Xiao Zhen received news of Xiao Man leaving home when Xiao Man was already far away at the border. He could only announce to the outside world that Xiao Man had been sent back to their ancestral home in Cangzhou to recuperate. Upon learning that Chu Qingge was with Xiao Man, Xiao Luo also set off back to Yunzhong City, as a tough battle still awaited them there.
Nangong Cheng had originally thought that a small country like Wuyue would be easy to deal with. Moreover, Wuyue was merely a border principality with a population of less than twenty thousand, possessing nothing. Yet, it was precisely this insignificant nation that had caused him to suffer three consecutive defeats!
"Useless, all of you are useless! You can't even conquer a border country. What good are you?" Nangong Cheng was furious. He had thought this would be an easy assignment, and he could even seize military authority. Who knew he would repeatedly lose? In three engagements with Wuyue, he had been defeated!
The leading general remained silent. The King of Han had no understanding of military strategy and gave reckless orders. When they shouldn't have pursued, he insisted on doing so, falling into the enemy's trap of luring them deeper. When they should have pursued, he was timid and hesitant, nearly allowing their base to be overrun! Yet, he couldn't say a word.
"Go prepare. We will launch a full assault tomorrow. I refuse to believe that the small Wuyue country can stand against a hundred thousand iron cavalry!"
In the Wuyue royal palace, Wu Yu's face was extremely grim. He never imagined that Yusheng would use the excuse of the Emperor being attacked to launch an invasion against Wuyue!
"Father, Yusheng's hundred thousand iron cavalry are just outside. What should we do?"
"If the commander this time were Prince Qin, Nangong Yu, we would naturally be no match for him. Fortunately, it is the King of Han, Nangong Cheng, who knows nothing of military strategy."
"Father, I have also heard of this Nangong Cheng. Compared to Prince Qin and the Crown Prince, he is indeed not outstanding. However, if the Emperor appointed him to lead the army, he must have some extraordinary capabilities," Wulana analyzed carefully. "Could it be that the other side is deliberately showing weakness to lure us into a false sense of security, and then launching a counterattack when we are relaxed?"
"It's possible. We must not be careless from now on," Wu Yu said in a low voice. "General Moke, be extremely cautious. For some reason, I feel uneasy, as if something is about to happen."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Father, Bai Ling has returned," Wulana said after a long hesitation. Bai Ling's return at this time should have been morale-boosting for them, but the person who took Bai Ling away made Wu Yu exceptionally wary.
"She has returned? Alone?" Wu Yu asked excitedly.
"Not alone; she has a man with her." A flicker of disgust crossed Wulana's eyes. "A holy maiden of the highest order, acting so shamelessly, openly traveling with a man."
"She returned with the man who took her away?" Wu Yu's hands trembled. If that were the case, Wuyue might be utterly finished.
"No, it's another stranger. He has a hideous scar across his face that looks terrifying."
Wu Yu immediately breathed a sigh of relief. As long as it wasn't *that* person, it was fine. "No matter what she has returned for, do not provoke her. From the moment she left Wuyue, Wuyue has had no Holy Maiden."
"But she has entered the palace and requested an audience with you," Wulana said, reluctant to mention it. She was no match for Bai Ling. Bai Ling's蛊术 (gu術) was exceptionally refined. If Bai Ling caused trouble at this moment, Wuyue would be facing both internal and external crises.
"She wishes to see me?" Wu Yu was somewhat surprised. Why would Bai Ling want to see him?
"Yes."
"Let her in." For some reason, Wu Yu felt that Bai Ling's request for an audience was not simply for old times' sake. His impression of this former Holy Maiden was still of her being covered in blood, taken away by *that* person, who had brought him endless nightmares!
The current Bai Ling had changed out of her black sacrificial robes, but she still wore Wuyue attire. Only now she was not barefoot; she wore a pair of cloth shoes of the same color and walked in with light steps. Behind her followed a man holding a sword, exuding a powerful aura that dared not be underestimated.
"Your Majesty the King, Bai Ling pays her respects."
"Holy Maiden, there is no need for such formality."
"Your Majesty likely forgot. I am no longer the Holy Maiden of Wuyue," Bai Ling said with a joyful smile on her usually cool and serene face. "I am now merely Bai Ling." Sudangemini.com
"Then why have you returned?"
"Today, Bai Ling comes as an envoy, to negotiate with Your Majesty on behalf of my master."
"Your master..." Wu Yu's heart lurched. He had a vague guess but was unwilling to believe it.
"My master, I believe Your Majesty has already guessed," Bai Ling said, her smile unchanged. "Wuyue faces Yusheng's hundred thousand troops with no chance of victory."
"Who says there's no chance? If we fight with all our might, we might not lose!" Wulana retorted.
"Your Majesty should know very well why I say you have no chance of victory. After all, in the past, you deployed the entire nation's strength but lost to a mere vanguard of two thousand men."
Wu Yu's face turned ashen. So, it was indeed *that* person who had taken Bai Ling. She was still alive. Had the news of her death spread through Yunqi to cover her tracks, to dominate the world, or was there another purpose?
"She... is still alive?" Wu Yu asked after a long silence.
Bai Ling nodded without hesitation. "She does not wish for pointless bloodshed. If Your Majesty is willing to surrender, Yusheng's hundred thousand troops are nothing to fear. If Your Majesty refuses to surrender, from this day forward, there will be no more Wuyue country in this world!"
"What arrogance..."
"Silence!" Wu Yu berated Wulana. "What exactly does she want? Does she want to help Yunqi unify the world?"
"Yunqi is already beyond her sphere of protection. Or rather, one day, Yunqi will also be trampled beneath her feet," Bai Ling's voice sounded naive, even fantastical, but Wu Yu knew that *that* person was capable of it!
"Has the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry already been stationed in Wuyue?" Wu Yu asked in a low voice. "They've been waiting in Wuyue since they rescued you, haven't they?"
"Your Majesty, you are mistaken. The Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry has been stationed in Wuyue for a very long time. Wuyue has complex incoming and outgoing personnel, making it easy to conceal identities. She had planned to conquer this land long ago. Wuyue is merely the beginning."
Upon hearing this, cold sweat dripped from Wu Yu's forehead. Such a terrifying army, hidden in Wuyue, and he hadn't been aware of it! Wuyue had no choice but to surrender.
"Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry..." Although Wulana was young, she knew of the Scarlet Feather Iron Cavalry. That battle years ago had nearly crippled Wuyue. "Empress Dowager Yunqi is here!"
"Your Majesty, I am awaiting your reply," Bai Ling reminded him. "My master is not a patient person, especially when victory is within grasp."
Wu Yu closed his eyes, letting all his emotions settle. Facing *that* person, all resistance was futile. "I am willing to surrender."