Chapter Fifty-Three: The Expedition

Autumn winds swept desolately across the land, and the morning sun hung in the sky, red as blood. Upon the parade platform of the military academy, Ye Feng stood in full armor, gazing at Murong Yan, his heart overflowing with love.

Murong Yan, too, was clad in heavy armor this day, crowned with pheasant plumes, her marshal's robe draped over her shoulders, a precious sword fastened at her waist. As she strode forward, the plates of her armor clashed with a metallic clatter, echoing "clang, clang" with each step. Her bearing was truly heroic and awe-inspiring.

Standing at the fore of the platform, she raised her voice: "Soldiers! For decades, the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons has oppressed us, subjecting us to humiliation and suffering. The so-called 'Treaty of Ding City' has only plunged our people into deeper misery. We have endured enough. It is time to resist, to reclaim our dignity, to recover our lost lands!"

At her words, all the soldiers below thundered as one: "Resist! Resist! Resist!" The shouts of three hundred thousand men shook the heavens and reverberated across the parade grounds.

Their rallying cry ignited a boundless fighting spirit within Ye Feng, who could not help but also shout: "Drive out the demons, reclaim our rivers and mountains!"

"Drive out the demons, reclaim our rivers and mountains!" the troops echoed in unison, their voices rising again and again, filling the air.

Murong Yan, seeing her soldiers so impassioned, nodded with satisfaction, a smile of pride lighting her face. She continued, "Today, we march forth to take back our beloved homeland. 'The wind is bleak, the Yi River cold, once the warrior departs, he may never return.' Perhaps some of us will fall in battle, perhaps some will be maimed, but our blood will not be shed in vain; it will forge a brighter tomorrow for our descendants!"

Her speech was met with thunderous applause. She nodded once more, waited for the ovation to subside, and then shouted, "To war!"

Even as her voice faded, the army snapped to attention with a clang of armor, forming up in readiness.

"Clomp! Clomp! Clomp!" Murong Yan was first to leap from the platform, Ye Feng close behind. Both vaulted onto their steeds.

"Hyah!" With a crisp command, the warhorses broke into a brisk trot, quickly making their way out of the parade ground.

The soldiers followed in an unending stream, soon forming a mighty column that sped out of the grounds.

Outside, the scene was even more lively. The citizens poured from the city, crowding both sides of the avenue to see off their sons and fathers.

"Son, win glory on the battlefield—don't disgrace your family!"

"My husband, take care of yourself. I will wait for your return!"

"Father, when I grow up, I'll join the righteous army too and help you fight the demon soldiers!"

There were fathers sending off sons, wives bidding farewell to husbands, sons seeing their fathers away. They brought the finest food and wine, lingering in reluctant parting.

Laughter, weeping, and calls of farewell mingled in the air.

At the head of the army, Murong Yan and Ye Feng were deeply moved by the scene before them.

Suddenly, Ye Feng spotted a frail, familiar figure in the distance. Looking closely, he saw it was his own father, Ye Xiaotian.

"Father!"

Ye Feng sprang from his horse and hurried over to him. Murong Yan instructed the other officers, "Go ahead. Vice Marshal Ye and I will catch up shortly." With that, she too dismounted and went to Ye Feng's side.

"My child, I have come to see you off," Ye Xiaotian said, his weathered face seeming even older. From the hands of a servant, he took a wine cup and filled it to the brim with watered wine.

"Feng'er, this first cup is to wish you victory and swift, triumphant return!"

"Father, I will remember your words!" Ye Feng took the cup and drained it in a single gulp.

Ye Xiaotian nodded approvingly. Filling the cup again, he said, "My son, 'a hundred battles in the desert, armor worn to gold; not until Loulan falls will I return.' I am old now and cannot march into battle with you. Drink this cup as if you go in my stead, fulfilling your filial duty."

Tears welled in Ye Feng's eyes as he looked at his aged father, thinking of how he could not remain to care for him, not knowing how many years would pass before he could return. With a heart full of guilt, he emptied the cup.

Seeing this, Ye Xiaotian took another cup, filled it for the third time, and looked at Murong Yan. "Marshal Murong, this third cup I offer to you both."

Murong Yan stepped forward and accepted the cup with both hands. "Uncle, what is the meaning of this third toast?"

Ye Xiaotian laughed heartily. "Both of you are no longer young. Were it not for this war, you would have married long ago. This third cup is to wish you a safe return, so I may witness your wedding with my own eyes, and perhaps even hold a plump grandson in my arms!"

Murong Yan blushed furiously, unable to hide her embarrassment. "Uncle, you jest!"

Ye Xiaotian's expression grew stern. "Still calling me 'uncle'?"

Ye Feng, delighted, nudged Murong Yan with his elbow and whispered, "Aren't you going to call him 'father'?"

Her face turned as red as peach blossoms, and after a long moment of shyness, she finally murmured, "Father," in a voice as soft as a mosquito's, unable to lift her head.

Gone was the valiant heroine of a moment ago.

But Ye Xiaotian heard her clearly. Stroking his beard, he laughed aloud. "Ah! I must have accumulated great blessings over many lifetimes to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law!"

The army was already marching away. Ye Feng and Murong Yan knelt and bowed three times to Ye Xiaotian. "Father, take care!"

Covering his face, Ye Xiaotian turned away, waving his hand. "Go now! Do not worry about me."

Only then did the two mount their horses decisively and rejoin the army.

Watching them disappear into the distance, Ye Xiaotian wept silent tears. The townsfolk, too, lingered long before turning back.

Along the way, the army maintained strict discipline, winning the people's praise. Thanks to the imperial edict and investiture of the Daxia Emperor Qin Yuanzong Fu, local landlords and officials all submitted, offering supplies and cooperation. Roads were open, provisions plentiful, and the march was unimpeded.

Thus, the army advanced swiftly, and in less than two months reached the border with the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons.

This so-called border was actually the new demarcation line after Daxia had ceded territory. The lands beyond were originally part of Daxia, the people once Daxia's own, and border trade was still largely among humans.

The few arrogant demon soldiers who had once lorded over the region had already fled at the first rumor of the army's approach.

The people greeted Ye Feng and his troops with jubilation, offering tea, eggs, steamed buns, and fruit in welcome.

Murong Yan and Ye Feng politely declined their gifts.

An elderly man, overjoyed to the point of tears, wiped his eyes on his sleeve and said, "Sirs, we have waited for you as one waits for the stars and the moon. Now that you are here, our kin on the other side will finally be freed."

Ye Feng gently supported the old man and asked, "Elder, what is the name of the place across the border? What is the terrain, and who commands the defenses?"

The old man answered, "Across the way lies Yunyang City. Though the surrounding land is flat and open, Yunyang City itself is an ancient fortress, its walls high and thick from centuries of construction—easy to defend, hard to attack. The city is held by a demon general named Xiang Buer, whose skills are ordinary enough. But his deputy is formidable—a man called Lu Youxiong, who wields a massive folding broadsword and is said to have the strength of ten thousand men. He is rumored to carry a magical treasure at his waist called the Soul-Chasing Red Lotus. When he faces an enemy, he removes it—a red lotus blossom, the size of a palm. If he unleashes its magic, the lotus expands, emits a white smoke, and all who inhale it instantly collapse, senseless!"

"Oh!" Ye Feng was secretly alarmed. He thought to himself: According to the old man, this Lu Youxiong will not be easy to deal with. Tomorrow, I shall test him myself to see if the tales are true.

That night, they made camp. The next day, they crossed the border and advanced to the foot of Yunyang City, surrounding it completely.

Murong Yan and Ye Feng ordered their men to challenge the enemy below the walls.

Soon, the city gates swung wide and a troop rode out in a formation known as the Twin Dragons Emerging from Water, dividing into two wings.

From the center came two mounted generals. One rode a large, plump white horse—so fat and clumsy it lumbered along, snorting with effort. Atop sat a general, himself tall and stout, his nose long and his ears wide, the combined height of horse and rider towering over all. His nose was extraordinary—over three feet long, thick and coiled skyward. Both horse and rider panted loudly, exuding a foul sweat, as if the effort were overwhelming. He wielded a pair of bronze-faced hammers, each the size of a cartwheel.

The other general rode a green steed with snow-white hooves, armored from head to toe, his face masked save for his eyes. In his hands was a broadsword as thick as a rice bowl, its shaft and blade each nine feet long, two feet wide, and two inches thick, its edge gleaming and razor-sharp.

The fat demon general spotted Murong Yan and Ye Feng and called out, "Are you the young woman Murong Yan, and the man, Ye Feng?!"

Murong Yan and Ye Feng replied, "We are! And you must be Xiang Buer, the demon general?"

The fat general laughed raucously. "Indeed, I am Xiang Buer, Commander of Yunyang City!"

He then cursed, "You two brats, overreaching yourselves. You provoke war and trespass on the borders of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons—truly, you are plucking the tiger’s whiskers—seeking death!"

Murong Yan sneered, mocking him, "Who says this is your land? From ancient times, Yunyang City has belonged to Daxia. If not for your violent seizure, would our Emperor Qin Yuanzong Fu have been forced to cede it? Today, my campaign to reclaim our territory is ordained by heaven and will rescue the people from fire and water!"

Her words left Xiang Buer speechless, shamed and angry.

He cursed, "Little wretches! Such shameless boasting! If you want your land back, you’ll have to get through me!"

With that, he shouted, "Lu Youxiong! Step forward—capture the girl alive and kill the boy. If you succeed, I will reward you handsomely!"

The armored general cupped his fists and replied, "At your command!" Spurring his horse, he brandished his broadsword, riding straight for Murong Yan.

Xiang Buer added, "Remember, I want the girl alive—the boy’s life or death is of no concern. Ha! Bring the girl back so I can taste a little spice for myself!"

Murong Yan, now both embarrassed and furious, drew her green sword, ready to charge.

But from behind her, a voice called, "Marshal, there is no need for you to risk yourself against such a petty villain. I will go in your stead and slay him!"

With those words, a warrior urged his horse forward to meet Lu Youxiong.

Seeing who it was, Murong Yan was overjoyed. She thought, With him taking the field, what need have I to fear Lu Youxiong? Once he slays this demon general, our army can storm the city and claim victory!

And so the story continues...