Chapter 1048: Back

Proofreader : Papatonks

"Marshal Luo, orders are here!"

An elder came into the commanding tent as he boomed. The hopeful, curious and tense gazes had him pause, "Uh, what's wrong?"

Luo Yunhai smiled and said, "Commander Touba, what urgent order has you running here?"

"Righ, Tuoba Tieshan, you were quite cocky when you were invited into the Luo Alliance and even gave us many conditions. It's only due to our kind Clan Head, and his respect for seniors, that he agreed without delay. If it were me, humph."

Leng Wuchang mocked, "So what is it this time, that you have to relay the order in person? Back then you insisted on being on equal grounds with Clan Head. Not even the seven houses joining the Luo Alliance first were treated as such. Yet a defeated Quanrong commander..."

"Sir Leng!"

Luo Yunhai cut him off with a look, cupping his hands to Tuoba Tieshan, "Forgive me, Steward Leng has been rude to commander. Please accept my apologies in his stead."

"Uh, no no no, Marshal Luo, it's I who is sorry."

Tuoba Tieshan sighed, "Sir Leng is right. I was very rude when I joined Luo Alliance, proud of my seniority. But that was because of being a defeated commander, thinking that I would receive a cold reception. I never thought I'd see Marshal Luo to be so courteous and magnanimous. I feel ashamed. I've come to know many of the Quanrong imperial family's secrets and when I should've been silenced, the Luo Alliance took me in and protected me. I thank you so much, Marshal Luo, for saving my life!"

Tuoba Tieshan gave a deep bow and Luo Yunhai went to help him up, "Commander Touba, you're an undefeated god of war like my godfather. It is Luo Alliance's honor to have you. I could never watch as a hero commander ends up framed. Commander, you needn't trouble yourself over such small things."

Tuoba Tieshan was touched by Luo Yunhai's respect and grabbed his hand.

"Luo clan's righteousness is without equal!"

"Commander, you're exaggerating."

Luo Yunhai smiled then grabbed his hand hard. Luo Yunchang and Yue'er were watching contentedly.

Only Leng Wuchang remained unfazed, speaking with Zhuge Changfeng, "Old man, you'd think the old commander would be as excited if he knew you had a hand in making the Quanrong emperor wish him dead?"

Zhuge Changfeng shot him a sharp glare, "Don't let Clan Head hear you. Let only us know of these dark things we do. The old coot was conceited when Clan Head invited him in, but now look at him. If not for Clan Head having a soft spot for him and with us needing to expand our military, you'd think I'd waste time over this? Anyway, it's our duty to help Clan Head in his plans, the same thing Steward Zhuo had done back in the day. The only reason my trick worked was because the Quanrong emperor already had a bad impression of the old man. In the end it's the conflict between lord and official that led to this. I only revealed the issue to him and helped him out. Or once the situation devolved any more, they would be at each other's throats and there was no saving we could've done. Even if Clan Head finds out at some point, I did it for the greater good."

Leng Wuchang nodded, "Who hasn't? Ha-ha-ha..."

"Commander, you were in quite the hurry. What has you coming here in person?" Luo Yunhai asked.

Tuoba Tieshan started and then recalled his mission, presenting a jade slip in anger, "Marshal Luo, this is preposterous. I don't know what those leaders are thinking about sending such an absurd order. They want all the lands beside northern lands to fall back to their bases. Isn't it clearly making it worse? The defenses and arrays on the borders are our greatest asset. Leaving them behind will give the enemy free rein to cull us down at every turn. Just what are those guys doing?"

"Is this true?"

Luo Yunhai gasped, reading the jade slip at once and his face sinking, "Letting the enemy take our greatest defense is simply suicidal!"

Tuoba Tieshan nodded in anger, "Precisely, those morons haven't ever stepped foot on a battlefield and now they start giving orders to us seasoned generals. Our defeat is certain now. Though even defending wouldn't assure a win, we'll at least last for a lot longer. Marshal Luo, you're the Exalted Double Dragons appointed chief of western lands's defenses before their departure. All of us will listen to you. What should we do?"

"When the general's away, the lord's orders can't reach him!"

Luo Yunhai threw the jade slip as he spoke harshly, "No one with the slightest military common sense would ever follow such an idiotic order. They're treating war as a game!"

"Yes! Those leaders must've lost their minds to send such an order. One land's leaders might propose it, but the other three actually accepted it? Are they all idiots?"

Tuoba Tieshan ranted, his anger burning brightly, "I just can't believe our leaders would be so useless! Just how on earth did the four lands even survive for so long against the central area's attacks?"

The others nodded and Leng Wuchang spoke, "Clan Head, no matter who issued this infantile order, it comes from straight above. Refusing, even if winning, will incur punishment. Maybe it will mark the end of our place in western lands. We have nothing to gain from it so why still fight?"

"There are some things a man must do. A soldier must do his duty. I fight to stop the central area's oppression and trample of the western lands so that the people can be safe and not for the appreciation of the higher ups."

Luo Yunhai huffed and shouted, "As long as there's even a man alive from Luo clan, we will defend western lands. I am a Marshal of western lands for a reason and I intend to uphold my duty. Let those leaders go to hell, I still have a conscience!"

The others' hearts thumped, looking at him in admiration. Luo Yunchang and Yue'er nodded in appreciation.

"Husband is more and more like master!"

"He's been under Zhuo Fan's influence from the start. Some things were bound to rub off on him with how close they were." Luo Yunchang smiled.

Tuoba Tieshan gave a thumbs up, "Marshal Luo is a true man. Since Marshal Luo lives for western lands, then I shall join you in this endeavor, ha-ha-ha..."

"Since Clan Head has made his decision, we shall abide by it."

Leng Wuchang and the other two bowed, "Clan Head is upright and frank, but we cannot let you fall here. What Steward Zhuo left us to do is to assure this, by doing things the Clan Head can't. Leave the mediating with the leaders to us. But before that, we need to understand what they're thinking. Commander Touba, which leader proposed it, who was against it and who delivered it? We need a clear picture to break Clan Head from the stain of defying orders."

Tuoba Tieshan frowned, "I'm not sure either. I had someone investigate when the order came. It's been a day now. I want to know whose brain is rotten to send such idiotic orders. What right does he have to command us?"

"Report!"

A shout announced the coming of a guard.

Tuoba Tieshan smirked, "Here he comes, he-he, come in."

Whoosh~

The soldier knelt before them and spoke, "Marshal Luo, Commander Touba, the leaders have given us a reply to the order's source. It's from the newly appointed Grand Marshal of the alliance, the first disciple in western lands, Zhuo Fan!"

"What?"

Everyone stared agape, "Z-Zhuo Fan? He's not renamed, is he?"

"No, he said he's the best disciple in western lands!"

Yue'er started then got excited, "It's master. He's alive! Only he is the real best in western lands, the only one to defeat Ye Lin."

Luo Yunhai shook all over from shock, but then got so excited he teared up, "I just knew brother Zhuo, the man outside fate, has come back."

"Yeah, only he is outside heaven's influence." Shuang'er beamed, "I'll have to trouble you once more, Steward Zhuo, to save the people!"

[PR: Lol so we gonna take back all that defamatory language? Haha]