Ironscale Knights noticed this slight abnormality and cast questioning glances at him. He then rode back to his cousin Qin Jingshan's side.

Qin Jingshan transmitted his voice secretly, asking, "What's wrong?"

"He glanced at me, without the slightest hint of killing intent or murderous intent, but I had a feeling I was going to die." Qin Jingde narrowed his eyes and said, "Just from that look, he's more than a fourth-rank official. Is he a retainer of our Qin family?"

Qin Jingshan frowned and said, "I can't tell. He didn't show any tokens. There might be a code. I wonder which branch he belongs to."

"They're escorting refugees, so they're definitely not from the Prince's mansion. They wouldn't waste their talents like that," Qin Jingde guessed. "Their clothes and appearance don't resemble locals either, and their aura is unlike that of local sects, so they're unlikely to be from any particular faction. Could it be... the Divine Cult?"

After he finished speaking, he seemed to be thinking about something and pondered for a moment.

Qin Jingshan rode forward and approached the man in the bamboo hat, asking sternly, "Where do you come from, sir, and where are you going?"

Chen Yi could not possibly reveal the purpose of his trip. Fortunately, he had prepared in advance and had thought of a countermeasure. He replied:

"The homeland of emptiness, the eternal mother."

Qin Jingshan visibly paused for a moment, realizing that this person was neither a member of the Qin family nor a member of the Divine Cult, but rather a retainer from the White Lotus Sect.

Both the White Lotus Sect and the Divine Sect are considered demonic sects by the government. Regardless of their true intentions, they are allies in public. Therefore, it makes sense that this person is escorting refugees into the Southern Frontier. Moreover, given the increasingly dire situation of the White Lotus Sect, it's possible this trip is to deliver a message. Thinking of this, Qin Jingshan clasped his hands in a fist salute and said, "In that case, I should send men to escort you, sir. Are you going to Gaoliang Mountain?"

"Exactly." Chen Yi nodded slightly. Although he had prepared a complete and coherent set of words, he decided to stop short of making any mistakes.

"When will you depart, sir?"

Qin Jingde, who had been lost in thought, rode forward and asked, a warm smile on his face.

"Now."

.....................

We traveled through the night.

Escorted by the Iron Scale Army, Chen Yi drove across the border between Guiyang and Southern Xinjiang towards Gaoliang Mountain. As a warrior, he could easily endure many sleepless nights and rarely stopped to rest.

The Iron Scale Army had only been replaced once, and its bravery and tenacity were extraordinary. Chen Yi used to scoff at the idea of ​​the King of Annam rebelling, but now he realized that once the female prince integrated the various factions in the southern border and combined it with the foundation laid by her ancestors over the past three hundred years, it was not impossible for her to raise an army and advance when the fate of heaven changed.

The thought crossed Chen Yi's mind, but he stopped himself in time. It was best not to think too much about these unrelated matters. The most important thing right now was to see Qin Qingluo and his daughter safely.

At dawn a few days later, the majestic outline of Gaoliang Mountain emerged from the clouds and appeared on the edge of the horizon. This demon's lair, which countless righteous people had seen, was now incredibly close.

Contrary to what is depicted in legends or paintings, Gaoliang Mountain is not shrouded in gloom and eeriness. Instead, it appears vigorous and upright, with lush and tall trees stretching out freely, all bathed in a golden light.

As they approached Gaoliang Mountain, the women in the carriage overheard whispers during their rest.

The carriages are covered with soundproofing tape, which isolates the sound from the outside to the inside, but does not isolate the sound from the inside to the outside.

These days, the four women have been staying quietly in the carriage, not venturing out or showing their faces. They handle everything in the carriage. Before setting off, Yin Weiying specially prepared a fasting pill and distributed it to the young lady and her maid. They can fast without food or drink, so there is not much for them to handle.

Upon learning that the rumored demon's lair was approaching, the young lady and her maids couldn't help but feel anxious, while the Crown Prince's daughter remained as carefree and curious as ever, only Yin Weiying remained calm and composed.

As far as the female Taoist priest is concerned, no matter how powerful the demonic sect is, it is still a demonic sect. The difference between immortals and demons is like an insurmountable chasm. Moreover, with Chen Yi by her side and the Golden Boy and Jade Girl working together, no matter how chaotic the demons are, they are not so scary.

By afternoon, they arrived at the town at the foot of Gaoliang Mountain. The mountain gate was only a few miles away. The Iron Scale Army stopped, and Qin Jingshan rode up to Chen Yi and said, "Sir, we have arrived at Gaoliang Mountain."

Chen Yi nodded slightly and said, "Thank you, General Qin."

"No need to thank us. The mountain gate is just ahead. Would you like us to accompany you?"

"No need, I can drive myself."

"Then I'll take my leave."

Qin Jingshan then turned his horse around, and the rest of the Iron Scale Army retreated accordingly.

At this moment, Chen Yi suddenly asked, "General Qin, how will those refugees be dealt with?"

This question came as a surprise, but it also deepened his impression. As Qin Jingshan was organizing his thoughts, Qin Jingde stepped forward and said, "They are already being escorted. They should be passing through Pingyiwei and heading to Nanwei in the next couple of days. They will have land and a house to arrange for them, so you don't need to worry, sir."

Chen Yi nodded.

Qin Jingde... seems rather eager.

Throughout the journey, he had been paying attention to everyone, and he had also kept in mind the subtle changes in Qin Jingde's attitude. After the latter learned that he was a member of the White Lotus Sect, he seemed to become less wary and even more friendly.

A member of the Qin family who was able to join the Iron Scale Army deliberately befriended an outsider.

While the Central Plains are in turmoil, undercurrents seem to be stirring in the southern borderlands as well…

By impersonating a White Lotus Sect member, Chen Yi avoided many troubles. However, given the current hidden situation in Southern Xinjiang, his identity as a member of the White Lotus Sect might seem like a pebble thrown into water.

Is it a power struggle? Or collusion with the government? Or is it involving a religious cult?

Chen Yi lowered his gaze.

No need to rush, just wait patiently.

Qin Jingde gently clasped his hands in a fist salute, smiled, and left, displaying an exceptional demeanor and the rare elegance of a young master in the Southern Frontier. His Iron Scale Army also departed.

After walking a hundred paces out of the town, Qin Jingde instructed his personal guards: "You stay in the town and observe secretly. Do not make any rash moves or get too close. Keep a distance of a hundred paces and make sure he is still in the town."

These words were not spoken in a way that was hidden from Qin Jingshan. The latter, unaware of the situation, asked, "Jingde, what are you worried about? Even if his identity is fake, the people of the Divine Cult will verify it. Besides... he doesn't look fake to me."

Brothers do not need to use courtesy names, so they address each other by their given names.

"Better safe than sorry," Qin Jingde said, then smiled and added, "Besides, I don't really doubt it. He just wants to build up some connections for our branch of the family and increase our family's influence. Who knows, our descendants might need it someday."

Upon hearing this, Qin Jingshan sighed and said, "Then you decide what to do."

His branch of the family, led by Qin Jingshan, was nearly depleted, with only him as his sole heir. Therefore, he was extremely dependent on the Prince's Mansion and never formed any factions. However, the other branches were different. Although they were not likely to rebel, the territory in the Southern Frontier was only so big. If you didn't recruit more people to share the spoils, others would take your share as well, making it inevitable that they would fight for power and profit.

Therefore, personal connections and lineage are of paramount importance. As you can see, the previous King of Annam eliminated his rivals and acted perversely, eventually becoming a lonely figure. When he died, he almost couldn't even pass on his royal title to his own son.

Therefore, there is a saying among the common people that the inheritance of aristocratic families is passed down through words of poetry, books, etiquette, and music, but in essence, it is the connection of family and lineage.

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Qin Jingde replied, then spurred his horse forward, followed closely by his personal attendants.

(End of this chapter)