Naduo Jiayang stood still in a daze, his mind in turmoil. He didn’t know what to do and struggled to make a decision.
Finally, his gaze fell on the tent. He swallowed, rushed to the entrance, and lifted the curtain.
Inside the tent, the High Shaman had just finished chanting the last phrase. The ancient jade-colored scepter transformed, turning crimson and floating before him, then descended into his hands.
Subsequently, the High Shaman turned and saw Naduo Jiayang standing at the tent’s entrance.
"High Shaman, the three tribes have launched a surprise attack on our Nadu Department! I... I... I..."
The High Shaman took a deep breath. While casting the spell, he had naturally heard the commotion outside. Fortunately, the summoning ritual was complete. Shatuo Queshi’s corpse would ’awaken’ and then rush back to the Royal Court on its own.
"Jiayang, I understand. Rest assured, the barbarian gods will not forsake their loyal people. Now, gather all the warriors under your command. We break out first.
When we return to the Royal Court, I will recommend you as the Chief Protector and help you rebuild the Nadu Department!"
Hearing this, Naduo Jiayang’s pale face regained some color, and he immediately gave his assent.
Back at the Nadu Department’s encampment, the fighting was growing fiercer. Meanwhile, nearly a thousand Nadu Department warriors, led by their young clan leader, mounted their warhorses.
"Warriors of the Nadu Department, I, Naduo Jiayang, swear this: One day, I will lead you back and repay these three tribes with blood and fire! The barbarian gods above will guide the souls of our Nadu Department kinsmen who die tonight back to the source of the Ganges River, our homeland!"
Some of the nearly thousand warriors wept, some gritted their teeth, some seethed with resentment. But at this moment, they could only lower their heads and follow their young clan leader, escorting the dozen or so shamans as they departed.
Their warhorses thundered off. While the three tribes were still preoccupied with the slaughter at the main encampment, Naduo Jiayang successfully led his thousand riders several tens of miles away.
However, just at this moment, on the hillock ahead, torches suddenly flared to life.
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The mournful cry of army horns echoed. Cavalrymen in Black Armor began to appear before them. It was the North Border Army!
A deep gloom settled in Naduo Jiayang’s heart. He immediately said to his confidant beside him, "Quick, go inform the High Shaman that North Border Army cavalry is ahead!"
The confidant immediately galloped back. But not long after, he returned in a panic, his face flushed with agitation, shouting, "Young clan leader! Young clan leader! The High Shaman and the others—they’re gone! They’ve disappeared!"
Naduo Jiayang stood there dumbfounded. Then he struck the confidant across the face with his horsewhip. A horrifying bloody welt instantly appeared on the man’s face.
"Nonsense! How could the High Shaman abandon us?"
Naduo Jiayang immediately galloped back himself. He found the dozen or so shamans, who should have been surrounded and protected by the others, still sitting steadily atop their horses, utterly motionless.
When Naduo Jiayang reached one of the shamans and lifted the figure’s black robe, he found not a person, but a scarecrow.
The black robes of the other shamans were lifted as well; all of them concealed scarecrows.
Seeing this, Naduo Jiayang clutched his head with both hands and let out a howl of despair:
Beneath the night sky, a dozen or so bare-chested shamans moved swiftly through the desolate wilderness.
They had no horses, but their speed was still remarkably fast.
The High Shaman walked in their midst, his expression somewhat grim. The attack on the Nadu Department proved that someone had anticipated his plans. Naduo Jiayang had become his decoy, luring away the pursuers. But he still couldn’t be certain if they themselves could break through the encirclement. The Earl of North Border’s domain, that army hailed as the Eternal North Border Guard—for nearly a century, they had been an inescapable nightmare haunting the hearts of the Desert Barbarians!
"Everyone, continue casting to maintain our speed!" the High Shaman encouraged the shamans around him. "Once we cross the Ganges River, ten thousand cavalry from the Royal Court will be there to receive us. Our mission will then be complete!"
They had already expended a great deal of their vital essence summoning Shatuo Queshi. To deceive Naduo Jiayang, they had also forsaken their horses. Now, they could only rely on barbarian incantations to sustain their speed, which was a further, immense drain on their reserves.
However, just as the Ganges River came into view, the ground began to tremble.
Torrents of black seemed to rip through the concealing veil of night, brazenly baring their fangs upon this desert, proclaiming themselves the true masters of this yellow sand!
The shamans halted, despair etched on their faces.
The High Shaman, scepter in hand, walked to the forefront of the group, his expression grave.
"Li Chenghui, Commander under the Earl of North Border, greets the High Shaman."
"Li Liangshen, Commander under the Earl of North Border, greets the High Shaman."
Both Commanders, here in person!
And with them, nearly ten thousand ironclad cavalry!
The High Shaman laughed. At that moment, He knew. There was no longer any sliver of hope for escape.
The High Shaman called out, "The High Shaman of the Royal Court’s Shamanic Conclave greets the two Commanders."
Li Chenghui called back, "My old mistress is also here. She mentioned that she drank the Scorpion Wine the High Shaman sent last year, and her rheumatism this year has indeed been less severe than in previous years."