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Feng Wolf Juxu: The Legend of the Wind Wolf
墨書 Inktalez
Huo Qubing stood tall in the center of the desert, his cloak billowing fiercely in the wind.
It was the fourth year of Yuan Shao's reign, and at just twenty-two years old, Huo Qubing had already become the undisputed ace of the Han Army, having achieved multiple victories against the Xiongnu. His fame had even eclipsed that of his uncle, Wei Qing.
This campaign in the northern desert was ordered by the Emperor Wu himself, with the goal of completely exterminating the Xiongnu for good.
However, this battle held a different significance for Huo Qubing.
A figure dressed in black, Junior Officer, silently appeared behind him and bowed respectfully. "General, we have confirmed our route. Twenty miles ahead lies the troops of Left Virtuous King."
"What?" Huo Qubing's body trembled slightly as he muttered to himself, " Left Virtuous King, Left Virtuous King, why is it him?"
Junior Officer was taken aback, not understanding why the general was so flustered.
Huo Qubing had risen to fame at a young age; he had led eight hundred cavalry to a decisive victory against the Xiongnu before he turned eighteen. To everyone’s impression, he was a man of few words, steady and reserved. They could not fathom why he seemed so unsettled at this moment.
Indeed, Left Virtuous King's troops were known for their bravery and skill in battle, making them formidable opponents. However, the most elite forces of the Xiongnu belonged to Yi Zhi Xie Chanyu. Moreover, this expedition was meant to annihilate the entire Xiongnu army.
In that brief moment w Langju nior Officer was lost in thought, Huo Qubing had already turned and stepped into the tent. He ordered all units to break camp immediately and pursue Left Virtuous King's forces at full speed. They were to ride forth and slay without mercy; after trampling over the bodies of the Xiongnu, they would not stop but continue deep into the northern desert to capture Yi Zhi Xie Chanyu alive.
Once the military orders were given, the soldiers exchanged glances in confusion.
A Pien Jiang stepped forward and said, "General, this place is remote and surrounded by desert; we might lose our way. Furthermore, there is still General Wei on Chanyu's side..."
"Anyone who disobeys orders—" Huo Qubing elongated his tone and cast a cold glance at Pien Jiang, "will be executed!"
The other generals immediately fell silent.
That night, Huo Qubing took the lead, abandoning the heavy baggage and leading his light cavalry in a swift charge, as if divine soldiers had descended from the heavens. The Left Virtuous King's troops were caught off guard, suffering heavy casualties, and could only fight while retreating.
Huo Qubing reined in his horse, halting to gaze at the bright full moon hanging high above. He whispered softly, "Liuli, this time, I will surely catch up to you!"
At the same time, a scout rode swiftly towards General Wei Qing's tent. "General, General Huo has completely annihilated the Left Virtuous King's forces. However, he did not follow orders to rest and await further instructions; instead, he headed straight for Mount Langjuxu."
"What?" Wei Qing slammed his hand on the table.
In life, timing is crucial.
Huo Qubing first met Nangong Liuli when he was just sixteen years old.
He came from humble beginnings, born of a liaison between a maid of Princess Pingyang and a minor official from Pingyang County. Fearing the princess's wrath, his father never dared to acknowledge him, and he spent his days performing menial tasks in the princess's household.
One day, while driving the princess's carriage to pick up a guest, he was suddenly confronted by a girl who rushed out from a narrow alley.
The girl appeared slightly older than him, her clothes in disarray and her face streaked with tears. As she approached, she tightly grasped Huo Qubing's arm and urgently pleaded, "Young man, please save me! I’m running out of time!"
Without hesitation, Huo Qubing helped her into the carriage.
Almost simultaneously, three or four burly men resembling servants surrounded the carriage with ropes and clubs. "Kid, have you seen a girl who looks about eighteen?"
"I think I might have," Huo Qubing said thoughtfully as he stroked his chin. After a moment's consideration, he casually pointed in a direction. "I think she went that way."
"Fool! That way leads to the river! She wouldn’t throw herself into it, would she? I bet that wretched girl is hiding in your carriage!" One of the servants glared angrily and grabbed Huo Qubing by the collar in an attempt to pull him down from the carriage. However, they were unprepared for the surprising strength of this seemingly frail boy.
Huo Qubing clamped two fingers tightly around the servant's wrist and with a gentle twist, the servant yelped and released his grip.
"Is this princess's carriage something you lowly servants can search at will?" Huo Qubing suddenly cracked his whip with a sharp snap. With that sound, all the servants felt something heavy strike their knees and involuntarily fell to their knees on the ground.
"Kid! Don't underestimate the situation. This woman is a state criminal, and harboring a state criminal could lead to your entire family being executed," one of the guards threatened fiercely.
"Oh? Is that so? Then I suppose I should think it over carefully," Huo Qubing said, a slight smile appearing on his lips. "Tell me, should I gouge out your eyes, or should I just take your lives? If I were you, I would run while you still have the chance before I make up my mind."
The guards understood they were no match for him. After exchanging glances, they fled in panic.
Huo Qubing watched their retreating figures and burst into laughter. Once he finished, he lifted the curtain and helped the woman down from the carriage. "You should leave quickly."
The woman bowed in gratitude and said, "Thank you for saving my life, young master. However, you have already revealed the identity of the carriage's owner. It won't be long before they trace it back to you, and then both of us may find it hard to escape."
Huo Qubing looked astonished. "So you really are a state criminal?"
The woman nodded. "My name is Nangong Liuli. I am the daughter of Marquis of Nangong. My father was falsely accused of treason and executed along with our family. By the grace of the emperor, I was spared from death but forced into a life as a military prostitute. In desperation, I escaped, but now..."
"I see." Huo Qubing pondered for a moment before his eyes lit up. "I have an idea. Why don't I enlist in the army and fight against the enemy? I can trade my life for your freedom, and you can stay in Chang'an. What do you think?"
Nangong Liuli was taken aback for a moment before shaking her head repeatedly. "This is not a child's play; how can you say 'trade' so casually?"
Huo Qubing replied with pride, "The Han Dynasty is currently strong, but our only real threat is the Xiongnu in the northwest. If I can lead troops to eliminate them and secure your freedom in return, wouldn't that be a worthwhile deal if you were the emperor?"
Nangong Liuli adjusted her disheveled hair and carefully examined this young man who exuded an extraordinary aura. With a soft sigh, she said, "Even if you truly can fight on the battlefield, it will take several years to achieve that."
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