Scare the Huns away

The Xiongnu general's eyes narrowed, unwilling to linger any longer. He fiercely kicked his horse's belly, leading his two thousand Xiongnu cavalry into a hasty retreat in the opposite direction of the Qin army. The thundering hooves echoed across the open plain, resonating like the lament of defeated dogs. Amid the swirling dust, the general couldn't resist looking back, only to see the Qin army had already reached their former position. Relief washed over him, thankful for his timely escape. But as his gaze fell upon the leader of the cavalry, his pupils contracted sharply, and a flash of dread lit his eyes. Beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

It's him! It's really him!

The man who had once broken through ten thousand Xiongnu soldiers single-handedly! That face, etched deep into his memory like a nightmare, sent chills down his spine. The general exhaled shakily, struggling to steady himself, but his back was already drenched in cold sweat. Luckily, his instincts had urged a swift withdrawal; otherwise, he might have never left the battlefield alive.

Within the merchant caravan, two young men watched the Xiongnu cavalry scatter like startled birds, their expressions ignited with fervent admiration.

"This is the might of Qin's iron army! True warriors of the empire!" one of them murmured in awe. "Able to crush enemies with unparalleled strength, striking terror into the hearts of all who dare oppose them!"

Amid the rolling yellow sands, a wave of Qin cavalry surged forward, roaring like a tide, halting only when they reached the merchant caravan. Their formation was impeccable, their discipline extraordinary—a living testament to military excellence.

At the forefront stood a youthful general with sharp features, his gaze calm yet commanding. A single gesture from his raised hand brought the entire cavalry to an abrupt halt. The synchronized motion was so precise it left onlookers speechless. The two young men exchanged a glance, filled with admiration, and swiftly urged their horses toward the commanding figure.

At the Qin formation, two guards immediately stepped forward to block the approaching youths, their vigilance evident in every movement. However, a mere wave of the general's hand stayed their actions. Though wary, the guards obeyed, standing down while remaining alert at his side. This general was none other than Qin Yi, who had rushed from Fancheng to intercept the Xiongnu.

Hours earlier, Qin Yi had received an urgent report from his scouts about the Xiongnu's presence near Fancheng. Coupled with a newly issued system task, he had deduced the two events were linked. Without hesitation, he led two thousand Qin cavalry on a relentless march to this exact location. Now, as he watched the two youths approach, a flicker of curiosity crossed his face. Could they be members of the Gongshu clan mentioned in the task?

Before he could speak, one of the young men, whose demeanor was steady and composed, dismounted and saluted him with cupped hands. His voice rang out respectfully:

"May I ask the name of the esteemed general before us? My companion and I owe our lives to your timely intervention."

Before Qin Yi could respond, his lieutenant, Zhang Han, interjected sharply, "Our general is none other than the Lord of Fancheng, personally appointed by the King of Qin. And who might you be?"

The blunt reply startled the two youths, who then scrutinized Qin Yi carefully. This man, rumored to possess godlike prowess, stood before them. After a moment's pause, the composed youth spoke again:

"I am Meng Tian, and this is my companion, Wang Ben. We are from Xianyang, here to enlist in the army."

Hearing their names, Zhang Han remained unfazed, but Qin Yi was visibly taken aback. Meng Tian? Wang Ben? The names struck him like a bell, stirring his memory. Could they be…?

Qin Yi ventured tentatively, "Might Meng Wu and Wang Jian, the renowned generals, be in good health?"

Startled, Wang Ben exclaimed, "You know my father and General Meng?" He quickly added, "And Uncle Meng as well?"

Zhang Han's eyes widened as he grasped the significance. "These two are the heirs of Qin's most formidable generals!" he murmured.

Meanwhile, from the merchant caravan, an elderly man with a single arm emerged. His gait was steady, his weathered face betraying years of experience, but his gaze burned with an unyielding spirit. He approached Qin Yi and bowed deeply.

"I am Gongshu Chou. Your intervention today has saved my clan from certain peril. We are forever indebted to you," the elder declared solemnly.

Recognition dawned on Qin Yi. His earlier speculation had been correct—this was the Gongshu clan mentioned in his task. With a calm demeanor, he replied, "Elder Gongshu, there is no need for such gratitude. As soldiers of Qin, it is our duty to defend our people. In the face of the Xiongnu, we must stand united."

Emotion welled in Gongshu Chou's eyes. "With a general like you, Qin's future is indeed bright," he said with heartfelt admiration.

Qin Yi chuckled, brushing off the praise. "This is no place for prolonged conversation. Let us return to Fancheng first and discuss matters further."

As the army prepared to depart, Wang Ben suddenly slapped his forehead and exclaimed, "This is bad!"

Qin Yi raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What's wrong? Forgot something important?"

Wang Ben flushed slightly but retorted earnestly, "General, you misunderstand. We were entrusted with a crucial item on this journey, and now…"

His words trailed off, but Qin Yi's keen eyes caught a shadow of urgency in his expression. He tilted his head thoughtfully, curiosity evident.