Chapter 53

The counterattack began on the second day. The arrival of the second batch of reinforcements further alleviated the situation of strained manpower. General Xu immediately decided to retake the ancient pass.

The ancient pass was a crucial checkpoint north of Gaobian, forming a strategic triangle with Gaobian, each supporting the other. This time, it was lost due to a sudden Northern Rong attack and a command error by the defending general.

The Northern Rong had mobilized 300,000 troops, with 100,000 facing Gaobian on the left flank. However, due to the mountainous terrain, they couldn’t mass troops or advance significantly. Taking advantage of the enemy’s unstable foothold, General Xu ordered the ancient pass to be retaken. This strategic triangle would determine whether they could seal the gap and whether the enemy could hold the ancient past, which was crucial for the next phase of the battle.

As dawn broke, the vanguard troops, clad in dark armor reflecting the cold light, swarmed out of the gates. Su Ci stood on tiptoe, looking at the vast sea of black armor below. It was her first time witnessing a cold weapon battle, and the scene was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. She had already changed into her military doctor’s uniform, a dark blue robe with a matching headscarf. Among the other military doctors, she looked no different except for being shorter and slimmer.

Following the main group of military doctors down the stone steps, with A Zheng and a few others acting as her assistants and medicine boys, Su Ci peeked outside, trying to spot Yang Yanzong, but couldn’t find him. The battle plans were confidential, and she didn’t know what Yang Yanzong was responsible for.

“I wonder how long this battle will last.” She remembered Yang Yanzong’s words yesterday, saying he would take her somewhere tomorrow. Could they still make it?

It didn’t seem likely.

But this time, Su Ci guessed wrong. Yang Yanzong could indeed manage it.

---

While Su Ci was still having breakfast, Yang Yanzong had already led his troops out of Gaobian City, marching rapidly along the southern slope of Da Gaoling, circling to a flatter area 200 miles away, Ping Shan Pass, and opening the gates. They then circled the mountains outside the pass, traveling over 300 miles overnight, approaching the ancient pass again, and hiding in the nearby mountains. The wind was howling, bringing a dry and familiar scent. To the right was the vast grassland, and the faintly visible yellow Gobi Desert was behind them. It was a familiar environment that might be uncomfortable for newcomers but was second nature to someone like Yang Yanzong, who had fought in the northwest and northern borders for years.

Yang Yanzong reined in his horse, his sharp eyes scanning the vast camp below and the 100,000 Northern Rong cavalry assembling. The Northern Rong reinforcements had already moved to the ancient pass yesterday. Riding beside him was Ji Yuanhao.

Ji Yuanhao led the Red Tiger and Silver Fox battalions and 3,000 cavalry, responsible for this interception mission.

The Northern Rong Left Sage King, who led the troops below, was an old acquaintance of Yang Yanzong. In his youth, Yang Yanzong had made a name for himself in the breakout battle at Ruyeling, facing this very Left Sage King.

The Northern Rong Left Sage King, Ushe Tuqi, whose name meant “most virtuous” in Northern Rong, was usually the heir apparent. Who ultimately inherited the throne depended on their abilities.

Ushe Tuqi and Yang Yanzong had been fated rivals since their youth. They faced each other multiple times, with Yang Yanzong often emerging victorious. It was as if they were natural enemies. Many of Yang Yanzong’s significant military achievements came from defeating this Left Sage King, including the most crucial victory in the joint expedition against Northern Rong with Ji Yuanhao. Their combined efforts played a pivotal role in the battle, earning them great merit and substantial rewards. As a result, Yang Yanzong, at a young age, made it onto the list of top Southern Qing generals targeted by the Northern Rong.

Old rivals, old enemies.

However, the task he received today was not to face the enemy head-on.

Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao led their troops to stealthily march hundreds of miles to play a crucial role in the ongoing battle at the ancient pass.

The Northern Rong were not skilled in siege warfare; they were primarily raiders, with few fortresses on the grasslands. Having just taken the ancient pass and being unfamiliar with it, their foothold was unstable. General Xu estimated that after half a day’s fierce battle, their side would gain the upper hand.

The Northern Rong would undoubtedly send reinforcements at any cost. The mountain pass was narrow, but there was never a shortage of suicide squads. Yang Yanzong and Ji Yuanhao’s task was to seize the right moment, charge in to intercept, and stop the continuous flow of Northern Rong suicide squads, giving the rear troops enough time to press the attack. This required the commander’s judgment and experience. If they acted too early, their forces, numbering around ten thousand, would not withstand the fierce Northern Rong attacks for long, failing to buy enough time. If they acted too late, the opportunity would slip away, and they wouldn’t be able to cut off or stop the enemy, weakening the rear assault and possibly failing to achieve victory.

This required keen eyesight and on-the-spot judgment, so neither Yang Yanzong nor Ji Yuanhao wasted any words. They continuously moved to observe the situation. As the sky gradually brightened, their seasoned soldiers, lying motionless in the forest, made no sound even while chewing dry rations and drinking water at noon. The lush forest was silent, with no signs of hidden troops, and enemy scouts found nothing after several rounds.

The final result was ideal. Yang Yanzong’s judgment was exceptionally accurate, and he timed it perfectly. As the sun began to set in the late afternoon, the battle below finally changed. His eyes sharpened, muscles tensed, and at the critical moment, he opened his sharp eyes and raised his hand, “Order, advance!”

He pointed, “Target the third red flag now, soldiers! Proceed as planned!!”

The hidden troops surged, causing chaos among the Northern Rong forces. Before the Northern Rong army could react and regroup, Yang Yanzong led the vanguard to the target position. Two-quarters of an hour later, they successfully cut off the pass, instantly disrupting the Left Sage King’s strategic deployment. Furious, he missed the fleeting opportunity and ultimately failed to secure the ancient pass.

The battle lasted all day until dusk. As night fell, cheers erupted from the rear; the ancient pass was successfully recaptured!

The Northern Rong soldiers guarding the pass were forced to break out and retreat. General Xu ordered to open the gap and let them go—killing a few thousand more Northern Rong remnants was insignificant, and if the intercepting troops didn’t withdraw, their losses would sharply increase.

The sound of gongs signaled the retreat, flags waved, and Yang Yanzong’s long knife slashed across a Northern Rong general’s neck, blood splattering. He pulled the reins, swiftly turned, and immediately ordered an orderly retreat. His handsome features still bore traces of blood. After successfully retreating into the ancient pass, he tossed his long knife to his personal guard. With the battle over, he left the cleanup to Ji Yuanhao.

“I have other matters to attend to. This is your responsibility now.”

The two had worked together for quite some time, coordinating seamlessly. Ji Yuanhao raised an eyebrow, “Other matters? What matters?”

Yang Yanzong remained expressionless, “Receiving supplies.” He pulled the reins and immediately left.

---

By the time Yang Yanzong had received the first batch of supplies and visited the wounded soldiers who had returned to camp, it was already late at night.

Su Ci was also nearly done with her work. Without the mass production of penicillin, surgical procedures didn’t hold many advantages. However, suturing was quite effective in stopping bleeding, and other military doctors quickly noticed this. Despite being busy, they came to ask her about it. She patiently demonstrated over and over, emphasizing the importance of cleaning wounds. These battlefield-seasoned military doctors were quick learners, soon mastering the technique, and the medical camp became orderly.

Su Ci was technically an auxiliary member. By midnight, the medical camp had enough personnel, so the senior military doctor began arranging rest shifts. Being young, she was assigned to the first shift.

But Su Ci was still quite energetic. After the assistant informed her of the arrangement and left, she stood for a moment. A Zheng quickly said, “Since the senior doctor has arranged it this way, Madam should go back first.”

Su Ci tilted her head, blinking at him. After a moment, A Zheng’s dark skin seemed to turn a bit red.

Hmm, that’s odd. She chuckled, finally letting the young man off the hook. She washed her hands, changed into clean clothes, and walked against the flow of people. As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Yang Yanzong. He had removed his heavy armor and changed into a black light armor. His hair and body were freshly washed, with his temples still slightly damp. It was unclear how long he had been standing there, but it seemed to have been a while. He stood in the shadow of a corner, but his tall, strong figure and commanding presence made him stand out. Despite the constant flow of people, Su Ci spotted him immediately.

“Hi!” She waved eagerly. Was he here to pick her up?

She ran over, her eyes bright and full of energy. Yang Yanzong was pleased with her appearance. He took her hand and walked out leisurely, “Are you tired?”

“Not at all.”

He looked back at her, his face partially obscured by the light, but his sharp features were clear, making him look particularly deep and captivating. He smiled slightly, “That’s good.”

“I’m taking you somewhere.”

His large black horse was waiting by the medical camp gate. Yang Yanzong mounted it and pulled her up into his arms. With a squeeze of his legs, the horse leaped forward!

Yang Yanzong rarely rode this warhorse, which was mostly kept in the camp. Su Ci had seen it only a few times. It was exceptionally tall and majestic, with a coat like black satin. As it ran, it felt like flying. Su Ci couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wow, it’s so high!” The horse leaped, and she quickly grabbed Yang Yanzong’s clothes, afraid of being thrown off.

Yang Yanzong tightened his grip around her waist, easily controlling the horse. He had considered canceling the plan, worried she might be tired, but in the end, he didn’t want to. With the battle over, he was still full of energy. Riding through the dark night with the woman he loved, like a young boy, he felt an unexpected sense of excitement and anticipation. He didn’t dwell on his emotions, listening to Su Ci’s cheerful laughter, which sounded like silver bells. He felt unusually happy, smiling slightly and tightening his grip to prevent her from falling. He could catch her if she fell, but he didn’t want to scare her. Then again, she probably wouldn’t be scared, just excited. Thinking of this, Yang Yanzong shook his head slightly, but his lips curved into a smile.

The journey was a bit long, but the black horse was fast, making it feel like flying. Su Ci lovingly patted the horse’s neck and excitedly asked Yang Yanzong, “Where are we going?”

“Are we there yet?”

Yang Yanzong smiled slightly, “You’ll know when we get there.”

---

Su Ci clicked her tongue, wondering what kind of mystery Yang Yanzong was up to. Hopefully, he wasn’t planning to trick her.

In fact, Yang Yanzong didn’t trick her at all. Instead, he gave her a delightful surprise.

After galloping on the black horse for over an hour, they finally reached their destination. It was a narrow pass between two mountains that gradually widened. As they emerged from the gorge, the view opened up spectacularly!

Before them lay an endless expanse of grassland, with knee-high lush green grass swaying in the wind, creating waves that seemed to stretch to the horizon. Among the green grass were small purple, yellow, and white flowers swaying and rolling. Su Ci even saw fireflies!

The opening faced northwest, and the wind carried a dusty scent reminiscent of the northern frontier, but the vegetation was much more abundant and lacked the harsh, rugged feel. Yang Yanzong’s horse didn’t stop as he led Su Ci deeper into the grassland, heading east. The further they went, the greener and more lush the grass became. The sound of flowing water and the increasing number of fireflies accompanied them until they reached the edge of the mountain. Fireflies danced around them, and the bright moonlight filtered through the straight, sparse trees, creating a serene and clear night. The yellow glow of the fireflies’ tails shone brightly, covering the entire hillside like stars, extending to the horizon and blending with the starlight, reflecting the full moon. The scene was filled with a dazzling, rising glow.

It was truly breathtaking, an unpolluted, serene natural wonder—an evening with fireflies!

Su Ci was momentarily speechless, afraid of scaring them away, but soon realized these fireflies weren’t afraid of people. They paused, and some even landed on her hand, making her exclaim in delight.

It was so beautiful, so wonderful!

She jumped off the horse and joyfully ran into the scene, stepping into a small stream without care and even stomping around. This place was like a dream come true for any girl!

Yang Yanzong led the horse, slowly following her. He felt awkward but cleared his throat, “This is Shajiaba.”

“Oh, so this is Shajiaba?”

The place that resembled the northern frontier was indeed beautiful and amazing!

Yang Yanzong nodded, a bit serious, “Didn’t you want to learn martial arts? I’ll teach you someday.”

She had mentioned it while lying on his back in the mountains of Yijiang, and he hadn’t forgotten. But it would be tough, and he worried she might give up after a couple of days.

At first, Su Ci was mesmerized by the beauty, not noticing anything different when he spoke the first sentence. But now, she sensed something unusual.

“Eh?” Su Ci turned back, staring at him in surprise. Her big eyes were wide with disbelief. She stared for so long that Yang Yanzong started to feel a bit embarrassed and angry. Su Ci giggled and ran away.

---

With Yang Yanzong around, she didn’t have to worry about her safety. She could run freely on the firefly-filled hillside grassland!

After catching fireflies for a while, she ran back to Yang Yanzong and said, “Hey! Can you help me catch some? Please, please~”

Yang Yanzong said she was troublesome, but in the end, he picked up a small silk lantern. This place seemed to be visited occasionally, leaving behind some items.

Yang Yanzong found a small child’s silk lantern, apricot-colored and very thin, about one-fifth the size of a regular lantern. He caught fireflies with a serious expression, a task he probably hadn’t done before, but he quickly got the hang of it. Su Ci was catching and playing at the same time, but he focused solely on catching them. In about half an hour, he had filled the small lantern. He even found some sturdy grass stems to mend the broken part, ensuring the fireflies couldn’t escape. He even wove it tightly and beautifully.

“Wow, is there anything you can’t do? It’s so unfair!”

By this time, the sky was gradually getting lighter, with a faint white glow on the horizon. The fireflies seemed to receive a signal and began to scatter, their yellow lights rising and spreading, reflecting the dim morning light, looking like a river of stars, incredibly beautiful.

It was time for Yang Yanzong and Su Ci to return. He rode with her, and she kept looking back, unable to take her eyes off the beautiful scene.

Yang Yanzong lowered his head slightly, his chin just touching her forehead. He told her, “If you like it, we can return.”

His tone was exceptionally gentle when he said this, like the early morning breeze softly caressing her face.

Su Ci couldn’t help but blink. Alright, she wasn’t a fool, okay?

When they returned to the camp at Gaobian, the fireflies in the small lantern were still glowing. She flopped onto the bed, rolling with the lantern, and when she reached the edge of the bed, she noticed a small purple flower on the bedside table.

During their time at Shajiaba, her favorite was this unknown purple wildflower, which was plump and cute. She had picked a bunch while running around, but when she mounted the horse, her small stature caused her to drop them all. She had been quite regretful at the time.

When did he pick this flower?

Su Ci picked up the small flower, poking at the pink-purple petals, and sneaked a glance at Yang Yanzong, who had just been called out by A Zhao and was now whispering with someone outside. The door curtain was half-drawn, showing only his tall, muscular figure.

Su Ci clicked her tongue, put down the small lantern and the purple flower, and rolled around with the thin blanket. Lying on the bed, propping her chin with one hand, she thought, Yang Yanzong’s actions were quite obvious—dating, giving flowers.

Was he trying to court her?