Chapter 293: A Pivotal Moment in History

In this era, battles required long periods of preparation, lengthy marches, and extended standoffs. Yet, when the fighting began, the time from engagement to resolution often lasted no more than half a day to a full day.

In just half a day, rivers of blood could flow.

The vastness of the grasslands allowed for numerous skirmishes within the larger conflict. Both sides experienced alternating victories and setbacks. Various tribes on the grasslands and the northern five garrisons provided mutual reinforcements.

Offensives and defenses shifted repeatedly, with pursuits and entanglements happening concurrently. The Right Wolf King was defeated, and then the Left Wolf King fell.

With both gone, the people of the golden tent and the imperial court rallied their forces. The remaining men and boys of the grasslands mounted their horses, and additional soldiers were summoned from allied nations, forming yet another army.

Only very few demons occasionally appeared, so Song You seldom had to take action. Still, he traveled with the army throughout the campaign.

When the army stretched for tens of li, Song You walked along a nearby hillside. When General Chen led elite cavalry in a surprise decapitation strike, Song You observed from the side.

At the decisive battle in Starlight River, where 300,000 elite troops clashed and 100,000 soldiers were buried between noon and dusk, Song You stood on a distant mountaintop. He was accompanied by a cat and a horse, bearing witness to this historic moment.

Seeing with one’s own eyes was a feeling entirely different from reading about it in history books.

By the time late summer turned to early autumn, with the final remnants of northern frontier forces fleeing deep into the grasslands and General Chen’s northern border army pursuing them for eight hundred li, the war had finally concluded in a decisive victory.

Yet General Chen felt it wasn’t enough.

Regardless of whether it was enough for him, Song You had seen enough. Packing his belongings, he prepared to leave.

Upon hearing the news from Advisor Zhang, General Chen, despite his packed schedule, made time to personally see him off.

When he saw Song You’s belongings neatly packed and even the horse saddled with saddle bags, he paused in surprise and asked, “Sir, are you leaving already?”

“I have already stayed long enough in the army. I’ve witnessed your brilliance and this great victory. It was an immense honor. Now that you’ve triumphed, it’s only natural that I should not linger,” Song You said to General Chen, raising his head to glance at the sky. The crisp autumn air under a clear sky made for a beautiful day. “The weather looks favorable today; it’s a perfect time to set out.”

“This great victory owes much to you, sir. The entire northern army and the nation of Great Yan are indebted to your efforts,” General Chen replied. “Will you not even stay for a farewell drink?”

“I wouldn't dare say that.” Song You recoiled as if avoiding a viper, immediately responding, “I have no merit to speak of. What I did was merely to return mortal conflicts to the mortals themselves. Victory or defeat was determined entirely by the soldiers.”

He then added, “The army is busy, so I won’t impose further. You also know that I am not fond of overly noisy environments. I shall take my leave here.”

“Very well.” General Chen did not press further, knowing he could not persuade him otherwise.

A person like Song You, even if not a god or divine immortal descended to the mortal realm, was akin to a wild crane of the mountains—drifting through the mortal realm, never staying long in one place.

When the task was done, his departure was inevitable. His questions had been symbolic at best.

Turning around, General Chen gestured to someone behind him.

Immediately, a young officer stepped forward, holding a thick, neatly folded, earth-toned wool blanket. The blanket, though not brightly colored, had an oily sheen and smooth texture.

"Sir, do you still remember the bear demon you defeated beneath the city on the day you first arrived? I enlisted the best craftsman in the army to tan its hide into a fur rug. Knowing it would be inconvenient for you to carry, we took only the flattest and softest section from the belly and waist, which still amounts to the size of a full blanket and covers the entire bed.

“This fur is waterproof, stain-resistant, and exceptionally warm. I hope it will keep you a little warmer when you camp outdoors."

As he spoke, General Chen took the blanket from the young officer and handed it to Song You, adding with a smile, “You vanquished the bear demon upon your arrival, and now, as you depart, taking this blanket with you would make a fitting full circle.”

General Chen’s words were thoughtful and difficult to refuse.

Song You glanced at the fur in his hands and couldn’t help but touch it. As expected, it was soft and smooth.

Yet, he soon withdrew his hand.

The bear hide blanket was indeed excellent, but it was too thick. While it could be carried, doing so would mean discarding his old wool blanket and felt mat.

More importantly, this was something taken from a demon.

Demons, despite their evil deeds and countless atrocities, were still sentient beings. For someone like Song You, a cultivator who pursued a path of purity, it was better not to become entangled with such things.

Thus, Song You said to General Chen, “This blanket is truly remarkable, but it’s far too bulky for us to carry while traversing the world. Besides, we already have a wool blanket and felt mat gifted by an old friend years ago. Though not as rare or extraordinary as this bear hide, they hold sentimental value and have been with us for five years.

“We’ve grown used to them and couldn’t bear to part with them. I think it would be best for you to keep this bear hide blanket, General. It suits your unparalleled presence and serves as a worthy complement to your towering prestige.”

“This was meant for you...”

“I insist on giving it to you, General.”

“Very well,” General Chen relented with a nod.

General Chen, not one to linger unnecessarily, sighed as he felt a twinge of regret. If he had known it would turn out like this, he wouldn't have had the bear hide cut down. A full, intact hide, complete with the bear's head, would have been far better.

But he wasn't the type to dwell on such things.

He quickly handed the bear hide blanket back to the young officer and asked Song You, “Where will you go next, sir?”

“First to Yanzhou, then Yuezhou, Zhaozhou, Hanzhou, and Guangzhou, passing through Hezhou before returning to Changjing,” Song You replied.

“This campaign may be over, but His Majesty will likely summon me to the capital,” General Chen said. Though his tone carried no joy, his expression was calm. He cupped his hands in a gesture of respect. “Perhaps we may meet again in Changjing.”

“How much longer will this campaign last?”

“I have already sent an urgent letter to the capital with my personal seal. It all depends on whether His Majesty grants approval.”

“I see.” Song You nodded, narrowing his eyes slightly as he regarded the general.

Then, cupping his hands to return the gesture of respect, he smiled and turned to leave. Countless thoughts flickered through his mind as he walked away.

What General Chen referred to earlier, about whether His Majesty would approve or not, was regarding the continuation of the northern campaign.

They were already several hundred li beyond Great Yan’s borders, deep into northern frontier territory. Yet General Chen wished to press on before the harsh winter set in, aiming to utterly crush the core of the northern frontier forces.

Alternatively, he proposed withdrawing for the winter and launching a full-scale invasion in the spring, akin to the northern frontier’s invaders’ incursion into Great Yan.

It was clear that the Emperor in the palace would have much to deliberate over.

Song You, having spent time in Changjing, was well aware that the Great Yan Emperor had long harbored ambitions for a northern expedition. Now seemed the perfect opportunity.

However, the Emperor had always harbored suspicions toward Chen Ziyi. If this campaign concluded with a major victory, Chen Ziyi’s prestige would soar even higher. A deeper invasion into the northern frontier territory would further cement his legacy as a historic war hero.

Over the years, the northern garrisons had become a force of elite soldiers, numbering greater than the central army and far surpassing it in combat capability—most of whom were loyal to Chen Ziyi.

The western border army was also formidable, but it could not compare in size or power. Given Chen Ziyi’s unmatched prestige, military power, and battlefield prowess, it was inevitable that the court in Changjing would be uneasy.

This was the dilemma faced by the Emperor in the capital.

As for Chen Ziyi, how could he not be aware of these concerns?

Back when Song You had returned from Mount Beiqin, he had encountered Chen Ziyi escorting two imperial princes on a hunting trip. During their conversation, Chen Ziyi had casually inquired if Song You was skilled in divination or fate-reading, saying he wished to consult him.

But was that truly a request for guidance?

It was more likely a probe. Having recently met Song You at a palace banquet, Chen Ziyi likely wanted to discern if the Emperor had summoned Song You specifically for his skills in fate-reading—to determine whether Chen Ziyi harbored the fate of a usurper.

If Song You had admitted to knowing divination, the general would likely have sought to gauge what Song You might have told the Emperor.

Over the time they had spent together, Song You had come to understand the general. Chen Ziyi likely harbored no ambitions of rebellion.

As for his personality...

Great generals often fell into a few broad categories—

Some fought for fame and fortune, usually content once they achieved their goals. Some fought for the peace and security of their homeland, satisfied once that peace was secured.

And then there are those who fought simply because they enjoyed war.

Of course, humans were inherently complex, and few were purely one type. Most were a mix of motivations, subject to change over time.

Chen Ziyi likely embodied the latter two categories. To what degree each drove him, however, was anyone's guess.

His insistence on advancing northward was undoubtedly for the sake of securing a longer-lasting peace for Great Yan. Yet, a man like Chen Ziyi, born for the battlefield, likely also revelled in the thrill of war itself.

Chen Ziyi understood that the current Emperor, like himself, was deeply devoted to martial pursuits and likely inclined toward approving a northern campaign. At the same time, he was keenly aware of the Emperor's mistrust of him and the reluctance to let him grow too powerful.

He was also aware that after he left the capital last year, a delegation from a small western kingdom—nearly wiped off the map—arrived in Changjing at year's end. Using forbidden methods, they attempted to assassinate the Emperor, nearly bypassing even the vigilance of the State Preceptor.

Though they failed, the Emperor was reportedly shaken or perhaps physically weakened from the ordeal. Since then, his health has steadily declined. It was said that his appearances at court had become increasingly rare, with the imperial princess gaining influence in his absence, stirring up political unrest.

Whether this was part of the Emperor’s calculated strategy to deceive and entrap someone, or if it reflected genuine vulnerability, remained unclear.

If the latter was true, it was uncertain whether the Emperor retained the ambition or strength to make such weighty decisions—or even how much power still resided in his hands.

Would the Emperor approve Chen Ziyi's proposal? Or summon him back to court in a few days to dispose of him or replace him? Perhaps yet another hidden scheme was unfolding.

But as things continued this way, even if everything went smoothly, had there ever been anyone like Chen Ziyi throughout history who met a good end?

Both sides wrestled with their concerns, torn and conflicted.

“...” As these thoughts crossed his mind, Song You's expression subtly shifted.

“What are you thinking about?” The voice of the calico cat came from beside him.

Song You looked down and softly replied, “Something interesting.”

“What kind of interesting thing?”

“Something I can't say.”

“Where are we going?”

“To Liaoxin Pass.”

“Oh...”

The vast expanse stretched out ahead, the grasslands quietly shifting from vibrant green to golden hues with the change of season. Yet, the blue skies and white clouds remained as they were, and the daytime temperature was just right—perfect for the start of a new journey.

The calico cat trotted alongside him, her small steps light and sprightly, occasionally turning to glance at him with curiosity. The jujube-red horse’s pace seemed to remain unchanged as though the years had left no mark on it.

The Daoist stretched lazily, momentarily setting aside his deeper musings, and simply continued walking forward.

History would follow its own course. The answer would inevitably emerge.

But who knew how people would interpret it centuries later? How would they judge the crucial historical moments unfolding now?