Chapter 382: Chapter 374: Swift Reinforcement

"Miss, your righteousness is commendable, but... if you don’t mind, just call me Uncle Lin. I cannot shoulder the title of General." Vice General Lin decided to chat with the young lady first to understand her situation.

"You are a General, and I am just a commoner. I dare not call you casually." Cheng Xiaoxiao humbly waved her hand in refusal.

Why does it feel like the other party has ill intentions?

"Saying so would be too distant, wouldn’t it? Miss, you seem young, have you turned fifteen yet?"

As he spoke, fearing the other might misunderstand, he explained, "I meant that you are about the same age as my daughter. The one who bandaged me earlier, that’s my little girl, she’s thirteen this year. Seeing you makes me feel naturally close, and I can’t help but care more, pardon my rudeness."

Cheng Xiaoxiao internally curled her mouth—a hint, perhaps, that he wants to be her father, or something similar.

She wouldn’t be staying long, so there’s no need to establish connections, but... she shouldn’t dismiss his goodwill.

So she said, "Uncle Lin, don’t mention it. I wouldn’t dare to hope for it and feel honored, albeit a little flustered."

The young lady indeed had a way with words, calling him Uncle Lin so naturally. "Hey! No need to feel like you’re over-reaching. It’s me, Uncle Lin, with the thick-skinned, old face. With someone as talented as you, your future is boundless, truly boundless."

Vice General Lin was quite satisfied and continued, "Since you’ve called me Uncle Lin, I can’t go around calling you ’Miss’ either..."

His words trailed off, but the meaning was clear!

Cheng Xiaoxiao did not decline, it’s just a name, nothing to hide from others.

"My surname is Cheng, and my name is Xiaoxiao. Uncle Lin can call me Xiaoxiao or Xiao."

Vice General Lin seemed thoughtful. The surname Cheng, such coincidence—wonder which Cheng?

Eager to know the answer, Vice General Lin immediately asked, "Which Cheng family are you from, miss?"

Cheng Xiaoxiao didn’t expect the question to be so detailed. Previously no one asked such things. Indeed, there are several ways to write Cheng in characters. Next time she introduces herself, she’d have to be more polite by clarifying.

Smiling, she explained, "I am He..."

"Report...!"

As a loud, high-pitched voice rang out, a warrior, galloping on a fast horse from afar, appeared extremely anxious.

"Something’s wrong, something’s wrong, Vice General Lin!"

The guards helped a blood-soaked soldier inside.

"Lin, Vice General, the General is under attack outside the city, please, dispatch, dispatch people for rapid support."

"How many men and horses on their side?" Vice General Lin asked urgently.

The military doctor beside them was stopping the soldier’s bleeding. His face pale, evidently from excessive blood loss, the strong conviction that brought him back now waned upon seeing Vice General Lin. He’s on the brink of collapse, weakly replying, "There are two thousand..."

Before finishing his words, the soldier already fainted.

Everyone who heard this had their breath quicken.

The town’s losses were heavy; there were no extra hands for support.

The General took eight hundred men out of the city to ambush the enemy; all two hundred city guards were sacrificed, and the three hundred sent to support the city gates also confronted significant losses against the grassland cavalry, with over half of the remaining two hundred guards now too depleted.

Currently, less than three hundred soldiers can be assembled; going would be akin to a death wish.

If the two thousand enemies are all cavalry, the General’s situation would be surely fatal. But if only a portion are cavalry, there may be a chance to rescue the General, albeit the other soldiers might... Vice General Lin dared not think of it further.

Even so, Vice General Lin still ordered his subordinates to summon the two injured Village Chiefs for a discussion.

The situation was utterly dire. Was the Grassland Tribe brutally aiming to invade Tianqi?

This issue is of utmost importance; he signaled to his aide, Wenshu, to immediately write a letter to the Court. Even though the chances of the Court sending reinforcements are slim, they must not shirk their duties, seeking a clear conscience.

Qiao Town would hold its ground as long as the grassland cavalry doesn’t tread over their corpses—there’d be no compromise otherwise.

A quarter of an hour later.

They had not yet reached a consensus.

One wanted to leave a contingency for Qiao Town, in case of unexpected events, ensuring the people’s safe departure.

Another advocated trying their hardest to save the General. The General was the people’s faith, the soldiers’ soul. Without him, Qiao Town would cease to exist.

Seeing their endless quarrel, Cheng Xiaoxiao cleared her throat twice; it was only then that they noticed a young girl sitting behind them, completely ignored.

"Sorry to interrupt, can I apply to join the rescue force? It’s temporary, of course. I greatly admire the General and wish to contribute what little I can—

her clear eyes darted across their faces—what are they hesitating for in this godsend opportunity? 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

"Vice General Lin was very conflicted. Though the young girl was not without skills, the danger outside was several times that before. Should anything happen... he truly couldn’t bear it.

"Little girl, you’ve got great skills, can you help rescue the General?" an older Village Chief couldn’t help but ask.

"Old Qiu, how could you say that? The girl is so young, even if she’s somewhat skilled, the enemy’s numbers are many—how can you assure anything."

Old Qiu, reprimanded by Vice General Lin, sighed hopelessly.

He truly couldn’t bear to see the General dead; feeling utterly dejected, he hated himself for his injured leg, unable even to ride a horse. Otherwise, he’d die along with the General.

Realizing he had pinned all his hopes on a young girl moments ago—which was utterly ridiculous—he bowed his head to apologize to Cheng Xiaoxiao, "It was I who..."

"Alright, I agree!"

Before the sorrowful Old Qiu comprehended, the young girl’s crisp voice rang out.

"Xiaoxiao, you mustn’t act rashly. At least you call me Uncle Lin; how could I send a young girl into danger." Vice General Lin discouraged sincerely.

He then grabbed the long spear beside him, decisively ordering: "Prepare to assemble all personnel, excluding the severely injured soldiers, for rapid support."

Knowing their current manpower limits, they still had to make a desperate attempt, unable to watch the General trapped alone.

"Village Chiefs Qiu and Li, listen to the order: Gather the injured soldiers and people at the base of East Slope Mountain. If the rescue doesn’t return, lead everyone to retreat toward Wanyuan City."

"Vice General Lin!"

"Vice General Lin! Absolutely not."

The two Village Chiefs shouted in unison, unwilling to leave, preferring to die together.

"This is a military order, execute immediately without error."

"Yes, sir!"

The two had no choice but to comply, although their hearts were very conflicted.

Several requests to fight were rejected; they could only walk away dejectedly.

Thus, they hastily made the decision, entirely sidelining Cheng Xiaoxiao, leaving her very disappointed.

"Hey, Uncle Lin, wait for me!"

Cheng Xiaoxiao followed Vice General Lin.

She snatched a warhorse at the manor’s entrance, hopped onto it, completely disregarding Vice General Lin’s warnings.

Ultimately, Vice General Lin, failing to persuade her, could only let her proceed.