Chapter 113: Returning to the Capital in Triumph

“Senior Uncle, how is Junior Brother Wei Xiaoping’s injury?” Huang Xianlin asked as he rode the Qilin divine beast, heading back toward Qingfeng Kingdom, while walking alongside the sword on which Master Xuan Zhe was treading.

After Master Xuan Zhe finished his wager with Yang Tianbao and watched Yang Tianbao leave with the remaining defeated troops, he instructed Huang Xianlin to leave two generals and some soldiers behind to clear the battlefield. Then the two of them led a portion of their soldiers back to Qingfeng Kingdom.

“Are you really unaware of Junior Brother Wei Xiaoping’s condition? As one of General Wei Xiaoping’s subordinates, it’s somewhat negligent not to know about your superior’s injury!” Master Xuan Zhe said sternly.

Huang Xianlin immediately dismounted the Qilin divine beast, knelt on the ground, and clasped his hands together in a respectful bow to Master Xuan Zhe. “Senior Uncle, I admit my failure in not protecting Junior Brother properly.”

Standing upon his sword, Master Xuan Zhe pointed his palm toward Huang Xianlin on the ground and lifted him up from a distance.

“Rise. Regardless of age or apprenticeship, you are older than Wei Xiaoping. Though he is your superior in rank, in terms of seniority, you are always his senior brother. As long as you two are together, you bear responsibility for his safety. Mount your steed quickly and explain to me what exactly happened.”

Huang Xianlin leapt onto the back of the Qilin divine beast and began, “Today, both sides agreed to battle beneath Twin Peaks Mountain. Upon arriving, General Wei Xiaoping eagerly approached and spoke with the enemy, Yang Shengtian. Shortly after, the two mounted their steeds and flew to the summit of Twin Peaks Mountain.”

“Did Wei Xiaoping suspect that Yang Shengtian, who resembled him closely, was his long-lost younger brother Wei Xiaofan?” Master Xuan Zhe inquired.

“It was actually I who first noticed Yang Shengtian’s striking resemblance to Wei Xiaofan and told Junior Brother Wei Xiaoping,” Huang Xianlin replied.

“When was this? Why didn’t you inform me?” Master Xuan Zhe’s tone grew somewhat sharp.

“Apologies, Senior Uncle! At first, I only thought they looked alike and was not certain, so I dared not inform you and chose to tell Wei Xiaoping first.”

“You child! Don’t you know that I have worried over Wei Xiaofan’s disappearance for over a decade? I never let go of a single clue! When exactly did you see Yang Shengtian, and how did Wei Xiaoping react after you told him?”

“About a month ago, on this very day. Shihuiguo sent their general Wang Chuying to launch a surprise attack on our country. After defeating them, as we were withdrawing to camp and approaching the city gates, a certain man arrived riding a creature neither bird nor beast. When he came before me and the generals Zhu Hongxiu and two others, we felt he was familiar. Upon reflection, he resembled both Wei Xiaoping and Junior Brother Wei Xiaofan.”

“Did the other generals also think he looked like Wei Xiaofan?” Master Xuan Zhe asked.

“They had no knowledge of Wei Xiaofan, having been in the army only five or six years. They were unaware that Wei Xiaoping had a younger brother missing for many years. They only thought he looked like Wei Xiaoping.”

“Hm. After all, Wei Xiaofan has been missing for over a decade, and Wei Xiaoping hadn’t even joined the army when Wei Xiaofan disappeared.”

“After the man introduced himself as Yang Shengtian, a regional lord from Shihuiguo, we learned he sought to challenge us in battle to avenge his subordinate Wang Chuying, who had been severely defeated by us. But I believe his main intent was to conquer Qingfeng Kingdom.”

“How did Wei Xiaoping react after you told him that Yang Shengtian resembled Wei Xiaofan?”

“The very next day, Junior Brother Wei Xiaoping went alone to Shihuiguo to investigate Yang Shengtian.”

“When he returned, did he mention anything?”

“After several days, he returned without mentioning Yang Shengtian. Instead, he ordered us to prepare thoroughly for the upcoming battle and personally supervised the manufacture of explosive arrows and soldier training.”

“Explosive arrows? What kind of new weapon is that?”

“Exactly! These explosive arrows were a new invention of Junior Brother Wei Xiaoping. They consist of specially made small gunpowder pouches tied to the arrowhead. Upon striking the target, the tremendous inertia causes the pouches to collide and explode against the target. The explosion scatters flammable materials outward, igniting the target’s clothes and setting them aflame. So, the victim suffers not only from the arrow’s piercing injury but also from being set on fire.”

“Hm, Wei Xiaoping’s idea is ingenious! How effective was this weapon in the battle?” Master Xuan Zhe asked.

“Senior Uncle, you won’t believe it, but these explosive arrows played a huge role in the fight. We fired over ten thousand arrows, killing or wounding more than six thousand enemies. Because of these arrows, we eliminated over six thousand foes before the main battle, greatly aiding our troops and allowing us to outnumber the enemy significantly during the encirclement.”

“Hmm...”

“Xianlin, what are your thoughts on the suspicion that Yang Shengtian is Wei Xiaofan?” Master Xuan Zhe pondered before asking Huang Xianlin.

“After fighting Yang Shengtian today and observing him closely, I’m convinced he is indeed Wei Xiaofan. Besides his resemblance in appearance and build, he wields that mysterious divine bow. Didn’t you say, Senior Uncle, that only Wei Xiaofan possessed such a divine bow on the continent?”

“Yes. From every angle, Yang Shengtian must be the long-lost Wei Xiaofan.”

“What puzzles me is this: Although my magical prowess is far inferior to Yang Shengtian’s, if comparing Yang Shengtian to Wei Xiaoping, Wei Xiaoping might actually be stronger. So why was Junior Brother Wei Xiaoping the one seriously wounded? And why was the injury so severe? Like you said, the enemy’s weapon pierced Junior Brother Wei Xiaoping’s back, passed through his heart, and exited his chest. How could it have been so precise? It’s as if he stood still deliberately, letting Yang Shengtian aim and strike directly!” Huang Xianlin said.

Master Xuan Zhe sighed and said, “That is the part I cannot unravel.”

Huang Xianlin paused, then added, “Senior Uncle, I also noticed a problem with Junior Brother Wei Xiaofan during our fight. Just as I was about to defeat him, Wei Xiaofan suddenly covered his helmet with both hands, his complexion changed drastically, and his eyes turned increasingly red. It seemed as if he had suddenly fallen ill and couldn’t bear it. He then muttered strange words to himself. I was stunned by this. Soon after, he hurriedly flew down to the battlefield to rescue his soldiers.”

Hearing Huang Xianlin describe Yang Shengtian’s sudden eye redness and muttering during their duel, Master Xuan Zhe knew this was the work of the soul-controlling sorcerer possessing Wei Xiaofan.

“Who is this soul sorcerer? How does he recognize me, yet I know nothing of him? Now that I know Wei Xiaofan is a general in Shihuiguo, where should I search for him next?” Master Xuan Zhe pondered silently.