Chapter 2117

He didn't explain the full context to He Yue, but Fu Shanyue understood it himself: Ya State withdrew for two reasons—first, the resistance on the Xianjin western front was too fierce, yielding little gain; second, it dared not defy Mou State's threat and had to retreat.

But the more this was the case, the more it sought to gain an advantage in words.

"So, after He Xiaoliu founded the state and briefly stabilized things, he seized this pretext to challenge Ya State." Fu Shanyue planted several small flags on the sand table to illustrate Cangyan State's advance route.

He Yue saw that the flags stretched from within Bailie all the way into Ya State's territory:

"Was it a continuous push back?"

"Exactly. Cangyan State dispatched three major armies for emergency relief. Your elder brother personally commanded the central force, entering Bailie from Tongzi Pass. The Ya army was utterly unprepared, suffering a three-pronged assault, and even their main camp was overrun."

Fu Shanyue recalled the scout's description:

The Ya army was utterly shocked.

It had believed that once the Mou army retreated, Bailie would practically fall into its lap—easily rounded or flattened as desired—so it scattered its forces in multiple directions, rampaging and pillaging throughout Bailie, acting with impunity. After all, the main force of Luqing浜 numbered only two or three units, utterly incapable of handling the enemy's widespread, blooming offensive.

But this dispersal of Ya State's forces proved fatal: after encountering the lightning rear strike of the Cangyan army, they were picked apart one by one, unable even to mount an effective retreat.

The Longshen Army's ability to sneak-attack Ya State forces within Bailie hinged on five words:

Beyond all expectation.

At this moment, the Bailie troops also sallied out to coordinate. The two armies successfully overran the enemy's main camp, forcing the Ya army to flee southward in haste, retreating back into its own borders.

The reason for this frantic flight was that pursuers clung tightly to their heels without pause, chasing the Ya army straight into Ya State territory!

The command of the Nine Abyssal Great Emperor:

This war cannot be delayed!

"The Longshen Army, after aiding Bailie, showed no hesitation, striking from north to south all the way to Baiqiuyuan, then splitting forces to advance east from Baiqiuyuan to the Xianjin Plains, clearing this vital route and slaying several Ya State generals." Fu Shanyue moved his finger across the sand table, "Once opened, supplies can be transported directly from the Xianjin Plains to Baiqiuyuan."

The Nine Abyssal Great Emperor donned armor and took the field personally; the Longshen Army's southern advance was astonishingly swift, leaving all observing powers amazed.

"I've heard Baiqiuyuan is the ancestral homeland of Ya State's many tribes, also known as the Sacred Land. Look—these two great rivers converging here nearly traverse Ya State's entire territory."

He Yue blurted out: "A place every military strategist must contend for."

Whether viewed geographically or historically, Baiqiuyuan holds extraordinary significance for Ya State and cannot be lost.

"Reaching Baiqiuyuan slowed the war's progress. Based on intelligence I received two days ago, a major clash may erupt here." Fu Shanyue explained to him, "Baiqiuyuan is naturally the main battlefield, but fighting is not confined to it. Around these locations—"

He drew several circles: "—fierce combat also occurs here."

Among them, three circles lie east of Baiqiuyuan, namely—

"The Longshen Army's rear." He Yue seemed to grasp something, "Ya State aims to cut off the Longshen Army's supply lines!"

The elder brother led troops into Ya State; though flanked left and right, he was effectively a lone army deep in enemy territory, with supplies largely dependent on transport from Xianjin. Assailing Ya State's sacred ground instantly ignited its fury, pushing the war's tempo to its peak.

"They say a commander should not lightly expose himself, yet your elder brother personally led the charge, invading their territory." Fu Shanyue said, "The Ya people surely wish to detain him as a guest."

After finishing the briefing, he told He Yue: "Your arrival is ill-timed, coinciding with wartime. I've dispatched a guard detachment to escort you to Cangyan State's capital; wait there awhile, and He Xiaoliu should return to court."

He Yue pointed instead toward Baiqiuyuan: "I'd rather go straight to the battlefield."

Previously, he had only fought in Yuan State; this is another fierce battle ten thousand li away, and moreover, it was personally initiated by his elder brother.

He Yue felt it necessary to be present on-site.

Fu Shanyue hastily waved his hands: "Hey, blades are blind—if you come to harm, He Xiaoliu will come back to settle accounts with me."

"Your Highness need not send an escort; I will go on my own." He Yue stared at Baiqiuyuan on the sand table, "This matter concerns neither you nor your authority."

"You've stayed in my office and examined the sand table—how can you claim no connection to me?" Fu Shanyue scratched his head, then suddenly said, "Peach, you escort him on this journey."

"Oh, very well." The maiden beside him answered crisply.

Finally able to disembark and stretch her legs, Peach's almond eyes narrowed into crescent moons—having languished on the island all day, she was thoroughly bored.

He Yue hastily protested: "How can this be proper!"

"Don't judge by her age." Fu Shanyue casually rubbed Peach's head, "She can snap your neck in an instant without blinking. Besides, Ya State's folk are fierce and valiant—your meager escort needs reinforcement."

"She will guide you ashore at Blade Harbor, then eastward. A refugee trail runs straight into Ya State territory—one of the hidden routes the Bailong clan once used to flee Ya State."

His tone carried an irrepressible authority; He Yue, moved despite himself, could only say: "Thank you, Your Highness. I will trouble Miss Peach for this journey."

Peach tilted her head: "Trifling matter."

Fu Shanyue continued: "I will inform He Xiaoliu to have someone meet you."

He Yue had no choice but to thank him, then, under Gu Ke's guidance, proceed with departure preparations.

After he left, Fu Shanyue stretched lazily: "He Xiaoliu's brother—looks like an ordinary enough fellow."

"Are you praising or criticizing him?" Peach blinked, uncertain.

"His father earned a kingship, regardless of Shen State's size; He Xiaoliu himself needs no introduction—he unified the fractured Xianjin Plains, divided for nearly a thousand years. Were it not for his brother's mild and courteous demeanor, his upright countenance, I'd suspect this whole family were born rebels."

Peach blinked: "You really dare say that about others?"

Who, then, is the born rebel? Who!

Fu Shanyue ignored her, walked to the sand table's edge, and stared into space for a long while.

Peach asked him: "Your Highness, are you worried about the Nine Abyssal Great Emperor?"

Fu Shanyue did not conceal his thoughts: "He previously stormed into Bailie and ambushed the Ya army, relying on surprise to inflict a heavy loss on Ya State. Why not consolidate after success? Now he invades Ya State—fighting in their lair, like sinking into mire. Before, several of our generals said that even combining the combat strength of all Xianjin states, including Ya State, they still couldn't match Ya State. Of course, that was before Cangyan State's founding."

Upon hearing this, Peach also grew anxious: "Will the Great Emperor lose?"

Fu Shanyue did not answer directly: "This man is sharper than a ghost, though often given to strange caprices, yet rarely undertakes unsure ventures. Even the vast Xianjin Plains—he swallowed them whole. But war brings countless variables; facing a mighty state like Ya State, how can victory be secured?"

Thanks to the thousand-yuan reward from "Nie Nie Ge Meng" for their cute antics, we now have another big cute thing~~!