The Struggle of Chaos Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Spirit of Zhenbei (Part One)

Let us return to the moment when Li Qiutong had just left the city to confront the enemy.

After Li Qiutong issued her orders, the three armies wasted no time. They hurriedly gathered their belongings and began their respective retreats. Deng Zhanxuan and Ren Xingtian escorted Yang Hu’s wife and Yu Ling, joining the soldiers from the northern camp as they made their way to the southern city gate.

Wang Ying, her belly heavy with pregnancy, sat in a carriage. It had been more than seven or eight months since Yang Hu had departed for the campaign. At such a critical time, her husband could not be at her side—had it been another woman, perhaps she would have long since given her heart to another. But Wang Ying chose to remain at Beitong Pass, taking charge of all daily affairs, a responsibility initially left to Ren Xingtian. Yet, Ren Xingtian was already overwhelmed with duties, and Wang Ying’s competence in this regard had left him astonished. From military expenses and infrastructure to food, clothing, and supplies, nothing escaped her notice, and everything was handled with meticulous care. It was fair to say that the daily operations of Beitong Pass were inseparable from this woman.

Even Li Qiutong sincerely admired her steadfastness and decisiveness. Thus, from the moment her pregnancy became known, Wang Ying became a figure under special protection at Beitong Pass. Not only was Yu Ling—whom Ren Xingtian had been tricked into bringing to Beitong Pass—assigned to her side, but Li Qiutong also asked Qin Shuyu to send a variety of nourishing supplements from Chang’an suitable for pregnancy. As a result, a saying became popular at Beitong Pass: Offend the city lord, and at worst you’ll be beaten and locked up for a few days; but if you want to survive, you must never offend Lady Yang, the chief of finances.

“Sister Ying, I’m truly sorry that you have to encounter such trouble at a time like this,” Ren Xingtian said helplessly as he walked alongside her.

But Wang Ying was unfazed, merely replying with a gentle smile, “Master Ren, you worry too much. Since my husband chose Beitong Pass, how could I ever regret it?”

Seeing Wang Ying’s magnanimity, Ren Xingtian was at a loss for words. Yu Ling stepped in to comfort her, saying, “Sister Ying, once we reach Chang’an, you’ll be able to rest for a few days. Besides, I’ve heard that Brother Yang and the others have already returned victorious. You’ll see him soon.”

Wang Ying nodded, then turned to Ren Xingtian, asking, “Is there any danger on General Li’s side?”

At this, Ren Xingtian was again lost for words. Li Qiutong’s mission was a desperate gamble, far riskier than he had let on before departing. But could he say so now? Deng Zhanxuan had been silent the entire way, clearly troubled by concerns for his elder brother’s safety. Both women were equally worried about Li Qiutong, and even the soldiers trudged along in heavy spirits.

Ren Xingtian genuinely did not know what to say. He could only force a smile and reply, “Don’t worry, Brother Tong is incredibly strong. How could five thousand men possibly capture him?”

At that moment, an ill-timed voice pierced the air, exposing Ren Xingtian’s attempt at reassurance.

“Master Strategist, I’m afraid you’re not telling the truth.”

Ren Xingtian and the others were at the head of the column, but this voice came from the ranks behind. Instantly, all eyes turned to the young man who stepped forward—Lin Xuan.

“Lin Xuan, what do you mean by that?” Deng Zhanxuan was the first to speak. He remembered this man well; in a recent training exercise, Lin Xuan’s skill had left them all stunned, leading Deng Zhanxuan to promote him to the first command of the northern camp.

“The enemy to the north consists of five thousand steppe cavalry, each at least at the level of a three-star Saint Martial. Coupled with the endurance and stamina of five thousand men, even a true three-star Saint Martial would not dare face them head-on. What’s more, General Li himself has not yet reached that level,” Lin Xuan replied. After a pause, seeing no objections, he continued, “The steppe cavalry are renowned for their unmatched speed. For all of us to retreat safely, General Li must hold off five thousand men for a full hour. Such disparity in strength can only lead to one outcome.” He stopped, saying no more.

Deng Zhanxuan’s emotions flared. He turned to Ren Xingtian and demanded, “Is what he says true?”

Ren Xingtian could only close his eyes and nod in silence. Receiving confirmation, Deng Zhanxuan hefted his axe, ready to rush back.

“Ah Xuan, you stop right there! Brother Tong told you to leave because he doesn’t want you to throw your life away!” Ren Xingtian shouted.

“I don’t care. When we swore brotherhood, we pledged not to be born on the same day, but to die on the same day. If our elder brother is to fall there today, then I will be with him,” Deng Zhanxuan replied, his voice full of emotion.

Seeing Deng Zhanxuan so agitated, Ren Xingtian tried to reason with him, “Deng Zhanxuan, calm yourself. What can you do alone? It would only be a meaningless sacrifice.”

But Deng Zhanxuan would hear none of it. He shoved aside the soldiers, intent on reaching Li Qiutong.

“General Deng, please wait. I have a way to win this battle,” Lin Xuan suddenly declared, dropping a thunderbolt among them. Deng Zhanxuan halted and turned back. “What way?”

Seeing Deng Zhanxuan composed again, Lin Xuan addressed the bewildered soldiers before him, asking clearly, “Do you want to save General Li, or do you just want to run away?”

The soldiers hesitated, but Lin Xuan pressed on, “I may be the newest among you, but in this short time, I have come to realize just how much General Li has given you all—resources, opportunities, an environment better than that of the finest Han armies. General Li has poured all his energy into you. Now he stands alone, facing five thousand enemies so that you may live. Do you want to show him that his efforts were not in vain?”

“Brother Lin is right! General Li has done too much for us—we can’t just walk away,” one soldier shouted.

“We want to save General Li!”

The hesitant soldiers were instantly roused by the growing chorus. If moments before they had wavered, unsure whether to fight alongside Li Qiutong or flee and consign their time at Beitong Pass to memory, now, under Lin Xuan’s guidance, they truly felt the weight of Li Qiutong’s sacrifice. They may not have been paragons of virtue, but gratitude demands a response; no one wished to live with the stain of ingratitude.

Though the soldiers’ spirits were high, Ren Xingtian knew well the chasm between their strength and that of the enemy. If victory could be won by sheer will, he would not have chosen to retreat.

He stepped forward to caution Lin Xuan, “Commander Lin, with only these ordinary soldiers, saving him and winning the battle is impossible.”

Lin Xuan was unsurprised, replying with confidence, “Of course, on their own it’s not enough. But with me, it’s different.” As he spoke, black and yellow martial energy coalesced in his hands. When he brought his palms together, the energies merged into a single, mysterious black force.

“That’s Xuanwu martial energy?” Deng Zhanxuan, most familiar with this power, blurted out.

Lin Xuan nodded. “Yes, it is the legendary Xuanwu martial energy. Though compared to yours, General Deng, its purity is somewhat lacking. The two main boxing styles taught in the northern camp—Gen Fist and Kun Fist—when both are mastered to the point of projecting martial energy outside the body, can be fused into a new, stronger Xuanwu energy. I believe this is the foundation General Li sought for creating the military formation.”

“You’re right, but the soldiers of Beitong Pass can’t yet link their energies together to form a true military formation,” Ren Xingtian added.

“Indeed, a true military formation requires soldiers to develop deep rapport through rigorous training. But with an experienced, powerful commander to guide them, even at their current level, a formation can be achieved.”

“So you mean to say that you are that experienced and powerful commander?”

“Exactly. I studied at the Martial Training Hall, specializing in military formations. Later, I served as the chief commander of the Han Empire’s elite camp of five thousand, and have participated in hundreds of battles, large and small. When it comes to commanding and executing military formations, there is likely no one on this continent who surpasses me.” Lin Xuan spoke calmly, but his tone brimmed with such confidence that no one could doubt his words.

Ren Xingtian was inwardly astounded—a man Li Qiutong had bought on a whim out of compassion turned out to possess such a background.

“How certain are you?” Ren Xingtian asked gravely.

“Sixty percent,” Lin Xuan replied.

“I believe you,” said Ren Xingtian.

Lin Xuan smiled. “Thank you.” With that, he walked to the front of the two thousand-strong force.

“Now listen to my command. About face! March toward the northern gate!”

Deng Zhanxuan stepped out. “Commander Lin, what about me?”

“General Deng, you should head to the battlefield as quickly as possible ahead of us to buy time for our advance.”

“Understood.” Without another word, Deng Zhanxuan raised his axe and charged forward without regard for his own safety.

“Xingtian, what about me?” Yu Ling approached Ren Xingtian.

Ren Xingtian turned to the two women and said with assurance, “Rest easy. If that Mongol commander dares lay a hand on the three of us, Mount Jietian will see to it that the Mongol tribe vanishes from this continent.”

Ren Xingtian was not boasting. He might not be able to protect all of Beitong Pass, but for two or three people, the reputation of Mount Jietian alone would be enough to make the Mongols think twice.

And this was not the only place where such events were unfolding.