Beginning with the Ubume Bird

Chapter 61: Chapter 15 The Headless Corpse

The speaker was likely in his twenties, with a fair and clean complexion, yet his aura was filled with an air of valor.

“This humble officer, Li Yan, greets the General.”

Li Yan restrained the fierce light in his eyes, speaking evenly.

This Shen Heyan was the cavalryman who rode the cyan Dawan horse and wielded the iron spear during the night of the breakout; he was a fifth-rank military officer in court, which meant he possessed the Dragon Tiger Qi. The black bear Li Yan had seen that day symbolized his rank (bear crest embroidered on the chest for the Ming Dynasty’s fifth-rank military officers).

“The items you and your brothers seized from the Japanese, I’ve already presented them to the Lord Governor.”

“You have my thanks, General.”

“Brother, let’s speak frankly as we are both from Great Ming; in this campaign against the Japanese, I, in my capacity as the Chief Military Officer, lead the forward right cavalry brigade of thirteen hundred men. Now that you’ve returned to the camp to follow my command, there’s no need to go back to your ancestral general. How about you join me instead?”

“I shall abide by the orders from above.”

Li Yan bowed slightly and then raised his head, “May I have the honor of learning the General’s esteemed name?”

“My surname is Shen, Shen Heyan.”

The young man pulled over the man in bell-bottoms.

“This is Song Yi of the Right Army, bearing the battle flag at the forefront. Both of you share the same school of spear techniques; you might even be from the same hometown.”

The man’s face appeared stern, and Li Yan took the initiative to bow slightly in greeting.

“I’m from Hejian, may I ask where Brother hails from?”

After a long while, the man reluctantly answered, “Baxian County.”

Scratching his neck, Shen Heyan chuckled, “Old Song always has this sort of temperament, please don’t take offense.”

“At first glance, Vanguard Song seems like a stern and upright person, dealing with such people saves much trouble. Why would I take offense?”

Li Yan smiled, his face free of any care in the world.

“General…”

A junior officer hastened forward to Shen Heyan’s side and whispered something to him.

“Is that true?” Shen Heyan raised an eyebrow and let out a cold smirk, “Then they can’t blame me for not leaving anyone alive.”

With that, he quickly said to Li Yan, “Brother, once I’ve dealt with some trifling matters, we shall chat more.”

Li Yan watched them leave, his mind still pondering the connection between military officers and the Dragon Tiger Qi.

According to the exploratory records, Dragon Tiger Qi was not exclusive to the Great Ming, it was just known by different names. For example, the Demonic Strength of the Kobayakawa’s Daimyo bloodline was also a form of Dragon Tiger Qi,

Killing someone with Dragon Tiger Qi would make the option of Dragon Tiger Qi available in the purchasing authority, but it was supremely rare and extremely dangerous, which is why later travelers, like Yan Fu, chose another path: enfeoffment.

With the Ming Dynasty’s highly developed examination system, for the travelers of Yan Fu hoping to earn titles and imperial enfeoffment through examinations was like daydreaming. Of course, even without studying, there were many who gained significant authority in the Ming Dynasty through the emperor’s favor, such as Liu Jin, Feng Bao, Wei Zhongxian…

Cough cough…

Military merits!

Without a doubt, the vast majority of Yan Fu travelers obtained Dragon Tiger Qi through this approach.

However, Li Yan thought further; in addition to these three methods, to attain imperial enfeoffment, there were shortcuts, such as the Heavenly Master Tao…

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Li Yan started to feel hungry and so he stepped out of the camp.

Speaking of which, although Li Yan had little recollection of the historical Renchen War in his memories, considering the domestic public opinion environment, the war was rarely mentioned, which probably meant it was a victory.

…

The Ming Army Camp was stationed within Suzhou City, less than a hundred miles from Pyongyang.

The Ningyuan Earl, Shanxi General, and concurrently Beiwo Governor Li Rusong sat to the right of the table, while to the left sat Mage Yi Yu from the Heavenly Master Tao, known as the Grandmaster Gaogong of the Divine Zephyr Purple Abode and a protector of the nation. The head of the table remained vacant.

The gathering included Joseon dignitaries like Liu Chenglong, Joseon military leaders like Li Yi, as well as Ming military leaders like Li Rumei and Li Rubo among others.

Song Translator took the last seat, feeling anxious inside.

“What about Lord Minister?” Liu Chenglong asked.

“Minister Song claimed to be ill, no need to wait for him,”

The speaker was Yi Yu, who smiled carelessly and casually bit into a pear from the desk, splattering juice everywhere.

Li Rusong’s expression was a bit awkward, but he still coughed.

“Let’s begin~”

The topic of discussion was the plan to take Pyongyang, with everyone chiming in about terrain, troop formations, provisions, firearms… the conversation was heated.

Yi Yu was like a clay statue, not uttering a word, as it seemed Li Rusong and others did not intend to ask for his opinion either.

This Master Gaogong from the Heavenly Master Tao played with a thumb ring, appearing amused.

“Master Brother, Master Brother~” a Taoist boy tugged at Yi Yu’s clothes, “There is in the city…”

“Shh”

Yi Yu placed his index finger to his lips.

“Fei, eat if you’re hungry. Don’t talk about idle matters, don’t ask about them,” he said.

“Oh~”

After calming his junior, Yi Yu threw away the pear core and secretly curled his lips.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“Great Three Pure Ones above, without any tricks, how would these bumpkins know the methods of our Heavenly Master Tao…”

…

The morning brought a drizzle of rain that lasted a while, as muddy splashes rose from boots stepping on the road.

At the gates of Suzhou City, the streets were crowded with displaced Joseon citizens, huddled together in the cold wind, their eyes numb,

Li Yan found a food stand to sit at, gestured for a bowl of pork offal soup, and handed over a few copper coins. The stall owner, her apron stained with oil, was so frightened that she immediately waved her hands in refusal. Li Yan placed the copper coins beside the chopping block and carried the big bowl over to the only small wooden table under the felt cloth.

“Old man, make some room.”

When the diner at the wooden table lifted his face, it surprised Li Yan.

With his square face and purple beard, and eyebrows soaring like wings, the snow and mud splattered on his straw coat and pant legs, he carried a long sword at his waist. Though his body was slightly hunched, he exuded an air of authority without anger.

The man shifted aside and smiled at Li Yan.

The wind tossed the straw hat hanging on the birch railing as Li Yan huddled beside the old man. He quickly finished the soup in just a few mouthfuls. The taste was not great, but at least it warmed his body.

Ripples spread across the pond as the purple-bearded elder watched the empty, desolate street. Raindrops fell on the refugees’ faces and slowly slid down their cheeks. He seemed to reflect on something, and then sighed, “The sanctuary seeks the exiled for their wisdom. Mr. Jia, your talent is unmatched. It’s pitiful in the dead of night, an empty seat awaits, asking not the common folk but the demonic powers.”

“Is the old gentleman also with the Ming army?” Li Yan asked casually.

“I am a staff officer under Governor Li, not of official rank,” the old man replied, looking Li Yan up and down. “The entire Ming army poured into Suzhou City, homes requisitioned, granaries sealed, displacing the locals. It’s unfortunate, but war necessitates it, soldiers need sustenance. However, what’s owed to the people shouldn’t be shortchanged. You, young man, with the stare of a hawk and the air of a wolf, seem to still have some decency left.”

Li Yan pulled at the corner of his mouth, taking it as a compliment and showing no desire to continue the conversation.

The old man stretched and grabbed his hat, ready to leave, when he suddenly paused.

“Hmm?”

Li Yan abruptly stood up. He saw it clearly from the corner of his eye, a headless black corpse darted around the street corner!

“Close the city gates!”

The chaotic sound of hoofbeats from around the corner broke through the silence. Mounted on a horse, the Ming soldier’s eyes were red with rage, his helmet torn apart, hair disheveled and bloodied, and his armor dented and battered. Behind him, seventeen or eighteen riders kicked up the muddy earth as they charged toward the city gate like thunder.