Faith and Glory

Xuan Yue turned around to find Bai Zhan Feng standing before her. Noticing the joy radiating from her face, his curiosity was piqued. It struck him that since their departure from Ye City, Lu Yi, who had been by her side, was nowhere to be seen. Among everyone, Xuan Yue placed her utmost trust in Bai Ping Ting, while Lu Yi was her favored aide; whenever there was a task, she entrusted it to her. Her sudden absence surely indicated that Xuan Yue had important matters to discuss.

Bai Zhan Feng gazed at Xuan Yue, his curiosity burning within him, yet he hesitated to ask further. Xuan Yue flashed him a smile that seemed to read his thoughts. "Increase our pace; we must reach Bi Luo Jiang before day's end."

Bai Zhan Feng remained silent, his eyes fixed on Xuan Yue. In this regard, they were quite alike; she was not one to wear her emotions on her sleeve, particularly joy. Whenever she felt happiness, it quickly manifested on her face. At this moment, her lips curled upward, and a faint joy danced in her eyes, easily revealing her elated mood.

Were it now, Bai Zhan Feng would not have made such a decision. Xuanyuan's forces had already arrived at Bi Luo Jiang. Should they hurry there with their weary troops, they would face Xuanyuan's three hundred thousand soldiers without any chance of victory. It would be wiser to slow their march, allowing the accompanying soldiers to recuperate, and wait until they reached Bi Luo Jiang, coinciding with Xuanyuan's soldiers.

"Let's go." Xuan Yue raised an eyebrow as she passed by Bai Zhan Feng, giving his shoulder a reassuring pat. "Bi Luo Jiang holds unexpected rewards." With that, she leapt onto her horse. Bai Zhan Feng glanced at her, perched on her mount, her bright eyes facing the sun, radiating a light that was almost blinding.

He followed suit, mounting his own horse. The two hundred thousand troops quickened their pace towards Bi Luo Jiang.

Bi Luo Jiang, nestled within the territory of Luo City, was comparable to the Yangtze River, serving as a natural boundary between Chu and Bai Chu. For Xuanyuan to absorb Bai Chu, they would need to cross Bi Luo Jiang.

By the time Xuan Yue and her party arrived at Bi Luo Jiang, it was night. The soldiers held torches aloft, illuminating the river, where the thunderous sound of water echoed in the distance. The moonlight and torchlight combined to create a breathtaking scene, where the river seemed to stretch endlessly.

To Bai Zhan Feng's surprise, there was not a soul on the river, its eerie calm unnerving. The other generals, witnessing such an unusual sight, were equally bewildered. Reports from scouts indicated that Xuanyuan's troops had already arrived at midday, yet the river was deserted—an optimal moment for an assault.

Bai Zhan Feng stood behind Xuan Yue. According to their original plan, he had intended to arrive at Bi Luo Jiang early to set up camp and await Xuanyuan's landing. Unlike Chu, which was surrounded by water, Xuanyuan was centrally located on the Zhou dynasty's mainland and had soldiers unfamiliar with aquatic navigation.

Across the river, Bai Zhan Feng could only see the distant glimmers of countless torches on the opposite bank, their orange glow flickering in the night.

"Why aren't they landing?" 

It was now March, and the nights were chilly, particularly near the river. Bai Zhan Feng, clad in white, remained silent for a long time before voicing his lingering doubt.

Xuan Yue did not respond immediately. Instead, she pointed at the vast, rolling waters, shimmering under the moonlight with a deep sapphire hue, radiating a gentle glow reminiscent of precious gems. "This river is truly beautiful."

Bai Zhan Feng frowned. If not for Xuanyuan, Chu and Bai Chu would not need to be divided by the river. No matter how lovely Bi Luo Jiang appeared, it was a source of shame for him, a reminder of his defeat by someone like Xuanyuan Hao. As a martial enthusiast, despite having forsaken his pursuit of martial arts, he could not shake his competitive nature. In Xuan Yue's matter, he had accepted his defeat to Lan Yi Xuan, but succumbing to Xuanyuan Hao left him feeling resentful.

"Before long, this river will be stained with blood." 

Bai Zhan Feng fixed his gaze on Xuan Yue's straightened back, a thought he naturally believed. This crossing battle would undoubtedly entail sacrifices, and the casualties resulting from this war would be the unavoidable losses she had mentioned. With five hundred thousand soldiers, Bai Zhan Feng furrowed his brow and shut his eyes, the night wind stirring the river, producing a mournful, wailing sound.

"Do you have confidence?" Bai Zhan Feng suddenly asked. This war was pivotal for Bai Chu's survival. Had it been before, he might not have felt the same urgency. The decaying state of Chu and the weight of his family's legacy meant little to him. But now, having sacrificed so much, he bore the burden on his shoulders; he couldn't fathom how he would continue if that weight were to vanish suddenly.

"If I say I'm certain of victory, would you believe me?" Xuan Yue turned abruptly to face Bai Zhan Feng, questioning him. On the battlefield, where fortunes shifted unpredictably, especially against an opponent as formidable as Xuanyuan Hao, even she did not fully believe her own words. Yet she was confident; at least before the battle commenced, she would not allow herself to lose hope simply because of a powerful adversary.

"Bai Zhan Feng, we will win."

Xuan Yue turned around, gazing at the luminous moon overhead. Bai Zhanfeng regarded her gentle yet resolute profile, feeling an unwavering belief within himself.

"Let's go," Xuan Yue suddenly declared, pivoting away. The collective strength of the crowd hastened their actions, and in no time, the tent was erected. The air was infused with a rich aroma, tantalizing the senses. Approaching the entrance, Xuan Yue instructed the sentinels, "Summon the generals to my tent."

Her subordinates acted with remarkable efficiency, and their curiosity regarding the serene, undisturbed Bi Luo River was palpable. Upon hearing that she sought them, they hastily set aside their tasks and made their way to her tent, filling the expansive space in no time.

Xuan Yue seated herself at the desk, while Bai Peiting stood behind her, and Bai Zhanfeng took his place beside her. The remaining generals stood across from her, separated by a table. Although they were eager to know more, their recent misfortune rendered them hesitant to speak, their faces betraying their worries and uncertainties.

"After you return, each of you can enjoy a good night's sleep," Xuan Yue said languidly, her words starkly contrasting with their current state of mind—sleep was the furthest thing from their thoughts.

Just as Xuan Yue was about to tease them further, the tent flaps were suddenly flung open. A soldier clad in uniform rushed in like the wind, dropping to one knee before Bai Zhanfeng. "My lord."

The soldier glanced briefly at Xuan Yue and then at the others. Bai Zhanfeng rose, for he recognized the soldier as one of the Bai family's scouts. "Speak."

Xuan Yue chuckled softly, looking at the soldier whose face radiated joy. "If I'm not mistaken, you're here to inform your lord that when the forces of Xuanyuan arrived at the northern bank of the Bi Luo River, all the various boats that could have ferried them across had mysteriously vanished, leaving the Xuanyuan army without vessels to cross the river and compelled to set up camp."

The soldier on his knees looked up at Xuan Yue, nodding foolishly in agreement.

"Was this your doing?" Bai Zhanfeng, still standing, turned to Xuan Yue. Though it was framed as a question, his tone suggested certainty. Her peculiar demeanor during their journey from Ye City to the Bi Luo River now made sense; she had evidently devised a plan.

"With the turbulent river waters and no boats in sight, the Xuanyuan army, which is unaccustomed to navigating water, will surely find their path obstructed," Lu Jin exclaimed, his face glowing with delight as he applauded.

"The Xuanyuan forces are numerous; it wouldn't be difficult for them to procure wood to construct boats." With three hundred thousand soldiers working together, they could accomplish the task in a short time.

Xuan Yue raised an eyebrow. Bai Zhanfeng, who had been intently observing her, suddenly burst into laughter. "Since you've managed to make those boats disappear, it's clear that this matter is far from simple. Were it up to me, I would have had the villagers along the banks relocate before the Xuanyuan army's arrival, especially the trees near the Bi Luo River, which would surely be stripped bare. If Xuanyuan were to attempt a crossing, they would then have to source timber from distant lands, expending considerable manpower and resources. Although we may only have two hundred thousand troops, facing weary adversaries from afar, victory would be within our grasp."

Xuan Yue regarded Bai Zhanfeng with surprise, a light laugh escaping her lips. He was still the Bai Zhanfeng she knew, yet he had transformed; he now employed cunning and occasionally speculated on others' thoughts from his current perspective.

"How could such matters escape the notice of Xuanyuan's Young Master?" Cheng Qiang pondered for a moment before suddenly asking.

"Thanks to Old Master Bai." Had she been responsible, it would surely have drawn the attention of the nearby Xuanyuan villagers. Their secretive exodus was largely due to Old Master Bai's influence. As for the logging, as long as there were people involved, it could be accomplished in a single night; if all else failed, a fire could easily consume the area.

"Let us hope that after encountering a setback, the Young Master of Xuanyuan abandons his ambition for supremacy." Such sentiments naturally originated from the mouth of the Bai Chu general. Xuanyuan Hao's aspirations for dominance were not newfound; if he were to relinquish his dreams over this, he would not be the Xuanyuan Hao she recognized.

Xuan Yue leaned against the table, rising to her feet. "I have gathered you all here today to reassure you. I wish for each of you to place your faith in the Lan Kingdom and in me, Feng Xuan Yue, just as you do in your lord."

As the commander, it was unreasonable to disclose every detail to her subordinates, just as they, as generals, could not reveal every matter to their soldiers.

"What should our army do if Xuanyuan insists on attacking?"

"Let them come; we shall respond as needed. The hour is late, and you have traveled a long distance today. You must be weary, so return and rest assured. I will discuss this matter further with Young Master Bai."

"Your subordinate takes leave." Cheng Qiang exchanged a glance with Xuan Yue, bowing slightly as he was the first to depart. The others, seeing Bai Zhanfeng's nod, followed suit.

Bai Zhanfeng navigated around the long table and reached the entrance of the tent when Xuan Yue's voice suddenly called him back. "Bai Zhanfeng, stay. I have matters to discuss with you."