Why do I have so many masters?

Chapter 1534 - 3: Extra Story 3

The sixth year of Tian Yuan in Great Qin.

This was the sixth year since the new emperor ascended to the throne.

After the previous emperor led his people to victory over the heavens and returned to the mortal realm, he passed away within a mere four years. The new emperor, upon ascending, governed diligently and prudently with a character gentler than his predecessor. He issued orders repeatedly to let the people rest, and thus, the Qin State, which had not suffered any fundamental devastation, quickly regained vitality.

On the other hand, regarding the Western Regions that had previously violated borders, and the Northern Frontier.

For the past ten years, Qin has sent troops multiple times to campaign.

Heavenly Capital, Tai Chi Palace.

Crown Prince Li Changxing, after outlining the resolutions of the government affairs in hand, returned to the ranks of the officials.

His demeanor was warm and spirited, his appearance dignified, markedly different from ten years ago, with subtle hints of imperial bearing. Since last year, the current emperor gradually began to train the Crown Prince in managing state affairs, periodically handing over portions of the government tasks to him.

Beside the throne, Li Xian, the head eunuch clad in a python robe, swept his horsetail whisk and spoke:

"Do any officials have matters to present?"

All ministers remained silent. Li Xian nodded slightly, just about to announce the end of the court session when suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the palace. A man dressed in the attire of a Border Army general was stopped by the guards at the palace entrance. He raised his right hand, clutching a scroll, one side stained with blood.

The previously indifferent ministers felt a jolt in their hearts.

A matter of extreme urgency.

The emperor spoke calmly, "Let him in."

Two guards at the palace door stepped aside. The Border Pass general entered, clad in battle armor, bowed respectfully, and presented the scroll above his head, saying:

"Military intelligence from the Protectorate General of the Northern Frontier!"

"The Royal City of the Northern Hun's Golden Tent has fallen, the Golden Tent King has been executed, all the leaders are dead, the Grand Commander has chosen another as the leader of the Northern Hun, who wishes to submit to our Great Qin!"

The emperor, usually composed and steady, showed obvious delight on his face. He unrolled the scroll, quickly scanning its content, then heavily slapped the armrest of the throne and laughed heartily:

"Good, good, good, truly worthy of my Great Qin's Tiger Warriors, such a grand victory! Good, you may return and inform Sima Qing and Marquis Qing Cang that they may handle everything accordingly. For any rewards necessary, inform the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Households. At this year's grand festival, I invite the two beloved ministers to return to the capital with meritorious generals. I want to personally see my Great Qin's Tiger Warriors!"

The previously silent court ministers could not help but start whispering among themselves. Naturally, Grand Commander Sima Cuo needs no mention; he was a renowned general who rose to prominence during Emperor Xuanwu's reign and is at the forefront among many military generals. As for Marquis Qing Cang, this new general who came from an ordinary background had shocked the world with his outstanding military achievements.

During the battle that made him famous, he led three thousand men into the Northern Frontier, fighting all the way to the base of Jade Pot Mountain, where he burned the Royal Tent at the summit, offering the leader's head to the heavens. The royal tent of the Xiongnu Tribe was woven from the finest fur from a yak's body, its majestic white smoke rising to the sky visible throughout the Northern Frontier.

At the highest point of Jade Pot Mountain, he carved the words "Great Qin Border" into the stone.

Such a brave and martial general almost shook the entire world.

In the court, many officials had a peculiar gleam in their eyes, starting to consider if there were any suitable young women in their clan of appropriate age.

The Border Pass general showed a hint of hesitation, clenched his teeth, and said:

"Your Majesty, this official has another matter to report."

The emperor, evidently in a very good mood because of this matter, placed the military scroll aside and smiled: "Speak."

Seeing the hesitation on his face, he added:

"With such a great victory, established by the Protectorate General of the Northern Frontier, what is there that cannot be said? Speak!"

The general took a deep breath, saluted with difficulty, and said:

"During the battle to break the Royal City of the Northern Hun's Golden Tent."

"Our Protectorate General's great warrior commander, Marquis Qing Cang, General Baili…"

"Died in battle."

The smile on the emperor's face froze instantly.

The entire court fell into a state akin to deep winter.

.........

The Protectorate General of the Northern Frontier.

Great Qin's Grand Commander Sima Cuo, whose temples were already completely white, gazed at the Qing Cang Sword and the black jade Tiger Talisman in the tent. A renowned general who had fought through countless brutal battlefields, having witnessed the departure of many friends and foes, couldn't help but sigh:

"You earned your marquis title through military merit."

"With such solid military accomplishments, thirty years later, whether it's as a Pillar of the State or a Protectorate General, it would just be a matter of your word. Do you really want to leave?"

"By using the method of feigned death, it will be difficult for you to return in the future."

The tall man behind him grinned and said, "It's enough."

He breathed in the air of the Northern Frontier, cold and sweeping down from Jade Pot Mountain, rubbed his nose, and muttered: "Now that the world has been pacified, I don't want to become a watchdog of the prosperous era."

Sima Cuo cursed and kicked him, but the man dodged, catching hold of his rucksack with his right hand and waved him off.

Sima Cuo looked at him and said:

"Is that all? Do you need anything else? I can prepare it for you."

The man thought for a moment, then grinned and said:

"Give me a fast horse, Grand Commander, and if possible, a southern wind."

"I want to see her faster, not delayed by even a moment."

"Don't make that face, when the time comes that this world needs me again, I will return."

Sima Cuo watched as his chosen successor rode off on horseback.

Historical records state that thirty years later, the Master of Divine Martial broke through the final barrier, secluded in meditation for three years.

During a prosperous era, the emperor passed away.

The Crown Prince, coerced by a Grandmaster and rebel forces, had almost left the border when a general garbed in ancient black armor broke through the blockade. Wielding weapons from decades past, he roared into the wind, the Mo Blade tearing through the battle line, and that day, the thunderous roar akin to a tiger's swept across the entire battlefield.

Li Changxing never forgot that moment in his entire life.

That day, the Mo Blade shone brilliantly, beheading the Grandmaster right before his eyes.

Then the Mo Blade clanged into the ground, and in the midst of the battlefield, the black-armored general kneeled, removing his helmet, and said that his service was late. Beneath the helmet revealed white hair and a face that, though aged, remained as steady as a mountain.

Some soldiers, with tears streaming down their faces, kneeled.

More and more soldiers arrived, generals who had once claimed military merit on the Northern Frontier kneeled—

And thus, the name Qing Cang resonated among the three armies.

Like resounding thunder, it reached the sky.

And in the sixth year of Tian Yuan in Great Qin.

The young Baili Feng, carrying his rucksack, rode a fast horse across the grasslands and snow mountains, traversed the desolate North of the Desert, and finally, dusty and travel-worn, arrived in front of a city. He dismounted and followed behind the townsfolk entering the city.

Past the city, he saw two towering wooden towers, standing tall in the city's center.

Golden bells and blazing-red ribbons hung from the eaves of the towers.

The guard beside the city, noticing the somewhat disheveled Qin man staring in awe, asked, "Visitor, are you a Qin? Have you been to Fufeng in the Qin State?"

Baili Feng softly chuckled and said, "Of course, I've been there."

The guard boasted:

"These are personally supervised by our Kingdom of Che Shi's Protector General for construction."

"One is the Martial Tower, to promote our martial spirit, and the other is the Literary Tower, to cultivate our students. Speaking of our Protector General, not a single person hasn't respected her in all these years, even the King wants to make her queen, but has yet to succeed…"

Baili Feng heard no more.

He saw from afar a figure clad in red, smiled broadly, and strode into the city.

The world is settled, this body promised to you.

PS: The new book has been submitted for review, should be ready soon…