After a command was given, the bugle call paused, and a line of heavily armored cavalry stood at the top of the mountain pass, poised as if ready to charge at any moment. Although there were only about a dozen of them, everyone felt as if facing a formidable enemy. The mountain path at present was neither too wide nor too narrow. If a charge came crashing down, Yang Chongwei and his men, located at a lower position, would quickly collapse if the front row couldn’t hold. To make matters worse, the Iron Scale Army was positioned at their most vulnerable rear. Considering this, the sword and shield soldiers at the front couldn’t help but swallow and gaze up through the firelight at the agile, armored warhorses, ready to charge down with the force of a collapsing iron tower.

"Brother Yang, the newcomer, I hope you’re doing well.

No matter how much a new official’s initiative burns, it shouldn’t reach my Qin Family."

The man in heavy armor pulled his spirited warhorse along and spoke loudly.

Yang Chongwei’s expression shifted slightly, showing a hint of astonishment before his brow knitted solemnly.

The appearance of the Iron Scale Army within Guiyang’s borders, while unexpected, wasn’t something that amazed Yang Chongwei. The Southern Border was adjacent to Guiyang, and it was a necessary trading passage to the Central Plains. Over the years, the Annan Royal Mansion had grown increasingly powerful, unchallenged locally. The Qin Family Army’s unhindered presence in Guiyang was quite normal. What truly startled Yang Chongwei was that not only did these Iron Scale soldiers appear here in a timely manner, but the leader knew his surname.

One must know that he was an Imperial Army General from the Capital City, the Emperor’s Army.

A glimpse from a crack reveals the size of the whole picture; the extent to which the Annan Royal Mansion and even the entire Longwei Qin Family had infiltrated the surrounding area of the Southern Border was astonishing.

Yang Chongwei furrowed his brow again and queried further, though this time, rather than demanding answers, it seemed more like a routine procedure.

"Who are you? State your name. Are you aware this is a court investigation?" His voice wasn’t loud, but it penetrated the mountain’s tense air clearly.

Above the mountain path, the helmet of the heavily armored leader moved slightly, as if smiling. He urged his horse forward two steps, the horse’s hooves clicking crisply on the rocky mountain path, sounding particularly piercing in the tense silence.

"Mr. Yang," this time, it wasn’t the previous man speaking, but rather his adjutant beside him, "I am Qin Jingde, and this is my superior and cousin, Qin Jingshan."

After a brief introduction, Qin Jingde’s voice carried a barely noticeable undertone of mockery while maintaining a surface respect, "Iron Scale Army, Qin Family. Bound by duty, we protect the trade route and eliminate small threats. As for investigating..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over the refugees encircled by the Forbidden Army and the solitary carriage, finally returning to Yang Chongwei’s face, "This place is secluded, mixed with refugees. It may not be the appropriate place for your investigation. You are here on imperial orders, and we don’t dare obstruct you. It’s just... this muddy water is deep and unpredictable, and you, newly arrived, may find it hard to navigate."

His words were a gentle taunt.

Yang Chongwei remained silent. The mountain wind blew, rustling through the armor. The Forbidden Army felt the invisible pressure, gripping their weapons, yet none dared to move. The dozen riders above, silent as a mountain, pointed their long spears in readiness, a posture more oppressive than any roar.

He understood the meaning of "hard to navigate" — the Annan Royal Mansion’s reach, this perfectly timed ’coincidence’, their knowledge of his identity... all painted the picture of a giant entrenched in the Southern Border.

"Duty calls, I must do my utmost."

Yang Chongwei’s voice regained its usual calm, even deliberately flat, 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"Since your establishment guards this area, the petty criminals likely wouldn’t dare act recklessly. I still have the Emperor’s orders and cannot linger here."

Suddenly he waved his hand, his voice rising sharply with an unquestionable command: "Orders! Disband! Clear the road!"

"Sir?!" a personal soldier exhaled in astonishment beside him, evidently unwilling.

"Follow orders!" Yang Chongwei shouted sternly, his gaze locked on the silent, black iron stream atop the mountain path.

Thunderous noise, little rain. The Forbidden Army soldiers looked at each other, but military orders are binding. The front-line sword and shield soldiers slowly lowered their shields, sheathed their swords, and, with confusion and reluctance, moved to the sides of the path, clearing the center passage. The encirclement silently dissolved, leaving refugees shocked and bewildered by the sudden change.

Above the mountain path, Qin Jingshan said nothing more, only tugging the reins and signaling. The Iron Scale Army cooperatively eased their charge stance, their spears slightly raised, yet the cold intimidation remained, as a sword hanging overhead, watching the Forbidden Army’s cautious withdrawal and organization.

Yang Chongwei took one last deep look at the carriage and the man in the bamboo hat, then glanced over the cliff-top’s silent Iron Scale Army, his gaze complex.

He turned his horse around, silent, nudged his mount into motion, and led the retreat down the path they came. The Forbidden Army followed closely, armor clanking, footsteps heavy, quickly vanishing around the dark mountain bend.

The mountain wind howled, leaving only the refugees’ post-crisis gasping and the Iron Scale Army atop the cliff like statues.

............

The Iron Scale Army walked flanking the carriage, yet the driver in the bamboo hat showed no sign of panic, holding the reins steadily.

This storm seemed more sound than fury, but Chen Yi knew it was far from over.

Even Assistant General Yang Chongwei couldn’t comprehend the Iron Scale Army appearing here, and Chen Yi was even more perplexed.

Qin Qingluo’s people? The Divine Sect’s response? Zhu E’s arrangement? Or maybe... merely a small, simple accident?