The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 162: The North! The North!

The North! The North! . . .

The gravity of Cha-Eun Xiao's condition weighed heavily on everyone's minds, especially for Minister Jiang and the Right Prime Minister's families. His death would not only result in their executions but could also drive Cha Nan-Tian to madness, potentially severing his longstanding ties with the royal family.

The king was acutely aware that if Cha-Eun Xiao perished, an infuriated Cha Nan-Tian might forsake their sworn brotherhood entirely. The mere hope of Cha Nan-Tian not seeking retribution was a blessing, as the alternative could be catastrophic.

Deep in contemplation, the king pondered the dire implications of Cha-Eun Xiao's fate. "I'm not privy to all the details, but I do know that Cha Nan-Tian's wife is held captive by a formidable force for reasons of great significance. She holds a pivotal role in Cha Nan-Tian's life and the entire Cha Clan. Cha-Eun Xiao is her beacon of hope, the very reason Cha Nan-Tian clings to life."

The king's voice bore the weight of sorrow and concern. "If Cha-Eun Xiao were to perish, how will General Cha face his wife? It's likely the driving force behind his unwavering devotion to his son."

Master Sun, inquisitive and puzzled, questioned further, "But Your Highness, there is no Cha Clan in the Land of Han-Yang. For such a powerful clan to raise someone of Cha Nan-Tian's caliber and to possess the ability to imprison his wife—"

The king interjected, shaking his head, opting not to divulge the full truth. Master Sun and Wang exchanged bewildered glances, their curiosity piqued.

[If there is no Cha Clan in the Land of Han-Yang, then where does it originate?]

Simultaneously, realization dawned on them.

[Is Cha Nan-Tian... from the upper realm?]

The king couldn't help but feel a sense of despair. The fate of the entire kingdom rested solely on the shoulders of Cha Nan-Tian. If he continued to fight on, even after Cha-Eun Xiao's demise, the Kingdom of Chen might have a chance at survival. But if he succumbed to desolation, it could spell the kingdom's demise.

The northern front, where Cha Nan-Tian was stationed, was the kingdom's last bastion of hope. The other battles were strategically stalled, with commanders biding their time for Cha Nan-Tian to emerge victorious against the Grassland Wolf, potentially turning the tide of the war.

It was a precarious situation, and the outcome of the northern battle was paramount. The kingdom's survival hinged on Cha Nan-Tian's unwavering resolve and the kingdom's ability to hold the line until he achieved victory. If the northern front fell first, the domino effect would likely lead to the Kingdom of Chen's ultimate demise.

The king's fury knew no bounds. He harbored a burning desire to annihilate every single individual hailing from the clans of those frivolous young men. His anger simmered beneath the surface, an inferno threatening to consume all reason.

"Creating such chaos for the kingdom at such a critical juncture," the king seethed, his voice dripping with ire. "They deserve nothing less than death!"

***

In the vast northern expanse, banners billowed proudly against the backdrop of the boundless grasslands. Countless soldiers moved like a relentless tide, their armor gleaming and their movements disciplined. These were the warriors of Cha Nan-Tian's Northern Army, numbering a formidable 300,000.

Despite their sheer numbers, the army displayed remarkable cohesion and order. It was clear that they marched under the command of a seasoned general.

At the heart of the army fluttered an imposing flag, emblazoned with the insignia of Cha Nan-Tian, their revered commander. As long as this flag waved triumphantly, the morale of the Northern Army remained unbreakable. It symbolized the unwavering spirit of the northern soldiers, bound by their loyalty to their commander.

In the distance, a group of indigenous people attempted to flee. A general from the pursuing troop calmly notched his bow, loosing a volley of ten arrows simultaneously. Each arrow found its mark, and ten fleeing figures collapsed into lifeless forms. The repeated twang of bowstrings echoed through the air, and though only one man released the arrows, the sky seemed to darken with a relentless hail of black projectiles.

The deluge of arrows showed no signs of abating until every last fleeing foe lay dead on the grassland. Satisfied with his work, the general lowered his bow.

His youthful face remained cold and unyielding, reflecting the stern discipline expected of a soldier in Cha Nan-Tian's Northern Army. He was a masterful archer, and his prowess was unquestionable.

A voice broke his concentration. "General Ma, the Great General requests your presence."

"Very well," replied the young general, his gaze still fixed upon the distant corpses. Kicking his horse into motion, he let out a resolute cry. "Yah!"

Without hesitation, he headed straight for the camp. The Great General's summons held the weight of divine decree for this young Grand Archer. Hesitation was not an option; prompt obedience was his duty.

Meanwhile, the other seven generals, who had been in pursuit of the routed enemy in seven different directions, also promptly abandoned their chase. The commander's orders superseded all else, even the king's decrees.

The camp itself bustled with activity, an epicenter of preparation and strategy. Here, the future of the kingdom was carefully weighed and decided upon, for the Northern Army was the last bastion of hope against impending threats.

Seated upon the commander's chair, a middle-aged man with a clean-shaven face exuded an air of quiet authority. His posture was impeccable, and his attire, meticulous. There was a certain wisdom in his countenance, hinting at a man well-versed in the pages of countless books. To the casual observer, he might have appeared an erudite scholar, not the indomitable Military God who commanded a million soldiers. Only the ancient sword suspended behind him revealed his true identity—a cultivator of formidable power.

This was Cha Nan-Tian, the father of Cha-Eun Xiao, and the illustrious Northern General of the Kingdom of Chen. He was renowned across the Land of Han-Yang as the undefeated Military God, a leader whose martial prowess had never tasted defeat.

The approaching cadence of galloping hooves announced the arrival of riders, their powerful forms soon making their way into the main camp.

All eight of the generals had returned, synchronizing their arrival.

Besides these eight generals, two more had been present within the camp, bringing the total to ten.

However, the remaining ten generals were presently on leave, enjoying a well-deserved respite. This group, known as the "Ten Dragons and Ten Tigers," was handpicked by Cha Nan-Tian himself to serve as the backbone of his army.

The Northern General organized his army into five distinct groups: East, South, West, North, and Middle. Each group was led by two generals, constituting the Ten Generals. Beneath each general's command were two vice-generals drawn from the ranks of the Ten Dragons and Ten Tigers.

In sum, thirty generals governed the Northern Army. Yet, it was an extraordinary rule that they never convened in the north simultaneously. Even during the most heated battles, five of the Ten Generals, along with their vice-generals, would be on holiday, as decreed by Cha Nan-Tian.

The general philosophy was clear and resolute, an ethos that pervaded the Northern Army. Soldiers, like any other human beings, deserved their moments of rest and recreation. They were instructed to savor their leisure wholeheartedly, knowing that when the time for battle came, they would dedicate themselves fully to the fight.

As Cha Nan-Tian himself would proclaim, "Soldiers are human beings, too. Rest is an essential part of their life, just as warfare is when the moment arrives. During battles, fight as though your life depends on it. In times of rest, let the concerns of war fade into the distance. Others will stand in your stead, just as you have done for them."

It was this philosophy that had forged the indomitable Northern Army, for even when half its ranks were on leave, it remained unbeatable. This phenomenon was a marvel unique to the Land of Han-Yang, and it was exclusively the handiwork of Cha Nan-Tian, who was known far and wide as the creator of this military wonder. Other generals, no matter their renown or honor, could only speak in hushed tones, filled with respect and envy. They acknowledged that this was a miracle—Cha Nan-Tian's miracle, and it belonged to him alone.

Cha Nan-Tian's encampment stood far from grand, an embodiment of stark simplicity. Apart from his own seat, there were but fifteen others—five larger chairs at the front, reserved for the Five Generals, and ten smaller ones behind them. These fifteen seats represented the elite circle of generals who enjoyed unrestricted access to Cha Nan-Tian's presence. Among them were those who had earned their place through numerous meritorious exploits and soldiers whose exceptional contributions had garnered this rare honor.

For soldiers in the Northern Army, gaining entry to this camp was the loftiest aspiration. It was the pinnacle of prestige, a crowning achievement that set them apart. Those fortunate enough to enter and emerge from the camp in short order attained superstar status, their stories whispered with awe and admiration throughout the ranks.

"How did it go?" Cha Nan-Tian inquired, a smile playing upon his lips as he surveyed the thirteen men before him.

"An overwhelming victory," replied a general with a black beard, his smile mirroring that of his comrades.

The others joined in the laughter, their mirth filling the air.

"It seems your flawless tactics never lead us astray," remarked another.

"Indeed," chimed in a third. "The Hu-Lun Wolf King must never have imagined that their so-called 'Million Troops Grassland Union' would crumble before us like a flock of chickens and puppies... Hahaha..."

"Hahaha..."

The name of the Hu-Lun Wolf King had once invoked dread, a demon lurking in the shadows, a nightmare haunting the soldiers. However, since Cha Nan-Tian assumed command, that dreaded name had transformed into a subject of jest, a clownish figure invoked in jest. It was a monumental shift.

Cha Nan-Tian's laughter died down as he issued a cautionary note, "We should remain vigilant. Battles often unfold in unpredictable ways, and we mustn't underestimate the Hu-Lun Wolf King. The skirmishes thus far may have been mere probes, and their formidable Wolf Head Troop has yet to make an appearance."

"Even if the so-called Wolf Head Troop dares to confront us, they will be like kittens before the might of Commander Cha," one of the generals proclaimed, eliciting hearty laughter from the group.

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