Great Qin, Yandi Border!
As far as the eye could see, a towering Jingguan a mound made entirely of human skulls stood ominously upon the vast grasslands.
This place was only a few miles away from Great Qin's Xiangping City.
Months had passed, and the once overwhelming stench had gradually faded, now covered beneath a blanket of snow, making the scene even more chilling.
"We're finally back."
Zhao Feng gazed at the towering Jingguan before him, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Then
Raising the Overlord Spear high in the air, he roared with a mighty voice:
"Brothers, I'm taking you home!"
That single word home stirred deep emotions within every soldier behind him.
"Home! We're finally going home!"
"The heavens have watched over us!"
…
The surviving warriors, their voices trembling with emotion, erupted into joyous shouts.
If one were to look closely, every single one of them was clad in bloodstained armor, appearing weary and battle-worn.
But only they knew
How many enemies had they slain in this campaign against the barbarian tribes?
How many enemy settlements had they razed to the ground?
Yet if one looked even closer.
Almost every soldier carried a black cloth-wrapped box strapped to their backs.
"Brothers, we're going home."
"The Grand General is leading us back."
"We have won this war!"
"With this battle, the enemy is crippled!"
"For years to come, they will not dare invade our Great Qin!"
…
Each warrior looked at the box they carried, speaking softly to it, their words filled with warmth.
Beneath their hardened exteriors lay hearts filled with unbreakable bonds.
This campaign
Had lasted over four months.
Zhao Feng led 12,000 men deep into enemy territory.
But after months of fierce battles, the toll had been heavy.
They had set out with 12,000 warriors yet now, fewer than 5,000 remained.
Including Zhang Han's 2,000 cavalry, the total casualties had reached nearly 6,000.
Compared to the tens of thousands of enemy warriors they had slain, this number seemed small.
But to Zhao Feng and his soldiers, every lost comrade was a brother
A comrade who had fought side by side with them, sharing life and death.
"Brothers, let's go home!"
Zhao Feng's voice thundered across the plains.
He spurred his warhorse forward, charging toward the borders of Great Qin.
"Home!"
His soldiers roared in unison, galloping towards the Qin territory just ahead.
After so long in enemy lands, they were finally returning home.
Xiangping City!
Tu Sui and Li You commanded the garrison forces here, overseeing nearly 200,000 troops stationed in the region.
This was by royal decree.
If any ill news came from the northern front, Xiangping's garrison was to march north at once.
As the closest city to the border, any major developments from Donghu would be reported to Xiangping first.
Months had passed.
Once ravaged by the barbarian hordes, Xiangping had now been restored, and many refugees who had once fled were returning.
Yet despite the recovery, the city was a shadow of its former self ten households remained where a hundred once stood.
Innumerable families had been slaughtered young and old, noble and commoner alike.
For the surviving citizens, the day of the enemy's invasion remained an unshakable nightmare one they would never forget.
Finally
"Quick! Open the gates!"
"The Grand General has returned!"
"Hurry!"
A dozen scout riders galloped toward the city gates, shouting urgently.
Hearing this, the gate captain glanced up, his face lighting up with excitement.
"Open the gates immediately!"
"Inform the two generals at once!"
"The Grand General has returned victorious!"
His voice trembled with eagerness.
To the people of Great Qin
Zhao Feng was nothing short of a hero.
His reputation in the army and among the people was unmatched.
To the soldiers of Wu'an Camp, he was their spirit, their faith, their very soul.
Now that he had returned, how could they not rejoice?
"This is wonderful!"
"The Grand General has returned safely!"
"His safe return is a blessing to us all!"
"Stop standing around! Prepare at once!"
"Tell the kitchen to roast meat and warm the wine let's welcome the Grand General back!"
Excited voices echoed across the city walls.
To them, Zhao Feng's return was an immense honor, not just for Great Qin but for all of Huaxia.
On a grander scale
With this victory, Zhao Feng was not only Great Qin's hero he was the hero of all Han Chinese.
"Zhao Feng, the Grand General, has returned!"
"Quick, he is our savior!"
"If not for him, we would all have perished at the hands of the barbarians!"
"Prepare wine and meat let us welcome the Grand General home!"
"Zhao Feng is a true hero! Our entire family owes our survival to him this old man must go and welcome him personally!"
As news spread
The city's people, upon hearing the scout's words, abandoned their tasks and flocked to the main street.
Every single citizen carried deep gratitude in their hearts.
Within moments
The road leading from the gates was lined with tens of thousands of people.
Aside from the youngest of infants, nearly every resident of Xiangping had gathered.
Even as the winter wind howled, and many trembled from the cold, none were willing to leave.
Just then
From within the city
Tu Sui and Li You, flanked by their guards, galloped swiftly toward the gates.
Upon seeing the massive crowd, they were momentarily stunned.
"In the dead of winter, with the snow still falling…"
"Why have so many gathered here?" Li You asked, puzzled.
"The Grand General has returned."
"The people have heard the news."
"After all, Zhao Feng's campaign wasn't just about securing Great Qin's borders he fought to avenge the hundreds of thousands slaughtered by the enemy in Yandi."
"How could these people not understand?"
"They have come of their own will to welcome him home." Tu Sui replied with a smile.
Li You nodded, his eyes filled with respect.
"The Grand General truly deserves the reverence of Great Qin's army and people alike."
Then
A thought crossed Tu Sui's mind.
"By the way"
"Has anyone informed Miss Zhao that the Grand General has returned?"
"A messenger has already been sent to the military infirmary." Li You answered with a smile.
When Zhao Ying was mentioned, Li You's eyes lit up instantly, his fondness for her completely undisguised.
Seeing this, Tu Sui couldn't help but shake his head.
This Li You was truly persistent.
Ever since Zhao Ying was transferred to the Wu'an military camp to take charge of the military medical unit, treating wounded soldiers, Li You had been pursuing her, expressing his feelings openly.
Now, nearly two years had passed.
Li You remained relentless.
The entire army knew about it.
Some officers had even set up a betting pool, wagering on whether Zhao Ying would eventually accept him.
But this was merely a topic of amusement.
Soon.
The city gates opened.
Tu Sui and Li You dismounted, stepping onto the thin layer of snow outside the city gates.
They waited in silence.
Finally.
After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense.
Clip-clop.
Clip-clop, clip-clop.
The sound of hooves echoed through the air.
Snowflakes swirled.
From a distance, thousands of cavalrymen galloped toward Xiangping City, their horses trampling the snow beneath them.
As they reached the gates.
The soldiers on the city walls and those within the city all stared in stunned silence.
The Qin cavalry returning before them looked as if they had emerged straight from the depths of hell like vengeful demons, ruthless and fearsome.
Every one of them was disheveled, their faces, armor, and entire bodies stained with blood.
It was not just them their warhorses were also drenched in blood.
The scent of blood clung to them so thickly that even from a distance, it was palpable.
Against the vast expanse of white snow, their crimson-stained figures stood in stark contrast.
The vivid red of fresh blood against the pure white of the snow.
Four months of relentless slaughter.
Zhao Feng had led his men through continuous raids killing and fleeing, a strategy carried out simultaneously. He never engaged the enemy's main forces head-on.
His goal was to weaken the enemy, not to lead his men to their deaths.
Thus, they had no opportunity to wash away the blood on their bodies.
"Subordinate humbly welcomes the Grand General back in triumph!"
Tu Sui and Li You strode forward and bowed deeply to Zhao Feng.
The guards outside the city and the soldiers on the city walls also bowed in unison.
"Welcome back, Grand General!"
Their resounding voices echoed throughout Xiangping.
"Enough."
"Spare me the formalities."
"Tell the field cooks to prepare hot water. My men and I haven't bathed in over four months."
Zhao Feng waved his hand, uninterested in any unnecessary words.
The stench of blood and filth on his body was something he had long grown weary of.
"Understood!"
The two men responded at once.
"Also."
Zhao Feng's expression darkened slightly as he turned to look at the warriors behind him, his gaze settling on the black cloth-wrapped boxes strapped to their backs.
Four months of battle.
Thousands of brothers had perished in enemy territory.
However.
Though they had fallen, their spirits endured.
As their general, Zhao Feng had not left their corpses behind in foreign lands. Instead, he had their remains cremated and brought them home.
Not a single one was left behind.
Even if it meant charging into enemy settlements and braving peril, Zhao Feng never abandoned a single brother.
He had promised to bring them home, and he would not go back on his word.
Now.
They had all returned home.
"Dig graves behind Xiangping City and erect tombstones under their military titles."
"Tomorrow, I will personally lay my brothers to rest." Zhao Feng's voice carried a trace of sorrow.
Upon hearing this.
Tu Sui and Li You turned their eyes toward the black cloth bundles carried by the warriors.
They understood.
These were the remains of comrades who had died in enemy lands.
Their gazes turned solemn and respectful.
"Grand General."
"Brothers."
"Let us take care of our fallen comrades' remains."
Tu Sui stepped forward and spoke firmly.
Then.
He waved his hand.
The thousands of soldiers guarding the city gates thrust their weapons into the ground.
They strode toward the returning cavalry.
Yet, they did not immediately take the remains. Instead, they turned to Zhao Feng for his command.
"Hand over our fallen brothers' remains to them."
"Let them build their graves under their military titles. Tomorrow, we will see them off one last time." Zhao Feng's voice rang out.
"By your command!"
Thousands of warriors responded in unison.
They then unfastened the black cloth-wrapped bundles from their backs and solemnly handed them over to the comrades who had remained behind.
Once all the fallen soldiers' remains had been taken for proper arrangements.
Zhao Feng raised his hand.
"Enter the city."
Tu Sui and Li You immediately stepped aside.
With reverence in their eyes, they watched as Zhao Feng and his battle-hardened warriors rode into the city.
"This battle…"
"Just from the state of the Grand General and his men, one can tell how brutal it was."
"Four months deep in enemy territory, fighting and surviving each day by the skin of their teeth." Tu Sui sighed.
"Without a doubt."
"This army is the mightiest force of our Qin Empire none in the world can rival them." Li You also spoke in awe.
As Zhao Feng rode through the city.
"Welcome back, Grand General!"
"Thank you, Grand General, for avenging the people of Yan!"
"Welcome back, Grand General!"
From both sides of the main road, thunderous cries erupted.
Zhao Feng looked around.
Tens of thousands of civilians had gathered on either side of the road, all kneeling on the snow-covered ground, shouting their gratitude with heartfelt emotion.
Seeing this.
Zhao Feng was caught off guard.
"Fathers and elders, please rise at once."
"Winter has come, the cold is bitter do not let yourselves be harmed by the frost."
Seeing the commoners kneeling on both sides of the road, Zhao Feng immediately spoke to dissuade them.
Winter in this era was brutally cold, and people could freeze to death.
With no cotton clothing available, they had to rely on bonfires and charcoal to keep warm.
"General Zhao!"
"We came here specifically to thank you for leading the army in avenging us."
"We have all heard of your deeds in the lands of the northern tribes."
"You led the troops and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of those barbarian scum, even destroying their royal court. You have avenged us people of the northern frontier!"
"My son and daughter-in-law were both killed by the barbarians. Now, it's just this old man and my grandson left."
"You have avenged the blood debt, General! I am endlessly grateful!"
An elderly man, nearly seventy years old, stepped forward with his grandson, tears streaming down his face as he spoke.
"As a soldier of Great Qin, and more importantly, as a warrior of Huaxia,"
"Slaying invaders and annihilating enemies is my duty."
"There is no need for such gratitude, Elder."
Zhao Feng quickly dismounted and spoke warmly.
"General Zhao."
"I understand."
"After you defeated the invading barbarians, you didn't have to venture deep into their territory and take such risks."
"But you did so to avenge the hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians who perished at their hands."
"I know this, and all the people of the northern frontier know it as well."
"Your great kindness and virtue…"
"I will remember it forever."
"I only pray that General Zhao's path is smooth, that you overcome every danger, and that you enjoy peace and prosperity for the rest of your life."
As he spoke, the old man knelt once more with his grandson, bowing deeply in gratitude.
"General Zhao's great kindness, we will never forget!"
"May General Zhao enjoy peace and prosperity!"
The voices of the commoners rose in unison, filled with heartfelt gratitude and sincerity.
This…
Perhaps this was all they could do.
To them, Zhao Feng was not only their savior. If he had not led the army north to defeat the barbarians, they might have already been slaughtered under foreign blades.
And more than that, he was their avenger.
Zhao Feng had led his troops deep into enemy territory, spending over four months in ceaseless battle.
Given his status, he had no obligation to do so.
But he did.
Who could not admire such loyalty and righteousness?
Listening to the tens of thousands of citizens calling out in heartfelt gratitude, Zhao Feng was visibly moved.
"Thank you, my fellow countrymen."
"I, Zhao Feng, will never allow you to suffer under the oppression of foreign invaders again!" Zhao Feng cupped his fists toward the people.
Then, he mounted his horse once more and rode toward the city.
Zhao Feng knew that if he lingered, the commoners would not leave either, remaining in the bitter cold.
"Welcome home, warriors of Great Qin!"
"Welcome home, warriors of Great Qin!"
As Zhao Feng and his soldiers rode forward, the crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the city.
At that moment, every soldier was deeply moved.
"Perhaps…"
"This is the true purpose behind the General leading us into battle."
"Such sincere gratitude…"
"Every single barbarian we killed was worth it."
Every soldier couldn't help but think to themselves.
"There may still be rebellion in the lands of the Three Jin, those nobles and remnants of fallen states who resist Qin."
"But the people of Yan… They will never rebel again, thanks to the General."
Tu Sui and Li You exchanged glances, silently coming to the same conclusion.
Upon reaching the military camp inside the city,
At the entrance, a woman in a light blue dress was already waiting.
It was Zhao Ying.
Seeing Zhao Feng covered in blood,
"Brother!"
"You're finally back!"
Tears welled in Zhao Ying's eyes as she rushed forward.
Zhao Feng quickly dismounted, about to tell her that he was filthy,
But Zhao Ying didn't care at all, throwing herself into his arms.
"Brother…"
"I was so worried about you."
"You left without a word and went deep into the northern plains, into enemy territory. I was terrified!"
Seeing her brother return alive, all the worry she had been suppressing for months instantly broke free, and she could no longer hold back her tears.
Though she was already twenty-two,
She was still just a little girl in front of her brother.
In front of him,
Zhao Ying had no reservations.
"Can't you tell I reek?"
"Now that you've hugged me, you stink too." Zhao Feng said warmly, gently stroking her hair.
"As long as you're back alive, nothing else matters." Zhao Ying lifted her tear-streaked face, filled with concern.
"Did those barbarian scum think they could kill your brother? Impossible." Zhao Feng replied with a gentle smile.
"Now that you're back, you won't be leaving again, right?"
Zhao Ying looked into his eyes, her voice carrying a hint of questioning.
Zhao Feng understood that this was his sister's concern for him.
"The barbarian royal court has already been destroyed. What would I go back for?"
"Though…"
"There may still be one more battle. Once it's over, I'll take you back to Xianyang." Zhao Feng said with a smile.
Though he hadn't personally encountered the King of Donghu,
The fact that Donghu's forces had mobilized in an attempt to encircle and annihilate him meant that their king would not let this humiliation go unanswered.
Perhaps, even now, a great army of Donghu warriors was already marching south.
However,
Zhao Feng had never feared them before, and he certainly wouldn't start now.
With their royal court destroyed, their supplies, warhorses, and provisions lost,
Even if the King of Donghu mustered his forces for war,
They wouldn't last long before being forced to retreat.
They simply lacked the resources to sustain a prolonged invasion.
Zhao Feng would wait for them here in Xiangping City.
If the King of Donghu dared to come, Zhao Feng would gladly meet him in battle.
"Miss Zhao,"
"Perhaps let the General wash up first."
"He hasn't had a proper bath in over four months." Li You stepped forward, smiling as he spoke.
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