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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 196: The Two Armies Face Off
"Well... I still have a lot of things to take care of, so I can't go traveling to Wind Nation for now," Lin Feng said with a smile, politely declining.
"My meaning is... according to our customs, the way to repay someone for saving your life is... is to... marry them," Wind Spirit said, her voice growing softer until it was almost inaudible. Her heart raced even more. She couldn't help but wonder if this was what love felt like. It was quite overwhelming. She had seen powerful cultivators before and never felt this flustered.
Lin Feng chuckled, "I didn't know there was such a custom. If I visit Wind Nation in the future, I guess I can't just save anyone casually. If I end up saving an ugly woman, wouldn't that ruin my life?"
Upon hearing this, Wind Spirit couldn't help but chuckle softly, "Young Master Feng really knows how to joke. Do you think I'm... ugly?"
"You are naturally beautiful, a stunning beauty," Lin Feng replied sincerely.
"Then why does Young Master..."
Not wanting to make the atmosphere too awkward, Lin Feng interrupted, "It's getting late; you should set off. The people of Wind Nation are waiting for you."
The mention of the people of Wind Nation struck Wind Spirit like a hammer, driving away the romantic feelings swirling in her mind. She suddenly remembered her father.
This realization brought Wind Spirit back to her senses; she understood that Lin Feng had been rejecting her all along.
They exchanged glances in silence. Then, Wind Spirit bowed deeply to Lin Feng and said, "Thank you very much for saving me, Young Master Feng. I hope we can meet again someday."
"There will definitely be another opportunity."
After their farewell, Wind Spirit turned to leave. Just as she was about to depart, knowing the dangers that lay ahead and uncertain of what the future held for her, the feelings she thought had vanished surged back into her heart.
Unable to resist, Wind Spirit turned around and shouted loudly at Lin Feng, "Young Master Feng, take care!"
"Take care of yourself too," Lin Feng replied, and in that moment, he had to admit that his heart was stirred.
"Feng Gongzi, will you remember me?"
"I will remember you," Lin Feng couldn't help but say.
The two of them, regardless of the emotions they carried, ultimately parted with reluctance.
Inside the Great Zhou Imperial Palace.
The Martial Emperor stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the winds from the Wind Nation.
The Queen approached slowly and said, "Your Majesty, it’s chilly tonight. Please take care to rest."
"Queen, how is the National Master?" the Martial Emperor asked in a deep voice.
"The National Master's injuries are quite severe; I'm afraid only a sacred medicine can heal him," the Queen sighed.
"The National Master sacrificed too much to deliver a fatal blow to the Wind Emperor," the Martial Emperor also sighed.
"Your Majesty, the Wind Spirit has returned to the Wind Nation."
"This is indeed troublesome. The strongest army of the Wind Nation is still under the control of the Wind Spirit. It seems we can only send a few princes of the Wind Nation to attack the Tang Dynasty."
"This plan is excellent. Firstly, it can completely eliminate the Tang Dynasty. Secondly, even if the Wind Spirit controls the strongest forces of the Wind Nation, they will be worn down significantly by internal strife with the Tang Dynasty."
"I hope that after we stabilize things here, our descendants can hold onto this territory for a few more years."
"Your Majesty worries too much. Although our descendants may not have your level of insight, they still have a chance to maintain our territory. Moreover, the new generation of Zhou people is promising. Cold Rain and He Rongsheng are both excellent supports."
"I hope so. This is all I can do for them."
A month later, the three princes of the Wind Nation led all their troops to attack the Tang Dynasty. The harmony that had existed in the Tang Dynasty was shattered. All the soldiers of the Northern Frontier of the Tang Dynasty were thrown into battle.
The Northern Frontier Soldiers had not fought in a long time, and their combat effectiveness was far inferior to that of the soldiers from the Southern Border. The army of the three princes from the Wind Nation was still capable of putting up a fight. Another month passed, and the Wind Spirit entered the palace to receive the inheritance and baptism of the Imperial Aura of the Wind Nation. Subsequently, she took command of all the armies of the Wind Nation. The three princes were also invited into the palace by the Wind Spirit, effectively under house arrest.
The soldiers of the Northern Frontier of the Tang Dynasty encountered the army personally trained by the Wind Spirit and were utterly defeated. Only Chen Guang's meticulously trained troops could still hold their ground.
Lin Feng personally led his troops into battle to reinforce the defenses of the Northern Frontier.
Continuous rain turned the roads into muddy paths, making marching difficult.
Chen Guang had already been appointed as Deputy General of the Northern Frontier. He looked at Lin Feng with a furrowed brow and said, "My lord, if this rain continues like this, our men will become exhausted."
Lin Feng dismissively replied, "I think it's better if it rains longer. The Wind Spirit has two main forces for training. One is her navy, and the other is her Xuanjia Cavalry. Rain will hinder her Xuanjia Cavalry even more."
After seven days of marching, they arrived at Azure River Mouth. Everywhere they looked, there were defeated soldiers from the Northern Frontier of the Tang Dynasty, all abandoning their helmets and armor as they retreated.
This was in response to facing the overwhelming forces of the Wind Spirit that had just defeated the troops of the Flowing Cloud Sect.
Lin Feng immediately ordered Chen Guang to reveal his identity and reorganize the fleeing soldiers. Anyone who disobeyed or showed cowardice would be executed on the spot.
After Chen Guang ordered Armored Soldiers to suppress the fleeing troops and killed dozens, those who had been fleeing finally stabilized. Following this, Lin Feng appeared to rally everyone and boost their morale. Then Chen Guang instructed them to re-equip the fleeing soldiers with weapons and armor.
Inevitably, while eliminating Liu Quan's faction, Lin Feng gained immense wealth. With money for war, many things would become much easier.
Once stability was restored, Lin Feng immediately convened a meeting. Azure River Mouth was a crucial battleground. If the cavalry of the Wind Nation broke through Azure River Mouth, it would be an open road for them to advance unimpeded.
Chen Guang said, "My lord, the Wind Army is about to launch an attack. We must fortify our position."
"Time is of the essence. Everyone, construct the battlefield according to the plan I drew. Commanders, you may give your orders," Lin Feng said seriously.
"Understood."
As night fell, the Wind Army began to gather at sea. More and more warships appeared on the water, yet there were no signs of an attack. Three hours later, the main force of the Wind Spirit arrived.
Surprisingly, the Wind Spirit did not order an attack but instead maintained a standoff with Lin Feng. The silence between both sides lasted throughout the night.
The Northern Frontier Army, following Lin Feng's instructions, dug a massive trench over a hundred feet long and diverted seawater to create terraced fields.
On the following day, several ships floated out from the Wind Army's warships and approached the shore. The archers of the Northern Frontier fired arrows, causing the ships to quickly retreat.
Standing on a warship, the Wind Spirit observed the movements of the Northern Frontier Soldiers and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "The soldiers of the Northern Frontier of the Tang Dynasty seem revitalized, their formation different. Their command appears capable and confident. Do you know who their general is?"
The deputy commander Mulan replied, "It is Lin Feng, the newly appointed Commander of the Northern Frontier. During his tenure, he has dealt with all the generals of the Fire Departure Sect led by Liu Quan and received substantial funding from the Ouyang Family."
"Lin Feng?"
The Wind Spirit repeated the name, feeling it was somewhat familiar but struggling to recall specific memories. She said, "This person deliberately dug such a long trench and then retreated beyond it to provoke us, underestimating our courage to cross the river and engage in battle."
"Princess, I am willing to take on this fight. They only have fifty thousand troops while we have one hundred fifty thousand. I am ready to lead ten thousand men to charge and seize the crossing point for our army to land," Mulan volunteered.
Princess Ling'er shook her head. "No. That is precisely his intention. His forces are fewer than ours; if we land in units of ten thousand one by one, he can gradually swallow us whole."
Princess Ling'er repeatedly dispatched small units to probe and test the main force of the Tang army. However, facing these small units, the Tang army ignored them entirely; only their archers habitually shot arrows while everyone else remained still.
"Lin Feng is quite composed," Wind Spirit remarked, finding things becoming tricky.
Lin Feng observed that the Wind Army continued to refrain from attacking and admired their calmness and experience. Such a large force could not all cross over at once. If they attacked in units of ten thousand using Armored War Chariots along with the massive trench he had ordered dug, they could significantly diminish the Wind Army's strength.
"Chen Guang, give the order to start insulting the Wind Army. Say anything to provoke them."
"Yes, my lord."
Thus, the Tang army began their tirade.
"Cowardly Wind Army, come over if you dare! I guarantee I won't kill you."
"Wind Army's weaklings, you might as well go home and drink milk."
At first, the insults were somewhat civilized, but soon they escalated.
"Can the Wind Spirit even fight? She's just a woman; aside from giving birth and nursing, what else can she do?"
"That woman is probably scared out of her wits right now, just like a turtle hiding in its shell."
Hearing their own war god being insulted like this by the Tang army, the Wind Army couldn't take it anymore. They gritted their teeth in anger, itching to rush into battle.
Mulan also could no longer tolerate it. Looking at the door of the Wind Spirit's chamber, she said, "My lord..."
"They're attacking?" the Wind Spirit asked.
"No. They're insulting you."
"Their mouths are on them; we can't control that. I'm resting as long as they don't attack us."
"Understood."
Mulan left, feeling frustrated. She truly couldn't understand what the princess was thinking; how could she still want to sleep at a time like this?
On the Tang army's side, Lin Feng seemed to have reached an understanding with Princess Ling'er, as they set up a tent and fell into a deep sleep.
Later, the Wind Army launched several feigned attacks. The troops from the Flowing Cloud Sect, who had previously suffered a defeat, were filled with trepidation as they hurriedly reported to Lin Feng, "My lord, they are coming to attack! What should we do?"
However, Chen Guang's response was, "The lord is sleeping. If he doesn't get enough sleep, he will have red bloodshot eyes. There is nothing that should disturb him."
Sima Ruchang nearly fainted upon hearing this reply.
The news of Lin Feng sleeping quickly spread throughout the crossing point, and all the soldiers knew that the general was taking a nap. For some reason, everyone felt much more at ease.
"The Commander is sleeping. It seems he is quite confident about winning the battle."
Listening to the surprisingly loud snoring coming from inside the tent, the soldiers' anxious hearts gradually settled down. (To be continued)
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