Chapter 514: An Immortal Descended From Heaven?
Tiantang City was experiencing an odd blend of grief and happiness.
There were countless people who were waiting, hearts full of anticipation, looking forward to the return of the victorious army. Yet, each of them was also filled with an indescribable apprehension that wrapped itself endlessly around their hearts.
How had their families fared in the war? Were they still safe and sound?
Despite their uncertainty, there were generally more happy faces, delighted with the victory and at ease now that the threat had been eliminated. They were utterly relaxed now, completely safe. Nothing was better than this peace and joy.
The entire Tiantang City had been adorned with celebratory decorations while drums and gongs beat out a festive rhythm by the city gate. Rows of people were flamboyantly prepared to welcome the victorious return of the warriors. A long, red, carpet was spread all the way from the gate with the other end nowhere in sight as if it was endless and ran into infinity.
On this day, His Majesty had personally led his civil and military officials out to welcome the return of Old Marshal Qiu Jianhan.
This was no ordinary city gate reception, nor was it merely a ten-mile long reception. The entourage had stretched a hundred miles out of the city to wait for the army! It was already an honor to have the emperor welcome one's return; normally, it was a distinction for the emperor to welcome someone at the palace gate.
To have His Majesty welcome someone at the city gate, that blessed soul must have contributed immense merit. A reception that stretched ten miles away from the city was only for one whose military contributions in defending the country and guarding the people were unsurpassable; sometimes, a ruler might not even have the chance to encounter such an opportunity throughout his entire reign.
Yutang's emperor had never seen or taken part in a reception that spanned a hundred miles away from the city. No one had ever done it before!
When His Majesty had suggested receiving the returning army from over a hundred miles away, many members of the imperial court rejected the idea, especially those from the Board of Rites, saying that norms would be broken by doing so. However, the emperor was assertive, deciding on the matter without further discussion, blatantly suppressing all the disagreeing voices immediately.
"Breaking the norm? How would this be breaking the norm? More than a million soldiers have fallen at Yutang's four borders' war and a million of these souls are coming back. I would barely be paying honor even if I were to welcome them a thousand miles away. As Yutang's leader, how I can only care about relishing the peace? I should be greedy over my people's lives and be fearful of even one of them dying! I'm only moving out to welcome them, there's no reason to think so much about this. In fact, I believe that this protocol is inadequate and will disappoint my lionhearted souls. If so, who else is willing to risk their life for this land?"
The wintery wind blew and white snow fell from the sky.
His Majesty stood amidst the beautiful scenery wearing a royal yellow gown with his arms resting on his back. Looking at the path that had been carved out, he stood still, silently waiting for the return of the warriors.
...
Yun Yang, Marquis Yun, Fang Mofei, and Bai Yixue plundered and pillaged their entire way home - all in the name of justice, on behalf of God who smiled upon those who robbed the rich to help the poor. These men were about to arrive at Tiantang City.
"Another five hundred miles ahead and will be in Tiantang City's territory. We're finally wrapping up this journey."
Marquis Yun smiled contentedly. "We have collected a hundred billion silver taels... This will be enough. Let us take a break now and tidy ourselves up. Clean yourselves and try to look neater. When we approach the city, we'll clean up again. After that, we must enter Tiantang City looking our best. We can't afford to look anything other than sharp!"
"Agreed!"
With the two intervals of rest and the opportunity to freshen up, the returning army would look renewed, recovering themselves to their pinnacle state.
"Now, don't just focus on cleaning yourselves up. Remember to wash the accompanying military flag so it looks clean."
Marquis Yun said, "Since we are returning as victors, no stain is allowed! The traces of battle smoke and flame need not stay atop the flag - we're winners, we've won, we need to keep everything in check."
Yun Yang wanted to clap and cheer Marquis Yun's decision. It was brilliant indeed.
In the past when the army returned victoriously, the main generals would normally have forgotten one thing - they would have maintained the troop's appearance and would return with the army wounded and injured; there would be blood stains, dirt and broken pieces everywhere on the flags, machines, weapons, and even horses.
This was to let everyone see how brutal a battle this army had gone through and for them be rewarded accordingly.
In a certain sense, it was laced with the intention to ask for rewards.
The emperor would usually comply after seeing the sorry state of the army. Those who were to be promoted one level up would usually be promoted two levels higher; the reward that was supposed to cost a thousand silver taels would increase to five thousand taels.
Despite the army cheering in joy over such actions, the emperor was not entirely certain that it was all in good faith. At the very least, he felt a faint sense of discomfort that he was being coerced. Usually, the accusation of merits being able to triumph over the wishes of the emperor stemmed from these incidents.
As for Marquis Yun's instructions, it looked like he was going the opposite way, but it was wise and would only make impress the people. Besides, when the emperor saw the neat army, he would not accuse the army of asking for rewards using their contributions as a bargaining chip. Besides, the freshly cleaned army was a pleasing sight. It was killing two birds with one stone!
There was also another factor to this. The father and son duo, Marquis Yun and Yun Yang, who were not biologically related, were both exceptionally handsome men. As long as the circumstances allowed it, they would habitually put their best foot forward. This was also part of the reason they had so readily arrived at a mutual understanding.
Being vain was not only a woman's right; men were vain creatures as well!
The army had just settled down but Marquis Yun was already urging Yun Yang impatiently, "We still have a bit of time now. Let's go for another round of plundering. You said it yourself, the areas closer to the capital will be more wealthy. I believe we'll be able to squeeze a lot of gains here... these are all well-fed goats, wouldn't it be a pity if we miss them out?"
Yun Yang was tongue-tied, unable to say anything for a while.
Had he requested to stop here with this thought in mind? Besides, squeezing a lot of gains... well-fed goats... were these descriptions apt in this scenario? Yun Yang was under the impression that Marquis Yun was filled with benevolent political ideals.
Suddenly, all four experts frowned simultaneously.
All four of them were awash by a magnificent aura which felt like it had descended from heaven itself.
Marquis Yun stepped out and pushed Yun Yang behind him; he unsheathed the sword by his waist with a loud clang as he hollered, "May I ask where this expert has come from and why has he stopped here at Yutang army's site?"
A recital rang from midair, "Who is to decide the rise and fall since the beginning of time, who is to rule the state and reign mountain and rivers; who is to gather the clouds into a brush, who is to pluck the stars and consume the mist?"
The newcomer's voice was light and otherworldly but the corners of Yun Yang's lips twitched mirthfully.
No one knew the identity of this apparition, but his pomposity was already a step ahead of him!
"Would it kill you to be slightly more humble?"
Dong Tianleng rolled his eyes with a pout, speaking Yun Yang's mind.
Almost at the same time, a gaze not unlike a cold zap of electricity shot through the endless snow curtains and clouds right onto Dong Tianleng's face. It moved away at once, without lingering, like it was disdainful of arguing with a varmint.
Next, the wind and snow curled into each other as a darkness like a fog of grey clouds descended from the sky. Upon closer inspection, the darkness was a person clad in a huge black cloak; the black cloak was like a fluttering, ominous cloud, exuding a subtle vibe which threatened to cover the entire sky.
The person landed slowly from the sky, he seemed even more ethereal that way, a dark snowflake falling softly through the air. Black-haired, black-clothed, black-robed, and black-cloaked, the person wore a sword on his hip, while a white, jade-like hand held the grip of his sword.
The person's face was thin and magnificently sculpted, his black beard fluttering softly in the breeze.
From the looks of it, one would feel that this person was not from the worldly realm; he was like an immortal momentarily residing on earth who did not fall along the natural order of things.
This person's cultivation base was also reaching an incredibly proficient pinnacle. This was not because they could sense his power, but by the fact that he had descended slowly from a high altitude and paused, hovering thirty feet from the ground; he remained gracefully afloat in midair.
Anyone who saw this would have to exhort his remarkable mystical skill and amazing cultivation base. It was very impressive. However, Yun Yang was internally critical of such behavior, "Are you addicted to acting pompously? Do you really believe you are an immortal who has never stepped foot into the human world?"
The person was still standing in midair. He even took two steps forward calmly like he was stepping on solid land before he spoke, "Who here is a royal of Yutang?"