Chapter Sixty-Two: The Challenge

Previously, Xiao Ling had described the formidable power of Tuo Li Leopard, leaving everyone pale with fright. Yet, Ye Feng comforted the group, saying, “However strong Tuo Li Leopard may be, he is but one man. Even iron, when cast, yields only a few nails. We must plan carefully and triumph with strategy.”

Murong Yan also rallied the troops: “Our army is the force of justice, supported by countless citizens. Even if Tuo Li Leopard possesses supernatural powers, as long as we unite and combine our strength, we can turn the tide!”

While they were discussing, a soldier rushed in to report, “Tuo Li Leopard has sent a monster general to deliver a challenge!”

Murong Yan nodded calmly. “Let the monster general enter. I await him in my command tent.”

“Understood!” The scout answered and hurried out.

The command tent had already been erected. Murong Yan quickly returned and sat high in the position of commander-in-chief. The surrounding generals stood, resplendent in armor, swords at their sides, exuding an impressive presence.

Soon, a monster general strode in. His upturned nose and bulging eyes, broad mouth with thick lips and catfish whiskers, a bald head missing two ears—he was as ugly as could be, almost unbearable to look upon.

“Kneel!” The generals on both sides shouted in unison.

The monster general, unflinching and fearless, merely rolled his eyes as if he hadn’t heard.

The sound of swords rang out. Angered, several generals drew their blades and pressed them against his neck.

“Stand down!” Murong Yan secretly admired the monster general’s courage and quickly ordered her subordinates to withdraw.

“What brings you here, monster general?” Murong Yan sat upright and asked.

“Marshal Murong, my master, Left Chancellor Tuo Li Leopard, has sent me to deliver a challenge. In five days, he invites you and Deputy Marshal Ye to battle on the river. Do you dare accept?”

The hall erupted in outrage. One shouted, “Nonsense! What do you mean, ‘do you dare’? You’re courting death!” Another cursed, “You dare act so arrogant here? You must have a death wish!”

Xu Yaozu rushed forward, grabbed the monster’s collar, and lifted him bodily. “You’re asking for trouble!” He raised his hand to slap him.

The monster general laughed heartily. “As the saying goes: ‘When two armies clash, the envoy is spared.’ You call yourselves a righteous force, yet you break the rules and even threaten the messenger!”

“Master, please stop!” Murong Yan called out, halting Xu Yaozu.

Once Xu Yaozu let go, Murong Yan pointed at the monster general. “You insignificant creature, how dare you act defiantly in my tent! Tell me, when have your monster soldiers ever followed rules? You slaughtered unarmed elders and children, abused our women—how many from Grand Xia have suffered at your hands? You break every rule. If I kill you now, what of it?”

This statement dumbfounded the monster general. He shrank his neck, lowered his head, and dared not speak.

“Present the challenge!” Murong Yan ordered.

The monster general obediently handed over the challenge letter with both hands.

He lowered his head and retreated, awaiting a reply.

Murong Yan glanced over the letter and immediately responded, “I accept. In five days, we battle on the river.”

The monster general clasped his hands in admiration. “Marshal Murong, such courage! I am impressed.”

Murong Yan didn’t even look at him, merely waved her hand. “Escort the enemy envoy out!”

Once the monster general left, the generals gathered around.

One said, “Marshal, this won’t do! We don’t even have ships—how can we fight on the river?”

Another added, “Marshal, you’ve fallen for their trap! Our troops have marched a thousand miles and are exhausted. To rush into battle could cost us dearly!”

Xu Yaozu complained, “Yan’er! As the saying goes, ‘A wise man avoids unnecessary suffering.’ Why did you agree so rashly?”

Ye Feng, standing nearby, clapped his hands to silence the commotion.

“Listen to me, I believe this battle is worth fighting!”

The generals were surprised, thinking they had misheard. All eyes turned to Ye Feng.

Ye Feng explained, “Our Grand Xia is crisscrossed by rivers; our people are skilled in water from childhood. The Monster Kingdom lies amid valleys and hills, with few rivers; their soldiers lack water skills. This is our advantage. Why not engage them in a naval battle?”

Still, the generals hesitated. “But we have no ships—how can we fight on water?”

Murong Yan laughed sweetly. “Deputy Marshal Ye has studied this region. There grows a giant bamboo, thicker than a foot, and over ten meters high—perfect for making rafts.”

The generals remained doubtful. “Marshals, these bamboo rafts can’t compare with warships—how can we use them in battle?”

Murong Yan and Ye Feng exchanged glances and smiled without answering.

Xu Yaozu couldn’t hold back and stepped forward. “Yan’er, tell your master, what clever plan is this?”

Murong Yan whispered her strategy into Xu Yaozu’s ear.

Upon hearing it, Xu Yaozu laughed and gave a thumbs-up. “Yan’er, brilliant! You’re more clever than your master!”

Murong Yan giggled. “Master, I’ve learned from you since childhood; how could I have so much knowledge? It’s Deputy Marshal Ye who read about it beforehand! On this journey, he’s studied the terrain, customs, and environment—he’s already planned everything.”

Xu Yaozu raised both thumbs. “Impressive! Deputy Marshal Ye, you truly are extraordinary!”

Ye Feng bowed in gratitude. “Thank you, elder. I shall strive even harder!”

Murong Yan instructed, “Master, now that you know the plan, it’s yours to implement. I assign you one hundred thousand troops. Complete the task in three days!”

Xu Yaozu laughed, thumping his chest. “Yan’er, rest assured—your master will not let you down!”

The other generals watched the three converse, feeling lost and bewildered. Some tried to ask Xu Yaozu, but he shook his big head like a rattle-drum, repeating, “Heaven’s secrets cannot be revealed!” Laughing loudly, he strode off.

Murong Yan, seeing him depart, drew a command arrow and ordered, “Xiao Ling, Mu Shijin, receive your orders!”

“We await your command!” Xiao Ling and Mu Shijin replied, delighted, stepping forward.

“You two lead fifty thousand troops to the southern mountain by the river, cut giant bamboo, and build twenty thousand rafts within three days. Disobedience will be punished by death!”

“We accept!” They took the command arrow and marched off.

Murong Yan drew another arrow and ordered, “Li Yiqing, Lu Youxiong, receive your orders!”

“We await your command!” Li Yiqing and Lu Youxiong hurried forward.

“To the west, ten miles from here, lies West Mountain. You two lead fifty thousand troops to gather ancient vines for shields, and weave one hundred thousand vine shields within three days. Disobedience will be punished by death!”

“We accept!” They took the command arrow and left, exuberant.

The remaining generals saw there was nothing for them and felt regret.

Murong Yan addressed them, “From today, each of you must lead your troops to train for water combat, focusing especially on diving skills. In five days, I will issue further orders.”

The generals replied in unison, “Yes!” Then they left to return to camp.

Thus, three days later, Xu Yaozu, Xiao Ling, Mu Shijin, Li Yiqing, and Lu Youxiong each completed their tasks.

Murong Yan distributed the newly crafted weapons and supplies among the divisions.

On the fifth morning, Murong Yan ordered the drums to sound, summoning all officers to the command tent for instructions.

Clad in gleaming armor, Murong Yan sat regally on the tiger-skin chair. The generals stood on either side.

She called out, “Officers!”

“Present!” The generals replied loudly and resolutely.

Murong Yan said, “Today, we battle Tuo Li Leopard on the water. Though we use bamboo rafts—smaller and lower than enemy warships, making combat difficult—they are light, swift, and maneuverable.”

Seeing doubts in their eyes, she smiled and continued, “Now, I reveal a secret. Over the past days, my teacher, Hero Xu, has gathered tung tree seeds on East Mountain and refined over two hundred thousand pounds of tung oil. I have ordered the oil to be poured into each raft, with oil-soaked fuses attached. When battle begins, follow my command: shield yourselves with vine shields, rush the enemy ships, ignite the rafts, set their warships ablaze, and jump into the river.”

Seeing the generals still processing this, she added, “When the enemy ships burn, their soldiers will leap into the water. Once in the river, it becomes our domain! These pigs and sheep will be at our mercy for a long time!”

The generals burst out laughing.

Murong Yan, seeing their joy, asked, “Are you confident in this battle?”

A resounding, “Yes!” echoed in reply, crisp and powerful.

“Excellent! Then I shall deploy the troops. No one is to disobey orders!”

With a loud command, Murong Yan began assigning troops.

At the end, Li Yiqing noticed all assignments had been made, but Xu Yaozu was absent. He stepped forward and asked, “Marshal, why haven’t we seen Old General Xu? How can such a great battle proceed without him?”

The generals realized Xu Yaozu was missing and all stepped forward to inquire.

Murong Yan raised her hand to stop them. “Each of you has your duties. Follow your orders. As for Old General Xu, I have separate important tasks for him—do not ask further.”

The generals nodded.

Murong Yan further instructed, “Today the east wind favors us, and the water flows with it—conditions are ideal. Prepare yourselves, and act according to plan!”

The generals bowed, “At your command!” and returned to camp to arrange their forces.

Murong Yan then took Ye Feng’s hand. “Deputy Marshal Ye, it’s time for us to enter the fray! Let’s go together!”

Hand in hand, the two left the command tent, ready at last to set the enemy fleet ablaze and defeat Tuo Li Leopard!