Chapter 717: Thirst For Battle
Staring at the black, bold word on the map, Feng Xiyan’s fingers tightened around the writing brush.
At this sight, the generals’ eyes lit up. They clenched their fists as they stared at the word Feng on the map.
Turning around, Feng Xiyan met their burning gazes and declared, "This general will conquer the Central Continent."
Pointing at the Yu Empire on the map, he added coldly, "The next target is the Yu Empire."
As his cold voice echoed through the silent tent, a group of newly appointed generals and vice-generals, who were waiting outside, froze in shock.
Swallowing hard, one of the young generals whispered tremblingly, "D–did you all hear what the Great General just said?"
The others nodded in silence. As they looked at one another, they saw the same excitement and determination reflected in each other’s eyes.
Inside the commander’s tent, Feng Xiyan had already noticed them. Looking toward the entrance, he said calmly, "All of you, come in."
At his command, the generals and vice-generals quickly composed themselves. Lifting the tent flap, they stepped inside.
The moment they saw Feng Xiyan, they all knelt down and clasped their fists. "This subordinate greets the Great General."
Feng Xiyan scanned them briefly and said, "Rise."
"Thank you, Great General."
After they stood up, Feng Xiyan added, "You should have heard what this general just said."
The generals and vice-generals nodded in response.
"Very well." Feng Xiyan then looked at Fan Wanming and said, "General Fan, prepare one hundred thousand swift soldiers. We will depart for the imperial capital city of the Yu Empire in two days."
Knowing it was time to settle their grudge with the Yu Empire, Fan Wanming responded with a hint of excitement in his calm voice, "This subordinate accepts the order."
Turning to Tan Pengtai, Feng Xiyan instructed, "General Tan, you will handle and prepare the supplies for the conquest."
"Yes, Great General."
Feng Xiyan then looked at the newly appointed generals and vice-generals.
Looking at their bright eyes filled with hope, he said, "If any of you wish to join this campaign, report to General Fan. From now on, General Fan will serve as this general’s Vice-commander."
Hearing this, their eyes lit up. This was an opportunity to earn military merit.
Moreover, if Feng Xiyan truly conquered the entire Central Continent, they would become founding generals of a new empire—an honor that could protect their families for generations.
With determination burning in their eyes, all the generals and vice-generals clasped their fists and responded solemnly, "Yes, Great General!"
Just as Feng Xiyan was about to end the meeting, a soldier rushed into the commander’s tent.
"Report!"
Kneeling before Feng Xiyan, the soldier clasped his fists and urgently said, "Report! Great General, the scouts have spotted an army bearing the Wen Clan’s flag two hundred li away. They are advancing at high speed and will arrive in less than one shichen."
The moment his words fell, the expressions of the generals and vice-generals darkened.
Unlike them, Feng Xiyan’s eyes flickered with cold light. Looking at the kneeling soldier, he calmly ordered, "Have the scouts identify the commander and report back immediately."
"Yes, Great General." The soldier received the order and hurried out.
After he left, Feng Xiyan turned to Xue Ruhong and Ding Zhenshun. "General Xue, General Ding, the two of you will be responsible for the city’s defense."
Xue Ruhong and Ding Zhenshun clasped their fists and responded in unison, "This subordinate accepts the order!"
"Since they have delivered themselves to our doorstep," Feng Xiyan sneered coldly, "we can only accept their goodwill."
Turning to the other generals and vice-generals, he added, "Prepare for war. This general will personally lead the army."
Hearing this, their eyes lit up. There was no fear or hesitation, only burning determination to earn military achievements and a thirst for battle.
Clasping their fists, everyone responded in a powerful voice, "Yes, Great General!"
With that, the generals and vice-generals left the commander’s tent, while Feng Xiyan walked behind the folding screen.
Standing beside the simple bed, memories surged through his mind. Reaching out, his hand hovered in the air, as if gently caressing someone who was no longer there.
"Yun’er... wait for me."
As his voice echoed in the silent tent, Feng Xiyan’s hand paused, then slowly clenched.
In that instant, the tenderness in his eyes vanished, replaced by a cold, murderous aura.
Turning to the side, Feng Xiyan saw his black armor hanging on the wooden rack. The candlelight flickered, its dim glow reflecting off the polished surface. It was clear someone had been taking good care of it.
Feng Xiyan walked over and took the armor down. After putting it on, he glanced at the bed one last time before leaving the commander’s tent.
By the time he arrived at the city wall, Xue Ruhong and the others were already there, fully armed and waiting.
Seeing him approach, they greeted respectfully, "Great General."
Feng Xiyan nodded, then accepted the military binoculars from Xue Ruhong.
While he observed the distant horizon, Xue Ruhong reported, "Great General, the enemy has passed the one hundred li mark. Our scouts report that their commander is the newly appointed Great General following Wen Kang’s ascension."
Hearing this, Feng Xiyan fell silent for a moment before muttering, "A newly appointed Great General..."
He paused for a second, then coldly asked with a hint of mockery in his voice, "Isn’t he just a rebel general?"
Xue Ruhong was stunned by his words for a brief moment. Looking at Feng Xiyan’s cold expression, realization dawned on him.
’This... The Great General is planning to overthrow Wen Kang under the banner of Heaven?’
Though the thought crossed his mind, Xue Ruhong did not dare voice it aloud. He turned around and simply kept his gaze fixed on the distance.
Feng Xiyan and the others waited for more than an hour before a cloud of dust finally rose on the horizon.
Standing behind him, Fan Wanming’s eyes flickered coldly. "They are here."