Legend of the Female General

Chapter 154: Windless

These fifty men, when they first accepted the task assigned by Cui Yuezhi, never expected to return alive. Hearing He Yan’s words now, they were momentarily stunned.

After a long pause, someone asked, “Is this… feasible?”

“I will draw the attention of the Wutuo People at the front,” He Yan said. “However, your boats must also be arranged according to my plan.” She had never actually set up formations on water before, but there was no time to dwell on that now. Still, He Yan gazed into the distant sky, where a sliver of light appeared at the horizon. Dawn was approaching. Would there be wind today?

Would fortune favor their side?

Yet, no matter what, battle was their destiny.

“Raise your blades and follow me,” she commanded.

…

The sky finally brightened, the last traces of darkness fading away. From ahead on the canal, a red sun rose, its golden light scattering across the river’s surface through the mist. Jiyang was bathed in a brilliant glow.

Soldiers on the city walls sounded their horns. Along the embankment, the Jiyang Army stood ready, their boats docked like dense clusters of black iron.

In the distance, a dark mass gradually appeared, growing larger and larger. At first, it was a thin line, then that line widened and lengthened until it covered a vast expanse of the canal. Only then did everyone see clearly—these were the ships of the Wutuo People.

The Wutuo ships were towering and massive. At their prows stood Wutuo soldiers, clad in leather armor and robes, each wearing a small round cap made of black lambskin, with two red silk ribbons trailing from the back. These men were tall and robust, and even before drawing near, they erupted into loud, mocking laughter, intimidating the Jiyang Army on this side.

“Commander,” a deputy behind him spoke, his voice trembling slightly, “their forces…”

“At least a hundred and fifty thousand,” Xiao Jue replied.

Twenty thousand against a hundred and fifty thousand—this was no longer a matter of overcoming the odds with fewer troops. The disparity was terrifyingly vast, enough to instill despair.

“Follow me onto the boats,” Xiao Jue said, stepping first onto a small vessel by the shore.

Compared to the ships of the Wutuo People, the boats of the Jiyang City Army were pitifully small. The Wutuo soldiers had traveled from north of the canal, a long journey, and their ships were built large and sturdy, crafted from some precious type of wood. Over the years, as Great Wei busied itself suppressing the rebellions of the Western Qiang and Southern Barbarians, the Wutuo People had seized the opportunity. Unnoticed, the wealth of the Wutu Kingdom had grown formidable, its treasury perhaps not inferior to that of Great Wei.

The Jiyang City Army followed Xiao Jue onto the boats, which advanced toward the Wutuo forces.

Leading the troops to Jiyang was the Wutuo general Maka. Maka was not particularly tall; in fact, he appeared rather short compared to the guards around him. He was not old, just entering his thirties, yet he was already renowned throughout the Wutu Kingdom for his mastery of surprise attacks in warfare. As a cousin of the Wutu Kingdom’s ruler, the king had entrusted him with the hundred and fifty thousand troops, tasking him with launching the first strike against Great Wei.

For Jiyang, Maka was determined to succeed.The spies lurking in Jiyang had long since gathered a clear picture of the city's current state. As the territory of a feudal prince, it had few troops, and years of excessive peace and comfort had made occupying such a city an effortless task. The only slight complication was Princess Mu Hongjin of Jiyang—a cunning woman, but still just a woman. However, in recent days, more people seemed to have appeared in Jiyang. Rumors spoke of a swordsman in white hunting down spies from the Wutu Kingdom. Whether the news had leaked or not, the civilians of Jiyang had already begun to evacuate. To avoid complications, they decided to act ahead of schedule.

"Is Cui Yuezhi leading the troops this time?" Maka asked. "I heard he was a fierce general in his youth, but he's old now. I wonder if he can still lift a blade?"

His trusted aides burst into laughter. "He can't compare to the general's blade!"

Maka ran his hand over the scabbard of the long sword at his waist. "If he truly dies by my blade, it would be his honor!"

The laughter drifted across the river, reaching the Jiyang City Army in the distance.

Xiao Jue stood at the bow of the ship, watching as more and more Wutuo warships appeared in the distance. After a moment, he curved his lips into a faint smile. "Fools."

"What?" his deputy asked, confused.

"All the Wutuo warships are linked bow to stern. It seems they’re afraid they won’t die fast enough." Xiao Jue rose and walked inside, grabbing the cloak from Chi Wu’s hands and fastening it. He scoffed, "Let them linger on the water a while longer. If someone is rushing to their death, why stop them?"

…

At the same time, He Yan also boarded a small boat filled with grease oil.

The grease and dry firewood on the boat were tightly covered with thick burlap, making it indistinguishable from the ordinary warships of the Jiyang City Army, complete with military flags. Fifty men were divided into ten groups, five per boat.

He Yan and Mu Yi were on the same boat. She said to the others, "Follow me from a distance. Don’t get too close." She then pulled a piece of paper from her pocket, picked up a piece of charcoal from the ground, and drew a diagram. "Look at this."

The diagram showed several boats, with the one in the middle circled by He Yan. "This boat will be used to draw the attention of the Wutuo People. The rest of your boats should be positioned according to the layout I’ve drawn. Wait for my signal. When I give the order, burn the boats and jump into the water."

"Can you handle this, Miss He?" one man asked worriedly. "Why not let us take your place?"

Serving as bait for the Wutuo People was far too dangerous—a single misstep could cost a life. Though no one wanted to die, they couldn’t stand by and watch a young woman take the lead and face danger alone.

"Don’t worry, I have a plan." He Yan tightened the whip at her waist and strode toward the boat. "The commander has already boarded. Let’s set off!"

The boats met on the canal before the city gates.

Amid the countless Wutuo warships, the Jiyang City Army appeared as small as ants. Yet the young man standing at the forefront of the bow wore black armor, his posture as straight as a sword. He was as elegant and striking as spring willow, but the long sword in his hand and his cold, sharp aura were formidable. The morning glow fell upon him, casting a radiant light that was dazzling and impossible to ignore.

This was an unfamiliar man. Maka paused, hesitating as he turned to those beside him. "This isn’t Cui Yuezhi. Who is this?"Cui Yuezhi was a fat man, not a handsome one. But since Cui Yuezhi wasn't here, where did this man come from? Was he a rising star in Jiyang City in recent years? Yet the secret letters sent back by Wutuo spies had never mentioned such a figure. If he wasn't someone outstanding, why would Mu Hongjin entrust the already limited city army to him?

"I've never seen this person before," the subordinate beside him hesitated before speaking. "Perhaps Cui Yuezhi is no longer capable, and with no one else in Jiyang City, Mu Hongjin randomly found someone to fill the position. This man is so young—he clearly isn't a match for the general!"

Maka remained silent. As a fellow commander, he naturally had an intuition about whether the other party was all show or possessed genuine talent and ability. This man seemed unusual, and though Maka felt puzzled, he had no time to dwell on it. Slowly drawing the long blade from his waist, he aimed it forward and shouted, "Warriors, follow me!"

In an instant, the clamor of battle cries shook the heavens.

The Wutuo people also knew that once they landed, nothing could stop them. Jiyang City was as fragile as paper, and its twenty thousand soldiers weren't even enough for them to cut down for fun. To protect the civilians, the Jiyang City Army had no choice but to engage in more battles on the water.

Fighting on water wasn't a problem either—their ships were large and sturdy, and killing on board only required a bit of balancing. When large ships met small ones, it was like a big fish encountering a small fish—brutal and fierce. The large ships nearly crushed the smaller ones, but the smaller vessels were agile and knew the hidden reefs in the waterways, skillfully avoiding them. The two armies clashed on the ships.

To capture the rebels, first capture their leader. Maka's target was the young man in black armor, wielding a precious sword. As the two ships drew close, he stood at the bow, staring at the figure on the opposite ship.

"Commander!" someone beside him shouted.

Maka narrowed his eyes. "Commander? Who are you?"

"Xiao Huaijin."

The name sounded somewhat familiar to Maka, but he was usually extremely arrogant. The names of others were merely names to him, forgotten as soon as he heard them. Moreover, no one had expected Xiao Huaijin to appear in this place. For a moment, he simply said, "Never heard of him!"

However, one of his subordinates beside him spoke up, uncertain and alarmed. "Xiao Huaijin... Could he be General Feng Yun of Great Wei?"

General Feng Yun?

Maka froze, looking at the man before him. Even if he usually looked down on the soldiers and commanders of Great Wei, he knew exactly who General Feng Yun, the Right Army Commander, was. Xiao Huaijin had never lost a battle in his military campaigns, and his bravery and ferocity were enough to intimidate the Wutuo people, even if they had never faced him in combat.

"Are you General Feng Yun of Great Wei?" he asked.

Xiao Jue looked at him calmly and replied coldly, "That's right."

Maka abruptly raised his blade before his eyes, his relaxed expression suddenly turning serious.

Though he couldn't be sure if it was true, hearing it from this young man's mouth, Maka believed it nine-tenths! This man already carried an extraordinary presence. Besides, if he weren't truly such a figure, why would Mu Hongjin entrust the Jiyang City Army to him, letting Xiao Huaijin take command? She hadn't even used her trusted aide, Cui Yuezhi.

The letters sent back by the Wutuo spies had never mentioned this!

Furious and flustered, Maka felt a flicker of excitement amidst his unease. Xiao Huaijin was indeed no ordinary man, but... he only had twenty thousand soldiers.Twenty thousand against one hundred fifty thousand—no matter how you looked at it, he did not seem like the side that would win. So what if he was a brave general? With just these few shrimp soldiers and crab generals? These pitifully small boats?

If he led the Wutuo People to defeat Xiao Huaijin, he would be the one who defeated Great Wei’s General Feng Yun. In the Wutu Kingdom, he would bask in glory for the rest of his life.

For a moment, Maka’s blood boiled with excitement. He roared, “Warriors, slaughter them all! Seize their cities, plunder their wealth, and enjoy their women! Kill them!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Deafening battle cries erupted, echoing across the canal. The Wutuo People were cunning, cruel, and bloodthirsty by nature. Now, incited by Maka’s words, they brandished their swords and charged forward.

Blades clashed, and blood flowed freely.

The sounds of battle reached He Yan’s ears. She looked into the distance, where the two armies were locked in combat on the river.

Mu Yi asked, “Commander Xiao has already engaged. Should we move closer to them now?”

He Yan shook her head and looked up at the sky.

The sky was clear and cloudless, without a trace of wind. Her heart sank. The Astronomical Bureau had said there might be no wind today, or there might be wind—but even if there was, it wouldn’t be at this time. Still… with weather like this, would there really be wind?

Would Heaven truly stand on the side of Jiyang City?

She turned her gaze to the distant Wutuo warships. The Wutuo warships were massive and heavy, standing out prominently on the canal. As she watched, she suddenly froze, and a moment later, a faint smile touched her lips.

Mu Yi asked, “What is it? Miss He, what are you smiling about?”

“I’m laughing at the Wutuo People for their foolishness,” she replied. “Look at the bows and sterns of those ships—they’re all chained together.”

The Wutu Kingdom was not a land of waterways like Jiyang, and its soldiers were not skilled in naval warfare. Therefore, all the large ships were linked together from bow to stern with iron chains. The Wutuo People likely thought this would save effort and prevent any ship from falling behind. At a glance, they looked like a single fleet.

Merchant ships often used this method of linking bow to stern when transporting goods, but using it here was cumbersome, especially today when they intended to employ a fire attack.

Mu Yi’s eyes lit up. “We only need to set one of their ships on fire, and it’ll be over.” But soon, he grew worried again. “Their large ships are chained together. If our small boats go in, it’ll be like sheep entering a tiger’s den. We’ll likely be surrounded by the Wutuo People before we can even set a ship ablaze.”

“It’s fine,” He Yan said, calling the others to board the boats. “Stay in the positions I marked on the map. I’ll take one boat and lure them over.”

“Lure them over?” Mu Yi asked. “How?”

The Wutuo People wouldn’t bother chasing a single boat. They might have before, but now, with so many ships chained together, they would likely focus on attacking Xiao Jue’s Jiyang army.

“I have my ways,” He Yan replied.

As soon as she finished speaking, a man’s voice called out, “A-He.”

He Yan turned and saw it was Chu Zhao. She was slightly taken aback.

“You asked Cui Jiao to fetch the prince’s clothes from the palace. It’s not safe outside, so I told Cui Jiao to return to the Cui residence first and bring them to you,” Chu Zhao said with a smile. “Fortunately, I made it in time.”

“Brother Chu, why are you still in Jiyang City?” He Yan asked. “It’s not safe here. You should have left with the evacuating civilians.”This person lacks even the ability to protect himself. If... if the Wutuo People enter the city, he will likely face grave danger.

"Even His Highness remains in the palace without leaving. How could I abandon my comrades? Jiyang is also the land of Great Wei. Ah He can still protect the people of Jiyang. Though I am not as capable as Ah He, I will not flee alone. I will stand or fall with my friends."

"But you have no martial skills," He Yan thought for a moment. "Forget it, wait here."

She jumped off the boat and walked toward a tent stationed on the shore. She entered for only a moment before jumping out again, holding a bundle of clothing-like items, which she shoved into Chu Zhao's hands.

"This is something I bought earlier at the Xiuluo Shop in Jiyang. The fabric is Mermaid Silk. According to the young shopkeeper, it is impervious to blades, water, and fire. I don’t know if it’s true, but take it and wear it. If the worst happens, it might offer some protection." He Yan sighed inwardly. She had originally worn this garment under her armor, thinking it was better than nothing. If it truly was a treasure, it would be like wearing two layers of armor.

But now, seeing Chu Zhao standing here so frail and delicate, looking as if a gust of wind could knock him over, she felt it would be better to give the garment to him. Though she didn’t know whether he was friend or foe, his decision to send Cui Jiao back to the Cui residence first and not flee alone showed a sense of loyalty.

Chu Zhao was taken aback and was about to speak when he saw the young woman turn around and board the boat with the others. Her figure looked exceptionally gallant, soon swallowed up by the crowd around her.

The boat gradually drifted away from the shore, heading toward the center of the river where the sounds of battle were fiercest. There, blades flashed, swords clashed, and the fires of war raged.

The small boat swayed unsteadily, like a moth drawn to a flame, unwavering in its resolve.

Chu Zhao lowered his head to look at what was in his hands. The clothing seemed to have just been taken off the woman’s body, still carrying her lingering warmth. How unconventional of her, but... he slowly lifted the garment. The skirt was long—it was a woman’s dress.

He was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and laughed softly.

...

The commoners in the city hid in their homes, tightly shutting their doors and windows. The young were held in the arms of the elderly, their eyes fixed on the doors inside their houses as if staring at all their hopes.

Time slowly passed.

The streets were empty. Jiyang, usually bustling with life, was as silent as a dead city today. In the palace, Mu Hongjin sat in the main hall, gazing out the door.

The windows were wide open. The willow branches were as gentle as ever, the sky was clear and cloudless, and there was no wind today.

She lowered her gaze, her fingertips gradually digging into the soft cushion of the high seat.

There was no wind today.

...

At the mouth of Hulu, soldiers hidden in the shadows stood like stones, silent and still. Archers lay in ambush, waiting for the Wutuo People to come ashore before launching their attack.

Cui Yuezhi stood behind a tree. His face, usually adorned with a gentle smile, was unusually grave today. With 150,000 Wutuo People, there was no need for a battle. Once they entered the city, the remaining elderly and young in the city would have no chance of survival. If they moved any faster, the commoners still fleeing on the roads would also face disaster.

He had brought this part of the Jiyang City Army here to prevent them from coming ashore and entering the city, serving as the last line of defense before the city gates. However, if Xiao Jue could not eliminate the main force of the Wutuo People, and most of them reached this point, there was no way they could stop those wolves from charging into the city.Only as He Yan had said the previous night, by using a fire attack to wipe out these Wutuo People in one fell swoop, could they possibly intercept the remaining stragglers who passed through here. But the fire attack technique... was it truly feasible?

A soldier from Jiyang lay prone in the grass, a bow and arrows strapped to his back. The tall wild grass obscured his face, its prickly blades causing a faint itch, yet he remained utterly motionless, not even considering scratching it.

It wasn't just the people who were still; the wild grass before him, the small flowers blooming by the roadside, the calm water surface, the soft feather-like dandelions... all remained completely motionless.

There was no wind today.

Cui Yuezhi's heart gradually sank. With no wind today and unfavorable weather conditions, relying solely on Xiao Jue's less than twenty thousand soldiers without using fire attacks, they likely stood no chance against the Wutuo People. Their so-called ambush here might very well end up making them the prey of the Wutuo instead.

But how could there be no wind?

Xiao Jue's martial arts master, that formidable-looking swordsman in white, had assured him with great certainty: "No need to worry, there will definitely be wind today."

The officials from the Astronomical Bureau had said there was a fifty-fifty chance of wind today—utterly uncertain. Yet Liu Buwang had insisted: "Proceed with the ambush; there will definitely be wind today."

It was said that Yunlin Recluse Liu Buwang practiced planchette writing and divination, which was why they all deeply believed him. Or perhaps, they were deceiving themselves, hoping his words were true, and thus chose to trust him. But as things stood now, where was the wind?

Ah, where was Liu Buwang?

Only then did Cui Yuezhi remember that it seemed from the moment he woke up early this morning and left the Cui residence for the camp tents at the Martial Arts Field, he hadn't seen Liu Buwang at all.

...

The water surface rippled slightly, not from the wind, but from fish swimming beneath.

Along the embankment, spring grass grew lush and tender, with peach blossoms red and willow leaves green. Amidst the strange rocks and deep woods, a man sat on the ground with an ancient zither placed before him. Dressed in white robes, spotless and free of dust, his demeanor was exceptionally graceful and ethereal. A sword hung at his waist, marking him as a carefree wandering hero.

Liu Buwang gazed at the vast sky.

Sunlight filtered through the forest, casting golden shadows. It wasn't unbearably hot but pleasantly warm. This was a vibrant spring day, every fresh green leaf brimming with the essence of spring, settling gently into the soft, watery landscape.

The distant sounds of battle contrasted sharply with the tranquility of this place, creating a clear boundary not far away.

The wind had not yet arrived, but Liu Buwang knew that whether sooner or later, the wind would surely come.

Years ago, a situation devoid of all hope had, upon another session of planchette writing, revealed a sliver of vitality. At first, he did not know who the pair of shadows represented, but now it seemed highly likely they were his disciple He Yan and that young, valiant Right Army Commander Xiao Huaijin.

As commanders who had fought on battlefields for years, these two had, imperceptibly, already saved countless lives—a meritorious deed. Heaven does not treat those who carry such merit too harshly; wherever they go, they are blessed with fortune and protection. Perhaps it was because of the righteousness and light they embodied that even the seemingly hopeless situation in Jiyang City gained a thread of vitality.

These two were the ones who could turn a dead game into a living one.

Though the outcome remained unseen, that glimmer of vitality was visible. And since there was vitality, it meant the path was not entirely blocked. Therefore, the wind would surely come—perhaps not too early, but it would come without fail.

And what he had to do was to firmly grasp that thread of vitality, helping these two completely revive this game of chess.The sounds of battle in the distance seemed to draw closer—this was no illusion. Liu Buwang looked ahead and saw several large ships... sailing toward them.

The Wutuo People were no fools; they would not be held back indefinitely by Xiao Jue. While their main force engaged with the Jiyang City Army led by Xiao Jue, another contingent had taken advantage of the chaos to sneak ashore. Once they gained control of Jiyang City, victory in the naval battle would only be a matter of time.

Cui Yuezhi’s troops were stationed at Hulu Mouth, still some distance away. They believed they were the first line of defense, but in truth, Liu Buwang was the true first line.

The art of Qimen Dunjia was something he had mastered best among the seven disciples of Master Yunji in those days. Over the years, he rarely employed this technique, for it consumed immense mental energy and harmed the body. He was no longer the youth of yesteryear; though his white robes still flowed gracefully, his temples had long since turned faintly gray.

Yet he would remain here, guarding her city.

Liu Buwang plucked the strings of his qin.

(End of Chapter)