The Young Swordsman of Dalu

Li Chaoyang led a group of young people from Wenxian Pavilion northwards. When they left the Western Continent, Li Chaoyang stopped, and everyone else stopped as well, waiting for Li Chaoyang's instructions.

“My biggest worry right now is the northwest border. Let’s split up. Some of us will go to the northern frontier with me, and others will be led by Dongfang Muchen to the northwest border. Dongfang will give this letter to Li Linlie. Make sure to defend the northwest border!” Li Chaoyang said.

"Don't worry, Pavilion Master Li! We will definitely assist General Li in guarding the northwest border!" Dongfang Muchen said.

"Farewell! Goodbye!" Dongfang Muchen led his men towards the northwest.

Li Chaoyang watched Dongfang Muchen and his group depart and said, "Let's hurry to the Northern Frontier!"

On this day, Wenfei, Wenjie, and Sang Ziqi went to the border defense camp. Shangguan Chenxing was very happy to see them and said, "I was just about to send someone to find you."

"Does General Shangguan have any good news to tell us?" Wen Fei asked.

"You're right! Elder Li Chaoyang is already on his way to the Northern Frontier!" Shangguan Chenxing said happily.

"That's great!" Wenjie said.

"Wenfei, are you unhappy?" Sang Ziqi asked, looking at Wenfei who was frowning.

"No! I'm just afraid that if I see Pavilion Master Li, he'll... oh well! I'll stop here!" Wenfei said.

"Are you that afraid of Uncle Li?" Wenjie asked.

“Second Brother! You wouldn’t understand what’s going on between him and me,” Wenfei said.

"Ha! Ha! Ha! It must be you, you little rascal, who angered Elder Li. He wants to teach you a lesson as soon as he sees you," Shangguan Chenxing said.

"General Shangguan is joking, how could I dare to offend him?" Wen Fei said.

"Was General Shangguan sent by the imperial court or did Uncle Li come on his own?" Wenjie asked.

"Sect Master Li has already sent me a message by carrier pigeon. He has led the young people of Wenxian Pavilion past Qingcheng and will arrive in the Northern Frontier in a few days," Shangguan Chenxing said.

“Uncle Li was appointed to a critical mission last time, but this time he brought people to the Northern Frontier on his own. Won’t our Emperor have something to say about this?” Wenjie said.

"The court needs talented people right now, why think so much?" Shangguan Chenxing said.

"I hope so!" Wenjie said.

"General Shangguan! Has the Northern Dynasty made any moves recently?" Wen Fei asked.

“Ever since the Northern Dynasty army completed its assembly, it has remained inactive, and we have been observing it from the shadows,” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"I'm afraid Murong Bo is planning something big," Wen Fei said.

"Let him come! My 200,000 border troops are not to be trifled with!" Shangguan Chenxing said.

"Does Murong Bo have the ability to fight a decisive battle against our Great Lu Kingdom?" Wenjie said.

"I wonder how my master and Senior Jin are doing?" Wenfei asked.

"Aren't Uncle Ji and the others in the far north? Is there something wrong?" Wenjie asked.

“Murong Bo has already sent people to find their hiding place. I’m afraid they might do something to harm my master,” Wen Fei said.

"Why don't you go to the far north before the great war starts?" Wenjie said.

"General Shangguan, may I go?" Wen Fei asked.

“Go!” Shangguan Chenxing said.

"I'll be right back! Second Brother, please tell Li Wei that I'll be back soon," Wen Fei said.

“I know! Be careful!” Wenjie said.

Wen Fei quickly changed into Northern Dynasty clothes and followed the caravan into the Northern Dynasty. He avoided Yan City and headed north.

Murong Bo had been waiting for a letter from the Khan of the Western Regions, Bulu. As soon as the Western Regions started fighting on the eastern and northwestern borders of the Great Lu Kingdom, he would immediately launch an attack on the northern frontier.

"Your Majesty! It's been so long, and there's still no news from the Western Regions. We must be on guard, after all, we've suffered losses at their hands before!" a minister reminded him.

"Have any spies in the Western Regions sent back any news?" Murong Bo asked.

"Your Majesty, we have received news that Prince Yuchi of the Western Regions has arrived in Ningcheng, on the northwestern border of the Great Lu Kingdom."

“What is he doing there at this time?” Murong Bo asked.

"Yuchi Liang went to persuade Li Linlie."

"Oh! Interesting!" Murong Bo said with great interest.

"It's a pity that Yuchi Liang was imprisoned by Li Linlie."

“This is even more interesting!” Murong Bo said.

"Your Majesty! Do you know what's going on?"

“Isn’t Yuchi Liang Li Linlie’s brother-in-law? Can he really lock him up?” Murong Bo said.

"Yeah! He couldn't stand having his wife cry in front of him every day."

"Let's ignore them for now and just focus on doing our own thing!" Murong Bo said.

Baili Heng stood in the hall without saying a word, and Murong Bo fixed his gaze on him.

"Baili Heng! You know more about the Great Lu Kingdom than I do. Tell me, what are our chances of winning this attack on the Great Lu Kingdom?" Murong Bo asked.

“Your Majesty! Opportunities on the battlefield are fleeting, and no one can say for sure,” Baili Heng said.

"Do you want me to win?" Murong Bo asked.

"Of course, I hope Your Majesty will win this war," Baili Heng said, bowing.

“But I see that you have no confidence in this battle at all,” Murong Bo said.

“Your Majesty’s determination is my determination. As long as Your Majesty is full of confidence, I will also fight with all my might!” Baili Heng said.

"A great battle is imminent! I am still short of a logistics officer to be in charge of supplies, so I will appoint you, Baili Heng, to take on this role!" Murong Bo said.

"Your Majesty, I thank you!" Baili Heng said.

"I entrust the food, drink, lodging and transportation of my Northern Dynasty army entirely to you, Baili Heng. Don't let me down," Murong Bo said.

"Your subject will certainly do his utmost!" Baili Heng said.

"Retreat!"

After leaving the court, Baili Heng hurried home, had his servants close the gate, and then gathered his family in the front hall.

"Master! What's wrong?" Madam Baili asked.

"Are the children all at home?" Baili Heng asked.

"Except for Chun'er who is in the military camp, everyone else is at home."

"I've gathered everyone here today to tell you that, while we're still at war with the Great Lu Kingdom, Madam, you should take your family and move to your old home in the countryside for a while. You can come back once the war is over," Baili Heng said.

"Master! Aren't you coming with us?" Madam Baili asked.

"His Majesty just appointed me as the logistics officer in court today, so I can't leave! But the faster you leave, the better. I have a bad feeling that our Northern Dynasty will suffer a crushing defeat this time," Baili Heng said.

"Why doesn't the master advise His Majesty against starting a war?" Lady Baili said.

"His Majesty's resolve! Who can stop him!" Baili Heng said.

"Didn't you send someone to find the Empress Dowager? To ask her to come back and stop His Majesty!" Lady Baili said.

"It's not that easy! You should take your family back to your hometown as soon as possible!" Baili Heng said.

"I'll give the order right away and have them pack their belongings quickly so we can set off." Madam Baili led the servants to pack, while the others returned to their rooms.

Baili Heng sat alone in the front hall, feeling resentful towards Jin Yuanying: "Empress Dowager! This is the emperor you carefully selected for the Northern Dynasty! How is he any different from Murong Xuan!"

"Sigh!" Baili Heng let out a long sigh.