Where Immortals Once Walked

This was either an illusion or something that had truly happened in the distant past.

The He Lingchuan of this world is only born after you’ve already become a part of history, so how could you possibly remember me?

“Load me two more bolts,” He Lingchuan said.

Hu Min reached back to his quiver and found only one last arrow and one last crossbow bolt. “One for you, one for me.” If not for Commandery Administrator Sun’s crates, their ammunition would have been exhausted long ago.

He fitted He Lingchuan’s shot for him. “Any last words you need to leave behind?”

“Yes.” He Lingchuan raised his crossbow toward the barricade. “I just want to know, why in the hell did Commandery Administrator Sun bring beast traps when fleeing for his life?”

Several Gale Army men nearby chuckled. Hu Min gave him a longer look. “Well, whoever survives goes and finds out, then just burns paper to tell the other in the afterlife. How about it?”

“Deal.”

A sharp crack split the air, and another wagon was smashed to pieces. The final barricade was about to fall.

From He Lingchuan’s vantage point, the comrades ahead all hunched their shoulders and bent their knees, ready to meet the oncoming tide.

He braced a hand on the dirt wall of the riverbank and forced himself upright.

If this was to be his last fight, he was not going to die lying down.

Twang!

His final bolt took an enemy with it. With his aim, that was as much as he could ask for.

The Baling soldiers surged forward like a black wave.

He tossed aside the crossbow, drew his changdao, and strode to meet the coming enemies.

It was down to blades yet again.

And then, a shadow dropped from the sky.

One Baling soldier had just reached He Lingchuan, but before the other party could swing, something fell from above and slammed the man to the ground.

It was a short-feathered, bird monster nearly a meter tall. Its beak was lined with jagged teeth, and it possessed bat-like wings tipped with hooked talons, and a wingspan that was about six meters long.

The moment it landed, it loosed a harsh screech that made He Lingchuan’s eardrums throb in pain.

The Gale Army withstood it well enough, but many Baling troops clutched their ears and staggered back. The screech was clearly some kind of sonic attack. Without the mandate token’s protection, an ordinary man would have probably at least dropped unconscious on the spot.

He Lingchuan stared in stunned silence.

That thing looks awfully familiar. Wait, isn’t it exactly like those bird monsters back in the Panlong Illusion Realm?

But this one’s a bit different. It’s smaller, and it’s not corpse-white. Its eyes are clearly moving with a living, predatory glint. Also, I’m pretty sure that this one wasn’t formed out of swarming bats.

If something from the illusion is here, then’...

On the ground, Hu Min shouted, “Reinforcements!” His voice was raw with the joy of a man pulled back from the brink of despair.

Almost at the same time, a long, bracing horn call rose from the Baling army’s rear.

From their half-slope position, lit every now and then by lightning, they could see chaos erupting behind the enemy lines. Banners snapped as a new force plunged into their backs.

Officer Xiao’s voice cut through the air like a hot knife through butter, “Hold the line, brothers! The Red General is here!”

The Red General!

The name alone worked like a charm, pouring energy into exhausted limbs. Blades that had been too heavy to lift suddenly felt light again.

He Lingchuan cut down another enemy, his stance wavering.

He had long since reached the limits of his strength. At this moment, every breath tugged at his ribs, and with the medicine’s effect worn off, every movement was utter agony.

Officer Xiao still found the presence of mind to steady him, patting him on the chest. “Hold on a little longer! We have already won!”

Nothing could sound sweeter than those last four words.

Victory was right in sight, gleaming in the vanguard of the reinforcements that had bared their fangs and swept in like a sea dragon.

He Lingchuan could not resist climbing onto a boulder for a better look at the legendary Red General.

Logically, he should be under the billowing blood-red banner.

His gaze followed the banner down, and suddenly, the world spun out from under him.

* * *

“No, no no no no—ah!”

He Lingchuan shot upright with a shout that made the servant beside him jump in fright.

“What are you doing?” He Lingchuan snapped, glaring at the servant.

Just a moment more—just one—and I would have seen the Red General!

But now, someone had woken him. His chest felt as though it were ready to burst with frustration.

“Y-Young Master, p-please don’t be angry!” the servant stammered. “The master wants you in the side hall immediately. He seems to intend to make an important announcement. The madame and the second young master are already there.”

“An announcement? About what?”

“I don’t know, but the master seems very anxious.”

“Fine, fine, I got it.” He Lingchuan waved him away, rubbing his face in irritation.

Morning had already broken. Outside, the weather was fair, petals drifted from the old osmanthus tree, and a few had even slipped quietly into the room.

It was a tranquil morning, the same as always. No one would guess that he had just spent a blood-soaked, endless night back in Panlong.

Right, my left hand.

He raised his left hand, flexing his fingers.

Phew, it’s still perfectly fine.

So it was a dream after all, even if the pain had felt so real. No matter how real it felt, the injuries from there aren’t brought back here. That’s a relief.

He calmed himself, then got dressed.

The riverbank battle. Surely, the Gale Army won in the end, right? Yeah, there shouldn’t be any doubt about that.

Officer Xiao had promised that anyone who made it back alive could join the city garrison.

He had no desire to be a garrison soldier, but perhaps it could have brought him closer to those rough, loyal men.

What a pity, now that I’ve left the dream, all that goodwill I built up over the night is probably wiped.

He sighed, fastening his robe, when he suddenly noticed that the divine bone amulet at his chest was faintly glowing red.

“Hm? What’s going on?”

He brought it to his face for a closer look, but the glow was already gone. Perhaps it had just been his imagination.

The thing usually had no presence at all, belying its lofty name; only in the Panlong Illusion Realm had it triggered, sparing him from Sun Fuping’s burning divine technique.

He turned it over in his fingers, even fed it some true qi, but nothing happened.

Forget it. I should just head to the side hall.

* * *

The family was gathered around the table, all smiles. The moment He Lingchuan stepped inside, He Chunhua beckoned him over, beaming. “Come, come, I received some great news!”

He Lingchuan pulled out a chair. “What, Father, expecting another child?”

The old steward brought him a bowl of lamb-noodle soup. The broth had been simmered for hours, paired with hand-cut noodles and a sprinkle of tender green scallions. It looked plain, but the flavor was rich.

He Lingchuan sat and slurped a few mouthfuls.

Ah, perfect!

Come to think of it, my appetite seems to have grown again. One or two bowls are never enough for me anymore.

Even He Yue did not quarrel with him today, he said, “It really is great news.”

Madame Ying’s lips were curved in a pleased smile.

“The news has reached the capital! The royal court is in uproar!” He Chunhua said, enunciating each word. “For our merit in suppressing the rebellion, especially for slaying the traitor Sun Fuping, the King has appointed me Governor-General[1] of Xia Province. I am to depart at once!”

He Chunhua set a scroll on the table and said, “The commission is here. The rewards are on their way.”

He Lingchuan slapped his thigh, grinning from ear to ear. “A leap of several ranks, straight to the top! Father, our family’s made it.”

1. See note. ☜