Chapter Nine: The Invincible Left Bank Section Eleven: The New Overlord of the Northern Land

Section Eleven: The New Overlord of the North

July had not known Ling Luo well, but seeing how deeply he cared for Bu Jingxian, she felt their friendship had not been in vain. Her fondness for him grew; she was willing to consider him a friend. Rising, she took the jade pendant, and as she held it, a sudden vigor filled her body, her mind cleared in waves.

“It truly is a treasure,” she murmured.

She hung it at her waist, and when she resumed her martial practice, the stubborn feeling in her core—the inability to fuel her internal flames—vanished. Though her progress remained slow, hope now stirred within her, filling her heart with joy and gratitude for Ling Luo’s assistance. Before the Martial Tournament, she anticipated mastering her skills and thus felt less anxious. Recalling Autumn Leaf’s advice, she practiced for half an hour and then rested by the water for fifteen minutes.

The woods were silent, but she paid no heed; yet, alone like this, her thoughts drifted inevitably to the hardships she once endured with Bu Jingxian by her side. She had always believed that her freedom back then was thanks to him, and that everything she had now was because of him. Otherwise, she would still be a slave, sold over and over for eating too much.

Thinking of Bu Jingxian, July also remembered Zheng Linran.

In the past, July had always admired Zheng Linran in the Flying Immortal Sect, believing she was good in every way. Because Zheng Linran was engaged to Bu Jingxian, July regarded her as family. Last year, however, July quarreled with Zheng Linran—a first in her years at the sect.

Bu Jingxian’s memorial day was approaching; July heard Zheng Linran had business outside and did not intend to attend. July’s anger flared uncontrollably—she stormed into Zheng Linran’s quarters and demanded an explanation. Zheng Linran’s response only fueled her wrath; the matters at hand could easily be delegated—how could anything be more important than honoring Bu Jingxian? Zheng Linran lost her temper as well, and the argument escalated. Zheng Linran even threatened her with the authority of the sect leader, but July ignored her, pointing and accusing her of being cold and unfeeling.

As things reached a fever pitch, Autumn Leaf sent a false message to Ling Luo, claiming Zheng Linran had invited them to discuss Bu Jingxian’s memorial. They were all in the capital at the time; Ling Luo, accompanied by Princess Tianlai, arrived shortly. Zheng Linran, believing it was July’s doing, changed her demeanor and went along, claiming the matter was true, though inwardly she was furious with July.

From that day forward, July felt Zheng Linran’s words and heart were at odds, that she was utterly indifferent to Bu Jingxian, and July no longer wished to be close to her.

“Brother Bu—after the Martial Tournament, I’ll come pay my respects, and let you witness July’s mastery of the Supreme Tenfold Heart Technique—”

July shouted to the heavens, hoping that the star belonging to Bu Jingxian among the countless ones above would hear her.

At last, she tossed her long hair and dove once more into the water.

The world was at peace, and the people of all nations rejoiced.

Yet their kings knew the wars would soon reignite; some rulers would be forced, others would act by choice.

The Black Wolf Tribe, after the ceasefire, endured six months of internal strife. When the major clans had satisfied their thirst for plunder, stability gradually returned. Da Luobi stood forth, proposing an end to the infighting. The great clans, having fought enough, readily agreed. The smaller and middling clans still quarreled out of old grudges, but no longer threatened the broader order.

At this time, many major clans of the Black Wolf Tribe suddenly learned that the Sunset Clan of North Shade City now commanded an army of three hundred and eighty thousand, dominating eight million square kilometers of grassland. During the chaos, distant clans heard only that the Sunset Sect was raiding in the east, but it seemed irrelevant, and none paid much attention. Only when some sizable clans were defeated by Sunset did they pause in surprise.

No one had imagined that, in the blink of an eye, the Sunset Clan would become the mighty Luobi of the great grasslands.

After Da Luobi had demarcated the current borders of the clans, he sent for the Sunset Clan’s Luobi to join the Black Wolf Tribe’s council. Those who had just learned of the Sunset Clan’s newfound power exchanged incredulous glances—they could hardly believe that the Sunset Clan, in just over a year, had claimed nearly a quarter of the Black Wolf Tribe’s lands.

“Fight, fight, fight! This is what your fighting has brought about!” Da Luobi cast these words behind him and strode out of the tent.

The assembled Luobi stared at one another, realizing only now that they had let another reap the fisherman’s profit. Compared to Sunset, their gains were pitiful; each was bitterly disappointed, angry that they had not seen it sooner. None had expected the barren eastern lands, lacking major clans, would turn out like this.

They had always thought the east had vast lands but complex terrain and many small clans, yet few people. The highlands stretched for hundreds of miles without a soul, and each clan’s plunder was scant, scattered among many fronts, and transport was difficult. None wanted to bother with minor skirmishes out there. So they all focused on similar territories, fighting and bickering endlessly. In the end, none had seized the fat spoils; the loot was split among several, and none gained much.

If only they had targeted the eastern clans from the start.

“Infuriating!” One Luobi slammed the table and stormed off.

“Damn it!” another cursed, flinging his hand as he left.

The rest exchanged glances, shaking their heads in helpless frustration.

Da Luobi’s envoy galloped to the Sunset Clan’s territory, loudly proclaiming his orders along the way. No one from the Sunset Clan barred his passage. After riding another three hundred miles, he saw many slave laborers working on the plains, and approached one, asking, “Why are you destroying the grasslands?”

“To build a city,” the laborer replied, raising his head to glance at the envoy before returning to directing the lesser slaves.

“A city? Hmph! I hear the Left Bank Luobi hails from the Seven Greats—don’t let outsiders manipulate you!” the envoy warned.

“Ridiculous! The Luobi is a wanted criminal in three kingdoms—enemy to Zheng, Chu, and Chen. You don’t even know that?”

The envoy felt his temper rising, surprised by the laborer’s brazenness, and mounted his steed to continue his journey. Along the way, he saw many grasslands converted to farmland, with slaves toiling in the fields. He grew more aggrieved—the beautiful grasslands had been ruined by the Sunset Clan! He vowed to report to Da Luobi and urge him to intervene.

When Star of Worship heard Da Luobi’s envoy had arrived, she rode out of the city to meet him. The envoy did not recognize her, insisting the letter must be delivered personally to the Left Bank Luobi.

The city guards laughed, “Luobi is not in the city. This is his wife, our clan’s holy maiden! What are you worried about?”

The envoy handed over the letter, sizing up Star of Worship—she was exceedingly beautiful, and he privately thought the Left Bank Luobi was truly fortunate. He mounted his horse and returned the way he came.

The Sunset Clan had long awaited this letter.

Star of Worship took it and rode toward the great river.

She searched along the banks for Black Dragon, Bu Jingxian’s steed, traveling three miles before she finally spotted it. Dismounting, she hugged the dragon’s neck affectionately. “Good boy, watching over your master’s armor.” The steed greeted her warmly, nuzzling her and nodding toward Bu Jingxian’s direction. Star of Worship stood by the riverbank and called out, “Jingxian! Jingxian! Da Luobi has sent a letter—”

Bu Jingxian, practicing underwater, surfaced at the sound and swam to the shore, where Star of Worship pulled him up.

She scolded, “Why are you naked again? Hoping to run into some woman in the river?”