Legend of the Female General

Chapter 156: The Wind Arrives

The canal echoed with the clamor of battle as ships collided with one another.

The Wutuo people, like vicious wolves, tightly encircled the Jiyang army. They outnumbered their opponents and had archers ready on their vessels. Arrows flew like shooting stars, piercing the small boats of the Jiyang City Army until they resembled sieves, rendering them immobile. Though the Jiyang soldiers who fell into the water could swim, they were powerless to fight effectively. The Wutuo had also prepared many iron spears, similar to the tools fishermen use to spear fish, but with tips forged sharp and deadly. They thrust downward at the Jiyang soldiers in the water—

The canal quickly turned red with blood.

A young Jiyang soldier, dodging arrows shot from the Wutuo ships, leaped into the water. Dozens of Wutuo men laughed heartily and hurled their iron spears at him. The Wutuo were naturally strong, and the youth, barely sixteen or seventeen, failed to evade in time. A spear struck his arm, followed by one after another from all directions, piercing straight through his body.

The spears were swiftly retracted, leaving only a bloody hollow in his chest. He struggled briefly before sinking beneath the surface, the water leaving behind a trail of rising blood as the only proof he had ever lived.

A deputy soldier turned back and shouted to the young man embroiled in the midst of the fray, "Commander, it's no use—there are too many of them!"

Too many of them.

Two fists are no match for four hands; the few cannot prevail against the many. This was not the siege of Guo City from years past, and the only tactic that could turn the tide—the fire attack—still awaited an east wind.

"There is no 'no use,'" Xiao Jue declared, his long sword in hand, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Fight!"

As the leader, he had been constantly entangled in close combat. Maka was not without cunning; though arrogant, he had heard of Xiao Jue's reputation. Previously, he had used the Western Qiang as bait in an attempt to ambush the Liangzhou Guard, but Xiao Jue's sudden return had thrown the plan into disarray. Maka remembered clearly how the Western Qiang chieftain, Rida Muzi, immensely strong and fiercely brave, had ultimately died at Xiao Jue's hands.

Maka desired victory, wanted to capture Jiyang City and claim merit before the king, but he had no wish to throw his life away needlessly. He retreated step by step while shouting to the Wutuo soldiers beside him, "The king has declared: whoever takes Xiao Huaijin's head will be the greatest hero of this battle and be granted a noble title!"

"Warriors, kill him!"

The promise of glory was always effective in times like these. Upon hearing this, the Wutuo soldiers, fired with passion, surged toward Xiao Jue in waves.

As He Yan steered her boat closer, this was the scene she witnessed.

The young commander's cloak trailed dark streaks across the water, while his cold, gleaming sword contrasted with his jade-like face, making him resemble a deadly deity who could take lives with a flick of his finger. Wave after wave of enemies rushed at him, corpses piling around him, yet the young man showed no sign of fatigue, his valor undiminished.

"This can't go on," He Yan frowned. There were too many Wutuo. Xiao Jue could take on ten, even a hundred, but what about a thousand? Ten thousand? A hundred thousand? He might break through the encirclement alone, but as long as the Wutuo remained on the water, he would always stand as a shield for the civilians. The remaining Jiyang City Army lacked the coordination to support him seamlessly.

Chi Wu and Fei Nu had been assigned by Xiao Jue to Cui Yuezhi's side. Alone, he could only endure the onslaught.He Yan thought for a moment and said to the others on the boat, "Follow my earlier instructions—row the boat to the position I marked on the map and wait there. Do not stray too far. Mu Yi," she addressed Mu Yi, "take this boat and come with me."

With that, she draped over herself the robe that Chu Zhao had brought her earlier, which belonged to Mu Hongjin.

"You..." Mu Yi was taken aback.

"I’ll disguise myself as Her Highness the Princess to draw away some of the enemy," He Yan explained. "Otherwise, the Commander won’t be able to hold out for long. We need to split the Wutuo forces to buy more time."

"Even if you disguise yourself as Her Highness," Mu Yi couldn’t help but ask, "how do you know they’ll definitely come after us?"

"You must understand," He Yan shook her head, "to crush the enemy’s strength, seize their leader, and break their formation. When the dragon fights in the wild, its path is exhausted."

Moreover, the Wutuo People would likely believe that capturing Mu Hongjin, a woman with no martial skills, would be far more assured than capturing Xiao Huaijin.

She looked into the distance. It was already noon, with the sun high in the sky, and a faint summer heat was beginning to rise. There was not a trace of breeze.

Still no wind.

He Yan instructed the other boats to row farther away. She and Mu Yi boarded the small boat alone and rowed toward Xiao Jue’s direction, though not too close. They lingered just within sight of the Wutuo warships surrounding Xiao Jue, appearing anxious and lost, as if drifting aimlessly.

"Where did that boat come from?" Maka spotted a lone small boat in the distance, on the opposite side of the warships led by Xiao Jue. This boat looked no different from the other Jiyang City Army vessels, flying a banner, yet there was something undeniably peculiar about it.

Instead of approaching the chaotic battle, the boat seemed intent on fleeing. Deserters?

Maka sensed something amiss and ordered a small boat to investigate. The scout returned shortly after rowing a short distance and reported, "General, it appears Princess Meng Ji is on that boat. She must be trying to abandon the city and escape!"

Maka’s spirits lifted. "Princess Meng Ji? Are you certain?"

"Your subordinate saw a woman wearing the Princess’s robe on the boat, along with someone dressed as a guard. I cannot confirm if it’s truly her."

Maka pondered for a moment. "So far, Princess Meng Ji has not made an appearance. The claim that she’s in the palace is likely just to maintain morale. I suspect she’s planning to escape. After all, she’s just a woman. Without support, she’s probably terrified out of her wits."

He sneered. "In that case, capture her!"

"But..." his trusted aide hesitated, "General, our ships are currently engaged with Xiao Huaijin. We cannot spare the resources to capture Mu Hongjin."

The Wutu Kingdom was not a water city, and its soldiers were less adept at naval warfare than the Jiyang City Army. Having traveled by water over vast distances, they had linked thousands of large ships end-to-end with iron hooks. It was now impossible to separate them. If they pursued Mu Hongjin, they would have to abandon the battle with Xiao Jue.

"Fool!" Maka cursed. "To defeat the enemy, capture their leader first. What of Xiao Huaijin? He is not the master of Jiyang City. If we capture Mu Hongjin, the Jiyang City Army will surely fall into chaos, and we will achieve victory without further fighting."

He left unsaid another thought: compared to Xiao Huaijin, capturing Mu Hongjin—a mere woman—would be far easier."Once we capture Mu Hongjin, I will use her to knock open the gates of Jiyang City. Xiao Huaijin will have no choice but to surrender obediently. Otherwise, I'll kill this woman right in front of the Jiyang City Army." Maka's smile carried a cruel malice. "What do you think Xiao Huaijin will choose?"

Given Xiao Jue's reputation as the cold-blooded, heartless Jade-Faced Commander—someone who cared little even for his own parents—what was a mere Mu Hongjin to him? Naturally, he wouldn't surrender for her sake. And since Mu Hongjin was doomed to die anyway, if Xiao Jue refused to lay down his weapons, the Jiyang City Army would surely harbor deep resentment toward him.

Once internal strife erupted and morale crumbled, the Jiyang City Army would be nothing more than scattered sand. Its collapse would only be a matter of time.

"Turn the ships around, follow me!" Maka laughed.

The Wutuo soldiers beside him no longer surged forward in waves. The leading warship changed direction and sailed toward another path. The Jiyang City Army halted their actions, asking, "What's going on?"

"Why did they suddenly stop fighting?"

Though Xiao Jue had drilled the Jiyang City Army intensively for several days, they had long been unaccustomed to the heat of battle, and their formations were outdated. Xiao Jue had brought only fifteen thousand troops, and nearly half had already been lost.

If the Wutuo People pressed their advantage, the situation would grow even more dire for the Jiyang City Army.

Yet, at this critical moment, they withdrew.

Xiao Jue watched as the Wutuo warships sailed away. Across the vast river, a small boat flew a banner, and a spot of red on its deck stood out like a bright signal, beckoning pursuit.

"Is that... the Princess?" a soldier beside him murmured.

"No, it's He Yan." Xiao Jue's gaze darkened. After a moment, he ordered, "Follow them."

...

"They're catching up!" Mu Yi said nervously.

"Don't worry," He Yan replied. "There are only two of us on this boat. They're after the people, not the vessel. You're a strong swimmer—hide in the water later and stay out of sight."

"What about you?" Mu Yi stared at her blankly.

"I have a gift for them." He Yan smiled faintly.

She pulled an iron sphere from her robe. Covered in sharp barbs, it resembled the massive claw of a beast. Drawing the long whip from her waist, she fastened the sphere to it using a clasp.

"This..."

He Yan suddenly lashed out, whipping the sphere toward a nearby reef. The iron sphere embedded itself into the rock without shattering it. She swiftly retracted the whip, revealing five empty holes in the reef—a sight that sent chills down one's spine.

If this weapon struck a person's chest, it could tear out a large chunk of their torso. Mu Yi couldn't help but shudder. He knew He Yan was no ordinary woman—her strength was astonishing—but witnessing it firsthand was always more shocking than the last time.

"Miss He, are you planning to fight with this?"

The weapon was fearsome, but it lacked the flexibility of swords or blades. Each whip strike could only kill one person, and before a second strike could land, enemies would swarm. And what if the whip was severed?

"No," He Yan shook her head. "I'm targeting the ships."

Before Mu Yi could ask more, He Yan pushed him. "Get into the water now!"

He instinctively leaped into the river, hiding behind the reef and gripping his dagger tightly. Swords were difficult to wield underwater, but daggers remained agile—though still less effective than on land.The Wutuo warships were already taller and more stable than the small boats of Jiyang City. From a distance, He Yan looked like a lamb driven into a dead end by a giant beast.

"Princess," Maka stood at the bow of the ship and shouted loudly, "Surrender now. If you know what's good for you, perhaps this general might spare your life!"

He was determined to capture Mu Hongjin. There was no one else on this small boat, not even the sole guard from earlier. Had the guard abandoned Mu Hongjin and fled when he saw the situation turning dire?

Tsk, people of Great Wei—always so weak!

The woman in red robes standing at the bow of the small boat remained silent, her head lowered. The distance between the two ships grew closer and closer. Just as Maka was about to order his men to seize her, the woman suddenly looked up and leaped from the boat.

The small boat was not as tall as the warship, and she had no intention of jumping onto the Wutuo warship. Instead, she leaped toward the hull of the Wutuo ship, her feet skimming its side like lightning.

"Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud—"

Her movements were incredibly swift. With each step, she forcefully whipped the ship's hull with her weapon.

The iron ball struck the hull and was swiftly pulled back by the whip, leaving behind five hollow claw marks. Water began to pour in.

"What was that sound?"

"What is she doing? Capture her!"

"Quick, shoot the arrows! Shoot the arrows!"

Arrows fell like a torrential black rain from all directions, but the woman moved as if walking on flat ground, easily dodging them. As she moved, her robes fluttered in the wind, revealing the black armor beneath. She landed gracefully in the wind, stepped onto her own boat, and stood at the bow, watching the large ship gradually tilt as water poured in. A mocking smile played on her lips.

"This general is illiterate and cannot read. I don't recognize the words 'surrender now.'" Her gaze fell on Maka's furious face, her tone as arrogant as ever. "If you know what's good for you, kneel and kowtow to me. Perhaps this general might spare your life."

Maka was stunned for a moment before he roared in anger, "You're not Mu Hongjin?"

"Trash like you isn't worth troubling the Princess to deal with," He Yan laughed. "The Princess is safe and sound in her palace. As for the likes of you, I can take on three at once."

Maka drew the long sword from his waist. "I think you're looking for death!"

But as soon as he finished speaking, the ship beneath him began to sink. Earlier, He Yan's whip had struck the hull of the large ship repeatedly, forcefully creating a row of holes. Now, with water pouring in, the ship was already unstable. The Wutuo soldiers swayed and stumbled as the ship tilted.

The large ship was gradually sinking.

"Hurry, move to the neighboring ship!"

Amidst the chaos, someone else shouted, "No, the ships are all connected. We need to cut the iron hooks!"

To facilitate travel by water, the large ships had been linked together end to end. Now, this had become a trap they had dug for themselves. As one large ship tilted and began to sink, it dragged all the other ships with it, leaving them unable to advance or retreat.

"Cut the iron hooks! Hurry!"

The iron hooks were heavy and sturdy, not something that could be cut with just one or two strikes. The Wutuo soldiers shielded Maka as he moved to another large ship. The remaining soldiers, dragged down by the sinking ship, frantically tried to cut the iron hooks.

With a loud splash, the iron hook snapped and fell into the water, taking the ship riddled with holes down with it. Some Wutuo soldiers who hadn't managed to escape in time also fell into the water. Not everyone knew how to swim, and for a moment, the surface of the water was filled with cries and shouts, creating utter chaos.Maka was furious. He looked up at the culprit, only to see that the woman had already taken advantage of the chaos moments earlier to row the boat a considerable distance away.

"After her!" Maka roared. "Catch her—I'll skin her alive!"

To be so thoroughly humiliated by a woman in front of everyone was an unbearable disgrace. How could he possibly accept it!

He Yan rowed across the water, reaching out toward Mu Yi, who was hiding behind a reef, and pulled him aboard in one swift motion. "Hurry, get on!"

Mu Yi scrambled onto the boat, knowing there was no time to waste, and immediately began paddling. Yet, even as he did, his sidelong glance at He Yan was filled with astonishment.

He knew He Yan possessed immense strength, but to single-handedly capsize a boat—and not a small one at that—was truly jaw-dropping. Moments earlier, He Yan had braced herself against the hull of the larger vessel, wielding her whip with fluid grace. Before the Wutuo People could even react, they had already fallen into her trap. In Mu Yi's heart, admiration mingled with a surge of excitement. He couldn't help but ask He Yan, "Miss He, could we all do as you just did and capsize all their boats?"

"Impossible," He Yan replied without hesitation. "In such a critical situation, where would we find the time to forge iron tiger claws?"

"Then why… didn't you make more beforehand?" The words slipped out, and even Mu Yi felt he had overstepped.

He Yan wasn't angered. Instead, she patiently explained, "Making more wouldn't help. They don't have strength like mine, and even if some are strong, they might not be able to strike the enemy boats with the same precision."

Her skills had been honed through countless battles over the years. While weapons were important, it was the person wielding them that truly mattered.

"Besides, this method can only be used once. The Wutuo People are now prepared—they've likely stationed archers on their boats. Before we could even get close, they'd unleash a volley of arrows. That whip strike earlier was just to buy us a little time. The longer we delay, the greater our chances of victory."

"Will the wind really come if we keep stalling?" Mu Yi glanced at the sky. The clear blue expanse only deepened the gloom in his heart, leaving little room for confidence.

"If Master says there will be wind, then there will be wind," He Yan said with unwavering resolve. "If the wind doesn't come, then we must become the east wind ourselves. In any case, we must never stop fighting." She added, "Steer the boat toward the ambush point."

…

Meanwhile, the Jiyang City Army, which had been pursuing the Wutuo warships, had also witnessed the scene. Everyone was stunned. He Yan's skill with the whip, capsizing a boat with a single strike, was something they would never forget.

"Miss He… is incredible," someone murmured.

This wasn't mere flattery. Even the most skilled warrior in the Jiyang City Army couldn't have pulled off such a feat. Strength and agility aside, to retreat unscathed from so many Wutuo soldiers required split-second timing and flawless judgment. The Wutuo arrows fell like rain, dense and relentless, yet not a single one swayed her from her purpose.

The capsized boat had thrown the Wutuo People into chaos as they scrambled to cut the iron chains. Some who couldn't swim drowned, and the frustration of being suppressed earlier eased slightly. The Jiyang City Army now felt a surge of satisfaction.

Xiao Jue lowered his gaze and murmured, "So we thought alike." He turned to his deputy and ordered, "Bring out the chest."The chest was brought on board by Xiao Jue's order before setting sail, heavy and solid. One soldier opened it, revealing a full load of the same tiger-claw-like objects attached to the end of the whip He Yan had used earlier. However, these were not attached to whips but were sharp weapons that could be worn on the wrist.

"Those twenty elite soldiers who can swim, step forward," Xiao Jue commanded.

Twenty soldiers who had already received the order beforehand immediately stepped out.

Xiao Jue looked at them, his voice calm and indifferent: "Take the iron claws and enter the water."

In the distance, the large ship was chasing the small boat He Yan was piloting with all its might. With only two people rowing, the small boat was no match for the large ship. He Yan would soon be caught up.

Two thousand against fifteen thousand was already a desperate struggle. He knew this battle was difficult to win, and the heavens might not favor them. Every contingency had to be prepared for. This chest of iron claws was his hidden hand. Yet, he hadn't expected to think of the same strategy as He Yan. The only difference was that she was in the open, while he was in the shadows.

"Sink the ship," he ordered.

...

The sound of the zither formed a stark contrast with the distant sounds of slaughter on the river. Spring and the battlefield were two unrelated things.

Sunlight fell on the man in white, making his robes appear even more pristine. At a glance, he seemed like the young man in white from years past.

A drop of blood fell onto the zither strings before him. The strings trembled slightly, producing an extremely faint sound. It was as if the clear, melodious notes of the zither had turned sorrowful.

From deep within the dense forest came roars and shouts. More and more Wutuo People appeared, trampling the small flowers blooming by the roadside. Yet, they could not advance further, as if hindered by an invisible force. The seemingly peaceful and pleasant spring scenery had become a deadly weapon, filled with hidden traps.

The blood at the corner of Liu Buwang's lips grew heavier, and the zither music grew more urgent.

There were too many people. His formation could not hold back so many. As it was, he was already struggling. Old wounds from years of secluded study on the mountain began to ache faintly. Liu Buwang knew very well that he could not hold on much longer.

But he still had to stand his ground here. Every extra moment he held this position meant Cui Yuezhi could hold on a little longer. Every extra Wutuo person he killed here bought more time for Cui Yuezhi's troops. The people of Jiyang City would be safe for another moment... and so would she.

Peach blossoms smile coyly over the fence,

Half-open, most full of feeling.

In his life, he had only ever had that one half-open peach blossom. He could not watch it bloom to the end, but protecting it a little longer was still good.

With a sharp "twang," the zither string in his hand seemed unable to bear the strain and suddenly snapped. The music stopped abruptly. Liu Buwang spat out a mouthful of blood. The blood splattered across the surface of the zither, some of it landing on the grass below.

Like peach blossoms in March, delicate and full of sentiment.

Without the zither music, the footsteps from deep within the dense forest suddenly quickened, drawing near. The formation was broken. He slowly rose to his feet.

"Who is that?"

"What person!"

"How is there only one person? Is it an ambush?"

The Wutuo People who had broken through the formation rushed in but hesitated due to the earlier traps in the forest. Seeing Liu Buwang standing alone ahead, they feared there might still be ambushes around, and for a moment, no one dared to step forward.The two sides remained locked in a stalemate for a moment. Ultimately, the Wutuo People, with their greater numbers and boldness, soon burst into laughter, saying, "It's just one person. Even if there are ambushes, the Jiyang City Army doesn’t have many left. No matter how many lie in wait, we’ll kill them all! What is there to fear!"

The white-robed man before them stood motionless, his robes as pristine as an immortal from beyond this world. Once, his dark hair had been tied up with a white silk ribbon, ethereal and aloof. Now, silver strands were gradually appearing, yet this reassuring, tree-like figure had never changed.

Always protecting those he wished to protect.

A gentle breeze passed by, causing his hair ribbon to flutter slightly, his robes to sway gently, and ripples to form in the man's water-like gaze. He was momentarily stunned, then a slow smile spread across his lips.

The lifeline in this dead-end game had arrived.

The hope for Jiyang City had arrived.

The wind had arrived.

Liu Buwang slowly drew the longsword from his waist.

(End of Chapter)