Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The battle for Zhangjia City began quietly and ended abruptly. As Zhao Zhen led the remnants of the Unification Alliance away from Zhangjia City, all of Huaguo was still in a restful slumber.
Yu Jianyuan wasted no time, not even stopping to check on the Unification Alliance's strongholds. He rode straight towards Jin Province, setting up camp in the city by the next morning.
Of course, if we are talking about riding and galloping, the grasslands are the most suitable place for it.
Since returning to Earth, Situ Yu and Lin Cheng had been dealing with the strong men and fine horses of the grasslands. First, they contended with Prairie Wolf, and then assisted the Giant Wolf Gang in its growth. In just over a month, they had gained enough strength to stand toe-to-toe with Prairie Wolf, which was no small feat for the battlefield of Huaguo. However, what truly showcased Situ Yu's brilliance was that very afternoon when Yu Jianyuan captured Zhangjia City; he and the Giant Wolf Gang dealt a fatal blow to Prairie Wolf!
The grasslands were vast and distant, with high clouds drifting lazily and a gentle breeze brushing against them. At this moment, one could truly feel what nature was all about!
The endless plains were filled with a solemn crowd, where fierce winds howled and tugged at everyone's garments! Yet no one shielded their eyes from the gusts; amidst this grandeur and magnificence, they awaited the impending storm.
The crowd split into two distinct teams. Although there were no banners waving, during the upcoming melee, no one would mistake their own side or mistakenly harm their brothers. In Underworld battles, clothing bore obvious marks; one side displayed a proud wolf's head while the other featured a contemplative wolf's head.
A clear space opened up between the two groups for their leaders to make their oaths before battle; it would later serve as a launchpad for their charge.
In front of Prairie Wolf stood several fine steeds, each ridden by renowned heroes of Prairie Wolf. Leading them was Wolf King Arislan, flanked by Wolf Guard Leader Lei Chengye.
On the side of the Giant Wolf Gang was Surge, the former Wolf General and now the new Wolf King. To his left was Situ Yu, the leader of Hua Gang, and beside him was Lin Cheng, one of the Three Dragons. They too sat atop magnificent steeds, intensifying the atmosphere.
Arislan appeared weathered and aged in his fifties; whether to label him "middle-aged" or "old" was difficult to conclude. Just ten meters away stood Surge, his former adopted son and now the Wolf King of Giant Wolf Gang.
There were few sentiments about life's harshness; Arislan gazed deeply at his once-great adopted son across from him, feeling more pride than sorrow.
Due to the open expanse of the grasslands and the swift winds, men from these lands had particularly loud voices. Arislan did not exert much effort yet his voice resonated powerfully across the plains.
He said, "Surge, you rose from Prairie Wolf but now seek to destroy your own homeland that raised you. I do not blame you; however, I cannot allow someone without strength to rule over this land. If you can take the crown of Wolf King from my hands and prove your strength to me, then this grassland will belong to you. But if you cannot achieve this yourself, as your adoptive father, I must personally uproot this unworthy tree."
Surge was in his thirties and looked every bit a typical man of the grasslands—brawny and rugged with iron-like bones. Arislan's words echoed in his ears as he listened intently, just as he had when receiving teachings from his adoptive father years ago.
"Father," Surge replied firmly but respectfully. "Your cooperation with the Unification Alliance is understandable; however, now that their power is waning, you must not continue down this path. Following you will only lead Prairie Wolf into an abyss of destruction. I do not wish to overturn anything; I only want our sacred and great grassland to remain untrampled by outsiders. Therefore, Father, for the future of our people on these plains, I must take up my blade and stand against you. If an adopted son must slay his father in battle, I will ensure your name is written among the heroes of our grassland."
Upon hearing his adopted son's unwavering stance, Arislan felt an even deeper sense of pride in his eyes. As an elder who had spent a lifetime on battlefields, he had grown weary; rather than leave this position for others to fight over after his passing, he preferred to end it in such a manner that would bring about rebirth.
His gaze remained unchanged but his voice grew much lower as he turned to Lei Chengye beside him.
"Old Lei," he asked softly, "how many years have you followed me?"
Lei Chengye, the Wolf Guard Leader, had now passed the age of forty. Upon hearing the Wolf King's inquiry, he reminisced about the first time he fought alongside Arislan. Back then, the Wolf King was still an unknown young man, and it was also Lei Chengye's first taste of bloodshed.
"It has been over thirty years; time feels so distant that I can hardly remember," Lei Chengye sighed.
Arislan pondered the significance of those "thirty years." There was bitterness and hardship, but more than that, there was camaraderie and unchanging passion.
But was it truly unchanging? Arislan chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"I owe you an apology for dragging you through this tumultuous life for half of it. As I grow old, I fear I won't be able to end it well."
Hearing this, Lei Chengye couldn't help but smile. "Wolf King, you worry too much. I've taken too many lives in this half of my life, so I've never dared to leave behind a son or daughter. Those women only cared for money, not for me. If they left, they would only feel a moment's sadness before moving on with their lives. If I can die on the battlefield, it would be a fitting end to my life as a soldier. You have done me a great service, Wolf King."
Seeing his old comrade so open-minded eased a burden in Arislan's heart. He looked up at the sky; the sunset painted the horizon crimson, capturing a scene reminiscent of a proud wolf raising its head.
"If you go first, don't rush. I'll join you in due time."
Retracting his gaze from the far-off sky, he focused on Surge nearby. The father and son shared an uncanny understanding and issued the command to engage in battle simultaneously.
The crowd surged like a tide, especially against the backdrop of the vast grasslands, creating an imposing spectacle.
Lin Cheng stood beside Situ Yu, remaining still yet poised for action.
Situ Yu turned his horse around and before retreating from the battlefield, left Lin Cheng with a parting remark.
"Our Hua Gang brothers shouldn't waste too much time on this vast prairie. Brother Lin, make quick work of it so we can sound the retreat early."
At these words, Lin Cheng smiled lazily; however, his gaze was sharp as a sword.
The sword was named Path.
With his feet firmly in the stirrups and gripping the horse tightly, his steed surged forward like a whirlwind into the throng. Lin Cheng wielded Path as his body twisted atop the galloping horse; wherever he passed, people fell like wheat swaying in the wind, blood spilling like blooming peach blossoms.
Suddenly, amidst the crowd appeared a wild horse; naturally, there needed to be someone to counter it. Just as Lin Cheng's sword flashed brilliantly, a figure emerged from the side with lightning speed. In an instant, it reached beneath Lin Cheng's horse and thrust a blade into its belly, causing the steed to collapse lifelessly.
But what about Lin Cheng? He had already dismounted safely and engaged in battle with that figure.
One was the Dragon of Central China; the other was a Wolf of the Steppe.
The battle determined both victory and death.
The sea of people surged continuously, like boiling water, endlessly spewing bubbles outward. Those bubbles were blood, and they represented life and death.
This great war among the men of the grasslands raged from sunset to nightfall. By the very end, even the few remaining who could still stand had long lost their humanity, mechanically swinging their knives.
Because it was an internal conflict within the grasslands, few outsiders knew the details. Only in the War History of Hua Gang was it recorded that Lin Cheng achieved remarkable feats during this battle.
Under the Path sword, lost souls fell, including the Four Great Wolf Guards, one of whom was a Wolf Guard Leader!
Lei Chengye, without children or family.
(To be continued)
Comment 0 Comment Count