Chapter Sixty-One: A Precious Sword for a Fair Lady
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Within the mountain cave, Ye Feng had acquired the legendary weapon—the Overlord Divine Spear. Excitement surged in his heart, and he could not resist brandishing it in an impromptu display.
Just as he was immersed in the vigorous exercise, a loud voice rang out, “Excellent spear technique!”
He hurriedly stilled his hand, collecting himself and scanning the surroundings. It was Lu Youxiong, who had brought his men searching for him.
After Ye Feng had disappeared, Lu Youxiong had followed the clues to search for him. According to the recollections of the soldiers, Ye Feng was last seen near the bloodstains, but afterward, he vanished. Hence, they had retraced their steps. Upon a thorough search, they finally discovered the cave’s entrance. With ropes, they climbed down and arrived at the spot.
Lu Youxiong clasped his hands in salute and congratulated him, “Congratulations, Deputy Marshal Ye, for your fortuitous acquisition of this divine spear!”
He stepped forward and picked up the seven-foot-long Dragon Spring Sword from the ground, offering it with both hands to Ye Feng, saying, “Deputy Marshal Ye, to gain three treasures in a single day is truly worthy of celebration!”
Ye Feng accepted the sword and examined it closely. The blade was pitch-black, its hilt wrapped in red ox-hide. Embedded in the sword’s eye was a green gemstone. On its surface were engraved two characters: “Flowing Cloud.”
Ye Feng pointed to the inscription and asked, “General Lu, have you ever heard of this sword?”
Lu Youxiong nodded, “I have indeed. Since childhood, I’ve heard tales of it. Legend has it that five hundred years ago, our Grand Xia Kingdom and the Demon Kingdom fought a decisive battle near Yunyang City. Grand Xia triumphed, and at that time, the Demon Kingdom’s ruler was the Golden-winged Flying Tiger Sage, who was slain by three Holy Spirit Arrows. Afterward, his weapons—the Overlord Divine Spear, Red Sleeve and Flowing Cloud twin swords—vanished without a trace. Who would have thought they ended up here, transformed into spirits!”
Ye Feng was secretly astonished, “Oh, such a history!”
He never expected that the three weapons he had claimed today had once belonged to the ruler of the Demon Kingdom!
Lu Youxiong laughed heartily, “This is the cycle of cause and effect, retribution that never fails! The Demon Kingdom invaded Grand Xia and lost such treasures. Now, Deputy Marshal of the righteous army has recovered these divine weapons; we can use them to strike back against the Demon Kingdom and reclaim our blood debts!”
Ye Feng was joyous. He wrapped the twin swords together in fine cotton cloth and secured them to his back.
He said, “General Lu, you lead the way. Let us return.”
Lu Youxiong bowed, “As you command!”
He led the soldiers back.
Ye Feng followed closely behind, carrying the Overlord Divine Spear.
With many men and torches lighting the path, they soon reached the cave mouth.
Ye Feng saw the rope hanging down from the entrance and, using it, everyone climbed up one by one.
He also hoisted the weapons up, piece by piece.
Only then did he return to camp to report to Murong Yan.
Murong Yan listened to his account, nodding repeatedly, and said with relief, “With those three demons eradicated, the people’s lives will finally be stable!”
Ye Feng presented the Red Sleeve Sword with both hands, earnestly, “Marshal, I have noticed you have only one green sword for many years. Each time you use your control technique in battle, you must snatch weapons from the enemy, which is arduous. Why not keep this sword for yourself?”
Murong Yan shook her head, “Deputy Marshal Ye, you have worked hard for these three weapons. Moreover, you have reached the realm of dual bodies and are in greater need of weapons. You should keep it for yourself.”
The two politely insisted, neither willing to yield.
The generals below could not bear it any longer.
One said, “You two, don’t quarrel. If weapons are lacking, just forge more.”
Another retorted, “Nonsense! Our two marshals are not ordinary people—common weapons would not suit them! If crafted by a master, it would take two or three years to make one!”
Others said, “Marshals, look at my weapon—if you find it suitable, you may take it!”
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The crowd became lively, voices clashing in heated debate.
Murong Yan, compelled to intervene, raised her hand to quiet them, politely declining, “Generals, I thank you for your kindness. I have already ordered the making of a Brocade Blade for myself, and it should be finished in a few days.”
The group finally settled down.
That evening, Ye Feng once again took the Red Sleeve Sword to Murong Yan’s tent, bringing up the matter of gifting the sword.
He cradled the Red Sleeve Sword, gazing at Murong Yan with deep affection, approaching her gently.
“Yan, we have been together for more than a year, yet have not exchanged tokens of betrothal. Today, let me gift you the Red Sleeve Sword as a pledge of a lifelong commitment!”
Murong Yan saw Ye Feng’s ardent gaze fixed on her, and her heart was filled with sweetness; a blush blossomed on her cheeks.
Yet, the modesty of a young maiden compelled her to feign indifference.
She tapped Ye Feng’s head lightly with a graceful finger, feigning anger, “Hmph, who says we must be betrothed? What if I marry someone else?”
Ye Feng watched Murong Yan’s face redden, like a peony in spring, and his heart was intoxicated.
He argued, “If you don’t marry me, who else could you marry? Surely all know that Murong Yan belongs to Ye Feng!”
He gently took Murong Yan’s delicate hand and pressed the Red Sleeve Sword into it, admonishing, “The battlefield is dangerous, Yan, you must protect yourself!”
Murong Yan felt the warmth of his strong hand enveloping hers, the masculine energy flowing into her, and her heart was equally entranced.
She removed her own sword, handing it over to Ye Feng with both hands, solemnly, “Feng, this green sword is called the Bamboo Light Sword. It is my father’s only heirloom, my most treasured possession. Today, I pass it to you, entrusting my lifelong devotion—together forever, never to part!”
Ye Feng was deeply moved, but he knew this was Murong Yan’s protective talisman and could not accept it lightly.
So he politely declined, “Yan, as the saying goes: ‘A hero receives a sword, a beauty receives rouge.’ We are both warriors; we need not follow ordinary custom. Let us reverse the roles—I give you a sword, and you give me rouge. Yan, if you give me something of yours, it will be as if you are always by my side.”
Murong Yan understood Ye Feng’s concern for her safety, and she would not reject his thoughtful gesture.
She looked herself over, then took a fragrant pouch from her neckline.
The pouch was an inch in size, heart-shaped, embroidered with gold thread depicting mandarin ducks playing in water, surrounded by green leaves and pink lotus.
“Feng, I have carried this pouch with me for years. I give it to you to show my feelings!”
Murong Yan handed it to Ye Feng, who felt the warmth and lingering scent left by her.
He carefully placed it around his neck, the fragrance invigorating him.
He took Murong Yan’s hands and, beneath the moon, swore, “Ye Feng will never fail Murong Yan, cherishing and protecting her all his life.”
Murong Yan echoed, “Together forever, growing old side by side!”
…
The next day, the army pressed forward.
Along the way, the enemy surrendered at the mere sight of them; even the few cities that resisted saw their citizens rise up, cooperating with the righteous army to overthrow the defenders.
The lost lands of Grand Xia were swiftly reclaimed, filling Murong Yan and Ye Feng with mounting excitement.
One day, as the army marched, a scout rushed in with urgent news.
“Marshal Murong, Deputy Marshal Ye, grave news! Demon Kingdom’s Left Chancellor Tuoli Leopard is leading four hundred thousand demon troops to attack us, and has already stationed forces atop Hongdong City, blocking our path!”
Murong Yan frowned, “What types of troops do they have? How are they deployed? How many officers?”
The scout replied, “The vanguard is investigating; further details will follow. Please await further reports, Marshal.”
Murong Yan nodded slightly, instructing, “Continue investigating and report back!”
The scout responded, “Yes!” and departed.
Ye Feng, seeing the scout leave, ordered the troops, “Set up camp immediately; all unit commanders report to the marshal’s tent for orders. General Xiao Ling, report in.”
With this command,
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A great commotion ensued.
Troops dispersed: some setting up camp, some preparing meals, all busy at their tasks.
Ye Feng dismounted, called a few soldiers to set up a simple table, then spread out the map.
Murong Yan soon arrived.
Ye Feng pointed to the map, “Marshal, Hongdong City stands beside the river, its terrain is naturally formidable. Tuoli Leopard is indeed shrewd—he did not engage us directly, but seized this crucial position, which can be defended or attacked. That makes him difficult to deal with.”
Murong Yan studied the map, her brow furrowing even more.
“Deputy Marshal Ye, Tuoli Leopard is indeed versed in military strategy. With this deployment, our army must cross the river to continue our campaign. If he waits until we are halfway across and launches an arrow volley, we will suffer heavy losses!”
Ye Feng nodded, “As the art of war says: strike when the enemy is halfway across. Tuoli Leopard has grasped the essence of this tactic!”
At that moment, Xiao Ling arrived.
He saluted, “Marshal Murong, Deputy Marshal Ye, I, Xiao Ling, report in!”
Murong Yan straightened, “Ah, General Xiao.”
Xiao Ling saluted again, “It is I.”
“Do you know that Demon Kingdom has dispatched four hundred thousand troops to attack us?”
Xiao Ling’s anger flared, his teeth grinding audibly.
“We did not seek them, yet they come to us. However many they send, we shall slay them all! We will fight until they are utterly defeated, leaving none to bury their dead!”
“Excellent! General Xiao, with such ambition and resolve, all is well. But do you know who leads their forces?”
Xiao Ling replied, “I do not.”
“He is your foster father, in truth your biological father—Tuoli Leopard!”
“Marshal, I have severed all ties with him. If I see him again, I will strike him down with my spear!”
Hearing Tuoli Leopard’s name, Xiao Ling’s face flushed red, his eyes wide with fury, eager to tear him apart.
Murong Yan nodded, “I am aware, but killing him is not your task; I have my own arrangements. I called you here to ask what kind of demon Tuoli Leopard is, and what powers he possesses.”
The other commanders arrived as Xiao Ling began his account.
Tuoli Leopard, it turned out, had studied the art of war since childhood, his mind calm and cunning, with extraordinary intelligence. His demon power had reached the realm of shapeshifting. He possessed eight magical treasures: the Deity Whip, Soul Brick, Dragon Binding Rope, Steel Point Spear, Unicorn Horse, Universe Bow, Decapitating Flying Knife, and Bright Moon Armor.
Moreover, when facing formidable opponents, he could transform into a three-headed, six-armed form, each arm wielding a magical weapon, vastly increasing his might.
He also had six tails, which enabled him to master a deadly skill named Thunder God’s Hundred Strikes Whip. This allowed him to launch sudden, inescapable attacks, unmatched by any foe.
“Marshals, my own Vajra Tail Whip was taught by him, though his Thunder God’s Hundred Strikes Whip is far more formidable!”
Xiao Ling compared his skill to Tuoli Leopard’s, highlighting the latter’s exceptional abilities.
The assembly was stunned by Tuoli Leopard’s prowess, exchanging anxious glances and standing speechless.
Ye Feng reassured them, “Generals, do not be afraid. The art of war says: ‘The highest form of warfare is strategy.’ (Note 1) Plan thoroughly before acting, know your destination before you achieve success. (Note 2) Even if Tuoli Leopard is powerful, he is only one man; even iron, when forged, yields just a few nails. We must devise a detailed strategy and win through cunning!”
Note 1: From “The Art of War – Attack by Stratagem.” The highest form of warfare is to win by strategy.
Note 2: The origin of this phrase is uncertain but referenced in “The Art of War – Planning.” It means to plan thoroughly before acting, and only by knowing your goal can you achieve results. “Know your destination” means to know your objective.