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Chapter 59: Fifty-Nine Treasures ?

The snow lay even thicker, making it impossible to run quickly.

Xu Zhen stood at the edge of the official road, appearing as insignificant as a black stone against the vast, snowy world. Surrounding her was a sea of fallen bodies, and facing the city gate was an immense army, friend and foe indistinguishable.

The cold wind whipped her robes, leaving her lips cracked and pale.

She hurried to the stables, releasing the horse she had arrived on. Beside the horse, the female student who had accompanied her held a little girl, huddled in a corner.

Were they scared?

Xu Zhen was puzzled why these students, who loved war games, seemed frightened. Out of camaraderie, she asked, "Classmate, is that your sister you're holding?"

The student looked up, nodding. Her eyes were conflicted; as a native of Pingliang, she had participated in many small skirmishes but had never seen a war of this scale. She was so afraid that her hands were too weak to hold a wooden spear. She felt unworthy of being a border child.

Seeing her in low spirits, Xu Zhen said, "You stay here and hide for a while; the war will be over soon."

The student looked at Xu Zhen in confusion.

Xu Zhen prepared to mount her horse.

"Teacher, where are you going?!" the student hurriedly asked.

Xu Zhen grasped the reins, turned, and smiled at the student, saying, "To save the one I love."

Thinking of the little beggar filled her with joy.

Once this battle was over, she was determined to hold the little beggar's hand, kiss her cheeks, and hug her slender waist.

In her dreams, everything was perfect.

Xu Zhen grinned foolishly, aware of the urgent battle situation but no longer panicked. She was calm now, confident in herself and in the little beggar.

Her small, round face dimpled when she smiled, like a gathering of radiant light.

The student, struck by her presence, couldn't help but ask, "Is it that Hu person?"

The student had overheard Xu Zhen speaking with Ge Xi'er and knew a bit. This time, she accidentally spoke out loud and decided to continue: "A Hu person in a place full of Han people won't live long; it's too absurd, Teacher." She raised her voice even more, "We are scholars; how can we go to the front line? It's too absurd!"

She repeated "absurd" twice, almost crying out, while her sister whimpered and trembled in her arms.

Xu Zhen, standing by the horse, asked, "Absurd?"

The student was nearly in tears, saying, "Absurd, war is too absurd."

"I think so too," Xu Zhen declared loudly. "So, I'm leaving."

The student asked again, "Teacher!! Where are you going?!"

Xu Zhen turned back and said, "I'm going to end this absurdity."

With that, she mounted her horse and rode toward the city walls.

The horse's hooves left deep prints in the snow. As it trotted forward, the rider swayed precariously, looking as if she might fall off at any moment, causing concern.

Behind her lay the cold, echoing emptiness of the stables.

On the smoke-darkened city walls, someone led troops in battle. As Xu Zhen approached, she showed her official seal and was allowed to ascend the city gate.