Legend of the Female General – CH 150

Chapter 150. Jiyang City Army.

Early the next morning, He Yan and Xiao Jue finished their meal and headed to the martial arts field in Jiyang to inspect the Jiyang City Army. Lin Shuanghe did not accompany them, choosing to rest at the Cui residence instead. Liu Buwang continued his pursuit of the Wutu people and left at the same time as He Yan and the others.

Jiyang City was crisscrossed with numerous rivers, built upon the waterways, which divided the flatlands into several large and small sections. As a result, finding large open spaces was difficult. The martial arts field was constructed near the Prince’s Mansion for no other reason than that it was the only place with a sizable open area.

When He Yan and Xiao Jue arrived, they encountered Cui Yuezhi. Seeing the two of them, Cui Yuezhi smiled and clasped his hands in greeting. “General Xiao.”

As if sensing He Yan’s surprise, Cui Yuezhi chuckled and patted Xiao Jue on the shoulder. “Actually, I started suspecting you two on the second day of your arrival in Jiyang. Even my concubine noticed that you bear no resemblance whatsoever to anyone in the Cui family. How could you possibly be my elder brother’s son? Later, when I brought you into the Prince’s Mansion, Her Highness frequently summoned you. It seems she had long known your identities. Since Her Highness had her plans, I had no choice but to play dumb and not reveal anything.”

This Cui Yuezhi was quite clever indeed.

He let out a couple of hearty laughs, his honest face revealing a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. “If Her Highness thinks I am foolish, then so be it. There’s nothing wrong with being foolish.”

He Yan understood. The reason Cui Yuezhi had become Mu Hongjin’s trusted confidant was not merely due to his martial prowess or his past childhood affection for Mu Hongjin, but because of his perfectly timed “foolishness.”

With such a loyal and brave subordinate, it was only natural to trust and rely on him.

He was a man with considerable wisdom in navigating the world.

Cui Yuezhi then turned to Xiao Jue. “Her Highness has informed me that from today onward, all Jiyang City Army troops are to follow General Xiao’s orders.” His expression grew more serious. “Her Highness has already told me about the Wutu people. I will fully cooperate with General Xiao. The safety of Jiyang’s citizens now rests in your hands.”

“Has Her Highness begun evacuating the city’s residents?” He Yan asked.

“It started today, but…” Cui Yuezhi sighed. “It’s not an easy task.”

The city’s residents, accustomed to living peacefully here, were suddenly told that Jiyang was in danger and needed to evacuate. Panic naturally ensued. The younger ones might be manageable, but the sick, the elderly, and those without caregivers simply could not leave. Those with family businesses or shops in the city could not easily abandon everything.

“However,” Cui Yuezhi rallied his spirits, “I have long heard of General Fengyun’s legendary exploits on the battlefield, undefeated in every battle. I have always wanted to meet him. I never expected General Xiao to be even younger than I imagined and so handsome,” he remarked with a mix of envy and admiration. “How can there be someone in this world so favored by heaven?”

He Yan: “…”

Such favor was probably more than an ordinary person could bear.

As they spoke, they had already reached the edge of the martial arts field. Because Jiyang was near water and had not seen war for many years, the soldiers wore no armor, only cloth armor dyed in blue, each holding a long spear. Likely accustomed to heavy labor, they all appeared strong and imposing. However, He Yan could tell at a glance that their battle formation lacked lethality—it was like a decorative frame, and an outdated one at that.

Over the years, Mu Hongjin probably had not invested much effort in training the city army, but that was understandable. Since the time of the King of Mengji, Jiyang had been peaceful and prosperous. Not only had there been no wars, but even theft, robbery, and fraud were rare in the city. With such honest and simple folk, there was little need to focus on military affairs.

“Prepare for danger in times of peace; with preparation, there is no calamity,” He Yan said, shaking her head. “The Jiyang City Army has grown complacent for far too long.”

Cui Yuezhi looked at He Yan. He had “learned” from Mu Hongjin that He Yan was Xiao Jue’s subordinate, but what he imagined as a “subordinate” was more like a maid or a “wife” arranged to fit the identity of “Qiao Huanqing” for the Jiyang trip. Although he had wondered along the way why this maid seemed so casual with Xiao Jue, hearing He Yan’s words now piqued his curiosity. “Yuyan, have you noticed something?”

“Captain Cui, my surname is He, given name Yan—the ‘Yan’ from ‘when the rivers are clear, and the seas are calm.’ I cannot see much else, but I feel the battle formation of the Jiyang City Army is a bit outdated. In our Shuojing, we stopped fighting this way years ago.”

“Young Lady Yan,” Cui Yuezhi straightened his chest, unimpressed. “Battle formations are not necessarily better just because they are new; it depends on whether they are suitable. This formation was carefully developed through discussions with my military colleagues and is well-suited to Jiyang’s terrain. How can it be called outdated?”

He did not dare boast of surpassing Xiao Jue, but he believed he could outdo Xiao Jue’s subordinate. A good battle formation took years to refine—it was not like a new dish, changed every few days for novelty. Who could manage that?

Seeing the formation riddled with flaws, He Yan did not want to discourage him. She glanced at Xiao Jue, who remained silent, indicating no objection. After a moment’s thought, she tactfully said, “Setting aside the formation, just look at the soldiers’ movements—they seem more like drills. On the battlefield, they might lack something.”

“Lack something?” Cui Yuezhi asked.

“Ferocity,” He Yan replied. “These soldiers can only handle opponents weaker than or equal to them. If they face enemies more savage and brutal…” She shook her head. “I am afraid they will not prevail.”

As they spoke, they had reached the front of the martial arts field, and He Yan’s words reached the ears of the soldiers in the front row. A young man at the forefront, holding a long spear in a forward thrust, could not help but glance at He Yan upon hearing her.

Cui Yuezhi, displeased by He Yan’s criticism of his troops, retorted, “Young Madam Yan speaks as if our Jiyang Army is made of tofu.”

He Yan was not lying. This batch of Jiyang City Army had likely never truly set foot on a battlefield, even less experienced than the new recruits of Liangzhou Garrison. After living a comfortable life for too long, even a tiger’s claws would lose their strength. Moreover, the Wutu people had come prepared and would certainly not be as soft as lambs.

“I am just a little worried, that’s all,” He Yan said.

“Young lady,” someone suddenly spoke up. He Yan turned to look—it was the young man holding a long spear, standing at the front. His skin was tanned to a wheat color by the sun, yet his features were strikingly handsome. He showed no fear of Xiao Jue standing nearby and looked coldly at He Yan. “What do you mean by saying our city’s army is worthless? Although Jiyang has been peaceful for many years, the city army trains diligently every day, never daring to slack off. Since you are not among us, it would be best not to jump to conclusions so easily.”

He Yan replied, “I am not jumping to conclusions.”

The young man did not know He Yan, nor was he aware of Xiao Jue’s identity. He likely thought Cui Yuezhi had brought his nephew and niece-in-law to observe the troops. Perhaps due to his youth, he was unable to conceal his emotions and felt somewhat indignant. He said to He Yan, “How could a woman understand the affairs of military men?”

He Yan: “…”

He Yan thought to herself, if a woman truly lost her temper, ten military men might not be enough to handle her.

If the Jiyang City Army were to face the Wutu people with such arrogance, there would be no hope of victory in this battle. She was just thinking of how to tactfully deflate this man’s arrogance when she unexpectedly heard Xiao Jue’s voice.

“In that case, why not spar with her?”

He Yan looked at Xiao Jue. The soldier who had spoken also seemed surprised, as if he had not expected such a reckless suggestion.

“This… is not appropriate, is it?” He Yan hesitated.

The soldier felt slightly comforted, thinking this woman knew her place. Before he could take the opportunity to back down, He Yan’s remaining words reached him: “After all, these are Commander Cui’s soldiers. What if their morale is crushed and they never recover?”

Cui Yuezhi: “…”

He had also been thinking that Xiao Jue’s proposal was too rash. Hearing He Yan’s words now, he truly did not know what to say. Cui Yuezhi was a martial artist himself, but he could not directly assess He Yan’s physique. From appearance alone, He Yan looked slender and frail, with no obvious signs of being formidable. Xiao Jue’s suggestion implied that the girl must have some skill, but compared to Mu Yi, she might still be overestimating herself.

Looking at her thin arms and legs, Mu Yi could easily snap them.

He Yan looked at Xiao Jue. Under the morning light of the martial arts field, the young man stood tall and graceful like jade, as elegant as spring willows. The black python embroidered on his dark blue robe added a fierce and imposing aura. His arrow sleeves were convenient for wielding weapons. Here, he was no longer Second Young Master Xiao but the Right Army Commander, General Fengyun.

Mu Yi, the soldier, had yet to speak, but He Yan had already turned to him and smiled. “Well? Young man, want to fight me?”

She was still wearing the red riding attire of Jiyang women, with black boots and a whip hanging playfully from her chest, looking lively and harmless—no different from the countless young ladies of Jiyang who plucked flowers and sniffed them lightly in spring.

Most young men harbor a competitive spirit. When provoked by a girl—especially a pretty one—they felt compelled to prove themselves. Mu Yi was no exception. He thought to himself that he had already given this girl a chance, but since she insisted on pushing her luck, he would have to show her the might of the Jiyang City Army.

With that in mind, Mu Yi cupped his hands and said, “Forgive my offense.”

He Yan smiled slightly, leaped into the air, and landed on a nearby wooden stake. To onlookers, she resembled a red swallow, swiftly alighting in the center of the martial arts field. Slowly, she drew the Ziyu Whip from her waist and gestured with a “please.”

The layman watched for the spectacle; the expert discerned the skill. Just her entrance was extraordinary. Mu Yi was inwardly surprised but refused to be outdone, swiftly moving to face He Yan.

One with a spear, the other with a whip—in the blink of an eye, they were locked in combat.

The surrounding Jiyang City Army soldiers had already set down their spears, their eyes fixed intently on the scene. Each army had its own character: the Southern Garrison Troops were disciplined and solemn; the Liangzhou Garrison, free-spirited and bold; while the Jiyang City Army was lively and boisterous, like an audience at a theater. Instantly, the atmosphere erupted.

“Bravo! Well fought!”

“Mu Yi, what’s wrong with you? Do not go easy on her!”

“Way to go, girl! Beat this kid to a pulp!”

For a moment, cheers and shouts filled the air.

Cui Yuezhi stared at the red figure moving effortlessly at the center. The whip in her hand flowed like water, twisting and turning like the trail of lightning. He was utterly astonished. Mu Yi was one of the finest in the Jiyang City Army. Even if one disregarded his performance in formations, he ranked among the top few here. Yet even Mu Yi was at a disadvantage against He Yan.

Others might think Mu Yi was holding back because his opponent was a girl, but Cui Yuezhi had a sharp eye. He could tell at a glance that Mu Yi simply had no chance. The girl’s whip was too fast, her footwork too swift. She executed move after move, leaving Mu Yi no opportunity to strike. If this continued, he would soon be defeated.

Cui Yuezhi could not help but ask Xiao Jue, “General Xiao, is Young Lady He truly your subordinate?”

Such a subordinate was simply unmatched in his Jiyang City Army—truly enviable!

“Losing to the best of the Liangzhou Garrison is no disgrace for your man,” Xiao Jue said calmly.

The best of the Liangzhou Garrison? Cui Yuezhi was puzzled. But He Yan was a woman—had she fought with the Liangzhou Garrison as well?

On the platform, Mu Yi looked disheveled, beads of sweat gradually forming on his forehead.

This girl appeared delicate and frail, but her movements were fierce and unstoppable. She anticipated his every move with ruthless precision. Her own actions were swift, as if she never tired. Most importantly, how could a woman possess such immense strength?

With a sharp crack, the whip struck a stone stake beside him, shattering a corner of it. The flying stone fragments grazed Mu Yi’s face, and he could hardly believe his eyes.

That was a stone stake—even a sword might not cleave it on an ordinary day. Yet she was using a whip, and not only did the whip remain intact, but He Yan also looked completely at ease.

How was that possible?

Naturally, Mu Yi did not know that during He Yan’s time in the Liangzhou Garrison, she had practiced lifting stone locks for months on end. It was not that He Yan was targeting anyone—in terms of strength, none present was a match for her.

Mu Yi was still lost in thought when a long whip lashed toward his face. Startled, he immediately raised his spear to block it. A sharp crack echoed through the air, and the spear shattered into two pieces.

The surrounding Jiyang soldiers fell silent, leaving only the girl’s laughter echoing across the field.

“Three more lashes. The first one is for underestimating women.”

Mu Yi scrambled to grab the longer broken piece of the spear to continue defending himself.

Crack—another sound.

The broken spear in his hand shattered once more under the impact.

The incredibly strong female warrior tilted her head and sighed, “The second lash is for arrogance—a fatal flaw in battle.”

Now holding only a spearhead shorter than the palm of his hand, Mu Yi found himself defenseless. The third lash, carrying a fierce gust of wind, was already flying toward his face, leaving him no room to dodge.

“The third lash—do not be afraid; I will not hurt you.”

Just as the whip was about to strike him, it playfully coiled and landed in his hand, snatching away the spearhead. By the time Mu Yi regained his senses, the girl in a red skirt with black hair was tossing his iron spearhead up and down. She walked over, patted his shoulder, returned the spearhead to him, and said with a smile, “There’s always someone better out there, young man. Keep working hard.”

She walked past Mu Yi, still smiling.

His companions crowded around, asking in disbelief, “No way, Brother Mu? You lost so quickly? Did you go easy on her? How could you be so lacking in ambition?”

“Do not talk nonsense,” Mu Yi fumed angrily. “I did not go easy on her!”

His friends exchanged glances. One of them asked, “You did not go easy? Is she really that strong?”

“Impossible, right?”

Another pointed at his face and said, “Mu Yi, why is your face so red?”

The distant clamor reached Cui Yuezhi’s ears, but he had no mind to reprimand them now. He could only marvel at how quickly it had all happened—less than half an incense stick’s time.

She had defeated the most outstanding soldier in the Jiyang army, and Cui Yuezhi could clearly see that He Yan had not even used her full strength. If her whip had struck Mu Yi himself instead of his spear, Mu Yi would have suffered greatly.

“General Xiao has an excellent subordinate,” Cui Yuezhi said sincerely. Recalling his earlier words, he grew somewhat worried. “The Jiyang army may not compare to the Liangzhou Garrison, but…”

“The Liangzhou Garrison has already faced the Wutu people once,” He Yan, who had just walked over, chimed in. “The brutality and cunning of the Wutu people are beyond your imagination, Commander Cui. They would never be as merciful as I was just now. If the Jiyang City Army cannot prevail, it will spell disaster for the entire city’s populace.”

Cui Yuezhi shuddered.

“The most critical issue is not the city’s defenders,” Xiao Jue said.

“What is it, then?”

“Jiyang is rich in water, and the Wutu people only employ water attacks. This battle will inevitably take place on water. The reason your military formations are outdated is precisely because they are not designed for water attacks.”

Cui Yuezhi frowned. “Could you explain more clearly, Commander?”

He Yan looked at Xiao Jue, her heart stirring with excitement. She had not expected Xiao Jue to be thinking the same thing as her.

The young man lowered his gaze. “Ships.”

The most important thing was ships.

…

In the pavilion, the man withdrew his gaze and smiled softly.

Ying Xiang whispered, “I never imagined Young Lady He’s skills would be so remarkable.”

Although it was already known that He Yan was among the top fighters in the Liangzhou Garrison, witnessing it firsthand was a different matter. It was hard to imagine that the young woman sparring on the martial arts field could shine even brighter than when she stood quietly with the gentle demeanor of a woman. Though both were beauties, Ying Xiang felt that He Yan’s beauty was particularly unique among women in the world. Yet, precisely because of this uniqueness, those who could appreciate her would not be as numerous as those who admired conventional beauty.

“Fourth Young Master,” Ying Xiang spoke up, “Today, Princess of Mengji has begun evacuating the city’s residents. Will you follow along?”

“My teacher sent me to Jiyang to keep an eye on Xiao Huaijin. Since Xiao Huaijin remains here, how can I withdraw alone?” Chu Zhao’s gaze fell on He Yan, who seemed to be speaking with Xiao Jue in the distance, and he smiled faintly.

“Even if the Wutu people come, General Xiao can protect himself in Jiyang. But you, Young Master, do not know martial arts. Staying in the city would inevitably be dangerous.” Ying Xiang tried to persuade him further.

“The greater the danger, the more it proves my loyalty to my teacher.” Chu Zhao smiled indifferently. “Ying Xiang, do you not understand? My teacher gave me two paths in this matter. One is to die here, and the other is to survive, accomplish the task, and return to the capital. If I fail but return alive, it would be as good as death. Do you understand?”

Ying Xiang fell silent for a moment before replying, “I understand.”

“There’s no need for you to worry,” Chu Zhao said, clasping his hands behind his back as he looked into the distance. “Besides, now I have a martial arts-skilled friend. Since she is so righteous and naive, I imagine… she will likely protect my safety.”

Ying Xiang followed his gaze to He Yan in the distance. After a moment’s thought, she reminded him, “Young Master, Young Lady He is General Xiao’s subordinate.”

“You said it yourself—she is a subordinate.” Chu Zhao smiled. “Relationships in this world are never fixed. A loyal companion one moment can become a fearsome enemy the next.”

He had seen such things many times before.

Human hearts were fickle.

…

In the palace, Mu Xiao Lou, clutching a box, hopped down the stone steps with a patter, calling out, “Grandmother!”

Mu Hongjin sat in the hall and looked at her, her eyes tinged with weariness. “What is it, Xiao Lou?”

“Aunt Tong told me to only take important things, but I like every single one of them,” Mu Xiao Lou said, “Aunt Tong said the carriage will not have enough space. Can you keep these for me first, Grandmother? I will ask for them back when I return to Jiyang.”

Mu Hongjin smiled and opened the box. Inside were small trinkets: a wooden cricket, a spinning top, a paper dog, a whistle that played a tune when blown…

Most of them were things Cui Yuezhi had bought from the streets to please Mu Xiao Lou, while others were treasures she had snatched from friends her age who visited the palace. These were her prized possessions.

Mu Hongjin closed the lid of the wooden box and handed it to a maid beside her. “Alright, Grandmother will keep them for you. When you return to Jiyang, you can ask for them back.”

Mu Xiao Lou nodded. “Grandmother, you must take good care of them.”

Mu Hongjin chuckled and tapped her forehead. “Understood, you little miser.”

“Grandmother,” Mu Xiao Lou jumped onto the soft couch, wrapping her arms around her waist and snuggling close. “Why do I have to leave Jiyang? I do not want to leave you. Can I not skip Uncle’s birthday banquet?”

“Nonsense,” Mu Hongjin said. “How can you not go? You are the future Princess, and only you can represent Jiyang.”

“But I do not want to go…” the little girl whined. “How do I know what that royal uncle looks like, or if he’s easy to get along with? What if he’s really fierce?”

“He will not be. They will all treat you well.” Mu Hongjin patted her head, her tone gentle yet firm. “Xiao Lou, you are no longer a child. Your grandmother cannot accompany you forever. One day, you will have to stand on your own and shoulder many responsibilities alone. Only when I see you grown up can I rest assured.”

“But growing up takes time,” Mu Xiao Lou protested, puzzled. “It’s not like bamboo shoots at the mountain pass, breaking through the soil overnight.”

Mu Hongjin was amused by her words, but after a brief laugh, a layer of worry clouded her eyes.

There was no time left.

The Wutu people were lurking in the shadows, and they had already made their move over the past few days. She had to send Mu Xiao Lou away—Mu Xiao Lou was the last hope for Jiyang City. She had also prepared for the worst, but it was truly a pity that she would not be able to watch the little girl grow up and become an unshakable shelter for her until she reached adulthood.

Yet in this world, why were there so many regrets?