161 Majestic Yutang (1/2)
Standing tall at the city walls were Yutang’s soldiers, bedecked in vibrant armor. Even the blades in their hands gleamed brightly, reflecting the rays of the sun.
As they marched, there was a dignified and rigorous air about them.
”Do you see that? That does not come at a request of their general, not from an imposed order. Those expressions come from the heart! That is the way that they reflect their innermost feelings.”
”The glow on each of their faces tell of glory and pride.”
”Let me tell three of you, these are soldiers who are proud because they were born in this country, who bear pride because they are able to defend this country, to be part of the strongest army! It is a great nation and people indeed who could cultivate such an army.”
”When they go to war, Yutang’s army shouts of defending their country and protecting their homes – because they have always been the one to be attacked! That is why their battle cry sounds that way! As for other nations, even our own army of the Empire of Dongxuan, a lot of people think of fighting a war and acquiring merit as a way to rise up the ranks and be wealthy!”
Han Sanhe’s voice was tinged with bleakness. ”These are two very different things, indeed. Different in every aspect.”
”The more they shout of defending their country and protecting their homes, the more it becomes the army’s spiritual belief! Once the mantra is ingrained…”
Han Sanhe bit off each word slowly, ”They will become the most terrifying thing on earth. Indestructible.”
”Yutang fights against Dongxuan on the east, goes to war with Tianxi on the north, comes into contact with Ziyou on the west while they face off Dayuan in the south… Yet, they remain safe and sound despite being besieged from all four directions!” Han Sanhe chuckled dryly. ”If Yutang only needed to fight against one of the four empires with all its might, that empire would already have become Yutang’s conquest!”
”It is only today that we know of Yutang’s power.” Three generals sucked in a cold breath together.
”I have never spoken of Yutang’s heritage and prowess in the past because I was afraid it would deflate your spirit and confidence. However, this man has grown old. If I didn't take this chance today to tell of all these to you, one careless mistake could cause you a landslide loss when you all face Yutang’s generals in the future!”
”Even an ordinary Yutang cavalryman who has stayed alive throughout his hundred battles can easily surpass a cavalry leader of a five-hundred man cavalry when he comes to our nation! His performance would be equally outstanding.”
”Again, you must remember that I am comparing only a single soldier!”
”My only hope now is to tackle the Fortress of Resilience while I am still alive and absorb seven thousand miles of Yutang’s eastern lands into Dongxuan’s territory. That would be enough.” Han Sanhe said lowly, ”Once Yutang loses this big piece of border plain, a third of its resources will be gone. By then, all other nations, especially the Dongxuan, can conquer the world if we take a step forward or at least remain an influential force even if we were to take a step back.”
”Marshal’s wish can be fulfilled definitely. Didn’t we almost complete this goal the last time?” Mu Wuyun said.
”It's just too bad that such a chance will be difficult to come by again!”
Han Sanhe spat quietly to his side and continued right after, ”What I am most worried about now is the Empire of Yutang’s emperor, Yu Peize! In any other nation, Tie Zheng, who has gotten into his head to host a wedding, would have been beheaded and his family exterminated. But here in the Empire of Yutang, not only has he successfully organized it; His Majesty has even sent a letter of credence of peace personally to support this militant festive affair.”
”How generous!”
”isn’t Thereany suspicion between the emperor and officials?”
”Serving an emperor like this, what more could a man ask for?”
Han Sanhe sighed wearily.
Standing beside Han Sanhe, the other generals from other countries were all observing Tiantang City quietly.
There was no hostility in Tiantang City. It stood alone, quiet and proud. Its city gates were wide open; countless people entered and left in a steady stream.
As far as the eye could see, peace and harmony greeted them.
Yet it was this peace and harmony that had unnerved these notable foreign generals who had been through countless wars.
The passersby who looked at them and at their military camps, the hate in their gazes that seeped into their bones, the tightened fists… they did nothing about it. They raised their heads and left.
Those were just ordinary citizens!
”Letter of credence of peace emphasizes this point during the festive event of militants. We During this period, no harm will come to you until you leave Yutang safely!”
”Because we cannot embarrass our warriors, we cannot let the heroic souls be shamed!”
”Life and death, victory and loss, they are all matters of the battlefield! This is our pride.”
The people of Yutang did not say these aloud but all the foreign generals who came heard them loud and clear!
They saw them with an equal amount of awe and fear.
On the sixteenth of the tenth month, military troops comprising of three thousand men began a large-scale cleanup of the burial grounds, as a memorial ceremony.
All the homes that housed veterans or fallen soldiers hung a piece of red cloth on their doors that read, ”Fealty hearts of vibrant blood that guard the nation and family, patriotic lion-hearted souls that build the fortresses!”
Yun Yang was preparing for this wholeheartedly as well, putting down everything else to focus on the task at hand.
He had learned so much now.
There were too many experts in this world. Setting aside Ling Xiaozui or Supreme Lord Spring Frost whose abilities were well over the top, even King Qinguang from Concourse of the Underworld was highly skilled and could stir up feelings of envy and jealousy within him. Who knew if his rash actions would attract the attention of other low-profile experts? It would be better to be cautious now.
The autumn wind billowed as he blended into it at once, coursing through the skies and gazed upon the land.