Inside the handsome tent.
Chen Xi's handwritten letter, bearing the military seal of the Cangnan Iron Cavalry Hall, lay quietly on the desk. Wen Hao, with a furrowed brow, stared at the letter, silent. The situation had become increasingly uncontrollable.
The fact that he commanded five hundred thousand troops within Furong Prefecture but refused to dispatch them to reinforce Yumenguan was now confirmed.
Wen Hao actually wished to march south to reinforce. After all, that person was already at Changming Mountain, said to be holding off the Five Peaks Ancestors with Gu Lingyu, Zhu Zhi, Tang Guangjun, Chen Ben, and Yu Wan Ning.
He knitted his brows. He heard that Su Qingjiu had been suppressed deep within Wutong Mountain by the Five Peaks Ancestors with divine power, her fate unknown. This reminded him of his childhood, standing on a stool to cook, while Little Jiu'er stoked the fire. He felt a pang of nostalgia, yet dared not dwell on it.
Were those days truly good?
Not really. They had endured hardship and cold glances. What was there to reminisce about?
As for Su Qingjiu, she was now the Lord of Changming Mountain, a formidable Sword Immortal at the peak of the twelfth realm. It was said she often visited the Mountain Peak Villa to meet Lin Zhao. So, in Little Jiu'er's eyes, what was he, Little Stone, now? How would she perceive Wen Hao today?
For a moment, Wen Hao was plunged into extreme agony.
He couldn't go back, truly couldn't. Though he knew it was home, the fires blazed everywhere, and he could no longer return.
Even if he were to lead the army south and relieve the siege of Changming Mountain, he would likely face Su Qingjiu's cold gaze. If that were the case, why bother saving her? Moreover, if he went, he might even lose his life under the Five Peaks Ancestors.
...
"Great Chief Officer."
Beside him, Deputy General Li Yu frowned slightly and said, "Chen Yu, whom Chen Xi sent with the letter, is waiting outside. Won't you meet him? If you don't, it would be impolite and give Chen Xi leverage. Chen Xi tolerates no nonsense; it's best not to provoke him."
"Mm."
Wen Hao nodded. "Let him in."
"Yes!"
Shortly after, Chen Yu, accompanied by two personal guards, entered the main tent. He cupped his fists and said, "Great Chief Officer, our Commander Chen Xi has already led a hundred thousand Cangnan Iron Cavalry out of the pass and is marching south to attack the barbarian army. They should now be engaged in open warfare in the plains south of the pass. I implore the Great Chief Officer to send troops swiftly and not miss this rare opportunity!"
"I understand."
Wen Hao nodded. "Chen Yu, thank you for delivering this letter. You may return. Yumenguan is currently short-handed. Take your men back to assist Commander Chen Xi."
"Ah?"
Chen Yu was slightly stunned and frowned. "What is the Great Chief Officer's intention? Will you dispatch troops or not? If the Great Chief Officer doesn't send troops, my five hundred brothers returning would be but a drop in the ocean and unable to lift the siege of Yumenguan."
"I know."
Wen Hao stood up, cupped his fists towards Chen Yu, and said, "Rest assured, I will dispatch troops immediately! Commander Chen Xi is at the front lines and is most familiar with the situation at Yumenguan. Since Commander Chen Xi believes I should attack from the Nanhuang Ancient Road, then I shall attack from the Nanhuang Ancient Road. Before dawn tomorrow, the troops will march out of the ancient road!"
"Good, thank you, Great Chief Officer!"
Chen Yu respectfully cupped his fists and then led his guards back to Yumenguan.
"Great Chief Officer!"
Li Yu raised his eyebrows slightly. "Shall I arrange for the mustering of troops now? The Nanhuang Ancient Road is not far. We have a military teleportation array tens of miles away from the Nanhuang Ancient Road. As long as our speed is fast enough, the vanguard of the cavalry can enter the Nanhuang Ancient Road before nightfall. With a pincer attack from north and south with the Cangnan Iron Cavalry, we will surely crush those barbarians!"
"Mm."
Wen Hao nodded. "Prepare for the mustering of troops. Cavalry first!"
"Yes!"
...
South of Chun'an City, Furong Prefecture.
Amidst mountains and rivers, a convoy escorted by dozens of guards in the middle fifth realm slowly traversed the official road. The guards held the banner of "Yunxiang Tower," the troupe from the north heading south to Chun'an City for a performance.
Within the most magnificent carriage, sat Shi Hanyin, dressed in a red dress. Beside her was the proprietress of Yunxiang Tower, who was lifting the curtain to gaze at the setting sun outside.
"My lady."
The proprietress smiled. "This trip is specifically to perform for the birthday celebration of the venerable Elder Zhang Yu'an, the Marquis of Chun'an. Your singing has been outstanding, and the Marquis's rewards have been generous, exceeding thrice the agreed-upon amount. Tell me, what jewelry do you desire? I'll buy it for you when we pass through the capital."
"What use are jewelry to me?"
Shi Hanyin pursed her red lips and looked at the twilight scenery outside. "There is war in the south. I heard he is at Changming Mountain, defending against a very powerful demon."
"..."
The proprietress frowned. "My lady, why do you still remember him? That man came to Yunxiang Tower to listen to music and never paid your lady half a qingfu coin for the performance. Such a stingy person, my lady, you needn't remember him."
"He is Lin Baiyi!"
Shi Hanyin's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, showing a hint of annoyance. "Madame, I sang for him willingly. Let alone him not paying an extra half qingfu coin for the performance, even if his army needed supplies and military funds, Hanyin would be willing to give all she has."
"My foolish girl~~~"
The proprietress chuckled. "Some men, perhaps, will rely on their fame and talent, and on your affection, to demand everything from you without fear. They will take your body and emotions, and still demand your gold coins. Such men are the most dishonorable."
Shi Hanyin, disinclined to listen to her lecture, said, "Madame, give me a carriage. I wish to go to Yumenguan."
"Yumenguan?"
The proprietress gasped in shock. "Yumenguan is currently at war! I heard that the barbarians from the Nanhuang have mobilized a full forty to fifty thousand troops and intend to break through Yumenguan in one fell swoop. Ordinary people are trying to escape. Why are you, this foolish girl, going to Yumenguan?!"
"To see."
Shi Hanyin furrowed her delicate brows. "Usually, I only see stories in martial arts novels and legends. Hanyin wishes to go to Yumenguan personally, to gaze from afar at Changming Mountain, and pray for him."
"Will he know?"
The proprietress looked at her with heartache. "Foolish girl, you like him so much, yet what has he done for you? Has he ever redeemed you? Has he ever thought of taking you away from this place of pleasure? Has he ever considered your happiness or sorrow in the slightest?"
"..."
Shi Hanyin pursed her red lips, feeling a pang of sadness in her heart. Yes, I, Shi Hanyin, am young and beautiful, so why is he unwilling to take me away? Could it be that he truly looks down on me?
However, he doesn't seem like that kind of person.
"Madame, here are ten gold qingfu coins."
Shi Hanyin took out a handful of golden coins from her sachet. "I'll buy this carriage and hire five guards in the middle fifth realm. After passing Yumenguan, I will return to Yunxiang Tower myself. You won't have to worry. If you are still concerned, you can let Steward Wang accompany me."
"Alas..."
The proprietress sighed. "If you must go, I will accompany you, but I will watch from afar. I, a woman, do not wish to get involved in such a chaotic and war-torn place."
"Alright, thank you, Madame!"
...
Night fell.
Carriages appeared on the official road north of Yumenguan. Finally, one carriage headed directly towards Yumenguan. Upon entering Yumenguan, they saw the Dinghai Army and Cangnan Iron Cavalry troops coming and going, fires blazing on the ramparts. Everyone was in a frenzy, and no one paid much attention to Shi Hanyin.
A few guards frowned, but Shi Hanyin's wishes were not to be defied, so they followed her into Yumenguan.
"Hmm?"
On the city wall, Bei Minghai turned and looked at the woman in the red dress. He couldn't help but frown. How could such a stunningly beautiful woman be in this desolate region?
He knitted his brows and floated down in front of the woman in red. "Who are you people? Yumenguan is currently at war. Are you perhaps spies from the barbarians?"
Shi Hanyin hurriedly said, "My lord, we are not spies. I am Shi Hanyin from Yunxiang Tower in Yunzhou. I heard that Yumenguan is in a great battle, so I wanted to do my part. When the soldiers are weary, Hanyin is willing to play a tune to relieve their fatigue."
"Shi Hanyin?"
Bei Minghai naturally knew the name. "You are Shi Hanyin, the most beautiful woman in Yunzhou?"
"Yes."
Shi Hanyin, holding a pipa, asked, "And who is my lord?"
"Bei Minghai, Commander of the Dinghai Army."
"So, it's Lord Bei Ming..." Shi Hanyin quickly performed a deep curtsy. "To be honest, my lord, I came to Yumenguan simply to gaze at Changming Mountain from afar, to see where Lin Zhao is..."
"Oh~~~"
Bei Minghai revealed a knowing smile. Rumors had circulated throughout the martial world some time ago that Lin Zhao had listened to music in Yunzhou City and had a connection with Shi Hanyin, the most beautiful woman in Yunzhou. It seemed this was true. Since she was a friend of Commander Lin, Bei Minghai felt he had to give her some face.
"Miss Shi."
Bei Minghai said sternly, "You may go up the city wall to gaze at Changming Mountain, but you must ensure your safety."
He looked at the five guards in the middle fifth realm behind Shi Hanyin. "You will protect Miss Shi. Be sure she is not wounded by stray arrows. Although Commander Chen Xi is currently engaged in a decisive battle with the main barbarian force, there are still many isolated barbarian soldiers below the city of Yumenguan."
"Yes, my lord!"
...
Not long after, Shi Hanyin, holding her pipa, ascended the city wall. Outside the city, torches blazed in the distance. Chen Xi's hundred thousand Cangnan Iron Cavalry were locked in a fierce struggle with the barbarian cavalry numbering hundreds of thousands.
In the distance, at the end of the mountain range, a mountain range was shrouded in a golden sea of books, quite conspicuous. It was the battle-stricken Changming Mountain.
"Miss Shi."
Bei Minghai pointed. "That is Changming Mountain. Commander Lin is currently leading several individuals in the upper fifth realm from the Mountain Peak Villa to resist the Five Peaks Ancestor of the fourteenth realm. The outcome is still undecided."
"..."
Shi Hanyin gazed from afar, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.
Just then, a stream of sword light arrived from the north, landing on the city wall. At the forefront was an exceptionally beautiful Sword Immortal in a green dress, Chen Mengjun. Behind her were dozens of Nascent Soul and Golden Core sword cultivators from the Lingyan Sword Sect.
"Chen Mengjun, greetings, Commander."
She cupped her fists towards Bei Minghai, her eyes slightly red. "My master, Xie Yiying, has sacrificed herself for the world. Now that Yumenguan is under attack, Chen Mengjun has specifically led her senior and junior sisters to Yumenguan to see if she can contribute to the human realm!"
"Good, excellent!"
Bei Minghai nodded repeatedly. Chen Mengjun was a Sword Immortal at the peak of the eleventh realm. With her here, she could assist Chen Xi. The power of a peak eleventh realm Sword Immortal was quite significant in a mortal battle formation.
...
Chen Mengjun drew her sword.
She glanced towards the direction of Changming Mountain, her beautiful eyes filled with worry. Then, as she turned her gaze to her side, she saw a beautiful woman in a red dress holding a pipa, standing there, looking towards Changming Mountain with the same worry in her eyes.
Who was she?
Chen Mengjun knitted her brows but didn't think much of it. Her current focus was on killing more demons and avenging her master!