On the city wall, with Xu Qi’an’s departure, the Yunzhou army fell into chaos.
In their eyes, Ji Xuan had been invincible, the war god Ji Xuan who had dazzled from Qingzhou to Yongzhou. Just now, his head had been dangling from Silver Gong Xu’s hand.
In an instant, despair exploded in the hearts of the Yunzhou soldiers and their mid-ranking officers. However thrilled they had been when they thought the Emperor had been beheaded, they were now just as despairing.
And apart from Ji Xuan, whom they had hailed as a war god, even the National Teacher had fled…
“General Ji’s been killed. Silver Gong Xu can’t be beaten. He’s a god descended to earth.”
In the crowd, one Yunzhou soldier looked utterly despairing, his lips trembling.
Despair and panic fermented in the hearts of the Yunzhou army. The rebels fell into turmoil, gripping their sabres and glancing about blankly, not knowing what to do.
After seeing Ji Xuan’s head, they no longer had the slightest will to fight.
As people of the Central Plains, they had all heard Silver Gong Xu’s name. How he’d cut down three hundred thousand troops of the Church of the Warlock God with one man and one sabre, how when he came to Yunzhou he had faced twenty thousand rebels alone and scared them into retreat, and so on.
When the situation had been favourable, such fixed impressions had been buried in their hearts. But once they ran into an obstacle they couldn’t overcome, the fear they had pressed down struck back wildly and robbed them of their fighting spirit.
A sharp look flashed through Yang Chuannan’s eyes as he shouted,
“Yunzhou’s army would rather die fighting than surrender. Soldiers, hear my order, kill!”
At his side, more than a dozen trusted followers tightened their grip on their weapons, their faces vicious.
Clang!
At that moment, a soldier’s sabre dropped to the ground. Trembling, he said,
“I—I surrender… I said from the start there was no future in rebellion. We can’t beat Silver Gong Xu.”
After a few seconds of silence, a second man surrendered:
“I surrender too. I—I just want to stay alive.”
“I surrender too…”
Then, as if it triggered a chain reaction, more and more Yunzhou soldiers threw down their weapons and surrendered, shouting “We surrender” in dialects from all over.
“Rebellion is a capital crime. Surrender won’t leave you any way to live either!”
Yang Chuannan roared, “Come with this general and make a last stand…”
He knew he was doomed and flatly refused to surrender. He wanted to stir up the Yunzhou army into dragging the Great Feng down with them, to make it pay a terrible price even in death.
But before he could finish, one of the men behind him silently threw down his sabre and shouted:
“I surrender.”
Yang Chuannan’s voice cut off abruptly.
The dozen or so trusted followers around him dropped their weapons one after another and shouted for surrender.
The muscles in Yang Chuannan’s cheeks twitched violently, his gaze turning utterly ashen.
In the distance, as he watched Yunzhou soldiers on and below the wall continuously throwing down their arms and surrendering, Qi Guangbo slowly closed his eyes and pressed one hand to the sabre at his waist.
A general of the army should have a dignified way to die.
His face was bleak. Back then, he had failed to cross blades with Wei Yuan on the battlefield. Today, he still had no chance.
The three words Xu Qi’an were the abyss lying between him and Wei Yuan, impossible to cross, enough to drive one to despair.
Qi Guangbo steeled himself and was just about to draw his sabre and cut his own throat, when suddenly his hands stopped obeying him.
Opening his eyes in shock, he saw a man in white standing before him, with ordinary features, an ordinary bearing, and an ordinary height.
“Why won’t you let me die?” Qi Guangbo said in a deep voice.
As commander-in-chief of Yunzhou, dying isn’t that cheap… Sun Xuanji finished the thought silently in his heart, but when it reached his lips, it became a single word:
“Heh!”
Under the command of their officers, the Great Feng defenders bound the surrendered soldiers one by one. They brandished scabbards and clubs, cursing and beating them as they vented the pent-up savagery in their hearts.
These reckless rebels had actually dared march on the capital. Who had given them the nerve? Didn’t they know Silver Gong Xu was the guardian god of the Great Feng?
Silver Gong Xu was wrapped in legend. When had he ever lost?
This time was no different. Once he acted, he personally killed the enemy commander.
This was the war god in their hearts.
Ge Wenxuan, Yang Chuannan, and more than a dozen other core figures were swiftly subdued by Zhao Shou, Sun Xuanji, and Kou Yangzhou. With these beyond-mortal experts watching them, even suicide was difficult.
…
The imperial palace, Jinluan Hall.
The Emperor sat high upon the throne. In the hall, apart from the assembled lords, there were also the commanders of the Imperial Guards and the capital’s twelve guards, as well as Xu Erlang, Zhang Shen, Chu Yuanzhen, Cao Qingyang, and other experts from the Wulin Alliance.
Because they had rendered meritorious service in defending the Great Feng, the latter had exceptionally been allowed into the hall to meet the Emperor and receive rewards according to merit.
“A total of twenty-eight thousand three hundred and sixty-one rebel soldiers were captured. Rebel generals including Qi Guangbo and Yang Chuannan have all been placed under arrest. In this battle, eight thousand three hundred and forty-three soldiers were killed, and twelve thousand were wounded. More than eight hundred civilians in the outer city were killed or injured.”
“More than two hundred cannons were seized, along with one hundred and twenty carriage crossbows, armour, weapons…”
“Of the four city gates, the South Gate has been destroyed, and long sections of the wall have collapsed. The other three gates have all suffered varying degrees of damage and require extensive repairs.”
”…”
The losses had been considerable indeed, yet the faces of the assembled lords shone with joy, with the ease of seeing sunlight after the clouds had parted.
This battle had brought the Yunzhou rebellion to an end. The dark cloud hanging over the court of the Great Feng had at last completely dispersed. Dawn had arrived.
Huaiqing listened in silence, then said slowly,
“This battle has cost us dearly. My lords, what suggestions do you have concerning the post-war handling and the disposition of the rebel prisoners?”
Prime Minister Qian Qingshu stepped forward and said,
“The surrendered soldiers of Yunzhou may be put to labour, responsible for repairing the city walls and the like. Once the aftermath has been dealt with, further arrangements can be made.”
At present, the greatest use of these surrendered soldiers was as free labour.
Prime Minister Qian Qingshu continued:
“As for rebel leaders such as Qi Guangbo, they should be beheaded and their heads displayed to the public as soon as possible, to demonstrate the authority of the court. The Cabinet has already drafted a proclamation: Silver Gong Xu personally slew the rebel commander Ji Xuan, terrifying the whole army and pacifying the rebellion.
“In this way, the people’s hearts can quickly be set at ease.”
Huaiqing nodded.
“Approved.”
Left Censor-in-Chief Liu Hong stepped forward and said,
“There is still one matter this subject does not understand. It seems the tribulation-crossing battle in the northern frontier ended in a great victory. Where are Agaruka Bodhisattva and Baidi now?”
Liu Hong’s doubt was also the doubt of the assembled lords.
The Yunzhou rebellion was over, but to them, its end had come somewhat inexplicably.
Because among the beyond-mortal forces Yunzhou had relied on, it was Baidi and Agaruka Bodhisattva. Yet from beginning to end, they had not seen either first-rank expert appear.
Huaiqing’s tone was majestic as she said slowly,
“The National Teacher and Silver Gong Xu both advanced to first rank. In the northern frontier, they slew Baidi’s flesh body. Left to stand alone, Agaruka could not hold out, and was driven back by Silver Gong Xu, fleeing to the Western Regions.”
!!!
Inside the hall, faces that had been lowered suddenly shot up, revealing expressions of shock and bewilderment.
A first-rank martial artist… The minds of the assembled lords buzzed so hard that they nearly blurted out to the Emperor:
You’re joking!
That one simple sentence instantly stirred monstrous waves in all their hearts.
And even Zhang Shen and Li Mubai, who had already heard the details from Zhao Shou, still felt an indescribable shock rise in them when they heard the news again.
The sect leaders and gang chiefs of the Wulin Alliance were dumbstruck, unable to keep their expressions under control.
A first-rank martial artist had been born.
Since Emperor Wuzong, no first rank martial artist had appeared in the Central Plains’ jianghu for five hundred years.
Today, five hundred years later, Xu Qi’an had advanced to first rank.
Without anyone realising it, he had already become a truly invincible man… The assembled officials suddenly felt as though everything had changed, as though seas had turned into mulberry fields.
Had I really only stayed in the military town for five months… Nangong Qianrou asked himself in his heart, somewhat doubtful that there was something wrong with his own understanding. He still couldn’t accept that the Silver Gong who had only been a fifth rank Transforming Force back then had, five months later, become someone standing at the pinnacle of the martial path.
What did first rank mean?
It meant taking the martial artist system all the way to its end.
Looking through all of history, other than Beyond-rank beings, whose combat strength could rival a first rank martial artist?
The old ancestor went into seclusion for five hundred years before advancing to second rank. That’s already an extraordinary achievement, one destined to be recorded in history. And yet Silver Gong Xu, barely in his early twenties, has already finished walking the martial path… The people of the Wulin Alliance had mixed feelings. All at once, they felt that the old ancestor’s talent seemed, perhaps, maybe, only middling?
The moment that thought flashed through their minds, they guiltily looked left and right. When they saw that Protector Yuan was not in the hall, they immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
“Good, good! From this day on, the Great Feng shall enjoy eternal peace. The nations in all four directions will no longer dare to invade!”
Liu Hong’s hands trembled with excitement, old tears streaming down his face.
“This is a blessing for the people of the Central Plains, a blessing for Your Majesty, a blessing for the state.”
At this moment, the officials all felt deeply moved, recalling everything the Great Feng had suffered since the official evalutation, from Emperor Zhende bringing chaos to the court and destroying the foundations laid by his ancestors, to the Yunzhou rebellion that left the Central Plains’ people in misery.
Over the past year, there had been far too many disasters, and the court had long since been overburdened.
Now they had finally come through it. Wei Yuan had returned to life, and Xu Qi’an had advanced to first rank. With the former to lead armies in war and the latter as their beyond-mortal battle strength, one could well imagine that in the long years to come, the Great Feng would enjoy favourable weather, a prosperous nation, and people at peace.
History recorded that during the reigns of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Wuzong, the Western Regions, the northern frontier, the Church of the Warlock God, and the Southern Marches had all submitted in the four directions. None had ever dared invade Great Feng territory, nor rashly stir up war.
…
After the great battle ended, martial law in the inner city was lifted. The city defence troops ran through the streets and alleys, banging gongs and beating drums, shouting that the rebellion had been put down and all under heaven was at peace.
Hearing this, the common people opened their doors and pushed open their windows in surprise, only to find that there were indeed no more patrolling soldiers in the streets.
“The fighting’s over? It scared me to death, I thought the capital was finished.”
“The sound of cannon fire stopped a while ago. I thought the rebels had withdrawn. Who’d have thought the rebellion had already been quelled.”
“Come on, come on, let’s go and see what’s posted on the notice wall.”
One after another, the people left their homes and went out into the streets, tacitly making their way towards the notice walls by the city gates and the public boards outside the various government offices.
Sure enough, from afar they saw that new notices had been posted.
“What’s written on it?”
“Does it say the rebellion has been suppressed? The rebels’ base is in Yunzhou. Even if this uprising is over, they’ll very likely come back.”
“There’s nothing to be done about that. The fact that our capital could drive back the rebels so quickly is already incredible.”
“Her Majesty really is one favoured by Heaven. And those officials aren’t as muddle-headed as we imagined either.”
Most people were illiterate, so they discussed it while waiting for someone who could read to tell them the contents of the notice.
Suddenly, someone cried out in delight:
“The notice says Silver Gong Xu killed the rebel leader and cowed the entire army!”
At once a wave of noise rose up. The people gathered around the noticeboard all started talking at once, repeatedly asking whether it was true.
Once they got a definite answer, the people suddenly understood. No wonder the rebellion had been put down so quickly. So it was because Silver Gong Xu had finally taken action.
“Just think about it, weren’t those rebels just asking to die? They came all the way to the capital, and before they could stir up any trouble, Silver Gong Xu snuffed them out.”
“I thought it was because Her Majesty was wise and mighty and the soldiers were well trained. Turns out it was Silver Gong Xu alone who cowed the rebels.”
“Of course. Back then outside Yuyang Pass, Silver Gong Xu was one man and one sabre, driving back the Church of the Warlock God’s army of five hundred thousand.”
Now that he had personally killed the rebel leader and cowed the whole army, in the eyes of the people, that was exactly the sort of bearing Silver Gong Xu ought to have.
“Eh, wasn’t it two hundred thousand?”
Someone questioned the truth of that number, but it was quickly drowned out by the tide-like chorus of praise.
Without realising it, the capital’s people had developed a kind of “pride”. It wasn’t the pride of privileged citizens living beneath the Son of Heaven’s feet, but the pride of living in the same city as Silver Gong Xu.
Disasters kept breaking out across the Central Plains, and Qingzhou and Yongzhou had even been occupied by the rebels, but our capital wasn’t afraid, because the capital had Silver Gong Xu.
…
Wang Manor.
Wang Simu returned to the manor in a carriage with her mother and her two sisters-in-law.
Her two elder brothers hurried out to meet them and urgently asked:
“The servants said the fighting outside the city has already ended?”
Madam Wang nodded. Her face was relaxed, and she said with a smile:
“People from the palace said Silver Gong Xu killed the rebel leader and cowed the rebels from the city wall, putting down the chaos.
“Back then, when your father planned to arrange a marriage alliance with the Xu family, I was unwilling in my heart. Only now do I understand how much thought your father had put into it.”
Given the relationship between the Wang family and the Xu family, even if the master resigned from the post of Prime Minister, they would still live in wealth and honour in the capital, and blessings would extend to future generations.
The Wang family’s eldest legitimate son let out a sigh of relief, joy appearing on his face.
“Father is still in his room waiting for news. I’ll go and tell him at once.”
Madam Wang nodded.
“The master can rest easy and recover now.”
Wang Simu smiled.
“I’ll go speak to Father.”
No one dared object.
Wang Simu made her way all the way to her father’s bedchamber and knocked on the door.
“Dad.”
The door immediately opened, and the maid said respectfully, “Miss.”
Wang Simu gave a soft “Mm”, stepped over the threshold, and entered the room. She saw Prime Minister Wang leaning against a soft pillow, looking towards her.
“How goes the battle?” Wang Zhenwen’s expression and tone were both calm, but his gaze was fixed tightly on Wang Simu.
Wang Simu knew what her father meant. Sitting at the bedside, she took her father’s hand and said gently:
“Silver Gong Xu has returned. It’s over, dad. It’s all over.”
Prime Minister Wang nodded. He had already heard of this from his two sons, and now that it was confirmed, he felt a great weight lift from his heart.
“So the tribulation-crossing battle in the northern frontier is over too…”
Wang Zhenwen still had one doubt, but he knew his daughter could not answer it.
How had he won?
Wang Simu said:
“On the way back, I ran into Erlang. He was on his way into the palace to see Her Majesty, and he told me something.”
Wang Zhenwen looked at his daughter.
Wang Simu pressed her lips together, then spoke the truth:
“Silver Gong Xu has advanced to first rank.”
A first rank martial artist… Wang Zhenwen murmured, “A first rank martial artist.”
He suddenly felt as though a new strength was sprouting within his body, growing strong and vigorous, and all the weariness vanished from his face.
…
Yunzhou, at sea.
Upon the azure ocean, a fleet lay at anchor amid rolling green waves. Flags embroidered with azure dragons snapped fiercely in the gale.
The Azure Dragon Fleet!
A middle-aged man in purple robes stood by the rail, gazing towards Yunzhou. His eyes were heavy and unreadable, giving no hint of joy or anger.
After Qianlong City came under attack, he had realised that the fighting strength within the city was inferior to the enemy’s. He had immediately made the decision to crush a teleportation jade talisman and travel to Baidi City. Then, taking the five hundred elite troops loyal to him from the city, he had rushed straight to the coast, boarded the Azure Dragon Fleet, and fled to sea.
This place was dozens of li from Yunzhou, safe enough.
He was waiting here for news from the National Teacher.
The Azure Dragon Fleet did not exist for battle, but to leave Yunzhou a way out.
Back when they had chosen to establish themselves in Yunzhou, it was precisely because the place was backed by the vast ocean. Even if they were ever driven into a dead end, there would still be a route of retreat.
“Since the National Teacher hasn’t returned to aid Yunzhou, that means he’s confident of taking the capital. As long as he seizes the capital, Yunzhou’s losses won’t amount to much.”
Having occupied a high position for many years, the middle-aged man in purple had a steady composure and was not flustered.
At that moment, he saw a white figure flash before his eyes, and Xu Pingfeng’s back appeared.
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