Chapter 357: Visitors from Jade State

As the army marched, banners fluttered, and the iron cavalry moved like a dragon.

Wei Qing rode on his warhorse, solemn and dignified.

He knew well that the upcoming battle would be even fiercer.

When the army reached the first strategic point occupied by the Night Sha Army, Wei Qing did not rush to attack but first sent envoys to persuade surrender.

War is not the best way to solve problems; peacefully recovering lost territory is the best choice.

The envoys returned with good news: the remaining garrison of the Night Sha Army was willing to submit to the court.

There was no way; even the main force of this Night Sha Army detachment was shattered in one battle.

Commander-in-Chief Yan Qifeng's whereabouts were unknown, and General Gongsun Yang was severely wounded and near death.

What could these rear-guard troops possibly do?

They could only surrender.

Wei Qing was overjoyed upon hearing this; he personally went to receive the surrendered troops and properly placated and arranged for them.

In the following days, Wei Qing led the army northward, recovering one strategic point and grain depot after another occupied by this Night Sha Army detachment.

Entering Pearl Mountain Commandery, the northernmost part of Horizontal Prefecture, they gradually approached the northern border of Horizontal Prefecture.

That is, the border area only a step away from Roaring Dragon Pass and Jade State.

"General, Roaring Dragon Pass lies just ahead."

A scout who had returned from reconnaissance reported.

"Roaring Dragon Pass, destined to be a battlefield of flashing blades and sword shadows."

Wei Qing muttered to himself, gazing into the distance; that was where the main force of the Night Sha Army lay, and also the place where Great Qian, the Night King, and many other powers were about to clash in a decisive battle.

The army set up camp at the border of Pearl Mountain Commandery; Wei Qing stood alone outside the tent, gazing at the faint outline of the pass in the distance.

Night deepened, moonlight sprinkled on his armor, flashing with a cold light.

"The name of the Feathered Forest will spread far and wide here!"

Wei Qing whispered to himself, his voice revealing boundless determination and fighting spirit.

The next morning, Wei Qing summoned the generals to discuss strategies for defeating the enemy.

"This pass is easy to defend but hard to attack; Ye Wuheng is no ordinary foe, so for now we need not rush."

He pointed his finger at Roaring Dragon Pass on the map.

Now, Great Qian urgently dispatched Gu Changqing northward, who was leading many of Great Qian's main forces, including the Nine Spirits, northward.

They are the main force that will decide the battle against the Night Sha Army.

Wei Qing and his men are not part of Great Qian, so it is naturally impossible for them to rush over just to become cannon fodder.

The generals all nodded, indicating their agreement.

Wei Qing then deployed forces and allocated tactics; everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

We are only waiting for Gu Changqing's northward army to arrive!

Night deepened, the lights on Roaring Dragon Pass shone brightly, like a great dragon coiled and winding across the land of Horizontal Prefecture.

Outside the gate, Night King Ye Wuheng stood with his hands behind his back; his silhouette in the lantern light appeared especially tall and straight.

As if waiting for some important guest.

Clad in black armor, it flashed with a cold light in the night, like a leopard in the dark, poised to strike.

Inside the pass, the Night Sha Army's soldiers stood ready in strict formation, yet arranged neatly on both sides without losing propriety, displaying the Night Sha Army's might and discipline.

Not long after, a sudden rush of horse hooves came from afar, breaking the night's tranquility.

Ye Wuheng's eyes narrowed as he looked toward the distance; he saw a squad of black-armored cavalry galloping in the moonlight, like a black storm sweeping up the earth's dust.

Leading them was an old man with white hair and beard, spirited and sharp-eyed, his black cloak fluttering in the wind like a wraith in the night.

This old man was none other than Ye Wuheng's uncle, the elder brother of the previous Night King, and also a third-ranked expert on the previous generation's World's Wind and Cloud Rankings!

"Uncle, you have come."

Ye Wuheng stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said.

The old man reined in his horse, stopping steadily before Ye Wuheng.

"Wuheng, you have done well."

"After not seeing you for many years, you have grown into a hero of an age, worthy of the Night King's name."

He sized up Ye Wuheng, a flash of appreciation in his eyes, and then spoke slowly.

"Uncle, you overpraise me. I invited you here because there are important matters to discuss."

Ye Wuheng smiled faintly and said.

"Back then, your father entrusted you to me, and I knew you were no ordinary pond-dweller."

"Now it seems you have indeed not disappointed his expectations."

The old man laughed heartily, dismounted, patted Ye Wuheng's shoulder, and said.

"Uncle's kindness, Wuheng keeps in his heart."

"This time I ask you to come out of retirement because circumstances compel it."

Ye Wuheng sighed.

"I already know. This time the court's northern expedition is no small matter."

"Gu Changqing is a man whose strategies crown the world, whose use of troops is godlike, and what's more rare is that he has won the hearts of the scholars. To defeat him, one must possess both wisdom and courage."

The old man nodded, his expression turning solemn, and said.

"Exactly so; now under Grand Tutor Gu's command, valiant generals gather like clouds, and there are even new additions from the Nine Spirits."

"Therefore, I wish to ask you to come out of retirement to lend Ye Wuheng a hand."

Ye Wuheng took a deep breath and said.

I have long retreated from the martial world for many years; I originally had no desire to involve myself in military affairs again.

But this time the imperial court comes with great force; if I sit idly by, would I not be letting down the hopes of all in Jade Prefecture?

The old man heard this and laughed heartily.

Uncle, are you willing to come out of the mountains to help?

Ye Wuhun's eyes flickered with anticipation and anxiety.

Although I am old, I can still eat! I came here this time just to lend you a hand!

The old man heard this, smiled slightly, and nodded.

Ye Wuhun heard this and was overjoyed; the heavy stone in his heart finally fell.

He knew well the prestige and ability of his uncle in the Night Slaughter Army.

With his help, the morale of the Night Slaughter Army will surely greatly increase this time.

The old man turned, his gaze like a torch sweeping over the black-armored cavalry behind him.

This cavalry is the most elite and also one of the most mysterious units in the Night Slaughter Army—the Darkcloud Iron Cavalry.

The Darkcloud Iron Cavalry is one of the three major cavalry units of the Night Slaughter Army, just like Qi Zhou's Silver Feather Flying Cavalry, and is only a step away from the Dao Soldiers—the finest cavalry of the present age.

It is renowned worldwide for its outstanding mobility, tremendous impact, and unparalleled loyalty.

This unit is composed of warriors from the plains and orphans of the battlefield, forged in harsh conditions, each a one‑in‑a‑hundred fighter.

Their armor is deep black, like a phantom in the dark clouds, hence the name.

Lads!

The old man's voice boomed and rose, "Our Night Slaughter Army, since its founding, has swept unopposed across the northern borders!"

The Darkcloud Iron Cavalry is even more the sharp blade in our hands, making the steppe barbarians flee with their heads in their hands!

Now the imperial army comes to invade; how could we shrink back? Follow me into battle, and let our horses trample the world!

The officers and men of the Darkcloud Iron Cavalry shouted in unison, their voices shaking the clouds.

Their eyes flashed with a thirst for battle and confidence in victory.

This cavalry unit has created glorious achievements in many battles.

They once raided the enemy's main camp on a snowy, windy night, wiping them out completely; they also once engaged in a pursuit on the plains, using their superb maneuverability to toy with the enemy.

(End of chapter)