Chapter 215: Jin Empire
Seeing that Ji Hui’s consciousness had stabilized, Gui Ying smirked, then retracted his soul-locking technique and turned into black and purple smoke, disappearing from Ji Hui’s dream.
Lying on the bed, Ji Hui groaned softly and slowly opened his eyes. After staring at the bed canopy for a while, he turned to look around.
Seeing his adjutant sleeping at the wooden table, he opened his mouth and weakly called, "A Lu."
When A Lu didn’t wake up, Ji Hui raised his voice. "A Lu."
This time, A Lu woke up and quickly turned to look at the bed. When he saw Ji Hui staring at him, A Lu stood up excitedly and rushed over.
"General, you have finally woken up!"
Outside the room, Gui Ying opened his fan and slowly fanned himself. With a slight smile on his lips, he disappeared from there.
The next morning, Feng Xiyan summoned the generals to his tent.
When Zhan Qi saw Tuluo Cheng there, he frowned and asked, "Great General, why is he here?"
Sensing the clear hostility from Zhan Qi and the others, Tuluo Cheng didn’t panic. He calmly clasped his hands, bowed slightly, and said, "Tuluo Cheng greets the generals."
When the generals saw that Tuluo Cheng said nothing in response to their obvious hostility, they exchanged glances.
After a moment of silence, they clasped their fists and responded in unison, "Military Advisor Tuluo."
Seeing that the generals said no more, Feng Xiyan spoke. "Alright, since everyone is here, this general has something to announce."
Hearing this, the generals turned their attention to Feng Xiyan.
Noticing that Tuluo Cheng stood beside him, Xue Ruhong thought for a moment, then asked, "Great General, is Military Advisor Tuluo going to join us?"
Upon hearing that, Zhan Qi looked shocked and quickly turned to Feng Xiyan. "Great General, he is Ji Hui’s trusted aide! Please reconsider!"
Raising his hand, Feng Xiyan said, "Calm down, General Zhan."
Then he looked at the others and explained, "Last night, Military Advisor Tuluo visited this general, and we had a talk. After some consideration, this general accepted his allegiance."
Listening to his words, Ding Zhenshun recalled the golden pillar of light from the night before. Connecting the dots, he asked, "Great General, could the appearance of that golden light last night have something to do with Military Advisor Tuluo?"
Feng Xiyan nodded. "This general had the same thought as all of you, so this general prayed for Heaven to make the decision for us."
Hearing this, Fan Wanming stepped forward and said, "Since this is Heaven’s will, then this subordinate welcomes Military Advisor Tuluo to our family."
Turning to Tuluo Cheng, Fan Wanming narrowed his eyes and said dangerously, "However, if he dares to betray us, this subordinate will personally chop him into a thousand pieces."
Under Fan Wanming’s cold gaze, Tuluo Cheng felt a chill run down his spine.
Clenching his sweaty palms, he smiled and replied, "If this humble one ever betrays the Great General and the Feng Army, General Fan may do as you wish."
Staring at him coldly, Fan Wanming rubbed his sword’s hilt and said slowly, "Good. This general will remember your words today."
Seeing that Tuluo Cheng’s face had turned pale under Fan Wanming’s murderous intent, Feng Xiyan quickly stepped in and said calmly, "Now that everyone has accepted Military Advisor Tuluo, then—"
"Report!" Before he could finish his words, a soldier rushed into the tent.
Feng Xiyan looked at him and ordered, "Speak."
Kneeling before him, the soldier clasped his fists and said, "Reporting to the Great General. A quarter of a sichen ago, the Jin Empire’s army was spotted marching toward us. Their numbers are estimated at 150,000 troops."
As his words fell, the expressions of Feng Xiyan and the generals darkened.
Grabbing his black sword from the weapon rack, Feng Xiyan ordered, "Go to the city wall!"
While they rushed to the northern city wall, in a luxurious horse carriage located in the center of the Jin Empire’s army formation, a young woman with a veil covering her lower face lifted the gauze curtain and looked toward the distant city wall.
Seeing this, the maidservant walking beside the carriage quickly lowered the gauze and said, "Seventh Princess, please don’t lift the curtain. If your face is seen by strangers, it could harm your reputation."
Jin Yan sighed and complained, "Are we still far from the Yu Empire’s border?"
The maidservant smiled and replied, "Answering the Seventh Princess. Xiqiang City is just ahead. We should arrive before noon."
Hearing that, Jin Yan could only sit upright and stare at the blue sky outside in boredom.
Meanwhile, news of the Jin Empire’s army approaching had spread throughout Xiqiang City.
Hiding in their homes, the commoners kept peeking out from their windows and looked at the northern city wall, praying that the Feng Army could create another miracle and defend the city once more.
Standing atop the northern city wall, Feng Xiyan calmly watched the approaching army. Upon seeing that the one leading them was the Jin Empire’s second imperial prince, Jin Cen, he narrowed his eyes.
Standing behind him, Fan Wanming pointed at the luxurious horse carriage in the center of the formation and said, "Great General, look at that."
Following his gaze, Feng Xiyan saw the carriage and had an unpleasant feeling.
Noticing the slight change in his expression, Tuluo Cheng stepped forward and said, "Great General, it seems the Jin Empire is not here to attack us."
Glancing at him, Feng Xiyan asked, "Military Advisor Tuluo, do you know who is inside that horse carriage?"
Tuluo Cheng studied the horse carriage for a moment before saying, "Every member of the Jin royal family is granted a special emblem at birth."
"On that horse carriage’s door, there is a swallow emblem carved into it. If this subordinate remembers correctly, the one who owns that emblem is the seventh imperial princess of the Jin Empire, Jin Yan."
Upon hearing this, Feng Xiyan’s face darkened.