Chapter 1 The Sound of the Horn

"Wuwuwu!!!!!!!"

The sound of the horn rang out.

Rows and rows of Chu soldiers quickly spread out, forming a battle array. The air was filled with an aura of deathly silence.

Fifty *li* south of the Wei River, Dugu Mu, clad in military attire, ascended the city walls of Huanggu County.

Huanggu County was just a small county town with low city walls and a small perimeter. In fact, within a country, except for the border regions, there weren't many places suitable for large, strong cities that could be defended.

Because there was no need, it slowly became unnecessary.

At this moment, in this area, Dugu Mu's 100,000 private troops stood tall, flanked by other noble clans' private soldiers from the second wave, totaling over 100,000.

The private armies of the Chu nobles had suffered losses outside Zhennan Pass, and this was the second wave.

An interlude occurred: the Qu clan's second batch of Azure Luan Army troops was defeated by Zheng Boye.

So,

strictly speaking, these 200,000 nominally "Chu soldiers" led by Dugu Mu were the last bit of family fortune that the various noble families of Chu could currently contribute.

This "last wave" didn't mean there was absolutely nothing left; there was, of course, still some, as even in times of national crisis, some would inevitably be deliberately kept to survive on. This was easily understood.

But undeniably, after the first and second waves, the backbone of the noble private armies had already been contributed.

Armies, especially in the era of cold weapons, placed great emphasis on generational differences in their formation and training. Even having veterans lead new recruits would cause combat effectiveness to decline for a period, while a major reshuffling would often completely change an army.

Look at the Azure Luan Army led by Qu Tiannan; on the banks of the Wang River, they repelled the First Prince's landing, and when defending Jade Plate City, even Jingnan King Tian Wujing didn't plan to attack it head-on, instead choosing to be tied down with a large force to besiege it.

This second batch of the Azure Luan Army was clearly much easier to deal with. A night battle, a reckless charge, and they directly broke through the central army.

It could only be said that the strength of this newly formed Azure Luan Army was vastly different from that of the old Azure Luan Army.

Dugu Mu looked at the surrounding ranks of soldiers and armor. Honestly, he didn't feel the "vigorous spirit" that young generals often had.

He was the old patriarch of the Dugu family. In his youth, he had also risen through the ranks of the military. Although he hadn't personally gone to war in recent years, his experience and foundation were still there.

Dugu Nian, one of Nian Yao's current generals, was personally trained by Dugu Mu.

Therefore, Dugu Mu's mood was particularly heavy.

The true elite border troops of Chu, in Nian Yao's hands, could only rely on city gates to defend against the Yan cavalry.

Although he now had a claimed 200,000 troops, their actual combat strength was uneven. Furthermore, they would be facing the elite cavalry led by the Southern Marquis of Yan, who had been gathering momentum for a long time.

This battle,

was going to be difficult,

a battle with little hope, but one that had to be fought head-on.

As for why they chose to set up camp in Huanggu County, so far from the Wei River, instead of using the Wei River as a boundary, it was because while the Wei River was wide, broad, and long, there were too many places suitable for crossing. It was simply too docile.

Relying on the Wei River to build a camp seemed safe, but in reality, it placed oneself and the entire army on the edge of a cliff.

The Yan army could cross the river from other places and then encircle them. Once the Chu army collapsed, they wouldn't even have a place to escape. It would simply be another version of the defeat of the barbarian army on the banks of the Wang River.

Now, the only hope was to use Huanggu County as a temporary node for organizing resistance. They no longer sought to defeat the approaching Yan army with their own strength, but rather to hold out for a while longer in order to gain more opportunities for a turnaround.

"The military appearance is neat and solemn," the Swordsmith appeared behind Dugu Mu and praised.

"You should understand that a sword isn't better the more ornate it is," Dugu Mu said.

The Swordsmith nodded and said, "The Yan army led by the Yan's Pingye Duke behind them..."

"I've already sent that old thing, Zhaowen Tong, with 5,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry to keep an eye on them. I only ask them to keep an eye on them, not to take the initiative to attack. That old thing was very happy to take on this assignment."

On the eve of battle, having 20,000 infantry stabilize the rear was nothing, but sending out 5,000 cavalry, for the Chu army, which was already at an absolute disadvantage in cavalry, was definitely a big move.

But,

there was no other way.

Without deploying an organized cavalry force, Dugu Mu worried that Zhaowen Tong that old thing, would follow in the footsteps of Qu's son.

With 5,000 cavalry suppressing them, that Pingye Duke would probably not dare to advance rashly and stab them in the back.

"Ha, how has this battle turned out like this?"

Dugu Mu was truly helpless.

The elite Chu troops inside and outside Zhennan Pass didn't dare to venture out.

His side was barely forming a battle array to respond, and yet, there was still an active Yan army behind him.

More importantly, after the Chu imperial guards initially sent some of their main force to Zhennan Pass, the remaining troops began to defend the capital. The regent chose to indulge that army led by his brother-in-law.

Logically speaking, the regent should be personally leading the army at this time, right here in Huanggu County, pushing back the Yan troops that had entered the country!

As long as his side could win a major victory, then Nian Yao in Zhennan Pass would have more room to maneuver.

However, you couldn't say that the regent had any "pity" for his brother-in-law.

Because Dugu Mu believed that the regent himself probably hadn't expected that the Qu clan's Azure Luan Army, which had come to assist, would be defeated overnight by that Yan army. It was said that Qu Peiluo had even been captured alive, leading to many Azure Luan troops defecting.

The affairs on the Qu clan's territory didn't need to be dealt with urgently. The Qu clan had inherited the position of Pillar of the State for generations and wouldn't change allegiance just because an eldest son and young master had rebelled and surrendered.

Ha,

perhaps, in the regent's view, even if Qu Peiluo couldn't completely annihilate his brother-in-law, he could at least chase him around the Great Marsh, removing him from the battlefield.

"When a country is about to fall into chaos, monsters will inevitably appear," Dugu Mu lamented.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Our king's brother-in-law."

"What makes you say that?"

"The world thinks that Pingye Duke might become the second Tian Wujing, but Tian Wujing destroyed his entire family as a pledge of loyalty. That Pingye Duke, however, has no ties.

This person's actions seem reckless and casual, but he knows when to advance and retreat.

Under the weight of his military achievements,

who will be able to control him in the future?"

"It's still too early to say these things."

"Not early, not early at all."

Dugu Mu sighed, seemingly not wanting to say too much.

At the same time,

a scout came to report

that the Yan army had crossed the Wei River, and they were coming in an organized manner.

This meant that the Southern Marquis of Yan hadn't paid much attention to Nian Yao inside Zhennan Pass and hadn't even bothered with probing, choosing to cross the river directly.

Otherwise, they couldn't have arrived so quickly.

Although speed was valued in war, that was based on knowing yourself and your enemy. This way of doing things was either extremely arrogant, or it was for a purpose.

Dugu Mu couldn't help but look back.

One dared to detour thousands of *li* to the rear to cause trouble,

the other dared to rush in to rescue, fearing that the other would be surrounded;

this reason seemed absurd, but Dugu Mu felt that the two were truly capable of doing such a thing.

People with ability, people with arrogance,

their style of doing things

departed from the usual conventions.

"Can we stop them?" the Swordsmith asked.

"We'll see," Dugu Mu's eyes narrowed slightly. "If we don't seek a field battle and instead defend the city, we can still hold out for some time. Actually, it still depends on the king's thoughts.

To see if he wants us old fogeys to be wiped out completely,

or whether he wants to retain some seeds and vitality for when he reorganizes the situation in the future."

"I think he'll still leave some vitality. Otherwise, how can he reorganize things from scratch in time?"

"That's hard to say,

it's really hard to say,

the Yan emperor's health is probably really bad. Although I don't believe in things like Cang Fuzi cutting off the dragon vein, seeing him fight year after year these past few years, it's truly urgent.

The Qian emperor is said to often wear Daoist robes and is a registered disciple of the Back Mountain, practicing the art of breathing and cultivating the body. Furthermore, Qian is rich and has a large population, so he can gradually plan for it.

But,

our king,

cough cough..."

Dugu Mu suddenly coughed violently, but his eyes became increasingly sharp,

"Not ascending the throne is a sign of not being in a hurry.

Not taking the opportunity to suppress those noble families involved in the turmoil of the princes is a sign of not being in a hurry.

Today's actions, with the nobles fearing Yan's punishment and desperately trying to protect the country and save themselves, he still sits firmly on the Diaoyutai, still not being in a hurry.

He really is,

not in a hurry,

not in a hurry at all."

The Swordsmith's eyes began to show other thoughts.

"You often accompany him. You should understand him the most. Why isn't he in a hurry? What makes him not in a hurry? Does he have...a lot of time?"

The Swordsmith opened his mouth, but didn't speak.

"Is it because of the spirit in his body?"

"I...don't know."

"Back then, the founding emperor integrated the Fire Phoenix bloodline into himself, and with his family retainers, he killed the leader of the Yue mountain tribes in the Great Marsh. That's recorded in the historical records and in our family records. It's the only time in the past 800 years that a spirit has been integrated into the body.

The founding emperor fought frequently throughout his life and suffered many injuries. He suffered multiple fatal wounds, but he still lived to the age of eighty and died peacefully. The family records say that our ancestors witnessed the founding emperor's remains.

Though the body is dead, the body is not decayed.

Our ancestors left these words with a meaning.

This means that it's very likely that if the founding emperor hadn't experienced so many conquests and suffered so many injuries that damaged his origin, the founding emperor could have lived much longer.

The regent

is the second person in 800 years, after the founding emperor, who can integrate a spirit into his body.

Tell me,

how long

can he live?"

Dugu Mu's slightly withered hand rested on the crenellations of the city wall. He shook his head and smiled.

"I'm old. Once a person gets old, they can clearly feel the limit of their life and a sense of urgency that time waits for no one.

But I've become indifferent. I've really become indifferent.

As for him,

standing next to that chair, not rushing to sit down.

He disdains the ready-made fruits, because he doesn't want to pick them.

Because he can afford to wait,

he feels that

he can live a long time,

long enough for him to start over and rebuild!"

When he said the last four words,

Dugu Mu's eyes, like those of a lone wolf,

stared fixedly at the Swordsmith.

The Swordsmith closed his eyes at this moment.

"Actually, even I don't know if you can kill people, because no one has seen you make a move. But one thing is certain: your vision is definitely far above ordinary people, even far above this old man.

So,

you

should have some idea in your heart,

right?"

The Swordsmith didn't speak.

"Back then, you first stood behind the First Prince and cheered, then you stood behind the Third Prince and waved the flag, and finally, you stood behind the Fourth Prince. The former could give you the materials and sword manuals you wanted. If they wanted to play, you just played with them.

But what about the king?

Why did you finally stand behind the king?"

"There's no reason why."

"No, there is, there must be. There must be something about him that touched you, that made you feel that he was the only one. I understand you, my Dugu family freak. Others don't understand you, but I do.

In your eyes,

there is no sovereign, no father, no elder. Secular ethical principles are not even worth a glance compared to a piece of charcoal in the sword furnace.

But what are you doing now?

You're actually traveling for him?

Working hard for him, doing things for him.

To be honest,

even if I die here,

you'll still leave and won't draw your sword for this old man.

But I feel that

if one day

he's about to die,

you'll stand in front of him.

Whether you can use a sword or kill someone, you will draw your sword for him.

A slave, if you promise him two full meals a day, he'll work hard for you;

a commoner, if you promise him gold and silver, he'll work hard for you;

a rich merchant, if you promise him a better social standing, he'll work hard for you.

Nothing else,

just a pie in the sky.

As for the nobles...

the lives of nobles

are valuable.

How can you sell them?

They are reluctant to sell them unless absolutely necessary.

And you,

your life is the most valuable among the nobles.

What kind of pie did he paint for you

that you're willing to believe in him?"

Dugu Mu suddenly smiled, "Ordinary people only paint the pie, showing you a general idea. They can paint it, but they can't necessarily make it, because who knows what will happen in the future.

Do you

know

that he can live to see the future, so..."

The Swordsmith shook his head.

"Don't know?"

The Swordsmith was silent.

"Don't want to say?"

The Swordsmith remained silent.

"Alright, don't say it. It's fine. But there's one thing I must remind you.

Flowers wither and flourish, people are born, age, get sick, and die.

Emperors, though called Sons of Heaven, can't escape that cycle in the end.

Sons of Heaven also die, so Sons of Heaven have a human touch.

If one truly lives for a long, long time, not to mention immortality, but if one can truly live longer than even the most skilled qi practitioners, will they still have a human touch?"

Hearing this, the Swordsmith turned his head and looked at Dugu Mu.

Dugu Mu suddenly slapped the city wall

and shouted,

"Why did only Qu Tiannan's Azure Luan Army go north to enter Jin back then?

Didn't he look for Shi Yuantang?

Didn't he look for Zhaowen Tong?

Didn't he look for me?

Only Qu Tiannan went, only he went. The three of us didn't agree.

Why?

Hehehehe..."

Dugu Mu laughed dryly,

"Because joining forces with barbarians is shameful, shameful, a disgrace to our ancestors!!!"

Dugu Mu took a deep breath

and roared,

"But he, as a member of the Xiong imperial clan, even we feel ashamed, but he doesn't care. Before Situ Lei died, why did he give the foundation of the Cheng kingdom to Yan?

Was it just to ensure a rich and noble life for his descendants?

Because even Situ Lei, that emperor who came out of nowhere, the so-called founding emperor of Cheng, knew that the distinction between Xia and Yi must be strictly maintained.

But he,

but he,

why doesn't he care?"

Dugu Mu withdrew his hand somewhat dejectedly, placed it behind his back, and his figure also seemed slightly hunched.

He said,

"Boy, don't regret it. Don't regret it in the future. What you see is not the Great Chu you imagined, hahahaha."

………

The conversation ended in silence.

At sunset,

another scout returned, reporting the latest movements of the Yan army.

After receiving the military report,

Dugu Mu froze in place.

The Yan army that crossed the river was divided into two groups, one heading west and the other heading east.

One group had over 80,000 cavalry,

the other group had over 40,000 cavalry,

flying the flags

of the Jingnan Army's main military towns.

Dugu Mu believed that with his 200,000 troops arrayed here, unless the Yan army was collectively blind, they couldn't possibly not see them. But they chose to turn a blind eye to his position and directly bypassed him.

Bypassing Zhennan Pass was understandable, because Jing City was breached, the granary was burned, and the Zhennan Pass army, lacking food support, would not dare to take any other action unless Nian Yao recklessly broke the pot and went out of the city to engage the Yan in a field battle.

But what did it mean

to let him go as well?

Putting him behind them and ignoring him?

He had been preparing to die in battle, and they were just ignoring him?

He had been setting the stage for so long, and they were just ignoring him?

Even Dugu Mu, at his age, finally felt a sense of shame and anger at this moment.

Outrageous,

outrageous!

Cutting the army into different segments, with you in this segment and me in the next, what exactly are you trying to do, Tian Wujing, by taking such a risk!

Dugu Mu wondered,

"Are they rushing to meet the Pingye Duke he personally promoted?"

Immediately,

Dugu Mu shook his head.

That wasn't likely, that wasn't likely.

No matter what,

it wasn't worth it to go to such lengths to save someone he valued, even if that person was his personally chosen successor.

Then...

Dugu Mu suddenly felt a twitch in his heart.

Could it be?

………

One of the two armies, the one heading east, was led by Luo Ling. His goal was to bypass the Chu army in Huanggu County and directly meet the Yan army operating behind them, the Pingye Duke's force.

Liang Cheng was also in this force.

But what Liang Cheng saw was that Jingnan King himself was not in this force.

In Liang Cheng's view,

was there anything more important to Jingnan King than personally "saving" his own lord?

If there was,

what would it be?

………

Jingnan King's royal banner was in the western army.

After most of the army had bypassed the Huanggu County garrison area and confirmed that the Chu army inside hadn't stuck to them,

under the royal banner,

many messengers rode their horses to the various units of the western army, conveying the new military orders issued by Jingnan King.

The orders were consistent:

all units were to immediately turn south,

men could rest, but not the horses,

the spearhead pointed at

Yingdu!