712 The Rainy Night at Xiao Mountain, Red Waters in the Clear River (1/2)
Wang Jinglue poured the feet-washing water outside the tent, took a towel to wipe Xu Shi's feet and rubbed the calluses on the general's soles.
”According to my predictions, I fear that the imperial edict has reached the Southern Army by now. We snuck away and went against the laws of the Tang Empire. What if an accident happens?”
”I didn't leave with the whole army. These more than a hundred guards are private guards that His Majesty gifted to me back then. I only came to the mountains to recuperate from my illness. How is this violating the Tang military laws? Even if I have done so, is there anyone who would dare punish me?”
”Alright, alright. Just forget what I've said. Why is your temper getting worse?”
Wang Jinglue said slightly testily.
Xu Shi was really like a child now. Seeing that Wang Jinglue was angry, he smiled happily and consoled him, ”Don't worry, I am the Defender-general of the State. What danger can befall us in the borders of the Tang Empire?”
It was then when an urgent military report arrived outside the tent.
The army of the Golden Palace had moved south!
The West-Hill Divine Palace had announced to the world that they'd punish the Tang Empire!
There was a dead silence in the tent. Wang Jinglue was very pale and Xu Shi had long lost his smile, returning to the composure and sternness that a Tang Empire military leaders should have.
”You will return to the Southern Army immediately.”
Xu Shi looked at the Xiao Mountain which was enshrouded in darkness and said, ”If the new Emperor and Her Highness have not turned muddle-headed, the edict to move the Southern Army north should have arrived.”
Wang Jinglue paused slightly and asked, ”What about you?”
Xu Shi answered, ”Since they want to destroy the Tang Empire, I have to return to Chang'an to defend it. Do not worry, His Majesty will definitely send an edict for me to return north as soon as possible.”
Wang Jinglue nodded, but felt that something was not right. He suddenly thought of something and said with furrowed brows, ”Since the West-Hill Divine Palace has issued a rescript, then they definitely would try to harm you.”
Xu Shi smiled and patted his shoulders, saying, ”I have said earlier that we are within the borders of the Tang Empire. Who would dare to kill me, the Defender-general of the Empire?”
Wang Jinglue said, ”Is there anything the West-Hill Divine Palace dares not do?”
”I have been in the army for decades, would I not know as much as you? We are under the Xiao Mountain right now. If someone wishes to harm me, they'd have to cross the mountains from Qinghe County to reach here. The people at Qinghe County are not blind.”
Xu Shi smiled and said, ”Furthermore, you have to be clear about this. Even though I am old, I'm not that easy to kill. There are few people in the world who are able to kill me.”
Wang Jinglue thought that this was true and counted on his fingers. There really were not many who was a threat to the old man. While he was very old, he was still very powerful.
The military matter was urgent. Wang Jinglue had to take General Xu Shi's latest orders back with him and also coordinate with the Southern Army troops to organize their defence against the Golden Palace. As such, he left the Xiao Mountain in the middle of the night.
Shortly after he left Xiao Mountain, Xu Shi put on his military boots, and carefully donned his armor. Then, he walked out of the tent and looked at the forests in the night, narrowing his eyes slowly.
The guards in the camp heard the faint sounds of armor and the scabbard clanging. They came out of the tent alertly and stood beside the general, asking what had happened in a low voice.
Xu Shi did not answer but only looked at the mountain silently.
He wanted very much to make the guards go away just like he had with Wang Jinglue.
But just like what he had told Wang Jinglue, these guards were a private army gifted to him by the late Emperor. They were loyal to him only and would never leave his side no matter what.
”There are indeed few who are qualified to kill me.”
Xu Shi looked at the quiet forest in the night and said slowly, ”The Hierarch of the West-Hill Divine Palace, Twenty-Three-year Cicada Cultivation of the Devil's Doctrine, Sword Sage Liu Bai and the few young World Wayfarers...I always thought that these people would not attempt to kill me at the risk of their precious lives, but I never expected that you would act.”
A thunderously loud voice suddenly rang in the mountains.
”After the deaths of the Headmaster and the Tang Emperor, general, you are the spiritual stronghold of the Tang Empire. If I did not act personally, wouldn't that be too disrespectful to you?”
With that, the Xiao Mountain shook and rocks fell from the top.
A giant chariot arrived, crushing the forests and rocks.
While the curtain on the chariot was heavy, the tall figure emanating light could be seen in the dark.
It was the Hierarch Lord of the West-Hill Divine Palace.
There were 64 divine guards beside the chariot.
”The Hierarch Lord had not left the Peach Mountain for many years until the battle in the Wilderness started. You have taken great risk to enter the Tang borders just for me, an old man who is about to die. I am beside myself.”
Xu Shi's voice was as cold as steel and traveled through the dark forest word by word and exploding before the giant chariot. ”But I would still like to know who would emerge alive from this tonight.”
With that, he suddenly coughed twice.
Wang Jinglue scurried through the forest in the night.
He suddenly stopped and looked up.
There were clouds tonight and the skies were entirely black.
It suddenly began to rain, the raindrops landing on his face, with their pitter-patter.
The rainwater entered his mouth. It was slightly salty and acrid.
Wang Jinglue turned around suddenly and ran back to where he came from.
When he rushed out of the forest and came to a cliff, he saw the mountain in the distance collapsing. Sand and stones flew everywhere, and not even the violent rain could hide the terrifying collision of Heaven and Earth's Qi.
Wang Jinglue could clearly sense General Xu Shi's aura.
He could sense the general's aura growing fainter.
He knelt in the rain and screamed hysterically, ”No!”
He only realized then that the general had already sensed his own fate. That was why he had made him return to the Southern Army. It was so that he could avoid the shocking battle.
After the rainy night at the Spring Breeze Pavilion, Wang Jinglue joined the army and had always been under the command of General Xu Shi. Over the years, he served the general like his son or nephew. He had been used to being alone since he was a child, but he grew to like the bustle in the military camp and even felt that General Xu Shi was like his own father.
His slightly chubby face had gradually thinned and his heart that had longed to travel gradually calmed. He gradually grew to understand that there were many other beautiful things to be cherished besides freedom.
However, in the rain tonight.
All those beautiful things were shattered.
Wang Jinglue knelt in the storm and cried silently.
It was unknown how much time had passed. He stood up once more, wiped the rain and tears off his face and his expression grew increasingly determined. He turned and ran to the north.
He was not returning to the Southern Army.
He was going to return to Chang'an as quickly as he could.
He was going to tell the people in Chang'an.
He was going to tell them that General Xu Shi had died.
The terrifying powerhouse who had killed the general was heading to Chang'an.
Qinghe County had betrayed them...
The scenery of Qinghe county was elegant. The houses, tall or low, had white walls and black eaves. The clear streams and stone bridges were very different from the magnificent sceneries in other parts of the Tang Empire.
However, the best scenery was at Fuchun River.