Volume One: The Turmoil of Yan and Yun Chapter Sixty-Three: Gathering Storms (Part One)

Yanbei.

The first pass under heaven—Yufeng.

Since the Lord of Yanbei issued his call for aid, many mighty figures had gathered here. Among those of the Dao Integration realm were the Lord of Divine Might Fortress and the Mistress of Fragrant Valley; the others were all illustrious leaders of their respective sects. Three of the Five Peak Masters from Snowcloud Sect had arrived, as well as two of the Abyssal Lords from Taixuan Mountain, three Vice Masters from Fragrant Valley, and the two Vajras of Myriad Images Sect. Even a power like the Storytelling Pavilion had sent one of its Ink Masters to oversee matters. The assembly was as grand as the legendary Dao Inquiry Conference itself.

Yet, for the current state of affairs, this strength was still not enough.

No one knew how the Barbarian Grand Duke had convinced the demon tribes beyond the borders, but the effect was clear: the barbarians had suddenly gained two more Dao Integration-level monsters.

Snow Without Trace had only just arrived, yet had already endured a fierce battle. Together with the three Vice Masters of Fragrant Valley, he had clashed with the Silvermoon Wolf King, suffering serious wounds.

Though their foe was a demon beast, Dao Integration was Dao Integration—the gap could not be bridged, and they were not its match.

What puzzled them, however, was why the Lord of Divine Might Fortress could not overcome the Dust Abyss Serpent King. Divine Might Fortress was famed for combating demons; at equal cultivation, its lord ought to have the advantage.

He exchanged glances with the other Void Dao masters, considering whether to inquire further, but in the end, chose silence. One must show proper respect to those of the Dao Integration realm.

But the Mistress of Fragrant Valley was not so restrained.

Liang Zhiyin spoke bluntly, “Why has your Dao intent weakened so much?”

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress glanced at her but did not answer.

Liang Zhiyin pressed, “This is no trivial matter. Silence will solve nothing.”

With a sigh, the Lord of Divine Might Fortress replied, “I encountered some mishap during my recent closed-door cultivation. With some recuperation, I’ll recover.”

Liang Zhiyin breathed a quiet sigh of relief.

She and the Lord of Divine Might Fortress were both from the early days of the dynasty and shared the same goal. That goal demanded their all; even the slightest misstep could spell irrevocable disaster. She had to know the reason for his current state.

“Be careful. We still have unfinished business. After persisting all these years, to fail to see the dawn would be too lamentable.”

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress lowered his head, deep in thought, and did not reply.

With a faint sigh, the Mistress of Fragrant Valley vanished, two cherry blossom petals drifting inexplicably through the air.

Seeing the outcome of the discussion between the two Dao Integration masters, the others said no more. They each returned within the pass, preparing for the barbarians’ next assault. On the ramparts of Yufeng, only the Lord of Divine Might Fortress and Feng Muyun remained besides the ordinary guards.

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress stood straight as a spear, gazing down at the barbarian host, his brow furrowed in deep concern.

Feng Muyun wore a similar expression.

“There is still hope,” murmured the Lord of Divine Might Fortress. “Are you truly resolved to do this?”

“I am,” Feng Muyun replied softly.

“If Yufeng falls, there will never be peace in Yanbei again,” he warned.

“If the traitors succeed, then humanity itself will have no peace,” Feng Muyun sighed. “Uncle, you’ve been sequestered too long, always bent on battling the demons. But if we do nothing, Yanbei may not last until the demons march south.”

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress frowned even more deeply.

Years ago, his Dao heart had been shattered by the Seventh Demon General’s blade. Though the wounds of flesh and spirit had healed with time, the fire within him would never be quenched.

To speak plainly, the reason he still lived was to witness the fall of Evernight City with his own eyes—to personally slay the Seventh Demon General.

That was why he had not wanted to assist Feng Muyun at first. There was another reason too: he considered Feng Muyun’s plan unlikely to succeed.

Why should the lives of forty million Yanbei citizens be wagered for the ambitions of the Dugus?

“Uncle, I need Divine Might Fortress’ aid,” Feng Muyun pleaded.

“I’ve already helped you,” came the cold reply. “Or do you want this old man to march south himself?”

“Uncle, you are the pillar of Yanbei. How could I trouble you so?” Feng Muyun said. “I’ve planned everything carefully. Unless something unforeseen occurs, there’s at least an eighty percent chance of success.”

Eighty percent?

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress had no wish to expose Feng Muyun’s bluff.

Eighty percent likely to stop the Prince of Bohai? Even supposing that were true, how much chance was there that you yourself would survive? And in any case, if the present threat cannot be addressed, all future plans are but a joke.

He looked up and nodded toward the barbarian army. “And what of them?”

Feng Muyun said, “No matter what Dugu Yue has promised, the barbarians will not cross the pass.”

“And why is that?”

“If they wish to avoid their own destruction, they will not,” Feng Muyun replied.

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress found logic in this. For years, the Divine Dynasty had left the barbarians alone, not from lack of strength, but to preserve the current balance. Should the barbarians invade, it would prove not only collusion with the rebels, but an intent to intervene directly in the affairs of the dynasty—something the Divine Sovereign would never tolerate. Once unbound, the dynasty would annihilate the barbarians.

The great sects did not heed every royal command, but none would dare ignore an enraged Divine Sovereign.

So, if Feng Muyun could stop Bohai, the barbarians would not risk their entire people on the chance of Bohai seizing power.

“I still think it unwise,” the Lord of Divine Might Fortress said gravely. “As the head of Yanbei, how can you abandon your post with enemies at the gate?”

Feng Muyun paused, then chuckled softly. “When did I say I would go stop Dugu Yue myself?”

He continued, “If I left Yufeng, Bohai would know at once.”

The Lord of Divine Might Fortress said, “The Third General has shown some military talent over the years, but nothing more.”

So it was Feng Xisha headed south.

From his words, the Lord of Divine Might Fortress clearly did not believe Feng Xisha could stop the Prince of Bohai.

If Feng Xisha could not, then all Feng Muyun’s earlier talk was empty.

Feng Muyun was no fool, and could guess at his meaning. Softly, he said, “Who said my brother needs to face Dugu Yue alone?”

Before the Lord of Divine Might Fortress could respond, he went on, “My brother’s route south takes him right past Taixuan Mountain…”

…

…

Prince of Bohai’s Residence.

As the wealthiest province of the Divine Dynasty, the Bohai Prince’s residence was extravagantly opulent. Though lacking the sheer scale of the imperial city, in every other aspect it was its equal. The palace roofs were adorned with exquisitely crafted roof beasts, each clearly the work of a master artisan. The night-luminescent pearls in their mouths bathed the residence in brightness even after sunset. The finest snow porcelain paved the entire grounds, red walls and green tiles as one might expect, but a close inspection revealed the tiles were fired with the Dragonflame Art of the Valley of Forging, and the lacquer on the walls was the rare Scarlet Flood Dragon lacquer from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

The list of luxuries was endless.

At this moment, the Prince of Bohai was fishing in the rear garden, his line plunging straight into the lake, faint ripples spreading where it met the water.

A fish had taken the bait.

But the prince seemed not to notice, watching the spreading ripples with narrowed eyes.

A blue-armored officer strode quickly to his side and whispered something in his ear.

A smile crept onto the prince’s lips. With a slight flick of his wrist, a three-pound dragon carp arced through the air and landed squarely in the fish bucket.

He planted his rod in the ground, took the towel offered by a servant, and wiped his hands. “Feng Xisha? It seems the Palace of Radiance has done well—Feng Muyun dares not leave Yanbei.”

The officer in blue replied, “Even if the Lord of Yanbei came in person, the outcome would not change.”

The prince glanced at him. “Yuzhe, you’re far too narrow-minded.”

Su Yuzhe paused, looking puzzled.

The prince rose and walked toward the pavilion.

“The Lord of Yanbei is both wise and bold, undefeated all these years. Dealing with him would be far harder than with Feng Xisha.” He glanced at Su Yuzhe, teasing, “They say that famous generals are ranked by mountains of corpses and seas of blood. You’re of similar age, yet always a step behind him. Perhaps you resent that, but he truly has accomplished more than you.”

Su Yuzhe bristled. “That’s only because he guards the north, and those foolhardy barbarians keep handing him military merit…”

“First, ‘handing’ is the wrong word—no one wants to die.”

“Second, even if the achievements come to you, you still have to be capable of seizing them. If he were truly useless, would the Palace of Radiance fear him so?”

“Finally, if you really wish to prove yourself his equal, do so in the coming war. Why waste words here?”

Su Yuzhe considered this and found some truth in it.

Yet he had other concerns. “Your Highness, thanks to the Unfettered Pavilion, the dynasty is already on guard. Wouldn’t it be unwise to act rashly?”

“Unwise?” The prince snorted. “Even Yanbei, loyal as it is, has been suspected to this day. Even if Wuyang knows nothing of our moves, do you think they’re not wary of us already?”

He sat in the pavilion, gazing westward. “Don’t forget how our family claimed the throne. Wuyang fears this more than anyone.”

After a pause, he asked, “Has there been any word from Yihua?”

Su Yuzhe answered, “The Mistress of Zisang Palace visited Xu Hai a few days ago.”

The Prince of Bohai was momentarily perplexed, unsure of the reason.

He frowned, waved Su Yuzhe away, and idly traced patterns on the stone table with his finger.

At last, as if discovering something, his brow smoothed and a smile curved his lips.

“Your Majesty, I wonder if you’ll be able to parry this move…”

…