Xiao Fan: o(≧v≦)o
As the underground river in Shule Town flowed freely once again, the ancient well, which had been dry for a long time, suddenly burst forth with life. The spring water gushed like a milky way, soaring into the sky, nourishing the parched earth.
Guo Xin and the soldiers from the Tang Dynasty who had traveled from Kucha, witnessed this miraculous spectacle, standing agape in awe. The villagers of Shule Town, who had been restrained from their freedom, now cheered unrestrainedly, fully aware that the Lord of Heaven had once again demonstrated His divine power!
"Long live the Lord of Heaven!"
"Thank you, Lord of Heaven, thank you, Saintess!"
The little people of Shule Town thundered with joyous voices, filled with delight.
"Is this... real? Is there really a Lord of Heaven?" a soldier from the Tang Dynasty, who had come from Kucha, asked in disbelief.
The valiant cavalry commander, Lu Yang, was already accustomed to this, having witnessed the miracles of the Lord of Heaven continuously over the past few days. This general, who originally did not believe in myths, now revered the Lord of Heaven immensely.
"Long live the Lord of Heaven!" Lu Yang, sensing the mood was right, echoed loudly with a smile.
The soldiers of the Tang Dynasty from Shule Town also joined in the cheering.
At this moment, the gazes of the soldiers from Kucha in the Tang Dynasty converged on their general, Guo Xin. The hesitation in their eyes had turned to joy. If they truly had the protection of the Lord of Heaven, then they had hope, and they would be saved.
However, the Protector-General of Anxi and Military Governor of the Four Garrisons, Guo Xin, still harbored doubts about this mysterious Lord of Heaven. What was this sudden appearance of the Lord of Heaven all about? What was His motive? Could there really be a deity who asked nothing in return?
Saintess Yao Xi noticed Guo Xin's concerns and spoke first, "General Guo Xin, I understand your doubts about the Lord of Heaven. In fact, I once had the same thoughts. I have never offered any tribute to this Lord of Heaven, yet He has saved me time and again. I firmly believe that His descent is precisely to save us mortals. He is a compassionate and merciful Lord of Heaven."
Xiao Fan, outside the ecological box, listened to Yao Xi's words, feeling a slight stir in his heart. Sometimes, true kindness lies in that gentle, unrequited benevolence.
Guo Xin watched the young girl, her eyes pure and flawless like the dew of early morning. Her words were brimming with sincerity and firmness from the heart, without a trace of falsehood.
Ultimately, Guo Xin was moved by Yao Xi's words, hope sprouting in his heart. Perhaps they really could be saved.
"Yao Xi... no, Saintess, please guide us towards victory, to save the people of the Tang Dynasty in Anxi, no, and also those enslaved in the Protectorate of Beiting," Guo Xin earnestly requested.
This matter was too significant for Yao Xi to decide alone. She looked up to the sky, seeking guidance from the Lord of Heaven, who was overlooking them at that moment.
Xiao Fan made an OK gesture, smiling, "I'll do my best!"
"The Lord of Heaven has promised to do his utmost. I, too, will do all I can," Yao Xi conveyed the will of the Lord of Heaven, her gaze firmly on Guo Xin.
Guo Xin nodded, crossing his hands in front of his chest, bowing respectfully to the young girl, "As the Protector-General of Anxi, Guo Xin will follow the guidance of the Saintess and the Lord of Heaven, doing everything possible to protect the borders of the Tang Dynasty until the last moment!"
Hearing their general's declaration, the morale of the Tang soldiers from Kucha soared, cheers echoing.
"Long live the Lord of Heaven! Long live the Saintess! Long live the Tang Dynasty!"
"Anxi is saved! We are saved!"
However, even with water and the town's defenses, Shule Town lacked enough supplies to sustain the stationed army.
As Guo Xin was deep in thought, planning the strategic deployment and supply routes for the Anxi army, three shadows suddenly appeared in the sky. Dark and massive, like thick clouds, they rapidly descended onto the open ground of Shule Town!
Xiao Fan: (・ω・)ノ
Watching the jubilant residents of Shule Town, Xiao Fan felt a sense of satisfaction. He remembered the "gifts" he brought – fresh ingredients purchased from the supermarket, which might temporarily solve their urgent needs!
A mountain of rice, a mountain of vegetables, and a mountain of meat!
The little people of Shule Town were initially stunned at the sight of these three massive heaps, frozen for a moment. But as they clearly recognized what they were, each one's eyes gleamed with an unmistakable, insatiable desire.
Since the outbreak of the war with Tibetan Empire, during the long five years of hardship, not to mention eating meat, even having a full stomach had become a rarity. Now, seeing so much food, their eyes started to sparkle.
"What is this smell? Is it beef? I've never smelled something so delicious!" A young Tang Dynasty soldier couldn't wait to inhale the aroma, brimming with excitement.
"Beef? Look at that pork belly over there, its marbling is as exquisite as marble! It's truly beautiful!" An older Tang Dynasty soldier gazed unblinkingly at the enticing pork belly, mesmerized.
"Wow, what is this? It's sour and sweet, I've never eaten anything this delicious!" Another soldier couldn't resist biting into a huge tomato that rolled by, full of admiration.
"Yao Xi, all this food is for you. Oh, and remember to thank Zhao Liu and Gao Sanshiwu, make sure they get a bigger share," Xiao Fan reminded, after all, these things were all thanks to the two craftsmen who had worked through the night.
"Okay, everything will be as the Lord of Heaven wishes!" Yao Xi joyfully agreed.
Then, Yao Xi, Lu Yang, Gao Cunzheng, and the villagers of Shule Town began to busy themselves, preparing these precious ingredients. Xiao Fan also specially provided some salt, pepper, cumin, and other spices.
Bonfires were lit everywhere, the aroma of roasting meat filled the air above Shule Town, accompanied by the rich smell of vegetable and meat soup, and the soft, full-bodied rice.
At this time, Guo Xin was so astonished he was speechless. What kind of divine being was this Lord of Heaven, to be able to bring down so much food from the sky! No! Such exquisite cuisine!
"General Guo Xin, this is for you." Yao Xi carefully presented a meticulously prepared dish to Guo Xin.
On a simple wooden plate lay an assortment of tantalizing dishes: golden, crispy grilled beef skewers, shiny, succulent grilled pork belly skewers, a wooden bowl filled with a hearty vegetable and tomato beef stew, and a mountain of fluffy white rice beside it.
Guo Xin couldn't help but swallow hard. This seasoned protector, who had shared both sweet and bitter times with the soldiers of the Tang Dynasty in Anxi, had rarely tasted even a hint of meat in five years. Known for his caution, he had defended the borders of Anxi without losing an inch of land. However, he always had a firm principle of not easily trusting the unknown.
But now, the situation was different; the Lord of Heaven had given so much!
After five years, Guo Xin hadn't seen such appetizing food, and he couldn't resist anymore. He sneaked a glance at the Saintess who offered the feast. Yao Xi's eyes were narrowed into slits, a smile on her face, quietly watching him.
"Sigh, even if it leads to death, it should be a death worth embracing." Guo Xin decided, his psychological defenses completely shattered, his feelings of reverence for the Lord of Heaven surging like a flood.
"Delicious! So good!" Lu Yang, with five beef skewers in his left hand and five pork skewers in his right, devoured the food hungrily.
Gao Cunzheng, being older, carefully savored the vegetable and meat soup with a wooden bowl and spoon, his eyes brimming with emotional tears.
Zhao Liu proudly held up a piece of grilled beef, boasting, "Look, this was specially given to me by the Lord of Heaven! Even the Saintess said so!"
Nearby, some Kucha soldiers of the Tang Dynasty, unaware of the full story, looked enviously at this fortunate villager of Shule Town, who had received special favor from the Lord of Heaven. Gao Sanshiwu, a down-to-earth man, was simply enjoying the feast before him.
At this moment, Shule Town was like a sea of joy, the little people's faces brimming with happiness, their eyes filled with hope.
Xiao Fan, looking at the vibrant scene inside the ecological box, couldn't help but smile as well.
"Thank you, Lord of Heaven." The heartfelt smile of the beautiful young girl was warmly touching.
Xiao Fan: *^o^*
However, on the other side of the mountain, the small kingdom of Nan Zhao, having just suffered at the hands of Tibetan Empire, faced a fate starkly different from this scene of joy.