Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Below Eagle's Beak Rock, the battle situation was abruptly reversed due to the sudden arrival of the Starfire Battalion.

Chen Wei charged ahead, his elite soldiers' black-armored halberds gleaming like red-hot iron spikes, plunging fiercely into the chaotic flanks of the Hu cavalry. These veteran Wei warriors, fresh from the "One Line Sky" ambush and brimming with morale, displayed overwhelming power against the similarly numerous but disorganized Hu cavalry. Their halberd thrusts were precise and ruthless, targeting the horses' bellies and riders' vital points; the black armor was sturdy, and while the Hu's scimitars sparked when struck, they were difficult to inflict fatal damage. At the very first engagement, seven or eight Hu cavalrymen screamed and fell from their horses.

Although the eighty soldiers guarding the capital had only been trained for a short time, their morale was high, fueled by the desire to rescue their comrades and with elite soldiers leading the way. Following their usual drills, they worked in units of ten, providing mutual cover, brandishing spears and swords, flanking from both sides to intercept and kill any Hu cavalry attempting to turn or flee. They then swiftly charged towards the gap in the crumbling wagon formation to rescue the trapped women and children.

Bald He stood on the hillside, dumbfounded, a chill running down his spine to his head. This reinforcement army... was too strong! Look at their armor, their formation, their killing intent... they were definitely the main force that had wiped out Wujuer's thirty riders! He had originally thought the enemy was just a rabble holding their position, but who would have thought they would dare to launch a preemptive attack, and with such formidable fighting power!

"Chief! We can't hold them off! Those black-armored soldiers are too fierce!" A Hu cavalry leader, his face covered in blood, rushed over in a panic, shouting hoarsely.

Bald He's triangular eyes flashed with a fierce light. He looked down at the collapsing battle line below, then at the flags that could be vaguely seen in the direction of the fortress in the distance (a feint by Zhao Tiezhu), and then at the few remaining troops in the tribe and the watchful Ulolan tribe... His greed was instantly overwhelmed by fear.

"Retreat! Retreat now!" Bald He roared hoarsely without further hesitation, turning his horse around and galloping back the way they had come from to the northwest. Revenge, plunder, the woman in red—all were forgotten at this moment. Survival was the priority!

With their leader gone, the already chaotic Hu cavalry lost all will to fight. With a shout, they scattered and fled. Some of the fiercer ones tried to resist or plunder, but were quickly surrounded and killed; most others whipped their horses desperately, wishing they had two more legs, and ran like wolves and boars towards Wild Fox Plain.

Seeing the Hu cavalry routed, Chen Wei remembered Chen Xing's order "Do not pursue them too far," and raised his longsword: "Halt! Clear out the remaining enemy, treat the wounded, and take over the wagon formation!"

The elite soldiers and the garrison immediately ceased their actions upon receiving the order, began clearing away any remaining resistance on the battlefield, confiscating weapons, guarding prisoners, and quickly moving towards the wagon formation.

Within the chariot formation, the pressure eased dramatically. Murong Mingyue, leaning on her spear, gasped for breath, the numerous wounds on her body burning with pain, the blood staining her red robes even darker. She gazed at the Xuanjia army, which had seemingly descended from the heavens to rout the Hu cavalry and was now rapidly gaining control of the situation. Her eyes were filled with the relief of surviving a calamity, as well as deep shock and bewilderment. Where did this army come from? Judging from the banner, it bore the character "star," a name she had never heard of before. Judging from their military bearing and formation, they were neither government troops nor ordinary private soldiers from fortified villages.

Forcing herself to stay awake, she said to the few remaining guards around her, "Quickly, help the injured and assess the damage. Aunt Wang, take some people to check if the elderly and infirm in the car are alright." Although her voice was hoarse and weak, it still carried the composure of someone in charge.

At this moment, Chen Wei, leading several elite soldiers, approached the wagon formation. His gaze swept across the battlefield, finally landing on the woman in red, surrounded by several wounded guards. He clasped his hands in greeting and said, "I am Chen Wei of Xinghuo Fortress, sent by my fortress lord to relieve the siege. How are your injuries, young lady? Are your men alright?"

Murong Mingyue took a deep breath, straightened her back, and returned the salute with her spear. Although her movements were slightly hesitant due to the pain, she did not lose her composure: "Thank you for your help, General! I am Murong Mingyue, and my troops were passing through this place when we were unfortunately besieged by the barbarians. Fortunately, your troops came to our rescue in time, for which I am deeply grateful! My troops... suffered heavy casualties and urgently need medical treatment." Her gaze swept over the corpses and wounded soldiers lying inside and outside the wagon formation, and a trace of pain flashed in her eyes.

Seeing her composed demeanor and clear speech, and having just witnessed her bravery, Chen Wei felt a sense of respect for her: "Miss Murong, there's no need for such formality. My lord has said that we are all Han people, and it is only right that we help each other. We cannot stay here any longer. Although the barbarians have retreated, they may return and cause other trouble. If you trust me, would you be willing to lead your troops to Xinghuo Fortress for temporary refuge? There are doctors and medicine in the fortress, and the wounded can be taken care of."

Upon hearing this, Murong Mingyue's heart stirred. Starfire Fortress? So that's where the reinforcements came from. Judging by their strength, that fortress must be formidable. Her own defeated and exhausted troops, with many wounded, desperately needed a safe place to rest and recuperate. But… given the enemy's background, was it wise to rush there?

As she hesitated, an elderly man with white hair, being helped along in the caravan, said in a trembling voice, "Mingyue, what this general says is true. We...we really can't walk anymore, and we can't afford to drag the wounded. Since they've kindly offered to help, they probably...they're probably not bad people. Let's go and take shelter for now."

Several wounded guards looked at her expectantly. They had truly reached their limit during their escape.

Murong Mingyue glanced at the old man, then at her weary yet expectant men, and finally nodded. She said to Chen Wei, "In that case, I'll trouble your esteemed fortress! I won't thank you enough for now; I'll repay your kindness another time!"

"You flatter me, young lady," Chen Wei said. "Please pack quickly and travel light. We can assist in transporting the wounded. As for the fallen... bury them on the spot for now, mark the spot, and relocate them later, how about that?"

Murong Mingyue nodded sadly: "As you wish, General."

At that moment, both sides worked together to quickly clear the battlefield. The soldiers of the Xinghuo Battalion assisted the Murong troops in carrying the seriously wounded onto makeshift stretchers, while the lightly wounded helped each other. Women and children gathered their essential belongings and discarded some of their overly cumbersome possessions. The bodies of the more than twenty Murong troops and more than ten Hu cavalrymen who had died in battle were gathered and buried in a shady spot in a mountain hollow. The more than ten ownerless Hu horses and scattered weapons captured were also taken away.

Seeing that preparations were nearly complete, Chen Wei ordered the troops to set off. The elite soldiers led the way and kept watch, while the garrison guarded the center. Murong Mingyue's entourage followed behind, slowly making their way towards Xinghuo Fortress. Murong Mingyue refused assistance from others, insisting on riding her own horse. However, her face was frighteningly pale, and she swayed slightly as she rode.

On the fortress wall, Chen Xing and Wu Xuejiu had been monitoring the battle through their telescopic eyes. Seeing the Hu cavalry routed, the rescue successful, and the troops beginning their return, Chen Xing felt somewhat relieved.

"Mr. Wu, what do you think of that woman in red?" Chen Xing asked, putting down his telescope.

Wu Xuejiu stroked his beard and pondered: "Judging from her composure in the face of danger, her decisive command, and her superb martial arts, what's even more remarkable is that her remaining soldiers are still willing to die for her. This woman is no ordinary person. Although her troops are in a sorry state, the type of vehicles and weapons they use vaguely indicate that they are from a military family. I'm afraid they are not ordinary civilians. In my humble opinion, she may be the descendant of a military family in the north, or she may have led her troops south due to some unforeseen event."

Chen Xing nodded: "I feel the same way. This woman may bring about changes for our Starfire Fortress."

About half an hour later, the group arrived outside the fortress. The gates were wide open, and Zhao Tiezhu and his men were already waiting outside, with clean water and stretchers prepared. Murong Mingyue, with the help of two guards, managed to dismount. Looking up at the fortress surrounded by earthen walls and dotted with watchtowers, and the soldiers standing solemnly atop the walls, she was once again struck by its grandeur. Although the fortress was somewhat rudimentary, it was well-planned, heavily fortified, and the soldiers and civilians exuded a spirited air that was far beyond that of ordinary settlements in chaotic times.

Chen Xing had already climbed down from the wall and arrived at the gate of the village. He was not wearing armor today, but a blue robe. He was tall and straight, and although his face was young, his eyes were calm and he had an air of dignity that came with his upbringing.

Murong Mingyue's gaze met Chen Xing's, and she was slightly surprised. She had originally thought that someone who could command such a powerful army and possess such a fortified stronghold must be a seasoned veteran, but she hadn't expected it to be such a young man. However, she dared not be negligent. She straightened her blood-stained clothes, took two steps forward, clasped her hands, and bowed: "I am Murong Mingyue, and I thank the fortress lord for his righteous rescue and for taking us in! Mingyue and my men are deeply grateful!" The surviving men behind her also bowed in response, many with tears in their eyes.

Chen Xingxu helped them up and said gently, "Miss Murong, there's no need for such formality. Please rise. In these chaotic times, we should help each other. Some houses have been prepared in the fortress for your temporary accommodation. The wounded should be sent to the infirmary immediately. Li Shu, take some men to register the names and injuries of Miss Murong's men and arrange their lodging and food. Zhao Tiezhu, assist in moving the wounded."

"Yes!" Li Shu and Zhao Tiezhu quickly replied and stepped forward to lead the way and make arrangements.

Seeing that the other party's arrangements were well-organized and that they treated people sincerely, Murong Mingyue felt somewhat relieved and bowed again: "The Lord of the Fortress is very kind, and I will never forget it. However, we have come here in haste and have nothing of value, which has only added to the burden of your fortress. I am truly ashamed."

"You flatter me, young lady. Although Starfire Fortress is small, it can still provide a place to stay and a meal," Chen Xing said. "Your injuries are quite serious, so please focus on healing and resting first. We can talk again when you've recovered a bit. Please."

Murong Mingyue was indeed at her limit. Upon hearing this, she no longer refused and, supported by two women, followed the auxiliary soldiers leading the way into the fortress. The moment she stepped through the gate, she glanced back at the remaining troops behind her, then looked at the young fortress lord standing by the gate, his gaze gentle yet unfathomable, and her heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Their journey south was fraught with battles, their followers were decimated, and their future seemed bleak. Unexpectedly, in this desolate Black Wind Ridge, they encountered such a mysterious and powerful force, and such an extraordinary young leader.

Is it a blessing or a curse? The road ahead remains shrouded in mist. But at least for now, she and her followers finally have a corner where they can catch their breath.

Chen Xing watched Murong Mingyue and the others enter the fortress, then whispered to Chen Wei beside him, "Arrange reliable people to keep an eye on their movements, but treat them with courtesy and don't let them feel like they're being watched. Especially that Miss Murong, she's no ordinary person, so we need to be careful."

"This subordinate understands." Chen Wei nodded and continued, "My lord, in this battle, we killed or wounded about twenty Hu cavalrymen, captured five lightly wounded, and seized twelve warhorses. Our army suffered three lightly wounded and no casualties. On the Murong side, we suffered more than twenty dead, more than ten seriously wounded, and many lightly wounded."

"Hmm." Chen Xing nodded. "The results are acceptable. The prisoners are being held in separate custody, and we're questioning them carefully about the latest developments of the Bald He tribe. As for the casualties of the Murong tribe... do our best to treat them. This woman and her people might bring us something unexpected."

The setting sun cast long shadows over Starfire Fortress, illuminating the wounded newcomers who helped each other into the fortress. The fortress was bustling and noisy with the arrival of the newcomers, but orderly.

The tale of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress is a timeless classic. But in this chaotic world, what is saved is not merely a stunning splash of red, but potentially a force capable of stirring up storms. The story of Chen Xing and Murong Mingyue has only just begun.