"That kid really has a bright future!"
Inside the Martial Repository Pavilion, Elder Chu was very satisfied, even pleasantly surprised, with the plaque that had been delivered to him.
This was a plaque with the three large characters "Martial Repository Pavilion" engraved on it. It was entirely Purple Gold in color. Although it was very thin, it was incredibly tough. Even he could only deform it by hitting it, but he could not destroy it.
Moreover, this thing becomes even more durable after being infused with true energy, so now I can carry this plaque around freely.
You see, he had thought about carrying the plaque of the Martial Repository Pavilion around before, but unfortunately the plaque was just made of ordinary wood, and it would be terrible if it were damaged in a battle.
Since he had sworn back then not to step out of the Martial Repository Pavilion, he would never break his promise, nor would he give that old monster from the Confucian School an excuse to make a move.
Although it could be forged with Profound Iron, and it wouldn't be a big problem for someone of his status to obtain Profound Iron, firstly, there weren't any skilled craftsmen, and secondly, even if the plaque was forged with Profound Iron, it would still be at risk of being shattered by a master of his caliber.
So I've been suppressing my frustration all these years, but now that I have this Purple Gold plaque, I don't have to anymore.
"Fine wine, I've arrived!"
Having confirmed the sturdiness of the Purple Gold plaque, Elder Chu, like a free-spirited husky, hoisted the plaque and ran outside.
He's definitely going to drink his fill today!
A similar scene was playing out at the Sun residence. Upon returning to their room, Zhao Dachui and his wife immediately opened the sealed iron box and were immediately blinded by the Purple Gold light reflected from inside.
Without hesitation, Sun Ruonan immediately put on the Xun Feather Cloth, and Zhao Dachui also happily picked up the two longswords, extremely satisfied with this gift.
"Brother Zhao, look how cool that armor looks on him!"
After putting on the Xun Feather Cloth, Sun Ruonan looked at herself in the mirror for a while before turning around to let Zhao Dachui give his opinion.
"What is that? It's so eye-catching!"
Before Zhao Dachui could speak, Zhao Fengxue and Sun De, who had just entered the room, were both so struck by the reflected Purple Gold light that their eyes welled up with tears.
It's just too eye-catching!
"Father, Father-in-law, you've arrived!"
Upon seeing that it was his own father, Zhao Dachui quickly hid the two swords he was holding inside the bedding on the bed.
He knew his Pops's temperament well; if he discovered these two precious swords, he would definitely replace them, just like last year.
"Father-in-law, Father, this is a suit of armor sent by Brother Zhao's friend. Don't you think it's cool?"
Sun Ruonan excitedly showed Zhao Fengxue and the other person the Xun Feather Cloth she was wearing, clearly adoring the armor.
"It's beautiful; it's probably the most exquisite armor in history."
Having recovered slightly, Sun De squinted at the suit of armor his daughter was wearing and was immediately amazed.
This was the first time in all his years that he had ever seen such exquisite and luxurious armor; it was practically a work of art!
On the other side, Zhao Fengxue, who had also recovered, looked at the pair of Purple Gold wings on her daughter-in-law's back and asked curiously, "What's with those wings on her back? Can these things fly?"
Armor is inherently a piece of equipment with high practical value in combat. Normally, adding a cloak would be cumbersome, but this armor set even has a pair of wings. If this armor set isn't just for show, then these wings must have some other purpose.
The most likely possibility is flight!
"Yes! This paper says it can fly, but for now I can only use my internal energy to control its expansion and contraction."
Sun Ruonan picked up a piece of paper from the side and said excitedly, "It contains an explanation of this Xun Feather Battle Armor, which focuses on the method of controlling the Purple Gold wings on the back."
Unfortunately, her skills are limited, and so far she can only perform simple expansions and contractions; she is powerless to do anything else.
"It really is that kid's handwriting!"
After carefully examining the manuscript, Zhao Fengxue confirmed that the handwriting was indeed Wang Hao's.
This is easy to spot, since there aren't many people who can write so badly.
"Master, something terrible has happened!"
Just then, the steward of the Sun family suddenly rushed over, as if something terrible had happened.
"How dare you speak like that? I'm perfectly fine! Let's talk things out."
Sun De's face darkened, and he turned around and scolded.
" General Li just received a message via hawk: Prince Dula has led an army of 100,000 to launch a surprise attack on Hulan City. Hulan City has fallen, and General Li is currently defending the southern outpost of Hulan City."
The butler quickly explained the situation and handed over the letter that the eagle had just sent back.
"Uncle!"
Sun Ruonan had just been overjoyed to have obtained the Xun Feather Battle Armor, turned pale and was very worried.
The General Li mentioned by the steward was her own maternal uncle, her own mother's older brother.
"It really is a letter written in my brother-in-law's own handwriting!"
Sun De hurriedly took the letter, unfolded it, and confirmed that it was written by his brother-in-law. He felt just as anxious.
His brother-in-law, Li Xiongxin, was the garrison Admiral of Hulan City, a major border city. According to the laws of the Da Ming, the garrison Admiral would be severely punished if the city fell.
If those hostile ministers in the court were to take advantage of the situation, even if his brother-in-law escaped back, he would surely die, and might even be convicted of a crime that would implicate his entire family. In that case, the Sun Household would also suffer.
"My dear in-law, do not worry. Since General Li is still holding the city, it has not yet completely fallen. The city's fortifications are sufficient to hold out for some time."
Zhao Fengxue offered words of comfort, but she was also quite nervous inside, as this matter was extremely serious.
"It's not that simple. I know my brother-in-law's abilities. Although he can't compare to a famous general like Old General Qi, he's still quite capable, especially in defending cities. Plus, Hulan City has high walls and thick fortifications, so it's impossible for it to have fallen so quickly. There must be a traitor inside."
Sun De wasn't stupid; he quickly analyzed the situation based on his brother-in-law's letter and basically determined that there must be a traitor in Hulan City.
"Indeed, since Prince Dula is the leader of the grassland army, there must be a traitor within Hulan City to support him."
Zhao Fengxue nodded. He had previously learned in detail from Wang Hao about what happened at Five Wheels Temple, including the cooperation between Prince Dula, Yang Jingzhong, and even the Confucian School.
Since Prince Dula is leading the army this time, the identity of the traitor within Hulan City is quite obvious.
"His Majesty must have received the news by now and has surely sent an imperial edict to Datong Prefecture for reinforcements. My dear in-laws, there is no need to worry."
Zhao Fengxue remained calm. Hulan City was backed by Datong Prefecture, which was a major military stronghold with 90,000 troops stationed there and Datong Prefecture Old General Jiang was in charge. It was absolutely safe.
Old General Jiang was a veteran general of the same era as General Qi Jiguang. Although he was not quite as good as Old General Qi, he was still quite capable and was a trusted minister of the emperor, a person who could be absolutely trusted.
With him there to provide backup, nothing will happen.
Moreover, Datong Prefecture has a cavalry force of 10,000 men. As long as the emperor's order arrives, they can reach Hulan City within half a day to provide support. With General Li Xiongxin's abilities, it would not be difficult for him to delay the Mongolia army for half a day by relying on the garrison city.
Just then, a figure suddenly rushed over at high speed, heading straight for Zhao Fengxue and the others. Upon closer inspection, who else could it be but the cool and aloof male god 9527?
"Master, the Grand Eunuch has ordered you to lead all the assassins of the Blood Wind Hall across the mountain road to support General Li. You must hold out for three days."
9527, who arrived swiftly using his light-footed skills, presented Zhao Fengxue with a letter, which was an order issued by Cao Haisheng, the head of the Eastern Depot.
Damn it!
Upon hastily unfolding the letter and document, Zhao Fengxue's expression immediately changed, and she couldn't help but angrily curse.
"Father-in-law, what happened?"
Upon seeing this, Sun De and the others' expressions changed, clearly realizing that something had gone wrong.
"Someone destroyed all the bridges on the pipeline leading to Hulan City and dug countless horse traps. Numerous bandits also blocked the way, making it impossible for the Datong cavalry to arrive quickly. They had no choice but to set off together with Old General Jiang's army."
Zhao Fengxue's face was very ugly. It was clear that someone had planned this battle in advance and had taken everything into account.
Once Hulan City and Weicheng fall completely, the steppe army can advance unimpeded into Da Ming territory. At that time, even if Old General Jiang leads his troops to the capital, he will be forced to engage in open battle with the steppe army.
Datong Prefecture only has 10,000 cavalrymen, which is no match for the 100,000-strong army of the grasslands. At that time, even the capital may be in danger.
The main road is now blocked, and ordinary people cannot get through. The only option now is to proceed through the mountain path on the side, which only martial arts masters can do, and the Blood Wind Hall is the best choice for them.
After all, neither the Eastern Depot nor the Brocade Guard could easily leave the capital, especially at such a critical moment, so they had no choice but to use the Blood Robe Tower.
At the same time, because he had just become related to the Sun Household through marriage, he was also considered a relative of Li Xiongxin, making him the best choice to go and provide assistance.
"9527, immediately gather all the assassins remaining at the Blood Wind Hall. Assemble them outside the North Gate of the capital in one Tokiomi. Do not be late!"
Zhao Fengxue decisively ordered that this matter must not be taken lightly.
"Yes, Your Excellency obeys!"
9527 accepted the order and immediately disappeared, preparing to gather all the Blood Wind Hall assassins in the capital.
"Dad, I want to go too!"
"Father-in-law, I want to go too!"
Zhao Dachui and Sun Ruonan spoke up one after the other, both wanting to follow.
This battle to defend the city will be extremely fierce. Every extra manpower increases the chances of holding it, so they certainly can't hide in the capital anymore.
"Nonsense! You two just got married today, and the Ruonan is pregnant. How can he go to the battlefield? The situation is dire; even I am not sure I will return alive. What trouble are you two causing? Do you really want the bloodline of the Zhao and Sun families to end?"
Zhao Fengxue was furious. His daughter-in-law Ruonan, was pregnant. If anything happened to her, how could he face his ancestors?
Zhao Dachui, standing to the side, tugged at his wife and glared at her fiercely, clearly disagreeing with Sun Ruonan was pregnant, taking the risk.
"My dear in-law, perhaps we should send Dachui and Ruonan along. They might not be safe in the capital."
Sun De suddenly spoke, but his eyes darted around, and he didn't dare to look Zhao Fengxue in the eye.
"Why would you say such a thing, my dear in-law? Although the situation in the capital is tense right now, it's still much better than risking your life in Hulan City. Besides, Ruonan is already pregnant; how can she take that risk?"
Zhao Fengxue's face darkened. If he hadn't been wary, he would have slapped his in-law across the face long ago.
Are you even speaking human language?
"Ahem... My dear in-law, please calm down. The thing is, the doctor made a mistake in his diagnosis that day. Ruonan is just feeling unwell, not pregnant. So she can go to her uncle's place, and she doesn't need to go to the battlefield Ruonan. She can just stay on the city wall and shoot arrows."
Sun De coughed lightly, his eyes becoming even more unfocused. Sun Ruonan, standing beside him, lowered her head, not daring to look at her father-in-law and husband.
"What?"
"What?"
Zhao Dachui and his son were stunned, and then their faces turned red with anger.
How could they not know that they had been deceived by Sun Ruonan and her father? In order to expedite the marriage between their two families, this father and daughter had actually come up with such a heinous lie.