The Influence of the Duke of Ren's Mansion in the Northern Frontier

Ren Tianye led his men in pursuit for a day and a night.

Yet Ye Fan and Su Xiu had actually vanished without a trace.

This left Ren Tianye with a thoroughly frustrated expression.

These eight hundred men were the most elite troops in Yunji City. All the best equipment had been prioritized for them, and they rode warhorses seized from the Imperial Guards.

To say they were as fast as the wind would be no exaggeration.

But damn it...

How the hell did they manage to lose them?

Fuck!

The aura of a protagonist is truly out of the ordinary!

Ren Tianye ordered his Eight Hundred Army to halt. He opened a rough map of the Northern Frontier and quickly got his bearings.

The place they were currently at was in the middle of nowhere. The nearest city was Sifang City!

It looks like Ye Fan is most likely heading for Sifang City.

Otherwise, running blindly through the wilderness will only accelerate his death.

Ren Tianye deduced.

However, he didn't jump to conclusions immediately.

Dealing with a chosen one like Ye Fan, he had to think things through carefully. He couldn't afford to make a mistake.

If he missed this opportunity, the next time they met, Ye Fan might bring an army of eight hundred thousand to attack him.

Report! General, there is a group of people ahead traveling with torches. They are heading right towards us.

Ren Tianye frowned slightly and asked, How many people?

I couldn't see clearly, but at a rough estimate, I'm afraid there are around five thousand!

Five thousand?

Could it be an ambush laid by Ye Fan?

Ren Tianye didn't dare to be careless. Eight Hundred Army, listen to my command: maintain a state of high alert!

He moved to the front of the troops and saw a fiery dragon drawing closer. However, as they got nearer, it became clear that this was probably not a combat unit.

These people mostly wore cloth armor and held weapons. They were pushing carts full of goods, leaving deep ruts in the road. Their pace wasn't exactly slow, but it certainly wasn't fast either.

Ren Tianye had no idea what these people were doing, much less whether they were Ye Fan's people.

He didn't act rashly. He had his personal guards shout, Halt! Who goes there? What is your purpose here?!

The other side had clearly spotted Ren Tianye's group as well and was quite nervous. They sent out a middle-aged man dressed in a luxurious robe to reply.

Good sirs, we are members of the noble families of the Northern Frontier. We are specifically transporting grain and supplies for General Ren Tianye of Yunji City.

We hope that for the sake of General Ren Tianye, you will let us pass.

General Ren Tianye will surely be grateful for your kindness.

Hearing this reply, Ren Tianye was stunned.

Then, he chuckled.

Good heavens. Just taking a trip outside, and he runs into noble families using his banner.

Seeing their practiced manner, it was obvious they had used this excuse many times. Furthermore, these people were well-equipped, moved with discipline, and showed no signs of panic... It was clearly highly effective!

But thinking about it, it made sense!

Today's Northern Frontier was a complete mess.

Or rather, it was developing into a complete mess.

The barbarians had occupied Shanhe City and were glaring at the Great Yu Dynasty like tigers.

The elites of the Northern Frontier had either been killed or disbanded. Countless noble families and powerful factions would be reduced to mere prey if they didn't seize the opportunity to rise up.

Yet at such a time, he had raised the banner of rebellion. But instead of immediately announcing his revolt to the world, he had taken Yunji City and then defeated seventy thousand Imperial Guards outside its walls.

He had confiscated the equipment of seventy thousand Imperial Guards.

This matter had already spread throughout the entire Northern Frontier, and he had long since had people embellish the story for public consumption.

This made everyone in the Northern Frontier aware that Yunji City possessed a strong and robust military, capable of defeating even the dignified Imperial Guards.

It could be said that in the minds of the people of the Northern Frontier today, when it came to powerful factions, Yunji City was undoubtedly at the top of the list.

This was also why Ren Tianye was able to contact those dismissed border troops, tempt them, and make them willing to join Yunji City.

And now, his tiger banner was being used by others.

Quite a clever calculation!

But Ren Tianye still wasn't sure if this was a diversionary tactic by Ye Fan. He gave some instructions to his personal guards, who immediately shouted, You say it's for Yunji City, so it's for Yunji City?

We need to inspect it thoroughly first.

Otherwise, all of you will have to stay here today!

The eight hundred elites, though not heavy infantry, were all awe-inspiring and well-equipped. Looking at these five thousand or so people, they saw them merely as meat on the chopping block and didn't take them seriously at all.

Unexpectedly, the man in the distance shouted back, Since you military lords have this request, we lowly ones naturally dare not disobey.

But if you do this and delay General Ren Tianye's business, when General Ren Tianye investigates the matter later, don't blame us for not warning you.

Hah!

Using my own name to scare me?!

It really did seem like a scheme cooked up by Ye Fan's brain!

Ren Tianye said, Let them come over and talk!

The guard immediately yelled, Enough nonsense! Hurry up and come over so we can inspect everything clearly.

Since you lords insist, we have no choice but to obey!

After agreeing, several people quickly walked out from the five thousand-strong convoy. They were all dressed in fine clothes and possessed an extraordinary aura. Judging by their attire, they indeed looked like members of noble families!

Approaching, the leader introduced himself.

I am Wang Hai, a member of the Wang family. I once received...

Before he could finish his sentence, his gaze fell blankly upon Ren Tianye.

This general was riding a Night-Illuminating Jade Lion, holding a Sky-Piercer Halberd. His face was handsome but his gaze was sharp, and his entire body exuded a powerful, imposing aura.

This was exactly identical to the information they had learned about Ren Tianye.

He stammered, You... you are Ren Tianye?

You are the heir to the estate of Duke Ren? Ren Tianye?

Ren Tianye immediately said coldly, What the hell is the estate of Duke Ren?

I don't know it!

No, you are the descendant of Duke Ren! Wang Hai shouted excitedly. Our ancestors received great favors from the estate of Duke Ren, and we have no way to repay them. Now that Duke Ren has been thrown into prison by the Empress, his life or death uncertain, the only one who can save Duke Ren is you, General Ren. General Ren, how can you not acknowledge Duke Ren?

Not only Wang Hai, but the several people behind him also began shouting.

The estate of Duke Ren has disciples and former subordinates all over the Northern Frontier. We once received great favors from the estate of Duke Ren. Now that we know you have risen up, General, we specifically united to first send you four thousand men and horses, along with countless grain and weapons. Yet you say you don't know Duke Ren? Are you playing us for fools?

General Ren, could it be that you were instructed by Duke Ren to claim that there is a sea of enmity between you and the estate of Duke Ren? To sever ties with the estate of Duke Ren so that the Empress will show mercy to Duke Ren?

So that's how it is! General Ren, you truly are a filial son to the Duke. It was we who misunderstood you, General. However, we are sincerely pledging our allegiance to the estate of Duke Ren. Besides the vanguard of troops and equipment, we have large quantities of supplies and have contacted numerous factions. As long as General Ren gives the word, we will immediately rise up with you. Please, General, do not fool us!

...

Sitting on his horse, Ren Tianye was stunned for a moment.

Then, he dismounted, his face full of excitement, and said, I never expected you all to be so intelligent as to see through my intentions at a single glance.

"Indeed, it is precisely because I did not wish to implicate the estate of Duke Ren that I deliberately severed my ties with them."

"In truth, I was dispatched by my father to bring order to the Northern Frontier and launch a military remonstration against the Empress, all to restore peace and justice to this world!"

...