The Red Charcoal Fire Dragon Steed could cover eight hundred li by day and five hundred by night. Seven days later, Yuwen Chengdu arrived at the gates of the King Backing the Mountain's residence.
The guards outside stopped Yuwen Chengdu. "Who are you, daring to barge into the King Backing the Mountain's residence?"
"I am the Great Sui's foremost warrior, Champion Marquis, the peerless Grand General of Unrivaled Valor, General Tianbao, Yuwen Chengdu. Is the King Backing the Mountain at home?"
Hearing that he was Yuwen Chengdu, the guard dared not delay and hastily replied with courtesy, "So it is General Yuwen. His Highness is at home. Please come in."
Yuwen Chengdu hurried into the residence. One guard led the Red Charcoal Fire Dragon Steed to the stables, while another took Yuwen Chengdu to find the King Backing the Mountain.
Before long, Yuwen Chengdu found the King Backing the Mountain.
The King Backing the Mountain asked in surprise, "General Yuwen, weren't you accompanying His Majesty on his northern tour? What brings you here?"
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened. His Majesty passed through Shuofang City on his northern tour just as the Eastern Göktürks invaded. Word of his presence leaked out, and Qaghan Jieli surrounded Shuofang City with an army of eight hundred thousand. The situation is critical. His Majesty ordered me to break through and seek your aid," Yuwen Chengdu said.
"What? How dare the Eastern Göktürks invade our borders and besiege His Majesty! This is outrageous!" Yang Lin roared in fury.
"Your Highness, muster the troops and rescue His Majesty at once. Any later, and it will be too late," Yuwen Chengdu said.
"Yes, yes! Luo Fang, Xue Liang!"
"Adoptive Father!" Luo Fang and Xue Liang saluted with cupped hands.
"Send messengers immediately to every province, prefecture, and