Volume Two: Snow over the Qin River Chapter Twenty-Nine: Visitors from Yanbei (Part Two)

No matter whether intentional or not, ever since the Battle of Yanbei, Feng Qi had not heard any news about Yanbei for a long time. Suddenly learning that the Yanbei royal army had arrived here left him momentarily stunned.

Zhou Zihan thought to herself that there were indeed things in this world that could shake him—yet it was merely some mundane people who unsettled him even more than before.

She tugged on his sleeve.

He snapped back to reality but said nothing.

The purpose of the Yanbei royal army’s visit was not hard to guess, especially at this critical juncture.

The old prince would not remain in Yanbei forever; Yanbei desperately needed a leader who commanded universal respect.

Naturally, the heir of Yanbei was qualified to become this leader, in fact, the only choice, as he had long been widely supported.

Mou Linhan said, “No matter the outcome, you should at least go and see them.”

Finally, Feng Qi spoke, “Where are they now?”

Zhou Zihan glanced at him.

He must be very excited; otherwise, why would his voice be trembling?

Mou Linhan replied, “Qingfeng Inn.”

Qingfeng Inn was a place designated for receiving outsiders, located in Xueji Town not far from the Outer Mountain. It appeared to be an ordinary teahouse and tavern but was actually one of the Moon Peak’s earthly enterprises.

Feng Qi arrived there quickly.

Zhou Zihan followed closely beside him.

Mou Linhan had business midway and was called away by Xue Qianzhang to the Wuhen Hall—likely for the appointment of Jin Hui.

“Once inside, what if they ask you to return to Yanbei?” Zhou Zihan asked.

“Not the time yet,” Feng Qi shook his head.

By then, they had reached the side courtyard where the royal army was stationed.

Wan Jiang happened to be coming out, a faint sneer on his face.

Seeing this second senior brother, Feng Qi raised an eyebrow.

“Why are you here?”

“Just happened to be passing by. Since I’m an old acquaintance of Jianzi, as your senior brother, I should extend the hospitality,” Wan Jiang replied.

Feng Qi didn’t believe in coincidences, especially those with ill intent, but said nothing.

Matters had different priorities; regardless of Sun Duocheng’s original intention—whether to warn or to sow discord—Feng Qi held no goodwill toward Wan Jiang.

“In that case, senior brother, no need to trouble yourself,” Feng Qi gestured politely. “Second senior brother, please proceed as you wish.”

Wan Jiang glanced at Feng Qi, chuckled lightly, and did not insist.

Once Wan Jiang had disappeared from view, Zhou Zihan finally spoke: “I don’t like him.”

“Coincidentally, neither do I,” Feng Qi said.

“He’s very scheming,” Zhou Zihan added.

“Just pretending to be profound,” Feng Qi replied.

“He’s clever,” Zhou Zihan said again.

“Only self-important,” Feng Qi sighed. “If he were truly clever, he wouldn’t be here.”

Xueyun Sect was a secluded gateway; few disciples there cared about Yanbei affairs. This was evident from the scarcity of Yanbei-born disciples visiting since Feng Qi’s arrival. After all, Xueyun Sect disciples had grown up within the sect, and this place was more like their homeland than their birthplace.

Ultimately, Feng Qi now had only two choices: the Yanbei heir or the Wuhen Swordmaster.

Judging from the situation, only three types of people might step forward.

The first kind were people like the eldest senior brother, who worried that Feng Qi might be swayed by old acquaintances and thus came immediately to probe his intentions—to see if he might leave.

The second kind were like the second senior brother, fearing matters might not unfold as expected, so they hurried to inquire about the Yanbei royal army’s purpose to prepare accordingly.

The third were elders or stewards from Fenglei Peak responsible for upholding the sword law; their motives were like the second type but without malice, merely waiting to punish any breach of law.

Many saw through the true intent of the Yanbei royal army’s visit, but few had the authority to act, and even fewer could make arrangements.

Wan Jiang happened to be one of them. Having managed Wuhen Peak for years, he naturally had some means. If he truly intended to set something up, it would cause trouble.

But he shouldn’t be here.

His presence here meant that regardless of who was behind Sun Duocheng, they would surely take advantage of this opportunity to frame the second disciple of Wuhen Peak, and the consequences would ultimately fall on him.

Nightfall indeed made mistakes easier. Wan Jiang had unwittingly trapped himself.

Zhou Zihan pondered these matters silently, saying nothing further.

---

Feng Qi stood at the door, hesitating to enter.

With a creak, the door opened from inside.

Feng Qi and the one opening the door were both stunned, then their eyes reddened simultaneously.

It was Yun Changqing.

So this guy wasn’t dead after all.

Feng Qi quickly regained composure and smiled, “I never thought I’d have a day when seeing you would bring tears.”

His voice trembled slightly.

He and Yun Changqing had been at odds since childhood, clashing countless times. Yun Changqing had never once yielded.

Feng Qi had always known why.

Because he was lazy, sharp-tongued, and arrogant.

Because he was carefree, wild, and unconventional.

Most importantly, because of the girl who liked him but he didn’t like back.

He thought a lot, though it was all in an instant.

Yun Changqing came to his senses and knelt on one knee, “Third-class deputy general of Fengxi Camp, Yun Changqing, pays respects to the heir!”

Feng Qi was stunned, feeling this scene was unfamiliar.

To his knowledge, this seemed to be the first time Yun Changqing had knelt and saluted him.

A lump rose in his throat, as if something wanted to break free.

At Yun Changqing’s words, sounds of clattering tables and dishes came from inside. People rushed out and knelt without hesitation upon seeing Feng Qi.

“Captain Mu Qianqiu of Fengxi Camp, pays respects to the heir!”

“Corporal Shi Bai of Fengxi Camp, pays respects to the heir!”

“First-class assistant general Gu Nianci of Fengxi Camp, pays respects to the heir!”

These three had saved Feng Qi; otherwise, he wouldn’t have known how to handle the previous scene.

Indeed, he was still not resolute enough.

Such a scene was enough to shake his resolve.

Feng Qi took a deep breath, passed among the four, and entered the room without looking back, saying, “Rise.”

Zhou Zihan thought for a moment but did not enter with him.

Yun Changqing nodded apologetically to her and closed the door gently.

Looking at the closed door, Zhou Zihan paused several breaths before stepping back and leaning against the door to close her eyes and rest.

...

“How is Yanbei?” Feng Qi looked around after entering and sat at the main seat. “The battle should be nearly over by now.”

Mu Qianqiu poured tea for Feng Qi, while Gu Nianci and Shi Bai sat on either side.

Yun Changqing said, “The Grand Marshal commanded with unmatched skill. Yanbei’s original formations have been decimated, with less than one-tenth remaining. Its defense capacity greatly weakened, the royal army swept through with unstoppable force; no barbarian general could stand against them.”

Feng Muyun’s decisive destruction of Yufeng Pass and Shuntian City gave Yanbei, previously an ironclad stronghold, a chance, also setting the tone for Feng Changkong’s northern advance.

Feng Qi suddenly recalled what his second brother had said about a scorched-earth policy: if one day Yanbei truly couldn’t hold, they would begin from Shuntian, breaking the foundation of Yanbei’s formations, turning every city into a ruin that must be defended to the death. This strategy had three advantages.

First, such resolute defense would surely make the barbarian soldiers cautious, possibly halting their southward advance at one or several cities. A destroyed city, defended to the death, could unite Yanbei’s soldiers with unwavering resolve.

Second, as nomadic warriors, the barbarians excelled at sustaining war through war; destroying everything would severely restrict their logistics.

Third, with city formations destroyed, the barbarians, given their national strength, could hardly rebuild effective defenses quickly. Future battles to reclaim territory would only need to face battle formations and troops, making it much easier.

Feng Qi thought Feng Yang’s idea was quite good. Although this approach made reconstruction more difficult, as long as it maximally reduced barbarian combat power, it was a guaranteed gain.

However, Feng Muyun disagreed. He believed such tactics destroyed Yanbei’s foundation and were against the natural order. He severely reprimanded the second brother and made him copy the "Way of the General" dozens of times.

Fortunately, the father was ultimately ruthless once and chose Feng Yang’s strategy.

Only the innocent Yanbei civilians suffered.

“What about Li Jinxing?” Feng Qi asked. “Did he not step forward to play his part?”

---

“What does this have to do with Lord Li?” Yun Changqing frowned. “Lord Li is still alive?”

Feng Qi realized that Li Jinxing’s fate was still a secret to ordinary people. Yanbei was the weaker side in the war, and the father would never reveal Li Jinxing’s involvement to the troops—that would be devastating to morale.

To Yanbei, Li Jinxing was still the hero leading the army to expel the demons.

He found it somewhat ironic and couldn’t help but sneer disdainfully.

Though they hadn’t met for a long time, Yun Changqing knew Feng Qi well and naturally understood the meaning behind this reaction.

He looked around at his comrades and weighed his words, “General Gu, Liu Lu and the others are still outside the town. Why don’t you go check on them? That brat has a quick temper; if we don’t watch carefully, I’m worried they might cause trouble in Qin Chuan.”

Gu Nianci paused, then responded, “I’ll take the two of them to have a look. After you finish talking with the heir, remember to come over.”

Shi Bai wanted to speak but was cut off by Gu Nianci, “Is it because the heir is here that you think you don’t have to listen to me?”

Mu Qianqiu tugged Shi Bai’s sleeve, silently thinking how could his judgment be so poor.

Shi Bai shut up.

The three soon left.

Yun Changqing lowered his voice, “Li Jinxing isn’t dead?”

Feng Qi nodded.

Yun Changqing continued, “Is the Battle of Yanbei related to him?”

Feng Qi nodded again.

Yun Changqing gasped, “Why?”

Feng Qi thought to himself: the Li Jinxing in the history books had been glorified; of course, he wouldn’t understand why.

“Read more books,” he said without explanation, sighing softly. “Cross-reference multiple sources to get the truth.”

Yun Changqing said, “Books aren’t always right.”

Feng Qi replied, “At least they’re much more reliable.”

Yun Changqing was about to say something else.

Feng Qi asked seriously, “You came all the way to Qin Chuan—surely not just to argue about this?”

Yun Changqing was silent for a moment.

Feng Qi couldn’t understand what was unspeakable.

“Our Fengxi Camp went south with only 370 men. Not many, but that’s all the Fengxi Camp has now.”

“Even in such dire straits, we remain the most intact unit, bar none.”

“You weren’t on the battlefield, so you don’t understand the situation. Everyone speaks of the battlefield’s grandeur, but I only remember endless shouting, thick smoke, corpses everywhere, and rivers of blood.”

“You know, Yanbei’s winters have more snow than sand.”

“But last year, the snow melted with the blood, revealing brown sand. It made people cry.”

“But we cannot shed tears. We still have grievances to settle.”

“The remaining brothers organized themselves spontaneously. We were powerless against them and resorted to ambushes.”

“Though it lasted only a few days, it felt like a century to us. The vast Yanbei was engulfed in darkness.”

“The old prince returned to clear the battlefield.”

“Darkness is breaking.”

“But dawn has not yet come.”

Yun Changqing stood, knelt deeply on both knees, and knocked his head three times with force.

“I beg the heir to restore clear skies over Yanbei!”

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