Chapter 2140: Confrontation at the Doorstep

Even Lu Qingbang's messenger had a string of garlic hung around his neck, put there by an unknown hand.

The Bailie soldiers in the ranks held their heads high and puffed out their chests, yet subtly wiped tears from the corners of their eyes. Was this what it felt like to win a great victory? Could the people of Bailie truly be so enthusiastic towards them?

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the army slowly advanced to the end of the long street. Just ahead lay the Lu Manor.

The Lu Manor was also heavily guarded by troops outside its gates. There were actually two contingents of soldiers present: one was the Capital's Patrol Army of Bailie, whose commanding officer's heart leaped when he saw the approaching formation. This army had driven back the Ya forces; could they possibly be a match for them? The other contingent was the Mou State Guard, commanded by General Wu Xingxun and his deputy, General Huang Yang. Together, the two forces numbered nearly four thousand, a considerable force. However, compared to the winding lines of soldiers encircling them from multiple directions, they seemed isolated and outnumbered.

Facing them were also two armies: the Bailie army led by Lu Qingbang, and the Dragon God Army, which the people of Bailie had grown familiar with. Beyond them, countless enthusiastic Bailie citizens followed. The vast throng stretched as far as the eye could see.

The two armies stationed outside the Lu Manor found themselves in an awkward position. Lu Qingbang was returning victorious, celebrated enthusiastically by the entire city, and everyone could see these few thousand soldiers blocking the manor's entrance. What was the meaning of this?

As the approaching procession and cheering crowd drew nearer, and the gongs and drums grew louder, General Huang stepped forward and, gathering his inner strength, bellowed, "Halt!" Despite the overwhelming numbers of the opposing side, General Huang's commanding shout carried immense confidence. What did it matter if they were outnumbered? He represented the Mou State! How long had Cangyan been established? Did they dare openly challenge Great Mou?

The young general leading the Bailie army was indeed Lu Qingbang. He smiled and spurred his horse forward. "I'm returning victorious from the south. Are the two generals here to congratulate us? And where is my esteemed uncle?" After his last remark, he looked around, searching for members of the Lu family. His demeanor was entirely that of a victorious warrior eager to share his joy with his family.

By all accounts, with the Bailie army returning victorious, the Lu family patriarch should have gone outside the city to offer a grand welcome. Yet, Lu Zhensheng not only failed to do so but didn't even emerge from his own manor, which remained heavily guarded by Mou troops outside its gates. This sight sparked widespread murmuring and deep dissatisfaction among the nearby Bailie citizens. Rumors circulating among the populace claimed that the patriarch disliked Lu Liu, and equally disliked General Lu Qingbang, who had led troops on his behalf to fight and repel the Ya State. While these rumors had been vividly spread, people remained skeptical, considering them mere hearsay without concrete evidence. But today's sight confirmed it: General Lu returned triumphantly from the south, having achieved immense merit, yet the Lu family patriarch did not even come out to greet him. Tsk tsk, it seems there's no smoke without fire after all.

One doesn't strike a smiling face, yet General Wu was no pushover. Hearing this, he also smiled and replied, "The Lu family patriarch has been awaiting you inside the manor for some time. Please dismount and enter."

Lu Qingbang's face immediately fell. "I had thought my esteemed uncle would come out to greet me," he said. His voice was loud enough for all the nearby soldiers and civilians to hear clearly.

"Any issues, you should resolve internally," General Wu stated, unwilling to engage in pretense.

"Very well," Lu Qingbang said, waving a hand behind him. He dismounted, and over a thousand soldiers behind him likewise dismounted in unison, advancing with him.

General Wu's eyes narrowed. "You may enter," he declared, "but everyone else must remain outside!"

Lu Qingbang looked surprised. "I am entering the capital of Bailie, my own ancestral Lu family home," he said. "What concern is it of General Wu's whether I bring people with me?" His words implied that General Wu was overstepping his bounds.

Lu Qingbang had never shown such disrespect to a Mou State general, clearly indicating he had backing. General Wu, instead of growing angry, simply smiled. "What," he challenged, "do you intend to force your way into the Lu Manor with Cangyan's army?" The emphasis was on "Cangyan's army"! He might not be able to stop Lu Qingbang, but it was perfectly justifiable to block the Dragon God Army. After all, they were all "outsiders" here.

As the two sides conversed, dozens of people emerged from the Lu Manor's main gate, led by Lu Zhensheng himself. He walked towards Lu Qingbang from behind the Mou troops, a wide smile on his face. Countless eyes witnessed him pat his nephew's shoulder and neck, saying with satisfaction, "Qingbang, well done! You truly are a worthy son of the Lu family! This great victory calls for Bailie to celebrate for three days and three nights!"

Lu Qingbang immediately pointed at the Mou troops before them and asked him, "Uncle, what's going on here?"

"Your brother feared retaliation from the Ya people, so he specifically requested the Emperor to send a guard," Lu Zhensheng explained dismissively. "These generals are merely performing their duties." Though seemingly casual, his words contained an implicit warning: Do not act rashly. Your second brother is still a Mou State general, and this contingent before you is the Mou State's army!

Had the Dragon God Army not left sixteen hundred men to guard Bailie's capital when they advanced south to conquer Ya, and had Dragon God forces not been stationed at every checkpoint from the capital to the border, Lu Zhensheng likely would have firmly shut the city gates, keeping any perceived danger outside—presumably, Lu Lao Liu and his son wouldn't dare to commit the folly of attacking their own capital. Alas, it seemed his opponents had anticipated this very move.

"By the way, where is your father?" Lu Zhensheng was well-practiced in using seniority to exert pressure.

Just then, a figure slowly emerged from behind Lu Qingbang: it was Lu Zhenxian. His eyes crinkled into slits as he smiled. "Elder Brother, Elder Brother!" he exclaimed. "Qingbang fought valiantly in the south, and at last, he won! Oh, we hurried back, eager to report this joyful news!"

"This monumental good news, we must celebrate it properly!" Lu Zhensheng said, naturally pressing his shoulder and leading him towards the manor. "The victory banquet is already prepared for you all. Come inside, come inside!"

"Oh, not so fast!" Lu Zhenxian's stance was remarkably steady. Given his weight, an ordinary person couldn't easily move him. "In the war against the Ya State, our Bailie army merely participated. The true victor, the true pillar of strength, is right here! Allow me to introduce you!" When he uttered the phrase "pillar of strength," his voice grew noticeably louder.

Lu Zhensheng's heart sank; what was meant to happen could not be avoided. Yet, he feigned surprise on his face. "Oh?" he exclaimed. "Which great general from Cangyan State graces us with his presence?"

Before his words had fully faded, the Dragon God Army behind them suddenly parted, and over a dozen riders came forward. The leading knight wore black and gold battle armor and a ferocious mask. His mount, a black dapple, was even larger than a typical warhorse, exhaling breaths that resembled clouds of mist. Further back, two black banners slowly advanced alongside him. As the wind picked up, the flags billowed grandly. One bore the characters "Jiu You," while the other displayed a single, prominent character: "He"!

That character, that surname... Lu Zhensheng's pupils abruptly constricted. He had expected one of Cangyan's great generals to lead the Dragon God Army, but to his shock, it was Emperor Jiu You himself! Why? Why would the esteemed leader of a great nation show such interest in a mere Bailie? Such interest had filled Lu Zhensheng with an inexplicable dread ever since the Dragon God Army first came to Bailie's aid.