Tang Dynasty Bandits

Chapter 7 Hidden Dragon in the Abyss
"Marshal, something bad has happened!"

Qi Ke's subordinate Xiao Ling screamed in shock, his battle robe torn into pieces, covered in mud, dust, and debris of tree bark. He knocked down a fence and appeared in front of the Taining Army commander, stumbling and crawling.

When Qi Kerang, the "Qi Lian Snow Clears", rode a reed raft from the surface of Mengzhu Lake to the position, this was the scene he saw.

"Stand up. You are also a general in our army. It is disgraceful for you to behave like this." Qi Kerang's expression changed slightly, but his tone remained as calm as an ancient well.

Xiao Ling was no ordinary man. He was the legitimate son of the prominent Lanling Xiao family. He passed the imperial examination at the age of eighteen and joined the Snow Marshal's camp at twenty. A talented scholar, he possessed both civil and military prowess, a promising young man known for his demon-slaying golden sword, earning him the nickname "Golden Sword Xiao Ling."

Including Yan Lingkong, Qi Kerang's six most trusted generals are called the "Six Stars of the Southern Dipper".

Although Xiao Ling is only in his early twenties, he has already been ranked last among the "Six Stars of the Southern Dipper", which means he has a bright future.

Chu Kuangsheng's tall body slammed to the ground like a rag bag, and the horse's hooves beat on the soul-deprived Chu Kuangsheng as densely as drumbeats, splashing dust and flying blood all over the sky.

"General..." Xiao Ling said breathlessly, "The enemy generals Meng Kai and Meng Juehai... are... so brave that they are unmatched by ten thousand men. They have completely overwhelmed our positions. The enemy cavalry are coming in droves. Brothers, we can't hold on..."

Before Qi Kerang could say anything, Yan Lingkong, the leader of the "Southern Dipper Six Stars", could no longer bear it: "Can't hold it? Look at what's in the sky?"

Xiao Ling was startled and looked up. When Qi Kerang landed, there was already a row of catapults neatly lined up on the shore. As the servants at the controls pulled the mechanisms, fist-sized stones were launched from above the Taining Army's position like hail, and then fell among the charging Cao Army cavalry. They hit the larger war horses and instantly made a bloody hole in them. In an instant, people neighed and horses wailed, and people and horses fell to the ground.

"With Song Wei holding him back, Huang Chao dared not bring out his main force to attack our beachhead. However, his cavalry is limited in number and cannot withstand losses. This is the end of the enemy's victory today."

Qi Kerang said calmly, "Come here, collect the bodies of Chu Kuangsheng, Feng Geyin, and the rest of the fallen soldiers."

Yan Lingkong slapped Xiao Ling in the face in public: "Your Xiao family has been a famous family for generations, but looking at your appearance now, is the Xiao family going to be destroyed?"

Xiao Ling repeatedly bowed his head in apology, but his clenched fists betrayed his inner shame and anger, and his handsome face flushed crimson. Even though he mentally encouraged himself, seemingly dispelling the dark clouds within, he couldn't help but shudder when he saw a horse of the same color as Meng Kai's yellow steed being led past him in the camp.

Yan Lingkong naturally knew the reason for Xiao Ling's fear and sighed inwardly.

By this point, the desperate cavalry charge led by Meng Kai, Zhu Wen, Duan Hongyan, and their allies had indeed gained the upper hand, inflicting considerable casualties on the Taining army and blunting its momentum. However, as Qi Kerang launched a counterattack with his trebuchets, the Cao army's cavalry also suffered casualties. Even Meng Kai's lieutenants, Ban Fanlang and Peng Baihu, had their horses killed. Meng Kai himself, bleeding from his head, fell off his horse and was rescued by his comrades who dismounted.

Therefore, the situation gradually became unfavorable for the Cao army. Even brave men like Meng Kai and Meng Juehai knew that they could not continue fighting today and could only quit while they were ahead.

Just as Zhu Wen and Meng Kai were about to order their troops to retreat, a slender figure silently appeared before the Taining army, holding a plain, water-bamboo oil-paper umbrella. He exuded an aloof, unobtrusive aura, making everything in the world seem like a backdrop to his indifference.

Because of the martial arts he practiced, this person's smooth black hair was given a faint blue sheen. The deep blue-black color was like the vast ocean, with a captivating magic.

A handsome young man, clad in helmet and armor, stood behind the newcomer. He was none other than Yan Lingkong, one of the six stars of the Southern Dipper. Beside him stood another figure, clad in black, his face obscured, revealing only his eye sockets. He held a simple wooden tray, upon which lay a sword whose gleaming coldness could be felt even in the harshest frost. This newcomer was none other than Qi Kerang, the Snow Marshal known as "Qilian Snowy Clear." This renowned commander, feared throughout the Tang Dynasty, appeared before the two armies, instantly capturing everyone's attention.

"Huang Chao and Huang Jutian have several good disciples."

Qi Kerang stood quietly with an umbrella, with snow shadows flying around him, swirling like a painting, but he himself did not move at all, as quiet as a Cangshan Mountain. His tone was as calm as autumn water, but he always revealed his natural and elegant demeanor.

When he said this, his eyes suddenly met Zhu Wen's, and then fell on Meng Kai and Duan Hongyan.

"Meng Kai and Meng Juehai are born with extraordinary bravery and heroic spirit. They are definitely not ordinary people. If they can survive the bloody battles in the future, in time, their martial arts skills may surpass mine."

Qi Kerang commented leisurely, "As for this Miss Duan, although she is young, her archery skills are comparable to those of the ancient masters. She is truly extraordinary and unconventional."

Meng Kai and Duan Hongyan looked at each other, both feeling a little flattered.

Xue Shuai is naturally an enemy, but it is not easy to gain the recognition and approval of the world-famous and unparalleled Xue Shuai Qi Kerang.

But Qi Kerang's gaze lingered on Zhu Wen's face the longest. He and Zhu Wen observed each other but never gave any clear comments. Finally, he just said lightly: "You are not a bad boy."

Zhu Wen did not respond and showed an expression of disrespect.

He was very dissatisfied that he did not achieve greater results in this battle.

Moreover, Zhu Wen's style of doing things has always been to repay favors and avenge grievances. In his eyes, how could Qi Kerang, as his enemy, be qualified to evaluate him?
His previous sharpness seemed to disappear in an instant, replaced by a laziness that didn't care about anything. This disdainful look made Yan Lingkong angry, and he just wanted to rush forward, chop the little beast off his horse with a sword, and make him kneel down in front of General Qi to apologize.

But "Snow Coach" Qi Kerang has always been known for his good manners. Since his own coach doesn't mind at all, Yan Lingkong can only stay behind obediently.

The fact that the world-renowned "Qilian Snow Clearing" Snow Marshal Qi Kerang took such notice of Zhu Wen wasn't because of his good looks. Qi Kerang was himself an exceptionally handsome man, and he had seen no shortage of beautiful young men.

In this confrontation, Zhu Wen did not seem to perform well.

But Qi Kerang's experience naturally made him realize that this young man was extraordinary.

Zhu Wen's carefree eyes concealed the fiery ambition of a young man. This ambition was not easy to see, but in Qi Kerang's eyes, it contained extraordinary power, like a hidden dragon in the abyss.

(End of this chapter)