Chapter 188: Chapter 186: Heaven’s Will_1 Chapter 188: Chapter 186: Heaven’s Will_1 “Young General Bai!”

Nobody knew who first spotted Bai Qingyan, but they shouted out.

The soldiers of the Bai family army, injured as they were, couldn’t sit still when they heard that Young General Bai had arrived. Surprise and joy filled their hearts as they looked towards Bai Qingyan’s direction.

“Young General Bai!” Cheng Yuanzhi stood up as well, hastily covering his exposed body with his clothes.

Bai Qingyan looked at the blood-stained soldiers in the infirmary and raised her hand to signal everyone to sit down. “I came to inform you that tonight, I will lead 2,000 elite soldiers of the Bai family army and take back the head of our vice commander. Tomorrow morning, those lightly injured will follow me to take Tianmen Pass and then Fengcheng! Rest well and prepare for the coming battle!”

After finishing, Bai Qingyan bowed to the wounded soldiers and turned to leave the tent.

“Young General Bai!” Wei Zhaonian chased after her, clasping his fists. “Wei Zhaonian is willing to go with Young General Bai to the Xiliang camp and retrieve our vice commander’s head!”

Bai Qingyan looked at Wei Zhaonian, whose face remained calm despite the loss of an eye, his desire for revenge burning brightly within him.

She clasped her fists. “Then General Wei, please take my fourth sister Bai Jinzhi and 1,800 soldiers to set up an ambush at Huiping Road. Once I return with the vice commander’s head, intercept the Xiliang pursuers!”

Wei Zhaonian’s eyelid twitched. Only 200 men to storm the camp?!

“Young General Bai, wouldn’t it be unwise to take only 200 men?!” Wei Zhaonian voiced his concern.

“I have made my decision. Rest assured, General Wei!” Bai Qingyan replied.

Wei Zhaonian stopped arguing, clasped his fists, and watched Bai Qingyan leave. He immediately ordered preparations of fire oil and crossbows, intending to use Xiliang’s tactics against them.

As the night wore on, 2,000 soldiers of the Bai family army left Wengcheng and encountered General Zhang Duanrui, who was clearing the battlefield at Wengshan Canyon and returning with the Jin army to Wengcheng.

General Zhang Duanrui saw the Bai family army leaving Wengcheng and rode ahead to meet them, recognizing Bai Qingyan leading the group. He asked, “General Bai, are you heading to Tianmen Pass now?!”

“General Zhang, take your troops back to Wengcheng and rest. At first light, we will depart for Tianmen Pass!” Bai Qingyan responded.

General Zhang clasped his fists in acknowledgment. He watched as the soldiers, bearing the black flag with the white python of the Bai family, rode towards Tianmen Pass, disappearing into the night.

*
Xiao Rongyan, having bypassed Pingyang City and returned to Yan’s border, stood atop Linchuan Mountain. He gazed at the red glow on the eastern horizon, guessing it was the direction of Wengshan.

“Master, the old uncle has arrived!” Xiao Rongyan’s guard approached him from the mountainside and bowed.

“Understood.”

Xiao Rongyan responded and began his descent.

As he walked down, his mind was occupied.

With turmoil engulfing the Jin Kingdom, Nanyan, and Xiliang, was it time for Yan to make a move?

Yan had suffered several natural disasters the previous year. During the harsh winter, countless citizens starved or froze to death.

However, if they didn’t seize this opportunity to reclaim Nanyan, which had split from Yan, they might never get another chance.

As Xiao Rongyan reached the foot of the mountain, he saw a spirited old man with white hair and a black jacket bowing to him. The old man struggled to contain his excitement. “My young master! It’s been years… How have you been?”

The elderly man, lacking a beard and speaking in a soft voice, was clearly an eunuch from the palace.

This was Feng Yao, the great eunuch who once served Empress Ji. When Empress Ji died in the fire, Feng Yao carried the seven-year-old Xiao Rongyan to safety. Afterward, Feng Yao served Empress Ji’s eldest son, the current Emperor of Yan, with unwavering loyalty.

“Uncle…” Xiao Rongyan returned the bow and asked, “How is my brother’s health? Has he had any more fainting spells?”

Feng Yao sighed and shook his head, his eyes reddening as he wiped the corners with his sleeves. “There are no capable ministers in the kingdom, and the emperor handles everything personally. Given Yan’s current state, the people have nothing to live on. The last time I saw His Majesty, he was wasting away!”

Xiao Rongyan clenched his fists in his sleeves, gritting his teeth. “Tell my brother to hold on for a while longer. I will find a divine healer for him! And I will find capable ministers for our troubled times!”

“Yes!” Feng Yao replied. He then took out a Commander’s Seal from his pocket and handed it to Xiao Rongyan. “His Majesty specifically sent me to deliver this to you. Xie Xun’s newly trained army has made some progress. If you encounter any danger while in Jin Kingdom, use this seal to command the hidden army in the Linchuan Mountains to ensure your safe return to the country! His Majesty said nothing is as important as your safety!”

Under the flickering torchlight, Xiao Rongyan’s deep eyes glimmered. He looked at the Commander’s Seal in Feng Yao’s hands, his pupils dilating, emotions swirling within. He tightly gripped the jade cicada in his hand.

Was this fate?!

He had just been contemplating whether to use this opportunity to reclaim Nanyan, and now his uncle brought the Commander’s Seal, with Xie Xun training a new army in the Linchuan Mountains.

Having Xie Xun, an unknown figure, train the new army had been Xiao Rongyan’s idea. He didn’t expect his brother would have Xie Xun train the soldiers right there in Linchuan.

Xiao Rongyan took the Commander’s Seal and asked, “How many soldiers has Xie Xun trained in the Linchuan Mountains?”

“Thirty thousand.” Feng Yao replied.

Thirty thousand…

Far exceeding Xiao Rongyan’s expectations. His throat tightened, and he turned to his subordinate. “Bring me the map!”

The subordinate quickly brought out the map, spreading it on the carriage seat, and held up a torch.

Xiao Rongyan lowered his gaze to the map. Before leaving Wanping, he received news that the Nanyan Emperor had ordered the Nanyan army, which had occupied Feng County, to dig in and hold the position. During negotiations, Nanyan planned to trade Fen County with Xiliang, using Fengcheng as leverage. Feng County had always been desired by Xiliang, but Fengcheng was coveted by both Xiliang and Nanyan.

The Nanyan Emperor had ordered the collection of grain and provisions to be sent to Feng County, ensuring Nanyan troops could survive the winter.

Xiao Rongyan’s finger moved to the location of Yao Pass on the map. If Nanyan wanted to quickly send grain and provisions to Feng County, they must pass through Yao Pass!

He handed the Commander’s Seal back to Feng Yao. “Uncle, take this seal and order Xie Xun to lead the new army, raising the black flag with the white python emblem of the Bai family, to set an ambush at Yao Pass and seize the grain and provisions bound for Feng County! Then, have the thirty thousand soldiers remain hidden at Yao Pass, ready for an ambush. Within four days, the Nanyan forces attacking Jin will be in full retreat and must pass through Yao Pass! Order Xie Xun to prepare in advance and ensure the complete annihilation of Nanyan’s elite forces at Yao Pass. Leave no survivors!”

Ordering Xie Xun to raise the Bai family’s black flag with the white python emblem was a tactic to temporarily conceal Yan’s actions from Nanyan and prevent them from being on guard against Yan.