Chapter 179 The news of the general's death: bones decayed, the waning phoenix wept blood.
The north wind sweeps across the land, and the clouds and fields are vast and desolate.
The walls of Linlu Pass stand on the desolate plain. Beyond this pass lies the ambiguous zone between the Di and Rong tribes and the Dongxi people, a vast land with no master, overgrown with waist-high brambles and endless hills, with no other pass to defend.
In just two months, the three cities that had been captured by the Di Rong had been completely destroyed.
After a night of military deliberation, General Gu decided that he, as the commander-in-chief, and Princess Wei Yihua, as the deputy commander, would lead the elite troops to Yanran Mountain to wipe out the enemy's lair, capture Longcheng, and end this war once and for all.
He Chan, Jiang Feiyan, and Fu Yao, along with three other generals from the Gu family, stayed behind to guard the border and prepare their troops for battle.
On the day of departure, the army's shouts were like mountains, and the brand-new Dongxi battle flag fluttered in the wind.
The city's garrison commanders, accompanied by a group of soldiers, escorted the elite troops and the two commanders to the border pass.
Before departing, General Gu dismounted and strode over to give instructions to several Gu family generals. Wei Yihua also loosened her grip on the reins, patted her Akhal-Teke horse with a sigh, and headed towards the three female generals.
The three stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Wei Yihua stopped and glanced at their faces: "Longcheng is far away. Even traveling at full speed, it will take seven days. I will entrust all matters in the army to you."
"Please rest assured, Your Highness!" Jiang Feiyan said firmly, "We will do our utmost to guard the border and await Your Highness and the General's return."
Fu Yao said with bright eyes, "General Gu and Your Highness are going straight for the heart of the enemy, and will surely be able to crush the Di Rong royal court in one fell swoop and eliminate future troubles forever!"
Wei Yihua looked at He Chan in the center: "General He, you are the most prestigious and accomplished of the six city-defending generals, so my grandfather appointed you as the acting commander, who can lead the other five."
"If the generals disagree and reach a stalemate, leading to conflicts in the army, you will be needed to mediate and make decisive decisions in times of crisis. Do not hesitate or waver."
He Chan saluted and said in a deep voice, "Yes! This subordinate will certainly live up to your expectations!"
Wei Yihua looked at the three young female generals under her command. After only two months of military life, their faces had been reshaped by the north wind and yellow sand of the border.
Jiang Feiyan is extremely ruthless, brave and skilled in battle, with a sharp aura like a blade, and an even stronger fierce and resolute look between her brows.
He Chan was already a steady person with experience in commanding troops and fighting, and now she is even more calm and resolute, as immovable as a mountain.
Fu Yao was the one with the best foundation, grew the fastest, and changed the most among the three, having completely shed her childishness. Her slender body, forged through rigorous training and bloody battles, had become resilient and strong, sharp and spirited, radiating heroic energy.
The rising sun pierced the dark sky, its golden light generous, as if ten thousand armors were unfurled.
Before the army, Gu Baifeng, with his white hair and beard yet vigorous spirit, sat upright on his horse, his long sword, steeped in countless bloodstains, held horizontally before the saddle. Though aged, he possessed the imposing and profound aura of a seasoned general.
Gu Baifeng, the God of War of Dongxi, is the pillar of strength in the hearts of the soldiers.
Beside General Gu, a tall, slender figure in red leaped onto the horse, his black hair tied high, his imposing presence no less than that of a general.
The young Princess Wei Yihua, clad in silver armor that shimmered in the rising sun, wore a fiery red robe beneath her armor, her figure like a rainbow piercing the sun.
Everyone in the army knew that this princess, born of noble birth, was completely different from the pampered and spoiled person they had imagined.
When she first led the border troops, she impressed many fierce soldiers and veteran generals with her extraordinary martial arts skills and courage.
During the charge, she took the lead, her spear moving like a dragon and a phoenix, her bravery and decisiveness no less than any seasoned general.
After setting up camp, she ate and slept with the ordinary soldiers, sleeping on straw mats and drinking cold water, without ever uttering a single complaint.
She was well-versed in military strategy, but she was not merely a theorist. In several key battles, she was able to draw on the strengths of various parties, listen to different opinions, and make good use of them. She had the courage to overrule dissenting opinions at critical moments, as well as the wisdom to devise ingenious and decisive strategies.
In just two months of united front work, this young prince had won the hearts of the people, and the entire army was sincerely convinced of Wei Yihua's abilities.
In the soldiers' eyes, she was no longer just a princess of noble status, but a general truly worthy of their following and dying for.
At General Gu's command, Wei Yihua clenched his legs and squeezed the horse's belly, and the Akhal-Teke horse neighed and galloped off like an arrow.
The elite troops followed closely behind, advancing towards the edge of the wasteland. Wherever their hooves passed, countless white grasses and yellow sands stirred up clouds and dust.
With banners waving and swords and spears flying, the massive army, determined to storm the enemy's royal court, rolled towards the distant mountains in the north.
......
The Yanran Mountains stretch across the northern border, their terrain rugged and precipitous, serving as a sacred mountain upon which the Di and Rong tribes depended for survival.
The lush, watery land on the southern slopes was where the royal court of the Di Rong people was located—Longcheng.
The Dongxi army advanced northward with remarkable ease, encountering almost no significant resistance, and the army's morale soared to unprecedented heights.
On this day, the army arrived at the southern foot of Yanran Mountain and set up camp to rest on a high ground.
The mountains here form a huge bowl-shaped valley, with Dragon City located in the center. Looking out over the undulating mountains, one can already see the low, earthen outline of Dragon City, as well as the golden statue of the sacrificial figure reflecting the brilliant sunlight within the city.
Gu Baifeng and Wei Yihua rode side by side to the top of the hill, gazing into the distance.
The old general, clad in armor, slowly relaxed his brow: "Hua'er, look."
“The banners above Longcheng are sparse, and scouts report that its garrison is only a few thousand strong, and most of them are old and weak. It seems that the military reports intercepted in the camp earlier were true. The Di Rong have transferred their main force to launch a surprise attack on the western defense line of Dongxi, which is why the royal court is so empty.” Gu Baifeng looked at her. “This is a golden opportunity.”
Wei Yihua firmly replied, "Yes. Our army is in high spirits and we will surely win this battle."
From their vantage point, the two men could see the scene below the camp. The soldiers sat around the campfire, polishing their weapons, their faces mostly relaxed, even smiling. The series of victories they had won in recent days filled them with confidence for the upcoming decisive battle.
Gu Baifeng instructed, "Do not underestimate the enemy."
"The opportunity is fleeting, so we will proceed with our original strategy tomorrow."
Wei Yihua nodded: "Understood!"
The original strategy they mentioned was a battle plan that had already been decided in the border military tent.
Wei Yihua led 5,000 light cavalry, setting off at dawn with great fanfare, pretending to be the main force of the Dongxi Army, and approached Longcheng from the mountain road on the east side, making a show of a strong attack.
Upon first seeing the banners and observing the situation, Di Rong would surely assume that the main force of Dongxi was attacking the city and would mobilize most of the city's troops to intercept them and confront Wei Yihua.
Gu Baifeng, on the other hand, personally led 10,000 elite troops to sneak into the dense forest on the northern ridge under cover of night and hide there.
Once Wei Yihua's army had lured out most of the garrison of Longcheng, leaving the city vulnerable, Gu Baifeng led his troops down from the northern high ground, launching a fierce attack that penetrated the heart of Longcheng, burning its golden statues and destroying its royal tent.
At that time, the enemy troops lured out of the city by Wei Yihua's troops will be attacked from both sides if they advance, and the capital will be lost if they retreat. The morale of the enemy army will collapse instantly, and the outcome can be decided in one battle.
Wei Yihua gripped the sword at his waist, his eyes blazing: "Please rest assured, Grandfather. I will definitely keep the main force of the Di Rong firmly at bay, creating the best opportunity for our army."
Gu Baifeng looked at his granddaughter, who was already capable of handling things on her own, with eyes full of satisfaction.
When Gu Baifeng agreed to take Wei Yihua to the expedition, he had already prepared for the worst. But now, everything seems to be going more smoothly than he imagined.
Wei Yihua performed even better than anyone had expected. She lived up to expectations, proving with her numerous military achievements that she was a born general, a hero among heroes, and became famous in one battle.
The lack of capable generals in Dongxi had worried Gu Baifeng for many years, but after this battle on the border, he could finally rest easy.
He had reached the end of his life, but Wei Yihua's life was just beginning.
She will take her maternal grandfather's place and continue to guard the vast lands and rivers of Dongxi.
Given time, the title of God of War of Dongxi will eventually belong to her.
On the way back to camp, Gu Baifeng repeatedly reminded him: "Remember, your mission is to hold the enemy back, not to fight to the death. If things become unfavorable, retreat immediately and do not linger in battle."
"Granddaughter will remember." Wei Yihua nodded solemnly.
The next day, before dawn, Wei Yihua had already mustered five thousand light cavalry, who, with their horses and men gagged, quietly set off.
At dawn, the entire army descended the mountain and entered the sandy path. She ordered all soldiers to display their flags and the war drums sounded.
Five thousand cavalrymen, like a giant dragon awakening, surged forward along the eastern mountain path towards Dragon City, their long roars echoing through the air. Dust billowed, their momentum immense.
Everything is proceeding according to plan.
Wei Yihua led her army to within a few miles of Longcheng, where sand and dust filled the air. In the distance, she saw soldiers lined up neatly on the city wall, preparing their bows and crossbows.
For some inexplicable reason, Wei Yihua's heart sank heavily.
Immediately afterwards, the gates of Longcheng were opened wide, and a dark mass of Di Rong cavalry poured out, far exceeding expectations. At a rough glance, there were nearly ten thousand of them.
The lieutenant exclaimed in alarm beside him, "The number of Di Rong garrison troops is incorrect! They still have their main force remaining in Longcheng!"
Wei Yihua's gaze suddenly changed.
This group of soldiers was clearly armed and fully armored; they were by no means an old or weak force!
In the blink of an eye, the Longcheng garrison had already formed ranks and were ready for battle, blocking the path of Wei Yihua's light cavalry.
Wei Yihua's unease resurfaced. According to the scouts' previous intelligence, the garrison of Longcheng should not be this large, and judging from their well-organized formation and rapid response, it seemed as if they had been prepared in advance.
She reined in her warhorse and raised her hand to stop the army's advance.
The lieutenant, who was close behind, stopped just in time and asked her, "Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Wei Yihua ignored them, remaining focused and observing carefully. Although the Di Rong army opposite them was numerous, they did not launch an attack, but simply guarded the main road leading to Longcheng, merely blocking them.
In a flash, a terrible thought struck Wei Yihua.
She suddenly looked up at the towering mountain ridge to the north of Longcheng. According to the plan, Gu Baifeng was currently leading the main force of Dongxi in ambush in the mountains, waiting for her to lure the enemy away and send a signal.
“No…” Wei Yihua’s voice trembled slightly. “Send the order! The rear guard becomes the front guard, retreat immediately! Return to reinforce the northern mountain area!”
The lieutenant was taken aback: "Your Highness? Has the plan changed? What about Dragon City..."
"Quickly!" Wei Yihua interrupted sharply, turning his horse around. "We've fallen into a trap!"
"Longcheng is bait; their target is the main force led by General Gu!"
However, the very next moment after she gave the order.
"Boom—!"
A terrifying roar, like a mountain collapsing and the earth splitting, rumbled from the direction of the mountain ridge on the north side of Dragon City!
The sound was deep and continuous, growing clearer and clearer; it was definitely not thunder in broad daylight, but rather…!
Wei Yihua finally saw it clearly.
On one side of the ridge, trees fell one after another with a thunderous roar, along with those astonishingly large shadows.
Her heart suddenly clenched!
It's a giant rolling stone!
Wei Yihua's panic had reached its peak. Without the slightest hesitation, she pointed her spear and roared, "All troops, listen to my command! Follow me at full speed to Beishan to reinforce the General!!"
Five thousand light cavalrymen rushed headlong toward the direction from which the loud noise came.
As the Akhal-Teke horse galloped along the rugged mountain path, Wei Yihua's mind kept flashing back to her grandfather's steady face and the pair of old eyes filled with comfort and joy beside the campfire last night.
She gritted her teeth, wishing she could fly to the mountaintop in the next moment.
Meanwhile, a horrific massacre is taking place on the northern ridge.
Countless enormous stone spheres, accompanied by a destructive roar, fell from above the unsuspecting Dongxi army.
The boulders pushed off the highest cliff rolled and tumbled, crushing through the dense forest, and crashed down with devastating force, turning the unsuspecting Dongxi soldiers and their horses into a bloody pulp. The screams instantly ripped apart the silence of the mountains and forests!
Gu Baifeng and his 10,000 elite Dongxi troops were lying in ambush in the dense forest, keeping a close eye on Dragon City below. Suddenly, a gust of wind swept in from behind them, followed by screams and blood splattering everywhere.
The orderly formation was smashed to pieces. Even though they tried to charge forward despite the excruciating pain, it was all in vain. Many of them had their arm and leg bones smashed to pieces. Faced with the boulders flying towards them again, they could not even run away and could only watch helplessly.
The forest was smashed and flattened, and as the view opened up, the horrific scene of blood and flesh in the forest came into clear view.
The main force of the Di Rong army, which had been lying in ambush on the cliff all night, rushed down like heavenly soldiers, brandishing their swords and killing the routed Dongxi soldiers.
The advantageous position of being on high ground was completely lost, and instead it became a dead end where the enemy could easily trap them.
Gu Baifeng's eyes were bloodshot as he roared, "There's an ambush! Scatter! Scatter, all of you!"
"General! Your...your arm!!"
Gu Baifeng's left arm was completely stained with blood, hanging limply at his side. The bone had been smashed through by a boulder, protruding from the skin, and the wound was horrific.
The lieutenant's face was splattered with blood, and he cried out, "General, I'm so sorry... It's all because of me...! If you hadn't pulled me away, you wouldn't have been..."
Gu Baifeng gritted his teeth. Now, how could he not understand? There must be a traitor in the army; their strategy had been leaked, and they had fallen into a trap that Di Rong had laid long ago!
He raised his long sword high and roared, "All soldiers, heed my command—!"
"Form ranks! Break out to the south! Rejoin His Highness!"
Gu Baifeng brandished his long sword, deflecting the incoming arrows, and roared as he commanded the remaining troops, attempting to stabilize morale.
However, the Di Rong's ambush was clearly premeditated, their forces far exceeded their expectations, and they had a complete understanding of their military strategy and location.
Countless Di Rong soldiers emerged from both sides of the cliff, armed with powerful bows and crossbows. Arrows rained down like a storm. Many Dongxi soldiers, already wounded, were unable to dodge and fell after being hit by several arrows, tumbling down the cliff.
Despite the valiant resistance of the Dongxi soldiers, they suffered extremely heavy casualties under the combined onslaught of boulders and arrows. Taking advantage of the situation, the Di Rong infantry pressed forward, advancing layer by layer like an iron wall, dividing and encircling, cutting the barely maintained military formation into pieces, and annihilating them one by one.
The number of guards surrounding Gu Baifeng dwindled. His white hair was stained with blood, and he wielded his long sword with the force of a thunderbolt, attempting to carve a bloody path through the enemy ranks. But the enemies were too numerous, seemingly endless.
In this critical moment of life and death, a desperate cry pierced the chaos of the battlefield:
"Grandfather—!"
Gu Baifeng suddenly raised his head!
Wei Yihua led five thousand light cavalry, like a sharp blade, tearing a gap in the outer perimeter of the Di Rong encirclement and charging in!
She immediately spotted her grandfather, who was surrounded and covered in blood. His eyes were bloodshot as he shouted and swung his spear, piercing through the dozen or so enemy soldiers who rushed at him!
"Hua'er! Why are you back?!" Gu Baifeng was startled when he saw her, then roared, "Get out of here!"
"This is an enemy trap! Quickly, take the rest of you and get out of here!!"
"No!!" Wei Yihua's eyes were red as she brandished her spear like a dragon, sending two Di Rong soldiers who tried to approach Gu Baifeng flying. She was still trying to get closer to him. "I absolutely cannot!!"
"Foolish!" Gu Baifeng was both anxious and angry, his voice hoarse. "You are the military supervisor appointed by His Majesty, and the eldest princess of Dongxi! If you die here, what will happen to His Majesty? What will happen to the throne? What will happen to those who are waiting for you to return?!"
Wei Yihua's chest trembled violently beneath her armor. She roared hoarsely, "Am I supposed to abandon my grandfather and run away?!"
While brandishing his sword to defend himself, Gu Baifeng shouted sternly, "So what if I run away?!"
"Wei Yihua, look around you!"
Wei Yihua gripped the spear tightly. She looked around, her heart sinking to the bottom, chilled to the bone.
The once elite army of 15,000 has been almost entirely wiped out, with corpses strewn across the battlefield. Fewer than a thousand remain standing, all wounded. Meanwhile, Di Rong reinforcements continue to pour in from all directions, a dark, overwhelming tide.
The defeat was inevitable, and there was no way to turn the tide.
Overwhelmed by immense grief and helplessness, she watched as Gu Baifeng sustained new wounds, his arm a bloody mess with bones showing, tears mingling with blood streaming down her face, blurring her vision.
"Go!!!" Gu Baifeng roared again. With his last bit of strength, he cleaved back several enemies with a single stroke and hoarsely ordered the few dozen guards remaining beside him, "Everyone, listen to my command! Protect His Highness and help him break through the encirclement!!"
"This is a military order! Anyone who disobeys will be executed!!"
These loyal guards, covered in blood and with tears in their eyes, carried out Gu Baifeng's last order without hesitation.
Like mad tigers, they carved a bloody path towards Wei Yihua with their bodies.
"Your Highness! Let's go!"
"Take His Highness away quickly!!"
Wei Yihua watched her grandfather's resolute back as he once again fearlessly charged into the enemy ranks, buying her a final moment. She watched helplessly as a Di Rong general's spear, taking advantage of his moment of exhaustion, pierced fiercely from behind, penetrating the gaps in his heavy armor.
Gu Baifeng's towering figure trembled violently as the spear pierced his chest without mercy.
He turned around and looked at Wei Yihua one last time through the chaotic mountains and forests. His eyes were filled with concern, regret, and reluctance... In the end, he opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but only blood gushed out.
The once towering figure collapsed to the ground.
More and more weapons rained down on him. The enemy soldiers were bloodthirsty, each one wishing they could tear the flesh and blood of this Eastern Xi War God with their own hands. They swarmed forward, and the long sword that Gu Baifeng was holding tightly finally fell to the ground with a "clang," trampled into the mud by the boots of countless enemy soldiers.
"Grandfather—!!!"
Wei Yihua let out a heart-wrenching scream, almost breaking free from the guards' restraints and rushing back.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!! We can't go back! Let's go!" The captain of the guards grabbed her reins tightly, his voice trembling with tears, his face a mixture of blood and sorrow. "Let's go!!"
When Wei Yihua arrived, she had slaughtered an entire enemy force along the mountain path, her face already stained with blood. But now, the tears streaming down her face almost washed away all that blood.
She bit her lower lip hard, tasting the strong metallic flavor, which seemed to be the taste of Gu Baifeng's blood.
She thought of Consort Li, her father, the soldiers stationed at the border, the female officials waiting for her triumphant return in the capital, and Yue Yining, who had always supported her and accompanied her to this day.
She is the eldest princess of Dongxi, bearing the weight of the nation and its people on her shoulders, with a group of loyal soldiers risking their lives to protect her behind her. Her life has never belonged solely to herself.
She, Wei Yihua, cannot die here.
"Go!" Wei Yihua squeezed out a single word from deep within her throat, a cry of anguish, "Go!!"
She turned her horse around and, with dozens of guards protecting her at the last minute, charged towards that slim chance of survival without looking back.
The deafening battle cries were the final roars; behind them, the soul of the imperial army had already fallen into the dust.
The Di Rong people clearly did not want to let any merit go, especially the eldest princess of Dongxi, who pursued them relentlessly.
Arrows rained down from behind like locusts, and one guard after another fell from their horses, dwindling the number of people protecting her. Each thud of a horse falling was like a hammer blow to Wei Yihua's heart. She could even hear the dull thud of arrows embedding themselves in flesh, and the short, muffled gasps before the fall.
They dared not look back, and could only frantically whip their horses, charging into the rugged mountain paths of Yanran Mountain.
The mountain road was difficult to traverse, and the pursuers were closing in.
The captain of the personal guard was covered in blood, clearly seriously wounded. He roared, "Your Highness! You go first! We'll cover your retreat!"
The captain of the royal guard, with the last three or four soldiers who could still fight, reined in his horse, turned it around, and headed towards the pursuers, his eyes filled with a resolute determination to die for his cause.
Wei Yihua's teeth chattered as she closed her eyes tightly, spurred her horse, and charged into the dense, rugged forest ahead without looking back.
A brief clash of weapons came from behind, the dull thud of sharp objects piercing flesh, and the triumphant whistles of the Di Rong people.
Silence fell, leaving only the mournful sound of the wind whistling through the gaps in the trees.
Wei Yihua didn't know how long she had been running when her warhorse finally gave way, its front hooves buckling and throwing her violently to the ground. The immense impact made her vision go black, and her silver armor slammed against the protruding rocks with a dull thud.
She struggled to get up, but felt a sharp pain coming from her ribs and left leg, and felt dizzy.
Wei Yihua crawled through the grass and into the bushes, leaning against a rock. She tilted her head back, breathing heavily, and heard the faint sound of approaching Di Rong horses' hooves.
Sweat, blood, and tears mingled together. Looking around, she saw only herself and a dying warhorse.
Dark clouds filled the sky overhead, and thunder rumbled for a long time before roaring again, followed by a sudden downpour.
The mountains and forests were shrouded in rain and mist. Wei Yihua's silver armor was already tattered and torn. Large raindrops streamed in through the gaps, soaking her entire body. Her wounds were waterlogged and stung to the bone.
The crimson flames in Wei Yihua's eyes were gradually extinguished by the torrential rain, leaving only ashes. Standing in the downpour, that immense sorrow swept over her again, instantly engulfing her heart.
The young princess covered her eyes, not making a sound, but crying uncontrollably.
Fifteen thousand soldiers perished in the enemy camp.
The enemy general's corpse will be fully utilized. Gu Baifeng, who guarded Dongxi all his life, will eventually lose even his dignity after death.
A brief breakdown overwhelmed her, the rain and tears streaming down her body. She knew she didn't even have the right to be weak; countless people had sacrificed themselves, and she was the only one who survived. She had fought desperately to escape, not to cry while evading pursuers.
In just a few breaths, those fragile and disheveled shoulders calmed down.
In the boundless rain and mist, the broken spine was rebuilt, the heart filled with grief was severed, the pain of losing loved ones and suffering defeat was stripped away and dissipated, and even the fear and panic of isolation and helplessness gradually vanished.
The only thing that remains steadfast is the determination to walk out of Yanran Mountain on these two legs.
She can't die...she can't die...she can't die! She absolutely cannot die here!
She must live.
Amidst the green forest blurred by the torrential rain, a crimson figure swayed and slowly rose to its feet.
She tethered her warhorse to a beech tree, tore off her inner robe, hastily bandaged several deep wounds, removed her heavy silver armor, leaving only her inner soft armor and tattered battle robe, discarded her spear, and instead drew the short sword from her waist.
In the distance, the wounded warhorse, struck by an arrow, neighed in pain. The sound of the bushes being cut became clearer, and the enemy's figure drew closer.
Wei Yihua hid behind another tree, a cold glint flashing in the sharp knife in his hand.
......
Seven days later, in Yanjing.
Qiu Wuzhu's third prophecy, presented before the emperor, traveled from the palace to the previous dynasty, stirring up a great uproar.
Initially, there was a mixture of doubt and fear among the court and the public. Gu Baifeng's name had been renowned on the frontier for decades, and he was known as the invincible war god of Dongxi; Princess Wei Yihua's first battle on the battlefield was unstoppable, and her military achievements were outstanding, showing that she already had the potential to become a pillar of the nation.
How could such a pair of people be so easily killed by the Di Rong?
Questions arose, and countless undercurrents surged between the residences of court officials and the government offices in the imperial city.
However, in just one day, the last glimmer of hope in everyone's hearts was completely crushed.
An urgent military report from Linlu Pass, carrying the chilling scent of blood from the northern border, forcefully burst open the heavy city gates.
The military report, written on silk, was filled with the sorrow of a thousand words, detailing the disastrous failure of the operation to destroy the enemy's stronghold at Yanran Mountain. The Dongxi army's intelligence had been leaked, and they fell into a Di Rong ambush, resulting in the annihilation of over ten thousand elite troops at Longcheng.
Among them, the commander-in-chief Gu Baifeng fought bravely and died on the battlefield; Princess Wei Yihua was surrounded and her whereabouts are unknown.
Almost simultaneously, the Di Rong launched a massive military campaign, launching another surprise attack on the poorly defended western border. They swiftly captured a city, massacred its inhabitants, and then hung General Gu's corpse, the Princess's armor and spear on the city walls. They also spread news of their victory in the surrounding towns, displaying extreme arrogance and humiliation.
The absurd prophecy turned out to be a self-fulfilling prophecy.
General Gu guarded the border for many years, and his status and prestige were unmatched. In the decades that followed, Dongxi never produced another figure who could be called a god of war.
Now that the military report of his death on the battlefield has reached the capital, it has utterly shattered the anchor of hope in the hearts of the people, causing an uproar throughout the country.
Amidst the deep grief of the people, a nameless panic began to spread.
Deep within the palace, after hearing the irrefutable battle report, the elderly emperor was overcome with anger and grief, and fainted again beside his imperial bed, vomiting blood.
The emperor fell seriously ill, the god of war perished, and the princess died. It was as if the sky of Dongxi had collapsed in an instant.
As if it were destiny, the immense bewilderment and invisible pressure that swept through the entire city ultimately pressed down on Yue Yining.
Long before the border military reports reached the capital and rumors spread, Yue Yining had already learned of Qiu Wuzhu's third prophecy through her spies in the palace.
Yue Yining immediately set about making arrangements, dispatching a group of people to the border to verify with their people.
However, the day after the guards left on their orders, military reports of the deaths of General Gu and the Princess arrived in the capital.
Yue Yining did not believe in prophecies, much less in so-called reliable battle reports.
This might be a malicious scheme deliberately spread by the Di Rong; they harbor ill intentions and deliberately use rumors to disturb the hearts of the people of Dongxi.
Or perhaps this was also Qiu Wuzhu's doing, a military report forged by her master and others in order to severely damage the power of the Princess.
Her trusted confidants are galloping towards Linlu Pass. When the military report arrives, she will know for sure whether it is true or false, and she will not be led by the nose.
What she wanted was He Chan's handwritten letter and an unalterable military seal as proof.
He Chan was someone she personally sent into the army, and she was one of the female generals they absolutely trusted. She was the most composed, reliable, and determined person among them.
In the days that followed the wait for a response from the border, the entire political arena, from the central government to the general public in the capital, was in an uproar.
Officials came in droves to inquire about news, pour out their grievances, and hint at seeking other opportunities. Yue Yining received them one by one, comforted them, explained the situation, and politely declined their requests.
Amidst the raging winds and surging waves in the capital, Yue Yining was like a reef standing firm in the torrent, its surface calm and immovable, yet constantly being eroded, battered, and struck by the rushing torrent.
Even something as solid as a rock can be moved a fraction of an inch.
For example, right now.
The tranquility of the study was shattered by hurried, even unsteady, footsteps. Before anyone could announce his arrival, the half-open door was flung open, and a weary guard stumbled in. His ashen face, etched with the marks of a long journey and an all-night travel, his lips cracked and bleeding from the wind, and the sharp, piercing pain in his eyes all instantly filled one with unease.
He knelt down with a thud, holding a document scroll and a handwritten letter high in the air.
A handwritten letter bearing the seal of He Chan, the acting commander of Linlu Pass.
"Lord Yue!" The guard's voice was deep and hoarse, and in just a moment, a sob rose in his throat. "The border... General He Chan's personal reply... has arrived by express courier!"
Overwhelmed with grief, he could barely speak. He took a deep breath and, with his last strength, managed to say: "The military report is correct! General Gu was ambushed and died a heroic death!"
“Your Highness…Your Highness…Her armor and weapons have fallen into enemy hands. The Di Rong bandits claim that their pursuers captured the princess who was trying to break out,” the guard cried, his lips trembling. “Now, Your Highness has been tortured to death, and her body has been left nowhere!”
After speaking, the guard seemed to have all his strength drained away. His head drooped low, his shoulders heaved violently, and a suppressed sob instantly filled the deathly silent study, each sob pounding on one's heart.
Inside the study, even breathing felt like freezing ice.
The maidservant beside her instinctively covered her mouth, her eyes instantly welling up with fear and tears.
Yue Yining remained seated behind her desk, but her slender figure seemed to be nailed to the spot by an invisible force, remaining motionless.
Her fingers, gripping the edge of the book, tightened until they lost all color, turning a horrifying bluish-white.
Yue Yining suddenly stood up, strode around the desk to the guard, and took the heavy military report and a letter written by He Chan.
After she finished reading the military reports and letters, the maids all witnessed how the last trace of color had faded from the Yue people's face, leaving it truly pale and transparent.
When she was silent, the only sounds, both inside and outside the room, were the suppressed sobs of the servants.
After standing there for an unknown amount of time, Yue Yining finally moved.
She gripped the letter tightly, crumpling it into a ball.
She suddenly spoke up: "Prepare the car."
"Prepare the carriage!" Yue Yining repeated, enunciating each word clearly. "I need to go to the palace now to see the Imperial Advisor."
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Author's note: Ningning and her master are about to have their first direct confrontation.
Yi Hua will suffer some hardships, which will be a test for her. After this long journey, she will truly be a phoenix reborn from the ashes.
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