Chapter 849.1: Their Reunion
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S T E L L A R C L O U D
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O R A N G E S T A R
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T H E S U N
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The sky had already darkened, and only a faint layer of moonlight lingered at the city gates, but it was still sufficient for Shangguan Yan to recognize at a glance that the group who had come to receive her was not Gu Jiao and the Black Wind Cavalry.
She stepped forward by two paces, gazing steadily at the man standing at the forefront.
She spoke with calm authority, "Raise your head."
"Yes!" Chang Wei obeyed at once, lifting his head to meet the gaze of the most esteemed woman in Great Yan.
Though Shangguan Yan had endured the exhaustion of long travel, there was no sign of weariness between her brows.
Her beautiful face remained composed and dignified, her every gesture displaying the elegance and propriety befitting royalty, her entire being exuding the noble bearing of the imperial family.
Chang Wei dared not look for long. After just a glance, he hastily lowered his eyes once more.
In a voice that was neither hurried nor slow, Shangguan Yan said, "You must be General Chang Wei. I saw you once in the military camp of the Xuanyuan Family when I was young."
Chang Wei was unsure whether he should feel honored or break out in a cold sweat from guilt.
He now fully understood the extent of the Nangong Family’s crimes, and as one of Nangong Family’s trusted confidants, even if he had not directly participated in the persecution of the Xuanyuan Family, he had nonetheless abetted their evil indirectly, committing no small amount of sin.
Especially considering that not long ago, he had even led his troops against the Black Wind Cavalry, an act tantamount to outright betrayal of the imperial court.
He had no idea how the Crown Princess would deal with him.
He had thought it through: no matter what, he deserved punishment, but his subordinates had only been following orders. They were innocent.
If necessary, he would offer his life to atone for his sins, only hoping that the Crown Princess would not extend her anger to the defenders of Quyang.
Shangguan Yan took two more steps forward, reached out her hand, and bent slightly at the waist to help him up, saying, "General Chang, you have worked hard defending the city. Please rise."
Chang Wei was momentarily stunned.
He looked up at Shangguan Yan in disbelief, only to see that on her peerlessly beautiful face, there was not the slightest trace of political cunning or manipulation.
She was genuinely and sincerely praising him.
Although Shangguan Yan did not know precisely what had transpired within the city, judging by Chang Wei’s deferential attitude, it was clear he did not seem like someone who had colluded with the Nangong Family.
In other words, he had likely already been brought under her dear daughter-in-law’s control.
If reconciliation was possible, that would be for the best. After all, it would be her dear daughter-in-law who would suffer most if caught between enemies on both sides.
Moreover, with the great battle looming, even if Chang Wei and the rebel forces had committed grave crimes, it would be unwise to punish them now.
It would be better to let them earn their redemption through meritorious service and dedicate themselves to the court’s cause.
The Crown Princess’s magnanimity only served to make the ugliness of the Nangong Family all the more glaring. Guilt welled up even more strongly in Chang Wei’s heart, and he did not dare to rise.
Instead, he knelt again on one knee, declaring, "Your Highness, this humble subject is guilty!"
Shangguan Yan replied softly, "Whether guilty or not can be judged later. The ground is cold, get up first, and let your soldiers rise as well."
Those simple words about the ground being cold made the soldiers’ eyes sting with unshed tears.
None of them had expected that the Crown Princess would think of them in such a small but heartfelt way, and a deep surge of emotion rose within their hearts.
This was not an era that judged by appearances alone, but Shangguan Yan, being a woman of extraordinary beauty that could topple kingdoms, had long since won the willing devotion of countless brave men ready to risk life and limb for her.
Coupled with her noble status, her far-reaching vision, and her deep concern for the realm, she commanded not just admiration but reverence.
In that moment, everyone present felt as if the one they were welcoming was not merely the Crown Princess of Great Yan, but their very deity.
They were willing to fight for this deity, no matter how arduous the coming battle might be; even if they faced ten thousand foes, they would charge forward without hesitation!
Wang Man dismounted and walked toward the city gate, his gaze falling upon Chang Wei and the others. His brow furrowed sharply as he said, "Aren’t you the Nangong Family’s rebels? Where’s the Black Wind Cavalry? Don’t tell me they were all wiped out?"
Such words were naturally most unwelcome.
Rebels? What rebels?
Hadn’t the Crown Princess herself just declared them heroes? They were now the legitimate army of the imperial court!
Chang Wei, maintaining his composure without showing servility, replied, "So it is Great General Wang. The Black Wind Cavalry is encamped within the city. A few days ago, they fought a victorious battle, delivering a heavy blow to the State of Liang’s despicable forces. Therefore, I took the liberty of allowing the brothers to rest properly at the camp, and ventured out myself to greet the Crown Princess."
His explanation could not have been more thorough.
First, not only had the Black Wind Cavalry not been annihilated, but they had also secured a magnificent victory.
Second, the relationship between the Black Wind Cavalry and the city’s defenders was now so close that they addressed each other as brothers.
Third, he did not appreciate anyone speaking disdainfully of the Black Wind Cavalry!
Even if they had started as enemies, the Black Wind Cavalry had earned the respect of all the defenders through their sacrifice and bloodshed.
This was the strongest military force in all of Great Yan, and he would accept no slander against them!
Wang Man, for the moment, paid no heed to Chang Wei’s implicit defense of the Black Wind Cavalry. He was simply stunned beyond measure as he asked, "Who did you say won a battle? What battle?"
Chang Wei straightened his back, speaking with a tragic pride and heartfelt honor, "The north city gate was deliberately sabotaged. The Black Wind Cavalry, using their own flesh and blood, formed a wall and fought to the death against the State of Liang’s eighty thousand strong army with only twenty thousand cavalrymen. Not only did they succeed in slaying the State of Liang’s Grand General Chu Feipeng, but they also inflicted a loss of fifty thousand troops upon the enemy!"
Wang Man’s jaw nearly dropped in shock as he stammered, “You, you said what? Chu Feipeng is dead?”
That man was known as a once-in-a-century divine general of the State of Liang, the very soul of this eastern campaign, and with him on the battlefield, there was not a single war that the State of Liang could not win.
When news first arrived that Chu Feipeng himself would be leading the troops, even Wang Man had felt an enormous sense of pressure, racking his brains on the journey to figure out how best to contend with such a formidable adversary.
Only to now find that before he had even lifted a fist in battle, Chu Feipeng had already… lost his head?
Impossible!
No one could kill Chu Feipeng!
Shangguan Yan silently wondered, could it have been JiaoJiao?
Besides her, she could think of no one else who would have the courage to take off Chu Feipeng’s head.
But considering the man’s terrifying strength, Shangguan Yan couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat for Gu Jiao, unsure whether she had sustained any injuries in the process.
In front of outsiders, however, Shangguan Yan restrained the worry she felt toward Gu Jiao and instead allowed a smile of pleased satisfaction to bloom on her face.
She said, “To arrive in Quyang and be greeted with such triumphant news fills me with immense joy; if imperial father were to hear of it, he would surely be overjoyed. The ability to repel the Liang army is due not only to the efforts of the Black Wind Cavalry, but also to General Chang’s steadfast defense of the city and his many contributions.”
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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Description:
In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.
When Shi Dai suddenly transmigrates, she takes on the role of the Shi family’s young lady, the one who subjects him to countless trials, eventually leading to her demise.
The twist? She never got to finish reading the novel.
From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.
***
Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.
After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"
Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"
Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
—
Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”
Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."
Jiang Baiyan: ...?
He hasn't finished his lines yet though…