Chapter Nine: The Left Shore of Ten Thousand Enemies, Section Fourteen: The Winds and Clouds of Zhou Capital (Part Two)

Fourteenth Section: The Winds of Zhou Capital (Part Two)

The Zheng Army's city gate opened, and a large group of cavalry galloped out of the city, racing straight toward Zhou Capital.

Bu Jing Xian had just finished searching the seventeenth fake lake. He had bent low for a long time beneath the artificial rock, finally feeling a square, ice-cold object. Taking it out and examining it under the moonlight, the jade flowed with a faint green glow. Indeed, it was a treasured jade!

He quickly stowed the jade seal. As he left the water, he saw rockets soaring across the sky. Hurriedly tearing off a piece of cloth, wetting it, he covered the horse's eyes and wrapped its mouth and nose. He feared that if the fire started, the horse's eyes would be scorched by smoke and fire, or poisoned by the noxious fumes. Warhorses were not afraid of darkness; when they could not see, they relied entirely on the rider to control direction.

Bu Jing Xian urged his horse forward, galloping out of the city. With one hand he wielded the wet cloth, swatting at the rockets that came dangerously close.

Inside the imperial palace, Black Wolf Clan members swarmed everywhere, fleeing in panic. Many companions whose clothes and hair had caught fire set others ablaze. Countless eunuchs and palace maids died tragically on the ground, their cries, shouts, and curses rising and falling in chaos.

Bu Jing Xian charged out through the imperial city's west gate, veering north.

At this time the entire city was engulfed in flames. He wrapped his mouth and nose in wet cloth, yet still felt the choking gas invading his lungs with unbearable irritation. The warhorse could not see anything, yet it sensed the terrifying heat all around. Bu Jing Xian occasionally drenched its fur with water from his pouch, preventing it from suffering too much discomfort and making it far less likely for flames to ignite its mane.

One man and one horse rushed out of the north gate in a single breath, as if bursting from hell into heaven.

The heat from the city's great fire grew distant behind them. The worried soldiers outside the gate saw him return and cheered, calling out Luo Bi again and again.

"Zhao Ji, escort the Emperor and the Empress back to the palace. Zhao Tian, lead fifty thousand troops to the south gate to scout the situation. If necessary, assist Da Luo Bi in escaping or repelling the enemy. Gui Jian Chou, lead ten thousand men to wait on the slope east of the great river. Upon receiving Zhao Tian's request for aid, move immediately. City Guard, lead fifty thousand troops to the valley five miles south of Zhou Capital, circling around by the river's course. Ignore any Zheng Army heading toward Zhou Capital; when you see them retreating, strike out and kill. The rest of you follow me to the south gate to repel the Zheng Army!"

After issuing the orders, he noticed Gui Jian Chou still unmoved and could not help but rebuke him sternly.

"Luo Bi, since we are safe now, why bother fighting the Zheng Army to the death? How many more must die and be wounded?"

Bu Jing Xian surveyed the assembled crowd, seeing that not only Gui Jian Chou held such thoughts. He spoke in a low, commanding tone: "How many of our people did the Zheng Army poison today? If we do not severely wound them tonight, they will certainly advance with full strength tomorrow. Beyond the Chang River lies our clan's land. When their great army comes to invade, far more will perish than tonight—our women and children will suffer as well. When else should we fight if not tonight?"

The crowd stirred with renewed fighting spirit and pledged their obedience.

Bu Jing Xian led the force around the city to the south gate. As they passed the east gate, they encountered a few thousand Zheng Army. Sensing the overwhelming momentum, they hastily retreated. Only when pursued all the way to the south gate and merged with the main body did they turn to engage.

Bu Jing Xian leaped down from his horse, leading the charge single-handedly. Fists and feet moved like a storm, carving through the enemy as though the field were empty. He rushed to the south gate in a single breath and saw two Luo Bi desperately holding the line against the Zheng forces, unable to break free. He seized six iron spears, gripping them horizontally with both hands, and drove forward with crushing force against the Zheng Army pouring through the south gate.

The enemy horde, like ants, was pushed back continuously by his alone.

The Luo Bi at the south gate watched in stunned admiration, as if seeing gods descend. As they exited the gate they cupped their fists in gratitude. "Many thanks to the Left Bank Luo Bi for saving our lives!"

"Everyone, quickly join with Da Luo Bi and together repel the Zheng Army!" Bu Jing Xian said. He swung the iron spears like clubs, sweeping and charging through the ranks. Those struck by his blows either flew away or fell, unable to withstand even a single strike.

The Zheng Army formation was thrown into chaos by his assault. Their left wing crumbled under the pressure and, outnumbered, was soon routed by the Wan Xia Clan. Seeing Luo Bi's unmatched heroism, their fighting spirit flared higher. They fought bravely, mixing with the enemy in fierce combat.

After about half an hour of intense fighting, Zhao Tian arrived with Da Luo Bi and the gathered Luo Bi troops to provide support. Gui Jian Chou was exceptionally fierce, charging alone into the enemy lines with twin blades, slashing wildly. Soon he even caught up with Bu Jing Xian in the midst of the fray.

"Haha, the Ten-Thousand-Enemy Ghost has arrived!"

"Go kill over there—that's wasting troops." Bu Jing Xian disapproved and rebuked him sharply. Gui Jian Chou reluctantly turned northwest, only then remembering Bu Jing Xian's reminder that a hundred men required a hundred men to fight. He alone hacked his way into the northwest enemy formation, relishing the moment when suddenly a blade blocked his path. He realized he faced a formidable opponent. Gui Jian Chou had no interest in sparring with a master. He shoved the man away with force and charged back toward Bu Jing Xian, shouting as he killed, "Here comes a strong one! Here comes a strong one! You deal with him—quickly come save us, Luo Bi!"

He showed none of the pride or self-respect of a martial artist.

Bu Jing Xian could do nothing against him. He charged in to assist and delivered a single punch that felled the general. Gui Jian Chou immediately laughed smugly again. "Daring to chase you, Ghost Jian Chou! Don't you know whose back you're under... Damn, cut that bastard who kicked your Ghost senior in the face..."

The Black Wolf Army arrived in full force. The Zheng Army gradually withdrew.

After pursuing them five miles, a hidden ambush led by the deputy sect master of the Wan Xia Clan sprang forth, striking from both sides. The Zheng Army suffered a crushing defeat and scattered. The chase continued until they reached the city gate before the Black Wolf Army halted. Both sides exchanged curses for half an hour. The Zheng Army refused to emerge, and the Black Wolf Army dared not assault the well-defended city gates. Da Luo Bi ordered a withdrawal.

In this battle the Black Wolf Clan lost seventeen hundred people and horses in Zhou Capital, suffered six thousand dead and wounded in combat with the Zheng Army, and killed twelve thousand Zheng soldiers.

Although they ultimately repelled the Zheng Army, it was a pyrrhic victory. The Wan Xia Clan had lost fifteen hundred in total.

Gazing at the ruined Zhou Capital, Da Luo Bi vomited blood in fury and nearly fell from his horse.

He had originally planned to attack Zhou and capture the Zheng King. He had expected it might be a lie, but even if the king were not present, destroying the Zhou Kingdom would still restore his prestige. He had never imagined the Zheng Army so vicious, laying such vicious, chained poison schemes. The losses were so catastrophic that his position as Da Luo Bi could not revive his heroic spirit; instead, he fell into ridicule as a defeated coward.

On the way back, Bu Jing Xian secretly reflected that if he had anticipated the Zheng Army's scheme earlier, the Wan Xia Clan would not have suffered such heavy losses today. He secretly admired the one who devised the plan yet wondered why that person had been so meticulous yet missed the chance to kill the Zhou Emperor outright. If Ai Pan had been poisoned early, today the Black Wolf Clan would have suffered defeat and the Wan Xia Clan would have wasted much effort and lost over ten thousand troops.

At this moment Ling Luo had just returned from Chu State to Zheng State. Upon arriving home at the Chen hour, after hearing the news of Zhou Kingdom, he hurried into the residence to pay respects to his father.

The first words upon meeting were: "Father, why did you not advise the Zheng King?"

"The Zheng King has long harbored ambitions of proclaiming himself Emperor. He finally waited until the Zhou Emperor passed away, yet another Zhou Emperor appeared. Knowing his age, the Zheng King understood he could not wait for that emperor to die naturally. Someone in court proposed leading the Black Wolf Army to slaughter Zhou Capital, and the Great King was tempted and agreed. Countless persuasions proved useless. Even Father speaking yielded the same result. Only through specific suggestions for actions could one strike two birds, severely injuring the Black Wolf Army."

Ling Luo sighed deeply, finally understanding his father's burdens. The Zheng King's desire for the imperial title was intense. If his accomplishments remained confined to the name of king, the Zheng King would surely die with eyes open. No wonder others could not persuade him.

"Since that is so, why not simply kill that Zhou Emperor first?"

"The Zheng King forbade it. He was helpless. The Zheng King would not bear the shame of killing his lord and repeatedly instructed that the Zhou Emperor must not die under the Zheng Army's blades."

"Child heard reports along the way and know little in detail."

"The Black Wolf Clan suffered more than twenty thousand dead and wounded. Our army lost more than twelve thousand. Zhou Capital burned for more than two hours; I fear the Zhou Emperor could not escape disaster. This Left Bank of the Wan Xia Clan possesses some skill, detecting our scheme in time and leading the crowd out of Zhou City before dividing forces into three routes to resist. Had they not done so, our army would have seized the chance to cross the river and advance westward. Now morale is faltering, and it is unsuitable to press forward. The Great King's intention is to prioritize the wars with Wei and Yan unless a true opportunity presents itself. My son, how did the mission to Chu Capital go?"

"All went smoothly. Chu also believed it impossible to destroy both Wei and Yan in one stroke and intends to cease hostilities at the proper moment before turning to attack Chen. Child does not know the Great King's true intent and dared not decide arbitrarily."

"Father will ask the Great King about this. Father knows my son is weary from the journey, yet the princess has exhausted herself with the labors of the Shen Wu Tai. She requires you to share her burden. Eat breakfast first, then go."

"Yes."

"There is one more matter. Father may not truly be a martial artist, but I know the position of Wu Zun concerns Zheng State's military prestige, the hearts of the people, and the morale of the army. Qiu Ye Elder possesses superb martial arts, yet previous battles caused many reclusive experts to emerge. Moreover, Chu has recruited many great martial sects' experts previously exterminated by the Feixian Sect. Father fears Qiu Ye Elder will be outnumbered. Now that my son's Shen Jue cultivation has reached some achievement, if circumstances become dire, I would rather offend the Feixian Sect than damage Zheng State's military prestige."

"Child originally harbored this plan. Please father rest assured."

Ling Luo took his leave. In his heart he felt his father understood him deeply. He had never seen his father's true abilities and had never witnessed him fighting others. He also often heard him claim ignorance of martial matters, yet he clearly had once fought alongside the Bei Ling Elder. He knew Zhou Wu Shen was no match for Qiu Ye and that Qiu Ye could not uphold the Feixian Sect's prestige on the Shen Wu Tai. It was clear his father knew the depths of those arriving at the Shen Wu Tai this year.

Yet with his current strength, he was still insufficient to dominate the world.

Physical strength: 100
Inner force: 5500 (base 1100, divine gift increased by 200%, spirit and heaven talent increased by 100%, Tenfold Divine Decrees special effect increased self and large-range friendly army by 100% inner force)
Spirit: 10
Spirit: 7

Combat strength: 11200
Absolute combat strength: 78400

What he relied upon was astonishingly strong inner force. His father, however, believed the enemy Qiu Ye could not defeat, Ling Luo could.

The Bei Ling Elder had once said that in the future Ling Luo would be the world's number one inner force expert. At this moment Ling Luo wondered whether that future was himself after the Tenfold Divine Decrees.

Bu Jing Xian returned to Bei Yin City. Zhao Ji had escorted the Zhou Emperor and Zhou Empress back; they had already washed, eaten their fill, and rested.

Bu Yue asked about the events and, after hearing the account, felt deep heartache for the lost troops and horses.

"Just for this virtual name topping the Zhou Emperor and the jade seal, our clan lost over ten thousand people and horses. This... is it really worth it?"

" Worth it!" Bu Jing Xian changed his clothes. Bu Xing wiped away the blood and grime covering his body. The latter said with heartache, "But more than ten thousand people! They were all our brave warriors..."