Chapter 114: The Great Battle

Wei Nanxi was, after all, just a scholar—he had never heard such a thunderous sound before. Unease crept into his heart when he overheard voices outside the door. Listening carefully, he realized it was Feng Ye Wu and Lu Jue, so he stepped out.

“Your Majesty, I have heard of the Wolf Fang Minister before. The records of the Court of Justice even mention him. The leader of the Wolf Fang has two eyes of different colors, kills without hesitation, and once slaughtered hundreds in a single day within the Eastern Barbarians’ capital. He is known as the Wolf Head,” Wei Nanxi reported.

Feng Ye Wu’s curiosity was piqued upon hearing Wei Nanxi’s account. After all, the Eastern Barbarians were foreigners; killing them in large numbers did not trouble her conscience. But the phenomenon of heterochromia—two differently colored eyes—was exceedingly rare.

Noticing that Feng Ye Wu showed no fear but rather interest, Wei Nanxi hastened to speak plainly. “Though the Wolf Fang was disbanded by the King of the Plains, it has now reemerged within Langya City. I fear there is hidden danger. It would be best to notify the Divine Strategy Battalion to come and protect Your Majesty as soon as possible.”

Earlier that afternoon, Sun Changxi had already sent word into the city to inform Wei Nanxi. To avoid suspicion, Sun Changxi and Zheng Tianlan concealed themselves among the Divine Strategy Battalion’s cavalry to provide covert support if needed.

Upon hearing Wei Nanxi’s suggestion, Feng Ye Wu shook her head slightly. “If the Divine Strategy Battalion arrives, the King of the Plains’ informant, Wang Chang Geng, will surely become aware. He might suspect our presence inside the city, yet he has not discovered our trail.”

Wei Nanxi was puzzled. “Your Majesty, why are you so certain that the King of the Plains has not found our whereabouts?”

Lu Jue smiled faintly and took over the explanation. “Lord Wei, the King of the Plains is like an ant on a hot pan—he has no patience left. If he truly knew where Your Majesty and we were, he would not wait until nightfall to reveal his long-hidden trump card. He would have surrounded us with troops this very afternoon.”

Wei Nanxi, sharp as ever, understood at once. “Then why has the Wolf Fang been mobilized now?”

His brow furrowed in confusion—it did not seem like the King of the Plains’ doing to reveal his hand without locating them first.

Hearing Wei Nanxi’s quiet wonder, Feng Ye Wu smiled faintly and, standing by the second floor of the inn, gazed through the tall window toward the western gate.

“Such a grand gesture must mean there is a target more threatening than even I am.”

Following Feng Ye Wu’s gaze, Wei Nanxi suddenly grasped the truth.

Feng Ye Wu’s arrival had sealed Wang Chang Geng’s fate. Now, prepared for a do-or-die struggle, he understood how crucial the Divine Strategy Battalion was to Feng Ye Wu’s survival. Without them, she would be like a lamb before a tiger—exposure would mean death.

Realizing the stakes, Wei Nanxi hurriedly asked, “Then... should I rush to inform them now?”

He turned to leave but was pulled back by Lu Jue, who smiled gently.

“Lord Wei, there is no need to panic. The Divine Strategy Battalion already knows.”

Wei Nanxi’s confusion deepened. “Lu Gongzi, what do you mean? Do they know simply because they heard the wolf howls?”

“I grew up in the far north, where wolves howl through the snow at night. The Divine Strategy Battalion followed my father through many campaigns and knows those howls well. That was a challenge directed at our troops,” Lu Jue explained.

Wei Nanxi was skeptical. Communication between humans and animals seemed far-fetched.

...

Inside the command tent of the Divine Strategy Battalion, Xiao Han was studying maps of Langya City when a series of wolf howls echoed from within the city. He looked up sharply, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.

Outside the tent, the sound of troops assembling quickly followed.

Grabbing his helmet and sword, Xiao Han stepped out. The soldiers of the Divine Strategy Battalion were already lined up in orderly ranks.

Hidden among them, Zheng Tianlan and Sun Changxi hurried out as well.

“General Xiao Han, why are there wolf howls inside the city?” Zheng Tianlan asked anxiously upon hearing the strange sounds. Feng Ye Wu and the others were still inside; any mishap would be disastrous.

Xiao Han’s expression was grave but composed. “This sound is familiar to all of us. You two need not worry. It seems to be the old Wolf Fang troops of the King of the Plains, issuing a challenge to our Divine Strategy Battalion.”

“A challenge?”

Sun Changxi and Zheng Tianlan exchanged puzzled glances.

“You two should leave the camp now. This might become a fierce battle,” Xiao Han ordered, offering no further explanation. He assigned a soldier to escort them away before turning to arrange his troops.

Neither Zheng Tianlan nor Sun Changxi protested; as non-military men, they understood Xiao Han’s seriousness. Staying would only complicate matters.

“The Wolf Fang? Weren’t they disbanded by the King of the Plains long ago?” Zheng Tianlan asked Sun Changxi.

Sun Changxi was just as puzzled, unable to find an explanation. He could only reply blankly, “Perhaps Their Majesties have stirred the hornet’s nest.”

...

Shortly after Zheng Tianlan and Sun Changxi left, faint rustling sounds came from the brush surrounding the Divine Strategy Battalion.

“Stand guard!” Xiao Han barked sharply. The soldiers formed groups of three, backs against each other, spears raised to watch their surroundings.

“Sniffle!”

“Gurgle, gurgle!”

...

Strange sounds began to echo through the dark night around the camp, mingled with the grinding of animal teeth—chilling to the bone.

“Show yourselves!”

Alone in battle, Xiao Han’s ears twitched. With a flick of his spear and a glare behind him, he lunged forward. His silver spear streaked through the air like a meteor, piercing into the tent.

Despite Xiao Han’s movement, the soldiers maintained their orderly guard, unfazed. As commander, his strength surpassed all; discipline was the Divine Strategy Battalion’s highest law.

Every soldier knew that if even Xiao Han could not return unscathed, charging forward alone would only bring disaster upon them all.

Bang!

A loud explosion shattered the tent where Xiao Han stood.

Under the moonlight, the Wolf King revealed a savage smile. His twin blades locked fiercely with Xiao Han’s spear as they leapt into the air.

“Wolf Head!” Xiao Han stared at the strange man dressed in monk’s robes, eyes blazing with cold light.

“Heh heh heh, it’s been years, General Xiao. You still look as impressive as ever!” the Wolf Head grinned crazily, his bulging eyes almost bursting as he greeted him.

From their words, it was clear they were long-time acquaintances.