Chapter 384: Lu Chen, Follow Me North! (Combined)

Outside the station gate, two large red lanterns hung.

On them, black characters wrote "Yi."

Inside the station, candles were lit, and suddenly all was bright with light.

The young nobleman seemed to have heard the commotion, yet he paid no mind.

The Yanbei Army's predecessor was the Lu Family Army, renowned for strict discipline—frozen to death, they would not dismantle a house; starved to death, they would not plunder.

Over these years, even when natural disasters struck Yan, it was the Yanbei Army who rushed first to rescue and aid.

In Yan, seeing an army is unlike in the Four States—you need not be cautious.

After years of chaos, armies became wolves, tigers, and leopards.

How many years has Yan known peace? And this is Jiakangcheng, a strategic stronghold.

It cannot be disrupted!

Yet this scene before him stirred doubt. Such a large force clearly was not local auxiliary troops—how could armies from other provinces dare leave their territories without official orders? This matter was truly suspicious!

Mainly because it was pitch dark and the banners were hard to see; as for his family's standing, he knew every banner of every county and army.

It was rather strange!

Judging by the momentum, they seemed to be heading this way.

Inside the station, an old station official heard the noise and stepped out of his quarters.

He wore simple clothes, his hair and beard as white as snow, yet his spirit was sharp, his eyes piercing.

Behind him followed four station attendants.

"What's the commotion?" His voice carried authority.

The old man gazed at the scene outside and frowned.

The young nobleman dared not be careless—he quickly and carefully supported the old man.

But the old man swept his sleeve aside, politely declining the nobleman's offer.

The nobleman showed no anger; his demeanor was respectful.

The elder was the station's official—though his rank was low, the old men serving at stations all had complex backgrounds.

Veterans from the old Lu Family Army, some had retired to farm; others, too restless to idle, took up posts as station officials across the land.

The station's role, when examined closely, was critical: conveying messages, connecting public sentiment, and guarding key transportation routes—never to be underestimated.

These veteran soldiers enjoyed the privilege of direct access to the Yan Prince's mansion, and their old military bonds could still summon hundreds to answer a single call.

Once, in Jiakangcheng, a wealthy merchant dared to bully a station official. The next day, Yuzhou mobilized seven or eight hundred fierce men to surround the merchant's mansion, smashing walls and breaking windows—he could only endure it.

Thus, wealthy youths in Jiakangcheng were strictly taught by their elders to treat station elders with utmost respect, lest their families invite needless disaster.

The old man's face was gaunt, with little flesh, his features deeply lined, yet his eyes still gleamed with sharpness.

He squinted, staring at the cavalry surging like a tide, his gaze steady, weathered by countless storms.

The hoofbeats were perfectly synchronized, like war drums pounding, shaking the soul. Such troop quality, in Yan, was unquestionably elite.

Facing the overwhelming force of thousands of soldiers, the old man remained calm.

He had once fought through blood and fire in the Lu Family Army, surviving countless life-or-death trials—he was not startled by such a scene, and moreover, this army carried no murderous intent.

The young nobleman beside him was equally composed. Born into a noble family that upheld law and order, they had never broken the law. Their wealth came solely from commerce, and they had never faced "family annihilation." Thus, he had no need for excessive caution.

At this moment, he glanced again at Ji Ji Qinxin beside him. Under the glow of the lanterns, the woman appeared even more ethereal, like a celestial being untouched by mortal dust.

To converse with such an immortal—wouldn't that be exquisite?

The nobleman turned to the middle-aged man who seemed to be "in charge" and asked: "Sir…"

Before he could finish!

A cry of an eagle rang out nearby, clear and piercing.

All turned to see a falcon soaring toward them—its feathers pure white, without a speck, shimmering with silver luster, dazzling in the night sky.

After circling once, it landed gently on the middle-aged man's shoulder, spreading its wings to nuzzle his cheek affectionately.

This sight stunned the nobleman—he instantly recognized the falcon's nobility.

"This is… the Haidongqing!"

Its entire body was white as winter snow, pure and noble.

Its talons were flawless, translucent, like jade carvings.

This was the pinnacle among Haidongqing—Yuzhao, priceless.

This was true "luxury play."

The nobleman watched the Haidongqing flap its wings, softly brushing the middle-aged man's cheek with its soft feathers, as if expressing joy at a long-awaited reunion.

You gently stroked the Haidongqing and sighed—ten years had passed since you last saw this old friend.

The snow-white falcon let out a low cry, silently responding.

How can a man be without feeling? Especially a companion who once shared life and death.

This Haidongqing, named "Chufeng," was an anomaly among anomalies—its appearance and temperament both supreme. The king of eagles, twenty years alive is rare; this one had lived over thirty, its scales and feathers still gleaming and smooth.

Ye Ye Shengnan's face showed curiosity too—in the Baoyue Tower's "Sky Hawk and Noble Dog" ranking, the Yan Prince's Haidongqing ranked first.

Clearly, the Haidongqing was extraordinary; today's sight confirmed its divine rarity.

Ji Qin paid no attention to the war hawk—she had heard of the Haidongqing's fame, the sacred symbol of the Northern Wind Xuan Kingdom, worth a fortune.

Instead, she noticed the satisfaction and sigh in your eyes—for the first time, she sensed an emotional shift in you.

She recalled the Yan Prince's life—vast and turbulent—but who knew the loneliness within?

The young nobleman, seeing this, was deeply shaken—he wondered silently: Could this Haidongqing belong to the middle-aged man?

Yet he shook his head—he found it unlikely. Such attire? How could he be the Haidongqing's master?

Perhaps he was merely skilled at raising Haidongqing?

The station's old official suddenly noticed the middle-aged man's face—his eyes froze, as if witnessing something unimaginable.

He trembled, wiping his eyes with his rough hands, then stared again—confirmed.

It looked… too much like him! Not just the face, but even the Haidongqing perched on his arm—identical to that figure.

The old man hurried forward, his expression cautious and reverent, and asked: "Sir…"

He seemed unsure how to address him. The man before him wore coarse hemp, dusty from travel, his aura unique—part rogue of the Jianghu, part wandering Daoist—hard to fathom.

Outside, the cavalry had raised torches, surrounding the station completely.

In the firelight, armor and weapons gleamed coldly, the iron-blooded aura overwhelming.

Though the nobleman knew these troops had nothing to do with him, facing so many armored warriors, he could not suppress a flicker of fear—his sword-bearing guards behind him gripped their blades tighter.

His gaze swept over the banners—his pupils shrank slightly.

On black banners, a giant "Lu" character fluttered in the wind—clearly, the Yan Prince's personal guard of the Yanbei Army.

This force answered directly to the Yan Prince—the elite among elites.

The atmosphere instantly turned solemn!

Ye Ye Shengnan, viewing this through the eyes of a Jianghu Grand Master, unconsciously touched the flying sword in her sleeve. She knew these two thousand elite soldiers wore dark armor and heavy plate, each horse equipped with powerful crossbows—if all two thousand fired at once, even she could not escape death or crippling. If they formed a formation on open ground under a Grand Master's command, they could even slay a Grand Master.

At this moment, the lead general dismounted.

He was a dark-faced, bearded giant, powerfully built, his tiger-like eyes blazing with majesty under the torchlight, ready to devour.

The young nobleman was stunned—he never expected this man, famed throughout Yan's military, the current Commander of Jiakangcheng's garrison and even Left General of this province, would come in person.

He bowed deeply, nervously saying: "Cheng Hao, pays respects to General Jia."

Yet he wondered—why had such a towering figure come to this station?

This was a man whose footsteps shook the entire province.

His guards behind him dared not slacken—they all bowed in salute.

In Yan, officials and generals never knelt.

This was written in person by the Yan Prince in "Essentials of Governance in the North": Bow to no official, bow to no prince—only kneel to parents and heaven-earth.

A man's knees hold their own gold.

You slowly turned your head, your gaze falling on Jia Fu—your face softened with a faint smile. Another familiar face—though now Jia Fu seemed more composed than before.

The old man instantly recognized Jia Fu's origin—General Jia Fu, one of the Twenty-Six Generals of the Lu Family Army, renowned far and wide.

The old man himself had been a veteran of the Lu Family Army's Shan Battalion—he knew Jia Fu well.

He was about to step forward and pay respects when Jia Fu strode forward, his face solemn.

Jia Fu walked straight to the middle-aged man.

The young nobleman slowly raised his head, frowning in confusion.

Could General Jia have come for this middle-aged man?

The dark-faced Jia Fu stared at the frost-white hair at your temple—his face twisted with bitterness, tears welling in his eyes.

He fell to his knees with a thud, voice choked: "Lu Shaobao… you've grown old."

"Jia Fu pays homage to the Yan Prince!"

With his cry, the two thousand cavalry knelt as one, shouting in unison:

"Hail the Yan Prince!"

The roar was immense—you looked and saw many familiar faces, some even weeping.

A wave of emotion surged in you—suddenly, you were back in the days when you personally founded the Lu Family Army.

The bloodbath at Hulao Pass, the Yellow River, Yunzhou, Yanzhou, Chanlu Temple.

Night snow on the boats at Guazhou Ferry, iron steeds beneath autumn winds at Dasan Pass.

Amid ten thousand troops, one could entrust life and death.

【Reclaimed the old mountains and rivers, transforming an obscure militia into the famed Lu Family Army.】

【The veteran at the relay station snapped back to reality, unable to suppress his emotions any longer; he trembled as he knelt, his voice shaking as he spoke:】

【"Lu Family Army, Shan Battalion, Xu Shen."】

【"Hail Prince of Yan!"】

【Just as he was about to kowtow, a gentle force lifted him up.】

【Ji Ji Qinxin looked around and saw countless soldiers kneeling—not out of fear of his power, dread of his strength, or mere lip service to his title, but from genuine heartfelt reverence.】

【At that moment, a faint voice came, carrying undeniable authority yet tinged with resignation.】

【"I've said before—I never like others kneeling to me!"】

【Ji Ji Qinxin looked at this man who wore no armor, bore no seal of office, whose very clothes were patched and mended.】

【He never called himself "His Majesty," "the Sole One," or "I, the Emperor."】

【From start to finish, he used only the word "I."】

【He possessed nothing special to distinguish him from the crowd—only the two characters "Lu Chen."】

【Yet ten thousand soldiers followed him, and ten thousand civilians lined the roads.】

【You slowly helped up the Han man you had saved in the north all those years ago—he joined the army at fourteen to avenge his brother's blood, always leading from the front in battle.】

【In the past, you would have whipped this one-star general of a province.】

【His actions meant this northern journey would be anything but peaceful.】

【But now you could not bring yourself to strike him—only reached out and ruffled his hair, turning your harsh words into a single phrase:】

【"You fool, you've worked hard these years."】

【"I know you're never one to sit still—you've done well enough."】

【Jia Fu had long since broken into sobs.】

【Lu Yu and Li Li Lanjiang had returned; Lu Yu now stood silently at your side.】

【The Seven Sons of Zhongnan, sensing the commotion, had gathered behind you.】

【The noble Young Master, seeing this, had already gone weak-kneed—any other thoughts vanished; he collapsed to the ground, his retinue following suit.】

【The veteran at the relay station, witnessing this scene, felt as if he had stepped across time—suddenly back in the glorious days of the Lu Family Army.】

【Back then, the Young Protector directed from the center, the Young Marshal guarded the flanks, and the Twenty-Six Pavilion Generals stood ready to obey—how mighty it was!】

【As long as the Young Protector was there, it seemed all the great passes and armies of the land should kneel beneath his feet.】

【You suddenly turned to the two thousand cavalry, then looked up at the rising moon, a surge of indescribable pride and emotion rising within you.】

【Lu Yu stood beside you, a smile on his lips, as if sensing your thoughts. "Brother, it's only three days' march," he said softly.】

【You smiled—you had made your decision.】

【Your identity had been exposed, directly contradicting your plan for a quiet northern journey.】

【Then let us march swiftly all the way to Enter Yanjing.】

【You stepped forward and called out loudly: "Will you all follow me on a swift march to Enter Yanjing!"】

【Your words had not yet finished.】

【The veteran at the relay station was suddenly transported back to the Battle of the Yellow River—when the Young Protector had raised his arm and shouted from the front:】

【"This journey holds ten deaths and no chance of life—will you all follow me north!"】

【Back then, followers surged like clouds, responses crashing like tides!】

【The veteran could no longer hold back—he shouted:】

【"Shan Battalion, Xu Shen, willing to follow Prince of Yan!"】

【Jia Fu's eyes blazed with excitement—he had not charged a thousand li beside the Young Protector in years.】

【"Di Battalion, Jia Fu, willing to follow Prince of Yan!"】

【"Shan Battalion, Cheng Mingqi, willing to follow Prince of Yan!"】

……

……

【Yang Su had long been trembling with inner fervor.】

【"Yang Su, willing to follow Prince of Yan!"】

【One after another, voices echoed, vast as heaven and earth.】

(End of Chapter)