Chapter 599: Walking Through Spring and Autumn to See Spring and Autumn

Several riders galloped out of Tai'an City. They were all Liyang's most elite couriers, mounted on the emperor's beloved Ferghana steeds. The couriers sped furiously along the imperial street, and no one dared to obstruct them in the slightest as they passed.

The leading courier carried an imperial decree marked with an 800-li urgent dispatch.

The imperial decree was unconventional; apart from bearing the great seal of Liyang, the golden silk scroll contained only four characters: "Fight, or retreat."

As the couriers galloped out of the city, a person slowly walked into the main south city gate. The Ferghana steeds passed directly through this person's body, with no scene of people falling or horses rearing, nor any gruesome sight of flesh and blood. The riders continued south to deliver the extremely urgent secret decree, while the visitor to Tai'an City entered unharmed. Not even the city guards attempted to apprehend him; all the guards and civilians near the south gate completely ignored him. After entering the city, he proceeded directly to the Xiamawai Post Station. He stopped beneath a dragon-claw locust tree and watched as fourteen men, each carrying a saber, emerged one by one from this imperial post station, which was exclusively for Xu family soldiers. They all mounted their horses and headed towards the Imperial City. The young man beneath the dragon-claw locust tree followed them, moving like an immortal riding the wind, and no one looked at him from beginning to end.

He knew them, or rather, could guess their identities. The leading elder in the cavalry group was named Feng Ling, who hailed from the Liaodong wilderness and was a fierce infantry general under Xu Xiao. Despite his advanced years, he had attained the high rank of a third-grade official in the capital two years prior, based on his genuine military accomplishments. It was notable that even Xu Xiao, who achieved the feat of conquering a nation early last summer, only held a second-rank position.

The next rider was Zhu Changfu, a former Liaoxi horse bandit and founder of the Yu Gu Battalion. Severely wounded and not yet recovered, he was temporarily convalescing in the capital, unable to join the Xu family's Iron Cavalry on their southern campaign.

Next was the surrendered general Zhang Doujian, who had eventually retired from his position as commander of the Lian Camp.

Qin Yun, a veteran of the Vanguard Battalion, had in his entire life only held the "senior office" of a squad leader.

Zhao Fengyang, a native of Jizhou, was the most seasoned scout in the Xu family army. After being struck by a poisoned arrow in the back, he suffered excruciating, bone-deep pain whenever the weather was damp or rainy, forcing him to retire from military service.

Song Kaijuan, nicknamed "Head-Shaking Scholar," had some schooling. When speaking with others, he liked to waggle his head and body and use stilted, literary language. He was once the strategist for a bandit group in Liaoxi, but he ran directly into Xu Xiao, who was then a commandant, and his entire group was annihilated. Song Kaijuan, through this misfortune, turned a bandit's life into a soldier's. As he aged, he found it increasingly difficult to ride, so he opened a tavern in Tai'an City. He offered unlimited wine, meat, and food to any comrade from the Xu family's Iron Cavalry, consistently operating at a loss for years. Yet, the old pedant never seemed to feel much heartache, constantly muttering about it to his wife and daughter.

In total, there were fourteen such individuals, all old veterans who had miraculously survived countless hails of spears and arrows and should have been spending their twilight years peacefully in the capital.

At this time, the world's power dynamics saw two northern regimes, later known by historians as Northern Han and Eastern Yue, successively overthrown. During this period, Xu Xiao first forced General Fan, renowned as the "Divine Pillar of Great Han," to his death. He then swept through like a tidal wave, leading his army to breach the imperial palace and riding his horse directly into the Golden Throne Hall. Another southern expeditionary army, led by Lu Shengxiang, descended upon Luzhou with a thousand cavalry on a snowy night, instantly opening the gateway to Eastern Yue. Gu Jiantang, meanwhile, conquered half the country almost without shedding a drop of blood. With no foreign threats remaining close to Liyang's Zhao Imperial Family, the Zhao emperor subsequently sided with Xu and Gu, two meritorious generals in their prime. He overruled all objections, insisting on a decisive battle with Great Chu, whose military might was no less formidable than Liyang's, to determine the dominion of the world.

However, after the Battle of Jinghe, the desperate fight at Concubine's Tomb, and several consecutive major battles, Liyang's forces, which had previously held an overwhelming advantage, began to suffer successive setbacks. This continued until the two armies confronted each other at Xileibi, where neither side dared to claim certain victory. Moreover, Great Chu had Bai Kui, the "Military Saint" famed for a hundred victories, personally overseeing their forces. The Liyang court began to feel unsettled. As Xu Xiao remained inactive for a long time, rumors spread like wildfire throughout the capital. Several extremely weighty secret intelligence reports even reached the palace, stating emphatically that the Emperor of Great Chu's personal, sealed secret letter lay on Xu Xiao's desk in his military camp, proposing that Xu Xiao, who had suffered numerous grievances within the Liyang court, divide the land with Chu along a river and rule the world together.

Within the court, the hardliners who advocated conquering Great Chu first and then the rest of the world were already few in number. With the two armies confronting each other at Xileibi, the outcome was unpredictable; a loss would mean losing the entire northern territory that had been so arduously conquered. Even Gu Jiantang, on whom the court had placed high hopes, began to remain silent and slowed his southward advance. Consequently, no one in the Liyang court was willing to speak up for Xu Xiao. All of Xu Xiao's past presumptuous actions were enumerated, and the entire court of military officials earnestly implored the emperor to swiftly recall the three hundred thousand Liyang troops concentrated at Xileibi. Otherwise, if Xu Xiao harbored rebellious intentions, not only would they fail to contend with Great Chu for dominion over the world, but Liyang's very foundations might be overthrown.

Old man Feng Ling sat high on his horse, the Imperial City gate in his sight growing ever larger. His horsemanship was skillful; though he had been living in retirement in Tai'an City for years, he had not let his skills lapse. The old man tilted his head and spat fiercely onto the imperial street, then habitually wiped his mouth with his thumb. He muttered, "You sons of bitches, every single one of you acts as if you're dying in front of the emperor—either wearing sackcloth and filial mourning or having coffins carried in, or even pretending to smash your heads against the beams in the Golden Throne Hall. And what's the result, you motherfuckers? Not a single one of you actually died! I'll show you soft-bellied bastards how the Xu family's Iron Cavalry lives, and how they die!"

The fourteen riders arrived outside the Imperial City gate. Feng Ling halted his horse at the forefront, while the other thirteen lined up behind him. Then all fourteen dismounted simultaneously, unanimously loosening their reins and patting their horses' necks.

Zhang Doujian grinned, turning to Song Kaijuan. "Head-Shaking Scholar, we're all rough men, not good with words. You're the youngest and the only one who's read books. How about you do it?"

Song Kaijuan rolled his eyes and said, "Let someone with a louder voice do it."

Qin Yun, who had single-handedly founded the Vanguard Battalion, said softly, "Damn it! I truly wish I had the chance to lead our brothers up those city gates and plant our Xu family flag."

Zhao Fengyang cursed with a laugh, "You son of a bitch, if you did that, wouldn't it just confirm the rumors that we're rebelling? Shut your crooked mouth that can't speak anything proper."

Feng Ling touched the hilt of the saber at his waist and said softly, "Loud or soft, it makes no difference. Even if those officials hear us, they'll just pretend they didn't."

Song Kaijuan would instinctively shake his head, even when agreeing with others. He smiled faintly and said, "Old Song here has only ever come up with bad ideas in his life. I haven't seen much combat, let alone led a charge. So, how about old Song goes first today?"

Old veteran Jiang Sheng, who had always looked down on Song Kaijuan, gave a thumbs-up and chuckled in admiration. "Scholar Song, you've been a spineless coward your whole life, afraid of death, but this time you're a true man. Jiang Sheng has cursed you many times before, but today I'm truly convinced. I'll say something good about you, and apologize!"

Zhu Changfu chuckled softly, "Too late, too late. Once we're underground, old Song won't have a tavern for us to get free drinks anymore."

The old scholar let out a heavy sigh. He looked around at his old comrades on both sides and said in a deep voice, "Song Kaijuan will go first."

At the same time, Feng Ling roared, "Draw your sabers!"

Fourteen Xu family sabers, fourteen lives.

They readily embraced death.

The young man was like a solitary ghost, belonging neither to the living world nor the underworld. He could only stand quietly behind the fourteen men, watching helplessly as they simultaneously drew their sabers, slit their own throats, and almost simultaneously fell backward.

He walked to Feng Ling's side, squatted down, and slowly extended his hand, seemingly wishing to help close the eyes of the old man, who had died with them open.

At Dantong Pass, every ten paces within the pass was a restricted area, guarded by countless visible and hidden sentries. Outside the pass, nearly a thousand Liyang elite cavalry patrolled continuously.

It appeared to be strict protection for the large group of imperial relatives and nobles within the pass. Yet, everyone inside and outside knew perfectly well, even the young children and teenagers, that they were pitiable "hostages" whose lives hung by a thread. Their survival depended on whether their fathers gained the trust of the old man on the dragon throne in Tai'an City. Dantong Pass, which would later be barely mentioned in historical records, held many imperial relatives, noble offspring, and influential figures who would impact the future of the dynasty. Among them were the mother and son, Wu Su, the Princess of Beiliang, and Xu Fengnian, the second Prince of Beiliang; Zhao Ying, the Prince of Huainan's only son; Zhao Zhu, the future heir to the Prince of Yan Chi; and General Gu Jiantang's eldest son and daughter, among others. They all shared one commonality: their relatives outside the pass were, without exception, staunch advocates for war and powerful enough to influence the situation of a region, a time, or even an entire dynasty.

That night, a small beggar skillfully ran through a dark alley, always staying close to the shadows along the wall. Reaching an outer courtyard wall, he gently pried open a pile of already loose bricks, revealing a dog-hole-sized opening. After quietly crawling through, the small beggar picked up three small stones, then crept in a crouch to a window. He threw two stones onto the window paper, and just as he threw the third, he heard a muffled yelp of pain. Then a figure climbed over the window and dropped down. The small beggar said helplessly, "Xiao Nian, didn't we agree you'd open the window only after three stones?"

The companion who had been hit by a stone was a child even younger than the small beggar. He had delicate features and a rare southern appearance for a northerner. He gently glared at the small beggar and whispered, "Blockhead, and you want to learn swordsmanship from my mother!"

The small beggar smiled sheepishly, then grabbed his companion's sleeve. With a face full of anxiety, he said, "My teacher is taking me away from here tonight. Are you coming? If you are, we brothers will run away together!"

The child, who had a scholarly air despite his young age, shook his head. "My mother said, it's not that I can't leave; it's that I mustn't leave."

The small beggar felt a headache coming on. "Why are you still speaking in riddles with me at a time like this, just because you read more books! Just tell me, are you coming or not! I begged my teacher for half the night for this chance. If we miss this, we might truly never see each other again."

As he spoke, the small beggar's eyes welled up.

The other child grinned. "I'm truly not going. The book says there's no feast that doesn't end, but don't worry, the book also says that we'll meet again somewhere in life."

The small beggar anxiously scratched his head, clearly completely confused by "Xiao Nian."

"Xiao Nian" chuckled, "You have a teacher? Is it the old beggar?"

The small beggar quickly shook his head and said, "Of course not! He's a very, very learned scholar."

Xiao Nian mischievously chuckled, "How big is 'very big'? Is it as big as Sister Yan's chest on the next street?"

The small beggar said helplessly, "Xiao Nian, are you really not coming? I'm truly leaving you behind now. If I don't go back, my master will be worried sick!"

The child hummed in acknowledgment and told the small beggar to wait. He climbed back into the room through the window and very quickly climbed back out with extreme dexterity. He handed the small beggar a pouch and patted his head. He spoke with a prematurely mature air, "We originally agreed to fight on the battlefield together in the future. You'd be strong and charge ahead, and I'd be more educated and help you strategize. It seems that won't happen now. Take this pouch of money; when you're out in the world, even a single coin can save a hero. Hey, you're always craving chicken drumsticks, right? Remember to buy two once you're somewhere safe, and it'll be like I've eaten them too."

The small beggar carefully put away the pouch and wiped his eyes with his arm. Just as he was about to reveal the secret his father had told him never to tell anyone inside the pass, Xiao Nian pushed him. "Hurry up and go! What are you standing there for?! After you leave, I'll go tell Mother to practice her swordsmanship in the courtyard; that might help you a little."

The small beggar choked up and sobbed, "Xiao Nian, please, please don't die! I'll definitely come find you later. You're the only brother I'll ever acknowledge in my life."

The child, several years younger than the small beggar, seemed far more experienced and mature, and instead comforted him. "How old are you, talking about 'your whole life'? Just go. Those who achieved great things in history could even abandon their old wives, unlike you, being so fussy."

The small beggar nodded heavily, then crouched down and turned to leave. From the shadows by the dog hole, he waved at Xiao Nian.

Xiao Nian waved back.

After the small beggar left, the child, who had seemed so casually optimistic, squatted at the base of the wall, hugged his knees, and secretly sniffled.

Suddenly, his head was gently patted.

The startled child quickly turned his head, only to see his mother's warm, smiling face. He quickly wiped away his tears and whispered, "Mom, don't tell Dad I cried."

The peerlessly beautiful female general gently lifted him and sat him on the window. She smiled softly and said, "Xiao Nian, remember, a man's tears don't easily fall, that's only because he hasn't reached the point of true sorrow. When you are truly sad, cry if you want to. Don't keep it bottled up inside."

The child mumbled in understanding.

The woman smiled and said, "Go, get the sword box."

The child excitedly said, "Mother agreed? Alright, I'm going now!"

The child jumped off the windowsill to move the rosewood sword box, which was almost as tall as himself.

The woman walked into the courtyard and, with a glance back, smiled, seeing her son laboriously carrying the sword box.

She took the sword box, and the child turned and scurried to sit on the steps. He rested his chin in his hands and gazed intently at his mother. His father had personally said that his mother could defeat a hundred men like him.

The woman stood the rosewood sword box upright, placing one hand on its top.

She did not immediately wield the world-renowned Great Liang Dragon Sparrow sword from its box. But even though the famous sword remained sheathed, its sword aura already soared to the heavens.

Inside Dantong Pass, a series of sharp whistling arrows suddenly sounded.

The woman stood with her hands behind her back, and the sword box trembled slightly. Streaks of purple sword energy continuously seeped from the sword box, illuminating the entire courtyard with a vibrant purple glow.

Yet the Great Liang Dragon Sparrow, which made everyone in Dantong Pass feel as if a great enemy was upon them, did not emerge from its box for a full quarter of an hour. However, all the armored soldiers and martial arts experts in Dantong Pass were already in a state of chaos, everyone on tenterhooks.

Fortunately, for some unknown reason, the female sword immortal changed her original intention of drawing her sword to break through the pass. This brought a huge sense of relief to Dantong Pass. To be honest, they regarded this woman from the Wu Family Sword Mound with three parts caution, three parts fear, and four parts respect, and truly did not wish to confront her directly.

The mother and son in the courtyard exchanged a knowing smile. The child carried the sword box back and put it away, then came out of the room to sit on the steps with his mother, watching the myriad stars.

Meanwhile, a young man who seemed close at hand but was actually far away, sat not far off, accompanying them.

The child rested his head on his mother's lap and asked curiously, "Mom, Big Sister said people turn into stars in the sky after they die, but Second Sister said they don't. So, do they or don't they?"

The woman stroked the child's head and smiled faintly, "I don't know."

The child sighed, "I wish I could grow up faster."

The woman shook her head and chuckled, "It's better not to grow up."

The child stood up, held his hand higher than his head, and smiled, "Mom, do you believe that when I wake up tomorrow, I'll be this tall!"

The woman smiled without speaking.

The child bounced a few times with his hand raised, "And the day after tomorrow, I'll be this tall!"

The woman stood up, stood in front of the child, and raised her hand to a position even higher than her own height. Then she looked down and said softly, "Xiao Nian, grow up slowly, don't rush. One day, you will be this tall."

Then she looked up, gazed at that height, and smiled.

Behind "Xiao Nian."

Precisely at the height the woman indicated.

Xu Fengnian, whose spirit had wandered through the Spring and Autumn period, was in tears. He looked at her and softly called out, "Mother."