"Ho." Prince Ji Sheng looked at the soldiers coldly. "You sure come prepared."
Prince Lian laughed. "Of course."
"But do you think this will be enough to stop me?"
"Heh."
Clang! Clang!
Sounds of battles continued to ensue in the entire road. Yang Xian led the soldiers to the hills and looked to the other side. It seemed that there was no one who stopped their advance. However, the enemy soldiers were approaching fast because they also wanted to reach the hills.
"Archers to the back and the rest stop the soldiers!"
"Yes!"
Yang Xian arranged the archers in position while looking to the other side of the hills. He furrowed his brows and gave signal for them to follow suit. It would be a bit hard because the commander there was quite slow in uptake. Thankfully, they began to make the necessary formation.
"General Sheng!" Yang Xian called out.
Prince Ji Sheng furrowed his brows when he heard that. He looked at Prince Lian before him, who was still wielding his sword. They have been clashing with each other for some time. But now, the time was up.
"We shall fight again later."
"Are you afraid, Ji Sheng?" Prince Lian asked coldly.
"No, but it's not necessary."
"Do you think I'll let you go?"
Prince Ji Sheng smiled and waved his hands, signaling his soldiers to climb the hills and leave him be. Afterwards, he switched his stance and stopped his horse. His sword was raised as he blocked the attack from Prince Lian perfectly.
"Can you even stop me?"
His legs moved from its position and kicked Prince Lian's horse at the same time his sword moved below Prince Lian's sword.
Swish!
Neigh!
The horse was unstable for a moment, but it was more than enough for Prince Ji Sheng to leave Prince Lian.
Drap! Drap!
Prince Lian could only watch with gritted teeth as Prince Ji Sheng rushed to the side where Yang Xian was staying. His eyes were looking at the soldiers who were chasing after them as he gave his order, "Stop them."
"Yes, General!"
The soldiers began to move rapidly and continued their work to stop the soldiers from coming closer. The fight continued to last for a long time. By this time, the formation of Han Shi Kingdom's soldier had turned to that of U shape while the Xiong Tribe was trapped in between.
"Are we not going to surround them?"
"Our number lose greatly against them," Yang Xian replied. "Besides, the sun will set soon, so it's a bit inefficient."
Prince Ji Sheng looked at Yang Xian. "Isn't it because you have different plan?"
"That's something that you don't need to worry so much," Yang Xian replied.
Prince Lian was forced into a defensive position. Just as the sun was set, a horse was coming from the north to their direction.
"What's that?"
Yang Xian furrowed his brows as he tried to squint his eyes. By this time, the battle had halted because it would be too dark soon enough. The two sides ceased their attack as the horse was coming in. There was one man on top of the horse while carrying something like items in front of him.
No, it's not item.
It's human.
"Xian."
"I know, Your Highness," Yang Xian glowered through gritted teeth. His eyes were looking at Prince Lian as he cursed his stupidity. Of course they would notice if someone like Wei Liuying were to disappear from the scene, yet he forgot to create a fake one.
They were too preoccupied with the battle that they forgot that Wei Liuying was famous in the battlefield. Those generals and commanders at the north basically knew her name. If they didn't see a childlike person coming in and out of Prince Ji Sheng or Yang Xian's place, it would be utterly suspicious.
Not to mention, there might be some spies from the other side among their soldiers.
Prince Ji Sheng sighed. "It's my mistake."
"It's not." Yang Xian closed his eyes and looked to the back. "Lit up the signal."
"Strategist, this…"
"Do it."
The soldiers were unwilling, but he knew that he couldn't possibly go against Prince Ji Sheng and Strategist Yang's words. Besides, these two would know what they were doing better than anyone else.
"Yes…"
Prince Lian looked at the soldier who came and then to the young girl who was tied. The white dress was dirty along with several patches of blood. Even though she was wounded, there was no sign of giving up on her beautiful face.
"Liu Ying?" Prince Lian asked as he came forward. His hand clasped the young girl's jaw and lifted her head to look at him. It was then he could see her expression better. "I never expect that the upcoming strategist is actually a pretty boy, or are you a girl?"
Wei Liuying kept her mouth shut. She was cursing her mistake for coming close enough and then got surrounded by the soldiers. Her small frame alone was more than enough to attract their attention.
Prince Lian looked at Prince Ji Sheng who was staying up above. His hand grasped Wei Liuying's shoulder roughly as he pushed her to the front.
"Ji Sheng!"
"What do you want, Prince Lian?"
"I heard that you're someone who cared for your subordinate. How about seeing your most beloved upcoming strategist die today?" Prince Lian asked with a broad smile.
Prince Ji Sheng didn't immediately reply. He simply turned to look at Yang Xian as if asking for the latter's opinion.
Prince Lian noticed the strange atmosphere and arched his eyebrows. "I have always been thinking about this, but Strategist Liu is surprisingly feminine. Could it be that your first strategist is falling for this little b*stard?"
Once again, Prince Ji Sheng was silent. He continued to look at Yang Xian as if waiting for him to say something.
At this time, Yang Xian was looking in Wei Liuying's direction. His dark eyes were staring back at Wei Liuying with no intention of moving his gaze somewhere else. At the same time, his fingers were clasped so tightly that blood started to ooze out.
"Wei Liuying, what do you have to say?"
At that moment, Yang Xian used Wei Liuying's real name. The soldiers were stunned when they heard what Yang Xian said. Some of them knew this name while the others didn't know. Those who knew felt sweat was dripping on their back.
Wei Liuying was the name of Prime Minister Wei's third daughter, who was supposed to die in the temple not long ago. Yet, Strategist Liu has been with them ever since their departure from the capital city half a year before that incident.
What did that imply?
No one dared to speculate as they were waiting for their strategist answer.
Wei Liuying raised her head weakly and looked at Yang Xian. Slowly, she opened her mouth, "I…"