The Phoenix Calls in Yunzhou

In the twenty-first year of Qianning, on the eighth day of the second lunar month, Xianyue and Bai Zhanfeng led an army of two hundred thousand from Yecheng in Baichu, setting off towards Biluojian. At the same time, Xuanyuan Hao advanced with three hundred thousand troops, also making his way to Biluojian.

Biluojian marked the boundary between the Chu Kingdom and Baichu. Yecheng wasn't far from Biluojian; for a lone rider, it was a two-day round trip, and a rapid military march could reach the destination within six days. In contrast, Xuanyuan's journey from Yingcheng in Chu Kingdom would require at least ten days.

Xianyue, however, led her army at a leisurely pace, showing no urgency. Her relaxed manner caused deep concern among the other generals. News had arrived days before that Xuanyuan had departed from Yingcheng, and under normal marching speed, both armies would arrive at Biluojian simultaneously. Before setting out, they had voiced their concerns to Xianyue and Bai Zhanfeng, stressing the need to reach Biluojian ahead of Xuanyuan Hao to secure the advantage.

Xuanyuan's massive expedition, mobilizing Chu's entire military force, was spurred by the alliance between Languo and Baichu. Should he cross Biluojian and capture the Queen of Languo, Xuanyuan's path to unifying the realm would be inevitable.

On the thirteenth day of the second lunar month, Xianyue's army reached the city of Zhou, setting up camp by dusk. Along the way, many generals had raised concerns about the marching speed to Bai Zhanfeng, who shared their doubts yet chose to trust Xianyue. Though lax in minor matters, she was never careless in major affairs, and he believed she had her reasons. However, with Xuanyuan now at Yunzhou, he knew they'd reach Biluojian by the day after tomorrow, robbing them of the strategic advantage. Bai Zhanfeng still couldn't decipher Xianyue's true intentions.

With one hundred thousand troops from Languo, fifty thousand from Xianyue's Feng Army, and two hundred thousand from the Bai family, their coalition should have matched Xuanyuan's force. Initially, Xianyue had only wanted to lead fifty thousand herself, leaving the rest in Yecheng, but it was only due to the insistence of Cheng Qiang and Bai Zhanfeng that she agreed to increase her numbers.

He was not Lan Yixuan; without her revealing her thoughts, he couldn't fathom her mind. As Bai Zhanfeng reached the tent's entrance, he heard laughter from within, causing him to frown. The generals behind him shared his unease. Their anxiety had stolen their sleep, leaving them with no appetite. Hearing Xianyue's laughter made them uncomfortable; unlike those who followed Bai Pingting, they couldn't offer her unreserved trust and respect. Their loyalty was to their own country.

Noticing Bai Zhanfeng and the Baichu generals enter, Xianyue immediately understood their intent. While cooperation between allied armies required transparency, this matter had been entrusted solely to Master Bai for confidentiality and efficiency. Only Luyi and Yueying were privy to her plans; even among Baichu's ranks, only Master Bai knew her reasoning.

"Xianyue, Xuanyuan will reach Biluojian the day after tomorrow. We're falling behind, losing the advantage. If Xuanyuan manages to cross the river, how will we stop him?" Although he trusted Xianyue, as head of the Bai family, Bai Zhanfeng needed to provide answers to the generals. Days before, when escorting Chen Ruoxi home, Master Bai had called him to the study, repeatedly instructing him to follow Xianyue's lead unconditionally on the battlefield, indicating there was more he didn't know. However, Master Bai refused to reveal the details.

Luzhu and the others eyed the entering generals with displeasure. While Baichu's generals held Xianyue in high regard, this was a matter of life and death for their nation. For them, the alliance with Feng and Lan was fragile; in a true crisis, they believed Baichu would inevitably be sacrificed first.

"Lady Xianyue, you must have a reason for this pace." This unhurried march troubled the generals, who, unlike Xianyue, lacked her hidden strategy and could not ride leisurely without worry.

"My reason?" Xianyue leaned back in her chair, a faint smile on her face. Bai Pingting frowned in displeasure, sharing doubts yet convinced Xianyue had a plan. Ever since leaving Yecheng, Luyi and Yueying had been absent, likely executing her orders. Like the others, she detested anyone speaking to Xianyue with such a questioning tone. They revered the princess in her radiant glory, but when concerns arose, they rushed to interrogate her, never affording her a fraction of trust.

"The Feng Kingdom's fifty thousand soldiers, Languo's hundred thousand—our march to Biluojian and alliance with Baichu is hardly to suffer defeat. Without us, would Baichu withstand Xuanyuan's forces? It was your kingdom that sought aid from Feng and Lan; we've sent troops out of our princess's goodwill and her bond with Bai. If she chooses silence, she has her reasons. If Master Bai or Bai Zhanfeng had made this decision, would you dare question it? With Baichu's precarious position, if you wish to resist Xuanyuan, there's no choice but to trust our princess. Since there's no alternative, why press her further?"

Soft-spoken and gentle, Bai Pingting's voice now held an uncharacteristic sharpness, her discontent clear. "I won't tolerate anyone doubting the princess's judgment."

The other generals' gazes flitted between Xuan Yue and Bai Ping Ting, falling into a silence where they were uncertain of what to say. Although Bai Ping Ting's words came across as somewhat harsh, they could not deny the uncomfortable truth of the situation: compared to the already fallen Yan Kingdom, Bai Chu's position was even more precarious.

Bai Zhan Feng's eyes were fixed on Xuan Yue, his expression mirroring the awkwardness of the moment. The world was in turmoil, and the current circumstances were beyond their control. As the queen of Lan Gu, Xuan Yue actually had alternative choices. With the combined strength of Feng and Lan, they could certainly contend with the current Xuanyuan. They could also choose to sit back and watch the battle unfold, waiting for both Bai Chu and Xuanyuan to weaken each other, thus reaping the benefits—a strategy that was not without merit.

Xuan Yue refrained from reprimanding Bai Ping Ting; her words held a kernel of truth. She did not fully endorse the generals' actions, which seemed to dismantle the very bridge they relied upon. Rather, she sought to spare Bai Zhan Feng further discomfort.

"Bai Zhan Feng, if you still trust me, then do not pursue this line of questioning. Before the day after tomorrow, I will certainly provide an answer for all present. Who among you has the confidence to defeat Xuanyuan? Twenty thousand troops can be at his disposal, but if you cannot, then do not question my decisions."

With a slight tightening of her lips and a lift of her brow, Xuan Yue exuded a calm confidence that compelled respect.

It was rumored that the queen of Feng was a woman of deep loyalty and righteousness. The generals felt a twinge of regret; had they foreseen this outcome, they might have chosen not to embark on this journey at all. After enduring such frustration, they longed for a victory, and they imagined that their lord must be blaming them for their predicament. Now, they had no choice but to place their faith in her.

"We shall take our leave for now," one of them said.

Bai Zhan Feng's face remained taut, devoid of any smile. He felt a palpable sense of frustration. While he undoubtedly believed in Xuan Yue, as the eldest son of the Bai family, there were many things he could not do simply because he wished to. Many matters were not up for him to question or ignore. The burden on his shoulders felt unbearably heavy, and he could no longer find traces of the former Bai Zhan Feng. He had intended to explain, but the words died on his lips. He now felt that speaking too much would be futile. The complexities of military affairs, alongside Chen Ruo Xi's situation, left him torn. He did not wish to harbor doubts, yet he could not avoid joining in with the others' concerns. A sense of helplessness washed over him; this identity only seemed to distance him further from Xuan Yue, leaving him powerless to change anything—just helplessness, time and again.

"Mm." 

Xuan Yue glanced at Bai Zhan Feng, responding coolly without making any further attempts to retain him. The others had yet to return; even if she kept him there, she could not provide any answers, nor did she wish to engage in unnecessary explanations.

On the following morning, the army resumed their journey at their usual pace. By noon on the third day, the two hundred thousand troops arrived at Luo Village, just a day's journey from Bi Luo Jiang, while Xuanyuan's army was already at the river's edge.

Xuan Yue rode atop her horse, observing as the shadowy figure of Yue Ying galloped toward her. In the blink of an eye, she had arrived, dismounting swiftly and kneeling on one knee. "Your Highness, as per your instructions, the task has been accomplished."

Xuan Yue's lips curled into a smile as she leapt down from her horse, gazing toward the direction of Bi Luo Jiang. Her bright eyes sparkled with confidence, and a broad smile lit her face.