The Blade-Wielding Legend

Northern Border, Zhenyuan Castle.

The leaden grey sky hung low, pressing down on the vast snowy plains.

The north wind whipped up tiny ice crystals, lashing against the mottled battlements of Zhenyuan Castle.

Garrison Commander Chen Zhenshan leaned against the cold brick wall, his knuckles turning white from exertion.

As far as the eye could see, the horizon at the edge of the snowfield was densely covered with black tent camps, like spreading frostbite, almost covering the entire view.

The flags of the Rashka Duchy coalition fluttered fiercely in the cold wind. Cossack cavalry wrapped in thick furs rode around the outer perimeter of the camp, occasionally shouting rough cries. One could even see small groups driving prey at the edge of the distant forest, leisurely as if hunting in their own backyard.

"General, this... this isn’t right."

Deputy General Wang rubbed his frozen hands, his brows knitted tightly, "Surrounding but not attacking, and so... so leisurely? What are they waiting for?"

Chen Zhenshan exhaled a breath of white air, which turned into frosty mist in the cold air: "They’re waiting for us to lose patience, for our supplies to run out, or... for good news from elsewhere."

His voice was low, as he looked thoughtfully into the distance, "Go, send a squad of elite cavalry, carry the flag out of the castle, and ask these Rakshasa barbarians, why are they deploying troops at our Great Xuan Northern Border without cause? If they want war, then let there be war, no need for pretense!"

An hour later, the scouts brought back an almost absurd reply.

A Cossack centurion, speaking in halting Han, arrogantly declared: Due to Great Xuan’s recent unfounded strict investigations and arrests of its vassal state’s merchants, causing severe losses and humiliation to Rashka’s merchant team. This massive army was brought to the border merely to "demand justice," requiring a formal apology and compensation from the Great Xuan Court.

"Nonsense!"

After hearing the report, Chen Zhenshan slammed his palm onto the brick wall, shaking off piles of snow, "A few merchants? Is it necessary to gather tens of thousands of iron cavalry? Their ambitions are as clear as day! It’s obvious it’s that Jianmu demon’s doing, offering them great benefits, to tie up our Northern Border army, allowing Liaodong to act freely!"

Deputy General Wang was worried: "General, then we...?"

"What to do?" A cold light flashed in Chen Zhenshan’s eyes, "Hold firm! Send an urgent report of eight hundred miles, detailing this situation along with Rashka’s nonsense, word for word, to the Capital!"

"Our reinforcements are already on the way, calculating their speed, they’ll arrive in no more than five days. Do these barbarians think they can take advantage? Hmph, this Zhenyuan Castle of mine will break their teeth!"

"Pass the order, string the bows, unsheath the swords, have the logs and stones ready, keep the kerosene heated day and night! They want to delay? I’ll delay with them! Let’s see who can’t hold out first!"

......

Divine Capital, Yangxin Hall.

The charcoal fire warmed Yangxin Hall, but the heavy atmosphere inside could not be dispelled.

The eight hundred-mile urgent military report from the Northern Border, along with the Rashka people’s set of "merchant insult" excuses, was spread out on the Imperial Desk. Emperor Xiao Qixuan had a somber expression, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the purple sandalwood tabletop.

Below, the Grand Secretary, the Minister of War, the Minister of Revenue, and several other important officials stood solemnly.

"Dear ministers, discuss with me. The Rashka people’s excuse is ridiculously clumsy." Xiao Qixuan’s voice gave no hint of emotion.

The Grand Secretary stroked his beard and slowly said: "Your Majesty, this is a case of ’Xiang Zhuang performed the sword dance, but his intention was to kill the Duke of Pei.’ The excuse is false, the real intent is to distract. Jianmu demon Zhao Changsheng must have tempted them with benefits from Liaodong or Goryeo, driving this Evil Wolf to gnaw at our Northern Border’s foundation, making it hard to attend to both ends."

"Since we know it’s a stratagem, wouldn’t it be better to ignore it?" An old minister tentatively suggested, "General Chen at the Northern Border is a seasoned commander, the fortress is strong and supplies sufficient, with reinforcements imminent, there should be no worry. Liaodong and Goryeo are the true threats..."

"Foolish!"

Minister of War Sun Chengzong suddenly raised his head, his voice booming like a bell: "War is a matter of life and death! How can we entertain such wishful thinking? The Rakshasa barbarians have the nature of wolves and tigers! They may seem leisurely now, but they are sharpening their teeth, waiting for the opportunity!"

"Once there’s any unfavorable turn in Liaodong’s battle, or if Chen Zhenshan shows even the slightest weakness, these wolves pretending to hunt will immediately pounce and tear Zhenyuan Castle to pieces, bones and all!"

"If the Northern Border breaks, the gateway to the Central Plains will be wide open, and the consequences will be unimaginable! We cannot take that gamble!"

He turned to Xiao Qixuan, clasped his hands solemnly, and said: "Your Majesty! I request an immediate order for all northern border garrisons to strengthen their defenses, accelerate reinforcements! Meanwhile, the war at Liaodong and Goryeo... must break the stalemate soon!"

"Otherwise, with enemies on both fronts, the nation is in danger!"

Xiao Qixuan’s gaze seemed to penetrate the heavy palace walls, casting a distant glance to the northeast.

In that direction, there was White Mountain and Black Water, and the Goryeo battlefield, immersed in a bloody struggle.

He slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue that was difficult to detect: "Zhao Changsheng... truly a master of strategies. As for the Northern Border, do as Sun Qing suggests, tighten defenses, hasten reinforcements. As for Goryeo..."

He paused, his eyes becoming sharp, "Issue my decree, invite the Wudang Sect Leader, Yu Chanzi, to proceed, and the troops of every Cave Heaven Blessed Land within the Divine State patrol day and night. Should they discover any treachery, kill without mercy!"

......

Goryeo Frontier, riverside snowy plains.

The cold wind, like being wrapped in icy shards, beat mercilessly against Li Yan’s back.

He lay over the back of a captured Japanese warhorse, its mouth and nose spewing thick white breaths while its four hooves trudged laboriously through the deep snow, and its speed gradually slowed down.

Li Yan’s complexion was as pale as the snow on the ground, his lips cracked and purple, each breath tugging painfully at his chest, bringing pain like a knife and burning heat.

Forcing the "North Emperor Mysterious Water Escape" to break out from the Fu Xi’s Eight Trigrams formation in White Tiger Gully and evading several encirclements had nearly drained his last bit of spirit and Gang Qi.

The Hook Paper in his embrace was icy cold, and he tried to communicate with the Yin Department Soldiers, but it was like sinking a stone into the sea.

After all, being outside the Divine State, there wasn’t time to waste.

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