Chapter Thirty: True Love

As Xu Yaozu and his son were arguing, the main gate creaked open, and Murong Yan, her face pale with illness, appeared at the threshold.

She was dressed from head to toe in a light blue outfit. Her complexion was ashen, and she seemed even thinner than before—a vision of fragile, sickly beauty. “Master, you… you… what… what happened to Young Master Ye?” she stammered, her words faltering from weakness and anxiety.

Murong Yan had already overheard the conversation from inside and thus asked her question in haste. Her frail body was devoid of strength, and in her urgency, she could barely speak.

“Yan’er, Feng’er… he couldn’t find you. His heart was consumed by worry. He… he’s gravely ill!” Xu Yaozu looked at Murong Yan, and the sight of her made him think of Ye Feng. He sighed at the fate of these two pitiful souls, tears streaming down his withered face.

“Take… take… take me to him!” Murong Yan, now even more anxious, tried to take a step forward, but her foot was too heavy. A wave of dizziness struck her, and she collapsed in a faint.

“Yan’er!”
“Junior sister!”
Xu Yaozu and his son rushed forward to catch her, but Murong Yan had already lost consciousness.

Frantically, father and son channeled their inner energy into her. After a while, Murong Yan slowly regained consciousness.

“Master, take… take… take me to see… see… Young Master Ye!” Her first words upon waking were still of Ye Feng.

“Good child, good child, I’ll take you to him right away!” Xu Yaozu, deeply moved that even in such a state Murong Yan’s only thought was of Ye Feng, could not hold back his tears. He hurried to comfort her.

Xu Zhihui glared fiercely at his father in frustration, but he dared not voice his complaints.

Xu Yaozu immediately called for a few soldiers, and together they carried Murong Yan on a stretcher back to the camp. Soon, Murong Yan was brought to Ye Feng’s bedside. The moment she saw how weak he looked, her tears began to flow uncontrollably.

“Young Master Ye, I’m back. Open your eyes and look at me!” Murong Yan’s gaze was tender, her hands gently caressing Ye Feng’s cheeks as she spoke softly.

Ye Feng was in the throes of a high fever. In his delirium, he dreamt he was chasing after Murong Yan through a desert. Suddenly, she vanished before his eyes, and a blazing sun scorched him with its relentless heat, parching his lips and tongue. Suddenly, storm clouds gathered, unleashing a heavy rain. Cool droplets fell on his face, bringing a momentary relief, yet his body still burned with fever. Sweat poured from him as he stretched out his arms, desperately trying to catch the rain to cool himself.

But the rain was always just out of reach. No matter how he flailed, he could not grasp it. His anxiety grew, the heat intensified, and he felt the contrasting coolness on his face more sharply. He struggled to escape the oppressive heat.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes to see Murong Yan sitting gracefully before him. Only then did he realize that the "rain" on his face was her tears, and the coolness was from her soft, delicate hands.

“Miss Murong, you’re not dead?! Is this a dream?!” Ye Feng could hardly believe his eyes, his voice filled with astonishment and joy.

Murong Yan continued to gaze at him, smiling in silence, and nodded her head gently in response.

Xu Yaozu, standing off to the side, burst out laughing, “Feng’er, rest assured! My disciple is not so easily lost!”

A faint blush of color appeared on Murong Yan’s pale cheeks as she pouted playfully, “Master…”

Xu Yaozu stuck out his tongue and made a funny face. “All right, I’ll stop now!” He patted Li Yiqing and Wang Erbao on the shoulders, gestured for silence, and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

Once outside, Xu Yaozu let out a long sigh of relief. “It’s settled at last. Both children are safe, and their bond is sealed!”

Let us add a note here. How could someone as clever and resourceful as Murong Yan not know the demon soldiers had already been repelled, or why she delayed returning to camp?

The truth is, she truly did not know. Xu Zhihui had been meticulous in his deception, and Murong Yan trusted her senior brother implicitly.

After rescuing her from the massacre at the compound, Xu Zhihui carried the injured Murong Yan inside and hid her there. She was gravely wounded and unconscious for several days, knowing nothing of the outside world. When she awoke, Xu Zhihui told her that the demon army had occupied the city and urged her not to leave as she recovered. Murong Yan believed him and did not venture outside, which is why she was hidden for so long.

Xu Zhihui, seeing Murong Yan’s heart belonged elsewhere, hoped that by keeping her isolated he might win her affection and eventually take her away with him. Yet his scheme backfired; his whereabouts were exposed, and his own father ultimately discovered everything. Not only did he fail to win Murong Yan’s heart, but he also unwittingly brought Ye Feng and Murong Yan together.

A month later, Ye Feng and Murong Yan were fully recovered. Murong Yan once again took command, managing the affairs of the city with skill and order.

One morning, Ye Feng arrived early at the City Lord’s mansion. As he entered the main hall, he was struck by Murong Yan’s charming and spirited appearance.

Her hair was styled in a traditional topknot, adorned with a white jade hairpin. The jade glowed softly against her dark, glossy hair—a striking contrast. She was dressed all in blue: a satin jacket and trousers embroidered with snow plum blossoms, standing proud against the frost. The fine craftsmanship and clever design accentuated her extraordinary elegance. Over her shoulders she wore a black cloak, her graceful figure alternately concealed and revealed, combining martial vigor with feminine grace. At her waist hung a green sword, the colors harmonizing perfectly. On her feet were soft, embroidered shoes with crimson satin uppers and black cotton soles, each topped with a pair of small pompoms that quivered as she walked, making her appear all the lighter and more nimble.

Her cheeks were lightly flushed, outshining the peach and the plum. Her almond-shaped eyes sparkled like autumn waters—clear, lively, and utterly enchanting.

Ye Feng stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed. “Ye Feng greets the Grand Commander.”

Murong Yan reached out to help him up. “Young Master Ye, there’s no need for formality. Please, have a seat.”

Once Ye Feng was seated, Xu Yaozu, Xu Zhihui, Li Yiqing, and Wang Erbao arrived in turn, each greeting Murong Yan according to custom before sitting down.

Murong Yan began, “Now that everyone is here, I, Murong Yan, have an important announcement to make.”

At the mention of important news, everyone straightened, attention sharpened.

“I have decided to step down and hand over leadership to Young Master Ye Feng!”

The words were scarcely out when Xu Zhihui leapt to his feet. “No! I object! I joined the righteous army for you, Murong Yan. If you abdicate, I’ll leave the army at once!”

Ye Feng was so startled he jumped up as well, waving his hands. “This won’t do, Grand Commander. I am unworthy to claim such a position, to take command of Black Earth City!”

He edged closer to Murong Yan and whispered in protest, “Sister Yan, what nonsense is this? Why didn’t you warn me beforehand? Now I’m in a terrible fix!”

Murong Yan smiled on the surface, but quietly replied, “Brother Feng, I am fated to follow you for the rest of my life. What need have I for power? I’d rather hand it over to you, so I don’t have to worry. From now on, I go where you point, no questions asked—I’ll follow your lead, always.”

She then spoke aloud, “In this campaign against the demon army, Young Master Ye’s contributions were greatest. I am but a weak woman, lacking his talent and wisdom. For the long-term future of Black Earth City, I willingly step aside. I hope you all understand.”

Before anyone else could respond, Xu Zhihui hurried forward with a salute, attempting to block her decision. “Junior sister, you mustn’t! Ye Feng is ambitious and untrustworthy—don’t be fooled!”

Xu Yaozu quickly stepped up, tugging at Xu Zhihui’s sleeve. He scolded in a low voice, “Zhihui, this is between the two of them. It’s not your place to interfere! Don’t embarrass me here.”

But Xu Zhihui shook off his father’s hand, intent on speaking further.

Xu Yaozu stepped forward, laughing heartily. “Yan’er, Feng’er, enough back and forth. Whoever leads, I support you both the same!”

Li Yiqing and Wang Erbao echoed, “Yes, yes! We… we have no objections, whoever leads!”

Ye Feng quickly replied, “Thank you for your confidence, but I believe only Miss Murong is truly suited for the role. Her father, Marshal Murong Yun, is our most revered hero. Under his banner, we are legitimate and invincible!”

He then scolded Murong Yan softly, “Sister Yan, please don’t cause trouble. You carry your father’s legacy—none of us can compare.”

Seeing Ye Feng’s unwavering refusal, Murong Yan winked slyly at him, pulling a face. “All right, I’ll let you off this time, but next time you must accept!”

Ye Feng’s face darkened. “There won’t be a next time!”

Murong Yan just laughed, sticking her tongue out at him.

After repelling the fierce assault of the demon general Meng Keshu, the army’s prestige soared, its influence far and wide. People from near and far followed their example, raising flags in open rebellion. The resistance against the tyrant and the demon army grew ever more vehement.

At Ye Feng’s suggestion, Black Earth City supported all those who rose in rebellion. Murong Yan agreed without hesitation.

Because the rebels were small in number and Black Earth City’s reputation was so great, many flocked to join them. In less than half a year, their forces swelled by over fifty thousand. Including the city’s original eight thousand veterans, Zhao Liang’s thirty thousand surrendered troops, and Zhang Jixian’s ten thousand, their numbers surpassed one hundred thousand.

Murong Yan and Ye Feng reorganized these troops: five men formed a squad, five squads made a team, five teams a formation, and twenty teams a battalion.

Murong Yan named herself Marshal, Ye Feng as Vanguard, with five senior generals, ten officers, and forty commanders beneath them, each with distinct responsibilities under unified command.

Their territory expanded to encompass two provinces, fifty-six counties, and thirty-seven cities—a mighty force, dominating the region.

One day, while Murong Yan was in council, a scout rushed in: “Marshal! Dire news! Meng Keshu and Xiao Ling have led two hundred thousand demon soldiers to invade! This time, they have fifty thousand Eagle Troops, fifty thousand Earth Divers, fifty thousand marines, and fifty thousand infantry—their ranks are complete, with countless strong crossbows. The threat is overwhelming! They have already taken four of our cities.”

Murong Yan was shocked. After a moment’s thought, she ordered, “Keep scouting and report again!”

The scout received his orders and hurried out.

Murong Yan straightened, looking around at the assembled officers. “With such a formidable enemy upon us, who among you will lead the troops to meet them?”

Before she finished, a loud voice roared from beneath the tent, “These mere demon soldiers dare invade our lands? I volunteer to go!”

Murong Yan looked toward the voice—and her anger surged.

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