Clash and Delay

Luda quickly said to Huo Qing, "Sir, this is my caravan. I left first, and it seems they were caught by the Iron Palm Tribe. Please send someone to help me find them. Many of my relatives are still in the caravan; I can't lose them!"

After saying that, Luda hugged Huo Qing's leg. Huo Qing was extremely annoyed, but he didn't show it on his face. After all, military affairs were the priority, and he couldn't let this guy delay important matters.

He shoved Luda away, saying, "Stop bothering me. I'll send someone to help you find your caravan." He then ordered his Centurion to select more than twenty barbarian riders to follow Luda, sending them to help him find his Luda and, incidentally, to keep an eye on Luda.

He then commanded his troops to advance at a faster pace. In order to launch a surprise attack on the Iron Palm Tribe, the 5,000 cavalrymen of the Blazing Fire Tribe were basically riding two horses per person, carrying only ten days' worth of food and water to reduce their load.

Luda watched the main force of the Blazing Fire Tribe gradually disappear into the distance, a sly glint of triumph flashed in his eyes.

He led his troops in the opposite direction, not in a hurry. He planned to rendezvous with the scout force that was tracking the Blazing Fire Tribe. Although the force was small, its members were all elites. With his help and his entourage, it would not be difficult to eliminate the more than twenty barbarian riders following behind him.

Once he found the markers left by the reconnaissance team, he immediately sent six of his men to meet with the team under the pretext of searching for the caravan. He then stayed behind with everyone else to rest and prepare a meal, a time when people are most relaxed.

The reconnaissance troops were also very cooperative. After making contact with Luda's entourage, they immediately prepared and slowly approached Luda's location. The entourage also returned in advance to report to Luda.

Luda could tell from his attendants' subtle movements that the reconnaissance team had arrived nearby. He quickly took out several water bags filled with wine from his horse's saddlebag and distributed them to the barbarian riders of the Blazing Fire Tribe, which soon made them lower their guard.

He then sent a signal, and soon, a troop of more than a dozen Cavalry rushed out from a bush less than 800 meters away and charged toward Luda and his men.

Before the Blazing Fire Tribe's Cavalry could even mount their horses, this Cavalry charged forward. Luda called for the Blazing Fire Tribe's barbarian cavalry to band together and defend with him. These barbarian cavalry, without suspicion, came straight at him. As a result, Luda and his followers immediately drew their swords and looked at these unsuspecting barbarian cavalry, while the scout Cavalry charged forward as well.

Moments later, the shouts and clashes of weapons completely ceased. Luda and his reconnaissance troops had wiped out the Barbarian Cavalry at a very low cost.

"Chief Luda, you should go directly to the Blazing Fire Tribe camp and rejoin the main force. We still need to continue tracking the Blazing Fire Tribe's main force," the reconnaissance captain said to Luda.

"Lord Victor is with the main force, so there's no use for me going there. I'll stay with you and continue tracking the Blazing Fire Tribe. I also want to confirm the situation of the battle between the Blazing Fire Tribe and the Iron Palm Tribe."

After two days of forced march, the 5,000 cavalry of the Blazing Fire Tribe finally arrived at a place less than 20 kilometers away from the Iron Palm Tribe's Main Camp. Volcano summoned all the Legion Commander and said, "After four days of forced march, we have crossed 400 kilometers to get here. You and your warriors are all excellent. However, what is more important is the upcoming battle. The enemy is the core branch of the Iron Bone Tribe, and their strength is not weak. We must not be careless."

Everyone nodded, indicating that they understood.

Volcano continued, "Let the warriors feed the horses water and fodder, and the warriors also need to take out dried meat and wheat cakes to fill their stomachs. We'll set off in an hour, and then we can have a big battle."

The Blazing Fire Tribe's troops began to rest. They had cleared out the Iron Fist Riders and herdsmen along the way, thinking they wouldn't be discovered by the Iron Palm Tribe. However, they didn't expect that the Iron Palm Tribe, like Iron Bone, also possessed the technology of patrolling eagles.

At this moment, inside the Iron Palm Main Camp, Legion Commander Xita had received news that several thousand Cavalry from an unknown tribe were approaching the Iron Palm Tribe's camp. He hurriedly found Chief Xisa and reported the news.

"Chief, what do you think? I believe it must be the Blazing Fire Tribe. They discovered our previous collaboration with the Iron Bone Tribe to intercept the Blood Scorpion Tribe's messenger. Those despicable Iron Bone Tribe, they caused this trouble and then just walked away."

After failing to find the leader of the Blood Scorpion Tribe's messengers, Xita never saw any more Ironbone people. He assumed they had returned directly to the Iron Bone Tribe and harbored resentment about it.

"Xita, it's too late for us to retreat with the tribe now, but we can't just sit here and wait to die. The Blazing Fire Tribe arrived so quickly, they must be exhausted. Xita, I need you to lead your Thousand-man squad to hold off their main force and buy time for our tribe's defense. I will lead the tribesmen to prepare for a defensive battle. After all, we are a branch of the Iron Bone Tribe, we can't let the Blazing Fire Tribe underestimate us. If they want to devour us, they'd better be prepared to break their teeth."

Xita also understood that the chief's approach was the most appropriate choice at the moment.

After leaving the chieftain's tent, Xita immediately assembled his Thousand-man squad, whose training and equipment were modeled after the Iron Bone Golden Cavalry of the Thousand-man squad Iron Bone Tribe, and they were quickly assembled.

They sped along and soon entered a complex and varied mountainous region. This area was called Razor Ridge, a necessary route to the Iron Palm Tribe's Main Camp. The terrain was treacherous, with jagged rocks, making it an excellent battlefield choice for Xita, who was familiar with the terrain.

At the same time, the 5,000 iron cavalry of the Blazing Fire Tribe swept in like Gale.

After a brief rest, they charged forward with great momentum, their horses' hooves thundering through the sky, as if they were about to crush the entire earth.

However, upon arriving at Razor Ridge, they were suddenly attacked by the Xita forces. Although the Xita quickly led his troops out of the battle and the losses were not significant, it still dampened the morale of the entire Blazing Fire Tribe.

Next, Xita used the terrain of Razor Ridge to fight the Blazing Fire Tribe many times. Neither side would give way, and the shouts of battle rose and fell, echoing throughout Razor Ridge.

With Xita command, despite being outnumbered, Xita's Thousand-man squad successfully held off the Blazing Fire Tribe's five thousand Cavalry thanks to excellent tactical arrangements and the troops' tenacious fighting spirit.

Meanwhile, at the Iron Fist Main Camp in the rear, a scene of bustling activity unfolded. In preparation for the impending battle, people sprang into action, implementing a scorched-earth policy. Large numbers of livestock were driven back to the camp to ensure the safety of supplies. All the able-bodied men gathered around the wooden walls surrounding the camp, working feverishly. Some felled trees to build sturdy deer fortifications; others dug deep pits to set up deadly horse traps. Everyone knew that only with thorough defensive preparations could they withstand the enemy's fierce attack.