Afternoon.
Following discussions with Xu Zhi, Mu Gua, Chu Yu, and others, Lin Zhao decided to rebury Chu Huaixi's remains for peace. The chosen location needed to be secluded, preventing easy discovery by the demon race. Thus, it was decided to inter Chu Huaixi's remains near the ruins of the Mountain Top Villa. The villa itself was now merely a forest; the demon race, in their southward push, had dismantled every brick and tile to construct fortifications against the human race. This was also the reason why Snow Domain Heavenly Pond now lay in ruins.
At the old site of the Mountain Top Villa, only a patch of woodland remained, where apricot trees bloomed.
Lin Zhao and Mu Gua used their long swords to excavate a suitably sized tomb for Chu Huaixi. They then carefully placed the coffin within, covered it with earth, and even planted some flowers and grass on top. A newly dug grave would be too conspicuous. If the demon race succeeded in their assault, the Snow Domain Legion would surely retreat, and the grave would be easily discovered and Chu Huaixi's remains trampled again.
The group did not burn incense or offer sacrifices. Instead, they knelt one by one before Chu Huaixi's grave and spoke their hearts.
After Chu Yu, Xu Zhi, Mu Gua, and the others paid their respects, they retreated, leaving only Lin Zhao.
...
"Commander Chu."
Lin Zhao knelt on one knee before the tomb, his thoughts drifting back a hundred years. His eyes instantly welled up as he murmured, "It was thanks to Commander Chu's care that I, Lin Zhao, am alive today. After a long dream, I have finally awakened. Lin Zhao is no longer that Lin Zhao, but I still wish to be that Lin Zhao. Commander Chu, how are you doing on the other side? I wonder if you've seen Mr. Qin. After his death, there wasn't even a grave for him in this world… If you see him, Commander Chu, please tell him on my behalf that Lin Zhao misses him and wishes to have another meal and drink with him."
He slumped onto the damp earth, his eyes red. "Commander Chu, you once said that everything you did was for the betterment of our Great Chen Dynasty's descendants. I truly wish for that too, but my current strength is still too small, and there are too few places I can reach. As far as I know, there's only Xiao Jiu'er. She inherited Lin Qing'er's mantle on Changming Mountain and is now a twelve-realm Sword Immortal. She's our Great Chen Dynasty's first twelve-realm, and a Sword Immortal at that! Commander Chu, aren't you proud of how amazing our Xiao Jiu'er is?"
He lowered his head, tears streaming down his face. "Xiao Shitong is in White Emperor City, and I've lost all contact with him. I don't know how he's doing. I believe in Xiao Shitong; he's resolute and can endure hardship. He'll surely become an Upper Five Realm martial artist. And, Commander Chu, do you know? Of the ten people from our Mountain Top Villa, I thought they all perished in battle, but that wasn't the case. Xu Zhi and Mu Gua survived. Moreover, Xu Zhi is now an eleven-realm Sword Immortal. People say she's the strongest eleven-realm in the world, and I agree. Our Xu Zhi's sword talent is extraordinary, and she deserves such an achievement. As for Mu Gua, he was clumsy back then, and he's still a bit so, but he's dedicated to his boxing. He's now a Heavenly Origin Realm martial artist, and his martial arts foundation is built upon Commander Chu's Battle Array Fist Technique. So, Commander Chu, you don't need to worry. Your fist technique has successors, and they've surpassed you!"
"Hoo..."
Lin Zhao let out a sigh, picked up a clod of dirt nearby, and crushed it. "We've met your adopted daughter Chu Yu again. For years, she's assembled an army and has been relentlessly killing demons in the northern regions. She's now a ten-realm martial artist and a six-realm sword cultivator, far more formidable than I was back then… I'm telling you all this to let Commander Chu know that although you sacrificed yourself in the war, the people you influenced are continuing your legacy. Our Great Chen Dynasty will persevere in this world and will even become a pillar of strength for all of humanity. Please rest assured, Commander Chu, we will all live well."
Saying this, he stood up and cupped his fists towards Chu Huaixi's grave. "Lin Zhao must depart. The demon race has sent a strategist from their ancestral mountain, named Shi Jungang. She is wicked and greedy, and very difficult to deal with. She suffered a defeat at my hands last night at Jiuzhang Plain, and she'll likely assume we're overconfident. Therefore, tonight, there's a more than fifty percent chance that Shi Jungang will launch an attack on our camp. I need to return and prepare."
He turned and left, his white cloak fluttering behind him.
After Lin Zhao departed.
In the nearby forest, an apricot tree rustled. Pure white petals fell, as if seeing a long-lost friend, and a faint resonance was felt. However, something seemed to be restraining it.
...
"Beep!"
Upon returning to the encampment, Lin Zhao received a voice call from Chen Xue: "Lin Zhao, it's almost eleven-thirty. Everyone's decided to log off for supper. What do you say?"
"I'll eat too!"
Lin Zhao was indeed quite hungry. "After eating, I still need to log back in and work for a few hours."
"Oh, got it."
Lin Zhao summoned Xu Zhi, Mu Gua, Chu Yu, and Xiang Ji. They sat solemnly at the commander's seat. "Bai Ye and Shi Jungang plotted to capture Chu Yu's remnant army, but we rescued them. They won't swallow this defeat. Shi Jungang is someone skilled at guessing people's thoughts. She might guess that after our victory, we've become overconfident. Tonight, she'll likely lower her guard. Therefore, tonight, there's a high probability Shi Jungang will launch a surprise night attack. We must prepare."
"Understood!"
Chu Yu nodded. "Commander Lin, what do you need us to do?"
"Let's set a trap for the demons with an empty city."
Lin Zhao said, "After nightfall, light all the lamps in the encampment. All the forces of the Snow Domain Legion will withdraw. Mu Gua and Chu Yu will lead a thousand cavalry five li to the east and west of the camp to set an ambush. Xu Zhi and Xiang Ji will lead the remaining thousand armored soldiers to set an ambush around the camp. Remember, no cavalry; all will be equipped with long spears, shields, swords, and bows. Once the demon's main force enters the camp, we'll unleash a volley of arrows, followed by close combat. Mu Gua and Chu Yu's cavalry will charge from both flanks, cutting off the demons' retreat. This time, we'll make them pay for every soldier they send!"
"Yes, sir!"
Everyone nodded. No one questioned Lin Zhao's arrangements.
After everything was arranged, they logged off. Shen Xingchen and Chen Xue went downstairs side by side. Luo Man, holding Lin Zhao's arm, said cautiously, "Brother, be careful. The stairs are quite narrow, and it's easy to trip."
Mo Chenxue, walking behind, was stunned. "Is this possible?"
Lin Zhao tilted his head and glanced at Luo Man. He subtly pulled his arm out of her grasp, then turned and clasped hands with Ding Chi on his right. Almost in unison, they said, "Good brother, how was your day?"
"Pretty good!"
Ding Chi replied, "I was guarding the S-class gem mine. The monsters that spawn there are decent. How about you?"
"Doing the story quests, basically worked for free all day!"
"Damn, impressive…"
Shen Xingchen, ahead, turned back and smiled. "Doesn't the story of Snow Domain Heavenly Pond give any rewards?"
"No rewards…"
Lin Zhao was a little speechless. "I'm doing the story quests every day now, and my level is falling behind."
"Indeed."
Chen Xue said, "Xingchen's level is visibly widening the gap with yours."
"It's fine, there will definitely be compensation."
Lin Zhao grinned. He believed the system wouldn't let him down!
Supper was still seafood congee with a few stir-fried dishes. They ate heartily. After they finished, Wang Ju went to wash the dishes, while Lin Zhao went upstairs to log back in. He had to work overtime tonight. He absolutely couldn't sleep now, or he might wake up to find the newly formed Snow Domain Legion gone. Even though Xu Zhi, Mu Gua, and Chu Yu had powerful cultivation, they couldn't withstand the enemy's vast army!
...
"Swish!"
Lin Zhao logged in in the commander's tent. It was night in the game. The entire encampment was brightly lit, but there were few guards. He summoned his warhorse and galloped out. Soon, he heard someone call out, "Sir," it was Xu Zhi. In the darkness, Xu Zhi and the others hadn't lit torches, all hiding silently in the hollows and forests around the camp.
"Oh, over here~~~"
Lin Zhao walked forward with a smile. After a few steps, he heard a pleasant bell sound by his ear – it was indeed a beautiful sound.
"Ding!"
System Prompt: Congratulations on completing the "Snowy Night Rescue of Chu Yu" quest. You have received quest compensation rewards: Level +1, Charm +2, Gold Coins +4000, Reputation +3000!
Admittedly, these rewards were more generous than an SS-class main quest. The previous few hours hadn't been wasted at all!
In that moment, Lin Zhao was filled with joy. This story progression should be resolutely pursued, whether for the rewards or for what he had to do.
...
Shortly after, it began to snow again.
Heavy, feathery snow fell everywhere on Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, accompanied by a chilling wind that was almost unbearable. Before long, the helmets and shoulder plates of Lin Zhao and the armored soldiers were covered in snow, making them resemble rows of ice sculptures in the snow. Many soldiers had to channel their internal energy to ward off the cold, but it was a futile consumption.
"Sir."
A centurion could no longer hold back. "Will the demons really come? It's freezing out here. If the brothers continue to endure like this, many with lower realms might freeze to death."
"Why the hurry?"
Xu Zhi glared, her beautiful eyes flashing. "When one plans an entire campaign, nothing is one hundred percent certain. Sir is merely guessing the intentions of the demon commander. It's only a high probability that the demons will attack, not a certainty. Sir is also flesh and blood, not a god, and cannot foresee everything. Do you understand?"
"Yes, yes, yes…"
The centurion nodded repeatedly. This eleven-realm beauty of a sword immortal was absolutely not to be provoked. He, a mere seven-realm martial artist, had to be very careful when speaking to an eleven-realm cultivator.
Lin Zhao smiled slightly. Xu Zhi was truly an excellent and virtuous assistant. With her words, even if his guess about Shi Jungang's intentions was wrong, it wouldn't be too awkward.
...
Time ticked by, and everyone was almost buried in the accumulating snow.
It was close to midnight. The wind and snow were still heavy and urgent. In the vastness, only the howling of the wind and the rustling of snowflakes could be heard; almost no other sound was discernible.
But at that moment, Xu Zhi's heart stirred. She squinted towards the distance and smiled. "They've really come!"