Chapter 286: with translation of chapter title

As the army continuously advanced, the earth seemed to tremble.

The sound of hooves and footsteps gathered into a heart‑shaking force, surging toward Dragon Gate Pass.

The elite cavalry from Prince Jing's Manor in Lingzhou, the Brocade Phoenix Cavalry.

They wore splendid robes and armor inlaid with exquisite phoenix patterns, shining brightly.

Their movements were swift and graceful, like a phoenix spreading its wings and soaring through the air.

Like a sharp blade, they pierced straight into the enemy's heart.

In this mysterious army, the Brocade Phoenix Cavalry were undoubtedly the elite of the elite, and their presence greatly enhanced the overall combat strength.

At this moment they were like a phoenix spreading its wings, tearing through the enemy formation with unmatched speed and impact.

Each charge was like a prairie fire, making the enemy tremble with fear.

Besides the Brocade Phoenix Cavalry, there were several other elite units that together formed this powerful army.

One of them was a cavalry unit called the Breaking Army Iron Cavalry, clad in heavy armor and wielding long spears; when charging they were like an unstoppable steel torrent.

On the battlefield each fulfilled its duty, cooperating seamlessly.

This was the large rear‑area movement of Long Jun Zuo's Sparrow King Army.

The Brocade Phoenix Cavalry at the forefront took the lead and launched a fierce charge.

As the vanguard, the Brocade Phoenix Cavalry led the main force to break the enemy formation; the Breaking Army Iron Cavalry followed closely, expanding the gains; the Divine Arrow Battalion provided long‑range support from the rear, suppressing the enemy.

The Divine Arrow Battalion in the rear nocked their bows, and the dense arrow rain was like a net of death.

The Breaking Army Iron Cavalry followed closely, advancing steadily with impregnable defense and powerful offense.

At the same time, on the borders of Wen Province, dust rose as the allied forces of the various princely states, a multicolored long dragon of assorted armor, slowly marched inward into Wen Province.

Their warhorses neighed, iron hooves shattered the ground, and a forest of lances thrust straight at the enemy formation.

Under the fierce assault of this allied army, the Sparrow King Army's rear positions were quickly lost.

At this moment, the Sparrow King Army was fully committed to attacking Dragon Gate Pass and could not send reinforcements.

Outside Dragon Gate Pass, battle fires raged and smoke filled the air.

Wielding strong bows and powerful crossbows, their arrows never missed; each volley could inflict heavy losses on the enemy.

When this allied army appeared like a ghost behind the Sparrow King Army, Long Jun Zuo's face turned green.

Like an emissary of the Death God, they wove a deadly net with arrow rain, leaving the enemy nowhere to flee.

The Brocade Phoenix Cavalry, Breaking Army Iron Cavalry, Divine Arrow Battalion and other elite units each performed their duties on the battlefield, cooperating seamlessly and displaying astonishing combat power.

Swift and highly penetrative, they could often quickly tear through the enemy's defenses.

He never expected that such a powerful enemy force would appear behind him.

The slanting sunlight reflected off the various armor and weapons, as if even heaven and earth were shaken by the force of this troop.

At this moment, these elite units, each the treasure of their respective princely lords, together formed this surprise assault army.

Another unit, the Divine Arrow Battalion of archers, was responsible for the army's long‑range striking power.

They enveloped the Sparrow King Army's rear positions in a rain of arrows.

At the forefront of the troop now rode Prince Jing's Shangguan Lie on a tall warhorse, his eyes like torches, his expression stern.

By his side, the Brocade Phoenix strategist Li He rode alongside on horseback.

His visage was like jade, his demeanor tranquil, like a mountain breeze or a bright moon over the river—pure and transcendent.

"Yun Yi, what is your view of the current situation?"

Shangguan Lie turned his head to look at Li He, a flash of appreciation in his eyes.

"Your Highness, although Long Jun Zuo's Sparrow King Army is famed abroad, after days of continuous campaigning they are utterly exhausted."

"At this moment they must be lax in their defenses; if our allied army strikes with the speed of thunder before they can cover their ears, we will surely achieve unexpected results."

Li He gave a slight smile, revealing the composure and calm of a wise man.

"These words are most reasonable."

"Then, for your upcoming strategy, Lord Lie, what lofty ideas do you have, Yun Yi?"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Lie nodded, a glint of sharpness flashing in his eyes.

"Your Highness, we can divide our forces into two routes; one route will be personally led by you, following behind the Brocade Phoenix Cavalry and other elite units."

"Straight for Long Jun Zuo's Sparrow King Army in the direction of Dragon Gate Pass, to disrupt their formation."

"The other route will be led by General Lu Guyun, using terrain and stratagem to deliver a fatal blow to the Sparrow King Army at the crucial moment."

Li He pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly.

Lu Guyun was a childhood friend of Shangguan Lie; having just returned not long ago, he was immediately appointed as a senior general by Shangguan Lie.

He is currently the foremost fighting force of Prince Jing's Manor.

When sparring with the guardian expert Lang Fan Yun beside Su Qin,

he even once suppressed Lang Fan Yun.

His strength is such that he can now be said to be unmatched among the entire princely alliance.

"Hahaha! Good!"

"Then let it be as Yun Yi says!"

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Lie could not help but clap and laugh loudly:

The two exchanged smiles, their eyes glittering with longing for victory and hope for the future.

"Yun Yi, if this battle yields a great victory, you will have made an indispensable contribution."

"After the war ends, I will speak a few kind words for you in front of my sister."

Shangguan Lie gave a loud laugh, then teased Li He:

No one expected that the usually serene and carefree Mr. Yun Yi.

He actually ended up falling for a rich young lady who had nothing remarkable about her.

Even if this rich young lady is a daughter of a princely household.

But compared to Li He's talent that could overturn the world,

Being the daughter of Prince Jing is nothing worth noting.

However,

The light in Li He's eyes flashed and then faded.

Many years ago, in that spring, peach blossoms bloomed like clouds, and the fluttering petals swayed gently in the breeze.

In that ancient Daoist temple, there was an inexperienced young Daoist.

Each day he silently recited scriptures and meditated, living without conflict with the world.

At that time, the Princess Consort of Prince Jing often brought her children to the Daoist temple to pray for blessings for Prince Jing.

At that time, she wore fine silk and splendid garments, glittering with jewels, yet could not hide the liveliness in her brows.

The young Daoist inadvertently lifted his gaze and happened to meet those water-like eyes.

At that moment, he seemed to see a sea of stars, as if drawn in by those deep emotions.

And that girl was also lively.

After a while, they came to know each other.

But later, in the final period.

The Princess Consort of Prince Jing had not come for many years.

The young lady finished her prayers, rose to leave, but stumbled slightly at the threshold.

The young Daoist felt pity and instinctively reached out to help her.

The moment their eyes met.

At that moment, ripples rose in his heart.

The heart that had cultivated for many years eventually stirred up waves.

From that day on, the rich young lady never came to the Daoist temple again.

The young Daoist's heart also gained a longing.

He often recalled those eyes, clear and bright, like a mountain spring cleansing his spirit.

He knew he had already stirred a mortal heart, yet could not sever his attachment to the mortal world.

As the years passed, the young Daoist gradually grew into an adult, becoming an outstanding figure in the Daoist temple.

However, his inner heart could never find peace.

Whenever the night grew deep and quiet, he would always play that jade flute.

The flute's melody was lingering and winding, as if speaking of his thoughts.

Later, the old Daoist who went down the mountain to purchase supplies spoke of the current situation in Great Yong.

And also about the person from the Prince Jing's mansion who was about to marry another prince, jointly undertaking a grand event.

He said nothing, merely taking that jade flute symbolizing his connection to the mortal world, and embarked on an unknown journey.

He left the Daoist temple that had occupied his whole life.

Afterward, he single-handedly plotted the change in the Prince Jing's mansion.

This matter, the Prince Jing did not know, nor did the rich young lady know.

Even she might have forgotten that young Daoist who, in her youth, inadvertently lent her a hand.

(End of chapter)