Translator: Antonia
In the year 324 of Daqing calendar, a million-strong troops of Xiongye came to invade, while Tuoba Muhong of Tianbin came back. The thirteen armies of Liaomeng and Wonu were also eyeing covetously in the south.
The century-old legacy of Daqing was about to be wiped out.
Emperor Jiarui issued orders eighteen times in a row to demand Yingwu Duke (AKA. Duke of Valiancy), Fang Junqian, to defend the border at any cost.
All brave men in the country gathered in Bafang to fight at the fortress!
In the twilight, a young commander stood on the city tower, scarf red as fire, his eyes firmly staring into the distance under the silver helmet. The upright figure merged into the setting sun behind him.
He coldly glanced at the hooting troops at the city entrance, cold like a lifeless sculpture.
Xiao Qingyu was sitting next to him. He, who was overly mature and wise all the time, now displayed an expression like a day-dreaming child, in an incredible peace, pure as the sky and ocean.
“Fang Junqian, are you scared?”
Even far away, the flame-like aggressive spirits of the enemy burned Fang Junqian"s eyes. He had a hunch that the upcoming battle would be a tough one.
However, he had him by his side!
Fang Junqian stood, hands on the back, “I"m scared of nothing, with you supporting me.”
Xiao Qingyu"s expression blended elegance and grimness, “If we lost this battle, Tianbin and Xiongye would march right into our country, and Liaomeng and Wonu in the south would also take this opportunity… Then, Daqing would cease to exist…”
Fang Junqian said gently, “I"ll stay with you no matter what.”
Then, neither of them talked anymore.
In the setting sun, two gorgeous young men stared into the sunset in the west, and the dark mountains behind them drew their silhouettes, one slim and graceful, the other upright and proud.
The Bafang generals, holding their breath, watched them quietly. The two youths, the last hope for Daqing, had a unique peerless deportment.
Late at night, in the Commander"s tent, all generals were convened for the final tactical deployment.
“By tomorrow"s battle, the life and death would be decided by us. We can only win! Duke Fang, forgive my rudeness, but I suggest that you go to the battlefield personally!” Xiao Qingyu said.
The generals were astonished!
“Please think twice, Childe! The General Commander can"t get a bit hurt!” Once the general commander got injured, the spirits of the soldiers would be harmed too. Then, they would be doomed to lose!
Li Shenghu volunteered, “Childe, let me go to battle!”
“I"d like to!”
“I"d like to!”
Xiao Qingyu didn"t make any response but only stared at him quietly, the pitch-dark eyes sparkling with starlight, “On the battlefield, only Duke Fang can understand my intention.”
Hence, in tomorrow"s battle, he could only do a good job with Fang Junqian around.
The tacit mutual understanding only existed between them two.
Only him. Not any others.
Dazzling brilliance burst out of Fang Junqian"s eyes, “I won"t let you down who trusts me so much!”
A half-million strong armored infantries mounted their horses, the clanking of whose hoofs was as loud as thunders. The black squad of infantries spilled over the whole plain like black mudslides, which was almost boundless. The army flags rustled and weapons clangored in wind.
The vast sea of raging soldiers and neighing horses in the forest of swords and spears stirred up clouds of dusk.
Xiao Qingyu was sitting on the town tower, motionlessly. The setting sun was in blood-red, and the sky was clear as just having been washed. Glancing into the distant, he saw magnificent rivers and mountains of thousands of miles—at last, his sight rested on Fang Junqian"s handsome enchanting face, right before him:
“I"m here waiting for you to come back triumphantly.”
Fang Junqian laughed loudly, “By then, let"s get drunk!”
He turned away chicly, the red scarf in a sad curve— “I"m leaving!”
On the high terrace of observation sat the Xiongye King, Murong Zhan, and Tianbin"s famous commander Tuoba Muhong. The first archer of Xiongye, Yuchi Chuan and twenty-four guards stood on the side.
Beside the Xiongye King sat an unparalleled beauty who had a fair but cold face. She was Concubine Yu, who had just entered the palace and was quite loved by the King.
It was said that Murong Zhan happened to rescue her during a hunting when she was surrounded by wolves. At the first sight, he was stunned by her beauty and loved her more after taking her back to his palaces. To make her happy, he even took her to observe the battle, despite all objections.
Fair to say that she gained three thousand love.
“Commander Tuoba, what do you think of this battle?”
Tuoba Muhong was confident, “I"ll win my fame back through this one!”
Murong Zhan, “I"m wondering whether Bafang will open the gate for the fighting.”
If they insisted to stay in the town, it would be merely a matter of time to take it over. Now Bafang army had only one way out—open the gate and fight back! To beat the enemy hard at the beginning and leave them no chance to make a siege!
Tuoba Muhong said scornfully, “Fang Junqian is a soft-haired child. How dare he!”
At this moment, the gate of Bafang suddenly opened!
The raging Bafang army swarmed out flocking a youthful Commander to fight back.
The bright red morning glow gave Fang Junqian, in silver armor and a red scarf, darker hair and fairer skin like snow, who looked incredibly gorgeous.
Sword Heaven was right at his waist. The divine sword buzzed in its sheath, as if shouting for fresh blood and victory!
He drew it out and pointed to the sky—
“Hurrah, Daqing Army—!”
The 700,000 brave soldiers shouted in unison, “Kill—!”