492 The Final Nigh (1/2)
”The only regret of this war is not meeting Lord Supreme Cloud. I wonder how the elder is now,” said Fu Baoguo. He heaved a deep sigh and continued, ”I only hope that Lord Supreme Cloud is safe and sound, blessed by the heavens.”
”To me, no, to all who are in Yutang, as long as Lord Supreme Cloud is still here, Yutang will still have hope!” Fu Baoguo's looked up at the faraway sky, a mixture of longing and gratitude in his eyes.
Yun Yang replied softly, ”I didn't expect you to trust in Lord Supreme Cloud so much.”
Fu Baoguo's head was still raised towards the sky, his voice sounded exceptionally distant, ”When Lord Supreme Cloud came disguised as Supreme Wind, he awakened me and gave me a new life! If it weren't for Lord Supreme Cloud, I would have long been ruined; my standing and reputation, my body would have been utterly destroyed.
Yun Yang was shocked, never expecting Fu Baoguo to reveal his shortcoming in front of anyone else other than the Supreme Cloud – so this is how it was for Fu Baoguo!
”That day, it was Lord Supreme Cloud who pulled me away from the abyss!”
Fu Baoguo continued in a reverent tone, ”Lord Supreme Cloud is one of the two people whom I respect the most in my entire life. The other one is my teacher and mentor, Fang Qingtian!”
”Old Grand Commandant Fang is definitely revered,” Yun Yang began saying, ”but Lord Supreme Cloud, he…”
He wanted to say that Lord Supreme Cloud was not looking for revenge despite his favor and would not hope for Fu Baoguo to be sacrificed on the battlefield just like this. But before Yun Yang could finish, Fu Baoguo got angry and glared at him, saying loudly, ”You child, your surname is Yun and you're a son to the Marquis of Heavenly Clouds, an aristocratic descendant, in addition to possessing significant merit too, but some words shouldn't be said in this world! I'm just expressing some memories of my past at this juncture of life and death. But upon hearing your defiance, it looks like Marquis Yun's teaching at home needs to be further enforced.”
Yun Yang was dumbfounded.
Fu Baoguo was not done venting his anger. ”Yong Marquis Yun, seeing that we've been comrades in a battle, let me advise you. While you may not consider it a big deal to regard yourself so highly but it is still a weakness! It is better for you to shut your mouth in the future lest you attract a fatal fault! At the very least, never make idle comments about Lord Supreme Cloud in front of me!”
”You are not worthy to judge anything good or bad about Lord Supreme Cloud!”
Fu Baoguo finished in a cold voice and left immediately, leaving Yun Yang alone, rooted to the spot in astonishment.
Yun Yang was dumbstruck. What did he say that was so wrong?
He fumed and ruminated to himself, ”What I said are good words. I was thinking only for your sake. Can't you tell the difference? So what if I talk about Supreme Cloud, I was merely commenting on him, what can he do to me? Supreme Cloud himself didn't say anything; did he ask you to take charge for his sake? What the f*ck? I'm commenting for myself but someone else is taking the moral high ground against me, how f*cking awkward!”
He felt like he was being reprimanded for nothing.
That night was actually the most peaceful night since the war began.
Both sides knew that tomorrow would be the pivotal moment, deciding between victory and defeat.
Yutang's army knew that perhaps tomorrow was the day that they would be defeated while Dongxuan's side was clear that they would charge through Tianxuan Cliff in the battle tomorrow and the entire Empire of Yutang's east land would be theirs to ravage!
On this night, Dongxuan's army prepared themselves for the fight. All levels of generals were briefing the soldiers, promising that all would be good as long as tomorrow's battle went well, that they could rise in ranks, that they could anticipate noble titles, rewards, and other promises.
The soldiers who listened wore glinting eyes. They were all imagining the wealthy days awaiting them after contributing merits in tomorrow's war. If they worked even harder, then they could expect to be bestowed titles of nobility just like their superiors had said.
As for the army of Yutang, silence permeated the entire base.
Everyone was doing their best to rest and adjust themselves so that they could be stronger tomorrow. They were trying to steel themselves to kill a few more invaders, even if it was in their last few moments. One or two would barely suffice, while three to five would be earning a slight advantage for their army – but if they could kill eight to ten, then they could rest in peace.
Numerous soldiers were quiet, their heads lowered without saying a word.
A sense of oppressive anguish began to spread and saturate everyone in the army.
All their fighting and perseverance had led up to this point; was this final moment for them to be silenced? There had been innumerable sacrifices and uncountable knocks at death's door, yet tomorrow was the final day.
Would this be the end of this lifetime?
A veteran who was heavily injured wiped his long saber quietly and began to sing in a low voice.
”Brothers we are at home, comrades we became in war;
For our homeland we fight, triumphant in the battlefield;
When the enemy comes, comes to our fortress;
Brother, you pick up your saber, and I raise my spear;
Together we charge through foes, together we gallop, wielding blades;
Together we drink to celebrate, together we trek through mountains, and together we go to the Yellow Spring;
…
Brothers are comrades, comrades are allies;
Don't you lower your head, I wouldn't bow either;
Life and death I face, wealth and fame I toss;
Here I come to my battleground, there you go to your fort;
We're all the pride of our families.
…
You have an aged mother, I have my young children;
Confidant you treasure, a woman I cherish;
When we hold spears in our hands, when we see the enemy;
You and I, blood boils in us!
When I turn into earth and soil, glory to the militants;
When you leave as scorched ashes, rainbows you shall become;
Oh brothers, we still smile proudly!
Because we are all Yutang's pride!
…
Blood flows in your chest, this saber I bear in my hands;