Capítulo 213: Dance of the Phoenix in the Sky
As night descended, a gentle breeze stirred, carrying a hint of coolness. The northern bank of the Bi Luo River was ablaze with light, the sounds of troops moving rhythmically echoing in the air, creating an unprecedented liveliness.
Xuan Yuan Hao sat in the military camp, his countenance grim, his powerful hands resting on the table, lightly clenched into fists. The ministers flanking him wore equally solemn expressions, remaining silent.
Reports from Xuan Yuan's scouts indicated that the Queen of Feng led the Feng Lan army, together with Bai Chu's forces, totaling two hundred thousand. Initially filled with confidence, they believed in the prowess of the Xuan Yuan army, boasting three hundred thousand troops under the command of their astute heir. However, they never anticipated such an outcome.
When the seasoned general returned from a defeat at the hands of the Feng queen, his disheveled state led him to praise her, lamenting his own shortcomings. Many dismissed this notion, scoffing at the idea that iron-willed men of Xuan Yuan could be outmatched by a woman.
Their forces had marched triumphantly, never tasting defeat under the heir's leadership, their morale soaring. They were certain they would press the advantage, crossing the Bi Luo River, with the inept King of Chu reduced to insignificance. The remaining focus would be on the kingdoms of Feng and Lan; once their army crossed the river, the honor of Feng Lan would be obliterated, and the world would undoubtedly fall into their hands.
Filled with fervor and self-assurance, their disdain for Cen Can's caution grew as they approached the Bi Luo River. Upon arrival, they were met with a stark reality: it was not Cen's exaggerated respect for the fabled woman that caused their misfortune, but their own arrogance and underestimation of the enemy. The Bi Luo River, serving as a natural boundary between Bai Chu and Chu, was not as bustling as the camp city, but still boasted a modest prosperity. Yet, they found the area deserted, with not a soul in sight. The surrounding boats had vanished, and their fury intensified upon discovering that the trees had been scorched. Now, even the mightiest warriors of Xuan Yuan could not traverse the vast Bi Luo River without vessels.
"What shall we do now, Young Master?" Cen Can inquired, furrowing his brow in anguish. Since their encounter at Black Wind Ridge, he had recognized the Queen of Lan as an astute strategist, yet her level of cunning surprised him. In the mere ten days it took for Xuan Yuan to journey from Chu to this point, they had dispatched numerous elite scouts, only to learn upon arrival that the local residents had vanished without a trace. The seamlessness of this exodus suggested collaboration with the Bai family; the mere thought sent chills down Cen Can's spine.
"Are we men of such stature truly afraid of a woman?" scoffed a burly warrior adorned with a thick beard, looking down at the distressed Cen Can. He could not believe that the steadfast men of Xuan Yuan would yield to a woman.
Xuan Yuan turned to his military strategist, Ji Yunli, standing behind him. "What is your opinion?"
With an air of refined composure, Ji Yunli appeared unfazed by Cen Can's worries or the other warrior's derision. He smiled gently, radiating a calm demeanor. "The Bai family could never conceive such a scheme."
He glanced at Xuan Yuan Hao. While they had grown accustomed to the situation's gravity, Ji Yunli's statement sparked a sense of foreboding. The Lan King was a man of remarkable ingenuity, regarded as Xuan Yuan's greatest adversary, and now he had a capable queen at his side, a formidable ally indeed. The disdain and ridicule they had previously held evaporated entirely.
"Had the Feng King been a man, he would surely have thrived in this tumultuous world," Ji Yunli asserted confidently. As a woman, she had conquered many in these chaotic times. Having stood by Xuan Yuan Hao's side for years, he was akin to a talisman for the young heir. Until now, he had never seen Xuan Yuan Hao express such admiration for a woman. Previously, he believed the praise for Feng Xian Yue was exaggerated, but now he recognized there was merit in the heir's words. Few could match Feng Xian Yue's caliber, and only she could assist the heir in achieving his grand ambitions. While Ning Yun Yan was astute, she paled in comparison to the Queen of Feng.
Xuan Yuan Hao nodded in agreement. From the moment he laid eyes on Xian Yue, he sensed her uniqueness. Yet, he felt he had missed an opportunity; he had pursued his aspirations, but in doing so, he let her slip away, along with his childhood dreams.
"Isn't the strategist's statement rather exaggerated?" questioned a voice amidst the assembly. Compared to the challenges posed by Xian Yue, they held firm belief that their heir could lead them out of adversity.
"Isn't it just a lack of boats? Although the trees around have been incinerated, we have three hundred thousand troops. The Bi Luo River is not far from Chu; we could transport timber back and forth to construct vessels within a fortnight. We will cross the river," a warrior insisted, bolstered by their numbers.
Ji Yunli cast a tranquil glance at Lu Su, revealing no trace of worry. "The Queen of Feng's actions are not just cunning; they are a masterstroke, accomplishing multiple objectives with one decisive move."
Ji Yunli approached Bai Zhanfeng, his demeanor elegant and composed, with a subtle smile gracing his lips that mirrored the calm confidence of Lan Yixuan.
"Our Xuanyuan army has departed from Xuanyuan, marching valiantly without a single defeat, our momentum unparalleled. If we press our advantage and strike decisively, despite not being able to match them ten to one, we can at least confront them three to one. However, if we are confined to this location, the morale of our soldiers will undoubtedly dwindle compared to before. This ebb and flow is extremely disadvantageous for us. Moreover, our rear is the State of Chu. Even if we are near the camp city, which is not far from the Biluo River, transporting materials to construct ships from afar will tire our soldiers. And most importantly—"
Ji Yunli's lips curled slightly in a relaxed manner, "Our Xuanyuan is unlike Chu; we are situated at the heart of the continent, surrounded by land. Although our forces are adept in land combat, we have few who excel in naval warfare. In stark contrast, the Bai family specializes in water battles, and while the Lan King may not match the prowess of Bai Chu, he still surpasses us. I have heard that the Queen of Feng has brought with her an army of fifty thousand women. Though they are considered weak, their skills are not to be underestimated. In the past, I might have dismissed General Cen's remarks as exaggeration, but now I concede that this army possesses undeniable strength, which we must regard with utmost caution."
At first, the crowd was unperturbed, but upon hearing Ji Yunli's analysis, their expressions shifted to one of enlightenment. They had thought it a trivial matter, unaware of the profound implications hidden within, and the more they pondered, the more they realized the depths of Feng Xianyue's capabilities.
"What a pity," Cen Can sighed, a look of regret on his face. Previously, such sentiments would have drawn mockery, yet now, a heavy silence enveloped the group as they too considered the unfortunate loss. If such a woman were to become their Young Master's bride, how could they doubt his aspirations?
"What shall we do now? Are we simply to concede?" someone suddenly voiced the question.
Concede? That was inconceivable. They had journeyed thousands of miles from Xuanyuan, painstakingly reaching this point, harboring the same dream as their Young Master—to unify the realm. In this critical moment, how could they simply give up?
All eyes turned to Xuanyuan Hao, their glances tinged with a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty about his relationship with Xianyue. Previously, they had perceived her as lacking insight, believing that if their Young Master was as exceptional as they thought, she would not have turned him away. But now, they felt the tide of their judgments shift, especially Cen Can, who lamented the loss of such a dazzling woman. Had he known she was of such caliber, even as a commoner, she would have been a worthy candidate for the position of Xuanyuan's Young Mistress. Yet now, the reality was set in stone, and it was too late for regrets.
Xuanyuan Hao's hands clenched tighter on the table, his brow furrowing as he listened to the murmurs below. Rising suddenly, he scanned the room with a fierce glare. "Are you willing to give up at this moment?"
His voice resonated with the power of his arms, and the ministers exchanged looks, inwardly questioning themselves repeatedly. But ultimately—
"I am not willing."
Each word struck the air with palpable conviction.
"Uniting the realm is a conquest I must fulfill in this lifetime. Even if it means losing everything, I refuse to cling to half a kingdom and live a life of regret. I believe in myself, and I believe in you. One day, this realm will surely be ours."
His words were resolute, his brown eyes shimmering with determination, stirring a sense of conviction in those present. Yes, their original oath of loyalty was made precisely for this ambition!
Ji Yunli regarded Xuanyuan Hao with approving nods. This was the Young Master he willingly followed, drawn to his ambition—a man of unwavering strength.
Xuanyuan Hao's fists tightened even further, filled with frustration and longing. If that woman had been his, would the kingdom and the world not belong to him? He would not face such a painful choice, nor would he bear this profound regret in his heart.
Having lost the beauty, he could not afford to lose the world as well. He must not allow himself to emerge empty-handed, especially not when it came to the realm. If he lost this, what then had his earlier resolve been for?
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