Hu Xiaotian's eyesight was exceptional. Even from afar, he recognized the woman in red as Yan Nujiao, the beloved daughter of Yan Kui, the bandit chief of Heavenly Wolf Mountain. There was no need to ask-the force behind her was the Horse Bandits from Heavenly Wolf Mountain. Some two hundred strong, they immediately dismounted after their long-range volley, drew their weapons, and joined the close-quarters fighting.
The Horse Bandits from Heavenly Wolf Mountain were all well trained and worked together seamlessly. Once they joined the battle, the tide swiftly turned. Hu Xiaotian's men rallied too, their fighting spirit rekindled. Even the warriors who had been utterly exhausted moments earlier fought as fiercely as though they had been dosed with stimulants. After all, they could see hope again.
Leading a dozen or so capable followers, Yan Nujiao carved a bloody path through to Hu Xiaotian's group. Rather than addressing him first, she asked Long Xiyue with concern, "Are you all right, Sister Xiyue?" Although they had been born in the same year and month, Long Xiyue was seven days older than Yan Nujiao, as they had already established.
Long Xiyue smiled warmly. "You came just in time, Nujiao. We were about to give out."
A blue wolf lunged at them from the side. Yan Nujiao raised her right hand, sending a sleeve arrow straight into its mouth. The wolf fell to the ground with a howl.
"You two look after each other. I'll go help Xia Changming," Hu Xiaotian said. Seeing that the situation was largely under control and there should be no further danger, he hurried away to help Xia Changming. After cutting down several vicious wolves, he reached the woods, only to see a flash of golden light ahead as Xia Changming descended. He had been injured in his