"My lord mistakes me, how could Chu Huaixi dare?"
Chu Huaixi managed to offer a defense.
"Hmph!"
The Commandant sneered, "It better be so, or we'll all lose face!"
Just then, a scout approached and said respectfully, "Marshal Chu, the demon and ghost races have retreated!"
"Retreated?"
Chen Yu was taken aback, "Why did they retreat so suddenly?"
Chu Huaixi's brows furrowed. He didn't speak, but seeing Lin Zhao beside Chen Yu, he asked, "Lin Zhao, did you escort the Commandant back?"
"Yes."
Lin Zhao nodded, "Of the ten-person squad I was in, only I remain."
"War is like this, you must get used to it slowly," Chu Huaixi said calmly. "This battle has earned you considerable merit, which has been recorded by the Chief Military Officer. Perhaps you will be promoted later. Now that the demon and ghost races have retreated, you should return to the town to cultivate. Your situation is different, and it's not necessary to stay in the military camp all the time; it won't be beneficial for your cultivation."
"Understood!"
...
A day later.
After leaving a contingent of troops to guard the front line, all remaining Heavenly Pond Army forces retreated to Heavenly Pond Ridge to recuperate. The battle in Lingnan had once again inflicted heavy casualties on the Heavenly Pond Army, making it imperative to rest and replenish their soldiers.
As the Heavenly Pond Army returned to the Snow Region Heavenly Pond, a detachment of cavalry approached, passing through Heavenly Pond Town. They were all female soldiers, clad in fiery red armor, equipped with long swords, battle bows, and other weapons. From afar, they presented a sea of fiery red, numbering at least five thousand, a force comparable to the current Heavenly Pond Army.
"They're finally here!"
Huang Tingyu narrowed his eyes and smiled, "The Vermilion Bird Battalion guarding Shan Hai Pass, one of the Great Shang Dynasty's Six Great Commanderies, Young Master Yu. Who would have thought a young woman would be the first to lead troops to the Snow Region Heavenly Pond."
Chu Huaixi smiled slightly, "The reason the northern fiends retreated is likely because Young Master Yu led the Vermilion Bird Battalion here, isn't it?"
"Indeed."
Lin Zhao, riding a riderless warhorse he had picked up, followed closely behind Chen Yu. He also looked over. Under the escort of a group of female cavalry, a peerlessly beautiful general slowly rode forward. Her fiery red battle armor accentuated her graceful and exquisite figure. She rode a fiery red warhorse, a sword hung at her waist, and her bright eyes exuded a captivating radiance.
"Long time no see, Marshal Chu!" Young Master Yu clasped her hands in greeting from her horse and smiled.
Chu Huaixi returned the salute, clasping his hands, "Marshal, you have traveled far. Chu Huaixi regrets not welcoming you sooner. Please forgive my oversight."
"You're too kind."
At this moment, the Commandant beside Chu Huaixi rode forward, clasped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Commander Young Master. I am the Commandant responsible for supervising the Heavenly Pond Army, my name is Jiang Wei!"
"How was the battle ahead?" Young Master Yu asked.
"Hmph!"
The Commandant sneered, "After last night's great battle, the Heavenly Pond Army suffered heavy losses. Chu Huaixi was passive in battle, leading to a missed opportunity. Otherwise, we could have expanded our victory by pursuing the retreating demon race on both flanks."
"Oh?"
Young Master Yu narrowed her beautiful eyes and smiled, "If you say Marshal Chu was passive, Commandant, how many demons did you kill?"
"This..."
The Commandant's face flushed, "Not a single one. I was just..."
"Since you, Commandant, don't even have the ability to kill a single demon, what right do you have to criticize Marshal Chu, and the Heavenly Pond Army soldiers who fought valiantly on the front lines?"
"Hahaha~~~"
A group of senior generals from the Heavenly Pond Army erupted in laughter and then bowed to Young Master Yu in gratitude.
Young Master Yu smiled slightly and said, "Marshal Chu, I'm not leaving after I've arrived. This time, I've brought eight thousand Vermilion Bird Cavalry from the Vermilion Bird Battalion. Depending on the situation, I may draw more troops from Shan Hai Pass. As for provisions, equipment, and supplies, please don't trouble yourself, Marshal Chu. I, Young Master Yu, will make my own arrangements."
Chu Huaixi immediately clasped his hands, "Thank you! Thank you!"
...
Lin Zhao left the Heavenly Pond Army and slowly rode his horse back to the town.
Constantly, the Vermilion Bird Cavalry from Shan Hai Pass passed by him. Those beautiful older sisters, clad in armor, their cloaks fluttering behind them, watched the young Lin Zhao riding his warhorse. Some couldn't help but smile, and even more actively nodded in greeting to Lin Zhao. Lin Zhao, mimicking the manner of a martial artist, returned their salutes with clasped hands.
Only after all eight thousand Vermilion Bird Cavalry had passed did Lin Zhao enter the town. His mind, however, was still occupied with the origins of the Vermilion Bird Battalion, which Old Huang had briefly mentioned before.
The Great Shang Dynasty was the dynasty that unified the southern continent. To resist the invasion of the four northern races, the Great Shang Dynasty had not only placed the Heavenly Pond Army as a pawn on the very front line but had also built a Fusu Great Wall behind it. The Fusu Great Wall was solely guarded by criminals and refugees from various dynasties that had been annihilated by the Great Shang Dynasty, specifically to eliminate any stragglers who bypassed the Snow Region Heavenly Pond.
Following that were the six great strategic passes on the true northern border of the Great Shang Dynasty, in order: Shan Hai Pass, Yanmen Pass, Tong Pass, Hulao Pass, Yangping Pass, and Yumenguan. To strengthen the border forces, the Great Shang Emperor established six Great Commanderies, all first-rank government offices. These six Great Commanderies were: the Vermilion Bird Battalion, Wu Zhen Tower, Ding Hai Army, Yu Zhu Garden, Pan Shi Army, and Cang Nan Iron Cavalry, each commanded by a Great Commander.
As for Young Master Yu, she was the commander of the Vermilion Bird Battalion guarding Shan Hai Pass and one of the Great Shang's six Great Commanders.
The rulers of the Great Shang Dynasty were weak and unwilling to wage war against the four northern races, but this did not mean that the valiant generals guarding the borders were unwilling. Therefore, the six Great Commanderies had almost all maintained contact with the Fusu Great Wall and the Snow Region Heavenly Pond, exchanging goods and information. If the four northern races were to launch a full-scale invasion and raze Heavenly Pond Ridge, the garrisons of the six great passes would not stand idly by. The principle of "lips and teeth" was understood by all. At that time, even without an imperial decree, they would reinforce Heavenly Pond Ridge in accordance with the "Six Great Commanderies, Act According to Circumstances" decree issued by the late emperor.
Young Master Yu was the first Great Commander to arrive at Heavenly Pond Ridge.
Lin Zhao sighed. In the long river of human history, some people schemed endlessly and sought self-preservation, while others were full of passion and acted without hesitation. However, it was often the latter who truly defended humanity's homeland. Therefore, no matter what, Lin Zhao would look upon the Great Commander named Young Master Yu with admiration.
Besides, she was also extremely good-looking.
...
"Brother Lin Zhao!"
As soon as they entered the back street, Su Qingjiu and Xiao Shitóu appeared in front of the Hundred Flavors Pavilion. Su Qingjiu carried a cloth bag containing schoolbooks, while Xiao Shitóu held a string of fish, the largest of which was at least two pounds, looking quite heavy.
"Haha~~~"
Lin Zhao tied his warhorse outside the restaurant and asked, "How have you been while I was away?"
"Great."
Xiao Shitóu patted his chest and laughed, "I think my boxing has improved even more!"
"You're bragging!"
Su Qingjiu, with her hands behind her back, finally had a bit of a ladylike demeanor. She smiled and said, "Brother Lin Zhao, the teacher praised me today. She said I was absent-minded in class but still managed to flip through my books. She said I'm a promising student!"
Lin Zhao held his forehead and led the two children into the restaurant.
"Third Manager!"
Jia Zhong walked over with a hearty laugh, "You're back?"
"Yes, I'm back."
Lin Zhao said, "Brother Jia, please bring us a few flavorful dishes, and a large bowl of rice for me. I haven't had a proper meal in a long time."
"Coming right up!"
Jia Zhong laughed heartily, "One stir-fried liver and kidney, one sour cabbage fish, and one large plate of chicken!"
Lin Zhao couldn't help but smile; the dishes were exactly to his liking.
...
In the days that followed, life remained ordinary.
Lin Zhao spent his days practicing boxing and managing the business. The Hundred Flavors Pavilion was now the most famous restaurant in the entire town, renowned far and wide. Not only did wealthy families from the town frequent the Hundred Flavors Pavilion, but even visiting guests greatly enjoyed it. The elder sisters of the Vermilion Bird Battalion, who had come to the Snow Region Heavenly Pond with Young Master Yu to "guard the border," also often visited the Hundred Flavors Pavilion on their days off to try its signature dishes. Thus, Lin Zhao's fortune grew, and he no longer had to worry about catching fish in the river, catching shrimp, or hunting in the mountains.
As the days passed, autumn arrived.
Lin Zhao, who practiced boxing daily, became increasingly robust, his boxing intent deepening, and his true qi growing more profound. He had already reached the peak of the third realm, and breaking through was only a matter of time.
The temperature in the Snow Region Heavenly Pond dropped exceptionally fast. Even when fishing, one could feel the river water was very cold. This made Lin Zhao a little worried. One of the restaurant's signature dishes, spicy crayfish, had always been a bestseller. However, it was a seasonal ingredient. As the weather grew colder, the lobsters in Baiyu Stream would soon hide away, leading to a shortage. At that time, it would be necessary to find a winter delicacy to replace it.
Lin Zhao had an idea, but he wasn't in a hurry to act on it.
...
One day, it was already late autumn.
Early in the morning, the town was shrouded in thick fog. Lin Zhao, holding Little Jiu'er's hand, personally escorted her to the school. As they passed by the canal in the back street, he noticed a donkey standing by the roadside, motionless.
"Huh?"
Lin Zhao was surprised, "Whose donkey is this?"
Little Jiu'er blinked her eyes and said, "It's rare to see donkeys in the town. Could it have come from outside?"
"No."
Lin Zhao glanced at it. The donkey was fitted with a simple saddle, indicating someone had ridden it.
Just then, a voice came from the canal beside them, "Good wine, good wine... This taste, damn it, why is it mixed with the smell of urine?!"
Lin Zhao quickly looked. He saw a person lying by the canal. It was a young man in a blue robe, with a sword and a wine gourd hanging at his waist, completely drunk. One leg was hooked in the stirrup beside the donkey. If not for his weight, the donkey would have likely run off long ago.
"A drunkard..."
Lin Zhao glanced at him and said, "He looks like an outsider."
"Yes!"
Su Qingjiu nodded repeatedly, "Yes, I don't think I've seen him before."
Lin Zhao patted Su Qingjiu's little head and smiled, "Let's go, I'll take you to school first. When I come back, if he's still not sober, I'll take him back so he doesn't freeze to death here."
"Okay!"
...
After taking Little Jiu'er to school, Lin Zhao returned. As expected, the man was still there. He helped him to lie on the donkey's back, then led the donkey and brought him back to the ancestral home. As he lay on the donkey's back, the man continued to mumble and hum a song, "Xing Hua Village, Xing Hua Village... Xing Hua Village has good girls... The girls have long legs, oh, the girls have round bottoms~~~"