Chapter 42

When Mo Yin emerged with his sword, the barbarians were already terrified, and the people behind him surged out. Seeing the situation turning unfavorable, the barbarians quickly blew their whistles to call their horses, mounted in haste, and scattered in all directions to escape. Mo Yin, with the help of the people, captured a barbarian who hadn’t mounted and returned to the city.

“Brave ones, hold on a moment—”

Mo Yin halted his horse and turned around. A man dressed in a short shirt jumped out from behind nearby rocks. The people of Yongcheng, bloodthirsty from battle, glared fiercely at the stranger. The man was taken aback, quickly identifying himself, “Everyone, I am Li Yuan, a soldier from the Thirteenth Battalion of Chang Army, specially sent by General He Xuan to assist Yongcheng.”

“General’s orders?” Mo Yin asked, “Which general?”

“General He Xuan.”

The name was unfamiliar to Mo Yin; he couldn’t recall encountering it in the court.

Cheng Wu stepped forward, “General He? Isn’t the Chang Army under General Chang Sansi?”

“General Chang has retired. General He Xuan took over this year. Last year, during the rebellion in Mountain City, General He Xuan led the troops to quell the rebellion in his first battle, making significant contributions.”

Mo Yin’s eyelashes lowered. No wonder he hadn’t heard of He Xuan’s name; he had been imprisoned shortly after the rebellion in Shancheng. Naturally, he wouldn’t know the name of He Xuan, the hero who quelled the rebellion.

“General He has heard that the nearby small towns have been repeatedly attacked by barbarians. He ordered us to lurk nearby day and night. If there is any danger, we should immediately inform the army to come to the rescue.”

“No need for reinforcements,” Zhang Zhi said proudly, puffing out his chest. “You’ve seen it; we’ve handled it ourselves!”

Although there was resentment towards the army, it was mostly for show. They knew that for a small town like theirs, deploying troops might not be justified. But knowing didn’t mean accepting. Zhang Zhi’s words were somewhat of an expression of pent-up frustration.

The soldier said, “Brave warriors, your valor is admirable.” The soldier looked at Mo Yin on horseback, “Could this brave warrior accompany me back to the camp and report today’s battle and defenses to the general?”

Li Yuan, while delivering the message, was also observed covertly. He was keenly aware that the person on horseback was the core of this battle, and his command and bravery were awe-inspiring. Such talent must be brought before the general at once.

“Not interested.”

Mo Yin turned his horse around, saying to the people of Yongcheng, “Let’s go back to the city.”

Without hesitation, the people of Yongcheng pushed and beat the captured barbarians, following Mo Yin back to the city.

Li Yuan was stunned for a moment, then immediately followed. “Brave one, brave one—”

Mo Yin ignored him, continuing until his horse was stopped. He lowered his gaze and looked calmly at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan clasped his fists, “Brave one, you possess great talent. Today, you defended the city alone. Please accompany me back to the camp to meet the general. With your achievements today, we can defend several cities in the future.”

The people of Yongcheng now understood his intentions, casting their gazes towards Mo Yin.

Mo Yin had anticipated this. The victory of Yongcheng would surely alert the army. The path of the imperial examinations was not easy. There was only one path left: joining the army. Starting as a low-ranking soldier, it was unknown how many years it would take to make a name and return to the capital with accomplishments. He needed leverage, something to make the army take notice of him from the beginning.

“The barbarians raid us every year. You haven’t even defended one city before. How can you boast of defending several cities? Asking me to go back to meet your general? It would be better for your general to come and see me in person. If he’s willing to learn, I might consider giving him some advice.”

After speaking, Mo Yin coughed lightly twice, turned his horse around, and passed by Li Yuan, his robes fluttering in the night breeze. Li Yuan stared blankly as Mo Yin, surrounded by the crowd, returned to the city, thinking that this person looked like a sickly fellow but spoke so arrogantly.

Li Yuan immediately fetched the horse hidden in the shadows and rode swiftly back to the camp, reporting for two hours. Though He Xuan had only taken over the Chang Army a few months ago, his first battle in Shancheng to suppress the rebellion had made him famous. The emperor even favored him greatly. In his early twenties, he was appointed as the Grand Champion General to replace General Chang Sansi in commanding the border army. He gained much prominence in the court, and in the army, he was known for his strict discipline, eradicating the laxity within the troops, and establishing a strong authority. After hearing the report, He Xuan said, “Seems like quite a spirited individual.”

Li Yuan asked, “General, should we really go meet him?”

“Why not?” He Xuan rose with a hand on his knee. Though in his early twenties, his handsome face didn’t show much sharpness. Instead, he appeared deep and reserved. It was only when he smiled that a hint of youthful vigor emerged, “Let me go see what kind of hero this is.”

He Xuan ordered someone to fetch his horse again. As Li Yuan was about to leave, He Xuan stopped him. “You mentioned they captured several barbarians?”

“Yes, about a dozen, all alive.”

He Xuan’s expression turned pensive, his brows furrowed. He said to Li Yuan, “Gather fifty elite soldiers, travel lightly, and follow me quickly to Yongcheng!”

Inside Yongcheng, the people were excited. The dozen or so barbarians were bound to pillars in the city. The crowd surrounded them, shouting loudly. The barbarians, though incomprehensible, continued to curse vehemently, spitting everywhere. Cheng Wu clenched his fists, his eyes red. “Let me kill them!”

Mo Yin once again draped his cloak over himself, feeling much more comfortable and relaxed. He said, “You’re not the only one with grievances against them.”

Zhang Zhi climbed to the top of a pillar, tapping it with the knife in his hand. “Everyone, calm down. Let’s calm down first—”

Under his command, the crowd gradually quieted down. The barbarians continued to curse, and Cheng Wu couldn’t bear it any longer. He jumped onto the platform and slapped one of them hard. The slap was full of force, knocking a bloody tooth out of the barbarian’s mouth. Cheng Wu grabbed his hair fiercely, saying fiercely, “Shut up!”

The barbarian still stared fiercely at Cheng Wu, muttering something softly. Cheng Wu slapped him again.

Mo Yin said, “Cheng Wu, don’t knock them unconscious.”

Only then did Cheng Wu relent, releasing his grip angrily.

The barbarians finally quieted down.

Snowflakes began to fall intermittently from the sky again. Snowflakes slipped into Zhang Zhi’s collar, but he didn’t feel cold. He shouted loudly, “As the gentleman said, tonight’s the night for revenge. Everyone can do as they please with these barbarians. But please, everyone, remember, if you kill one, the others won’t get their chance to suffer.” He grinned mischievously at the barbarians, “So make sure to aim well. It’s best to make them beg for life and wish for death. Who’s first?”

The crowd remained silent. The townspeople could wield their swords against enemies without hesitation, but when it came to inflicting such torture on a living person, they hesitated.

Though the barbarians didn’t understand what Zhang Zhi was saying, seeing the hesitant expressions on the faces of the townspeople, they couldn’t help but smirk.

Cheng Wu clenched his fists tightly, about to volunteer, when he suddenly heard a clear, female voice, “I’ll do it!”

Cheng Wu turned around, and the crowd parted. A plain-clothed woman with a white flower on her head, mourning attire for her husband, stepped forward. It was Chen Niang. She approached Cheng Wu and said, “Brother Cheng Wu, lend me your knife.”

Though the barbarians still couldn’t understand, seeing a seemingly weaker woman approach, they couldn’t help but sneer disdainfully. Even when Chen Niang held the knife, they remained indifferent.

Mo Yin watched quietly as Chen Niang’s thin hand raised the knife high—

A scream pierced the sky. Snowflakes floated down, blood staining Chen Niang’s face and hair, turning the white flower crimson. Chen Niang suppressed her tears, returned the knife to Cheng Wu, and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Brother Cheng Wu.”

“Good!” Zhang Zhi shouted from above.

Cheng Wu took the knife and echoed, “Good!”

“These beasts, when they raided our food and killed our loved ones, showed no mercy. Why should I hold back?!” Cheng Wu swung the knife at the barbarian’s arm. The barbarian screamed, and Cheng Wu shouted, “Mother—watching from below, Little Wu avenged you—”

Mo Yin stood quietly with his hands behind his back, wrapped in his cloak. He quietly left the crowd and walked towards the dark horse nearby.

The horse was one Cheng Wu had bought at a high price from elsewhere. Having been on the battlefield, it was accustomed to scenes of bloodshed. It chewed its fodder calmly, seemingly unperturbed by the scene before it. Mo Yin gently stroked its warm neck, the strange vibration in his heart still lingering. He pressed his hand against his chest, wondering if it was because of his psychic power, why he was so easily affected.

The barbarians’ incomprehensible language was unintelligible to the townspeople, but Mo Yin could understand it. Unlike the beautiful lilies of the previous world, this language was recorded in the complex linguistic studies of the Alliance.

Got it, here’s the corrected version:

They were saying, “If you dare to touch us even the slightest bit, our whole clan won’t let you off! Just wait, someone will come to rescue us immediately!”

Their spirits were concentrated on the ears, and from far away, there were sounds of horse hooves.

Mo Yin turned to look, and the people of Yongcheng were passionately seeking revenge, immersed in the joy of victory.

Mo Yin led the horse gradually towards the city gate. The flames at the city gate had already been extinguished in the moderate snowstorm, and the hidden traps had all been consumed. Several injured horses lay on the snowy ground, groaning incessantly. It was a desolate atmosphere after the slaughter. Mo Yin coughed lightly and pulled the reins to mount his horse.

He did this with confidence, not out of any sentiment for the people of Yongcheng. As he thought this, he flicked the reins and headed towards the source of the horse hooves.

The steed galloped, snow billowed, and the fierce wind sounded like swords cutting through the air. Snowflakes landed on his face, turning into cold water and trickling down. Gradually, the sounds of horse hooves drew nearer. Mo Yin raised his hand, drew his soft sword from his waist, held his breath, and spurred the horse’s belly. The horse immediately accelerated, its mane flying in the cold wind, rushing towards the oncoming horsemen!

The horsemen who maintained formation were instantly scattered. The leading barbarian hastily pulled the reins and shouted. The entire cavalry dispersed and regrouped, returning to a well-organized formation. Upon seeing Mo Yin, the leader recognized him and shouted, “Ghost, it’s that ghost!”

Mo Yin smiled, “Ghost? Sounds nice.”

The barbarian was stunned by Mo Yin’s fluent barbarian language and then asked, “Who are you? Are you from our tribe? No, you’re not. Your appearance resembles that of a Central Plains person. How come you can speak our language? Where are you from?”

“Didn’t you say it yourselves? I’m a ghost. Where can ghosts come from? Of course, it’s the underworld,” Mo Yin said casually, one hand holding the reins and the other holding the sword, with a faint smile on his face. “I’ve come to take your lives.” As he finished speaking, he flipped his hand upwards, and the sword in his hand gleamed coldly as it slashed down!

The hundred-strong cavalry immediately dispersed and regrouped, charging towards Mo Yin with a roar—

Facing a hundred adversaries alone, even if he were a god or ghost, he wouldn’t dare to be so arrogant!

Mo Yin wielded his long sword, and the jet-black warhorse seemed to be in sync with his intentions, fiercely charging forward. Mo Yin dodged agilely on his fast horse, wielding his sword as he left bloodstains across the wilderness.

Hundreds against one, yet they couldn’t defeat him after a long battle, with dozens injured or killed. Someone shouted and drew a bow, shooting an arrow. Mo Yin ducked on his horse, the arrow grazing past his neck. His cloak fluttered to the ground, and Mo Yin coughed heavily. A night of battle had already drained much of his strength. He glanced at the fierce barbarians surrounding him and suddenly leaned forward, patting his horse. The warhorse immediately surged forward, and he swung his sword to break out of the encirclement.

The barbarians saw that he was already exhausted and shouted, “Quick! Chase him and kill him, he’s out of strength!”

The black horse galloped under the silver moonlight, as if fleeing from the depths of the underworld. Following the command of the person on its back, it ran towards the endless desert. The desert in the dark night seemed boundless. The barbarians were becoming increasingly frenzied, and when they saw the horse gradually slowing down, they stood up on their horses and yelled even louder.

The leader was stabbed in the shoulder, but he paid no attention, grinning as he faced the halted Mo Yin, “Even ghosts from the underworld have to return at the appointed time.”

Mo Yin was indeed very tired. This body was almost reaching its limit. Facing the shrinking encirclement, he smiled lightly, raised his slightly trembling left hand, and brought his index finger and thumb together, forming a circle near his lips. A sharp whistle pierced the silent night sky—

*

He Xuan hurriedly went to Yongcheng with his guards. He had only arrived at the border not long ago, organizing military discipline while familiarizing himself with the surrounding environment. He had a thorough understanding of several small cities on the border and the scattered remnants of the barbarian tribes. The tribes were extremely united internally, following the highest principle of avenging one of their own. This was their reliance for acting recklessly at the border.

Chang Sansi hadn’t paid much attention to these scattered remnants of the barbarian tribes at the border before, leading to repeated raids on the city’s residents. He Xuan had sent people to lurk near each city to prepare for defense. Unexpectedly, Yongcheng resisted today and even captured several barbarians alive. The barbarians would undoubtedly seek revenge and rescue overnight. According to the messenger, the city had many clever defenses, but cleverness could catch one off guard, it couldn’t directly confront the fierce barbarian cavalry.

“Hurry!” He Xuan shouted sternly.

The guards behind immediately urged their horses to follow closely.

Hooves flying, cold winds cutting, a murderous intent gradually condensed in He Xuan’s eyes. The barbarians were vengeful; if they didn’t hurry, the people of Yongcheng would likely suffer tonight!

In the distance, there seemed to be some movement in the desert. He Xuan swiftly urged his horse forward, only to see dozens of barbarians locked in a standoff with a person under the moonlight. The person’s thin clothes fluttered, their sword gleaming with blood. Corpses littered the ground, with red and black blood mingling among the sand and stones. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that there were about a dozen wolves with bloodied fangs standing by his side.

Mo Yin sensed the approach of hooves and a powerful force, sharply turning his head.

In the blink of an eye, He Xuan saw a pale and stunning face under the silver moonlight, a splatter of blood running from brow to lip. Their eyes met, and those cold eyes flashed slightly. The person raised their arm, their green shirt hanging low, and covered their lips with a fist, bending over to cough lightly.