A few men had been killed by an arrow to the throat. Judging by the wounds on Bamo’s leg and back, it was clearly Chu Lingguang’s doing.

WHOOSH!

Guided by the eagle, the youth rushed straight toward Chu Lingguang.

...

"HYAH!"

"Lord Zhuo!"

Hei Hu galloped toward the National Border but didn’t encounter Zhuoyi and the others along the way. It wasn’t until he reached the Turkic Gate that he saw Zhuoyi negotiating with the Turkic Guardian General.

Pan Tonghui was there as well.

"Xie Xiaohuan is a wanted fugitive of our Great Yuan Dynasty. General Baru, by refusing to give us written approval, you are obstructing our arrest of Xie Xiaohuan. This matter can be either big or small, but it could potentially affect the diplomatic relations between our two nations."

Pan Tonghui said, his expression ugly.

Zhuoyi had gone to prepare Xie Xiaohuan’s wanted notice and arrest warrant, while Pan Tonghui was responsible for securing the written approval from the Turkic side.

Unexpectedly, the Guardian General actually recognized Xie Xiaohuan. In fact, it seemed all the Turkic border guards knew him. After seeing the name, information, and portrait on the wanted notice, they not only refused to provide written approval but also barred Zhuoyi and his men from entering the Turkic Kingdom.

To make this cross-border arrest completely legitimate, the meticulous Zhuoyi had not only prepared all the relevant documents and credentials but had also brought along ten constables and government constables.

But unexpectedly, they were stopped right at the checkpoint.

This left Zhuoyi and his men with grave expressions. It seemed Xie Xiaohuan was thriving in the Turkic Kingdom. For the Guardian General to recognize him, Xie Xiaohuan must have taken precautions in advance.

Otherwise, given their normal diplomatic relations, why would the Turkic Guardian General prevent them from entering to arrest Xie Xiaohuan, and even claim that no such person existed in the Turkic Kingdom?

If Xie Xiaohuan’s power had grown to this extent, then Guo Wei and his two disciples might be in danger.

"Hei Hu!"

Just as this thought crossed their minds, Zhuoyi and the others saw Hei Hu galloping out alone on his horse from the direction of the Aika Tribe.

"Lord Zhuo, Xie Xiaohuan sent a hundred or so men to hunt down and kill my master and my junior brother! To protect me and Lin Guang, my master deliberately lured away most of them. Then, to protect me and let me come inform you, Lin Guang led the rest toward the Hundred Thousand Mountains! You have to find a way to save my master and Lin Guang, quickly!"

"What?"

"How outrageous!"

"Baru, is this the hospitality of your Aika Tribe?! Chu Lingguang is the top scorer of Great Yuan’s South City examinations, and Guo Wei is practically a Grandmaster in Great Yuan! If anything happens to them, we people of Great Yuan will absolutely not let this matter rest!"

Pan Tonghui roared.

"I’ve been guarding the pass this whole time. I have no idea what’s happening within the tribe. Perhaps they got drunk and caused some trouble. It could all be a misunderstanding."

Baru said, calm and composed.

"You..."

"General Pan, right now, you’re the only one who can save Master Guo and his disciple."

Zhuoyi said in a grave and earnest tone.

"Hmph!"

Pan Tonghui quickly went to the Great Yuan gate and carefully explained the situation Guo Wei and Chu Lingguang were in to the Guardian General.

"Master Guo, Chu Lingguang!"

Among the Guardian General’s men, a high-spirited young man rushed into the command tent upon hearing the names Guo Wei and Chu Lingguang.

The Great Yuan Guardian General, Wei Tu, saw someone barge into his tent with no regard for discipline. He was about to shout in anger, but when he saw it was the young man, he swallowed his curses and said, "Yan Zhen, you’re from the Qiling Governor’s Mansion too. Do you know Guo Wei and Chu Lingguang?"

"Reporting to the General, my third brother and Chu Lingguang were candidates in the same South City examination. Chu Lingguang was first, and my brother was second. As for Master Guo, his Spear Technique is unparalleled. He once saved my second brother and has also guided my third brother’s training. I’ve had the fortune of meeting the master and disciple twice. I never expected to hear their names here."

Yan Zhen said immediately.

"Chu Lingguang defeated Samba and became a Disciple of Mr. Du, earning the opportunity to train in the Northern Territory Trial Ground. Master Guo came to escort him back. Unexpectedly, their whereabouts were discovered by the Aika Tribe. They used Xie Xiaohuan as bait to lure Master Guo to the Aika Tribe as a guest, but instead, the master and his two disciples were ambushed by Xie Xiaohuan."

Pan Tonghui explained.

"And who is this Xie Xiaohuan?"

Wei Tu asked, confused.

"Xie Xiaohuan is a wanted fugitive in the Great Yuan. He leaked the Day and Night Breathing Technique to Andre. Master Guo’s son, Guo Xiaotian, was imprisoned at Wolf Valley Pass because of him."

Pan Tonghui explained.

"Are you asking me to lead my troops in to save Guo Wei?"

Wei Tu asked.

"No. I want you, General Wei, to have your forces confront Baru’s men and put pressure on the Turkic side."

Pan Tonghui knew that Wei Tu was only a border commander. Without a direct military order, how could he dare to set foot on Turkic soil?

But he could force Baru to send men to rescue Guo Wei and Chu Lingguang.

"General, Master Guo is a man of loyalty and righteousness, and Chu Lingguang has limitless potential."

Yan Zhen added in agreement.

His master was the Commander of the Imperial Guard in the Imperial City, Wei Yongguang, who was also Wei Tu’s older brother. With the Provincial Martial Arts Examination less than half a year away, Wei Yongguang had sent him to the Hundred Thousand Mountains to gain experience, and had Wei Tu arrange a small post for him.

"As long as it doesn’t force me to violate military orders, anything is possible."

With Yan Zhen’s support and Pan Tonghui’s personal request, Wei Tu did not refuse. He immediately led his border soldiers toward the Turkic Gate, ordering all his troops to halt thirty meters away from it.

"General Wei, what is the meaning of this?"

Baru’s expression turned ugly, and his soldiers stood on high alert.

"Guo Wei and Chu Lingguang are heroes of our Great Yuan, and both hold official honors. They were invited as guests to the Aika Tribe, yet they are being hunted down on your territory. I need an explanation from you, General Baru. If anything happens to the master and his disciple, I, this General, will report it to the Court and demand justice for them."