klisemfg Chapter 435 Outside Snow Moon City, the wind and snow bid farewell as everyone embarks on their own
Chapter 435 Outside Snow Moon City, the wind and snow bid farewell as everyone embarks on their own
On May 15th, outside Snow Moon City, heavy snow was falling.
In late spring, May should be a time of renewal and renewal, but the climate in Snow Moon City, located on the southwestern plateau, is unpredictable.
SnowMoon City, which was just about to enter summer, was suddenly hit by heavy snow.
The north wind swirled fine snow, its chill seeping onto my face.
Baili Luochen, draped in a blood-red cloak, stood in front of the military camp outside the city gate, gazing at the city that his grandson had built up single-handedly.
The traces of the newly built city wall are still very obvious, which are the wounds left by the Yunzhou army's surprise attack more than half a month ago.
Thanks to the efforts of Baili Dongjun, Luohe, and others, it has now been restored to its original state and is even more solid than before.
“Dongjun.” The old marquis turned around, looked at his grandson standing beside him, and a rare gentleness appeared in his eyes. “You have defended this city very well.”
Today, Baili Dongjun was unusually dressed in a blue brocade robe, and the jade gourd he had worn when he left Chaisang City was still hanging at his waist. Hearing this, he smiled and said, "Grandpa, there's no need to praise me. I just did what I should do—as long as I am here, the city will remain."
"As long as the city stands, the people will stand..." Baili Luochen repeated the words, then suddenly laughed, "Back then, when Xiao Chongjing deliberately demoted me to garrison Qiandong City, if your father had even half your sense of responsibility, things wouldn't have turned out this way..."
He didn't finish speaking, but Baili Dongjun understood his grandfather's unspoken meaning—back then, Emperor Tai'an, Xiao Chongjing, suspected the Marquis of Zhenxi and used both soft and hard tactics to force his family to leave Tianqi and go to the southwest to guard the old capital of Western Chu. The heir, Baili Chengfeng, had indeed hesitated and retreated.
“Grandpa, your words are somewhat biased. The young master has won the hearts of the people in the army over the years,” Baili Dongjun said softly. “The entire Pofeng Army respects him, and he also contributed a lot to the southwest cavalry this time, Grandpa!”
"Hahahaha...Good grandson, now you're actually taking that brat's side!" Baili Luochen laughed loudly, but then his tone changed—
"However, his response to the Yunzhou army's surprise attack on Snow Moon City was indeed commendable. He dispatched reinforcements immediately and personally covered the rear to block the attack... He acted like a general."
He paused, then looked at Baili Dongjun: "What are your plans for the future? Do you really intend to keep your promise to Mr. Li and spend your whole life in this city?"
Baili Dongjun looked at the wisps of smoke rising from the city, a smile appearing on his lips: "Snow Moon City now has 127,000 residents, more than 300 shops, two schools, and a clinic."
Every day I have to handle all sorts of city affairs, sign countless documents, and regularly patrol the city's defenses... Sigh, Grandpa, do you think this counts as 'spending my whole life guarding the city'?"
Baili Luochen was stunned, then burst into laughter: "Good! Good! This is the kind of son of the Baili family! These days, Sikong Changfeng has been escorting his master back to Medicine King Valley. I heard that he's usually the one doing these things?"
Upon hearing this, Baili Dongjun pouted and retorted, "You make it sound like I, the city lord, am just a figurehead. Humph... Look at me now, even though Sikong Changfeng is not here, haven't I managed Snow Moon City perfectly?"
Seeing his grandson's proud and arrogant expression, Baili Luochen's smile widened, and he nodded repeatedly: "Good, good...you child, Grandpa knows you're a qualified city lord now..."
But then he smiled, looked at the city gate and said solemnly, "The world is about to fall into chaos. Snow Moon City is located in a strategic location in the southwest. We may face war again in the future. What you need to protect is not just a city, but the lives and property of the hundreds of thousands of people in this city."
"Grandson understands." Baili Dongjun nodded solemnly.
At this moment, Yin Luoxia walked out of the city, holding a red fox fur coat in her hands.
She first bowed to Baili Luochen, then handed the fox fur coat to Baili Dongjun, saying softly, "It's windy today, wear another coat."
Baili Luochen watched this scene with a look of satisfaction in his eyes, and he suddenly spoke: "Miss Luoxia."
Yin Luoxia was startled, and quickly turned around: "Old Marquis, Luoxia is here!"
"My grandson has been mischievous since he was a child. He's a master at brewing wine and fighting, but he's lacking in social skills," Baili Luochen said with a smile. "Thanks to your care these past few days, I'll personally officiate your wedding once my northern expedition is successful. What do you say?"
"Old Marquis!" Yin Luoxia blushed instantly to the roots of her ears and stomped her foot. "You...you're always joking!"
Though he said that, he was secretly delighted and hurriedly turned around and fled back to the city.
Baili Dongjun blushed deeply, wanting to call out to Yin Luoxia but too embarrassed to speak, so he could only scratch his head and say, "Grandpa... look... what you're doing..."
"What, you don't want to?" Baili Luochen raised an eyebrow.
"No...it's..." Baili Dongjun stammered for a long time before finally whispering, "It's that I haven't asked her yet..."
"Silly boy," Baili Luochen shook his head, "The girl's feelings are written all over her face, do you really need to ask?"
As the grandfather and grandson were talking, Baili Chengfeng walked over from the direction of the camp.
Today, he removed his armor and wore a dark red brocade robe with a long sword at his waist, surprisingly displaying some of the demeanor of a scholar-general.
The atmosphere was somewhat awkward when the father and son met.
Baili Dongjun hesitated for a moment, but still cupped his hands as usual: "Your Highness."
A hint of disappointment flashed in Baili Chengfeng's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Have the compensations for the civilians injured or killed in the city been distributed?"
"It was already paid out, in full gold and silver! And the damaged houses and shops were also repaired." Baili Dongjun said very seriously, "In addition, I ordered Luohe to select 327 people from the Yunzhou army prisoners who were willing to surrender, and they have now been incorporated into the city defense army."
Baili Chengfeng nodded: "Hmm! Well done, even more thoughtful than I thought."
This praise startled Baili Dongjun. He looked up at his father and suddenly noticed that Baili Chengfeng had a few strands of white hair at his temples and the fine lines around his eyes were much deeper than when he had just left Qiandong City.
"Father!" he suddenly changed his address.
Baili Chengfeng was startled when his son suddenly called him "father".
"This northern expedition is fraught with peril."
Baili Dongjun's voice was a little hoarse, "Please... take good care of yourself. If you have time, go back to Qiandong City to visit your mother. It's not easy for her to manage the Marquis's mansion all by herself."
Baili Chengfeng felt a lump in his throat, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart as he saw his son showing unusual concern for him and his wife.
"Good lad, you still remember to care about your mother! I know, but you too, drink less alcohol and practice your skills more."
Snowmoon City is surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one side. Although its terrain is treacherous, it is also easy to attack but difficult to defend. After your grandfather and I leave, if there is enough time, the city's defenses should be further reinforced.
"Oh dear, Your Highness, you're always so long-winded... I'm not a child anymore..."
Baili Dongjun immediately reverted to his usual demeanor at the Marquis's residence, which caught Baili Chengfeng somewhat off guard.
As he spoke, Baili Dongjun took out an exquisite wine pouch from his bosom and handed it to his father:
"This is my newly brewed 'Cangshan Erhai' liquor, made with snow water from Cangshan Mountain, silver fish gallbladders from Erhai Lake, and more than 30 kinds of medicinal herbs. There's nothing special about it, except that the liquor has an exceptionally refreshing taste! Take it with you and drink it on your journey."
Baili Chengfeng took it, and it felt icy cold to the touch.
He uncorked the bottle and took a sniff. The clear, penetrating aroma of the wine was mixed with the scent of medicine. Taking a deep breath, he felt refreshed and invigorated.
"Good wine! Hehe, your winemaking skills are getting better and better, lad!" he praised, then carefully tucked the wine flask into his robes, looking at his son with eyes full of satisfaction, and finally left with these words:
"When I return victorious, I'll come back to drink your newly brewed wine!"
"Your son is waiting for you!" Baili Dongjun solemnly cupped his hands in greeting to his father.
After the father and son bid farewell, Ye Dingzhi also came over leading his horse, with a simple bag and the Zhenwu sword that he never parted with on its back.
He first bowed to Baili Luochen, saying, "Uncle Baili."
“Dingzhi…” Baili Luochen patted his shoulder, “Your father’s revenge is half complete. But the Ye family’s injustice can only be redressed when the Xiao royal family is completely overthrown. The road ahead is long, so you need to be patient.”
"Dingzhi understands," Ye Dingzhi said in a deep voice. "Deep-seated hatred cannot be rushed. But the debts that should be settled will not be reduced by a single penny."
Baili Luochen nodded and mounted his horse.
Baili Chengfeng mounted another horse and waved goodbye to his son one last time.
With the sound of hooves, the main force of the Breaking Wind Army, like a blood-red torrent, slowly marched eastward.
Only Baili Dongjun and Ye Dingzhi remained below the city gate.
The wind and snow are getting stronger.
"Brother Yun." Baili Dongjun began, but was momentarily speechless, a thousand words stuck in his chest, unsure of what to say.
Ye Dingzhi laughed instead: "What, are you afraid I'll die on the battlefield?"
"Don't say such things!" Baili Dongjun said urgently.
"Don't worry." Ye Dingzhi looked north. "Not to mention that your brother Yun already has one foot in the half-step Divine Realm, I still need to live to see the Xiao royal family destroyed. I won't die easily. But you..."
He turned around and looked earnestly at Baili Dongjun: "Dongjun, we walk different paths. You must guard the city and protect the people, while I must fight on the battlefield. But no matter where we are, remember—you will always be my brother, Ye Dingzhi."
Baili Dongjun nodded emphatically, took the jade gourd from his waist, and handed it to Ye Dingzhi:
"Let's each drink half of this 'Brothers' Brew.' When we meet again someday, let's drink this wine together once more, and not leave until we're both drunk!"
Ye Dingzhi took it, tilted his head back and gulped down a large mouthful. The strong liquor went down his throat, just like the brotherhood between brothers, and it even made his eyes feel hot.
"Good! When the day comes that our grievances are cleared and we achieve great deeds, you and I, brothers, will surely be famous throughout the world!"
The two embraced tightly before separating.
Ye Dingzhi mounted his horse, placed his longsword on its back, and declared loudly, "Dongjun, I'm leaving!"
The horse's hooves trod through the snow, and its figure gradually disappeared into the wind and snow.
Baili Dongjun stood outside the city gate until the figure completely disappeared before murmuring, "Brother Yun, take care!"
……