Chapter 96: Awakening at the Wrong Time

This was an illusion, or perhaps history from the distant past. How could these people truly remember him, given the vast chasm of time between them?

"Load two more bolts for me."

Hu Min reached into the quiver behind him, finding only two arrows left. "You get one, I get one." Without Prefect Sun's supplies, these consumables would have run out long ago.

He loaded the arrows for He Lingchuan. "Any last words?"

"Yes," He Lingchuan replied, raising his crossbow and aiming at the wagon formation. "I just want to know why Prefect Sun ran off with the bear traps."

Several Dafeng soldiers nearby chuckled at his words. Hu Min couldn't help but give him another look. "How about this," he suggested, "the ones who make it back alive can find out the reason and burn some paper to inform you?"

"Sounds good to me."

With a crisp crack, the wagon was smashed, and the last line of defense was about to break.

From He Lingchuan's perspective, his companions ahead were slightly stooped, in a half-squatting horse stance, ready to meet the surging enemy tide.

He leaned against the earthen wall of the riverbank and straightened himself.

If this was their last stand, he shouldn't die lying down.

"Whoosh," the last arrow took down an enemy.

Given his accuracy, it wasn't wasted.

The Baling people charged, like a surging tide.

He Lingchuan dropped his crossbow, drew his long saber, and strode forward to meet them.

It was time for close-quarters combat again.

Just then, a shadow suddenly fell from the sky.

A Baling person had just charged at He Lingchuan. Before He Lingchuan could draw his saber, something descended from the sky and slammed into his enemy, knocking him down.

It was a short-furred monstrous bird, nearly three feet tall, with a sharp beak, jagged teeth, bat-like wings, and sharp claws at the wingtips.

Its wingspan reached an astonishing twenty feet.

The moment it landed, it let out a "caw" so loud it made He Lingchuan's eardrums ache.

The allied soldiers were fine, but many Baling people clutched their ears and staggered a couple of steps. Clearly, this thing had a sound wave attack. Had it not been for the protection of the Sheji Token, ordinary people would have been knocked unconscious and collapsed.

He Lingchuan was also stunned.

This creature looked so familiar; wasn't it the demonic bird from the Coiled Dragon illusion?

Of course, this creature was somewhat different from the one in the Coiled Dragon illusion: for instance, it was much smaller, its body was no longer deathly pale, it clearly looked alive, and its eyeballs darted around...

And He Lingchuan was certain it wasn't formed from a swarm of bats.

But the fact that something from the illusion appeared here meant—

Hu Min, on the ground, shouted, "Reinforcements!"

His voice was filled with the wild joy of survival.

Almost simultaneously, long, stirring horn blasts echoed from the Baling army's rear.

Standing on the hillside, everyone could see the commotion in the enemy's rear, illuminated by the lightning overhead.

It seemed a force had suddenly outflanked them, their banners fluttering fiercely.

Commander Xiao also swung his spear and cried out, "Hold on, brothers! General Hong is here!"

General Hong!

The name seemed to possess magic, instantly injecting new vigor into the weary soldiers.

Everyone felt their blades, which they could barely hold a moment ago, suddenly become light again.

He Lingchuan cut down an enemy, his body swaying twice.

He was already at his limit, each breath causing pain in his chest; the medicine's effects had worn off, and every movement was excruciating.

Commander Xiao even had time to help him up, patting his chest and saying, "Hold on, we've won!"

Nothing could have sounded better than those four words.

The dawn of victory was ahead, embodied by that reinforcement army, which had bared its fangs and moved like a dragon entering the sea.

He Lingchuan couldn't help but climb onto a large rock, wanting to catch a glimpse of the legendary General Hong.

Logically, General Hong should be beneath that fluttering crimson banner.

His gaze followed the banner downwards, and suddenly, the world spun.

...

"No, no, no, no, no—ah!"

He Lingchuan sat up abruptly with a roar, scaring the servant beside him.

"What are you doing?" He Lingchuan glared at him.

He was so close, just a hair's breadth away from seeing General Hong!

To be woken up at that moment infuriated He Lingchuan; his lungs felt like they would explode.

"Young Master, calm, calm down!" the servant stammered, terrified by the young master's morning temper. "Master wants you to go to the side hall immediately; there's an important announcement. Madam and Young Master He Yue are already there."

"Important matter? What important matter?"

"I'm not sure, but Master is very urgent."

"Got it!" He Lingchuan waved him away, rubbing his face in frustration.

The sky was already bright, the weather outside was mild and clear, and fallen petals fluttered under the old osmanthus tree, with a few quietly drifting into the room.

It was a peaceful morning, as always. No one knew that He Lingchuan had revisited Coiled Dragon in his dream, spending a bloody and long night there.

Oh, and his left hand.

He raised his left hand and wiggled his fingers.

Hmm, perfectly fine and still flexible.

It really was a dream, even though the pain felt incredibly real. He was relieved that such injuries couldn't carry over into reality.

He Lingchuan calmed himself down before getting up to dress.

In that riverbed battle, did the Dafeng army ultimately win?

There shouldn't be any doubt.

Commander Xiao had promised him that if he returned alive, he could join the city army.

He didn't want to be part of the city army, but perhaps he could build connections with these soldiers.

What a shame, now that he was out, all the goodwill he'd built up over the night would probably reset to zero?

He Lingchuan sighed. As he buttoned his clothes, he suddenly noticed the divine bone pendant hanging on his chest was emitting a faint red glow.

"Huh? What's going on?"

He picked up the divine bone for a closer look, but it was no longer glowing, as if the flash he'd seen was just his imagination.

It usually had no presence, contradicting its impressive name. Only in the Coiled Dragon illusion did it activate its passive effect, helping him become immune to Sun Fuping's Fiery Incineration divine ability.

He Lingchuan squeezed it, twisted it, and even infused it with true energy, but found no anomalies.

Never mind, he decided to go to the side hall.

His family was gathered around the dining table, enjoying themselves. As He Lingchuan stepped into the side hall, He Chunhua waved him over, a joyful expression on his face. "Come quickly, I have good news!"

He Lingchuan walked over and pulled out a chair. "Dad, are you expecting?"

The old butler served him a bowl of thin noodles in lamb broth. The broth had been simmered for two hours and, paired with handmade noodles and a sprinkle of fresh green scallions, looked simple but was actually rich and flavorful.

He Lingchuan sat down and slurped a few mouthfuls of noodles. "Mmm, refreshing!"

Speaking of which, his appetite seemed to have grown again; one or two bowls definitely wouldn't be enough.

He Yue didn't bicker with him today, but instead said, "It truly is good news."

Even Madam Ying was smiling, looking delighted.

"The memorial has reached the capital, and the court is shaken!" He Chunhua announced, word by word. "For my meritorious service in suppressing the rebellion, especially for eliminating Sun Fuping, that traitor to the state, the Royal Court has ordered my promotion to Governor-General of Xiazhou, effective immediately!"

He placed a scroll of official documents on the table. "The decree has arrived; the rewards are still en route."

He Lingchuan slapped his thigh, his face beaming with joy. "Leaping several ranks, straight to the top! Dad, our family has made it big!"