Chapter Five: The Thief’s Heart Undying, Unexpected News
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The first division was the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry. Their numbers were small, only ten thousand horsemen. These ten thousand riders were survivors from numerous villages along the border ravaged and slaughtered before Zhu Jinzhen ascended the throne. He spared no expense in training them into absolute elite forces, the undeniable ace unit.
The Great Snow Dragon Cavalry did not recruit externally. Even if they suffered losses in battle, they would never replenish their ranks from the Heavenly Strategy Army, the Azure Cloud Army, or even the Twelve Guards of Lanzhou. Instead, they waited for new candidates who met strict criteria and absorbed them directly.
Their name was a misnomer. They should be called the Blood Dragon Cavalry, warriors born solely for vengeance and slaughter.
Every member of the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry was a survivor harboring deep, bitter hatred against the barbarian raiders from the Mongol and Liao nations who had pillaged their borderlands. Some were survivors of annihilations perpetrated by martial artists, bandits, and outlaw clans.
Hence, the entry standards of the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry were paradoxically both low and high. Low in that anyone with the proper lineage could enter the preparatory camp, but high because without reaching the Diamond Realm of physical prowess, one did not even qualify to become a full-fledged member.
Only those with a Diamond-tier physique could bear the heavy armor, wield a thousand-pound silver spear, and tame the snow dragon steeds capable of crushing a fierce tiger with a single kick. Only then could they stain their shining silver armor with the blood of enemies and become true soldiers of the Great Snow Dragon Cavalry.
The second division was the Azure Cloud Army, numbering one hundred thousand soldiers. Though fewer in number, they were all absolute elites.
Even if Azure Cloud soldiers fell in battle, replacements were chosen meticulously from the finest warriors until the ranks were fully restored to one hundred thousand, after which no new recruits were admitted without exception.
Therefore, although the Azure Cloud Army might not surpass the Heavenly Strategy Army in raw strength, their rank in the order of battle was slightly higher.
Even the newly formed Heavenly Strategy Army achieved such prowess in just over two years.
Having once ridden across battlefields and faced armies numbering in the millions without fear, how could the Azure Cloud Army be weak now?
“Hmm, well done,” Zhu Jinzhen said, setting down his teacup with appreciation.
“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Li Cheng’en bowed respectfully.
“Tomorrow is the Heavenly Strategy recruitment, as in previous years.”
“Yes!” Li Cheng’en nodded calmly.
Ever since the allied invasion by the Mongol and Liao nations four years ago, which resulted in the near annihilation of the Heavenly Strategy Army after desperate battles, fresh recruits had been added annually. This year marked the fifth such replenishment.
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No mishaps were expected.
Zhu Jinzhen’s gaze shifted to Changsun Wangqing, the leader of the Black Armor Army, who sat quietly to his left, his face concealed by the Tianluo mask. “What news did you gather, as I instructed?”
“Your Majesty,” Changsun Wangqing rose and bowed slightly, “The Mongol and Liao nations remain relentless. The grand tutor of the Mongol Yuan, Basiba, schemes to breach the Heavenly Pass and seeks to avenge past humiliations against Your Majesty.”
“Yelü Wudi, based on our spies’ intelligence, is searching for the legendary War God Palace, and it seems there are promising leads. The Black Armor secret guards are monitoring closely and will report immediately should any news arise.”
“The Mongol and Liao forces are also drilling and preparing, showing signs of a determined resurgence.”
These were the painstakingly gathered intelligence from the Black Armor secret guards of the Azure Cloud Army, verified multiple times by Changsun Wangqing before reporting to Zhu Jinzhen.
Zhu Jinzhen was unsurprised; these developments were expected. What caught his attention more was the movement of the Mongol and Liao nations. “The Khitans and Turks are neighbors; there must be a strong backing for their restlessness.”
“Investigate the source of the Great Liao’s confidence.”
“Your Majesty, what about the Mongol Yuan?”
“No matter. The Mongol Yuan’s allies are limited to the Jin Kingdom, Tibet, the Western Xia, and a few smaller neighboring states. Beyond that, only Ye Qin and Western Chu exist far afield, neither a significant threat,” Zhu Jinzhen said with a faint smile, shaking his head. “What reliance could the Mongol Yuan have? Merely their minor vassals. Further still lies the Great Sui, and on the other side, the Kingdom of Liyang holds a Northern Garrison City. Crossing over is no easier than moving south with herds.”
With proper precautions, the Mongol Yuan could not stir up much trouble.
“Western Xia…” Under the Tianluo mask, a complex expression flickered across Changsun Wangqing’s exquisitely beautiful face.
Li Cheng’en’s heart stirred slightly. “Could it be that Your Majesty foresaw such a day long ago, hence…”
Yet, with one masked and the other inscrutable, no one noticed their subtle reactions.
“Your Majesty, the Black Armor secret guards have uncovered something.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
“According to their reports, many martial artists have appeared recently within Shaanxi. Some have even spotted the presence of Master Zhang Sanfeng atop Wudang Mountain.”
“Others have seen Lu Xiaofeng, the ‘Four-Eyebrowed’ swordsman, alongside the Sword God Ximen Chuixue heading towards the frontier. Whether they have crossed the pass or are lingering at Jiayuguan is currently unknown.”
Upon hearing Changsun Wangqing’s report, Zhu Jinzhen was momentarily taken aback. “Zhang Sanfeng has left Wudang?”
“Yes, it is indeed Master Sanfeng.”
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“Interesting.” Zhu Jinzhen sipped his tea, smiling faintly. “That old Daoist appeared once during the Sword Demon’s mountain trial long ago, then secluded himself completely. The martial world had even spread rumors of his transcendence, yet he remained unmoved. Why would he now choose to descend?”
“Well…” Changsun Wangqing hesitated briefly and shook his head. “The Black Armor secret guards are still investigating.”
Zhang Sanfeng’s departure from Wudang stirred not only the hearts of the Ming martial world but also attracted the attention of countless factions nationwide, fearing that this eccentric, or mad Daoist, might descend wielding the True Martial Sword and reenact the legendary cleansing of demons.
Wherever he passed, all unruly and heretical masters mysteriously vanished without a trace.
“Enough!” Zhu Jinzhen waved his hand. “That old Daoist has been a terrestrial immortal for many years, perhaps even surpassing Basiba of old. Let the Black Armor secret guards listen if they can, but if not, do not force it. We must not sacrifice our precious secret guards in vain.”
Zhu Jinzhen was curious about Zhang Sanfeng’s purpose but not overly concerned. As long as he refrained from provoking the Prince Su’s Mansion or disturbing the peace in Shaanxi, Zhu Jinzhen would not bother.
Even if Zhang Sanfeng descended, or if the Patriarch Bodhidharma rose from the dead, Zhu Jinzhen would remain indifferent.
There was no need to recklessly sacrifice the Black Armor secret guards painstakingly nurtured by the Azure Cloud Army.
“Yes, Wangqing thanks Your Majesty for your understanding.”
Zhu Jinzhen smiled and nodded, then continued listening to the senior military and civil officials of Shaanxi report on the province’s affairs over the past year, including livelihood and economic development.
In recent years, life in Shaanxi had flourished.
With the Prince Su’s suppression and bloody purges, governance was clean and upright. Zhu Jinzhen was generous with funding. Although officials like Shen Bing and others still received their regular salaries, annual performance bonuses were also distributed, ranging from a few dozen taels of silver to tens of thousands.
Corruption might persist, but exploitation of the populace was rare.
After all, the Azure Cloud and Heavenly Strategy armies frequently helped villagers cultivate wasteland as training, and the Twelve Guards of the Shaanxi Regional Command were often mobilized for such drills. Attempts to cover up abuses would be futile.
Should anyone dare oppress the rural folk, once the news reached the ears of Heavenly Strategy or Azure Cloud soldiers, their fate would be sealed.
No matter how powerful or well-connected, death was inevitable.