Yu Jin Chang An (With Jin's Chang'An)

Chapter 30

Accompanying Li Shuang's journey south were three commanders.

All of them were borrowed from the General's Mansion by Li Shuang. None of the three deputy generals lacked a background in the martial world. Among them, the most capable was none other than Fu Changqing, who had once been the head of the Qinglin Sect, a martial arts school.

Back when Fu Changqing was being pursued by enemies, he was saved by General Li Lan, who happened to be leading troops to the border at the time. In gratitude for saving his life, Fu Changqing joined the military under General Li Lan's command. Over the years, he had followed General Li Lan in battles both north and south, becoming a renowned general of the Great Jin Dynasty.

When Li Shuang sought help from Li Lan, the general remained silent. It was Fu Changqing who volunteered to join Li Shuang's expedition.

His former Qinglin Sect was also located in the southwest, so he was most familiar with the situation in that direction.

Several dozen miles into Nanchang Mountain, Li Shuang ordered the troops to rest and set up camp. Coming from the southwest, the military tents were set up much lighter compared to those in the north, mainly with mosquito nets to prevent snakes, insects, and rodents.

As soon as Li Shuang stopped, she ordered the burning of incense sticks to drive away pests, covering the camp in smoke. When Fu Changqing found Li Shuang, she was lighting incense in the camp. "General," Fu Changqing expressed his concern, "such a large-scale burning of incense to drive away pests will surely reveal our presence to anyone looking down from Nanchang Mountain. It might not be wise."

"No worries," Li Shuang said as she lit the incense. "What the Five Spirit Sect fears most isn't people, it's these bugs. If they discover us, it's fine. I have no intention of engaging them in battle."

Fu Changqing was taken aback. "No intention of engaging in battle?" He glanced outside. "Then what about these fifty thousand soldiers?"

Li Shuang waved her hand to reassure him, then summoned the other two deputy generals. She spread out a map on the table and addressed Fu Changqing. "General Fu, you know this area well. Do you know which mountain the Five Spirit Sect usually occupies?"

"I've never been close to the Five Spirit Sect. They're truly mysterious. Rarely does anyone who trespasses into their territory come out alive. Based on the reports we received in recent years, once you enter here, hardly anyone returns."

Li Shuang lightly marked that area on the map with a fine brush. "All within Nanchang Mountain?"

"Yes."

Li Shuang pondered for a moment. "The Five Spirit Sect is a martial arts sect that controls insects. I've seen their methods. Unlike regular battles, our soldiers won't fare well in close combat."

Fu Changqing nodded. "There shouldn't be many people within the Five Spirit Sect. We can spend some time teaching our soldiers how to avoid insects and drive them away forcefully..."

"We don't have that much time, General Fu." Li Shuang pointed at the map. "With fifty thousand troops, divide them into three routes. General Zuo will lead twenty thousand troops on the eastern route, General Qian will lead twenty thousand troops on the western route to encircle Nanchang Mountain. After cutting down the trees, we'll block off Nanchang Mountain and its surroundings. General Fu, you'll stay behind with ten thousand troops to guard the camp. I'll negotiate with the Five Spirit Sect leader first. If the negotiation fails..." Li Shuang pointed at Nanchang Mountain on the map, "...burn the mountain for me."

The killing intent in Li Shuang's words startled the three generals.

It was only then that Fu Changqing realized Li Shuang's true purpose in bringing fifty thousand soldiers. It wasn't to forcefully attack Nanchang Mountain but to give herself bargaining chips in negotiations.

The Five Spirit Sect had been rooted in Nanchang Mountain for years. For them, this place was their homeland. Li Shuang was willing to gamble that they might surrender the person she wanted, but whether the members of the Five Spirit Sect had the courage to gamble against her was uncertain.

It avoids contact with the people of the Wuling Sect, ensuring the safety of the soldiers to the greatest extent.

This move is quite good, worthy of the daughter of the Grand General.

Fu Changqing secretly thought, but Li Shuang had already given orders, "Time waits for no one. Starting today, begin felling the trees overnight. Do the three generals have any objections?"

"We obey orders!" the three replied in unison, then turned and left the tent.

Li Shuang looked into the distance, where the main peak of Nanchang Mountain stood tall in the warm southern breeze.

Throughout this journey, rushing from the northern border, enduring wind, and frost, and bringing the spring breeze, Li Shuang traveled the entire Great Jin. But even now, she dared not relax. She hadn't stopped thinking for a moment: Was that person still there? Was he still suffering? Or... had he been subdued or even killed by the witcher?

If he had died, what would become of her impulsive thousand-mile journey? To whom could she confide her disheveled thoughts?

The warm breeze entered the tent as if coming from the mountain peak, brushing across her cheeks like a gentle hand. Suddenly, Li Shuang felt a strange flutter in her heart, fleeting as it came, just like the illusion she had experienced moments ago.

Two days later, a circle of trees had been vaguely felled at the foot of Nanchang Mountain. A messenger was sent to the witcher, inviting him to meet under Nanchang Mountain tomorrow at noon.

What Li Shuang hadn't expected was that when the messenger returned, the witcher... unexpectedly came along.

Wearing silk robes and holding a jade fan, with his hair loosely tied, the witcher walked into the military camp with the messenger, his face innocent and harmless.

Upon receiving the news, Li Shuang went out to greet them. When the witcher saw Li Shuang, his eyes lit up as if he had encountered an old friend. He folded his fan and waved to Li Shuang, "Well, General Li, it's been a long time." There was not a hint of malice in his demeanor.

The nearby soldiers, unaware of the situation, all stared at him curiously. Li Shuang knew this person was dangerous; his mastery of Gu techniques could strike at any moment. She stared coldly at him, then glanced at the messenger beside her. "Get rid of the Gu, and we can have a proper conversation."

The witcher chuckled. "Naturally, I'm not here to harm anyone." With that, he turned his hand and brought it close to the messenger's ear. Soon enough, a black worm crawled out of the messenger's ear. The messenger immediately closed his eyes and collapsed to the ground with a loud thud.

The nearby soldiers gasped in shock. The witcher collected the Gu and smiled at Li Shuang, his expression carrying a hint of goodwill.

Li Shuang glared at him and gestured toward the tent. "Inside, please."

Once inside the tent, Li Shuang took her seat at the head, suppressing her impatience to inquire about the mysterious person's situation. She said to the witcher, "The Master of the FiveSpirit Sect has arrived just in time, not giving Li Shuang a chance to prepare a proper reception."

"The trenches you dug at the foot of Nanchang Mountain don't count as a grand reception for me?" The witcher chuckled.

Li Shuang took a sip of tea calmly. "The fire hasn't been lit yet. What kind of reception is that?"

The witcher laughed, "General Li, I thought you were sending fifty thousand men to their deaths, but it turns out you intend to slaughter us at Nanchang Mountain."

"The Master overestimates. Li Shuang is only here to find someone." Li Shuang put down her teacup, her eyes resembling the icy blades of the northern winter. "As long as the person is here, Nanchang Mountain remains. If the person is gone... then these withered trees are just an eyesore."