Chapter 106: Graceful, Lithe Flight

Heavenly Harmony, year 1261, May 20, on the Qi Kingdom border at Xinyuan City.

As the saying goes, a single wrong move in chess binds the hands and feet. Advancing is impossible, retreating even more so.

Wei Lingfeng stood on the city wall watching wave after wave of Yao Army attacks, couldn't help but give a wry smile and shake his head; now he finally understood the meaning of that saying.

A month ago, the Qi Kingdom's remaining 200,000 troops, after losing Yinchuan Kingdom and the border twin cities of Maochang and Yinyi, were forced to retreat into Qi territory. Though my feint strategy dealt a heavy blow to the Yin‑Yao Allied Army, it did not at all damage Ice Ling's foundation.

Wen Ruobin ultimately could not follow my plan, hesitating for just a moment… Yet, in front of Xiao Yifei there was no room for any hesitation. Victory would mean uniting the world; defeat would mean death for Feng Lan. Though the outcome seemed crystal clear, even knowing the odds were three points short, I still felt unwilling.

If the one who resonated with me were Qi Ran… Wei Lingfeng crossed his hands behind his back, chuckling self‑derisively: there is no "if"; on the battlefield, "if" can never exist.

A single wrong move, and the battle shifts again. The Yao Kingdom's naval warfare is unmatched, but its land forces are lacking. Three months ago, Grand General Meng Kuo of the Yao Kingdom was defeated in the campaign against Yi Kingdom's Fengyou sub‑state; as an ally, Yin Ziheng was forced to lead 400,000 troops himself to assist.

Now, the forces besieging Xinyuan City consist only of Fu Junmo's 300,000 Yao troops and 200,000 Yin troops. Facing a 20‑to‑50 odds, confronting the dark‑horse divine General Fu Junmo head‑on, Wei Lingfeng was confident there was still a chance, but Xiao Yifei's sudden deployment of Ice Ling's underground forces left him unable to move a inch.

Shortage of supplies and an overextended front are a campaign's greatest taboo. Yet this massive oversight, sustained by Ice Ling's uninterrupted financial and material support, has held out until today, driving both myself and the Qi Kingdom into a desperate corner.

Luring the Yin‑Yao Allied Army into Qi territory, mobilizing elite troops from across the realm to encircle and annihilate them, is not an impossible plan; in the end, it may even be the only viable strategy.

But now I cannot, Wei Lingfeng furrowed his brow slightly; his slender, handsome face showed no trace of despair or dejection. It is both inability and unwillingness. Not only because such a campaign would endanger the very foundation of the Qi Kingdom, nor merely because it might give the Ice Ling forces lurking within Qi a chance, but also because—as the emperor of Qi, as the pillar of a nation—I cannot harden my heart and abandon the citizens of city after city, those who revere me as king.

This was originally a society where the harsher one is the one who survives.

The words flashed through his mind, Bing Yi… Wei Lingfeng's mouth twitched into a bitter smile, and a familiar pang of anguish struck his chest again.

The metallic drum of a retreat sounded, the Yao Kingdom's main force fled in disarray, its formation in chaos. Wei Lingfeng glanced to the side, hearing the cheers of the defending commanders and soldiers, and the eager attempts to pursue; his brows furrowed even tighter.

But it was only a moment; when he turned, his face had returned to its usual calm composure. "Send my decree: seal the city gates tightly; no one may launch an unsanctioned attack. Anyone who disobeys will be dealt with by military law!"

The soldiers obeyed and left. Cheng You stepped forward two paces, looking at Wei Lingfeng, his face showing worry: "Your Majesty, you haven't closed your eyes for several days. Perhaps you should rest in the palace for a while."

Wei Lingfeng surveyed the chaotic battlefield and nodded slightly. Xuan Tian was not a reckless fool; such an obvious bait could not escape his notice, so there should be no problem. He crossed his arms and turned, walking toward the city interior.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!"

Wei Lingfeng paused, his hand gripping the brush, then looked up. He heard Cheng You shout, "Cease your rudeness!!"

The newcomer, frightened, sweat dripping from his pallid face, bent his knees and collapsed, murmuring, "Your Majesty, your Majesty… General Xuan…."

Wei Lingfeng's perfectly arched brows knit, and he said coldly, "What about Xuan Tian?"

"General Xuan… he led three thousand troops out of the city, and now… now they are besieged beneath Xinyuan City, and it looks like… it looks like they're about to…"

Wei Lingfeng's complexion grew cold, his voice dropping a few tones, "Did Xuan Tian not receive my decree?"

"We… we received it. General Xuan had to leave the city to rescue the two junior generals, Li Feng and Si Tu Lei. It's just that Li Feng and Si Tu Lei, eager for victory, set out before the emperor's decree arrived, each taking three thousand Heavenly Armor cavalry, one thousand Heavenly Armor archers, and five thousand regular soldiers, and slipped out to pursue…"

"Audacious!!" Wei Lingfeng slammed the folding fan in his hand onto the table, his voice turning ice‑cold, "Who gave them the authority to mobilize the Heavenly Armor Elite Troops?!"

"It was… it was General Xuan!" The newcomer, trembling from Wei Lingfeng's sudden fury, lowered his head heavily twice, his voice choked, "Your Majesty! General Xuan says Li Feng is the sole son of former Protector General Li Feifan and also… Li… Li Fei's younger brother, giving him natural command in the army. And Si Tu Lei is the second son of the current prime minister. Together, these young heroes are rare talents. Your Majesty, please understand, General Xuan's actions were not selfish!"

Wei Lingfeng rose, sneering, "Then why didn't you come to explain to me?"

The newcomer trembled all over, glanced at Cheng You, his face turning ashen as he lowered his head, unwilling to answer.

"Cheng You!" Wei Lingfeng's gaze shifted, landing on the dark‑blue cloth‑clad Cheng You, his sneer deepening, "Secretly moving the Heavenly Armor Elite Troops and Hidden Guard deployments, fostering backed young leaders—your and Xuan Tian's audacity is truly growing!"

Cheng You's expression changed dramatically; he knelt, bowing his head in silence. After a long pause, he suddenly bent forward, pressed his forehead to the cold floor, and said slowly, "The Hidden Guard exists solely to protect Your Majesty. Whether it's the Yin Kingdom, the Yao Kingdom, or the Heavenly Armor Elite Troops, we care not; in our hearts, only the emperor's safety matters most."

He paused, then lifted his head, his demeanor humble and obedient yet utterly resolute, "To boost morale, to lure the enemy deeper, does not require Your Majesty. Sacrificing any number of generals is irrelevant; we will never allow Your Majesty to risk his own life again."

Bitterness, fatigue, powerlessness… this unfamiliar feeling rose in Wei Lingfeng's chest piece by piece. He waved his hand lightly, saying, "Come with me and see." After speaking, he gave no further glance to the kneeling man and turned away.

The battlefield is like a chessboard; at the crucial moment, a single misplaced piece condemns the whole game. Wei Lingfeng did not look at the blood‑splattered, disheveled youth kneeling beside him, but stared calmly at Xuan Tian and the three thousand Xinyuan troops surrounded by tens of thousands of soldiers.

"Your Majesty… Your Majesty…" Li Feng choked, bowing heavily, "The junior general acknowledges his mistake! Please… please open the gates quickly, save General Xuan, otherwise…"

"Otherwise, what?" Wei Lingfeng asked calmly without turning.

Below lay a clear four‑corner formation with a gap: thirty thousand cavalry, sixty thousand infantry, ten thousand supporting archers, encircling Xuan Tian. That gap faced Xinyuan City's gate. Wei Lingfeng gave a faint cold smile; such an open‑and‑honest invitation to the enemy proved he had indeed not underestimated Fu Junmo.

When the man behind him gave no reply, Wei Lingfeng reached out to brace the wall's railing, continuing calmly, "Xinyuan is the Qi Kingdom's final border shield; if I fling the gates open and usher Xuan Tian in, the thirty hundred thousand Yao troops lurking around will swarm in. Should Xinyuan fall, the battlefield will shift into Qi territory. As for the consequences, I doubt I need to explain them to you…"

By the final sentence his voice had become razor‑sharp. The two kneeling youths felt a tremor of remorse and unwillingness churn within them, their eyes reddening.

The cavalry withdrew, the infantry advanced with shields, followed by the frail yet, in certain situations, most lethal archers.

Wei Lingfeng looked down, seeing the central tent of the hundred‑thousand‑strong army; Fu Junmo, clad in dark armor, lifted his head and stared coldly at him. Suddenly, he raised the command banner, and arrows rained down, hurling toward the Qi troops.

"Cheng You!" Wei Lingfeng's grip on the iron railing tightened, his voice deep, "Regardless of life or death, bring Xuan Tian back!"

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid… it cannot be done." Cheng You's gaze fixed ahead, his eyes flashing a grim killing intent.

Wei Lingfeng was slightly startled, looked up, and saw a streak of azure on the high platform ahead.

Xiao Yifei—Wei Lingfeng's pupils suddenly contracted; after fighting so long, this was the first time he saw him appear. In his hand he held a blood‑transparent longbow, now leisurely standing on the high platform, nocking an arrow, drawing the string, the blue‑glowing tip aimed straight at himself.

Wei Lingfeng sighed inwardly, watching Xuan Tian and the others fully encircled, realizing that even Cheng You, powerful as he was, had now lost the last chance for rescue.

One general's triumph leaves ten thousand bones to rot! Bing Yi… what a saying—one general's triumph leaves ten thousand bones to rot!

The throne, power; famous generals, cities; loyal ministers, the people. Which should I safeguard first, and which must I abandon?

Wei Lingfeng brushed away the fleeting flash of pain, his expression indifferent as he continued to watch the battlefield below the wall.

Xuan Tian knew his soldiers were dwindling, his brothers‑in‑arms falling one by one. Yet his face showed no fear or despair, only a steadfast belief in relentless charge and slash.

Kill one for enough capital, kill two to earn a pair. He is Xuan Tian, the thirty‑year‑old Protector General of the Qi Kingdom. Apart from that young emperor, who would dare employ a man with only fighting spirit and no strategy as a national divine general? And besides that young emperor, who could sustain such a position under the siege of two nations and three factions?

He said, "What I need is your innate sharpness for war; you need consider nothing else, just immerse your whole yearning for battle onto the battlefield."

He said, "Who says a reckless general cannot be a commander? I will train you into an invincible, fear‑inducing Protector General."

However… I still failed his expectations. Elevating Li Feng and Si Tu Lei was meant to leverage their distinguished backgrounds and military prestige to gain the court's entrenched support, and spare the emperor from constantly having to boost morale under crisis. Yet I still underestimated their impulsiveness and immaturity…

Xuan Tian's death on the battlefield would be fine, but in this dire situation it deprived the young emperor of a general he had personally cultivated. Such a crime, such negligence, even if I died a hundred or ten thousand times, would still be far insufficient.

A sudden pain struck his thigh, and Xuan Tian's body on the horse jolted. He had never felt his armor so heavy; before his eyes were gray and yellow, with no white, and his ears were filled intermittently with soldiers' shouts, battle cries, command calls, the clatter of halberds—killing…

He suddenly realized he was about to die, to die on this battlefield, in the place that truly belonged to him…

"What sound?" Fu Junmo, commanding the battle, halted his hand's motion and asked in a deep voice.

"Sound—how can there be sound on a battlefield?" The strategist beside him listened intently, then his face showed shock as he looked up, "Your Highness, it's a singing voice, as if it came from the sky!"

Above, Xiao Yifei in a blue robe set down his bow, his expression solemn as he gazed at the azure sky.

Cheng You gripped his long sword tightly, staying close to Wei Lingfeng, and looked up, "Your Majesty, this sound is…?"

Wei Lingfeng stared blankly at the endless cloudless sky; the blinding glare made him squint slightly.

"Thump— thump—" his chest pounded repeatedly; what a feeling, what kind of exhilaration, he suddenly clenched his hand gripping the railing so tightly that his knuckles whitened and veins stood out.

Boom— a deafening crash; the world seemed covered, suddenly darkening, so black that one could not see a hand in front of one's face, so oppressive that everyone in the fierce battle snapped out of the killing frenzy and slowed their movements.

A melodious, pleasant song rose, gradually louder, gradually soaring. Suddenly, a multicolored dawn light ignited in the dark sky, and a dazzling lightning streaked across the battlefield, instantly spreading across the whole heavens.

In less than a breath, the sky brightened again. As if nothing had happened, a blue, cloudless sky stretched for miles, and only that mournful yet melodious song continued to echo throughout the world.

In deep mountains, secluded valleys, dense jungles, and a maze of stone formations, a man in black quietly lifted his head to stare at the sky, indifferent and speechless.

A teal-colored figure appeared beside him at an unknown moment; a hoarse voice, clear and weary from seeing the world, said peacefully, "Bu Sha, are you about to leave?"

Bu Sha nodded without hesitation and said in a deep voice, "She has returned."

The old man in green showed a helpless expression, shook his head and laughed, "What kind of girl is she... your wounds have fully healed, your martial skill is even more refined than before; go without worry. But, deliver a message to that girl for me..."

Bu Sha was startled, "What message?"

The old man in green's mouth curved with half coldness, half affection, and he said calmly, "Tell her, if she dares to hurt my beloved disciple again, I will make her... forever lose Qi Ran."

Bu Sha raised an eyebrow; the light flickering in his black eyes settled into a belief as solid as rock, unshakable. He sheathed his Blood‑Sucking Blade into his chest and said coldly, "I will convey it."

Xie Yanke watched the resolute figure disappear, recalled Thus Character: Thus Character: Luofeng, who still lay in the wooden hut suffering from poison, sighed, and looked up at the sky.

The melodious song still hovered and rose; Xie Yanke again chuckled, shook his head, and said bitterly, "One, two... what on earth is..."

Yao Nation's Pu Yan nomadic tribe.

"Mute doctor, mute doctor..." Xiao Miner clutched a jade‑green herb, hopped to the side of the boy in a light‑blue long shirt, and exclaimed excitedly, "Mute doctor, I've gathered Eagle‑Tail Grass; Min'er is faster than brother!"

Behind them, an angry‑faced little boy rushed to the boy, glared at her, and said, "I saw it first."

"So what if you saw it first, Gary? You're still my brother! I..."

Min'er's voice suddenly halted; she looked up curiously and asked, "Mute doctor, did you hear that? It sounds like someone's singing in the sky!" She then laughed at herself, wondering how a mute doctor could speak.

"I heard it," a voice sweeter than celestial music, like a babbling stream, sounded softly.

Min'er and Gary looked up in shock, staring at the tall youth, unable to believe that the person they'd called mute doctor had just spoken.

"One year, finally... I'm back," the youth, Qi Ran, slowly lifted his hand, removed the mask from his face, and his deep‑blue eyes, darker than the sky, gazed calmly at the distant multicolored lights; his unparalleled face broke into a smile brighter than sunlight.

"Mute doctor, no... brother, you're so handsome!" Min'er stared at him, murmuring, "More beautiful than the Yali deity in our Starl Temple. But brother, why are you crying?"

Qi Ran lowered his head; his slender ten fingers gently brushed the wind‑tousled hair of Min'er and Gary, and he said softly, "I must leave now."

"Mute... doctor! Where are you going?!" Gary grabbed him, his face showing panic, "Brother, please don't leave; I still have many things I haven't learned from you!"

Qi Ran gave a faint smile, shook his head, placed two crystal‑clear jade stones into their hands, and said gently, "In the future, no matter what difficulties arise, you can bring these two jades to the Tianya Tower for help. Remember?"

After speaking, he lightly tapped each of their heads, then without hesitation turned and left.

The prairie breeze lifted his silk‑like long hair and light‑colored garments; his tall figure receded, and from behind it looked like an unreal, breathtaking painting.

"Bing Yi, I will hold your hand and grow old together. You said that; this time, I will never let go again."

"Miss!!"

"Xin Hui! Xin Hui!" Wen Ruobin rushed to the bedside, his sunken eyes blood‑shot yet filled with anxious worry, and helped the screaming person on the bed.

"Ruobin, I dreamed of the Miss!" Xin Hui grabbed his sleeve, choking, and asked, "Has the Miss returned?"

Wen Ruobin was stunned, then a flash of pain and slight hatred crossed his eyes; after a pause he cradled Xin Hui's frail body in his arms and said hoarsely, "Xin Hui, stop thinking about that ruthless woman..."

"Ruobin! Did you hear that song?" Xin Hui shouted excitedly, shoved Wen Ruobin aside, leapt from the bed barefoot, rushed to the window, and cried and laughed, shouting, "It's the Miss! Ruobin, it must be the Miss! The Miss has returned!"

Wen Ruobin stared blankly as he ran to the window; melodious music filled his ears, and his eyes saw the flickering multicolored glow of distant clouds. He was slightly stunned—was that... the Qi Yao Battlefield?

Could it be... could it really be that she has returned?

Wen Ruobin clenched his fists hard, trying to suppress his yearning for fantasy, yet he could not help the hope churning in his heart. She's back, she's back!

Then does that mean... the Young Master will also return?

"Are you the one who returned?" A cool, handsome face looked up at the blue sky; golden‑silver eyes flashed scorching light as he spoke coldly, "I wonder what you'll say to me this time. Will you ever abandon me again?"

His delicate mouth curled slightly, drawing an extremely seductive smile, "Sister—"

The noisy battlefield, clashing weapons, soaring dust, rain‑like arrows, as if a ghostly force.

All the people—wounded, weary, blood‑thirsty, those who welcomed death—stopped the battle they had treated as life, staring blankly at the sky above, where multicolored lights flickered.

With mournful, melodious music in their ears, it seemed someone was earnestly recounting story after story in the plainest tone. Their hearts gradually steadied, and their murderous intent faded away.

"Pat—"

"Pat— pat—"

No one knows who started it first; blood‑stained weapons, swords dulled from killing, fell one after another.

Tears, for reasons unknown, silently streamed in the eyes of every soldier and officer.

Xuan Tian's spear clanged onto the ground, and hot tears instantly filled his eyes; he awkwardly wiped them away. If it weren't under the belief of certain death; if it weren't after experiencing utter despondency; if it weren't in such exhaustion that one wishes to sleep forever—he would never weep because of this song. Yet, at this moment…

"What is that?!" A sudden scream rang out, echoing unimpeded across the battlefield, which had been silent save for sobbing.

Everyone lifted their heads, staring blankly, transfixed, at the figure surrounded by multicolored light, its robes fluttering, unable to help but be mesmerized.

"Your Majesty!!" Cheng You shouted in terror, watching the figure in a light‑purple robe, one hand on the rail, leap over the city wall; he could not stop it, hurriedly leapt down after, then protected.

The multicolored light slowly approached, yet also faded. Those who looked up on the battlefield finally saw a girl in a white gauze dress, slowly descending under the blue sky and rainbow light. The wind lifted her figure, her black hair fluttered, her robes billowed; sunlight bathed her youthful face, radiating dazzling rays. Camouflaged and dreamy, holy and flawless.

"Mother... Empress!!" Xuan Tian did not notice the purple figure leaping down, but stared at the sky. Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply, he stepped forward and shouted, "It truly is the Empress!!"

That cry awakened countless people and shocked countless others.

Finally, another voice shouted, filled with joy, excitement, disbelief, and uncontrollable sobbing, "It really is the Empress! Did everyone see—no, it's the Empress of our Qi Nation!"

The commotion spread across the battlefield; the Qi army went mad, delirious; they shouted, celebrated, knelt in worship, as if they had already won.

Yet, right beside them, the Yin Yao allied forces, which should have seized the moment to attack, were instead stunned, watching the falling figure, hearing the enemy troops' jubilant cheers, feeling a bewilderment and helplessness unlike any before.

Suddenly, a flash of purple light appeared before everyone's eyes, a tall, agile figure, a face of unparalleled handsomeness, a bearing of innate noble aura, and it struck awe into every onlooker, freezing even the Qi army's commanders.

Is this person the Prince of Qi? This youthful gentleman whose eyes and face shine with endless joy and anticipation—could he be the most mysterious, most ruthless young emperor of Heaven and the continent, Wei Lingfeng?

Wei Lingfeng clenched his fists, his palms sweating, he quietly looked up at the white figure slowly descending. No blue sky, no white clouds, no glaring sun—only her… only her…

The girl's white clothes fluttered and billowed, as if supporting her, drifting down from the air bit by bit. Long eyelashes covered the pair of eyes flashing amber light. On her fair face, ripples of warm, moist light spread, reflecting her crimson lips, her tranquil sleeping visage, which was actually... breathtakingly beautiful!

When that soft body suddenly fell into his arms, Wei Lingfeng shuddered all over, actually feeling his blood vessels surge with the temperature at his fingertips, boiling over. It's Bingyi... really Bingyi!!

He suddenly tightened his grip, firmly locking the girl in his arms. Never letting go, never again... will he let go!

"Open the city gate!!" Cheng You, taking advantage of everyone's stunned silence, turned and shouted loudly at the city guard official on the wall.

The heavy iron gate slowly opened, deep as an abyss, back like a mountain—that godlike youth, that seemingly omnipotent emperor, thus amidst the myriad troops, embraced that white figure descending from heaven, step by step entering the wide-open gate.

Behind him followed three thousand soldiers, weary of man and horse, yet unconditionally trusting and admiring that youth.

No one obstructed; the three hundred thousand Yin Yao Allied Forces actually had not a single person obstructing.

The city gate slowly closed; Xuan Tian walked last, listening to the low metallic clang, he exhaled a long breath, smiling as he fell from his horse and slipped into unconscious sleep.

"Crown Prince, this..." the hesitant voice, upon seeing Fu Junmo's gloomy face, stopped at that moment, unable to continue.

Surprise, joy, anger, jealousy… Fu Junmo slowly sorted his thoughts, suddenly turned his head to look at the man above him, wearing a blue robe and a blood bow, the corner of his mouth curling into a bloodthirsty cold smile, his eyes like an unfathomable cold pool, churning and surging, waiting to devour that person.

Fu Junmo suddenly lowered his head, unable to tell whether he wanted to destroy or to obtain, his complex feelings tangled; he suddenly raised the flag, ordered the recall troops with the sounding of the gong, and headed toward the camp.

(End of chapter)