Chapter 629: Those Who Fail to Carry Out Orders, Destroy Them!

Countless large and small ships lined the riverbank. Yan lay on the opposite shore, the two armies facing each other across the river.

Luo Zhao, Grand Commander-in-Chief of Song, was tall and strikingly handsome, earning him the elegant nickname Jade-Faced Gentleman. Clad in silver armor, he stood on high ground beside the river, star-bright eyes gazing into the distance. One hand rested on the treasured sword at his waist, while his white cloak snapped in the wind above the rolling, rippling waters.

After watching for a while, he turned back. Someone brought over a white horse. Luo Zhao mounted, spurred it away, and returned with his guards following.

Back inside the central command tent, he was about to remove his shoulder cloak when someone approached from behind to help him out of his armor.

Luo Zhao's nostrils stirred slightly. Lowering his gaze, he saw a pair of fair, delicate hands reach around from behind his neck to undo the ties. A smile touched the corner of his mouth. With a clang, he drew his sword, whirled abruptly, and laid the blade across the neck of a slight young soldier.

"Where did this assassin come from?"

The soldier in the felt cap jumped in fright and looked up in alarm, revealing a face lovely as a flower. The moment she saw the teasing smile on Luo Zhao's face, she knew she had been fooled.

She had meant to surprise him. Instead, he had frightened her.

At once she stopped caring whether there was a sword at her throat. Raising her long, fair neck, she deliberately pressed toward the blade and said in a sweet, clear voice, "Go on. Try killing me."

Her teeth were pearly white, and her voice exceedingly pleasant.

The young soldier was none other than Feng Guan'er in men's clothing, Luo Zhao's wedded wife.

Even dressed as an ordinary soldier, she could not conceal the peerless beauty said to sink fish, bring down geese, hide the moon, and shame the flowers.

The two had first met in the Song capital, in the season when a hundred flowers were in bloom.

Luo Zhao had just returned victorious from campaign and was leading his men into the city. At the head of the column he rode a white horse, silver spear in hand, clad in silver armor and a white cloak, heroic and dashing. No one knew how many young women along the road whispered shyly among themselves at the sight of him.

Feng Guan'er had descended from Lingxiao Pavilion to visit the capital. When the army entered the city, she too stood among the crowds making way. From the murmurs around her, she learned who the general on the white horse with the silver spear was.

Luo Zhao had already ridden past her when a bird suddenly called from a tree beyond the courtyard wall behind her. The sound made him glance back.

He saw her by the roadside.

Their eyes met, and from that moment it seemed they could no longer part. Luo Zhao reined in his horse and raised one hand. The entire army halted.

He wheeled his mount around. Hooves clopped back to Feng Guan'er, and he looked down at her from horseback.

Still only a maiden, Feng Guan'er refused to be cowed and proudly lifted her head to meet his gaze.

After studying her for a moment, Luo Zhao smiled. Holding his spear, he cupped his hands and said, "This general is Luo Zhao. I would like to grow old together with you."

The crowds on every side erupted in astonishment. Luo Zhao had already bent down and extended a hand toward her.

Feng Guan'er flushed slightly and said with disdain, "You're a general of Song, at least. Acting this rudely in public, aren't you ashamed?"

"I'm not afraid. Are you?" Luo Zhao asked with a smile.

As though moved by some unseen hand, Feng Guan'er reached out and placed her hand in his. An instant later she gave a soft cry of surprise as Luo Zhao swept her up onto the horse and gathered her into his arms, the two sharing one saddle.

Feng Guan'er's attendants were horrified. "General Luo, you mustn't be so rude!"

Luo Zhao paid them no heed. Amid their shouts and pursuit, he rode off alone, leaving his army behind and galloping straight toward the imperial city.

All along the way came startled cries and countless admiring looks at the romantic spectacle.

He took Feng Guan'er directly into the palace to face the Song Emperor and asked His Majesty to bestow a marriage upon them.

When he made the request, he did not even know who Feng Guan'er was or what her name was. The Song Emperor was utterly bewildered by the whole affair.

Fortunately, someone beside the Emperor recognized Feng Guan'er and knew she was the granddaughter of Lingxiao Pavilion's previous Sect Leader.

Once her identity was known, matters became easier. The Emperor's adopted son and the granddaughter of Lingxiao Pavilion's previous Sect Leader were a suitable match in status. The Song Emperor agreed in principle, but said Lingxiao Pavilion would still have to consent given Feng Guan'er's identity.

As far as Luo Zhao was concerned, the Emperor's agreement was enough.

When he led Feng Guan'er out of the palace, cultivators from Lingxiao Pavilion stationed there blocked their path.

Luo Zhao handed Feng Guan'er the sword in his hand. The two understood each other without a word. Feng Guan'er drew the blade at once and ordered Lingxiao Pavilion's people to stand aside.

And so Luo Zhao took Feng Guan'er home.

The palace sent someone after him with a warning: do not act recklessly. Wait until Lingxiao Pavilion agreed first.

Luo Zhao's answer was that if he let the chance slip, he would regret it for the rest of his life. He could not give Lingxiao Pavilion a chance to go back on the match. He would sleep with her first and discuss the rest afterward!

He truly did exactly what he said.

Marriage could wait. That very day, they brought forward what ought to have happened in the bridal chamber.

Sure enough, Lingxiao Pavilion was left with no chance to object. Things had already gone that far, so the sect could only agree.

The only pity was that no one knew how many Lingxiao Pavilion disciples had secretly admired the former Sect Leader's granddaughter. Who could have imagined an outsider would suddenly pluck away that flower? Many disciples of Lingxiao Pavilion were left heartsick and dejected.

Even the Song Emperor was left thoroughly stifled. He had originally intended to marry one of his own daughters, a princess, to Luo Zhao. Who could have imagined that the usually steady Luo Zhao would suddenly do something like this...

Back in the present, Luo Zhao feared he might truly injure her. He drew the sword away from her neck and, without even looking, sent it back into its sheath with a swish.

A pair of soft fists immediately began pounding against his chest.

Luo Zhao laughed loudly and caught both her wrists.

Feng Guan'er asked with a smile, "How did you know it was me?"

"I knew the beauty by her fragrance."

Feng Guan'er covered a delighted little laugh.

Then Luo Zhao's expression suddenly became serious. "Why did you come?"

Her bright eyes flickered. She wound both arms around his neck and gazed up at him tenderly. "I missed you. May I stay by your side and be the red sleeve who adds fragrance for you?"

Luo Zhao shook his head. "There is no place in an army for lovers to linger over private affection. Go back at once!"

Feng Guan'er rose onto her toes, pressed her cherry lips to his, and held him tightly...

Outside the tent, the personal guards pulled the entrance flap closed. A row of men took up positions before it, allowing no one to approach.

After a brief spring tryst, the sound of a qin drifted from the rear chamber. Husband and wife sat there clad only in thin robes.

Luo Zhao sat cross-legged playing the qin. Feng Guan'er, her long hair loose and cheeks still flushed, lay against his back with half-closed eyes, her face full of warm contentment.

As he played, Luo Zhao said, "An army is no place to linger over the entanglements of love. It can unsettle military morale. Return to the capital soon."

Feng Guan'er asked, "Who knows when this war will end?"

"When the time comes for it to end, naturally it will end."

"I heard the delay has dragged on and on, and now you're simply confronting Yan across the line. Since this wastes the labor and wealth of the people, wouldn't it be better to withdraw the army sooner?"

Luo Zhao only smiled and said nothing.

With the situation already at this point, how could the army withdraw lightly?

Even if no major battle could be fought, they still had to drag the confrontation out. All the rulers of the various states surely understood what an opportunity this was to wear down the strength of the cultivation world.

As Grand Commander-in-Chief of Song, how could Luo Zhao fail to understand the Emperor's intention? That was precisely why he had not launched a reckless assault.

Some things could be understood by those capable of understanding them, but absolutely could not be spoken aloud.

Not even to husband and wife.

...

Aboard the Scarlet Hunting Eagle, Lei Zongkang and Wu Sanliang spotted the distant mountains and exchanged a look. Although they had long been prepared for this possibility, neither could hide the shock in his eyes.

That mountain country was a highland natural barrier separating Zhao from Wei.

Deep within those mountains, the highest peak was where Misty Pavilion stood.

No other sect dared establish itself anywhere in that region.

"Go!" Wu Sanliang shouted in a low voice.

The Scarlet Hunting Eagle immediately wheeled away. They did not dare approach the area at all, afraid the people there might see them.

Yuan Gang had warned them of this in advance.

He had specifically said that the Goldenwing they were following might very well be heading to Misty Pavilion. If that suspicion was confirmed, they were absolutely not to approach Misty Pavilion's territory. They were to turn back immediately.

That warning was not based solely on the fact that Yuan Gang and Niu Youdao already harbored considerable suspicion.

The Goldenwing's direction of travel had also matched the route Yuan Gang had drawn on a map when predicting its destination.

The two men had spent considerable effort tracking the Goldenwing this far. Because of Yuan Gang's warning, they had detoured around every high mountain they encountered as well, afraid that watchers might have been stationed on the peaks. If the terrain brought them too close to the Scarlet Hunting Eagle, discovery would become much more likely.

...

Guests arrived at Maolu Villa.

Three Black Jade Eagles descended. A wheelchair was lifted down from one of them, with Meng Shanming seated inside. The others who had come were guards sent to receive him.

For Meng Shanming's safety, Guan Fangyi had personally gone to escort him. She had brought only Meng Shanming from the prefectural capital. Even Luo Da'an, his disciple who normally pushed his wheelchair, had been left behind.

Niu Youdao came out personally to receive the guest. He hurried forward and cupped his hands. "Marshal Meng, inviting you all this way was truly presumptuous of me. Please forgive the imposition."

Meng Shanming returned the salute. "Master Dao is embarrassing this old man. If anything, I would gladly stay at Maolu Villa for a long while."

Niu Youdao gestured.

Duan Hu stepped forward to push the wheelchair, and the group headed toward the rear courtyards.

Shang Shuqing, who happened to be nearby, heard the familiar sound of the wheelchair. She came over to look, and when she saw Meng Shanming, she was greatly surprised. Naturally, she went forward to greet him.

Once they reached Niu Youdao's room in the inner courtyard, Guan Fangyi, Duan Hu, and everyone else withdrew. Only Niu Youdao and Meng Shanming remained.

Meng Shanming took in the arrangement and grew somewhat suspicious. "Master Dao, why did you summon me?"

Niu Youdao personally poured tea and placed the cup before him. "My earlier reply to the Prince was somewhat intemperate. His Highness won't blame me, will he?"

Hearing that this was what he meant, Meng Shanming quickly waved a hand. "Nothing of the sort! The Prince was simply too impulsive. But there was a reason for it. Prince Ning spent his entire life campaigning to pacify Yan. His Highness has his father's spirit, and he is also a prince of the Shang imperial clan. He cannot simply stand by and watch. With that hot blood in his chest, some impulsiveness is inevitable. I ask Master Dao to understand."

Niu Youdao smiled. "A little impulsiveness is good. A man who only bows and obeys can never become a good commander. Without some blood in his veins, how could he carve out a foundation in troubled times? I wouldn't have stayed with the Prince until today otherwise."

"But hot blood is one thing. Losing one's head and acting recklessly is another. The Prince listens to Marshal Meng. Please remind him often."

Meng Shanming nodded without answering the request directly. Instead he asked, "Did Master Dao call this old man here only for that?"

Niu Youdao waved a hand. "Marshal Meng is a famous general of his generation, almost divine in the use of troops. I asked to speak with you face-to-face because I want your advice. If Nanzhou sends troops, how confident are you that you can pacify Yan's internal rebellion?"

The question left Meng Shanming silent for a long time. At last he answered thoughtfully, "It would be easy, and it would also be difficult."

Niu Youdao gave a questioning sound. "How easy would the easy part be?"

Meng Shanming stroked his beard, a growing gleam in his eyes. "If the necessary conditions are in place, give me one month and I can sweep away Cangzhou's rebel army!"

Niu Youdao was surprised.

It was not that he doubted Meng Shanming's ability, but the claim seemed rather exaggerated. Merely moving great armies back and forth consumed no small amount of time. How could the rebellion possibly be crushed in one month?

He reminded him, "The rebels now have two million men gathered under their banner. How could Nanzhou's forces pacify them within a month?"

Meng Shanming gave a cold laugh. An indescribable martial authority suddenly seemed to settle over him.

"Nothing but a rabble. They are hardly worth a blow. So long as the regional armies work together with one heart, they are more than enough to pacify them!"

Niu Youdao smiled bitterly. "Even the imperial court cannot make the regional lords obediently follow its orders. Why would they obey me?"

A sharp light flashed in Meng Shanming's eyes. "Simple! Draw up the battle plan and order the regional armies to carry it out. Those who fail to carry out the orders, destroy them!"

"Nanzhou's army will not suppress the rebels. It will suppress the regional lords!"

[End of Chapter 629]