Chapter Fifty-Six The Elder

On the way back, Xu Yaozu could not feel more triumphant! His disciple, Murong Yan, had nearly lost her life in search of the celestial herb. But when he himself set out, not only did he gather the herb at will, he also brought back two venerable Immortal Masters! Now, that was truly a moment of exalted glory, a feat worthy of the highest praise among his fellow generals!

Riding his Zhaoyang Lance through the skies, Xu Yaozu was giddy with delight, almost so much that he nearly tumbled down several times. The world seemed unspeakably beautiful: the morning sun pierced the clouds, illuminating them in dazzling gold and jade, a scene of unmatched grandeur. The wind roared past his ears, setting his sleeves billowing, so refreshingly cool and comfortable! The sweet scent of sunlight filled his nostrils, intoxicating him with its fragrance. Gazing down upon the land below, he took in the splendid rivers and mountains of Great Xia, and could not help but feel a surge of heroic fervor to defend his homeland.

His good spirits sped his journey, and before long, Xu Yaozu returned to the skies above the military camp and descended to the ground. The generals hurried to surround him, eager to inquire whether he had secured the celestial herb. Xu Yaozu burst out laughing, answering repeatedly, “Secured! Secured! The two Immortal Masters have also promised to come assist us in three days!”

Murong Yan was overjoyed upon hearing this, praising, “Master is indeed master—your methods are extraordinary!”

Xu Yaozu laughed heartily. “Of course! How could your master fail in matters concerning you, Yan’er?!”

The celestial herb was then ground and administered to Mu Shijin and Xiao Ling. Not long after, the two of them coughed up a basinful of black blood and slowly regained consciousness. Murong Yan instructed the army doctors to tend to them carefully and awaited the arrival of the Immortal Masters before discussing the next campaign.

Indeed, three days later, Xie Junde and his wife arrived, each riding their magical treasures through the sky, and sought audience with the Marshal. Murong Yan and Ye Feng, upon hearing this, hurried out with the generals to greet them and escorted them into the command tent, where they discussed strategies against the enemy in detail.

Xu Yaozu was the first to rise, clasping his fists and reporting, “Marshal, Deputy Marshal, in my humble opinion, now that the Immortal Masters are present, we need not fear the Soul-Chasing Red Lotus. Why not have you two lead the army, with myself opening the way, so that we may storm into the city and slay the fiendish generals Xiang Buer and Lu Youxiong?”

Ye Feng hastily objected, reporting to Murong Yan, “That will not do. Though our army now holds the advantage, we must not act rashly. The Art of War teaches: ‘An army’s morale may be seized, a general’s spirit may be broken.’ I believe the demon soldiers rely on their Soul-Chasing Red Lotus for courage. Now that Mu Shijin and Xiao Ling have recovered, we can send them to challenge the enemy before the city each day, letting the demons see that we possess the antidote and that their Red Lotus no longer threatens us. This will shake their spirit, and then attacking the city will be much easier.”

Murong Yan nodded in approval and ordered Mu Shijin and Xiao Ling to act thus starting the next day.

So, on the following day, Mu Shijin and Xiao Ling issued their challenge beneath the walls of Yunyang City. The demon soldiers and generals atop the walls saw that the two were unharmed and ready for battle, and were so frightened they dared not even show their heads above the parapets. In only a few days, panic and defeatist gloom spread throughout the city’s defenders.

Meanwhile, in Murong Yan and Ye Feng’s camp, with Mu Shijin and Xiao Ling openly challenging at Yunyang’s gates, preparations for siege weapons continued in secret, ready for a full-scale assault at any moment.

One day, as Murong Yan and Ye Feng were discussing the siege, a soldier came to report: “Sirs, there is an old man outside the camp requesting an audience with you both, claiming to bear important information.”

Murong Yan quickly ordered, “Bring him in at once!”

Soon, an elderly man entered the tent. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he dropped to his knees with a thud and cried, “A criminal subject bows before the Marshals!”

Bang! Bang! Bang! He knocked his head three times on the ground.

Murong Yan waved his hands anxiously, “Elder, what crime have you committed? Please, get up quickly!”

Ye Feng hurried down to help the old man to his feet. The visitor appeared to be in his fifties or sixties, with fair skin, dignified features, eyes bright as stars, hair half gray, and three wisps of beard flowing upon his chest. He wore a gentry’s headscarf, a blue linen robe, a green silk sash, and black boots—altogether, a figure of keen and capable air.

The old man dared not raise his head, only said, “I am here on behalf of my nephew, Lu Youxiong, to beg forgiveness. The boy was foolish and reckless, like a mantis trying to stop a cart, opposing the heavenly army!”

With that, he dropped to his knees again with a thud, tears streaming down his face. “Marshals, have pity on the child. He was forced by circumstances—please do not punish him harshly!”

Ye Feng was puzzled: what trouble had come to Lu Youxiong? He stepped forward again, helping the old man up, “Please, speak plainly. If there is hardship, do not hold back.”

“You do not know how cruel Xiang Buer is! He has placed Lu Youxiong’s parents, wife, and children under house arrest, forcing the boy to do his bidding. People curse him as a traitor, a disgrace to our nation! The poor boy suffers in silence, forced to hide his face in iron armor in public, unable to show himself!”

At this, the old man broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Is that so?” Murong Yan said. “If he repents and turns his sword against the enemy, I will hold no grudge for his past actions!”

Murong Yan nodded repeatedly, adding, “Elder, Lu Youxiong may be confused, but you must not be. Weigh the matter carefully and do not let him continue down this path! If you can persuade him to surrender, we will not hold his crimes against him.”

“But he dares not! His family is in Xiang Buer’s hands; how can he risk defying him? Please, save him!” Once more, the old man dropped to his knees.

“Get up, get up!” Ye Feng pulled him up. After a moment’s thought, he said, “If you truly wish to save him, write a letter urging him to surrender. With this letter, I will send men into the city to persuade him. If he yields, our righteous army will rescue his family and relieve his worries. If not, though his kin will not be implicated, I fear for his own life.”

He added, “Elder, think carefully and do what must be done.”

The old man bowed repeatedly, “Naturally, naturally, I will do as you say!”

He immediately penned the letter. Murong Yan and Ye Feng comforted him and saw him out, then discussed how to get the letter into the city.

Ye Feng proposed, “To deliver the letter, we must feign withdrawal, luring the enemy into a false sense of security. When the city gates are wide open, we’ll have several skilled and crafty warriors slip inside among the crowd. One eloquent, resourceful officer will bear the letter and urge Lu Youxiong to defect.”

Murong Yan agreed at once, “Let’s do as Deputy Marshal Ye suggests!”

“As for who shall carry the letter…” Ye Feng hesitated, as if reluctant to speak.

Murong Yan laughed, “Who else but my master?”

Ye Feng praised, “Marshal, you are wise indeed! Only, Master Xu has already toiled greatly in fetching the celestial herb, and now must trouble himself again.”

Murong Yan reassured him, “Do not worry, I shall see to it myself.”

Ye Feng relaxed, “That’s for the best! This mission is perilous—if not for Master Xu’s fortune, who else could accomplish it?”

The two considered every detail, and to minimize casualties, resolved to turn Lu Youxiong and seize Yunyang City by cunning.

The righteous army, according to plan, withdrew in the night, vanishing without a trace.

Xiang Buer was delighted! Just as it seemed the righteous army would breach the city, they suddenly withdrew, leaving him relieved. He thought it was Lu Youxiong’s Red Lotus that had frightened them off, never suspecting it was all a ruse.

Thus, he indulged in revelry every day, growing ever more arrogant and dissipated. The demon soldiers, too, feasted and drank, all oblivious to the impending peril.

Lu Youxiong tried to warn them in vain; Xiang Buer paid him no heed and even scolded him when displeased.

During this time, Xu Yaozu, Li Yiqing, Mu Shijin, and Zhou Chaogui, leading several dozen elite soldiers in disguise, slipped into the city.

Li Yiqing, Mu Shijin, and Zhou Chaogui went to investigate the location where Lu Youxiong’s family was held.

Xu Yaozu, parting company with them, strode alone to Lu Youxiong’s residence. Mounting the steps swaggeringly, he ordered the guards on either side, “You two, go inform your master that his uncle’s family has sent someone—ask him to come out and receive me!”

The two soldiers, both collaborators who had followed Lu Youxiong for years, eyed this old man with suspicion—never before had they seen such a relative at the general’s house. But they dared not question him; Xu Yaozu’s bearing alone suggested he was someone of consequence. Hastily, they went to report.

Soon, Lu Youxiong came out to greet him. He did not recognize Xu Yaozu, but dared not act rashly. He thought, best to invite him in and find out—perhaps some relative seeking his help.

So he courteously welcomed Xu Yaozu inside. Xu Yaozu made himself quite at home, striding in and settling unceremoniously in the seat of honor.

Lu Youxiong was furious inside—who was this man?! At most a commoner, and yet he sat above the master of the house—truly, the guest usurping the host’s place. But he dared not show his anger and could only bow deeply, saying, “Elder, what family of my uncle’s are you from? What business brings you here?”

Xu Yaozu leaned back in the chair, glanced at Lu Youxiong, then closed his eyes.

“Ahem!” he coughed.

“Your uncle wrote you a letter and asked me to deliver it,” he said, drawing the letter from his robe and handing it over.

Lu Youxiong accepted it and began to read. But as his eyes took in the words, rage flared within him, fury emboldening his heart.

Rip! Rip! Rip!

He tore the letter to shreds.

He shouted, “Men! Seize this old wretch and take him out for execution!”

[Note: The ancient military axiom, “An army’s morale may be seized, a general’s spirit may be broken,” is from Sun Tzu’s Art of War, meaning that in warfare, one must first seek to weary and demoralize the enemy, disrupting their will before engaging in battle.]