Chapter 56: At This Moment, All Eyes Are Upon Him!

"Won?"
The people beneath the city wall had no idea what was happening outside and looked at each other in blank dismay.
Over three thousand recruits—even by waiting at ease and taking the enemy by surprise—how could they possibly win against a rebel force several times their own number?
"They actually won?!"
Zhongli Xiu turned around in surprise, glancing at the scene outside the city gate.
Peixian sat at a higher elevation, and sure enough, he could see a large body of troops in the distance escorting surrendered soldiers!
"Xue'er, they r-really won!"
Zhongli Xiu gasped in disbelief, not caring in the least whether he was losing his composure.
Zhongli Wanxue looked bewildered and quickly asked the messenger soldier, "How did they win...?"
The soldier, overcome with excitement, eagerly explained.
"Our soldiers fought the rebel army to the death, while the magistrate fought single-handedly, circling around to the enemy's rear and slaughtering them in all directions!"
"The first and second chieftains of the Black Cloud Stronghold, along with many captains and leaders, were cut down from their horses by the magistrate. With the enemy left without a leader, our army was able to turn defeat into victory!"
At the end, he could not help roaring with cheers: "Elders and fellow villagers! The magistrate is truly a divine being! A divine being!"
As soon as the words fell, the surrounding soldiers and civilians, who had been equally worried moments before, burst into cheers and leaps of joy.
"The magistrate must have received the blessing of the High Ancestor, just like when he lifted the sacred tripod in the past!"
They remembered it well: this was Peixian, the birthplace of the High Ancestor's rise!
Zhongli Wanxue's beautiful eyes flickered. She looked at the plum blossom spear in her hands, her red lips pressed tightly together, her emotions complex.
She had originally intended to join the battlefield, fighting side by side with the man she loved, so that at least she would have no regrets in this lifetime.
Even if she were to perish in the battlefield with her beloved, it would still be better than watching him struggle unsupported!
In the end... did she still underestimate him?
All her rushing and worrying turned out to be for nothing; she hadn't helped at all!
Remembering something, Zhongli Wanxue asked urgently, "Is the magistrate—is he injured?"
The soldier exclaimed in awe, "Safe and sound! The magistrate is like a heavenly deity descended to earth, blessed by the High Ancestor! Those rebel bandits didn't dare to face his sharp edge at all, and ordinary arrows couldn't harm him either!"
Hearing this, Zhongli Wanxue felt a wave of relief. She hugged her elderly mother's arm tight, looking out beyond the city gate, her delicate body trembling slightly.
As long as he was safe!
As for any blessings from the High Ancestor, she didn't believe in such ghostly superstitions for a moment.
"Mother, he is truly amazing..."
Madam Qin breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing her beloved daughter's dreamy gaze, a surge of maternal affection rose within her, and she could not resist teasing.
"My, Xue'er's mouth is practically watering into the shape of the magistrate~"
"Ah?" Zhongli Wanxue's pretty face flushed red. She quickly wiped the corner of her mouth, and realizing she had been tricked, she gave a coquettish cry and buried her face in her mother's embrace. "Mother~~"

Zhongli Xiu was ecstatic, his eyes straining into the distance.
This time, the Zhongli family had gone all out, and their gamble had paid off!
"Wait!" Zhongli Xiu, watching the army gradually approaching Peixian, wore a drastic change of expression and turned to urge his daughter.
"Silly girl, Lord Liang—he's about to arrive!"
Zhongli Wanxue was startled, suddenly realizing she was still clad in full military attire, and fled toward home like a startled bird.
Zhongli Xiu and his wife watched her go, amused and fond all at once.
They could only blame Situ Luoyue for betraying Liang Xiao, which had left their daughter so timid and hesitant, afraid to boldly display the heroic spirit of a woman matching any man before him.
In the Wu Dynasty, talented and extraordinary women were often the most beloved.
This girl was simply terrified that once Liang Xiao discovered her formidable martial arts, he would dislike her.
Zhongli Wanxue changed into a cyan gown, draped a fox-fur cloak over her shoulders, and returned to her parents' side. Her beautiful eyes lit up as she gazed deeply at the blood-stained battle robe in the distance.
At this moment, all eyes were upon him!
The soldiers and civilians of Peixian lined the streets to welcome him, cheers shaking the heavens, sounding a triumphant anthem for the heroes of Peixian led by Liang Xiao.
Liang Xiao's expression was gentle, but he was covered from head to toe in the blood of his enemies.
Even the fine steed beneath him now looked like a blood-horse.
These stains of blood told everyone just how perilous and fierce this battle had been—it was likely a brush with death nine times out of ten!
To the bandits, he was a god of slaughter descended to earth.
But in her heart and the hearts of the civilians present, he was a source of such reassuring comfort...
This was the man she loved, whom she could never forget...
Zhuo Zifang rode alongside Liang Xiao, a sense of gratification in his heart.
The reaction of the Peixian soldiers and people was plain for all to see.
This battle was the decisive engagement of Liang Xiao's ascension to power in Peixian.
A single battle to make his name renowned!
Those brave souls who had volunteered for battle, tempered by this baptism of iron and blood, would gradually transform into a truly elite force.
Courage was their most precious spirit.
After this battle, the common people could finally feel at ease signing up to farm the military colonies!
Once the Black Cloud Stronghold was destroyed, the bandits in other mountain strongholds would mostly become birds startled by the mere twang of a bow. Even if they had the heart to invade Peixian, faced with the increasingly formidable Peixian army, they would undoubtedly be utterly annihilated!
Under the eager gazes of the crowd, Liang Xiao cupped his fists toward the direction of Wuzhen, his voice ringing clear and strong.
"Relying on the blessing of the High Ancestor, our army has achieved a complete victory, and the bandits of the Black Cloud Stronghold have been entirely captured!"
"The chieftain of the Black Cloud Stronghold, Gou Bai, known as Chieftain Gou, has been cut down by my hand, and his head will be displayed shortly as a warning to all!"
"From this day forward, the brave warriors of Peixian and I will continue to defend our homes and country, and protect the elders and fellow villagers of Peixian!"

As soon as his voice fell, thunderous applause erupted across the entire square, and everyone cheered.
"We swear to follow the magistrate to the death!!"
In this instant, the allegiance of the common people's hearts to Liang Xiao reached its absolute peak.
Meanwhile, the members of the Wu family remained holed up in their estate, gripped by nameless terror.
"The Black Cloud Stronghold... has been completely wiped out?!" Wu Wenting's face turned pale, his entire body trembling.
They simply could not comprehend how a force of over ten thousand men at the Black Cloud Stronghold could possibly lose to just over three thousand recruits?
"Master, we must flee at once! What if Liang Xiao seizes hold of our misdeeds, or finds some excuse..." the steward said with a trembling voice.
"Right! Pack up—move out, evacuate..." Wu Wenting nodded repeatedly, the hand holding his wine cup shaking violently as wine spilled all over the floor.
The outcome of the game of wits between the Wu family and the Zhongli family was destined to be a crushing defeat for the Wu clan!
Yet at this moment, he could not even spare a thought for settling scores with the Zhongli family; he only wanted to get his entire household out of Peixian.
At the city gate, Liang Xiao continued in a loud, ringing voice.
"According to our preliminary count, this battle resulted in three thousand two hundred enemy beheadings, nine thousand three hundred and twenty-one captives, and the seized supplies are currently being tallied!"
"However, our army lost one hundred and thirty brave soldiers, a most heart-wrenching loss! For every fallen soldier, their family will receive, in addition to the agreed-upon compensation, an extra one hundred liang of fine silver! As for the surviving soldiers, once we return from sweeping through the bandits' lair, each man will first receive a reward of at least five liang of silver, with further merits rewarded based on their performance in battle!"
"Every soldier who took part in the fighting will henceforth receive a monthly subsidy of no less than five hundred cash!"
...
With every section Liang Xiao announced, the soldiers and civilians present burst into waves of cheers, everyone beaming with joy.
For ten years, Peixian had never seen such an upright and benevolent magistrate.
Not only was he sympathetic to the people's hardships and clear in his rewards and punishments, but he even dared to personally lead troops to suppress bandits and protect the borders!
Zhongli Wanxue gazed infatuatedly at her beloved in the distance, filled with boundless joy.
Even just looking at him like this was enough to make her feel completely fulfilled!
This time, the Zhongli family had actively assisted in defending Peixian, which could also be considered a meritorious service.
"Peixian will be closed to the city gates today. I ask all our elders and fellow villagers to understand and return to your respective homes! Because tomorrow morning, after our army has rested and regrouped, we will set out to clear out the old lair of the Black Cloud Stronghold, and we must prevent anyone from leaking intelligence!"
The local people bowed repeatedly to thank Liang Xiao and reluctantly headed home.
Zhongli Wanxue stayed behind her parents, silently watching as he dismounted and took off his battle robe.
The young maiden could finally no longer contain herself, and two streams of crystal tears burst forth from her eyes, blurring her vision.
Yet a soft whisper brushed against her ear.
"Lady Zhongli, who has wronged you?"