Mountain Patrol Military Officer-Chapter 1092 - 715:

Tianxiong Pass, Colonel Palace.

In the deep night, the chill was heavy, visible as frost when breathed. The palace doors were open, with flickering candlelight inside reflecting a few glints of armor light and blurred silhouettes.

Suddenly, above the square outside the palace, a white light abruptly tore through the night, descending with a loud clang in the center of the square. It stirred up a fierce wind that made the flags flap fiercely.

The milky white light dissipated, and a figure stepped out.

Dressed in Black Cyan Armor, with a gray-white goatee, he held the knife at his waist, walking with a Four-direction Step, sturdy and vigorous, his steps creating a breeze.

As this figure appeared, with a swish, the armored soldiers guarding the outside of the palace formed two lines, rushing toward the newcomer. Immediately, two burly figures walked out from the palace to greet him. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

General Qi Tian and the local Colonel Wei Zhong came forward, first pausing their gaze upon seeing the old general stepping out of the teleportation passage. They felt slightly strange but still proceeded to greet him, descending the steps, spanning a distance of a hundred meters in a few strides, and stood before the newcomer, offering a virtual hand in support,

"So it’s Mr. Gongsun. Why didn’t General Chen come?" Qi Tian didn’t bother with pleasantries and asked directly. The mysterious Martial Saint attacked outside Tianxiong Pass, naturally sending a message to Chen Yuan first to seek assistance. They thought Chen Yuan would come in person, but unexpectedly, it was his staff member who arrived.

Not to belittle Gongsun Yang, as Mr. Gongsun was quite capable, essentially Chen Yuan’s shadow. However, there were more important matters to convey to Chen Yuan in person.

The visitor, Gongsun Yang, returned the salute, his eyes flickering brightly. He noticed that Tianxiong Pass seemed different from the transmitted information, momentarily suppressing his suspicion, and replied:

"The Overseers have reached a critical moment in preparing for war. The Demon Race has started to intervene, and the general needs to oversee the entire situation, not able to leave temporarily. Upon receiving the message you sent, he specifically dispatched me to assist. The general will make a decision."

At this point, he changed his tone, eyebrows showing doubt, glancing around, "However, General Qi, your message mentioned a Martial Saint descending upon Tianxiong Pass, but now it seems..."

Qi Tian naturally understood the meaning, his eyes darkened, "That mysterious Martial Saint has withdrawn, but at present, there’s a more important matter."

Gongsun Yang raised his eyebrows but did not rush to inquire.

"We can talk while walking. The Court has sent people, but there was an incident." Qi Tian looked somewhat displeased, glancing to his left, "Colonel Wei, explain the situation to Mr. Gongsun."

Standing behind him on the left was the local Colonel Wei Zhong, holding his hand out, then putting it down,

"Yes."

Then, the three, with two in front and one behind, moved toward the Colonel Palace, slowing their pace. Wei Zhong explained the situation to Gongsun Yang as they walked.

"Minister Jiang Yi from the Taichang Temple carried Your Majesty’s secret decree, leading officials from the Taichang Temple, palace attendants, and five hundred imperial guards. They left the capital nine days ago, traveling the Baoshan Road to enter Shu. Early today, they were ambushed by unknown individuals five thousand li outside Tianxiong Pass..."

As per the implication, the only one who survived was the counselor from the Taichang Temple, holding the Emperor’s Banner, fleeing all the way from the hands of the mysterious Martial Saint to Tianxiong Pass, and then that Martial Saint retreated.

"Let’s put aside the situation of the ambushed Court party for now," Gongsun Yang stopped his steps near the staircase at the entrance of the palace and turned his head, asked, "The most crucial thing is, Colonel Wei, you haven’t said — what were these people ordered to do?"

At that moment, a deep voice suddenly came from inside the great hall,

"We came by Your Majesty’s command to bestow rewards and praise the soldiers of Shu."

Though the voice sounded deep, if listened closely, it lacked a bit of vigor.

Gongsun Yang followed the voice, looking into the flickering candlelight of the great hall, and saw a figure in a red robe appear abruptly, standing not far from the door.

On hearing this, Gongsun Yang’s eyelids slightly lifted, and without showing a hint of emotion, stepped forward with General Qi Tian into the hall.

Under the flickering candlelight, Minister Jiang Yi of the Taichang Temple stood there in a red robe and jade belt. His gray-white sideburns were neatly groomed, with hands behind his back, looking like a gentleman, though his face was slightly pale.

Qi Tian broke the tense atmosphere upon seeing him, "Lord Jiang, your injuries are serious, rest in the backyard, and we can discuss matters later."

Jiang Yi shook his head, "Such a strong spatial fluctuation, I thought General Chen had arrived and naturally came out to meet him; we must not delay the official business, especially after so many have died, I am partly to blame."

The Minister from the Taichang Temple spoke with repressed anger.

He then gazed at Gongsun Yang, "I have met you before. You once entered the capital with then Colonel General Chen, a testament to his trust in you. I assume they have conveyed the events as I narrated."

"I need to see your general."

"This matter cannot end like this!"

Gongsun Yang, along with the others, could feel the repressed anger in this Taichang Temple Minister. Everyone was dead; they were hunted down like stray dogs, the reward supplies were intercepted, and his trip out of the capital was utterly blown, making it difficult to fulfill his mission.

Upon hearing this, Gongsun Yang’s eyes sparkled slightly, and he calmly replied,

"You can see my general!"

"But listening to your words, it seems you have some clues about those who ambushed you?"

"Would you mind sharing?"

"Who else dares to ambush our Court Angels in today’s world, especially in the Dragon Ridge of Shu Road? Although those people were dressed as Worldly society individuals, their conduct and discipline had a military air; I am sure you have guessed it." Jiang Yi’s voice was as cold as steel, sneering.

The implication was clear; it was the people sent by Xiao Zhongtian of Beiliang.

Their movements were exposed, and he didn’t know when the leak occurred, but currently, Xiao Zhongtian had every reason to act.

Moreover, based on their actions, he could catch a hint of it.

Gongsun Yang and Qi Tian exchanged a glance, understanding in their hearts.

It’s not surprising — Beiliang raised an army, intercepting the Court’s Angels isn’t extraordinary either.

It merely begged the question as to how the people of Beiliang managed to track the Court visitors, especially when the incident location wasn’t within their jurisdiction, indicating that the Court had been infiltrated and riddled with holes, even secret orders like this getting caught by Beiliang.

"Lord Jiang mentioned the Emperor’s rewards to the soldiers of Shu. May I ask, were the rewards intercepted?" Gongsun Yang suddenly asked.

"Yes, most were intercepted, with only a portion secured by me. The Emperor heard Shu is recruiting troops to fight the Devil Race; these rewards signify His Majesty’s favor to the Shu soldiers, now seized by traitors and rebels. Surely, upon learning of this, General Chen will be as furious as I am."

Gongsun Yang was not particularly concerned about the current Emperor’s sudden rewards but rather about this batch of rewards. Fortunately, Lord Jiang still had part of it,

"Oh, if that’s the case, Lord Jiang, you may set off with me at once to see my general!"

Gongsun Yang was practical.