Soul of the Revered Banner
Chapter 85: A Request to Fight

After two months of marching, the army finally arrived at Tong Pass.

The Tong Pass, cutting across the vital path through the Tong Mountain, was undoubtedly one of the few truly formidable strongholds under heaven. Its towering walls had weathered countless years, standing like a bastion to block all invaders.

Within the soul banner, Tu Shanjun recalled a phrase:

“Truly, the rugged pass is like iron.”

The imposing fortress before him did not seem like something built by mortal hands.

Given the state’s resources, it was also unlikely that Great Liang had truly invested so much manpower and materials into a single fortress.

Rough-hewn. Monumental.

The nine-zhang-tall walls loomed like a mountain one must crane their neck to see.

The pressure of it made it hard to breathe.

No wonder commoners and low-ranking officials often fretted about the threat of Northern Wei. And yet the lords of Liang City had never once worried about an invasion.

With such a natural fortress standing firm, unless traitors opened the gates from within, no amount of lives sacrificed could breach this city.

“This architectural style somewhat resembles the Offering Pavilion,” Tu Shanjun mused with a hint of suspicion. “Could this have been the work of cultivators?”

He frowned slightly.

Wherever battlefields birthed baleful energy and powerful war-spirits, there would be those drawn to it, loose cultivators, strays from heterodox paths, and demonic cultivators alike.

Zhao Shixian had already proven to be a cautionary tale.

Thus, one could not lower their guard against such individuals.

Still, there was no need for undue alarm.

It wasn’t that Tu Shanjun underestimated loose cultivators, it was simply that high-level cultivators had no interest in these battlefield wraiths and malevolent spirits.

Mortal wars produced only limited spiritual yield, useful mainly to those still at the Qi-Refining stage. High level cultivators sought ghostly beings of much higher quality.

Such entities had to meet specific criteria, not only innately powerful, but capable of rapid advancement.

The handover of Tong Pass was simple, though tedious.

But none of that concerned Wen Yue.

As the vanguard officer, mundane affairs were not his burden.

The northern wind howled, bitter and sharp.

Beneath the watchtower, a small formation gathered.

Light cavalry, fully armored, mounted atop tall steeds, roughly three thousand strong.

Wen Yue stood atop the wall, armor fitted to his frame, gazing down calmly.

Only the soul banner in his arms betrayed the tension in his grip.

He had never been in a real battle, and his heart lacked certainty.

Especially when faced with a sea of black-armored soldiers below, it was impossible not to feel anxious.

What’s more, this enemy unit had blatantly encamped twenty li outside the fortress with no intention of leaving.

“So this is Tong Pass?”

Below the walls, the leading man in full black armor exclaimed, “Damn, that’s one hell of a fortress!”

The deputy beside him quickly responded, “General, Tong Pass’s fame is well-earned. With the Liang forces keeping the gates shut, ordering the troops to assault the walls would be a poor strategy indeed.”

Tuoba Bao narrowed his eyes and grinned, “Of course I know how mighty this fortress is, there's no way to take it by force.”

“Sieging a city, it's best to strike at the heart.”

“The Liang army has just rotated in. Their morale is uncertain. Send our boys to hurl insults at their commander.”

“What was his name again?”

The deputy promptly relayed the intelligence:

“General, his name is Geng Lie, Vice Minister of War. According to reports from our spies in Liang City, he’s violent and ruthless by nature.”

“Vice Minister? Sounds more like a mutt to me!”

“Good. Curse him. Curse him until he comes out to fight. I want to see what these soft-skins are made of.”

A hundred soldiers lined up and shouted insults toward Tong Pass through raised megaphones.

For three full days.

Geng Lie’s face had long since turned ashen, his expression thunderous as he stared silently at the assembled generals in the great hall.

Everyone could see the commander’s foul mood.

The barbarians of the north didn’t follow decorum when they cursed. They didn’t even spare the womenfolk.

Even Geng Lie’s ancestors for eighteen generations had been dragged out and subjected to crude ridicule.

He felt something inside his chest swelling rapidly.

It scorched his lungs, made breathing difficult.

Before long, it would burst forth and devour him whole.

It was rage.

“The Northern Wei savages are too much!”

Geng Lie roared in fury.

He seized the teacup on the table and hurled it to the ground.

Shards of porcelain scattered across the floor, striking the feet and legs of those nearby.

He hadn’t been able to breathe properly for days.

Most intolerable of all, he felt the stares of his fellow officers turning strange.

Even in the streets of Tong Pass, the commoners looked at him differently.

In truth, Geng Lie had misjudged the situation.

These officers had seen far worse in past campaigns; they had hurled just as many vulgarities themselves.

As for the civilians, they were simply curious and wary of high officials. Most of them didn’t even know who Geng Lie was.

But fury could not be reasoned with.

He had endured the taunts for three days. It was more than he could bear.

If he continued to avoid battle, he would have no place in Liang City once he returned.

Emperor Liang had approved an additional thirty thousand troops for one reason only, if there was to be a battle, it must be won.

At the very least, they must hold their ground.

They needed to give the people the impression that Great Liang remained unshaken.

Geng Lie scanned the room, clearly waiting for someone to step forward.

But all the generals stared fixedly at their toes or their hands, no one moved.

Wasn’t this just watching him make a fool of himself?

They were all old veterans. Who hadn’t heard of Tuoba Bao’s name? He was a renowned light cavalry commander of Northern Wei. To ride out and face him in open battle was nothing short of suicide.

After all, the insults were aimed at the commander, not them. They might as well stay safe within the walls.

Everyone knew: the more you did, the more you risked; do nothing, and you did no wrong.

No one had forgotten Feng Gan’s fate from just a few months ago.

“This humble general requests to fight.”

A young voice rang out, clear, sonorous, full of strength.

He cupped his hands in salute as he spoke.

Geng Lie, already fuming, turned to the speaker.

The generals all looked as well.

They wanted to see which foolhardy youth thought himself capable of challenging Tuoba Bao of Northern Wei.

The figure stood tall, clad in dark red armor, exuding heroic spirit.

His helmet rested beneath his right arm.

It was none other than the heir of the Jing'an Marquis, Wen Yue.

“Good! Good! Good!”

Never mind who it was, someone stepping up to fight was already a relief.

The deputy commander, Wen Yue’s father-in-law, looked like he wanted to object, but Geng Lie waved him down, “No need to worry, Lord Annan. Besides, we must give the young a chance.”

The Annan Marquis cupped his hands. With the commander having spoken so directly, how could he continue to protest?

Judging by Geng Lie’s temper, if this request was denied, there’d be no end to it.

If Geng Lie couldn’t vent his anger on the Wei, he might well turn it inward.

A single memorial to the court accusing him of cowardice or insubordination…

Worse still, he could be charged with “nurturing enemies to bolster personal power.”

Given the pettiness of the court’s scholars, they were likely already circling like vultures, waiting for a vacancy to open up.

“Orders, Vanguard Officer Wen Yue.”

“Take three thousand light cavalry to drive off Tuoba Bao.”

“This general obeys.” Wen Yue took the order and exited.

With a commander’s seal in hand, he had full authority to mobilize troops.

The assembled officers exchanged glances, Geng Lie was being far too stingy.

Tuoba Bao’s light cavalry numbered at least three thousand and they were elite.

Even if not given ten thousand troops, he should have gotten at least five thousand light cavalry.

Just three thousand? That was it?

“All generals, follow me to the tower to observe the battle,” Geng Lie commanded immediately, still seething with frustration.

A few of the trailing generals muttered quietly:

“Isn’t this just throwing a meat bun to a dog, gone and never returning?”

“Youngsters are full of fire. He’s in for a harsh lesson.”

“Still, he likely won’t die. The Annan Marquis’s fool son is beside him, after all.”

At this, they noticed Sanhu had been standing beside Wen Yue the entire time, plainly serving as a personal guard.

Only then did their eyes shift to the Annan Marquis. Clearly, he held his son-in-law in high regard, even sending his dim-witted son to serve at his side.

Outside the towering walls,

Tuoba Bao furrowed his brow:

“How many days now?”

“Reporting, General. Three days.”

“Three days and still no response? Time for something harsher. Are the Liang prisoners ready?”

“Report!”

A drawn-out cry from a flag messenger rang out.

“General! Cavalry approaching from Tong Pass!”

“How many?”

“Roughly three thousand!”

“Bring me my spear!”

…

“Hey there, pretty boy. Name yourself!”

Tuoba Bao, holding a long spear, sat tall on his steed, pointing across the field at Wen Yue.

Wen Yue sat calmly atop his horse, his golden crescent-blade spinning slowly at his side.

“I am Wen Yue, Vanguard Officer of Great Liang!”

Tu Shanjun’s eyes narrowed, focusing on the man amplifying his voice with internal energy.

That man was wreathed in a strange and ominous aura.

(Chapter End)