sjar Chapter 513 Beneath Falling Cloud Peak, Ye Dingzhi and the Demon Master and Disciple at Night (2)
Chapter 513 Beneath Falling Cloud Peak, Ye Dingzhi and the Demon Master and Disciple at Night (2)
Upon hearing this, Yu Shengmo remained silent, only smiling gently.
That smile was like spring flowers in full bloom, breathtakingly beautiful, yet revealing a profound understanding of the ways of the world.
“Silly disciple, your master doesn’t want to be the best in the world!” she said softly. “Your master just wants to meet with old friends and put an end to a matter on your mind. Don’t worry, your master has long since let go of that obsession.”
She paused, looked at the distant mountains and clouds, and said in a faint voice, "The pinnacle of martial arts is nothing but a mirage. In this life, all we seek is peace of mind."
Ye Dingzhi seemed to understand, but he didn't press the matter further.
He knew that his master had his own path, which he could not and did not need to interfere with.
As dusk fell, Ye Ding ordered his sword servant to go down the mountain to buy some ingredients and wine, and then personally cooked a meal for his master.
Although it was just some simple mountain vegetables, it was prepared with care. A pot of mushroom and chicken soup, a dish of stir-fried bamboo shoots, a plate of steamed rice with cured pork, and two jugs of rice wine fetched from the foot of the mountain.
As night fell, the wooden house was filled with a fragrant aroma.
The master and his apprentice sat facing each other, drinking and chatting happily.
Ye Dingzhi recounts his experiences in the Breaking Wind Army, describing their invincible spirit, their heroic feat of single-handedly breaking through Yunzhou, and Wen Yanzhao's medicine man...
Yu Shengmo listened attentively, nodding occasionally, his eyes gleaming with wisdom.
When the wine was half-finished, Ye Dingzhi suddenly said, "Master, I am now serving in the Pofeng Army, which can be considered as following in my father's footsteps. You... won't blame me for getting involved in court politics and warfare, will you?"
Yu Shengmo smiled and reached out to tap his forehead:
“Silly child, how could your master blame you? Everyone has their own path to walk! Your father, Ye Yu, was a renowned general, and it is only right that you inherit his ambition.”
She paused, then said seriously, "Master won't interfere with anything you do. As long as you're willing to do it, Master will support you. But you must remember—"
She stared into Ye Dingzhi's eyes and said, word by word, "No matter what happens, you must not let your inner demons take hold again. Let everything take its natural course. Killing is inevitable on the battlefield, but you must have a sense of proportion and not become a puppet who only knows how to kill!"
Ye Dingzhi solemnly wrote it down: "Disciple understands."
After 9 PM, Ye Dingzhi got up to take his leave.
He had to rush back to the military camp to inspect the defenses and arrange the southern border defenses early the next morning.
Yu Shengmo did not try to stop him, but simply escorted him to the courtyard gate and said softly, "Be careful on your journey. If you encounter any difficulties, come back to your master at any time."
"Take care, Master." Ye Dingzhi knelt down and solemnly kowtowed three times.
When I got up, my eyes were red again.
Yu Shengmo reached out and straightened his collar, his eyes full of affection: "Go, remember your master's words—where your heart finds peace, there is your home."
Ye Dingzhi nodded emphatically and turned to descend the mountain.
The figure quickly disappeared into the night.
Yu Shengmo stood at the courtyard gate, gazing in the direction his disciple had left, remaining motionless for a long time.
The night breeze stirred her flowing dress, her long hair danced in the air, and she looked like a fairy descending to earth under the moonlight.
After a long while, she murmured to herself, her voice filled with relief:
"This child has finally grown up. I am very gratified to have such a disciple!"
She turned and went back into the house, closed the door, and the lights inside the wooden house gradually went out.
Only the bright moon outside the window shines on this solitary peak, on the hermit in the mountains, and on the beacon fires and smoke signals a thousand miles away.
Though the journey through the martial world is long, the bond between master and disciple remains strong.
That night, Zhuiyun Peak was very quiet.
……
Two days later, at dusk, in the northern suburbs of Ezhou.
The setting sun, like blood, dyed the wasteland a desolate crimson.
The makeshift camps along the official road stretched for miles, their banners tattered and smoke from cooking fires sparse, exuding a unique air of decay.
Xiao Ruofeng stood on the high slope outside the camp gate, looking towards the official road to the south.
He had long since changed out of his golden armor and was now dressed in the uniform of an ordinary general. Only the Haoque sword at his waist still proclaimed his identity.
He had been traveling north day and night for three days, and his face was covered in dust and fatigue, but his eyes remained as bright as ever.
"Your Highness, General Lei and General Xun's troops have arrived!"
Xiao Ping, who was beside him, suddenly whispered.
Xiao Ruofeng stared intently into the distance—at the end of the northwestern official road, dust rose in the air.
First came a troop of scout cavalry, followed by a dense formation of infantry, their banners embroidered with the characters "Lei" and "Xun," belonging to Lei Mengsha and Xun Yichuan's troops.
The troops were not moving fast, but their military bearing was impeccable, indicating that they had not suffered significant losses.
Xiao Ruofeng felt slightly relieved, but when his gaze swept over the middle of the line, his pupils suddenly contracted.
A group of Lei Men disciples escorted several carriages as they slowly moved along. Although the disciples were dressed in military uniforms, their every move exuded a strong sense of chivalry, making them quite different from ordinary soldiers.
"People from Lei Men?" Xiao Ruofeng frowned. "What are they doing here?"
Just as he was pondering this, Lei Mengsha had already spurred his horse and charged over.
This valiant general, a member of the Lei Clan, was covered in dust in his armor, his face filled with urgency and worry. He reined in Xiao Ruofeng's horse, dismounted, and knelt on one knee.
"This humble general, Lei Mengsha, greets Your Highness!"
Xiao Ruofeng quickly dismounted and helped him up: "Second Senior Brother, what are you doing? Get up and talk."
Lei Mengsha stood up, her gaze sweeping over Xiao Ruofeng. Seeing that he looked haggard but was otherwise unharmed, she breathed a sigh of relief. But then she asked urgently:
"Seventh Brother, the military reports from the southwest say you're alright. By the way... how is Old Ye's injury?"
Xiao Ruofeng was silent for a moment, then sighed and slowly said, "He's in the back, and he's badly injured."
Lei Mengsha's face paled, and he wanted to ask more, but Xiao Ruofeng patted him on the shoulder: "General Ye's life is not in danger. You go and settle the troops first, and we'll talk in detail later!"
At this moment, Xun Yichuan also rode up and, after paying his respects, began to report on the military situation.
More than 20,000 soldiers from Hanzhong, plus more than 100 members of the Lei Sect, have now joined forces with Xiao Ruofeng's remaining troops north of Ezhou, bringing their total strength to less than 60,000.
"Two hundred thousand troops went on the expedition..." Xun Yichuan's voice was hoarse, "and now only these remain."
Xiao Ruofeng looked up at the sky and sighed, the setting sun casting a long shadow over him.
Lei Mengsha, Xun Yichuan, and the others stood behind him, looking at the wounded soldiers in the camp and listening to the suppressed groans carried by the wind. They all felt sad.
In this battle, Bei Li suffered a crushing defeat, but it was not unjust!
Even without Wen Yanzhao's drug-using man, Zhenxi Marquis Baili Luochen alone wouldn't have allowed the Northern Li Army to gain any advantage.
Among all the soldiers in the world, apart from the long-deceased God of War Ye Yu, there is probably no one else who can rival the God of Slaughter!
Everyone in the world knew this, and Xiao Ruofeng himself knew it too. But as a member of the Xiao royal family, he could only do what he knew was impossible, even though his strength was far from sufficient.
If Baili Luo hadn't spared him in Juzhou, he would probably be a prisoner of the Marquis of Zhenxi by now.
"Issue the order," Xiao Ruofeng turned around, his voice gradually regaining its usual composure, "The entire army will rest outside Ezhou City for three days to take stock of the troops and supplies. Send someone with my warrant into the city to requisition medical officers and medicines, especially to cure General Ye."
"Yes!"
The order was given, and the exhausted army began to set up camp and cook.
Xiao Ruofeng personally went to see Ye Xiaoying—this fierce general was unconscious on a stretcher, his left arm was splinted, and his face was ashen.
The military medical officer said that although the wound had been treated, the excessive blood loss meant that he would need to recuperate slowly, and it would probably be difficult for him to lead troops into battle again in a year or two.
"We must cure him at all costs!" Xiao Ruofeng only uttered one sentence.
"Your Highness, rest assured, I will treat General Ye with the best medicine in Ezhou City!" The physician nodded emphatically.
……