Chapter 148: The Moon Hidden by Clouds (4)
After a flurry of commotions, a period of lull continued. This was because the strongest masters on both sides had sustained heavy injuries.
The reinforcements stationed in the mountains also had to spend their days in boredom.
And another five days passed.
A junior officer rushed into the command tent.
The commanders, who were studying the tactical map, turned their heads.
“What is it?”
“The enemy is withdrawing!”
The commanders sprang to their feet, filled with joy.
“What?!”
“Is that true?”
One of the commanders near the entrance looked outside the tent and shouted, “Hahaha! They are indeed retreating! We did it!”
And with that, the cheers of the soldiers began to shake the earth.
“Waaaaah!!!”
“Hurrah!!!”
Cheers of victory filled with joy erupted from all sides.
However, Sama Cheol’s face was filled with suspicion.
“We must not be deceived by them. Their strength is superior to ours, yet they are retreating without even fighting properly? It makes no sense.”
Yue Fei, seated at the head, clasped his hands as he replied, “It is not a feigned retreat.”
He looked as if he had expected it.
The other commanders still had questions.
“Is there a reason?”
“First is the psychological factor. The fortress has received supplies, and they have an enemy at their rear, which must be psychologically burdensome. If it turns into a war of attrition, their own supply lines could become an issue. Above all…”
Yue Fei glanced at So-mu. He then continued, “It is because Wanyan Hui’s own plans have been disrupted. Strategists dislike fighting in uncertainty.”
So-mu nodded, adding to Yue Fei’s words.
“They will return to invade once they create a more favorable situation. There is no reason for them to force a fight now.”
Just then, Adjutant Zhang Xian said with a flushed face, “In any case, since the enemy is withdrawing, shouldn’t we launch a surprise attack on their rear and inflict damage?”
Yue Fei shook his head firmly.
“He is not someone so easy to catch off guard. Take a look outside.”
The commanders went outside the tent and observed the retreating formation. After a moment, one of them noticed something and muttered, “They have divided their cavalry into several units.”
The cavalry was divided into ten units, each numbering about three thousand.
Yue Fei nodded and explained, “Those cavalry units will take turns guarding the flanks and rear of their main force. If we rashly attack their retreating main force, we will instead face a counterattack from the cavalry.”
“Is there no way?”
“We would have to defeat the guarding cavalry first. But do we have the capacity to do so now?”
The allied cavalry numbered only two thousand. Moreover, defeating cavalry with infantry was no easy task.
“Sigh. To think we have to let them go so easily…”
“We also have no reason to force a fight now. Let us prepare for the future.”
So-mu, who had been watching silently, asked Yue Fei, “What do you plan to do now?”
“We will stay in Xiangyang Fortress for a few days and then station ourselves in Fancheng. If the Wolf Fang Squad has nothing urgent, rest here for a few days.”
“Thank you for the offer, but we will return to Chang’an first.”
“I heard you have a daughter. You must be eager to return and see her.”
So-mu smiled quietly.
“Please give my regards to General Han Shizhong.”
“Haha. I will. Once you return, please give my regards to the Military Governor.”
“Understood. See you again.”
***
The march of the Wolf Fang Squad back to Chang’an Fortress was light.
They had succeeded in liberating the besieged Xiangyang Fortress without a major clash.
They had completed their mission without a single casualty.
Since they were dragging the captured Mountain Lord, their marching speed was slow. Thus, Commander Han Baek’s cavalry had already returned ahead of them.
Il-gwang looked back, encouraging his men.
“We’re almost there! Once we arrive, we can eat our fill, so hang in there!”
The squad members grumbled from behind.
“You’re the one who captured it, so why are we doing all the hard work?”
“Seriously, isn’t this too much?”
The bound Mountain Lord was placed on a large wagon.
Since it was a terrifyingly massive spirit beast rarely seen in the world, it was covered with a cloth to avoid causing panic among the civilians.
Due to its immense weight, the wagon’s wheels had broken long ago. Thus, the squad members were taking turns carrying it on their shoulders.
“I’m injured. Next time we find a beast like this, you guys catch it. Then I’ll carry it alone.”
Having fought a physical battle with the Mountain Lord, Il-gwang’s appearance was a mess.
His Wolf Fang Squad armor was in tatters, and he was covered in claw scratches. However, those were only superficial. He had not sustained a single critical injury.
The squad members knew this well, so they only pouted.
After another hour, the gate of Chang’an Fortress came into view in the distance. Suddenly, a beautiful melody began to drift from somewhere.
“Is that a tung flute?”
“Who is playing the tung flute here?”
The tune was bright and cheerful, reflecting the joy of the player.
So-mu, who was walking at the front, smiled as he recognized the location.
On a small hill about ten zhang ahead, his daughter was blowing a tung flute.
“It’s So-so!”
“Haha! How did she know we were coming?”
The squad members waved at the niece they adored.
Beside So-so, a woman stood watching them.
With her hair neatly pinned up and dressed in elegant robes, she was staring intently at So-mu.
It was Yeon Seo-hwa, who had been dragged out by So-so.
“Master, play with me!”
“…Yes?”
“Grandfather said that if we play music here, Father and the uncles will be happy. Heeheehee.”
She was asking her to join in welcoming the returning soldiers.
Given who she was, it was an unthinkable request. Yet she could not refuse her disciple’s plea.
“Shall… shall we?”
Reluctantly, Yeon Seo-hwa took out the seven-string zither from her back.
Seating herself gracefully, she extended her snow-white hands. In the next instant, a beautiful melody blended with the cheerful notes of the tung flute, caressing the ears of the soldiers.
The fatigue from their march vanished in an instant. It was a remarkable performance that energized not only their minds but also their physical bodies. Smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.
After a moment, So-so stopped playing and ran into So-mu’s arms.
“Father! Did you miss me?”
“I missed you every day. Our daughter’s flute skills have improved a lot.”
“Do you want to hear more?”
“Yes. Shall we listen once we get back?”
“Heehee. Okay! By the way, is that my present?”
The uncles were carrying a massive object. She was incredibly curious about what was hidden under the cloth.
On the other hand, So-mu was flustered. He realized he had not bought a present this time.
He did not want to disappoint his daughter.
“You noticed? It’s a surprise present, so I’ll give it to you later.”
How could he give the Mountain Lord as a present? She might get eaten. He planned to buy time and purchase a suitable gift later.
Clinging to his chest, So-so wrapped her small arms around her father’s neck.
“Heehee. I knew it. Thank you, Father!”
So-mu patted his daughter’s back and approached Seo-hwa.
“Thank you, Yeon-mae. To think you prepared such a welcome.”
It was unusual behavior for her. Thus, So-mu’s eyes were filled with gratitude.
Crossing her arms, she scanned So-mu’s body.
“You don’t seem to be hurt.”
“Of course. Has everything been alright?”
Seo-hwa nodded with her usual expressionless face.
“I will be at Mount Yangju, so come by in the evening. After you wash.”
Mount Yangju was where her quarters were located.
So-mu nodded with a knowing smile.
“Yes. See you later.”
***
A sudden downpour drenched the world.
The heavy rain continued into the night. It was so thick that one could not see even a step ahead. Thus, the palace grounds were deserted.
The streets were empty.
A small figure was making its way through the downpour.
It was a child dressed in a black raincoat, looking like a stray cat.
“My present.”
So-so could not contain her curiosity about the present. Her father had said he would give it to her tomorrow, but every minute felt like a day.
She had already figured out where the present had been taken. Although she did not know what it was, it was massive.
After walking for a while, she met a familiar officer. It was a patrol guard surveying the palace grounds.
“Hello, uncle!”
“So-so? Why are you out in this rain? It’s not your shift yet, is it?”
“I’m going to find my present!”
So-so’s smile stretched from ear to ear. The guard smirked at the sight.
“You must be happy.”
“Yes! Very happy. Heehee.”
“Hurry back. You might catch a cold.”
So-so clasped her hands and bowed politely.
“Yes, uncle. Goodbye!”
Arriving at the military camp, So-so looked around.
“Where did they hide it?”
She searched every likely spot, but could not find it easily.
After a long search, she found something.
In a clearing about twenty zhang from the archers’ training ground, a massive tent had been pitched. Furthermore, guards were stationed around it.
To have such tight security in this downpour was indeed suspicious.
Watching from afar, So-so grinned.
“Are you guarding my present so no one steals it?”
She muttered to herself in the rain.
Since she was too curious, she decided to take a quick peek.
Slipping to the back of the tent, So-so lowered her body and crept closer. Since she was small and wore a black raincoat, the guards did not notice her.
Reaching her target, So-so gently lifted the edge of the tent.
She slipped her small head inside. In the next instant, two gasps sounded simultaneously.
“Gasp!”
Pulling her head back out, So-so blinked in the pouring rain.
“That’s a huge kitty.”
She had never seen such a large cat before. Since she had never even seen a tiger in pictures, it was a natural reaction.
Having made up her mind, So-so crawled inside the tent.
The house-sized cat was bound tightly with chains. Its body was covered in scratches. Seeing it close its eyes and pant heavily, it seemed to be in a lot of pain.
“Poor thing…”
So-so paced around the Mountain Lord with her hands on her waist.
Hearing a presence, the Mountain Lord opened one eye. Its massive eye stared at So-so for a moment before closing again.
Seeing this, So-so quickly ran over and crouched beside its head.
The Mountain Lord’s head looked slightly larger than the crouching So-so.
“Are you awake? Does it hurt a lot? Who hit you?”
At her chatter, the massive eyelid opened again. The half-open eye looked visibly annoyed.
It glanced at So-so and then stared at something else. It was the rainwater dripping through a gap in the tent, wetting the ground.
“Are you thirsty?”
Fortunately, she saw a bucket nearby. Filling it with rainwater, she brought it to the Mountain Lord’s mouth.
“Here, drink this, kitty.”
The Mountain Lord stared at the bucket blankly, hesitating.
After a moment, its massive tongue began to lap up the water.
So-so watched with a pleased smile, gently stroking the area under the Mountain Lord’s chin with her small hand.
“Heehee. So cute.”
The bucket was emptied in an instant.
As So-so filled the bucket with rainwater again, she asked, “What is your name?”
There was no answer.
Since it was a present from her father, she wanted to name it herself.
She rested her chin in her hands, thinking for a long time. Eventually, a name came to mind.
“Since it’s raining heavily today… how about Darong?”
She combined the character for “much” and “rain”.
She seemed to like the name she had chosen. Excited, she walked back with the bucket, her steps light.
“Darong, drink!”