Fengcheng Flying General

Chapter 77

The aged voice was filled with endless disappointment: "Fate, if it weren't for her calamity, you would have succeeded by now."

Hearing the disappointed voice and seeing the disappointed look in her eyes, Tuosang slowly said, "I wouldn't have succeeded even without her ordeal. Because, on the last night of my training, I suddenly realized that if I succeeded, I would be 'Bokdo' forever, and that would truly be a final farewell to her..."

This terrifying thought instantly spread to every corner of his soul. At the final stage of his cultivation, he suddenly saw stars, sweated profusely, and felt as if hundreds of venomous centipedes were slowly gnawing at his limbs and bones. Countless demons and monsters roamed freely, laughing grotesquely as they ripped out his bloodied heart and tossed it across the world…

He leaped up and fought the demons and monsters, pounding his palms against the thick stone wall, the impact sending stone chips embedded in his hands without him feeling a thing. He shouted and shooed them away until his voice was hoarse and he could no longer make a sound, but the demons continued to dance wildly before him, waving their hands as if warmly welcoming his arrival.

The aged voice was filled with shock: "Back then, you actually experienced this situation?"

He nodded, looking at the rough, ugly, centipede-like scars on his hands, and felt a lingering fear: "If it weren't for her ordeal, I might have really succeeded in my cultivation. But not as a Buddha, but as a demon!"

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Chapter 261: Turning the Tide

After a long while, the old monk sighed and said, "Now that I think about it, your wisdom transformed into a flower entirely because you were thinking of her! Otherwise, why would that flower fly out of the fire and into her hand?"

Tuosang looked at the vast night sky. "Perhaps, it wasn't a Buddhist flower. The moment the flames ignited, I felt her heartbroken state, and I had only one thought in my mind: I won't leave her, I absolutely cannot leave her. It was this thought that turned into the flower."

"Alas, this flower withered in her hands, and now the cultivation of the 'Mind-Stabilizing Technique' has ultimately failed because of her. Your obstinacy is such that even Buddha is helpless against it. From this day forward, you will never be reincarnated again!"

Looking at the unprecedented disappointment and fear on that aged face, Tuosang felt uneasy. If the opposing forces knew that this "Bokdo" had become a truly ordinary person, he wondered what they would do, fundamentally shaking the foundations and faith of all believers, and unleashing a bloodbath. He also knew that the exiled monks like Xia'ao and Chiba were still desperately searching for the direction of their souls; how disappointed they would be if they knew? The sect was in dire straits, and ambitious figures were actively supporting puppets; to turn the tide, he didn't know what the price would be.

After thinking carefully, Tuosang said, "When I was practicing the sixth level of the 'Mind-Calming Technique,' I sensed the soul of a great abbot and had a brief conversation with him. You can go and find his reincarnation."

The abbot was a very important and great monk in the sect. The old monk was overjoyed when he heard this: "If only we could find his reincarnation."

Tuosang recounted his observations in great detail. The old monk grew increasingly pleased as he listened: "I must find Xia Ao and the others as soon as possible."

If we can find the reincarnation of that great abbot, the puppets supported by ambitious people will have nowhere to hide, and Xia Ao and his companions can end their life in exile.

Tuosang solemnly replied, "Although I am now an ordinary person, I will still do my best for my sect one last time. Before the new 'Bokdo' is chosen, all my actions will be carried out in secret, and I will never reveal my identity. Please rest assured."

The old monk nodded. Although he would not be reincarnated, his extraordinary wisdom and abilities remained. With his help, things could be more likely to go smoothly.

He gave Tosang a final bow, saying, "Take good care of yourself from now on."

Tosang returned the greeting to him and all the followers for the last time, saying, "Take care, you all must take care!"

The moonlight had long since faded; it was the darkest time before dawn.

Tuosang stood alone on the heavy earth, gazing into the distance towards Xining Prefecture. The thought of one day finally shedding his shackles filled him with a sudden emptiness, a sense of bewilderment about the future. At that moment, the desire to see her was stronger than ever.

Recalling the time he secretly saw her tonight, her eyes still shone with the same dark, jade-like brilliance as he remembered. He couldn't help but smile: "Junyu, what are you doing now? Are you asleep, or are you staying up all night studying military intelligence? Perhaps, before long, I'll be able to come and see you openly."

No one answered his inner monologue. A gentle breeze blew by, and the first rays of dawn appeared in the eastern sky.

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Chapter 262: Friends (1)

Junyu rushed back to the commander's camp, and it was already past midnight.

She lay on the bed fully clothed, her mind a jumble of thoughts. After a long while, she finally managed to close her eyes and felt a little sleepy.

A gentle breeze drifted in through the crack in the window. She softly opened her eyes and suddenly felt so clearly that someone was quietly gazing at her from outside. It was a silent protection and tenderness, as familiar and comforting as she had always known. She looked towards the window and whispered, "Tuo-san, is that you?"

At this moment, the moon was bright and the wind was gentle; there was complete silence both inside and outside the window.

"Sigh, Tuosang, I know what happened in your sect. You can go and do your thing. The war in the Northwest won't be over in just a few months. I'll always be here waiting for you."

There was silence outside the window for a moment, then a slight gust of wind.

Junyu jumped up. By then, dawn was breaking. A beautifully crafted jade hairpin was stuck in the lattice window, with a small note on its tip. Junyu took the note, unfolded it, and read a line of familiar, elegant small regular script: "Ejina, the fourth son of Zhenmutier, is leading an army of 30,000 towards Yanmen."

She looked at the familiar handwriting and smiled: "Tuo Sang, you really wanted to see me, didn't you? Sigh, you've really had a hard time."

The autumn sun had completely set behind the mountains, and the sky over Northwest China had become so vast and distant. A wisp of smoke and clouds added a touch of light ink and gentleness, as well as a hint of desolate chill.

Junyu stepped out of the tent. A large tree at the entrance had already begun to shed its leaves, leaving a carpet of withered, yellow leaves on the ground.

A guard from the Marshal's mansion respectfully led a man in plain clothes towards them. The man had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, walked with a brisk pace, and exuded a very steady aura. Jun Yu suddenly saw him in this remote place and couldn't help but smile.

The man also saw Junyu standing at the door and shouted happily, "Junyu!"

"Yuan Jing, you've arrived. Please come in."

This wasn't Meng Yuanjing's first visit to this simple commander's mansion. It had changed hands several times, and while it had originally been grand and imposing, each time it came into Jun Yu's hands, it would become extremely simple. There was no other reason; the main reason was that the Northwest Army's budget was extremely tight, and anything slightly luxurious had basically been sold off by Jun Yu or given as rewards to meritorious soldiers.

Meng Yuanjing looked at her carefully for a few moments and found that the sorrow and haggardness in her eyes and brows had long since faded, and she had regained the heroic and spirited appearance he knew so well. Because of Tuosang's death, he had been filled with guilt and had not dared to face Junyu for quite some time. As for the trip to Phoenix Village originally planned at the beginning of the year, after the secret envoy who had gone to Phoenix Village first brought back Junyu's unusually harsh attitude, the emperor saw that he could not force her and adopted a delaying policy, so he had not sent him for the time being.

This mission to the Northwest was entirely of his own volition. It was Junyu's choice to return to the battlefield, and if his mission could clear some obstacles for her, it would be the last thing he could do for her.

"Junyu, I heard two things on my way here..."

Which two items?

"One is that a few days ago, the Northwest Army defeated 8,000 elite troops of the Chijin tribe in Yumen, achieving its first victory in recent times."

"And the second one?"

"I was very anxious when I heard that Sun Jia had betrayed us and poisoned your eyes, but when I saw that you were fine, I realized that it must have been a rumor spread by the enemy."

Just as he expected, Zhenmutier did not let go of this opportunity, but unfortunately his wishful thinking completely failed. Junyu laughed and said, "That's right, Zhenmutier's comeback is to undermine and shake our morale. I stood up for him, and his rumors were exposed without any evidence."

Seeing her composed expression, Meng Yuanjing still couldn't help but hesitate and said, "Junyu, I really... about Tuosang..."

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Chapter 263: Friends (2)

Seeing the deep shame on his face, Junyu smiled. From childhood to adulthood, she had always been open and honest with her old friends, sharing many joys, victories, and even disappointments. At this moment, she didn't want to hide anything and make him feel guilty. She lowered her voice: "Yuanjing, Tuosang is still alive."

Meng Yuanjing was taken aback: "Really?"

Junyu nodded, chuckling softly, "I don't know where he is right now. And you know he can't reveal his identity under these circumstances. But I believe he'll definitely come looking for me again."

Meng Yuanjing breathed a sigh of relief. For more than a year, he had often felt guilty about this matter, thinking that the mistake had already been made and could never be made up for. After a while, he said, "If that's really the case, then that's great!"

"Yuan Jing, I'm so sorry I didn't come to your wedding. I promised I would, but I broke my promise."

Meng Yuanjing said calmly, "How can you blame yourself for this? How could you have appeared in the capital at that time?"

Junyu smiled and said, "Thank you for not blaming me."

How could I blame you? Meng Yuanjing sighed inwardly: Even if you were free and it was convenient for you, I wouldn't invite you. Alas, Junyu, I'll invite you to any other kind of banquet, but I will never invite you to my wedding.

"How are Lanni and the others doing now?"

“What else can they do?” Meng Yuanjing frowned and sighed. “My aunt has really gone to great lengths to secure their positions in the palace. After Consort Mei’s miscarriage, she lost all favor, but now that Hongni is pregnant, their positions should be relatively stable for the time being.”

Junyu listened to his calm explanation, yet knew full well the countless breathtaking conspiracies and schemes involved. No wonder General Mei was transferred away so easily.

"Your aunt is still as formidable as ever."

Meng Yuanjing sighed, “What good is her shrewdness? When you scheme against others, you also have to be wary of others scheming against you. Once, Hongni accidentally offended Consort Mei and was almost banished to the Cold Palace. If my aunt hadn’t intervened early, I can’t even imagine what would have happened to the sisters. Alas, if my uncle were still alive, how could he have allowed his daughter to suffer such torment?”

Junyu heard him sigh several times and knew he must be very unhappy about his cousin's matter. At this moment, Meng Yuanjing also laughed: "I was so busy sighing that I forgot about the important matter." As he spoke, he took out the tiger tally for mobilizing troops from his pocket and handed it over: "This is the tiger tally for mobilizing troops, you know it."

Junyu accepted the tiger tally with some surprise. This type of tiger tally was the most special kind of military tally, capable of mobilizing troops nationwide. The fact that the emperor had actually given him this tiger tally showed that he was trying to completely dispel any suspicion he might have.

"Serving a ruler is like serving a tiger. The current emperor is very suspicious. He doesn't trust the old members of the imperial family and the old faction who are deeply entrenched. It's fortunate that you have a special status. He's not afraid that you will seize power or stage a coup, which is why he's willing to take such a gamble."

Junyu nodded: "Yuanjing, you know that I don't have much time left to show my skills. So I won't refuse. Now that I have such a great opportunity, I will definitely do my best."

"Junyu, you're really powerful now, able to mobilize a million troops at will."

Junyu smiled and said, "A million-strong army is naturally unnecessary for the time being, but it would be much more convenient to have full control over the troops in the thirteen northern provinces."

She weighed the tiger tally in her hand: "I will definitely seek a good opportunity to have a decisive battle with Zhenmutier. I want to see just how powerful his iron cavalry, which has swept across the west for thousands of miles, really is!"

Her tone was calm, but Meng Yuanjing could hear the barely suppressed pride in her voice. After experiencing many trials and tribulations, she had once again become the commander of the Phoenix Army, truly dominating the battlefield.

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Chapter 264: On the Eve of the Great Battle

"What is the current situation of Zhenmutier?"

"I truly underestimated this man before. Zhenmutier's sons and four generals are all brave and fierce warriors, each leading an elite force. Back then, it was only Zhenmutier's force that fought against us on the northwestern battlefield. Now, his sons have not only conquered the major steppe tribes, but also recovered parts of the outer borders and the Western Regions. In addition, they have conquered more than a dozen city-states and small kingdoms to the west, and their territory has been fully expanded, making them wealthy. Now, Zhenmutier has integrated the major tribes, appointed himself 'Great Khan,' and concentrated all his military power. If we are not careful, it would not be difficult for him to march south and dominate the world."

Meng Yuanjing was familiar with the southeastern front, but now that the southeastern Japanese pirates had been quelled and he had returned to the court to serve as an official, his understanding of the northern battlefield was not so thorough. After hearing Jun Yu's words, he couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat: "That Zhenmutier has actually amassed such power?"

Junyu nodded. In the first twenty-odd days after she regained her sight, she did not rush back to Xining Prefecture. Instead, she disguised herself and roamed the vast grasslands, secretly gathering information about Zhenmutier.

Do you have a solution in mind?

"For the imperial court, the best course of action is to consolidate Sichuan, rely on the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, develop production and restore national strength. In this way, we will not have to worry about Zhen Mu'er showing off his power."

Meng Yuanjing nodded repeatedly. Consolidating Shu (Sichuan) would precisely cut off Zhenmu Te'er's possibility of a long-range invasion from the southwest; and the Yangtze River's natural barrier and naval warfare were areas where nomadic cavalry were not adept, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities. As for developing production and selecting talented individuals, it would not only eliminate the negative consequences of Prime Minister Zhu's twenty years of rule but also reduce the losses and trauma of years of war. He asked casually, and Junyu answered just as casually, showing that she had been pondering this question for quite some time.

What are your current plans?

“Jinmuter has won a series of victories and is eager to fight. I am gathering my strength and waiting for the right opportunity to have a decisive battle with him.”

"I will do my best to cooperate with you in the court."

"Thank you, Yuanjing." Junyu was very happy. Now that Meng Yuanjing was the Minister of War, he would no longer be hindered at every turn like when Prime Minister Zhu was all-powerful. Many things would be much more convenient for him.

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Chapter 265: Showing No Mercy

"Thank you, Yuanjing." Junyu was very happy. Now that Meng Yuanjing was the Minister of War, he would no longer be hindered at every turn like when Prime Minister Zhu was all-powerful. Many things would be much more convenient for him.

"We've received word that Zhu Yu, having been appointed as a prince consort, is highly valued under Zhenmutier?"

"Indeed. Zhu Yu is brave and resourceful, a real headache."