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    The Shi Family conducted the meeting, and the whole family changed quickly within a month. The people did not expect this. Every time they saw the Shi Family people, they were surprised. The demeanor and aura were notcking inparison to the elite.


    Last month, the fourth prince left the Shi Family manor, as did Shi Ning and Shi Wie. The two of them were called back for duty on the northern borders of the nation. Shi Lang had regrly corresponded with the two of them, checking if they were well. They were to head the family''s two branches and needed to be alright.


    When Shi Lang mentioned that Shi Ning would be responsible for the security and the family forces, he also asked her to serve under the fourth prince''s banner. She was a small official whose support did not bother the two older princes. Now the young man wanted to y the game in a way to win with a royal flush.


    He sat in the main hall, his eyes closed, and the elders discussed small things quietly. The family was steadily climbing the peak of sess, but they were careful not to get overly ambitious.


    Suddenly, the tranquility of the scene was disturbed. A young disciple walked inside the hall and said, "Patriarch, a royal guard is here to deliver a message for the young master."


    Shi Yulong nodded and said, "Bring them over with respect."


    Shi Lang saw this and did not say anything. Soon the royal guard came over, and the elders stood up. Shi Lang shook his head but knew this soldier''s status was akin to seeing the emperor himself.


    He also stood up and asked, "Sir, please have a seat and tell us the message."


    The royal guard took a scroll from his sleeves and gave it to the Terran. Shi Lang nodded and took the scroll from the soldier. The young man opened the scroll and read the content. After he was done, his expression was somber. The scroll was passed onto the Patriarch.


    Shi Yulong read the content and said, "Lang, what do you think we shall do now?"


    Shi Lang said, "I will leave for the frontier."


    Thedies of the family had alsoe over when they heard a royal messenger hade over. Shi Lang did not have the time to console them. He looked at the royal messenger and said, "Shall we leave now?"


    The royal messenger was surprised by the sense of hurry disyed by this guy, but these were his orders. He asked, "Do you not need to prepare anything?"


    Shi Lang shook his head and said, "I need just a mount and a weapon. Nothing else."


    Surprised, The messenger asked, "You do not need armor?"


    Shi Lang said, "I have it."


    In a blink of an eye, the terran moved forward to leave the ce. Shi Yulong and Shi Yuwan did not even have the time to react when the two people left the manor. The entire Shi family began to pray for Shi Lang''s safety.


    ...


    Shi Lang and the royal messenger rode their war horses at full speed. The royal messenger said, "You are in too much of a hurry. We do not have any forces with us. The path to the frontier is littered with bandits and looters. What will we do if we encounter any trouble?"


    Shi Lang replied, "Just follow me."


    ...


    The two people moved through the forests and high mountain passes. Whenever they encountered any viin, Shi Lang directly yed the other party. He did not fear anything or wait for anything at all. His sword and spear rained on the enemy, and it was a sight that made the royal messenger almost wet himself.


    Shi Lang was akin to a god of death. He left death and only death in his wake. They traveled for seven days before they reached the frontier, and Shi Lang almost gave a death scare to the soldiers guarding the campsite. The terran was covered in blood and dust. They have not rested much on the way.


    If not for the presence of the Royal Messenger, the guards would have attacked Shi Lang. The terran jumped off the horse, and the royal messenger said, "Young Master Shi Lang hase with me. Please inform themander."


    The guards were surprised and rushed forward to inform themander quickly. When the guard returned, Shi Ning was following him. The girl was shocked to see Shi Lang covered in blood and rushed past the barricade. The soldiers were surprised. Shi Ning asked, in a concerned tone, "Big brother are you okay?"


    Shi Lang revealed a smile and raised his hand to pat her head, but he stopped. He replied, "Can I have a bath?"


    Shi Ning nodded and took his hand as she led him inside. The royal messenger finally fell to his knees. The guards helped him as they asked what happened. The messenger had tears in his eyes as he narrated the entire journey. The guards were shocked and could not believe what they had just heard.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    ...


    Shi Lang was taken to a small tent where he washed himself. Shi Ning came in with an old man. She asked, "This is Master Ang. He is a physician. Did you suffer any injuries on the way?"


    Shi Lang shook his head but allowed the old man to take his pulse. Master Ang said, "He is fine, Vice Commander Shi."


    Shi Ning let out a sigh of relief and then thanked the old man before he left the tent. Shi Ning asked, "Why were you covered in blood?"


    Shi Lang smiled and said, "Bandits and looters."


    Shi Ning shook his head, and she knew the skills Shi Lang had. The young man sat on a chair and asked, "What happened?"


    Shi Ning sighed and said, "Ten days ago, we were leading a mission to clear out the rebels in the mountains. Everything seemed fine, but then a mysterious force appeared. They had the top of the mountains covered with archers. We were helpless. Suppose we do not take them down by the end of the month. His Majesty will punish themander with the capital crime."


    Shi Lang nodded and said, "Let me go and meet the Commander first."


    ...


    Shi Ning and Shi Lang came to the biggest tent in the camp. The youngdy saluted and said, "Vice Commander Shi Ning is here to see the Commander."


    An old voice sounded inside the tent, "Come in, Xiao Ning."


    Shi Ning walked inside the tent, and a few momentster, her voice sounded, "Big brother,e in."


    Shi Lang entered the tent and found an old man sitting behind a war table. The dignity reflected in his eyes was simr to a soldier back in the Federal Military. The old man asked, "I hear you are a soldier from the lower realm?"


    Shi Lang matched his gaze and said, "If possible, I would like to act ording to the customs of my hometown."


    The old man nodded, and Shi Lang saluted him and said, "General Shi Lang of the Federal Military."


    The old man asked, "You are rather young to be a general."


    Shi Lang replied, "Age has nothing to do with rank in the military. It is only your capabilities."


    Shi Ning was also surprised and did not expect that Shi Lang was a general. Themander nodded and said, "Indeed, what you say is true. Since Xiao Ning has called you, shall we get on with it?"


    Shi Lang nodded and walked closer to the war table. He saw the entire valley made up of spirit energy and various locations marked on it. The young man carefully observed the situation and said, "Do you have any scout reports?"


    Shi Ning stepped forward and provided Shi Lang with the scouts'' reports. The reports told them that the mysterious forces were mercenaries. They all used highly efficient crossbows to strike the enemy down. They were guarding the valley from both sides of the cliffs.


    Shi Lang said, "Two hundred men, hundred full body shields, and hundred long spears. Hundred archers. You can have the cliffs cleared up before morning."


    Shi Ning asked, "You mean that we attack in the night?"


    Shi Lang nodded and said, "Or else? When shall we attack? The enemy is expecting us to retaliate at any moment. The more time you give them to prepare, the more chances of failure. We need to capture this valley to avoid capital punishment for themander. The time limit is a month. We finish these rebels and mercenaries from the roots and earn merit."


    The oldmander nodded and said, "I agree with you. I will call over the captains, and you can delegate the instructions to them."


    Shi Lang shook his head and said, "No, I will lead them all in person. If the situation changes, I will be able to deal with the situation better."