Volume One: Turmoil in Yan Yun Chapter Ninety-Five: Northern Yan Northern Yan (Part Two)

During the Wind and Sand Rite, Wind Ling once told Wind Yang that Wind Qi was very much like the King of Yanbei.

At the time, he used four idioms in succession to describe that resemblance: a gifted youth who had risen in the world, a man bearing a heavy burden, dazzling and peerless, sharp-edged and unrestrained.

Such a life shapes a temperament that does not know fear on the battlefield.

So why had Wind Muyun said those words?

After a moment’s thought, the Lord of Divine Might Fortress understood what he was thinking.

The heavier the slaughter one has seen, the more one yearns for quiet and peace. Because he had witnessed the cruelty of the battlefield, he wanted all the more to protect those he ought to protect.

He turned his head to look at Wind Muyun and said, “Very much so.”

Wind Muyun paused. “Very much like what?”

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress said softly, “The Founding Ancestor.”

Wind Muyun was startled and hurriedly said, “What virtue do I have to deserve such a comparison?”

The fortress lord said with a hint of displeasure, “If we speak of realm and cultivation, then naturally you are far inferior to him. But this burden you carry on your shoulders for all the people of Yanbei is exactly the same.”

Wind Muyun thought to himself that he hardly deserved such praise; he was merely doing the duty of his office. Yet when the words reached his lips, they changed into this: “The people of Yanbei think so highly of me. If I do not keep them in my heart, how could that be right?”

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress said, “When those in power are held hostage by responsibility, that is not a good thing.”

A great boat travels upon the waters; how can those above and below always have their wishes fulfilled? If those in power only think of the people’s demands, they will sooner or later be driven to destruction by a populace split in every direction.

Wind Muyun considered this, then said earnestly, “If responsibility cannot hold those in power in check, then what can?”

Any force that goes out of control will run wild, and power is no exception.

He let out a soft sigh. “If one does not hold the multitudes in one’s heart, how can one truly understand the people?”

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress thought for a moment and said, “There is merit in that. Our branch, after all, has never taken part in governing Yanbei, so we lack insight into these matters. You have all been working hard.”

Wind Muyun turned to look at him and said seriously, “My granduncle bears the fate of Yanbei on his shoulders. He must not speak like that.”

Yanbei had always been ruled by the Wind clan. To govern such a vast region, how could there not be a great being who had attained harmony with the Dao?

In former times, when the Divine Dynasty of the Solitary Family was founded, Solitary Changsi entered Divine Might Fortress by night and left only at daybreak. What agreement they reached remained unknown, but from that day on the Wind family of Yanbei split into two branches: one became the King of Yanbei, the other Divine Might Fortress.

By reckoning, the Lord of Divine Might Fortress was the younger brother of the Wind family’s Founding Ancestor, and indeed Wind Muyun’s granduncle.

Hearing how Wind Muyun addressed him, everyone in the hall suddenly understood.

They were all straightforward military men; the books they read were either strategy manuals or cultivation texts. How could they know these hidden secrets? Suddenly hearing such explosive words, they could not help but stare in stunned silence.

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress shook his head. “A title is only a title. Even within Divine Might Fortress it has long been abandoned. There is no need to speak of forefathers, granduncles, and the like. Call me the Lord of Divine Might Fortress, and that will do.”

Wind Muyun was about to say something when Steward Fe suddenly walked in, his great belly jiggling with each step, yet his gait was remarkably light.

Even now, this fat steward remained as composed as ever. In Wind Muyun’s memory, it seemed he had never once seen the man’s emotions rise or fall in any great measure.

Perhaps because Wind Muyun’s attention was fixed on Steward Fe, he did not notice the grave look that had appeared on the Lord of Divine Might Fortress’s face at the sight of him.

“What is it?” Wind Muyun asked.

Steward Fe handled matters within the prince’s residence and had never come to the war council hall during military meetings. Since he had come now, it must be for something important.

Steward Fe approached Wind Muyun and lowered his voice. “The people are unwilling to evacuate.”

Wind Muyun was slightly taken aback. “Why?”

Steward Fe said gravely, “First, a number of retired soldiers wanted to stay behind and resist the enemy. Under their influence, the men in the city who had never served in the army began making trouble, saying they were men too, that Yanyun was also their home, and that defending Yanyun was their responsibility as well.”

Wind Muyun felt his head starting to ache. “What about the city lord of Yanyun?”

Steward Fe gave a dry chuckle. “It was precisely because of that city lord that things turned into this mess.”

Wind Muyun frowned. “Lord Guan has always been a steady man. What exactly happened?”

Steward Fe said, “That city lord posted notices saying able-bodied men may remain to assist His Highness in repelling the enemy, but women, the elderly, and children must evacuate.”

Wind Muyun said, “Nonsense! What use are people who have not enlisted if they stay? We have no time to train them now.”

Steward Fe said, “They know they are not fit for the battlefield. All they ask is to help transport military supplies.”

Wind Muyun frowned. “That could be made to work for the time being, but the number must not be too large. Have Lord Guan tally up those willing to stay, select from among them, and then assign them to Lin Qiuzhao.”

Steward Fe did not leave. Instead he continued, “There are other problems as well.”

Wind Muyun sighed. “Uncle Fe, Yanyun is full of problems right now.”

Steward Fe said, “The women also want to stay.”

This time Wind Muyun was truly stunned. “What do they want to stay for?”

“Are women not people of Yanbei?” A cool voice suddenly sounded outside the door. “I have been to the battlefield. I have ridden fierce horses and drawn a long bow. In what way am I inferior to a man?”

Hearing the newcomer’s voice, Wind Muyun rubbed his forehead and thought, What is this woman doing here?

He gave Mo Ming a look, signaling him to go and stop the guest. Mo Ming understood at once and, smiling ingratiatingly, walked to the doorway. “Wife, what brings you here?”

The newcomer looked at Mo Ming with frost in her eyes. “My father rebelled. I was relieved of office and confined because of blood ties, and I did not care. But now the enemy is already at our doorstep, and you want me to evacuate?”

Mo Ming was rather speechless, thinking, This is the prince’s order. Why are you glaring at me?

Perhaps hearing his thoughts, the newcomer simply pushed past him, strode into the hall, and stared straight at Wind Muyun. “Your Highness, I am staying!”

Wind Muyun thought to himself that if you want to stay, then stay. It is not a big problem.

The newcomer continued, “On behalf of all the women of Yanyun’s eastern prefecture, I speak now: we are staying too. Just send the old people and children away.”

Wind Muyun’s headache worsened. After weighing his words, he said, “Falling Moon, have you considered this? Not everyone has the same experiences and abilities as you. You are naturally no less capable than any man, but if they stay... we do not have enough manpower to protect them during wartime.”

So the newcomer was none other than Wind Falling Moon, the former deputy commander of the Hanhai camp.

After the failure of the Third Elder’s scheme, she had been stripped of her post and urgently taken back to Yanyun Prison. Cloud Evening Smoke had visited her twice while ill, and had found no real problems.

In addition, the related names uncovered in the investigation did not include Wind Falling Moon, so she was released from prison and has remained at home in quiet recuperation ever since.

Wind Falling Moon said earnestly, “We are all children of Yanbei. Since the day we were born, we have known that Yanbei is invincible in battle. Now that we are beset on all sides and several cities have been slaughtered, we also want revenge.”

Revenge.

Wind Muyun let out a sigh and said, “Before we speak of revenge, tell me this: when we take the field to kill the enemy, what is it for?”

Wind Falling Moon said, “Naturally, to preserve peace in our corner of Yanbei.”

Wind Muyun said, “I like the word peace. But what, then, is peace?”

Wind Falling Moon thought for a moment and replied, “The young have support, the old have reliance, people live and work in contentment, and all have enough food and clothing.”

Wind Muyun said, “More or less. But all the beauty you speak of requires one prerequisite.”

Wind Falling Moon asked, “What prerequisite?”

Wind Muyun looked out over the entire city of Yanyun from the prince’s residence and said softly, “Life.”

At the same time, Cloud Evening Smoke used similar words while persuading the restless crowd in the streets.

Her injuries had not yet healed, and leaving the residence was difficult enough; to go into the crowded market and do such a thing was even harder.

Many townspeople pitied her and wanted to send her back to the prince’s residence.

Cloud Evening Smoke firmly refused them and pressed on while the iron was hot. “I know what everyone is thinking, but all we can do is leave behind the seeds of hope for Yanbei. A nationwide death in battle would certainly be admirable, but if it truly came to that, whom would the soldiers at the front be defending?”

“We appreciate everyone’s kindness, but Yanbei can no longer bear greater losses.” By the end, her voice had grown slightly choked. “If it is possible, then let Yanbei shed a little less blood.”

“But where can we retreat to? If we leave Yanyun, the world is vast and boundless—where is home?”

“If we even hand over our home willingly, our ancestors would despise us.”

......

The noise rose and fell around her.

Cloud Evening Smoke pressed a hand to her chest; the wounded source of her spirit body was aching faintly again.

“What I need to tell everyone is that the essence of home is people,” she said softly. “What we cherish are the memories of home, its warmth. So long as we remain, Yanbei will never perish.”