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Chapter 84: Chapter 84 Mu Yan Suspects Zhan Lan’s Identity
Zhan Beicang watched the Zhan Family Army chase after the Western Rong army, and a determined smile appeared on his face.
He looked sideways at Zhan Lan.
This girl, she didn’t seem like it was her first time on the battlefield.
Especially since just now she was able to fight ten rounds alone with Asi Han!
Could a teenage girl really accomplish such a feat?
Moreover, she could easily use a Soft Sword with her left hand to chop off one of Asi Han’s arms.
That was even more incredible!
To chop off someone’s arm, especially the arm of Asi Han, who is seasoned in battle, is an even more difficult task!
Unless, Zhan Lan’s left hand possesses an extraordinary strength!
Zhan Beicang stopped Zhan Lan who was chasing towards the Western Rong army and said, "Lan’er, you stay behind. In case the Western Rong army turns back to attack, with you here, I can be at ease!"
"Yes!"
Watching the departing figure of Zhan Beicang on horseback, a smile formed on the corner of Zhan Lan’s lips.
A fire ignited within her heart, warming her entire body. Her father meant: he believed she could hold Fengyu Pass!
Asi Han retreated all the way back, and upon reaching his camp, his face turned completely pale with shock!
The great fire before his eyes had burned all his provisions and all the tents.
The Western Rong camp had been turned into ruins!
While he and Zhan Beicang were locked in battle, and while he was distracted by that Nanjin girl, the Zhan Family Army had stealthily attacked their camp.
Zhan Beicang seemed straightforward, but he had already conspired with that girl!
This time, he was utterly defeated!
Asi Han yelled furiously towards the sky, "Ah! Sooner or later, I will kill them all!"
"General, the Zhan Family Army has already started pursuing us!" The communication soldier from Western Rong dismounted and kneeled on one knee to report.
Asi Han’s face turned ashen, he glanced side-eyes at the wound on his right arm, closed his eyes, and made a difficult decision, "Retreat to the Great Capital! Retreat!"
With their provisions cut off, the Western Rong army could only flee in a sorry state.
The mighty Zhan Family Army relentlessly pursued Asi Han’s forces!
Out of the 230,000 soldiers of the Western Rong army, in the end, only 100,000 managed to escape with Asi Han to the borders of Western Rong.
After driving Western Rong beyond the border, the soldiers at Fengyu Pass cheered and their joyous voices echoed to the skies!
Through this battle, Western Rong could no longer pose a threat to Nanjin, but annihilating Western Rong completely was impossible since the neighboring Beiyue was watching covetously.
That was the formidable rival country from Lan’er’s previous life.
Once Nanjin annexed Western Rong and became stronger, disrupting the current balance among the four nations, Beiyue would definitely attack Nanjin.
At that point, Eastern Wei would also make a move.
The era of true chaos was coming!
...
During these days of rest, Chu Yin had been helping to take care of the wounded.
Zhan Hui went to assist Chu Yin whenever he was free.
Zhan Beicang noticed something and called Zhan Hui over to ask privately, "Hui’er, do you know that the daughter of the Chu Xiong family is already engaged?"
Zhan Hui lowered his eyes and remained silent, his father’s hint was clear enough, he disapproved of this match!
Zhan Beicang patted Zhan Hui on the shoulder and said, "Chu Yin is a good girl, but she is already engaged, my boy, let go of your affections!"
Zhan Hui’s eyes dimmed, should he not hope for a future with Chu Yin?
He looked at Chu Yin, innocent and tirelessly busy, and felt a bittersweet ache in his heart.
If he insisted on marrying Chu Yin, the General Mansion would probably be criticized behind their backs!
Zhan Hui turned melancholic, unsure of what to do!
...
Due to Zhan Lan playing a crucial role in this war of retreating the Western Rong,
Zhan Beicang pondered for a long time, not knowing how to reward Zhan Lan?
Zhan Beicang also hoped that Zhan Lan would not come to the battlefield again in the future!
Fortunately, Zhan Lan was safe and sound this time, if anything had happened to her, he did not know how to face the father of the deceased Zhan Lan!
Finally, one day, he summoned Zhan Lan into the military tent.
Zhan Lan surveyed the tent’s occupants, which included Mu Yan, Zhan Hui, Zhan Feng, and several Deputy Generals.
In front of everyone, Zhan Beicang once again praised Zhan Lan.
The Deputy Generals also lauded Zhan Lan’s merits.
"Miss Zhan truly was raised by the Old General, a real talent for military endeavors indeed!"
"Yes, if Miss Zhan joined the military, her future would be boundless!"
Zhan Beicang waved his hand and said, "Don’t stir up trouble, a lady should still get married!"
Zhan Lan lowered her eyes and remained silent, sensing the friendly and admiring glances from most people in the tent.
Only Zhan Feng’s expression looked rather unpleasant.
Zhan Beicang took out a gem-encrusted dagger from a beautifully crafted mahogany box.
Zhan Lan fixed her eyes on it and was shocked!
If she remembered correctly, in her previous life, this dagger was acquired by Zhan Xincheng by chance and eventually given to Zhan Feng.
This dagger was not only made from mysterious iron but also had various mechanisms.
At critical moments, it possessed formidable lethal power!
In her previous life, Zhan Feng used this dagger to wound Zhan Beicang, leading to her father’s capture and the false charges of rebellion against him.
In this life, because Zhan Xincheng was injured, he did not receive the dagger, and as a result, it ended up in Zhan Beicang’s hands.
The moment Zhan Feng saw the dagger, his eyes lit up.
He deliberately said, "Uncle, this dagger looks quite unique!"
Zhan Beicang nodded, "This dagger is called Blood Drop. It’s extremely sharp and has built-in mechanisms, a useful weapon for self-defense!"
Both Zhan Feng and Zhan Hui’s eyes shone, and Zhan Hui said, "So, this is the legendary Blood Drop, rumored to be forged from Thousand-year-old Cold Iron, able to cut through iron like mud!"
Zhan Feng bowed and said, "Congratulations to Uncle for obtaining this sharp blade!"
Zhan Beicang laughed heartily, his gaze turning towards the silent Zhan Lan.
He approached her, speaking kindly, "Lan’er, you have accomplished a great feat. Next month, at the beginning, is both Xuerou and your birthday. I’ll give you a gift!"
As his words fell, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Zhan Beicang handed over the box and dagger to Zhan Lan.
Zhan Lan was stunned, as she did not expect Zhan Beicang to bestow such a precious gift upon her.
"Thank you, Mr. Zhan!" Zhan Lan bowed and expressed her gratitude.
If not for sharing the same birth date as Zhan Xuerou, her father probably wouldn’t remember her birthday! 𝓷ℴ𝓋𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝒸𝓸𝓶
Nevertheless, being gifted such a precious item made Zhan Lan feel deeply warmed.
Mu Yan’s gaze fell on the excited eyes of Zhan Lan, her look towards Zhan Beicang and Zhan Hui filled with familial love.
Especially the day when Zhan Lan, in the heat of the battlefield, asked him to save Zhan Hui and blurted out "Brother" three times!
Could it be that Zhan Lan’s origin holds significant intrigue?
Holding tight to the Blood Drop as if it were a treasured artifact, Zhan Lan cherished her gift.
Zhan Hui also felt happy for Zhan Lan, for she truly deserved it!
Even their father cleverly used military merits to include Zhan Lan’s birthday gift!
How astute!
Zhan Hui frowned in thought: However, next month at the beginning, what gifts should he prepare for both sister Xuerou and Lan?
Watching Zhan Lan securing the Blood Drop, Zhan Feng was almost driven mad with jealousy; the dagger he most desired, Blood Drop, now belonged to Zhan Lan!
It was utterly ridiculous!
His father had people search the borders for so long without finding Blood Drop!
Such luck Zhan Lan had!
Moreover, his father was still bedridden, recuperating, and the people of Zhan Family’s main house seemed all too pleased!
Doesn’t anyone care about his father’s sacrifices for Nanjin?
Shouldn’t this dagger have been given to his father?
Zhan Feng’s gaze fell, his eyes gleaming coldly.
Moments later, when he lifted his eyes again, they were clear.
He smiled at Zhan Lan, yet in his heart, he imagined a dagger pointing towards her.
A voice like a devil echoed in his heart: The foster daughter of the Zhan Family, worthy to own Blood Drop?
If he couldn’t have it, he would destroy it with his own hands!
