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Hearing that familiar yet distant voice, Xi Suifeng staggered to his feet, swaying and shaking his head, wondering if he was still dreaming. He pinched his arm, and a sharp pain shot through him, followed by the relentless sound.

"The bustling world is like three thousand rivers flowing eastward, I only take a ladle of love and understanding, I only love the butterfly you have transformed into."

He finally couldn't hold back any longer and stumbled to the tent flap, his hands trembling as he pulled it open. The person singing in the light still didn't stop, her eyes, like stars in the dark night, turned to him with complex emotions.

Your hair, as white as snow, made our parting all the more poignant.

Whom did my burning of incense move?

Invite the bright moon to illuminate memories, let love be perfect under the moonlight.

Your hair fell like snowflakes, and your tears...

Whom do I wait to grow old for?

The days of being slightly intoxicated by the world

I will carve an eternal monument to my love for you with unwavering devotion.

You're not mistaken, his eyes were glazed over and completely blurred.

That familiar face, that familiar voice, that familiar laugh, that familiar person...

He couldn't help but grab her arm, which appeared somewhat slender amidst the group of men, and felt the warmth of her body through his hand.

That's right! It's not a dream, not a hallucination, not a phantom he created out of self-deception!

It's her! It's her! It's her!

A cold tear slid down her face involuntarily. Her heart, which had been numb and devoid of feeling for so long, was revived at this moment. She had thought of her and longed for her every minute and every day and night, and had so many things she wanted to say to her. However, looking at the person so close to her, Xi Suifeng, who was already frozen, could only utter two words.

“Xing Lie…”

[Border Storm: Chapter Nineteen That Bastard]

The first time Xi Suifeng met Feng Xinglie was on a cold winter day. He was huddled in a corner of the street, his weathered eyes staring blankly at this bustling yet ugly world.

He wasn't born a beggar; he came from a decent family. Although he was just an ordinary child among his father's children, he always lived a happy and peaceful life. However, natural disasters and man-made calamities struck. His family was thoroughly investigated and found to be harboring spies from the Ling Kingdom. In the Emperor's wrath, the entire family was sentenced to punishment.

Like many others who looked dejected, he was bound with ropes and led like livestock in a long line behind horses. He walked a very long way, not knowing where he would be tomorrow or where he was going.

Struggling to escape in the darkness, he tumbled into the muddy wetlands, pursued by horses. Hungry and cold, he saw the city again, but upon reaching the street, the first person he spoke to was a thug, and the first greeting he received was a brutal beating. In the days that followed, there were many times when he felt as if he were about to die, but the lazy sunrise each day told him he was still alive.

The world of the underprivileged is a hell. When you reach that point, what personality, dignity, or perseverance do you have left?

Yet he still calmly observes the world, still silently gives the things he begs to the old people lying on the street, and still doesn't say a word to those scoundrels with bad habits, even if he goes hungry, gets cold, or is brutally beaten.

It was a very cold day. He looked around in a daze at the various figures coming and going on the street. Just as his consciousness was about to leave his body, he felt a warmth descend upon him.

Open your eyes wide, and you'll see a steamed bun.

Steaming hot buns—that's heavenly warmth. A pair of small, delicate hands, and above that, a smiling face that already possesses the allure of a femme fatale. The glint in those eyes doesn't belong to the wisdom and brilliance expected of someone that age.

She said, "You look good. I was born into a wealthy family. If you achieve something in the future, I will make you my personal bodyguard."

He asked, "Who are you?"

"Feng Xinglie, what about you?"

"My surname is Xi, and I don't have a given name. Your name is Feng Xinglie, so I will be called Xi Suifeng from now on." What should be forgotten should be forgotten. He understood when he escaped that he was no longer the person he used to be, and he could not go back to the past. Since he could not go back, he could only look to the future.

Then, in a dramatic turn of events, he was adopted by his master. He worked incredibly hard and stood out among his master's many disciples, achieving great success in his studies.

Feng Xinglie's name grew louder day by day. By the time he had the strength to stand before her, she was already a peerless hero, the Wind King of Qin, arrogant and radiant with confidence. On that day, Xi Suifeng knelt before her and said firmly, "You are the Wind King of Qin, and Xi Suifeng is your most loyal subordinate."

Over the years, through so many wars, so many hardships, and so many dangers, we have always been together. But on that day atop Zijin Mountain, you resolutely and earnestly commanded me and the brothers behind us: "Live! That is an order!" The next day, several brothers who knew the intelligence sadly sent a message that you had stabbed yourself seven times in the heart atop the Forbidden City and jumped into the abyss!

At that time, I really thought you were dead, and I felt a despair I had never felt before!

Xi Suifeng held onto Feng Xinglie's arm for a long time, unwilling to let go. His deep, heavy gaze was filled with pleading and fervor: "Tell me, Xinglie, you want me to live, but how can Xi Suifeng live without Feng Xinglie? Without Feng Xinglie, who will Xi Suifeng follow from now on? How will she follow him? Once is enough. I don't have any more hair to turn white, nor any more hearts to die. All that's left is this one life!"

He didn't break free, but instead patted the back of the hand that was gripping his left arm. Feng Xinglie's smile was helpless.

This man...

Feng Xinglie was always quite sensitive to the things around him, and his eyes were too sharp. He could often see through the truth at a glance. Xi Suifeng had been by her side for so long, and she was not blind. If she could not feel his deep concern and wholehearted protection, then she might as well just jump off Zijin Mountain again, so as not to disgrace the wisdom of the Great Qin Feng King.

She could sense that although Xi Suifeng was wholeheartedly good to her, and could even be described as loving her so much that it was deeply imprinted in his soul, and almost no one could erase this mark, Xi Suifeng was also so rational that he never really thought about getting anything from her, let alone asking for anything.

Who would feel comfortable carrying the burden of emotional debt? At this moment, all Feng Xinglie could do was sing him a song to calm his mind, lift his spirits, and make him feel better. She wanted to clearly tell him that she knew his feelings and his affection, but deep down she knew that this was all there was between them.

She didn't treat him as well as he treated her, and unwilling to feel guilty or cause such an awkward situation, she had no choice but to accept it.

"Do you think I'm such a timid, submissive woman in your eyes? Always acting like I'm going to die? Do you think I, the mighty God of War Feng Xinglie, would become a resentful woman just because Qin Han forced me to jump off Zijin Mountain once? You bunch of kids, stop being so tense, okay?" Although she always dressed as a man in public, the people around her had all followed her since childhood, so her identity was no secret, and Feng Xinglie didn't care.

As for the three allied envoys, they turned pale and ran away in a panic the moment they heard the name "Feng Xinglie." Feng Xinglie didn't say much, so no one stopped them. By now, the ragtag allied forces must have received the news.

Luo Yun complained from the side, "Isn't it because of Xing Lie's serious criminal record? Jumping off Zijin Mountain once is a small matter? Then what if I said that our Flame Cavalry would collectively jump into the river tomorrow? Would that be considered a joke?" Although the military discipline in the Flame Army was strict, Feng Xing Lie was usually not very arrogant. Besides, Luo Yun and the others had followed her for a long time and knew her temper very well, and she could joke around casually.

Seeing Feng Xinglie's depressed state because of his "criminal record," everyone burst into laughter, swaying and staggering.

Having calmed down, Xi Suifeng regained his composure and calmness, and called everyone into the main tent to talk about the situation of the three-way allied forces.

"Xing Lie, guess why these people want to form an alliance with us?"

"An alliance? I was so focused on you that I didn't pay much attention. I thought they were here to pressure and threaten us into negotiations. The allied forces think they can stir up a hornet's nest just because they have more capital. Hmph, do you think the Flame Cavalry are pushovers?" Feng Xinglie pondered for a moment, raising an eyebrow slightly. "If they're here to form an alliance, they must have other powerful enemies. Could it be that there are people they can't handle, and they want to drag our Flame Army into it?" They boast an army of 300,000; those bandits and outlaws are no match for these locusts. A thought flashed through his mind, but... no way...

Upon seeing Feng Xinglie, Xi Suifeng's smile eased considerably, a weight lifted from his heart. He said with a sense of accomplishment, "Those three spoke almost without thinking. Although I have no intention of allying with them, it might not be a bad idea to extract some information and use it." He pointed to a spot on the map: "You may not know, but the Great Ling War God Ling Yuxiang, who has been giving you a headache at Baihui Pass for a long time, has forced the Southern Fan army into a series of defeats. The three-way allied forces colluded with us a while ago when they were planning to deal with us. They were severely lacking in supplies, and that day they gathered troops to burn, kill, and plunder within the Southern Fan territory. They happened to be encountered here by Ling Yuxiang's vanguard."

Feng Xinglei's eyebrows twitched: "And then?"

"Then... it's easy to imagine that those people were either dead or wounded, and Ling Yuxiang detained a few to find out their situation and where they were based. Although the three-way allied forces can be described as having a formidable force, they dared not enter the Qin territory because they were afraid of the power of our Lie Army. Their strongholds are all in Nanfan, which is a vassal state of Ling. Now that Ling Yuxiang has reached Nanfan, he finds that there are 300,000 foreign troops standing on his land. What do you think he wants to do?"

After thinking for a moment, Feng Xinglie suddenly asked, "Has the rebellion in the Southern Region been quelled?"

"That's about it. Ling Yuxiang truly lives up to his reputation as a war god on par with you, Xing Lie. In less than seven days since he arrived, the Southern rebels have already suffered repeated defeats and are in complete disarray, posing no threat whatsoever. However, even Ling Yuxiang's simplicity seems rather strange to me..."

"Where is Ling Yuxiang's army currently stationed? And where is the headquarters of the three-way allied forces?" Resting his delicate chin on his hand, Feng Xinglie gazed intently at the map, his right index finger gently tapping it...

Upon seeing her posture, Xi Suifeng and the others knew that she had begun to plan and think, so they did not dare to disturb her and simply answered her questions.

"Ling Yuxiang's army is still in Dongshan, while the three-way allied forces are in Tianping Ridge in the southwest. Strangely enough, the two places are quite far apart, making it inconvenient for Ling Yuxiang to move around..."

Dongshan? Tianping Ridge?

His sharp gaze searched every nook and cranny of the map, then suddenly paused at a certain spot, his index finger ceasing its tapping. He just stared at the map, then abruptly slammed his hand on the table, barely jumping off his chair! His face was contorted with rage, his anger reaching a fever pitch, and he roared through gritted teeth.

"That bastard!"

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[Border Storm: Chapter Twenty - An Inevitable Defeat]

While Feng Xinglie roared amidst the fierce army, Ling Yuxiang's troops were also in turmoil.

"What? Your Highness is going to Tianping Valley alone? How can this be!" Although the enemy is not exactly brave and resourceful, it is still said to be an army of 300,000! One of the four light cavalry generals who have followed Ling Yuxiang for many years couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"I'm not going alone. I also have 20,000 light cavalry, 1,000 Flying Feather Cavalry, and the Dark Pavilion. If I'm not afraid, what are you afraid of?" At this moment, Ling Yuxiang, dressed in his well-known red robe and silver armor, with a long, fiery red fur-trimmed cloak over it, could captivate the hearts of countless young girls. He chuckled casually, but his gaze was fixed on the small bamboo slip in his hand. His narrow phoenix eyes revealed a hint of tenderness and a deep glint as he scanned the line of small characters on it again and again, unable to get enough of looking at it.

Feng Xinglie is not dead; he has already joined the Lie Army.

"Ling Ke is also worried about the Prince's safety." Besides the four light cavalrymen, there were three or four older men and women in the tent. The man sitting at the bottom was very puzzled. What had he just seen on Prince Ling's face? Gentleness? No way! How could the God of War, Ling Yuxiang, have ever shown such an expression? He must have been mistaken!

“General Hong is right. The Prince’s safety is the top priority. Besides, the Prince has been troubled by the Princess’s passing lately. Just because no one has mentioned it doesn’t mean that no one is paying attention. We just can’t bear to see the Prince so sad. But the situation is dire. Not only are the three allied forces blocking the road, but the Great Qin Feng King has also returned. Qing Li in the southwest has also stationed troops on the border, and we don’t know what he’s up to. There are powerful enemies everywhere. The Prince cannot act recklessly!”

Ye Piao's cold voice couldn't hide his concern. As his personal bodyguard, he knew better than anyone how distraught Prince Ling was after learning of the Princess's death.

How could he not feel sorrow in his heart? How could he not feel regret and pain for that incomparably beautiful woman? But the departed are gone, and the current situation is worrying. The future is unclear, but he will do everything in his power to protect the prince! He will not fail the prince's kindness in recognizing his talent!

A smug, confident smile spread across his face. Ling Yuxiang tucked the small bamboo slip into his robes and hid it close to his body. Suddenly, he became a hundred times more alert, his phoenix eyes gleaming with silver light. He scanned the surroundings, and with an air of absolute certainty, he snorted:

"When have I, Ling Yuxiang, ever lost a battle?"

Everyone was shocked. They felt that the man in front of them was exuding a fierce aura, like a sword drawn from its sheath, so sharp that it made them tremble with fear. They had no doubt that if anyone blocked their way, blood would immediately splatter everywhere!

Seeing such charm, who would still have any unnecessary worries?

Ye Piao and Zi Mo frowned, exchanged a glance, and a suspicion arose in their hearts. Since they arrived at the army camp and sadly reported the news, the prince had been in a rather low mood these past few days. How could he suddenly seem like a completely different person, as if he'd been given a stimulant? Something was definitely strange!

“Your Highness is always incredibly resourceful; I believe there’s nothing to worry about.” Another man, a man in his late twenties named Yingwu, patted Hong Qi’s shoulder heavily, grinning to show off his crooked, yellow teeth.

The generals inside the tent shook their heads and laughed, already relieved, but asked no further questions.

"Pass on my military order! Ling Xiang and Ling Ke, you two will lead the Flying Feather Cavalry and all light cavalry, totaling 20,000 men, discarding all unnecessary equipment. The Dark Guard will accompany you. Be prepared to launch a surprise attack with me."

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"Hong Qi, Han Ruo, and Ma Zhiyun, the three of you will lead the army to follow behind and proceed to Tianping Ridge as quickly as possible. Go around the mountain and form an encirclement from the rear. Once the allied forces of the three parties have all come out, you can close the net."

Hong Qi, being a veteran, frowned slightly: "What about ahead..."

Ling Yuxiang's gaze swept over him with an almost tangible intensity, and he smiled knowingly, lowered his head, and together with Han Ruo and Ma Zhiyun, loudly replied, "Your subordinate obeys!"

"Furthermore, announce to the entire army that if we encounter the Lie Army, we must not engage in conflict with them before they launch an attack!"

"Yes, Commander!"

When Ling Yuxiang was leading his troops into battle, he never let anyone know his overall plans. He would only distribute orders one by one, and they would simply receive the orders and do their best to fulfill them. As for what schemes were involved or what the deeper meaning was, Ling Yuxiang would not say. They could only know some general information and could not guess the whole story.

This is a tactic to guard against enemy scouts. Even if the enemy army has ways to detect his scattered troops step by step, they cannot predict how he will weave these scattered troops into a deadly trap and stage a thrilling battle. One wrong move and the whole game is lost. If they misjudge Ling Yuxiang even one step, they may suffer a crushing defeat and never recover.

To achieve this, one needs not only a rigorous approach to action, swift deployment speed, and absolute loyalty from subordinates, but also a comprehensive vision and the confidence to command a large army. In these aspects, Ling Yuxiang is undoubtedly outstanding. This Great War God Ling has always won people's respect. Even Feng Xinglie, who was once troubled by him, praised him highly.

But now, Feng Xinglie, who was in the Lie Army, was furious when he received Ling Yuxiang's order to lead troops out overnight. His anger shocked everyone around him!

"Just as I expected, Ling Yuxiang is a complete bastard! The longer the war drags on, the worse it will be. I'm sure he'll do everything he can to wipe out those three rebel groups! Dongshan is quite far from Tianping Ridge, so it's impossible for his army to march swiftly. He can only muster no more than 20,000 men, including the Flying Feather Cavalry! 20,000 men rushing off to their deaths! Does he really think he's a god?!"

Even if the enemy is weak, they still have 300,000 men! Even if most of them are a rabble, there are still a small number of original Qin soldiers who were the former subordinates of those three military officers who started the uprising. Besides, they have so many people; one of them could spit on you and drown you!

In battles involving thousands or tens of thousands of soldiers, it's not impossible for one soldier to fight against dozens, and with elite troops and generals, achieve victory against overwhelming odds. However, large-scale warfare is different. Can you find 20,000 soldiers, all of whom are martial arts masters capable of taking on a hundred opponents each? Moreover, direct confrontations between armies are different from ordinary guerrilla tactics and encirclements. Every aspect of the battle—momentum, formation, and deployment—has its own significance. Once the fighting begins, reinforcements cannot immediately engage in combat. With a large number of soldiers, the reinforcements are endless, and they will eventually be able to overcome the smaller ones. No matter how elite your troops are, in a direct confrontation with a tenfold numerical advantage, defeat is almost inevitable!

Seeing Feng Xinglie's appearance, Xi Suifeng, Luo Yun, and the others looked at her strangely. What does Ling Yuxiang going to his death have to do with you? Logically speaking, he should still be our opponent, right? Why are you so agitated, as if something has happened to your lover?

At this time, Youying had already gone out to gather intelligence, and without Feng Xinglie's consent, the affairs of Dadu were naturally not made public.

Xi Suifeng lowered his voice: "Ling Yuxiang is known as the God of War, it's impossible for him to do something so strange. Is there a trap?"

"A trap? What trap could there be!" Feng Xinglie didn't even notice he was grinding his teeth. "That bastard did it on purpose! He's going to Tianping Valley alone to deliberately attract the attention of Tianping Ridge. When that happens, how could the three armies and those bastards from the Southern Domain let such an opportunity slip by? They'll definitely gather their forces and do whatever it takes to trap him!"

Luo Yun's expression flashed, and he said as if he suddenly realized something: "Ling Yuxiang's previous attack on the Southern Domain was easy. It seems that the main force of the Southern Domain rebels has already moved and colluded with these three allied forces."

"Hmph, they've stationed themselves within the Southern Domain's territory. Who would believe they have no dealings with the local powerful clans? That rebel army isn't to be trifled with either. After all, they were left behind by Empress Dowager Xiao Yun. There's no reason they'd be so stupid as to be completely outmaneuvered on the battlefield." Feng Xinglie's expression was dark, his eyes filled with a cold smile, as if he wanted to smash the table with one slap: "Ling Yuxiang is simply risking his life, acting as bait to lure the snakes out of their hole!"

Luo Yun finally couldn't hold back any longer: "According to you, he's completely in a losing situation, but Xing Lie, why are you so angry?"

Feng Xinglie's face turned pale, and he glared at him irritably: "What are you doing? You've been with me for quite a while now, how come you still haven't improved? He really screwed over our Lie Army, do you think I shouldn't be angry?"

That was certainly one aspect, but Feng Xinglie also knew in her heart that what angered her even more was that Ling Yuxiang actually dared to gamble with his life. Just thinking about his arrogant and dismissive attitude towards her made her furious.