Chapter 499: Chapter 499: Flames Soaring Into the Sky!

Zhan Lan woke up after sleeping for two hours. She lifted the curtain and saw Zhan Beicang standing with eyes blazing at the entrance of her tent.

She found that her father had become quite endearing recently. Even though there were tens of thousands of Zhan Family Army soldiers here making it quite safe, her father had vowed to be her guard and actually did it.

“Lan’er, why don’t you sleep a bit more?” Zhan Beicang said with a smile.

Zhan Lan took a deep breath, “Father, are you tired?”

Zhan Beicang waved his hand, “Father is feeling very spirited, wanting nothing more than to tear the Western Rong King to pieces!”

Zhan Lan knew her father was thinking about the people of Shili City slaughtered by the Western Rong cavalry, as well as their fallen grandfather.

She looked up at the sky. The time was about right.

“Father, as we discussed yesterday, let the soldiers prepare for battle!”

“Yes, Main General!” Zhan Beicang’s eyes were filled with hatred and murderous intent.

This time, all the soldiers led by Zhan Lan removed their disguises, wore their battle garb, and marched towards Western Rong in formation.

When the grand Zhan Family Army arrived at the Liao Tribe, the sky was already dark.

The Liao Tribe’s cavalry were all elite soldiers, known as the hardest force to conquer in Western Rong.

The people of the grasslands work at sunrise and rest at sunset, attacking them when they are most fatigued is the best time.

However, the way to the Liao Tribe was extraordinarily quiet, under the moonlight, you could occasionally see a few eagles fly across the sky.

The wind in the air felt particularly eerie.

Ten miles away, the Zhan Family Army came to a halt.

After all, this was the Liao Tribe’s territory, it would be prudent to be cautious in case of an enemy ambush.

After all, Zhan Lan had previously laid a trap where she used five thousand Zhan Family soldiers to kill thirty thousand Western Rong cavalry, so the Liao Tribe’s leader might also lure the enemy deeper.

The scout returned with news, kneeling before Zhan Lan to report, “Reporting to the Main General, your subordinate saw the Liao Tribe engulfed in flames.”

Zhan Lan commanded the messenger, “Speed up the march!”

The messenger immediately went to convey the order, and the army moved in an impressive array towards the Liao Tribe.

The first to arrive were Zhan Lan and the Nanjin cavalry.

Zhan Lan looked around, seeing the Liao Tribe ablaze, the air full of the smell of something burned.

When she reached the entrance of the tribe, she saw a corpse hanging from the tribe’s gate frame.

Next to the frame was tied a bundle of pure white orchids.

Zhan Lan picked the orchid, the flowers had already wilted, drooping.

She saw the corpses of Western Rong cavalry piled together under the firelight, and even though she thought Mu Yan had already left, she couldn’t help shouting his name.

“Mu Yan!”

The only response was the crackling of burning wood and the sound of flames ravaged by the wind.

She didn’t know where Mu Yan was at this moment; the Liao Tribe had ten thousand cavalry, what exactly had Mu Yan done to kill them all?

Zhan Beicang comforted, “Lan’er, don’t worry, Mu Yan must have headed to the Western Rong Capital City!”

Under the firelight, Xiao Chen tugged at the reins of his horse, questioning Mu Yan’s hidden strength. How could he eliminate the strongest tribe of Western Rong silently and stealthily?

Dugu Yan sighed, “The Regent King is just the Regent King, when can I meet such a strong man!”

Xue Yifeng knitted his brows behind her; this woman had already been with him like that, yet she still thought of other men.

Huang Gun proudly raised his chin, “Did you see that? The Regent King is the man I admire the most!”

Dugu Yan smirked, “Heh, look at your proud face, those unaware would think it was you who did it!”

Huang Gun snorted coldly, “You don’t understand!”

He was, after all, the Regent King’s good brother; Dugu Yan knew nothing.

The scene before them stunned the soldiers. They had prepared for battle against the Liao Tribe’s cavalry, but now there was no room for action!

One reinforcements soldier looked at the messenger who had been following Zhan Lan and asked, “What is happening here?”

The messenger proudly said, “Didn’t you see that bouquet of orchids? Destroying the Liao Tribe was a gift from the Regent King to our Main General!”

Everyone in Nanjin knew the Regent King doted on his wife. But legend is legend, seeing it with their own eyes was a different matter.

The reinforcement soldier exclaimed, “My god, the Regent King truly is the most romantic man I’ve ever seen.”

Li Sui watched Zhan Lan’s back, the Main General and the Regent King were evenly matched opponents, each having their own strengths. If those two could become rulers of Nanjin, it would surely be a blessing for the people of Nanjin.

He was startled by his own thoughts. Even though it was just a thought, it was a treasonous one.

However, why did he faintly look forward to it!

…

Zhan Lan hurriedly made her way through the Liao Tribe towards the Western Rong Capital City, thirty miles away.

She was certain, Mu Yan must be there!

Mu Yan must have exhausted his strength in the deadly battle with the Liao Tribe, she needed to reach Mu Yan’s side as soon as possible.

It would be best if she and the Zhan Family Army could arrive before Mu Yan attacked the Western Rong Capital City.

…

Inside the Ding’an City palace.

Emperor Qingwu was in a good mood sitting in the Imperial Study Room, across from him was Si Yuzhang.

After Mu Yan left, Emperor Qingwu released Si Yuzhang, the old fox, from the Heavenly Prison. Si Yuzhang advised him to order Zhan Lan to withdraw immediately.

If Zhan Lan disobeyed, they would cut off her army’s supplies.

Emperor Qingwu was still a bit worried about this matter.

Si Yuzhang said respectfully, “Your Majesty, there is no need to worry. Without military supplies, the Zhan Family Army can’t possibly reach the Western Rong Capital City. If Zhan Lan and Zhan Beicang defy the imperial edict, they face only two fates: being slain by Western Rong or, even if they destroy Western Rong, Your Majesty can accuse the Zhan family of defying the imperial order!”

Emperor Qingwu laughed and said, “But Imperial Uncle, I’m still a bit uneasy. Where on earth did Mu Yan go?”

With Mu Yan absent, though he was in control of everything now, as long as Mu Yan was alive, it was like a sword hanging over his head, making him restless day and night.

If Mu Yan came back for retribution, how would he deal with it?

Si Yuzhang slyly remarked, “Your Majesty, I sent someone to investigate. It was seen that Mu Yan went to Western Rong. If he can perish there, Your Majesty’s reign will be stable forever.”

“But if the Zhan Family Army wants to rebel, what should I do?”

“Your Majesty need not worry. Your Majesty’s uncle and grandfather have forces that should not be underestimated, and aren’t there still Zhan family members in Ding’an City? Your Majesty may as well…”

Si Yuzhang shared with Emperor Qingwu in whispers plans on how to deal with the Zhan family.

Emperor Qingwu chuckled after hearing it; indeed, the older, the wiser. Si Yuzhang was indeed the best candidate to keep Mu Yan in check.

Emperor Qingwu emulated his father, Emperor Xuanwu, balancing between ministers by keeping a balance between the two Imperial Uncles.

No matter what problems arose, even if the Regent King returned, he could just pin the blame on Si Yuzhang.

…

Meanwhile, Zhan Lan led the Zhan Family Army through the Liao Tribe all the way to the Western Rong Capital City.

The Western Rong Capital City was an ancient city where Western Rong’s nobles, merchants, herdsmen, and slaves lived.

Nobles exploited merchants, persecuted herdsmen, and tormented slaves.

In the previous era, why the Western Rong King’s rule was replaced by the Liao Tribe was because he lost the people’s support.

Zhan Lan led the mighty Zhan Family Army to stand under Western Rong Capital City.