Ten Thousand Miles of Beacon Fire Reaches the Royal City

Mu Xiangli looked up at the Golden Tiger roaring in the sky and asked in astonishment, "What is that?"

Qi Beihang said in a deep voice, "This is the transmission device of the Palace Imperial Guard. Though I have departed, His Highness did not reclaim my sidearm and this item. In times of peril, this device serves as a beacon across a thousand miles, a signal for help."

This was completely outside of the plan. Shen Hongyue felt a twinge of regret for not killing Mu Xiangli earlier. However, she was not one to be easily deterred by accomplished facts. Moreover, even if she had killed Mu Xiangli, Qi Beihang would have tracked them down today anyway.

Shen Hongyue and her companion, who held the Horse-Chopping Saber, exchanged a glance and simultaneously struck out at Qi Beihang.

The Horse-Chopping Saber swung like a raging gale, while the soft sword danced like falling blossoms. The gale swept the falling blossoms, enveloping Qi Beihang within.

"You are still too green." Qi Beihang slashed once, dispersing both the gale and the falling blossoms. The two attackers retreated several steps before barely managing to steady themselves.

Seeing this, Mu Xiangli's spirits rose dramatically. "Master, what are you waiting for? Cut them down!"

Qi Beihang turned his head to glance at him. "Though green, these two are not weak; they are several levels stronger than you. Furthermore, why do you think I have not taken the initiative to attack?"

Mu Xiangli froze, then came to a sudden realization. If Qi Beihang went to kill them, he himself would be in danger. "Master, it is best if you just stay by my side."

Qi Beihang snorted coldly, wondering if he regretted taking on such a disciple.

In the valley, Gao Meng was still struggling to hold his ground. The soldiers under his command had suffered heavy casualties. He had already guessed in his heart that this was a trap set by Wu Qiu, but there was nothing he could do.

"Who are you from Wu Qiu? State your name!" Gao Meng bellowed at the man before him, who seemed to grow stronger as the battle progressed.

"General Gao's skill is indeed formidable. When I came here, I did not expect you to hold out for so long. I am Cao Heng. In the future, I shall lead the grand army of Wu Qiu to flatten Jiuzhou for our King!"

This youth was hot-blooded and high-spirited. Were he not an enemy, Gao Meng would have admired him. But at present, he had no mind for appreciation, focusing only on how to break through the encirclement and deliver the news.

However, with urgency in his heart and haste in his hands, it was easy to lose composure. Before long, he finally exposed a flaw, taking a spear wound to his left shoulder.

Although Cao Heng's spear technique was wide-ranging and powerful, he remained highly composed. His attacks were neither rushed nor impatient, and he did not even forget to wage psychological warfare: "General Gao, look around you. Before long, you will be left all alone. Why not order a surrender and submit to our Wu Qiu? That way, you can save the lives of your many subordinates."

"In your dreams! You expect me, Gao Meng, to collude with the enemy and betray my country, to become a traitor? Bah!" In his agitation, Gao Meng took another spear wound to his thigh.

Despair gradually crept into his heart. He did not fear death, but if he died, the consequences would be catastrophic.

Right at this moment, a tiger's roar echoed across the sky. Both he and Cao Heng could not help but retreat a few steps, looking up.

This look brought entirely different emotions to each of them. Recognizing the Tiger's Roar beacon of the Palace Imperial Guard, Gao Meng's spirits soared, and he could not help but throw his head back and laugh aloud: "Hahaha! It seems your plans will not be so easily accomplished."

He knew well that his chances of survival were slim, but as long as the warning could be transmitted, he could slay the enemy with a peaceful mind.

He resolved to see if he could slay Cao Heng before he died, thereby eliminating a future threat for Xi Yu.

In Tancheng, the commoners looked up at the wondrous sight in the sky, pointing and discussing.

Only the Vice General guarding Tancheng stood upon the city wall, his face solemn as he shouted, "By my order, close the city gates and light the beacon fires!"

The location where the Tiger's Roar appeared was precisely where the General had led his men to suppress the bandits. The Vice General was anxious, yet he dared not rashly lead troops out of the city to rescue them.

After much deliberation, he gnashed his teeth and decided, speaking to the lieutenant beside him: "Something has surely happened. Gather two thousand men to follow me out of the city to assist the General. The rest shall defend the city walls to the death. Without the orders of myself or the General, absolutely do not open the city gates."

Having said this, he still felt uneasy and reminded him: "Not only must you keep a close eye outside the city, but you must also watch for any abnormal movements within."

Having given the proper instructions, he immediately led the army out of the city.

As the beacon fires of Tancheng rose, coupled with the thousand-mile beacon of the Palace Imperial Guard, the surrounding towns also went on high alert.

Beacon fires ignited everywhere. In the Royal City, a messenger spurred his swift horse straight into the imperial palace. Moments later, the news reached the ears of the Crown Prince.

Immediately after, the court officials in the city rushed to the grand hall in haste.

Crown Prince Jiang Tao's face was as dark as water: "Beacon fires have been lit in the direction of Tancheng in the southwest, and it is said that the thousand-mile beacon of the Palace Imperial Guard has also appeared. I fear there is trouble at the border, and Wu Qiu is making moves again."

"The thousand-mile beacon of the Palace Imperial Guard?"

Jiang Tao said, "It must be that Vice Commander Qi happens to be there."

The ministers came to a sudden realization. None dared to speak further, for the Crown Prince's previous miserable escape from pursuit was considered a stain on his history, and no one wished to bring up that risk again.

Someone suddenly recalled that Zhou Yi had said in court that day that the southwest might experience unrest, and could not help but look over.

Zhou Yi, however, was currently at ease, showing not the slightest hint of tension or anxiety.

Jiang Tao asked the ministers, "What do my ministers believe we should do now?"

The others dared not make rash conjectures. Seeing Zhou Yi's serene expression, Jiang Tao singled him out: "You speak."

Zhou Yi cupped his hands: "Your Highness, when soldiers arrive, generals block them; when water comes, earth dams it. On one hand, dispatch troops toward Tancheng for rescue; on the other hand, prepare for the fall of Tancheng and Hongshan Pass."

Hearing the words about the fall of Tancheng and Hongshan Pass, the hearts of the others shuddered slightly.

Jiang Tao was exceptionally calm. Hearing Zhou Yi's words, he agreed: "This palace thinks so as well. Send down the order: command all cities in the southwest to rush reinforcements to Tancheng, and guard well the strategic passes and roads connecting the southwest to the Royal City. At the same time, dispatch scouts to quickly gather accurate intelligence."

Order after order was dispatched with high efficiency. Yet, distant water could not quench a nearby fire.

Shen Hongyue and her companion joined forces, yet they were helpless against Qi Beihang.

Qi Beihang suddenly threw the command medallion in his hand to Mu Xiangli, telling him: "Go first, flee toward Tancheng. If you encounter the reinforcing army, you know what to do."

Mu Xiangli was extremely decisive. Accepting the medallion, he turned and fled without a second word.

Qi Beihang was highly pleased with his behavior. Usually, he talked too much and had many petty thoughts, but at critical moments, he knew what was important.

Shen Hongyue signaled with her eyes, and several of her subordinates immediately gave chase in the direction Mu Xiangli had fled.

Qi Beihang snorted coldly: "None shall pass!"

As long as Mu Xiangli could successfully escape, he would find an opportunity to slay the two before him, and then see if he could rescue Gao Meng.

The area around Tancheng was in utter chaos. Mu Xiangli did not look back, sprinting straight toward Tancheng.

Although this was within the borders of Tancheng, riding a swift horse still required a day, and walking would take three to five days. No matter how fast he ran, he could not make it in time. He could only say he was doing what he could; after all, it was better than doing nothing.

As for Qi Beihang's safety, he remained reassured. Having run alone for a long time without encountering any pursuers, he finally stopped to catch his breath.

"Why is there not a single passerby?" Mu Xiangli complained, looking at the empty main road.

Just after complaining, he thought of something. Bandits ran rampant here, and news of the official army's bandit suppression must have spread. Merchant caravans would not dare travel this way in recent days, so how could there be any passersby? He still had to rely on his own two legs.

As he sat sighing, the thunderous sound of horse hooves suddenly echoed. Mu Xiangli froze, quickly hiding by the roadside to observe the situation.

Whether they were friend or foe did not matter, as long as he could defeat them. When the time came, he would hijack a horse and ride to Tancheng.

Having made his calculations, Mu Xiangli was stunned: "Uh... Have I been a bandit for so long that it has become a habit? No, this is not robbery; this is requisitioning!"