General Li Changling had been in the Northern Frontier Army for over twenty years and was the main general of the cavalry. In the few field battles between the Northern Frontier Army of the Great Liang Dynasty and the demon race, the cavalry army under this general's direct command did not perform too poorly. Although victories and defeats were experienced, overall casualties were not much different from those of the demon race.
Li Changling himself was highly skilled in martial arts, proficient in wielding a large halberd. In every major battle, he was always at the forefront, incredibly brave and swift as the wind. Therefore, in the Northern Frontier, he was known by the nickname "Flying General." However, even he had not led a cavalry of two hundred thousand into the desolate north before.
The Northern Frontier cavalry army of two hundred thousand already constituted eighty percent of the Northern Frontier Army's cavalry forces. Furthermore, this time, they were all elite troops.
Even so, venturing deep into the thirty thousand miles of desolate north was not a journey these two hundred thousand cavalry could easily undertake.
Before leading the troops into battle, Li Changling deliberately changed into a suit of armor specially crafted by the Ministry of Works for the frontier army. It was adorned with intricate patterns; much more aesthetically pleasing than ordinary armor, and naturally a lot more durable too. Because of its special forging materials, even with full support for the Northern Frontier Army, only a few generals were qualified to receive such armor. Li Changling usually treated this battle armor as a treasure and could not bear to wear it at all. However, this time, he did not hesitate to put on the armor quickly. Meeting with several other generals outside the General's Office on the city wall, one of them, upon seeing Li Changling in this attire, could not help but jest that he usually treated the armor like a cherished wife, how could he bear to wear it out now?
Li Changling extended his calloused hands, brushing them across his chest. This imposing military general who was akin to a small hill when he stood, said softly, "It's almost the New Year, isn't it? Calculating the days, the year-end is right around the corner. Ordinary folks will wear new clothes when the New Year comes around. Today, I'm wearing this outfit that I usually can't bear to as a way of celebrating the New Year. After all, once today is over, who the hell knows if I'll have another New Year's to celebrate."
His words seemed casual, but the other few generals fell into silence. Speaking casually about venturing deep into the desolate north might sound ordinary, but that was the desolate north, a genuinely perilous place. How could one say it with such casualness? In other words, although they were seasoned soldiers accustomed to the battlefield, this time was ultimately different.
A shorter general smiled and said, "It's not a big deal, really. The first time I climbed the city wall, I felt I'd definitely die here one day. Now, having the opportunity to go deep into the desolate north and possibly die on that plain, it's more interesting than dying on the city wall."
"Wang Ting, you said it so fucking casually, do you think Your Father doesn't know what you're thinking? Can you bear to part with your wife and son at home?"
The moment Wang Ting who was the deputy commander of the cavalry army spoke, he was immediately teased by another general who had a close relationship with him.
Wang Ting clicked his tongue, "Can't let go. What's there to be ashamed of? But even if I can't let go, didn't Your Father still come to the Northern Frontier? Either way, since they knew Your Father came to the Northern Frontier, they've already treated Your Father like a dead man. If I die this time, it's just one more letter of bereavement. No big deal."
"Rather, it's you, kid, you're still all alone until now. When you die, no one will weep for you!"
The general who had previously teased nodded with a smile, "Isn't that perfect? No one's sad, no attachments. Your Father can swing my sword faster. I remember those sword cultivators saying something... what was it again?"
A lean general interjected at the right moment, "If you have no woman in your heart, you'll be able to polish your sword better."[1.]
This led to a burst of laughter.
Li Changling did not bother with these guys who always liked to goof around. Instead, he looked at a young lieutenant not far away, walked over, and asked, "What's on your mind?"
The young lieutenant still had a hint of childishness on his face, looking like he had not reached the age of adulthood. He wore ordinary armor and had an ordinary iron saber hanging from his waist. Hearing the inquiry from this renowned cavalry commander, he just smiled, "Bad luck, drew the short straw."
In the Northern Frontier Army, there were always several youngsters who were well-protected by that Great General. They were generally quite young, most under twenty; a generation that had high hopes pinned on them. Their status was somewhat akin to the promising young talents in the foreign cultivators. The young lieutenant in front of them was named Wan Qi, having some distant relation with that Wan Shi, who had narrowly escaped death on the city wall, but not much.
This time, the Great General strictly prohibited these young people from going north with the cavalry. However, after some discussions, they still decided to send one young person with the army. After securing the approval of the Great General, they used the simplest method: drawing lots.
In the end, he had the best luck and won that spot.
As for why he said his luck was bad, it was nothing more than modesty.
Li Changling chuckled, "This northern expedition is not a simple encirclement and suppression. It can be said to be a lone army venturing deep in, and you will most likely die in the desolate north. Aren't you afraid, kid?"
Hearing this, Wan Qi deliberately feigned a frightened expression, then said helplessly, "Scared, of course I'm scared. It's just that my luck is a bit poor."
Li Changling silently looked at him.
Only then, did Wan Qi put away those expressions and slowly spoke, "I heard the Great General say that His Majesty has entered deep into the desolate north, attracting the attention of countless demons with his sole presence. There's even the possibility of facing that Demon Emperor in battle. Has anything like this happened in the over two hundred years of history in the Great Liang Dynasty?"
Li Changling shook his head, expressing admiration, "Not only has it not happened in the over two hundred years of the Great Liang Dynasty, but even looking at the history books, this is the first occurrence. So, from the bottom of my heart, I admire this Emperor of ours. He truly lives up to his royal lineage. This courage and boldness, I'm afraid that no one else in the past two centuries can compare, except maybe for the founding emperor."
Wan Qi nodded his head. After a moment of silence, he said something he was reluctant to bring up elsewhere, "Back then, it was said that the deceased Crown Prince was superior to His Majesty in all aspects. That's why Emperor Lingzong favored the deceased Crown Prince so much, to the extent that after the deceased Crown Prince's untimely death, regardless of whether the Great Liang Dynasty would be in turmoil, he insisted on passing the throne to that deposed emperor. But from my perspective, in terms of internal affairs, perhaps he can't match the deceased Crown Prince, but in foreign affairs, none of the emperors in the entire Great Liang Dynasty can match His Majesty."
Such words might not be suitable in other contexts, but talking about them in the Northern Frontier posed no issue.
Li Changling smiled, "Just daring to venture alone into the desolate north is already beyond what the deceased Crown Prince could compare."
Wan Qi nodded, "So being chosen for this northern expedition is truly an honor. If I could witness His Majesty's magnificence, I can die without regrets."
If he could witness the unparalleled might of His Majesty slaughtering enemies on that desolate north plain, Wan Qi would readily die immediately.
Li Changling patted Wan Qi's shoulder, shaking his head as he said, "Killing demons is our duty, but don't think about dying. If you come back alive, you can go again next time. If you go with the mindset of certain death each time, you'll be done after one trip. It's probably not a good idea."
Wan Qi remained silent.
Li Changling sighed and said softly, "How do you think I felt the first time I went into battle?"
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