Chapter 490: Formidable figure
Translator: Sparrow Translations Editor: Sparrow Translations
"It's the Yan Cloud Cavalry?!"
When Li Jingfeng and the rest of the Red Pinion Squad saw the six clouds, their expressions changed.
The Great Xia had many elite squads.
The Dragon Protection Squad, the Mountain Breaking Army, the Red Pinion Squad...
All of these were elite armies.
However, if there was one army that would rank above them, then it would undoubtedly be the Yan Cloud Cavalry.
It wasn't because the soldiers of the Yan Cloud Cavalry were more skilled or powerful. It was because of where they trained.
Western Liang!
A barren land.
They were always under assault from the wind, sand, and dust. They drank blood and feasted on meat.
The Yan Family was the leading family in Western Liang. Its history is even longer than that of the Great Xia's. They controlled Western Liang even before the Great Xia was founded.
The 13 Constabularies supported the Great Xia in its conquest of the world.
However, every Emperor left the defense of Western Liang to the Yan Family. When the six blood clouds of the Yan Family rose up in those harsh conditions, the soldiers of the 13 Constabularies would stop in the tracks.
It was impossible to fight there!
"Yan Cloud Cavalry!" Chi Hou clenched his fists. He never expected the Yan Cloud Cavalry to appear here.
Fang Zhengzhi was in the Northern Region, Huai An County, the Northern Mountain Village.
When Chi Hou got the news, he had immediately given his orders and marched for two days straight.
He didn't even stop for a break!
Where was the Yan Cloud Cavalry located?
In Western Liang!
Thousands of miles away!
Yet, they had arrived a mere four hours after the Red Pinion Squad. What kind of speed was that? Could it be...
Chi Hou looked at the Yan Cloud Cavalry soldier. He looked down at the soldier's waist and understood everything instantly.
There was a bloody, half-eaten piece of meat hanging on this soldier's waist.
Raw!
This was the most efficient way to travel! Furthermore, they could conserve their energy!
They could travel as quickly as possible, stop at any time, and fight at a moment's notice.
However, this was also the most primitive and barbaric method.
"Good, very good! The Yan Cloud Cavalry lives up to its name!" Chi Hou clenched his fists in admiration.
He also couldn't help but suppress some of his other emotions.
He didn't like to lose.
Li Jingfeng also noticed the piece of raw meat dangling from the waist of that soldier. He felt a chill down his spine.
This was true aggression.
An animalistic aggression.
"The Yan Cloud Cavalry still train this way?" Li Jingfeng knew that the Yan Cloud Cavalry didn't just think of this method. They had been doing this for a long time!
Raw meat was not good to eat!
If they did not train their bodies to digest and handle the raw meat, they would all be rolling on the ground by now.
The 2000 Red Pinion Squad soldiers could also feel that domineering aggression.
They tightened their grip around their spears.
At that moment, the soldier whose cloak had been ripped apart leapt into action. He drew a dagger and thrust it towards his throat.
"Clang!"
The dagger fell to the ground.
"I deserve to die!" The soldier's expression changed.
"It is not your fault. We are up against Chi Hou. It was only a matter of time before our identity was revealed. Just remember this incident and do better in future battles!" A voice rang out from within the ranks.
"Yes, sir!"
...
The thirst for blood had subsided significantly. Fang Zhengzhi walked forward and Chi Hou didn't seem to have any intention of stopping him.
Fang Zhengzhi walked over to the Yan Cloud Cavalry.
"Greetings, Young Master Fang!" The 3000 strong Yan Cloud Cavalry bowed respectfully.
Then, a figure walked out from within the ranks.
He was also wearing a black cloak and a veil. However, he took off the veil when he walked out of the ranks.
He smiled icily. Despite the punishing journey, he did not seem tired at all. He looked at Fang Zhengzhi with caring eyes.
Yan Xiu.
This was a man who had returned to Western Liang after the court examination results were released. He never stepped foot in the capital after that day.
"How have you been over the past year?"
"How have you been?"
Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu greeted each other in front of both armies.
After one year...
The two of them still talked to each other the same way. It was as calm and ordinary as the water in the stream.
Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu chuckled.
"I've been well."
Their voices echoed out in unison. It was almost as if they had forgotten about the two armies standing behind them.
Then...
Fang Zhengzhi began introducing the surroundings to Yan Xiu.
"Look, this is where I grew up. The Northern Mountain Village is a beautiful place. The water is clear and the air is fresh! You can even see the bottom of the river and the fish that swim inside it."
"Mm."
"Did you skip breakfast? Come and have some at my place!"
"Okay."
Then, Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu walked towards the Red Pinion Squad and the Northern Mountain Village.
The Yan Cloud Cavalry didn't speak as they watched Fang Zhengzhi and Yan Xiu walk away. However, their eyes were filled with shock.
"Is this the time to talk about meals?"
Zhang Yangping and the villagers looked at each other in confusion. They didn't know who this youth was. They didn't know the procedure here. But they knew...
If that was the Yan Cloud Cavalry...
They were probably...
Trespassing.
"Yan Xiu, the Yan Cloud Cavalry are under the command of the Yan Family. It is normal that you are leading them. However, since you are in the Northern Region, please show me the Emperor's orders that brought you here!" Chi Hou stepped forward.
As the leader of the Northern Five Constabularies.
He would not tolerate trespassing, not even if it was the Yan Cloud Cavalry.
"I don't have them." Yan Xiu shook his head.
"Junior, you bring the Yan Cloud Cavalry here without notifying me or getting orders from the Emperor. Isn't that inappropriate?" Chi Hou added.
"It is." Yan Xiu nodded.
"Since you know that it is inappropriate, I think you owe me an explanation." Chi Hou nodded. He knew why Yan Xiu was here.
In the grand scheme of things, Yan Xiu was Fang Zhengzhi's friend. By extension, Yan Xiu was not his enemy.
As such, he would not push Yan Xiu too hard. However, he still had to put on a show for the Red Pinion Squad.
"I was lost." Yan Xiu thought about it, then answered.
"Lost?!" Chi Hou had expected a myriad of other explanations. Perhaps he would claim that he was chasing a felon, or had noticed some movements from the demons.
These would have been false.
However, Chi Hou could pretend to believe him and order the Red Pinion Squad and the Yan Cloud Cavalry to check it out. Then, they would simply return having found nothing.
But being lost...
What kind of reason was that?
How could they have been lost for three days, eating raw meat and rushing over here from Western Liang? And they just happened to stumble across the Northern Mountain Village?
Who would believe that?
Even Chi Hou couldn't buy that excuse.
Li Jingfeng and the Red Pinion Squad could guess what Chi Hou's intentions were. However, Yan Xiu's reason was too casual.
"Young Master Yan, were you trying to chase an escaped felon when you got lost? Was it because you aren't familiar with the land here?" Li Jingfeng tried to clarify Yan Xiu's explanation.
"No, I was lost." Yan Xiu shook his head.
"Are you sure you are not joking with me?" Chi Hou couldn't take it any longer. He had already given Yan Xiu enough chances.
Yet, Yan Xiu continued to push this unbelievable story.
This concerned his reputation. As the head of the Divine Constabulary, he could forgive Yan Xiu for being rash, but he couldn't tolerate Yan Xiu being rude to him.
"Do you think that my grandson is someone who likes to joke?" Another voice rang out from within the ranks of the Yan Cloud Cavalry.
The voice as not loud and it was rather raspy. However, it was a powerful voice which commanded respect.
When that voice rang out.
A strange thing happened. All of the Snow Treading Dragon Stallions backed away, almost as if they were frightened.
Some of the Snow Treading Dragon Stallions even kicked off their riders.
"Ah!"
"Neigh, neigh..."
The 2000 soldiers of the Red Pinion Squad were in disarray. Even Li Jingfeng couldn't react in time.
However, Zhang Yangping and the villagers seemed unaffected.
It was a strange sight.
Li Jingfeng was about to give his orders when Chi Hou stopped him. Then, he saw Chi Hou's expression.
He had never seen Chi Hou look like that in more than 10 years of service.
Who was it?
He called Yan Xiu his grandson.
Could it be...
Li Jingfeng's expression changed. Even as the leader of the Red Pinion Squad, he felt a chill down his spine when he thought of that name.
"Yan Qianli"
He was the leader of the Yan Family. He was legendary, so much so that even the Emperor had to respect him.
He was formidable.
Everyone feared and respected this man. As long as Yan Qianli was alive, The Yan Family would control Western Liang and no one would dare to try their luck.
Yan Qianli was a domineering figure.
Everyone knew that only someone like Yan Qianli could govern a place like Western Liang well.
Of course, that was not the main point.
Yan Qianli had not stepped foot out of Western Liang in more than two decades! He didn't even take time to visit the capital.
Yet, he had appeared here.
He led 3000 of his Yan Cloud Cavalry to this small mountain village.
"I was the one who came up with that reason. My grandson is simply repeating my words. Do you think that that's an unacceptable reason?" The voice echoed through the air.
However, no one stepped out from the ranks. The voice echoed through but one couldn't pinpoint where he was.
Chi Hou's expression changed.
He stared at the 3000 Yan Cloud Cavalry and the clouds on their armor.
He clenched his fists, then released them, then clenched them again.
He finally regained his composure after some time, the glow disappearing from his eyes.
"Master Yan, since you are lost, how about I personally guide you to the route back to Western Liang? What do you think?" Chi Hou asked calmly.
"Hahaha... I wanted to stay in Western Liang and wait for my death, but my grandson wanted to make a trip to the capital. My time is limited and I don't have much time to look around. I thought of accompanying my grandson to the capital and visit the Emperor. However, because of my age, I forgot the way to get there and got lost."
"You are going to the capital?" Chi Hou's eyes glittered.
"Yes, is that convenient for you?"
"Yes, I'm heading there as well!"
"That's a happy coincidence! If you don't find it too much of a hassle, we would appreciate it if you could guide us there. If we get lost again it would result in too many delays."
"It would be my honor if Master Yan would come to the capital with me. When would you like to leave?"