Soon after, the wedding procession was moving along the official road, about to leave Zhongshan territory.
Ahead, a stretch of mountain path suddenly appeared.
"Stop." Zhao Yun waved his hand, ordering everyone to halt.
"Zifan, why are we stopping?" Zhen Yan quickly asked.
Among the crowd, only he knew that the Zhang Chen in front of them was an imposter. Seeing him suddenly stop, Zhen Yan immediately knew there must be danger ahead.
Zhao Yun was well-versed in military strategy and naturally knew that this terrain was an excellent place for an ambush. He immediately said, "The mountain path ahead has sheer cliffs on both sides, making it very easy to set an ambush. If someone is lying in wait here, we won't be able to escape even with wings. We must be cautious."
Zhen Yao heard this and said nonchalantly, "Brother-in-law, you're overthinking it. Who would be so bold as to dare rob the Zhen's wedding procession? Let's hurry on our way so we don't miss the auspicious time."
Zhen Yan said, "Third Brother, Zifan is right. It's better to be cautious."
"Second Brother, in the Zhongshan territory, which bandit would be so foolish as to not know today is Jiang'er's wedding day? Don't worry, let's keep going!"
Saying this, Zhen Yao ordered everyone to continue on their way.
Seeing this, Zhen Yan couldn't help but frown, looking at Zhao Yun and whispering, "General Zhao, this..."
"Second Gongzi, do not worry. The Lord has made arrangements, and I will certainly protect everyone."
After saying this, Zhao Yun urged his horse forward.
The wedding procession slowly entered the mountain path. The path was long and winding, stretching for several li.
It was silent all around. Zhao Yun looked around, fully alert.
In the shadows, a feathered arrow was quietly aimed at Zhao Yun on horseback.
With a "whoosh," the feathered arrow left the string and shot directly towards Zhao Yun!
"Clang." Zhao Yun drew the sword from his side while on horseback and directly cut the incoming arrow in half!
Zhao Yun's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze like a hawk's as he looked in the direction the arrow had come from.
"Enemy attack! Guards!"
Zhao Yun roared. In the procession, the musicians and attendants rolled on the ground, reached a carriage, lifted the red cloth covering it, and revealed swords and shields inside.
Those people quickly picked up weapons and shields, instantly protecting everyone within their formation.
This series of actions was completed in an instant.
The next second, countless arrows rained down!
"Clink, clink, clink..." Countless arrows all embedded themselves in the shields.
Seeing this situation, Zhen Yao, who was nearby, couldn't help but turn pale with fright.
"What is going on? There really are bandits who dare to rob the Zhen!"
Zhen Yan frowned and looked at Zhao Yun, saying, "General Zhao, now that things have come to this, what should we do?"
Zhen Yao looked suspicious: "General Zhao? Second Brother, what do you mean? Isn't he Zifan? Why are you calling him General Zhao?"
At this point, Zhen Yan no longer concealed anything and revealed everything.
"Both Gongzi, rest assured. With me, Zhao Zilong, here, I will certainly protect everyone!"
After saying this, Zhao Yun went to Zhen Tuo's carriage, pressed the center of the wheel, revealing a hollow space.
It turned out that the crossbeam between the two wheels was hollow!
Zhao Yun then slapped it with the back of his hand. With a flash of silver light, the next moment, the Dragon's Gallant Bright Silver Spear was already in his hand!
Just then, a gong sounded. From all directions, hundreds of bandits wearing Yellow Turban headbands charged out, brandishing swords, spears, staffs, and clubs.
In an instant, they completely blocked the road in front of and behind the mountain path!
Zhen Yao roared, "Who are you? Don't you know this is the Zhongshan Zhen's wedding procession? You dare to block the road here? Are you tired of living!"
"Zhen? What is Zhen?!" the bandit leader at the front roared. "Which one is Zhang Chen? Get out here! Do you recognize your grandpa?"
Zhao Yun's brow furrowed. He swung the bright silver spear in his hand and shouted, "Where did this petty thief come from, daring to utter such arrogant words!"
"Hmph, Zhang Chen, do you still remember the Black Tiger Fort outside Guangping County?" the leader roared angrily. "The chief of Black Tiger Fort, Duan Hei Hu, was my brother! Your grandpa is Duan Qinglong! You killed my brother, and today I will not let you off. Give me your life!"
Saying this, the man, holding a broad-backed mountain-chopping saber, ordered his subordinates to charge forward.
What if the other side was prepared? There were only a few of them. Not a single one would escape today!
Duan Qinglong had long wanted to find an opportunity to avenge his brother. How could he miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance?
"Thud!" With a muffled sound, Duan Qinglong felt a sharp pain in his chest. Looking down, he saw that a silver spear had already pierced his chest!
"You... you!"
Duan Qinglong pointed at Zhao Yun, his eyes filled with shock and unwillingness.
Zhao Yun's eyes revealed indifference. He pulled out the spear, and Duan Qinglong went limp, then died instantly.
With Duan Qinglong dead, the subordinates immediately panicked. Fear arose in their hearts, and they were about to scatter and flee.
"Kill!"
Just then, shouts of killing suddenly echoed from all around. Countless well-equipped Soldiers poured out from all directions and attacked the bandits.
In just a moment, the scene was covered in corpses, like a Shura field.
Hundreds of bandits were wiped out in the blink of an eye!
Zhen Yan and Zhen Yao were stunned by this scene.
At this moment, the two main Generals of the government army walked over. They were the two Generals, Zhang He and Gao Lan.
The two Generals came forward and said to Zhao Yun, "Zilong, the Lord ordered us to meet you here. Are Miss Zhen and the Gongzi well?"
"Both Generals, rest assured, everything is well."
"Good. Twelve bandit strongholds in Zhongshan are causing trouble. We still need to suppress the bandits and cannot stay long. You must protect Miss Zhen and the Gongzi well."
"Both Generals, please rest assured."
After saying this, Zhang He and Gao Lan cupped their fists in salute, turned around, and led their men away.
Just then, Zhen Tuo in the carriage was also startled by the commotion. She slowly lifted the curtain and then lifted her veil.
"Ah!!!"
The ground covered in corpses came into view. Zhen Tuo was instantly scared out of her wits, cried out, and nearly fell from the carriage.
Zhao Yun quickly rushed forward, gently held her hand, and supported her. A gentle breeze blew past, lifting her veil and revealing her beautiful face.
"Tuo'er! How is it you?"
Zhen Yao was greatly surprised and was about to ask questions, but Zhen Yan, who was beside him, quickly stopped him and explained the whole situation.
Zhen Tuo's face was full of fear. She tightly gripped Zhao Yun's hand with both hands, sweat beading in her palms.
"Second Miss, don't panic, it's alright." Zhao Yun gently comforted her.
"You... you are General Zhao... Zilong?"
"That is correct." Zhao Yun said, "Second Miss, rest assured. I, Zhao, am here, and no one can harm you in the slightest!"
After saying this, Zhao Yun stood up and said to Zhen Yan and Zhen Yao, "Both Gongzi, now that the truth is revealed, I, Zhao, will no longer hide anything. Today, Black Mountain and Yellow Turban have incited bandits within Ji Province to rebel together. Bandits are now rising up everywhere, but their purpose is only one: to make the Lord Envoy exhausted from dealing with them, so they can seize the opportunity to achieve their ulterior motives!"
Zhao Yun paused, then continued, "The Lord letting the wedding proceed as usual was to make the enemy lower their guard. This way, the Lord can capture them all in one fell swoop! If this succeeds, Ji Province will be free from bandit troubles for the next twenty years! Everyone, rest assured, I, Zhao Zilong, guarantee that I will safely escort you to Ye City!"
Upon hearing this, Zhen Yan immediately cupped his fists in salute.
"With General Zhao's words, I, Zhen, am relieved. The lives of us three siblings are all entrusted to the General!"