Volume One: Turmoil in Yan and Yun Chapter Ninety-Seven: Northern Yan Northern Yan (Part Four)

With the aid of the warhorses, the speed of the civilians’ evacuation quickened considerably, though they still failed to complete the task of evacuating everyone.

Within just two and a half days, the vanguard of the barbarian coalition army had reached the northern gate of Yanyun, led by none other than Doma Gan, the High Priest who had long been a rival to Feng Muyun.

At this moment, he stood beneath the walls of Yanyun City, gazing upward at the majestic fortress as if admiring its millennia of history.

“What I can never understand is this: even if the Great Duke of Da Ming has lost his wits for the moment, how could you penetrate so deeply into the heartland of northern Yan? Aren’t you afraid of your entire clan being wiped out?” Feng Muyun said coldly from the city walls. “With the barbarians’ actions today, have you considered what awaits you when our dynasty finally frees its hands?”

Doma Gan tilted his head slightly, speaking with a hint of levity, “Free their hands?”

He spoke seriously, “The question is, can the Dugu dynasty truly free its hands?”

Feng Muyun sneered, “You don’t really think a few barbarians who only possess brute strength, a handful of greedy traitors, and some half-crazed schemers can stand against us?”

“First, the barbarians number in the tens of millions, while Bohai and Xuhai have no fewer people; it’s hardly appropriate to describe them with such a small figure,” Doma Gan replied earnestly. “Second, it was not I who retreated a thousand miles and conceded half of northern Yan.”

The eastern front had been completely shattered; nine cities fell to slaughter.

The northern front, from Yufeng Pass to Yanyun, with its four passes and five cities, had been leveled by the barbarians.

On the western front, apart from Wanghai Pass, four major cities remained, though spared total massacre, they had nonetheless fallen under Bohai control.

The current situation in northern Yan was indeed perilous; to any observer, it was a crushing defeat.

“I must admit, those behind you wield some formidable forces,” Feng Muyun sighed, not denying the present disadvantage. “At this point, are you truly unwilling to come out and face us?”

Doma Gan smiled and said, “Victory is planned amid the tent, and decided thousands of miles away; the wise are always so.”

Feng Muyun raised an eyebrow. “You don’t still consider yourself a wise man?”

Doma Gan shook his head with a smile. “Before you, only a very few are worthy of invoking the word ‘wisdom.’ Regrettably, I am not one of them.”

Feng Muyun fell silent for a moment. “I still cannot comprehend what Yang Wanli promised you that makes you so obedient to him.”

Hearing Feng Muyun name their backer so bluntly, Doma Gan was unsurprised. “When you meet him, you will surely admire his wisdom.”

“Indeed,” Feng Muyun said. “By then, I’ll ask him what it feels like to hide and run.”

Yanyun was currently on the defensive and at a disadvantage; naturally, it would not sally forth to meet the enemy now.

The barbarian coalition’s vanguard consisted only of light cavalry and elite troops, so they would not choose this moment to besiege the city.

Feng Muyun and Doma Gan had clashed for many years, harboring a mutual respect of sorts.

This conversation was merely Doma Gan’s way of bidding farewell, confident that Feng Muyun’s death was certain.

Moreover, he deliberately left some information behind.

First, this battle would not end at northern Yan; that region might be a mere transit point, but in no way the conclusion—hence his total lack of concern for the dynasty’s counterattack.

Second, the figure behind the barbarians was Yang Wanli. Given Yang Wanli’s methods, the entire empire would soon experience varying degrees of turmoil, depending on how much Li Jinxing allowed him to stir.

Third, the barbarians and the prairie demon tribes were utterly convinced by Yang Wanli, even to the point of unquestioning obedience.

Pondering these matters, Feng Muyun descended from the city tower with a soft sigh.

…

Not long after, he returned to the Northern Yan royal mansion.

---

The three factions were gradually converging on Yanyun. According to messenger reports, after the initial failed assault on Honghuai, the King of Bohai was furious and reallocated 100,000 troops to Su Yuzhe. They had already broken through the Gaoshan Camp’s defenses and were now advancing majestically toward Honghuai, expected to arrive soon.

This was a strategy of total annihilation.

The problem was, Feng Muyun could not fathom the King of Bohai’s purpose in doing so.

“What is it, Muyun?” came Yun Wanyan’s voice beside him. Turning, he found her already donned in armor.

Feng Muyun was momentarily stunned, then smiled softly. “Truly beautiful.”

Yun Wanyan’s cheeks flushed, slightly dazed.

How long had it been since he last spoke to her in such a tone?

Since he ascended the throne, he often remained at the front for months on end. Even when returning to Yanyun, he was burdened with countless affairs, leaving little time for them together.

Seeing Yun Wanyan blush, he teased, “Oh? Our princess consort is shy.”

Yun Wanyan lightly punched his chest. “I came to comfort you, and all you do is tease.”

“All right, all right.” Feng Muyun took her hand and pulled her gently into his embrace, speaking softly, “Marrying you is this life’s greatest fortune.”

Yun Wanyan paused, then slowly pressed her face against the cold, hard armor covering his chest.

Though uncomfortably chilly and rigid, she now only hoped this armor would be strong enough to keep her husband alive in the battles ahead.

A long silence fell between them.

After some time, Yun Wanyan spoke softly, “This time, let me accompany you through the storms.”

Feng Muyun smiled and nodded.

“Good.”

…

Soon after the Wanxiang Constellation’s recent breaking, Feng Qi noticed something very unusual about Shui Dongliu. Before he could act, he was imprisoned in an unknown space illuminated only by a white light shining on a chessboard and two seats, the rest engulfed in darkness.

Opposite him sat a young man bearing a smile, arms folded, waiting.

When things happen unusually, there must be a demon involved.

He did not believe he could defeat this young man, so he accepted the invitation to the game.

Seventy consecutive games of chess later, he was utterly defeated without a single victory.

“I cannot understand,” Feng Qi said expressionlessly, “I was certain that the Seven Political Observers back then were Li Jinxing, so why has it become a young man not much older than me?”

Feng Yue was not surprised that Feng Qi guessed correctly and chuckled, “Prince, do you truly not understand?”

Feng Qi narrowed his eyes. “I never expected the theory of dual incarnation to be true.”

Feng Yue shook his head. “You are still inexperienced. This is not a dual incarnation, but a second life.”

Feng Qi asked, “The method of reincarnation?”

Feng Yue nodded. “I have studied the Cloud Tomb for many years and finally confirmed a viable path.”

Feng Qi fell silent again.

Feng Yue chuckled lightly, “Are you worried about Wuyang?”

Feng Qi replied, “And northern Yan.”

Feng Yue’s interest piqued. “Why say that?”

Feng Qi said, “If Wuyang is in such chaos, it is unlikely to be your primary objective.”

Feng Yue said, “Indeed, the Divine Emperor is formidable and too important to the current empire. If he were killed, no one could replace him.”

Feng Qi looked into Feng Yue’s eyes. “There is one more thing.”

Feng Yue shrugged, “True, it is difficult to kill the Divine Emperor in Wuyang, even if the Dragon Soaring Formation is broken. So you are certain my goal is northern Yan?”

One effect requires many causes.

One cause can lead to many effects.

Feng Qi said, “I only need to know that this scheme is carried out with your tacit approval, and that your lifelong wish is to march north and exterminate demons. That is enough.”

Feng Yue considered Feng Qi’s reasoning sufficient and nodded firmly, “Indeed.”

Feng Qi said, “Though I’m unsure how long we played chess, the current situation in northern Yan must be dire.”

Feng Yue smiled, “The enemy is at Yanyun’s gates, besieging on three sides... Your brother did well to hold Honghuai; otherwise, it would be a four-sided siege.”

Feng Qi narrowed his eyes. “Yanyun has the Wind and Sand Formation.”

Feng Yue sneered, “How does it compare to the Dragon Soaring Formation?”

Feng Qi continued, “Yanyun has the Divine Might Fortress.”

Feng Yue said, “The Five Pavilions of the Azure Tower could easily crush the Divine Might Fortress.”

Feng Qi fell silent once more.

Feng Yue said, “The recent Northern Yan kings have been competent but none have met my expectations.”

Feng Qi asked, “But what does that have to do with you?”

He clenched his fist, expressionless as he stared at Feng Yue. “You’re just a mere rebel.”

“Don’t get angry; that’s not helpful,” Feng Yue said seriously. “We can talk this over properly.”

Feng Qi overturned the chessboard, anger simmering beneath his calm exterior, just as his words implied.

“I have nothing to discuss with you. If anything happens to northern Yan, I will ensure the Li Jinxing bloodline ends here!”

…