Chapter 130: Return to the Capital

"What?"
"Eleven cities have fallen?"
"Your Majesty, are you certain?"

Feng Yewu’s words cast a stone that stirred up a thousand ripples. Initially, those present had paid little heed to the earlier chatter. After all, with the current season, many regions beyond the northern frontier were approaching the time of the great snows. The Ti-Di tribe’s incursions were usually mere ploys to gather winter provisions; while the rumors often sounded thunderous, the actual impact was usually light.

But this time, they had broken through eleven cities in one stroke. It was clear they intended to wage a real war.

"How could it be so easy? To take eleven cities in a single night? Are the armies of our Ye Dynasty made of paper?"

Wei Nanqi was utterly bewildered. Even if they were outmatched, losing one or two cities might be understandable, but eleven was simply inconceivable.

Xiao Han furrowed his brows slightly and explained in a low voice.

"Lord Wei is unaware. In the Far North, every winter brings heavy snow that lasts for months, sometimes half a year. For a month or two, it is nearly impossible for anyone to step outside; the winds and snow are fierce enough to kill, and even the thick-skinned Ti-Di warriors cannot endure it."

Wei Nanqi looked at Xiao Han, puzzled. "I do not see what the General means. What does this weather have to do with our nation losing its cities?"

"Lord Wei, do not be impatient. I shall explain. Our Ye Dynasty is vast, and the northern frontier is immense, stretching from the lands of the sunrise in the east to the river-fed mountain ranges. With such a long perimeter to defend, it is inevitable that capable generals are in short supply. Consequently, some civil officials are appointed to hold office in the border cities. The Ti-Di are cruel and persistent, so many of these officials deliberately concede a few uninhabited dwellings to the tribe to appease them and secure peace."

"We are a great nation! Why must we retreat before those barbarians? Are we unable to fight them?"

Only after hearing this did Wei Nanqi realize that such incompetent, corrupt individuals had infiltrated the borders. He was filled with indignation; even as a scholarly civil official, he would never stand idly by in the face of foreign invasion. Yet, seeing that Feng Yewu remained silent upon hearing Xiao Han’s explanation, Wei Nanqi found it difficult to vent his frustration.

Xiao Han offered a bitter smile, his eyes filled with helplessness.

"I once felt the same. But the Ti-Di tribe never raids in large numbers. Whenever they encounter our main forces, they scatter, only to return and harass us again once the army departs. After looting for a few days, they retreat into the depths of the Far North as the heavy snow arrives. If our forces pursue them, they only end up trapped in the snow, suffering losses that outweigh the gains."

After hearing Xiao Han’s account, Lu Jue sighed and speculated, "This sudden change in the Ti-Di tribe's behavior must stem from them sensing the negligence of those frontier officials."

"Let us return to the capital before we deliberate further."

Feng Yewu interrupted the discussion and boarded his carriage first. After a brief period of preparation, the long procession set off toward the capital.

At the rear of the column, in Chen Pingwu’s carriage, Wang Jia gazed out the window at the receding landscape. Her eyes were filled with sorrow as she looked upon the homeland where she had grown up. Memories of the past flashed before her eyes.

"Jia’er, if you do not wish to leave..."

Seeing the look on Wang Jia’s face, Chen Pingwu felt a pang of sympathy. As Feng Yewu and the others returned to the capital, he had been contemplating her situation. With no family left, and the Prince of Pingyi having entrusted her to him before his death, Chen Pingwu had proposed that she accompany him to the capital, where it would be easier to look after her. After all, he could not stay in Langya City forever.

Wang Jia had not opposed the suggestion and had boarded the carriage.

"It is fine, Brother Wu. Father is gone, and I have no more ties here. Langya City and the capital are the same to me now."

Wang Jia offered a faint smile, easing Chen Pingwu’s concerns. Relieved, he turned to Yang Guang, who was sitting nearby, and asked in a low voice, "Did you lose control again last night?"

Only the three of them were in the carriage—himself, Yang Guang, and Wang Jia. Wang Jia was already aware of Yang Guang’s dual nature, so there was no need for concealment. However, the frequency of these occurrences made Chen Pingwu uneasy. Such anomalies had been rare in the past, but since the incident at Yanwu County, they had become frequent. Chen Pingwu worried that Yang Guang’s condition would only worsen.

Wang Jia, hearing the question, felt a jolt of alarm. She glanced quietly at the expressionless Yang Guang, realizing that the terrifying persona must have emerged again last night.

Yang Guang lowered his head, pondering the question before replying.

"Do not worry, Young Master. Though I cannot explain it, since reaching the Master rank, I have gained the ability to control this situation."

"Control it?"

Chen Pingwu’s eyes widened in surprise. He frowned and pressed further. "Are you saying that what happened last night was intentional?"

Yang Guang glanced at the astonished Chen Pingwu and nodded slightly. "When I was sparring with Lu Jue, a voice seemed to be telling me it wanted to emerge. It felt completely different from before; there was even a sense of familiarity. After I consented, I remained able to act freely, and my combat prowess had even improved."

"Could this be... the battle intent of the Ti-Di?"

Upon hearing Yang Guang’s analysis, Chen Pingwu immediately thought of the Ti-Di warriors he had encountered in the fief of the Prince of Changwu. Many among the Ti-Di could stimulate their emotions to trigger a surge in their strength—a practice known as "battle intent." Chen Pingwu recalled his own father researching whether this could be used on Ye Dynasty soldiers, only to conclude it was impossible. It required Ti-Di blood, and the effect varied based on the purity of that bloodline. Even among the Ti-Di, not every commoner possessed such power.

Chen Pingwu scrutinized Yang Guang. Aside from his icy demeanor, there was not a trace of the Ti-Di in him.

"I do not know, either," Yang Guang replied, shaking his head helplessly, unable to offer an explanation.

"Never mind. We shall ask my father once we return."

Chen Pingwu could not fathom the truth and decided to stop thinking about it. After all, it was a good thing that Yang Guang could now control the changes.

...

In Feng Yewu’s carriage, Lu Jue sat in silent meditation, regulating the fluctuations in his body that remained after his recent breakthrough to the Master rank.

"Your Majesty, there is something strange about Yang Guang."

After a long while, Lu Jue slowly opened his eyes, his gaze deep and thoughtful as he spoke in a low voice. Feng Yewu had been pondering matters regarding his return to the capital, but upon hearing Lu Jue’s remark, he could not help but think of Yang Guang. He was indeed different. Though usually cold, he had always maintained proper etiquette when in the Emperor’s presence.