Dance Of The Dragons
Chapter 376 : The Hungry Ghost Festival (1)

Chapter 376: Chapter 376 : The Hungry Ghost Festival (1)

The art of war was far more than a clash of steel.

A general was far more than someone on a high horse who shouted commands at his troops.

The mark of a good general was the ability to highlight the subordinates’ strengths and suppress their weaknesses.

Shi Qingyue had been in a matchmade relationship with Zhou Guiying for years. Although the merman and the nine-tailed fox kept delaying their union, they remained committed to each other.

All Zhang Fengxi did was push them closer toward each other, and at the same time win the war against the Demonic Realm.

It was unknown what Zhou Guiying did to Shi Qingyue, but the discordant tunes he asked for flowed uncontinuously from the tent, disrupting the demonic forces’ dynamics and crumbling their resolve bit by bit.

The battle was over in less than three hours, with the remaining demon kings retreating with their tails between their legs.

Knowing that his soldiers were on the brink of collapse, Zhang Fengxi did not push for the chase. Instead, he declared the war to be over and withdrew his men from the frontline.

"Everyone did well," Zhang Fengxi spoke from an elevated platform at the end of the war. "I know that everyone wants to go back home as soon as possible. All leaders, please take care to make proper arrangements for all your subordinates. Congratulations everyone on our hard-earned victory!"

"OOOOHHHH!!!"

The generals were usually the last to leave, because they had a lot of tasks to do in the aftermath of the war. This time around, Zhang Fengxi tapped Wu Shenxia on the shoulder and said, "Go home."

"But my troops..."

"Let me handle them. Wanrong is in labor. If you go back now, you will make it to your child’s birth."

Wu Shenxia’s lips trembled from suppressed emotions. Her tears fell when she dropped to her knees in front of Zhang Fengxi.

"Thank you, Supreme General!"

Zhang Fengxi pulled her to her feet.

"Go now," he urged her.

He missed his own sons’ birth and his wife’s passing five years ago. He did not want anyone else to experience the same pain and suffering, especially not his good friends.

Wu Shenxia left in a hurry after handing over her remaining responsibilities to Zhang Fengxi.

When Zhang Fengxi returned to his tent, he found the black zither sitting on the ground alone.

"Reporting to Supreme General, Miss Shi and Lord Zhou already left a while ago," Ma Dingzi told him. He was waiting outside the tent because he did not want to get too close to the demonic zither.

"Oh?"

Zhang Fengxi removed his armor with a chuckle.

He deftly wrapped a long cloth around the black zither and sealed its demonic energy with several talismans.

"Together?"

"Y-Yes."

Maybe they would get a wedding invitation soon, Zhang Fengxi mused with a snicker across his lips.

"Take the zither back to Longjing Palace. Inform my parents that I will require a few more days at the Human Realm before going back."

Xiao Huang, his loyal spiritual tiger, was hurt during the last battle, hence Zhang Fengxi decided to stay in the Human Realm for a few days while nursing his beloved mount’s wounds.

"Yes, Your Highness!" Ma Dingzi lifted the wrapped zither to his arms and heaved it out of the tent.

It took two more days before everyone returned to the Heavenly Realm, save for the Supreme General.

"Rawrr!"

Zhang Fengxi ran his hands across Xiao Huang’s back, now in a tiger cub form, pressed to his chest.

"There, there, good boy. Don’t worry, Xiao Huang. The horrible war is over. We can rest for now."

"Aoooo!!!" Xiao Huang used his tiny paws to scratch Zhang Fengxi’s chest.

"You have worked hard, Xiao Huang. Let’s use these few days to rest, I will pamper you to your heart’s content."

"Awoooo!!!"

It was getting late, so Zhang Fengxi decided to head to a nearby town and stay overnight in an inn.

Alas, despite the festive atmosphere that permeated the entire town, all inns were closed for business.

"Why?" Zhang Fengxi had to ask after the fifth inn owner apologized profusely and denied him the stay.

"Aiyah~ Esteemed Sir, do you not know that it is inauspicious to stay at an inn during the Hungry Ghost Festival? If we take you in, we will shoulder half of the unluck.

So sorry, Sir. Please find another place to stay."

"...."

Zhang Fengxi’s face darkened in displeasure. How was he supposed to know that the human beings were celebrating the Hungry Ghost Festival at the moment?

"Aooo... Aooo..."

Xiao Huang stuck his head out of Zhang Fengxi’s chest and whimpered pitifully.

"It’s alright," Zhang Fengxi scoffed. "It’s not like we never stayed outside. I will find us a nice place to sleep in, you will see."

Right now, the most important thing was to fill their empty stomachs. Afflicted with the heightened tension of the war, neither Zhang Fengxi nor Xiao Huang had the mood nor the time to feast on delicacies. It was thus high time for them to replenish their energy with nutritious, warm home-cooked meals.

"I am going to get you something good to eat," Zhang Fengxi grinned at his tiger while rubbing his head affectionately.

"Awooo!!!" Xiao Huang responded excitedly.

The alpha walked past the bustling street and checked out the available restaurants one by one.

He did not take long before choosing one that offered a variety of roast meat and a selection of high-quality wine.

With high spirits, Zhang Fengxi entered the restaurant with his tiger cub in tow.

As soon as he entered, he was greeted by an enthusiastic attendant, one of many who lined up near the door to wait on their guests.

"Ah, good evening, Sir! Are you alone? May I offer you a good table near the window? It’s right over there..."

"I prefer a private chamber," Zhang Fengxi replied while rubbing Xiao Huang’s head.

"Of course, Sir. Let me take you to the second floor..."

Zhang Fengxi followed the restaurant attendant and moved up the creaking staircase. He walked past a row of private chambers, which closed doors prevented Zhang Fengxi from seeing, but not from hearing the people hidden beyond.

When he heard a familiar voice, he stopped in his tracks.

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Author’s note :

Guess who it is? ʕ⁠´⁠•⁠ᴥ⁠•⁠`⁠ʔ