Lian Yi furrowed his brow: "You’re being so verbose, are you trying to stall for time?"
Luo Zhao smiled: "General Lian also knows what I, Luo, value. I just want a guarantee for my peace of mind.
"You’ve all seen my sincerity by now. Are you not even willing to give me such a small promise?"
Lian Yi was about to say more, but Lian Yang, unwilling to waste more time, stopped him and said, "Let me see the document."
Luo Zhao handed over the document.
After reviewing it carefully several times, Lian Yang confirmed that it was simply a commitment letter, without any hidden tricks. He then reached out for the inkpad, pressing his thumb to make a mark at the top of the document.
Luo Zhao said, "Let’s do it thoroughly; leave a full palm print."
Lian Yang glanced at him. Despite his displeasure, he didn’t want to engage further and pressed his entire right palm on the inkpad before stamping it on the document.
Luo Zhao examined the palm print meticulously against the light, ensuring it had full and clear patterns, then folded it and tucked it into his robe. He opened the door: "Please, both of you."
Looking at the wide-open door, Lian Yang cupped his hands toward him: "Until we meet again!"
Luo Zhao smiled and cupped his hands: "Mr. Lian, General Lian, safe travels!"
Lian Yang hesitated no longer, waved his hand to instruct a few guards to lead the way, and then stepped across the iron gate, leading the rest straightforwardly down the stone steps without looking back!
Meanwhile, Luo Zhao, after Lian Yang and his men disappeared down the stone steps, also turned back and made a gesture toward the shadows.
From the shadows emerged a line of tall and robust masked samurai, and with just a glance exchanged, the dozens on the other side also began moving silently down the stone steps...
...
Pei Zhan arrived at Yangjiao Pass just half an hour after Liang Zhi.
Unlike Liang Zhi’s stealth operations, he led an entire Guard Camp, thousands of horses thundering through the yellow sands!
Upon reaching Yangjiao Pass, he drove straight into the checkpoint, encountering Luo Zhao scrambling down the ladder, terrified by the fierce and deadly presence!
"Gen-General!"
Luo Zhao, having been in the northwest for so many years, still remembered Pei Zhan as the mad General who fearlessly battled against the Dayue. Their ranks were so far apart that he had never been within thirty feet of him. Even so, every distant sighting felt as if he could smell the blood on him, always thinking there was a hidden blade ready for battle behind every glance. Who would have thought he would be so close in front of him today?!
Having rolled and tumbled all the way down, regardless of the pain, he kneeled tremblingly: "I had no idea General was arriving; forgive my lack of a proper welcome, please pardon me, General!"
With a flash of the blade, Pei Zhan’s long sword was at his throat in an instant: "Where is Lian Yang?!"
Luo Zhao shivered all over, too frightened to speak.
Pei Zhan kicked him squarely in the chest and ordered, "Tie him up, punish according to military law!"
Jiang Lin stepped forward, and Luo Zhao clutched at his leg, about to speak, when Liang Zhi’s urgent voice came from behind: "General Pei, wait!"
Pei Zhan turned around, seeing Liang Zhi approaching with his elite troops, accompanied by two soldiers in attire.
"Things aren’t as you think!" Liang Zhi took a deep breath, glanced at Luo Zhao on the ground, and then extended his hand: "Hurry and hand over the document, and explain the facts clearly!"
Luo Zhao collapsed weakly on the ground, trembling as he pulled out the document from his chest, offering it with both hands: "This has the personal palm print of Mian Yang; it was all at General Gao’s prior instruction. Please, General, see clearly, see clearly!"
Pei Zhan suddenly looked up: "What’s going on? Where’s Gao Changyuan?"
"At your command, sir!"
Just as Pei Zhan finished speaking, Gao Changyuan’s voice came from behind. He arrived quickly with his men and kneeled on one knee before Pei Zhan:
"I apologize for being late!"
Pei Zhan kicked him on the shoulder: "What are you playing at?!"
Gao Changyuan fell back, holding his kicked shoulder, but grinned: "I had informed key points before General Pei’s arrival and specifically transferred Luo Zhao, who had contact with the Dayue, here.
"To put it simply, I was luring them into a trap! And now, we’re ready to catch them!"
Pei Zhan demanded: "Are you saying Lian Yang and his men have already been let go?"