Chapter 479: 伊人尚在

"Of course, it's Baisha Jue," He Lingchuan said, his neck cracking as he turned it. "I have a feeling something exciting is about to happen there."He needed to be shrewder, more meticulous.And calmer."By the way, the investigation in Zhitian Township has concluded. Send someone to relay this information to Fushan Yue."

A knock sounded at the door.He Lingchuan opened his eyes to the familiar sight of wooden beams.A lone spider was spinning a web on one of them.He sat up, rubbed his face, and knew he was back in the Panlong Dreamscape.He hadn't been there for several days, and his direct appearance in his small cabin meant that the army led by General Hong had finally given up its eastward return and had come back to Panlong City.Despite being mentally prepared, He Lingchuan sighed deeply, feeling immense disappointment.The chance to change the fate of everyone in Panlong City had just slipped away.

"Broken Blade!" someone called from outside. "Are you coming for a drink?""Yes."He Lingchuan opened the door to find eleven or twelve comrades waiting, including Hu Min, Liutiao, and Skinny.They found a small tavern nearby, ordered a few jars of aged wine and some small dishes, and settled in.

He Lingchuan chatted with everyone and learned that after he had gone offline from the dream last time, the monarch of Xiluo had issued four consecutive decrees, each more strictly worded than the last, urging the Panlong army to retreat back to the wasteland.This was mainly because after Xiji's destruction, the next two countries on the Panlong army's eastward path were both shocked and terrified. While preparing for war, they also pressured Xiluo, promising to help Xiluo fight the Southwest rebels.Their territories bordered those of the Southwest rebels, so if they caused trouble along the border, the Southwest rebels would undoubtedly become apprehensive.What was even more ironic was that after the news of the Panlong army's planned eastward return reached home, the various rebel factions had quieted down considerably!

He Lingchuan popped a salted crispy peanut into his mouth. "Why is that?""Why else!" Liutiao retorted angrily. "They were afraid we'd come back and snatch their spoils! These rebels aren't good people either; none of them care about the common folk!"Hu Min added, "Whoever takes the capital becomes a target for everyone else. With the Panlong army returning, no one was willing to exert themselves fully anymore."The capital wasn't easily taken; Xiluo's last vestiges of strength would be concentrated there, and the Great Demon Golden Ox also protected the city. After suffering heavy losses, how could they compete with other rebel factions?Now that even the Panlong army was returning, facing the pressure from such a fierce force, all the factions began to conserve their strength.When they held back, the pressure on the Xiluo capital significantly decreased, and Xiluo immediately felt strong again. Their decision not to let the Panlong army return eastward seemed especially wise.It was best to let this blade hang over the heads of all their enemies.Deterrence was far more effective than direct action.

He Lingchuan twirled his wine cup. "So, Master Zhong withdrew the army because of that?""There were more complications," Skinny replied. "We stayed on the front lines for too long. As a result, Baling launched a joint attack on the Panlong Wasteland, and Master Zhong repelled them twice. Later, Xianyou and Baling joined forces, constantly reinforcing their armies and setting up camps on the edge of the wasteland. They amassed about 100,000 troops, preparing for a full-scale invasion. Master Zhong deliberated repeatedly and had no choice but to call us back.""The Northern Demon Kingdom and Baling have always supported these smaller countries. Xiji, especially, paid tribute to the Northern Demon Kingdom from afar every year; otherwise, how would they dare to challenge Panlong City? Now that Xiji has been suddenly wiped out, they couldn't just sit back and do nothing."The eastward advance faced significant resistance: the smaller countries were determined to fight to the death, and their mother country Xiluo strictly refused. On the western front, an old enemy was invading, leaving the Panlong army caught between two fronts. It was indeed difficult to ignore Panlong City and continue the eastward campaign.

"This proves that Baling's initial offer to open the Jinxi Pass to us was nothing but hypocrisy!" Liutiao said furiously. "They were just waiting for our main army to leave so they could launch a sneak attack. Otherwise, how could an army of 100,000 be so easily assembled, let alone a combined force!"As the saying goes, 'Troops haven't moved, but provisions go first.' To mobilize an army of 100,000 requires countless preparations, all costing money, a constant stream of detailed expenses.Moreover, Xianyou and Baling had always been at odds, yet this time they had readily agreed to deploy a combined force. What else could it be but premeditation?The reactions of these smaller countries along the eastern route, Xiluo's reaction, and Baling and Xianyou's reactions — General Hong/Mitian and Zhong Shengguang had predicted them all.He Lingchuan glanced at her. "Did you analyze all this?"Liutiao paused, a little embarrassed. "Why not? Is it impossible?"Doorboard coughed, earning an angry glare from her.Being a straightforward girl, she pursed her lips and said, "Alright, alright, it wasn't my idea. The masters at Wenxian Hall analyzed it. Wenxian Hall has been bustling lately with these topics; generals from all quarters come to give lectures on wartime matters. Everyone has to arrive an hour early just to get a seat. Oh, and last time, General Ling even had a public confrontation with someone in the hall."

The Panlong army had made a circuit to the east and returned to its main base. The fluctuating public sentiment, having experienced such turmoil, had now settled again.The common people now understood that it wasn't that the Panlong City leadership didn't want to go back, but that circumstances made it impossible.

Liutiao pulled out a few silver ingots and pushed them toward He Lingchuan."What's this?""A debt paid. This is my share and Doorboard's," she said. Back in Yuheng City, they had bet that the Panlong army would continue its eastward advance, while A'luo, Skinny, and He Lingchuan had bet on a western return. "You can split this money amongst yourselves."He Lingchuan shook his head and pushed the silver back. "There's no joy in taking this money."It was just a wager, but the outcome of events was unpleasant. What was the point of taking the prize?He Lingchuan casually changed the subject. "You just said, where did Doorboard go?"

"He went to see his fellow villager," Liutiao said, not being coy as she put away the silver. "Didn't you hear? His fellow villager is also a stubborn one; he actually pleaded with General Hong in public to continue the eastward campaign and return to their homeland."He Lingchuan was startled. "In public? Not stirring up a crowd, was it?""No, just him. Otherwise, he would have been executed as a mutiny leader!" Insubordination was a major taboo in the army, Skinny said with a bitter smile. "I was standing behind that man, and when General Hong's gaze swept over, my back stiffened.""What happened then?" The Panlong army maintained strict discipline, requiring unconditional obedience from soldiers during wartime. It wouldn't have been surprising for that man to lose his head for openly challenging General Hong."General Hong sentenced him to sixty military floggings, to be carried out after returning to the city. He hadn't even joined the Great Wind Army yet; otherwise, his punishment would have been even more severe," Liutiao shrugged. "The flogging was done the day before yesterday; he was a bloody mess and will be bedridden for a while. Doorboard brought him some rice, noodles, and medicinal soup."He Lingchuan fell silent. Military floggings were not easy to endure; some patrol guards didn't even survive twenty blows.Sixty blows—General Hong's anger must have been considerable.Everyone sulked, drinking until they were completely drunk before heading home.

He Lingchuan returned to his lodging. The moment he stepped through the door, he heard someone from behind say,"What a strong smell of wine."He turned and saw Sun Fuling leaning on the wall, her head tilted as she watched him.She smiled charmingly, a dimple gracing her cheek. She was so beautiful she could have been painted, even without posing.He Lingchuan immediately thought of the bone flute in that portrait.She was still here, which was good.Caught by his direct gaze, Sun Fuling looked left and right, then at herself. "What's wrong?""Nothing, I'm sorry to subject you to the smell," He Lingchuan said, scratching his head as he headed toward the kitchen. "I'll go wash up."When he came out, Sun Fuling had already placed a basket of fruit on the table in the small courtyard and pulled out two pears."Care to try? They're supposedly a new variety from the eastern Chipa Plateau."The pears were plump, each weighing about a pound, and their skin was brown, making them look rather unremarkable. He Lingchuan, whose mouth was dry from drinking, took one and bit into it, finding it incredibly sweet and finely textured with very little grit."Delicious.""Were you drinking with Hu Min and the others?" Sun Fuling asked, pulling out a dagger to peel a pear, slicing off a piece and eating it. "There's been quite a bit of resentment in the city these past few days."

"No one would be happy about a futile return.""Taking the opportunity to conquer Xiji also reduced the threat from the east," Sun Fuling said slowly. "It might not be a bad thing after all.""Yes, but I still feel it's a pity."Sun Fuling asked him, "If you were General Hong, would you have continued the eastward campaign or returned west?""Eastward campaign.""Why?" Sun Fuling raised an eyebrow. "Would you ignore Panlong City in the rear then? The expeditionary force was just the vanguard; there were millions of women and children behind them."Because, no matter the cost of the eastward campaign, it would have been better than the eventual destruction of the city and its people. Of course, this was hindsight; from the perspective at the time, General Hong's decision to lead the troops back west was a well-considered one, and it had its validity.These thoughts could only remain in his mind. On the surface, He Lingchuan had to say:"Master Zhong was overseeing things in the rear. Besides, war is nothing more than an art of precise calculation. To fight or not to fight, to return or not to return, depends on how much you are willing to pay for your objective."Sun Fuling blinked. "Precise calculation? Who said that?"He Lingchuan remained silent.During the Battle of Hanhe River, he had been swept away by the swollen river. It was months later, from Li Qingge, that he learned the outcome of the battle and was greatly shocked.Both the Kite Army and the Xunzhou Army had suffered heavy losses, with countless dead and wounded. Yet, the generals on both sides submitted reports claiming victory, stating that victory was theirs and that "operational objectives" had been met.Wasn't this the result of "precise calculation"?Sun Fuling then sneered, "A price? Are you willing to be that price? Are the elderly, weak, women, and children willing to be that price?"He Lingchuan took a bite of his pear. "If people longed to return home, perhaps they would be willing?""No, people long for home, but they hope that others pay the price while they enjoy the results," Sun Fuling said flatly. "That's human nature, and it's the same for the people of Panlong City."He Lingchuan shook his head. "I just feel it's a great pity to have lost this opportunity for an eastward return.""Never mind. If you can't change it, you can only accept it." Sun Fuling peeled her pear, slowly savoring it. "Perhaps there will be another chance later?"He Lingchuan's heart stirred at her words, but she acted as if nothing was amiss, as if it were just a casual remark."I heard that Baling and Xianyou have allied again, which is a very bad sign," Sun Fuling said softly. "There were rifts between these two countries too; they fought a battle just last spring and both suffered casualties. Yet this time, they could unite."