Before the people on shore could reach the men, these burly fellows had already fallen into the Han River.
The crowd, with much effort, carried the men ashore. They saw that each of them had a dark complexion and bled from their nose and mouth. A touch to their nostrils confirmed they had already met their end, having succumbed to death. The few men who had dived in to rescue them had also collapsed on the ground, though it seemed their poisoning was not as severe, and they were still alive.
Pei Lisha rushed to the Han River and tested it with a silver needle. The needle instantly turned black, indicating the water was poisoned.
It was only then that Pei Lisha noticed a faint mist floating on the surface of the Han River, emitting a strange, faint glow, like poisonous gas.
Pei Lisha knew the Han River was highly peculiar. She ordered people to search miles around, but there was no news. The area seemed like a dead land, devoid of any human presence.
Just as despair began to set in, an elder in ragged clothes appeared from nowhere. This elder’s hair and beard were filthy, as if he had crawled out of a garbage dump, yet his face was wreathed in smiles. Strangely, this old man was a Saint Roman.
Pei Lisha’s soldiers, who had encountered this Saint Roman elder in the wild, promptly brought him to her.
Pei Lisha asked curiously, "Elder, why are you alone in this wild, mountainous region?"
The old man smiled faintly, looked at Pei Lisha, and asked in return, "My lady, are you one of Lord Swain's people?"
Pei Lisha was surprised. Xiao Xun was undoubtedly famous in Atlantis, but how could such a humble old man in these desolate wilds know him? She grew more curious. "You know Lord Swain?"
The old man revealed a cunning smile and nodded. "Lord Swain has repeatedly defeated the barbarian army, and his name has long been renowned throughout the barbarian territories. It is only natural that I know him."
Pei Lisha then understood with a sudden realization, "Oh! So that's how it is! So that's how it is!"
Saying this, she pointed at the vast Han River and asked, "Elder, is this Han River poisoned?"
The old man stroked his beard and retorted, "In this vast barbarian territory, with its poisonous swamps and miasmas, where is there no poison?"
Pei Lisha was taken aback and nodded. "May I ask, elder, how do the barbarian soldiers cross this water?"
The old man looked at Pei Lisha with considerable approval. "My lady asks a good question! It is now the height of summer, and the poisonous gases of the mountains and forests all gather in the Han River. When the sun shines during the day, the poison gas becomes even more potent."
He then let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Anyone who crosses the Han River at this time will surely be poisoned; if they unfortunately drink this water, they will undoubtedly die."
"Then what should be done?"
The old man smiled enigmatically. "To cross the Han River, it is difficult, yet also simple. My lady need only cross when the water is cold and the night is still. At that time, the poison gas will not rise. My lady need only eat a hearty meal before crossing, and you will surely be safe."
Pei Lisha quickly bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, elder!"
Pei Lisha bowed for a long time, but the old man showed no reaction. She looked up, and the old man was nowhere to be seen.
She was greatly alarmed and quickly asked those around her, but they all said they hadn't seen the old man. Pei Lisha knew she had encountered a master of high cultivation. She immediately prepared a raft and waited for an opportunity to cross the river.
It was not until late at night, when the air cooled slightly, that the three armies prepared to cross.
Pei Lisha led the army across the Han River and, following the map of barbarian tactics, found the "One-Line Sky" that Xiao Xun had mentioned.
The mountain was extremely perilous, its peaks soaring into the clouds, impossibly high. Its steep slopes made it difficult for even powerful mages to climb. Furthermore, the mountain stretched for miles, winding and twisting like a long dragon, a magnificent sight.
At the entrance, there was only a narrow mountain path, about ten feet wide, barely enough for a small cart to pass. Apart from this, there was no other way.
Within the mountain were countless poisonous ants and snakes. Fortunately, Pei Lisha had a large force, so these venomous creatures dared not approach rashly.
Pei Lisha led her troops on horseback into the mountain, searching along the mountain path for the best ambush point. After traveling five or six miles, she discovered a gentle slope that could serve as an ambush point for the barbarian grain transport team.
Pei Lisha immediately ordered her soldiers to build defensive fortifications there and sent out scouts to patrol both ends of the mountain path.
Soon, the scouts reported finding a barbarian army transporting grain about ten miles away.
Pei Lisha's lips curved into a slight smile. "Prepare for battle!"
In the distance, a barbarian army was slowly passing through the canyon. This army was transporting grain by carts and other means, stretching for miles along the narrow mountain path. However, there were not many escort soldiers, and their demeanor was extremely lax, clearly not expecting an ambush here.
When the Saint Roman army appeared before them like divine soldiers descending from the heavens, astonishment was etched onto their faces.
Without encountering any significant resistance, Pei Lisha's army captured all the barbarian soldiers.
In accordance with Xiao Xun's instructions, Pei Lisha did not mistreat the barbarian soldiers. She merely provided them with a simple political education, promoting the Saint Roman ideals of treating prisoners with kindness and not harming them casually, and then released them, even providing them with some dry rations before they departed.
Pei Lisha ordered her soldiers to move the grain into their encampment. They had only brought a few days' worth of dry rations on their infiltration mission into the barbarian territory. With this captured grain, they would have enough to sustain themselves in this mountain pass for several months.
Moreover, by defending this perilous path, even a barbarian army of thousands would be unable to leverage its numerical advantage. They had completely secured the terrain, effectively cutting off the barbarian supply lines.
The grain stockpiled at the barbarian front lines was only enough for the large barbarian army to last for half a month. With the mountain path supply line severed, transporting further grain to the front would be a considerable undertaking.
That evening, Sain received news of the Saint Roman army cutting off the supply lines and was immediately enraged. He suspected that the locals had revealed the method of crossing the Han River at night to the Saint Romans and cursed the barbarians for their lack of unity in defeating the enemy.
Upon learning that the One-Line Sky supply route had been severed, all the tribal leaders were shocked. They already feared Xiao Xun, and now with their supply lines cut, their panic grew, and they unanimously called for Zu'an to take charge.
Sain suppressed the leaders, saying, "Zu'an is currently planning a grand strategy to defeat the enemy, and we must not disturb him! Furthermore, must such a trivial matter require Zu'an's personal intervention? How can we talk of grand ambitions like conquering the Saint Roman capital?"
The leaders exchanged glances. Most of them had no such intention, and those who had previously supported Sain the most, such as Saikas, Gusu, and Ge Gong, had all been defeated and intimidated by the Saint Roman army. None of them harbored such ambitions now.
However, the leaders feared Sain's influence and had the support of the highly senior Zu'an among the barbarians, so they dared not speak rashly.
That night, Sain ordered Mendelu to lead troops to clear the One-Line Sky supply route.
Mendelu led three thousand cavalrymen, filled with murderous intent, directly towards the One-Line Sky. Upon reaching the mouth of the gorge, he saw a contingent charging out from within the One-Line Sky.
As the contingent emerged from the One-Line Sky, they split into two formations. In the center, a female general, holding a Tiger-Head Zhanjin Spear, pushed through the crowd. She pointed her long spear at Mendelu and declared, "I am Countess Pei Lisha of the Guangyan family! Who are you, declare your name immediately!"
Mendelu let out a cold laugh, picked up his head-chopping sabre, and responded loudly, "I am Mendelu of the Ya Shan Legion! You there, dismount and surrender at once!"
Pei Lisha sneered, thinking: Since this fellow is not one of the two people Lord Swain mentioned, I must show him some of my strength.
With that thought, she raised her spear and stepped forward, stating coldly, "That depends on your skill!"
Mendelu, already harboring suppressed anger from his previous defeat, saw that it was Pei Lisha who had previously ambushed Sain. His hatred intensified, and he roared, "Die!"
He spurred his horse forward, drawing his sabre, and charged directly at Pei Lisha.
The setting sun was like fire, painting the sky a deep crimson. The barbarian army retreated from the One-Line Sky like a tide, but the formation remained intact.
When Sain heard the news, he was overjoyed and hurried out to meet them. He saw that the barbarian soldiers were all dispirited and felt something was amiss. He immediately searched for Mendelu. After searching for a long time without finding Mendelu, he asked in surprise, "Where is Mendelu?"
Several centurions exchanged glances, their faces filled with sorrow. "My King, our leader was beheaded by the Saint Roman Countess Pei Lisha."
As they spoke, they all wept profusely.
"What?"