Chapter 513 - 448: Zhenxi Army

Chapter 513: Chapter 448: Zhenxi Army

Xu Dingchun stood proudly atop the endless yellow sands.

Like an iron tower, no sandstorm, no matter how great, could move him in the slightest.

If not for Xu Dingchun, the Zhenxi Army would have been defeated long ago, and Xuan Yang would have been trampled to ruin under the iron hooves of the Ximo tribes.

He was the Guardian God of the Xuan Yang Western Realm.

"My good grand-disciple."

Xu Dingchun looked at Bai Yuan and laughed heartily. The more he looked at this grand-disciple of his, the more he liked what he saw.

There’s a special affection that skips a generation—it’s only natural.

Bai Yuan strode forward and knelt on one knee. "Master, your grand-disciple greets you."

Although he had rarely met Xu Dingchun, their bond was deep.

This Master of his had helped him a great deal behind the scenes. If not for Xu Dingchun maneuvering and keeping others in check, how could the armies of the Central Plains and Jiangnan, busy fighting each other to the death, have allowed Shuofang to remain uninvolved?

Xu Dingchun spoke out of the blue, "I heard you’ve taken Huyan as a master and even accepted a Barbarian disciple?"

Bai Yuan’s expression stiffened.

Xu Dingchun had served as the Grand General of the North for decades and had fought the Barbarian People of the Northern Plains countless times.

And now his own grand-disciple had gone and taken a Barbarian as a master, making that man his peer.

"Master, I..."

But Xu Dingchun smiled and waved his hand. "It’s fine. Our lineage is known for having many masters. Dong is that way, and so are you. There’s nothing wrong with it."

"My issue with the Barbarian People is simply a matter of our positions. If I weren’t one of the Profound People, I might even prefer the Northern Plains."

Only then did Bai Yuan break into a grin.

The Northern People respected the strong, and this Master of his had an excellent reputation in the Northern Plains.

Xu Dingchun’s expression turned regretful. "I’ve long heard of Elder Huyan. It’s a pity he wasn’t at Cang Mang Mountain when I visited. We never got the chance to have a proper fight."

Bai Yuan had never imagined that his Master, Xu Dingchun, had actually been to Cang Mang Mountain.

If his two Masters were to meet... the scene would be unimaginable.

’I’m such a peace-loving person. Why are my master and my Master both so belligerent?!’

Bai Yuan suddenly felt that he was a lotus flower rising unstained from the mud.

’I only ever fight when it’s necessary.’

...

In the vast Great Desert, a lone city stood quietly amidst the yellow sands. With no other city for a thousand li in any direction, it was truly a lonely city.

Lonely Wolf City.

Following his Master, Xu Dingchun, Bai Yuan arrived at this famous military garrison of Xuan Yang for the first time.

It was precisely because of Lonely Wolf City that Ximo could not encroach upon even an inch of Xuan Yang’s territory.

Bai Yuan entered the city on horseback.

The city was unlike any other. The concepts of shops and residences were almost nonexistent; it was nothing more than a giant military camp. Soldiers in armor, marching in formation, could be seen everywhere on the streets.

’As expected of the Zhenxi Army.’

Bai Yuan watched the highly disciplined Zhenxi Army and nodded to himself in approval.

Compared to the other two armies, the Northern Garrison Army and the Zhenxi Army were almost all battle-hardened veterans, the true elite forces of Xuan Yang.

Their killing aura alone was incomparable to any other army.

Wagon after wagon rolled into Lonely Wolf City.

Even though the Zhenxi Army was short on food, there were no ugly incidents of soldiers trying to loot the wagons.

"You brat," Xu Dingchun chuckled. "I was just about to start farming inside the city walls, and then you gave me this wonderful surprise."

Using troops to farm the frontier.

This was the most common method used by the Border Armies of every dynasty. Otherwise, the high cost of transporting supplies alone would be enough to give the Ministry of Revenue a massive headache.

If Li Chengyuan hadn’t gone against all opposition in the past, Lonely Wolf City would have fallen long ago.

Now, with Xuan Yang embroiled in civil war, no one was willing to send them grain.

Although the Zhenxi Army’s discipline was good, you could tell from the soldiers’ gaunt frames that their food supplies had long run out.

Bai Yuan soon spotted a familiar figure among the crowd of generals.

"General Lu?!"

General Lu Wu of the Zhenxi Army saw Bai Yuan and grinned. "Lord Bai, words are not enough to express my gratitude."

Only the men of the Zhenxi Army themselves knew how difficult it was to fight a war without food.

Bai Yuan waved his hand. "We’re all on the same side. There’s no need for thanks."

When the Demon Sect had pushed south, Lu Wu had been ordered by the Court to lead troops north to reinforce Ling Province. The two of them had met several times back then.

Just then, a white-bearded old man walked over.

"A great master produces a brilliant disciple. As expected of Grand General Xu’s disciple. You truly are formidable."

"Greetings, General Gao."

This man was none other than the Grand General Zhenxi, Gao Xiong.

Hearing Gao Xiong’s praise, Xu Dingchun was very pleased. "Gao Xiong, I’ve always said you’re not as good as me. The same goes for your disciple."

"Fuck you, Xu Dingchun," Gao Xiong immediately flared up and cursed.

The surrounding generals, long accustomed to this scene, all pretended not to hear, studiously looking away.

Before Xu Dingchun had become Grand General of the North, Gao Xiong was already the Grand General Zhenxi. In terms of seniority, Gao Xiong was his senior. However, Xu Dingchun’s rise was too fast; he later broke through to the Tong Shen realm in a single leap, becoming the Grand General of the Realm.

He had completely surpassed the old general.

The two of them were both from the military and were old acquaintances.

Gao Xiong had even helped Xu Dingchun many times before he had risen to prominence.

Therefore, while others feared Xu Dingchun, Gao Xiong didn’t give a damn about showing him any respect.

A Grand General of the Realm and a Grand General Zhenxi trading curses—such a scene was a rare sight indeed.

In all of Xuan Yang, Gao Xiong was likely the only person who dared to curse Xu Dingchun like that.

"You bastard Xu, don’t think I don’t know! Years ago, you were peeping at Duke Lu’s daughter! If I hadn’t covered for you, you’d have been strung up and beaten to death!"

"Bullshit! You were the one who wanted to look! If that’s how you want to play, then let’s have a nice long chat about it."

...

Bai Yuan drew in a sharp breath.

’Two old generals, airing each other’s dirty laundry... Was I even allowed to hear this?’

He then noticed that the surrounding Zhenxi Army generals had all vanished, one after another, with a practiced speed that was almost pitiable.