Chapter 1: Embarking on the Journey

The Dragon Eagle chewed on the words of Mi Nan Tian and replied: "The Wild Dance should arrive within a few days, hoping to bring good news"

She donned the mask of the ugly divine doctor, made alterations to her clothing and boots, and with her talent for imitation, portrayed "Wang Tingjing" flawlessly. What was even more remarkable was that she did not need to speak at all; with just a glance and a few gestures, no one dared to interfere with her noble mission of saving lives

Ding Fumin said: "Only the Muling Pass allows for the passage of horses, while the ancient thoroughfare, despite being called a convenient road, is even more difficult to traverse than the Muling Pass"

The most ingenious move in the entire assassination aftermath was the creation of an undeniable identity for "Wang Tingjing." During the fierce battle in the Eastern Palace, both Long Ying and Fa Ming suffered severe injuries, yet the number of those they wounded exceeded one hundred. Fa Ming had already shown considerable restraint, but his "Indestructible Diamond" was severely damaged; those injured by it would not only never recover but would also deteriorate further until they perished. Qian Dai, disguised as "Wang Tingjing," was the one who understood Fa Ming the best. She had shared the responsibility of nurturing him with Wan Wan, and with her medical skills surpassing those of Long Ying, she employed acupuncture along with targeted medication, resulting in immediate relief for the severely injured, while the lightly wounded recovered swiftly.

Yang Qingren is well-versed in astronomy and numerology, a top expert at the level of the Nine Altars of the Great River, leading the most formidable assassin group within the alliance, with twenty-eight notable figures under his command, each possessing exceptional martial skills. However, in name, he is the grandson of Li Yuan, the founding emperor of the Tang Dynasty, listed in the genealogy of the Tang royal family. Although he is a few years younger than Li Xian, he holds a higher generational rank than Li Xian.

The Wind Passes Through the Courtyard: "We still have an advantage; both sides of the sword are sharp. While we are entangled in the struggle, we must also be cautious of our own vulnerabilities. As long as we can cross the narrow path and strike directly at his stronghold, if he cannot return in time to rescue, we will have an opportunity to exploit.

This five hundred men are the elite of the elite, none of whom are over thirty years old, yet they possess rich combat experience. Under the training of Guo Yuanzhen, Fang Jun, and Ding Fumin, all members are in peak condition. It was only when Long Ying and others arrived that they realized what seemed to be a routine military exercise had transformed into a secret and dangerous mission deep within enemy territory, led by the renowned Eagle Master. Instead of being alarmed, they were delighted, rolling up their sleeves, filled with excitement and enthusiasm

Ding Fumin stated: "At first glance, it seems that transportation is obstructed by the towering mountains and ridges. However, from here to Hanhai Army, in addition to heading north along the Peacock River, there are two mountain paths available for military movement. One is only five li away and is called Muling Pass, while the other is located far to the east, with its entrance known as Gutong Convenient Path."

Mi Nán Tiān淡淡道: "Then we at least have three months' time. Only when winter departs and spring arrives can the crossbow be used to attack Suì Yè City again"

Lin Zhuang frowned and said: "Bian Ao is no longer an ordinary bandit, but a military group that has received support from the Turks in various aspects and possesses formidable strength"

Ding Fumin stated: "Reconnaissance of the narrow passage is a daily routine exercise. The passage stretches for three miles, and the terrain is complex. However, as long as we dispatch the vanguard troops to clear the way ahead and then establish defenses at higher ground, safety can be ensured"

On the ninth day after Li Xian became the Crown Prince, Long Ying accompanied by Feng Guo Ting, Mi Nan Tian, and the five hundred elite soldiers led by Lin Zhuang hurriedly left the plateau. They took advantage of the snowstorm that blocked the roads to descend from the plateau, crossing the Kumtag Desert, and headed towards the direction of the Huigu.

The wind passed through the courtyard path: "This kid is playing tricks again"

At the moment when Long Ying confronted Yang Qingren in the Eastern Palace, as swords clashed, he not only realized that the imperial power of the female emperor of the Great Zhou was nearing its twilight, but also understood that his past seven years of "good days" had vanished without a trace

Lin Zhuang's eyes shone with admiration as he said, "Working with Master Eagle transforms hardship into pleasure"

Ding Fumin led Long Ying, Feng Guoting, Mi Nantian, and Lin Zhuang to the top of the watchtower at the battle fortress to observe the situation

With each passing day, the Empress's isolation became increasingly severe. Within the court, the only remaining Zhang brothers, driven by their own interests, had no choice but to align themselves with her

In the nine years leading up to Li Xianzhong's ascension as Crown Prince, the power struggles within the Great Zhou were primarily centered around the issue of succession. Although these struggles ultimately concluded with the defeat of the Wu clan's offspring, the Wu family did not retreat from the political arena in disgrace. Instead, Wu Sansi replaced the deceased Wu Chengsi, who had succumbed to illness, and through strategic marriages, allied with the Li Xian faction, thereby gaining new momentum and creating a completely new situation

The Dragon Eagle Eye, with great joy, exclaimed: "Old Huang has arrived!"

Shaking off the dust, the dragon and eagle cherish their beloved wife and child, embarking on a difficult journey

Seeking the Difficult Path: "If there were a stronghold as resilient as Wind City, no matter how powerful Xue Yantuo and his bandits might be, they would only meet their demise. However, this time we are venturing into his territory, and we require a guide who is familiar with the local situation."

If Bian Ao truly possesses both courage and strategy as Eagle Ye perceives, he would never be foolish enough to ambush us in a narrow path. With three routes leading to the vast sea, how could he know which route we would take? Dividing his forces into three would be an act uncharacteristic of a wise man. Therefore, he would wait for us to penetrate deep into enemy territory, becoming isolated, before deciding on the tactics to employ against us

The ultimate understanding of the enemy lies in being able to think from their perspective. Bian Ao is fully aware that I will come to settle old scores with him, yet he cannot split himself. The only method is to seek assistance from Mo Chuo. Ha! Mo Chuo is an old friend of mine, and seizing this opportunity, he will naturally extend his hospitality, hosting a grand banquet to welcome his younger brother. Eliminating me would be more to his liking than taking down Suoge. Therefore, waiting for us behind this mountain range is not just Bian Ao, but also the most formidable elite troops and generals under Mo Chuo's command. Passing through the narrow path is not a problem, but if our retreat is cut off, no matter how strong we are, facing relentless pursuit day and night from the enemy, it is certain that not many will return alive.

The wind passed by the courtyard indifferently and said: "This is a tough battle!"

The wind passed through the courtyard, and he said: "In the past, it was claimed that there were two thousand troops in the border expedition. In my view, the number should be between one thousand five hundred and one thousand eight hundred. However, in the battle outside the city of Kucha, at least two to three hundred were killed, with nearly a hundred taken down by Lord Eagle himself. Therefore, even if the core of seasoned and battle-hardened soldiers has increased, it should not exceed one thousand five hundred. The additional four thousand or so are all new recruits, who will only drag down their combat effectiveness"

The wind passed through the courtyard, and with a displeased tone, it said: "I am not afraid of you, you fool. Even if you are as arrogant as a crossbow, and possess that indifferent demeanor as if the world outside is of no concern, you still tremble in fear at the name of Lord Eagle."

In the days leading up to the assassination of Li Xian, two notorious figures, "Poison Prince" Kang Daosheng and "Yama King" Fang Jianli, disguised themselves as members of the Demon Gate. At the request of Li Xian, Yang Qingren, who had just arrived in the capital, provided him with a divination. The hexagram indicated the time of the three transmissions: Hai, Mao, and Wei. The reading suggested that the Hai represented a snake, which was an ominous sign, yet the presence of Hai also indicated longevity, transforming the ominous into auspicious. It predicted that within three days, there would be danger, but ultimately, one would navigate through peril unscathed. This hexagram led everyone to ponder who could threaten Li Xian's life, aside from those who had previously attempted to assassinate him in Xiangyang. Consequently, a comprehensive trap was laid, akin to waiting for a hare by the stump. Many were skeptical, yet little did they know that Yang Qingren's divination would prove remarkably accurate, with the only unforeseen element being that the "two great demons" managed to escape.

It was precisely due to this identity that he maintained a connection with Li Xian, gaining the trust and affection of Li Xian, who was deeply engrossed in the study of divination. Furthermore, as they belonged to the same clan, they naturally united as one. Yang Qingren, relying on his familial ties, came to the capital to participate in the grand ceremony of Li Xian.

In the distance to the west, the green belt of vegetation along the eastern bank of the Peacock River is faintly visible. To the south lies a rugged semi-desert area, with the Kuruktag Mountains stretching across, dividing the north from the south. The majestic mountain range is awe-inspiring. Beyond the mountains is predominantly the territory of the Huigu people, which is also an active area for the Xueyan Tuo horse bandits led by the "Bandit King" Bian Yao. Due to the complex terrain, where desert and grassland intermingle, Bian Yao moves like a fish in water, able to retreat into the desert and mountainous regions when conditions are unfavorable. Thus, despite the strength of the Huigu and the determination of the Dujie faction, they have been unable to capture him.

Continuing with great interest, he asked Long Ying: "Why did you suddenly ask if Bian Ao is afraid of you? The person most qualified to answer this question is me, for I was once your enemy. In four words, it can be summarized as 'impossible to grasp.' When engaging with your elder brother, no one can predict what terrifying event will occur in the next moment. This is precisely a major taboo in military strategy; it is the situation where the enemy knows me, but I do not know the enemy."

Turning to Dingfumindao: "How long is the nearest Muling Pass?"

Once the shock subsided, Li Xian arrived at the Xiangyang Palace's Immortal Residence to report the assassination attempt to the Empress Dowager. It was only at that moment that Wu Zhao realized that Long Ying had gone with Fa Ming to assassinate her own son, and she suspected that "Li Qingren" was actually Yang Qingren. Naturally, she maintained her composure on the surface, comforted Li Xian, and promised to do her utmost to apprehend the culprit.

This camp is an ancient castle with a long history, built during the Han Dynasty. It was later abandoned, but during the prosperous Tang Dynasty under Emperor Li Shimin, it was renovated and expanded to serve as an outpost outside the Great Wall. It possesses strong defensive capabilities and can accommodate thousands of soldiers, making it an ideal meeting point

He asked Ding Fumin: "What is the latest intelligence on the Soga battle line?"

The wind passed through the courtyard as Long Ying said: "Brother Mi is a natural-born warrior. Just three days into his new marriage, he insisted on sparring with me, claiming it was to test my Heavenly Sword, but in reality, he was simply itching for a fight. Alas! Ever since then, every morning, I must first attend to him"

Long Eagle Dao: "I am indicating that this path is blocked, yet I have not yet thought of any clever strategies. I only know that since we have come this far, merely eliminating the bandits will not satisfy my ambitions. It is necessary to expand our efforts and completely turn the advantageous situation in our favor."

The diviner and the divine physician, "Li Qingren" and "Wang Tingjing," became the greatest beneficiaries of the assassination incident in the Eastern Palace. Their names spread like wildfire, gaining widespread notoriety. Qian Dai, who portrayed "Wang Tingjing," even deliberately delayed her departure from the ship, staying in the capital for an additional seven days before the Empress personally arranged for her "departure".

However, from the beginning, the Great Zhou Dynasty had a fateful weakness, which was the lack of successors. Whether it was the Li Tang royal family or the descendants of the Wu clan, they were all incapable individuals, resulting in a situation where, despite the nation's increasing strength and wealth, internal instability prevailed.

The Empress is not without the power to counterattack, but her heart is no longer within the court; it is now beyond the material realm. Moreover, she possesses the unique asset of the Dragon Hawk, which strives to secure for her the "final victory" that will usher in another prosperous era. In such circumstances, Li Xian ascended to the throne of Crown Prince for the second time amidst the expectations of the world.

In the first year of the Da Zhou Shengli, in September, Li Xian, the third son of Wu Zhao, ascended to the position of Crown Prince once again, becoming the heir apparent for the second time

The leading general is Ding Fumin, whose ancestors were Huihe people. Later, due to the turmoil of war, they migrated to Han territory. After several generations of settling down, they have come to regard themselves as Han people. The family has served in the military for generations, producing many renowned generals. Ding Fumin, in particular, is young and talented, closely associated with Guo Yuanzhen, and is one of his trusted and relied-upon aides. During the Long Eagle Expedition, he demonstrated loyalty alongside Sun Wanrong, achieving great merit and being promoted to a general. He is well-acquainted with Long Eagle and has no issues in terms of cooperation.

His good news refers to intelligence from the Tianshan hunting tribe. After the battle outside the city of Kuqa, the band of horse thieves led by Bian Ao has been closely monitored by these outstanding hunters who are familiar with the surrounding environment.

Ding Fumin stated: "According to the information received three months ago, the Soga organized a large-scale counterattack involving various divisions of the Tujue, forcing the Zhenlu and the Turks back to Gongyue City. However, the Turkish reinforcements arrived, and the Soga suffered several defeats, necessitating a retreat to Suye City. This operation resulted in significant losses for him, and the fall of the city is only a matter of time."

Long Ying was taken back to the capital in the third year of Tian Shou, where he encountered an assassination attempt. He was reborn from the brink of death after a fiery ordeal in the water, mastering the "Dao Heart Cultivating Demonic Method," a skill that had never been achieved by anyone throughout history, except for Xiang Yutian. On the second day after arriving in the capital, Long Ying, under the watchful eyes of thousands, fought against the evil monk Xue Huaiyi in the imperial city, rising from an unknown individual to a renowned figure that captivated the world. He also led an expedition to restore the morale of the Great Zhou after the disastrous defeat at the Xiasi Valley battle.

The sound of Xue'er’s whinnying was heard, followed by a response from the herd of horses. Xue'er's excitement for the battle was no less than that of the challenging heavens.

Fortunately, the fat elder was moved by the considerations of interests and the overall situation. Firstly, it would alert the enemy, and secondly, it would not be conducive to the current atmosphere. Most critically, it would lead people to associate her with being the instigator behind the 'two great demons.' As long as the Jiang faction uses this to spread rumors and create trouble, the consequences would be unimaginable

After Li Xian left, he immediately summoned the corpulent eunuch. Surprisingly, Wu Zetian did not fly into a rage for being kept in the dark; instead, she sought the eunuch's opinion on how to deal with Yang Qingren and counter the further infiltration of the Jianglian Alliance. True to her imperial nature, she was naturally inclined to execute without mercy and felt a thrill at the thought of luring him into a trap, intending to take matters into her own hands to see how he would fare with the combined skills of the "Essence of All Laws" from the Imperial Canon, the "Immortal Seal Technique," and Bai Qing'er’s demonic arts.

Did Bian Ao know that we would come

After fleeing from the Eastern Palace, Long Ying boarded the ship carrying his many beautiful wives to the plateau, where the plump eunuch informed him about the situation following the failed assassination attempt on Li Xian by the "two great demons".

Lin Zhuang and Ding Fumin chuckled upon hearing this, while Feng Guoting merely shook his head

Eight years ago, the monk Wang Fa Ming used the "Da Yun Jing" to promote Wu Zetian, directly indicating that Empress Wu Zetian was the incarnation of Maitreya Buddha, destined to replace the Tang dynasty as the ruler of the world. Similarly, in September, over 60,000 officials, royal relatives, common people, tribal leaders, and monks submitted petitions urging her ascension. Wu Zetian then ascended the Zhetian Gate, replaced the Tang dynasty with the Zhou dynasty, and proclaimed herself the Holy Divine Emperor, bestowing titles upon the Wu family kings and changing the era name to Tian Shou. Similarly, in September, over 60,000 officials, royal relatives, common people, tribal leaders, and monks submitted petitions urging her ascension. Wu Zetian then ascended the Zhetian Gate, replaced the Tang dynasty with the Zhou dynasty, and proclaimed herself the Holy Divine Emperor, bestowing titles upon the Wu family kings and changing the era name to Tian Shou.

Everyone nodded in agreement, as the insights shared were profound and well-founded.

Lin Zhuang said: "Since you know we are coming, Bian Ao will certainly not be unprepared."

Long Ying turned to Ding Fumin and asked, "What is the situation regarding the突骑施 forces?"

Ding Fumin, with a troubled expression, said: "Regarding that matter, we learned about it from merchants and travelers, so our knowledge is limited. We only know that the commander of the Turkic army is a general named Danluodu, who is fierce and skilled in warfare. Without his support, Zhenu will surely be driven out of Gongyue City"

Under the strong persuasion of the corpulent official, and in order to consolidate Long Ying's position as "Fan Qingzhou" and to secure Li Xian's loyalty, the Empress would reward Yang Qingren for his significant contributions by enfeoffing him as the King of Hejian. At this point, the Jiang Lian had closely allied with Li Xian's faction, and together with the Wu family's descendants and the influential ministers supporting Li Xian, they formed an unstoppable political force, increasingly distancing themselves from the Empress.

Long Ying pondered: "Are you afraid of me, Bian Ao?"

The wind suddenly interrupted him, saying: "Someone is coming!"

Long Ying remarked: "Young Master seems to have undergone a transformation, becoming much more proactive and enthusiastic in his endeavors."

Mi Nan Tian smiled and said: "Young master should be thanking me instead. Without my supervision, I guarantee that even when the sun reaches its zenith, you would still be unwilling to come out. Now, even the horse cannot be mounted."

It was under such circumstances that Long Ying had no choice but to take the step of assassinating Li Xian, only to be thwarted by Yang Qingren, the grandson of the once formidable "shadow assassin" Yang Xuyan from the early Tang dynasty, returning empty-handed.

Long Ying recalled the green shortcut through the Taklamakan Desert in winter, still feeling a sense of trepidation. He smiled and said, "Walking alongside the great river feels much more reassuring."

As the wind swept through the courtyard, I gazed towards the direction of the Peacock River and remarked: "Given the current situation, it seems the only way forward is to head north along the Peacock River. Do you remember? This was the route that Antian mentioned for traveling to the city of Kucha."

The eyes of the crowd turned towards the direction of Peacock River, where dozens of riders kicked up dust, galloping swiftly towards the ancient castle in the glow of the setting sun

After reaching the flat ground, the dragon eagles lay low during the day and move at night, heading northeast. As autumn ends and winter arrives, the weather becomes severe, and the ancient trade routes between the Taklamakan Desert and the Altyn-Tagh Mountains are deserted. They bypassed the Puchang Sea and continued for another five days, arriving at a secret camp located about fifty miles east of the Peacock River, at the foot of the Kuruktag Mountains, where they met with the five hundred elite soldiers sent by Guo Yuanzhen.

Lin Zhuangsong said in one breath: "As long as Master Eagle brings out the folding bow, I guarantee that all the ambushers will become live targets."

Although he did not articulate it, everyone understood his implication. He pointed out that Bian Ao not only had an absolute advantage in numbers but also operated on his own territory, taking advantage of ease over labor. When a surprise force is no longer a surprise, they will turn into moths drawn to the flame, leading to their own destruction. If it were not for Long Ying in charge, he would have immediately retreated at this moment to prevent his subordinates from going to their deaths

Lin Zhuang asked: "Is it possible to ride a horse?"

Mi Nan Tian stretched his muscles and bones, and said with delight: "After Jifeng City, to fight alongside Lord Eagle and Young Master again, along with Brothers Lin and Ding, there will be no regrets!"

Ding Fumin stated: "Mo Chuo has publicly expressed support for Bian Ao's restoration of the country, which has significantly boosted Bian Ao's reputation, gathering over 20,000 people, with around 5,000 soldiers capable of going to the battlefield, posing the greatest threat to the southern front of the Dujie Zhi. With the support of the Turks, Zhe Nu attacked Gongyue City, and Bian Ao began to plunder the tribes and villages of the Huihe, employing brutal methods. Dujie Zhi repeatedly dispatched troops to suppress them, with victories and defeats on both sides, yet they were constrained and unable to move, merely standing by and watching the suffering of Suoge."

Long Yingxin pondered that the information received from the front lines was far more accurate than what he had heard in the Divine Capital. He had already given up all hope, but unexpectedly, Suoge was still making a desperate struggle. This intelligence brought him a joy that he had not yet missed the opportunity.

Long Eagle Dao: "Our movements can be easily deduced as long as Aoyou receives the whispers sent from the Divine Capital. Especially since Brother Mi and the Young Master left for the Divine Capital less than two days ago and departed with the ship, it is clear that they are heading to the plateau to meet with my younger brother. Furthermore, from the timing, it can be inferred that we must leave the plateau before the snowstorm blocks the roads"

The most concerning issue is the Great River Alliance, which poses a significant threat to the core of the Zhou Dynasty. They have employed cunning strategies to successfully infiltrate the faction of Li Xian, exploiting the ambitions of Li Xian's wife, the Wei clan, to orchestrate a conspiracy aimed at subverting the world.