Li Chengyan's eyes narrowed. "How many, what were they wearing, what banner were they flying, and did you see who was leading them?"
Although the Ning brothers were arrogant, they were not foolish. Ning Shunyi had not shown himself since the beginning, making it highly likely he was planning something in secret.
The soldier immediately replied, "They wore green armor, carried no banner, and there were over a thousand of them. Ning Shunyi was among the leaders, but he was not the main general."
Not the Ning family's rebels?
Li Chengyan pondered for a moment and immediately gave an order.
"Everyone, retreat immediately. Bring Ning Shunhe to the front of the formation, and we'll return to camp to defend."
The enemy had meticulously arranged their forces, blocking their escape route from both front and back. Fortunately, Ning Shunhe was in their hands, giving them a chance to strategize.
The formation regrouped in less than fifteen minutes.
Seeing them suddenly abandon their fierce assault and appear to be retreating, the副将 (fùjiàng - deputy general) immediately shouted.
"Quick, stop them! We can't let them take Second Master away!"
The soldiers were already dazed from the onslaught. By the time they adjusted their formation and pursued, Li Chengyan and his men were already far ahead.
The private soldiers who had been attacking from the rear, unaware of the situation, were caught off guard by the charging formation. After a moment of confusion, they quickly re-formed their ranks.
As the soldier had reported, Ning Shunyi and the main general stood side-by-side at the front of the enemy formation. They were close together, seemingly unguarded and appearing to trust each other.
In front of the defensive line, dozens of archers lined up, arrows nocked and ready.
From behind a row of iron shields, Li Chengyan rode out, with Ning Shunhe, bound like a zongzi, in front of him.
Just as the archers were about to release their arrows, Ning Shunyi's voice rang out, stopping them.
"Wait, don't shoot yet!"
Ning Shunhe, tied and gagged with coarse cloth, could neither move nor make a sound. He could only stare wide-eyed and shake his head vigorously, signaling Ning Shunyi not to worry about him.
Seeing this, Li Chengyan subtly tightened the short dagger pressed against his waist.
"Stay put!"
He then looked back at the enemy, his eyes darkening. "Clear the path, and I'll make sure he suffers less."
Seeing that it was Li Chengyan and not Ye Tinglan who had emerged, Ning Shunyi's expression flickered. He spoke.
"Li Chengyan, this is a personal grievance between my Ning family and Ye Tinglan. It has nothing to do with your Li family. Let Shunhe go, and I can let you leave."
"Do you really think that's possible?"
Ning Shunyi was scoffed at, but he didn't get angry. After a pause, he added, "Let Ye Tinglan come out. I want to speak with him."
His gaze was fixed on the rear of the enemy formation. Seeing this, Li Chengyan spurred his horse forward another step.
"Speak your mind right here."
Seeing that Li Chengyan was unyielding, Ning Shunyi's eyes narrowed. He said in a low voice.
"Ye Tinglan isn't here?"
Almost as the words left his mouth, his tone shifted to certainty.
Ning Shunyi's careful observation of the opposing formation turned his face grim.
Not only was Ye Tinglan absent, but his troops were also nowhere to be seen.
Their formation and deployment habits during yesterday's battle were completely different from today's.
In a battle between two armies, the enemy's commander and original troops were missing, and they had been unaware of such a crucial matter. How absurd!
He was inwardly surprised when, at this moment, the rebel troops from the rear had caught up. With an attack from both front and back, a pincer movement was about to form.
The situation was dire and could not be delayed. Li Chengyan made a decisive move, leaping his horse forward towards the enemy's defensive line.