Shangguan Lingxiu could only feel her heart trembling.
Lord Supreme Cloud!
In the room.
Suddenly, there was a loud thud.
It was as if someone was sleeping and dreaming, but for some reason, they suddenly fell off the bed.
Then, there was no more sound.
Shangguan Lingxiu's heart skipped a beat as she wiped her tears away quickly.
Almost at the same time, the door finally opened with a squeak.
Supreme Cloud's silhouette was still the same as when she had last seen him in Zilong City. He walked out calmly, his expression calm and his gaze sharp.
Only his aura was as gentle and peaceful as ever, as if he had just woken up from a normal nap. He was brimming with energy and vigor.
The uncontrollable hysteria in the dream could not be seen at all.
As Supreme Cloud opened the door, he was not surprised to see Shangguan Lingxiu sitting on a chair a few feet away from him. Her face was propped up by her hand as if she was dozing off.
In fact, Yun Yang dared not continue sleeping because he had sensed someone at the door. However, he could not help being stunned when he saw that it was Shangguan Lingxiu. "Why are you here, Lady Shangguan? Aren't you resting?"
Shangguan Lingxiu smiled. "I've received many messages from the spiritual beasts, so I went down to make some arrangements. I was really busy for a while. Lord Supreme Cloud has just woken up when I've just returned … Did you have a good sleep, Lord Supreme Cloud?"
Yun Yang coughed and said with a smile, "I've never felt so good before."
He mused and said, "Did Lady Shangguan hear anything when you were here just now? I seemed to have heard someone shouting in my sleep just now … "
Shangguan Lingxiu was taken aback and said, "Someone shouted?"
Yun Yang nodded. "Hmm? No? Maybe it's just an illusion of me being in a dream! "
He smiled and said, "This time, the Shangguan Family of Generals has finally gotten what they wanted. General Wudi's remains have been returned and his wish is fulfilled. However, I still have something to attend to. When I return to Tiantang, I'm afraid I won't be able to congratulate you personally. I apologize in advance."
Shangguan Lingxiu smiled and said, "The Shangguan Family will always remember Lord Supreme Cloud's kindness!"
Yun Yang waved his hand dismissively. "Forget it now. It's just something I did along the way, there's no need to worry about it."
Shangguan Lingxiu did not want to linger on the topic, so she said kindly, "Sir, you must be hungry after sleeping for so long. What would you like to eat? I'll arrange for someone to do it immediately. "
Yun Yang's eyes flashed as he said slowly, "Is there cabbage and tofu on the ship? I want to make a dish by myself. "
"Tofu with cabbage?"
Shangguan Lingxiu was visibly taken aback when she heard the name of the dish. Supreme Cloud had proposed to cook it himself in such a serious manner, but the ingredients were extremely common cabbage and tofu. It would have been unexpected and unimaginable if anyone knew about it.
"Yes."
Cabbage, a common dish that could be stored well, was naturally stocked on the ship. Although tofu was not a common ingredient on the ship, the Shangguan Family of Generals was well-prepared for this trip and there seemed to be tofu in the storeroom.
Shangguan Lingxiu paused and said, "I'll ask someone to make it for you right away."
Shangguan Lingxiu's suggestion was a decision she had made after much deliberation. Yun Yang had said that he wanted to cook personally, but what he was making was the most common cabbage and tofu. Perhaps he was using the most common ingredients and the most common taste to disguise his identity, or perhaps he was being cautious of himself. Or perhaps … perhaps he was just like Shangguan Lingxiu, who did not know how to cook at all and had no choice but to make a cabbage and tofu to appease his hunger, continuing his disguise to the end.
Shangguan Lingxiu, who felt that she understood Yun Yang's feelings and loved him even more, naturally wanted to help Yun Yang. She would personally supervise the chef later. The Chinese cabbage and tofu made by the chef would surely taste better than Lord Supreme Cloud, who did not seem to know how to cook.
Yun Yang said slowly, "I said that I want to make it myself. I want to make this dish myself. "
"You're really going to make it yourself?"
Shangguan Lingxiu's eyes widened. "You know how to cook?"
Yun Yang smiled faintly. "I don't really know how to make other dishes, but this one …"
…
Shangguan Lingxiu watched in amazement from the side, watching as Lord Yun worked personally and busied himself.
First, it was the two cabbages that had been carefully selected.
Yun Yang peeled off all the leaves on the outer layer, leaving only a small ball of tender cabbage core on the innermost layer.
Then, he carefully peeled the tender core piece by piece and washed it with clean water using the Holy Water Charm. Then, he began the next step – cutting the meat, adding oil, seasoning, and so on …
Basically, he had to think carefully about every step before he took action.
Shangguan Lingxiu was growing more curious about a certain someone's actions.
Yun Yang's every step seemed to be orderly, yet each step was like a pilgrimage. It was unprecedentedly solemn, serious, and meticulous!
Each step was like a fixed program, not a single strand out of place.
As the ingredients were placed into the wok and simmered, the aroma wafted out. Yun Yang closed his eyes at the right time and sniffed lightly, saying in an intoxicated tone, "It smells so good!"
Was it good?
Did Chinese cabbage and tofu not smell like this?
Was there anything special about it?
Although Shangguan Lingxiu was a girl, she did not know how to cook. She had rarely been in the kitchen, but she had tasted her fair share of delicacies. Still, she could not see anything special or unique about Yun Yang's Chinese cabbage and tofu. Could it be that the uniqueness did not lie in the cabbage but in the tofu?
The cooking process had come to the last step. When the tofu was added, the aroma grew thicker. However, when the Chinese cabbage had completely melted in the wok, the fire was extinguished and the lid was put back on. After a while, the Chinese cabbage and tofu dish came to an end.
Shangguan Lingxiu was still filled with curiosity. Even if it was a success, what was the uniqueness of this dish?
Lord Supreme Cloud was treating it so seriously, with such fanfare, treating it with such seriousness and focus. There must be something different about this dish!
Yun Yang was not in a hurry to put it on the plate. He was still carefully identifying the aroma of the dish.
Was it exactly the same as the Chinese cabbage and tofu that Old Dugu had made in his memory?
Finally, he sighed in satisfaction. Although the Chinese cabbage and tofu he had cooked was still a little lacking compared to the delicacy in his memory, it was not too far off. He believed that he could recreate the flavor of the past if he cooked it a few more times.
"Do you have wine?"
Shangguan Lingxiu smiled and said, "Of course. How can there be no wine on a ship filled with soldiers? Why don't I accompany Lord Supreme Cloud for a drink?"
If it had been before she knew about Supreme Cloud's true identity, Shangguan Lingxiu would never have suggested this. Now that she knew that Supreme Cloud was Yun Yang, she wanted to accompany her lover for a meal.
A strange expression flashed across Yun Yang's face before it disappeared as quickly as it came. He said softly, "I think I'll drink some myself."
Shangguan Lingxiu was taken aback before she replied, "Alright."
She was surprised. Could this Chinese cabbage and tofu have some sort of rare history? What past was it tied to? Now, his gaze, expression, and temperament were really very strange!
It was as if he was filled with an indescribable emotion.
Yun Yang drank a mouthful of wine and ate a mouthful of Chinese cabbage and tofu. Every mouthful he took seemed to be meaningful in Shangguan Lingxiu's eyes.
Yun Yang ate the whole afternoon of the huge pot of Chinese cabbage and tofu. He ate quietly on the wavering ship. His back was facing Shangguan Lingxiu, a dreamy glint flashing across his eyes from time to time.
Just like that, the afternoon passed by quietly.
Yun Yang was unusually quiet throughout the meal. Other than taking a mouthful of food and a sip of wine, he did not care about anything else. Whether it was the Nine Heavens Dictum's message or anything else, he paid no attention to it.
Shangguan Lingxiu felt that he was performing a solemn ritual that did not allow anyone or anything else to interfere.
Finally, he was done.
Yun Yang exhaled a long breath and said quietly, "Thank you."
Shangguan Lingxiu watched him eat the entire afternoon, starving, but she did not feel the passage of time at all. She asked curiously, "Lord Supreme Cloud, this … Chinese cabbage and tofu … is there a reason behind it?"
Yun Yang wore a forlorn smile and said, "There's no reason. It's just that … this is the most delicious dish I've ever eaten in my life! It's also my favorite dish! That's all! "
The most delicious dish!
His favorite dish!
Was that all?
Shangguan Lingxiu made a mental note of it and said seriously, "I'll cook for Lord Supreme Cloud when I'm free next time."
Yun Yang smiled. "Sure, I'll be sure to trouble you if there's a chance."
He slowly stood up and said, "Time really passes in the blink of an eye. A day has passed just like that. It's really too fast. I have to rush back immediately. Your ship is moving too slowly. I have to go first!"
Shangguan Lingxiu said sincerely, "Lord Supreme Cloud, take care on your journey!"
Yun Yang nodded and soared into the sky without another word. With a swoosh, the colorful clouds in the sky gathered and the wind blew. A cloud floated away from the ship's bow.
"Yutang is at war. Everyone, let us meet again on the battlefield!"
A howl echoed, but the silhouette in the sky had already disappeared without a trace.
The eight thousand warriors below looked up at the same time, feeling an inexplicable sense of excitement.
Lord Supreme Cloud was actually on their ship?
Had he been traveling with them for so long?
…
Along the way, Yun Yang had sent a few orders to Shui Wuyin.
"Search for the famous assassin, ace cultivator Ouyang Xiaoshe's whereabouts at all costs."
"Assist Yutang's military in sending messages at all costs. Ensure the smooth flow of military intelligence."
"Mobilize the people at all costs. Protect my home and protect my homeland."
"Spread the news that Yutang's Supreme Cloud is already on the battlefield!"
Shui Wuyin, who had been anticipating the news of a certain someone's return, was rendered speechless.
Big brother, it's not easy for you to send a message back, but there are three pieces of information. No matter how I persuade you, you have to do your best, at all costs!
Can't you come up with something else? Is your vocabulary that lacking?
Although he understood Yun Yang's feelings, the prefixes of the three pieces of information were exactly the same. It was as if they were of equal importance. What kind of statement was that?
However, Shui Wuyin was still more capable of self-analysis, analyzing the sequence of the three pieces of information on his own.
Assisting Yutang's military had to be the top priority no matter what. This was an urgent matter; there could be no obstruction or delay. Then, he would mobilize the people to protect their own homes. Only by working together could they overcome this crisis. These two pieces of information were actually a series of actions that came along with the flow. As for Ouyang Xiaoshe's news, it was placed at the end of the list.
It was already a time of crisis. Relevant clues, especially when it was a relatively unfamiliar name, had to be temporarily shelved. It would not be too late to search for this person's tracks when Yutang's war was averted!
As for the news that Supreme Cloud had already gone to the battlefield, Shui Wuyin had already released the news before Yun Yang had issued the order.
Halfway through his journey back to the east, Yun Yang was surprised to see the Empire of Ziyou's army retreating from the frontline like a long dragon.
It was an army that was already halfway to the battlefield, waiting to reinforce it.
Further ahead, there were many more troops who were setting up camp and packing up.
It looked like the Empire of Ziyou was really going to withdraw from the four-nation siege this time.
Since this was the case, Yun Yang did not waste any more time on the Empire of Ziyou's side. He took a detour to the southern border and rushed to reinforce it.
Compared to the northern battlefield, Yun Yang was relatively more assured about Tie Zheng. Since he was going to reinforce, he had to make a round trip before returning.
If he were to travel in a straight line, the time would be much shorter, but he would inevitably waste a lot of places that could be taken care of.
When Yun Yang arrived at the southern border, the war between Dayuan and Yutang had already erupted. The battle was intense and unusually brutal. The marshal of Yutang's southern border who was facing the Empire of Dayuan's massive military force was Leng Daoyin's eldest son, Leng Shan.
The southern border's marshal, Leng Shan, was at a critical juncture where he was overwhelmed and flustered. Leng Shan's military talent and cultivation, strategy and tactics, were not inferior to the other party. No, it should be said that Leng Shan's military talent was not inferior to anyone in this world. In the past, it was only because he was the son of Yutang's marshal, Leng Daoyin, that his reputation was slightly inferior to that of Fu Baoguo, Yang Botao, and Tie Zheng. With such a capable general holding the fort, the southern border should be worry-free!
The truth was as it was said. Those who were good at fighting did not have much merit. There were almost no urgent reports from the southern border because of this Young Marshal Leng!
However, the situation this time was different, completely different. Young Marshal Leng, who could not cook without rice, only had a total of three hundred thousand soldiers at his disposal. Three hundred thousand soldiers sounded like a lot, but they had to face the Empire of Dayuan's eight hundred thousand soldiers who were attacking from multiple directions. Not only was the situation not optimistic, it was perilous!
The disparity in military strength had caused them to be completely suppressed from the start of the battle!
First, the fifty thousand middle troops were suppressed on the frontline, unable to move at all.
Once they moved, it would definitely lead to the collapse of one side of the battle line. You could defeat one side, but how would you deal with the other three sides? If any one side was breached, it would be the beginning of a complete defeat!
Leng Shan's lips were blistering. Facing the other party's frenzied attack, he could only use all his skills and counter every move that came his way. As for retaliating forcefully … he could not do it for the time being.
"This battle is completely different from the past. There's only one thing I can guarantee now." Leng Shan faced the group of generals and said coldly, "Before we are all dead, we will not allow the Dayuan army to take a single step into the southern border. Outside the gates of the country, this is the motto of the soldiers of the southern border, till death do us part!"
Every general had already written their wills and made arrangements for their deaths.
In the face of such a dangerous situation, they no longer had the calmness of the past, because no one had the confidence to leave this battlefield alive.
However, everyone had the same thought in their hearts, "Before I die, I must kill a few more Dayuan soldiers!"
Killing only one would be a loss, it would not be worth it!
"This is my last order. Every soldier of the southern border, even if you have to die, you must kill at least four Dayuan soldiers before you die!"
Leng Shan's voice was cold. "If we can do this, then we can still fight for the victory of the southern border, even if … we have to perish together with the enemy!"
"Even if we perish together, we swear to not lose the southern border!"
The soldiers raised their arms and cheered, their eyes filled with the color of blood.
In the distance, the sound of a horn once again sounded shrilly. Dayuan's new wave of all-out attack had begun once again.
"Fight!"
Leng Shan's face was as hard as steel. "This battle may be the last for all of us. It is very likely that the command will not be smooth, so I hereby give my last order. Every unit, fight on your own! Fight to the death! "
"Even if the commanding general dies in battle, the army will not fall into chaos. The deputy general will immediately be promoted to the commanding general! If the deputy general dies in battle, the deputy general will take his place! So on and so forth, rank by rank! "
"My request to all of you is … even if your army is left with only ten people, you must not fall into chaos! You must not fall! "
"Fight!"
"Fight, fight, fight!"
"Even if we are bathed in blood, we must ensure that the frontline does not fall!"
The generals shouted in unison, their voices extremely fierce.
However, just as they turned around and were about to stride out of the commander's tent, an unforeseen event suddenly happened …
"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh …"
The wind around them began to howl inexplicably.
Right now, the normal wind was from the south. Yutang's army was in a position where it was against the wind. The first two factors were disadvantageous to them, but now, the southerly wind that had been howling just a moment ago had suddenly turned into a howling northerly wind!
That wasn't all. The wind was getting stronger and stronger, as if it was getting stronger and stronger!
Even though it was the middle of winter and it was normal for the north wind to blow, such a change in the weather was extremely abnormal!
Leng Shan watched as the marshal's flag fluttered abnormally. Suddenly, a thought struck him as he exclaimed in delight, "Could it be …"
As if his words had awakened them from their dreams, a strong sense of hope appeared in the eyes of all the generals present.
"The wind has changed. Could it be that … the Nine Supremes Lords have arrived?"
Just thinking about it made everyone's blood boil and they were indescribably excited.
Everyone knew that the most dangerous part of the war was the eastern frontline. Han Sanhe's army was pressing down on the border. Although Fu Baoguo had the geographical advantage, his total military strength was far from the enemy's. The war was dire. Once the eastern frontline was breached, the country would be in danger of annihilation!
The southern border, on the other hand, was the most stable side in the past. It was also the side that the Nine Supremes had sent the least amount of reinforcements. Therefore, no one had expected the Nine Supremes to appear on the southern border.
What was more, there was only one Nine Supremes Lords left now. They could not afford to be distracted at all!
Therefore, the generals had not held out much hope for the Nine Supremes' reinforcements.
The Nine Supremes Lords should have appeared in the eastern defense!
Now, in the midst of life and death and defeat, they were pleasantly surprised to learn that the Nine Supremes had arrived.
Leng Shan was the first to sprint out. Standing in the open space, he looked up at the sky.
Observing the movements around him, he confirmed it again and again. The northern wind was howling louder and louder, its sound growing more forlorn.
Countless tree branches were actually snapped off and flew over from an unknown place, crashing into the Dayuan army on the other side.
At the same time, the snow and ice on the ground began to melt bit by bit amidst the howling northern wind.
After a while, the Dayuan Army suddenly lit up as far as the eye could see. It was as if a single spark had started a prairie fire. After a few dozen breaths, the sparks had already turned into a sea of fire that swept towards the south.
Leng Shan could instantly tell that it was Dayuan's army's tents, barracks, and supplies. They were all engulfed by the sea of fire!
Amidst the blazing flames, dark clouds once again covered the sky. Amidst the dark clouds, the God of Thunder beat the war drum as if he was playing along. Thunder and lightning were about to descend to the mortal world, like a lightning punishment from the heavens, wreaking havoc in the mortal world!
"It really is the Nine Supremes Lords!"
Leng Shan was overjoyed at the sight of the natural disasters wreaking havoc in Dayuan's base. He raised his arms and shouted, "Change of strategy! Attack with all troops, counterattack with all our might! We will not return without victory!"
… …
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