Walking into her bedroom, Bai Hanyun placed the bags of medicinal meals on the low table in the middle of the arhat bed. Then she took out the antique mirror from her backpack, set it on the bed, and went to wash her hands and feet.
When she came out of the bathroom, Bai Hanyun sat down on the arhat bed and tapped the antique mirror’s frame twice.
As the surface cleared, she saw Feng Wu curiously staring at the Artificial Rain Cannon.
She chuckled at the sight and called, "Feng Wu."
Hearing Bai Hanyun’s voice echo in the tent, Feng Wu looked away from the Artificial Rain Cannon and clasped his fists. Lowering his head, he responded, "Feng Wu is here. Fairy Bai, what are your instructions?"
"Feng Wu, let’s try the Artificial Rain Cannon." Bai Hanyun said with a hint of excitement in her calm voice.
Sensing her excitement, Feng Wu paused for a second and then replied, "Yes, Fairy Bai."
After he said that, Bai Hanyun thought for a moment before asking, "Feng Wu, do you know where the highest point around Xiqiang City is?"
Feng Wu nodded. "Yes. This subordinate knows."
"Great. Then can you carry the Artificial Rain Cannon and that wooden crate to that location?"
Glancing at the Artificial Rain Cannon, Feng Wu looked at the bronze mirror and asked, "Fairy Bai, may I ask the brothers to help?"
Knowing how heavy it was, Bai Hanyun replied, "Of course. You should call more people. That Artificial Rain Cannon is really heavy."
"Feng Wu understood."
With her permission, Feng Wu disappeared from the tent. Moments later, he returned with four more masked men.
Looking at their black masks, Bai Hanyun noticed the golden Pixiu carvings on their masks, which were identical to Feng Wu’s, and knew they were his subordinates.
Kneeling before the altar, the four shadow guards clasped their fists and said in unison, "This subordinate greets Fairy Bai."
Seeing this, Bai Hanyun quickly said, "Please stand up."
"Thank you, Fairy Bai."
Once they stood, Feng Wu ordered, "You guys, help me carry that box and the cannon."
The shadow guards nodded. "Yes, Captain."
When Bai Hanyun saw them lift the cannon with one hand as if it weighed nothing, she was speechless.
"..." These guys.... What are they eating? How are all of them this strong?
While she was still thinking, Feng Wu picked up the bronze mirror from the altar and said, "Fairy Bai, please excuse my offense."
Carrying the mirror in his arm, he gave the order, "Let’s go."
Meanwhile, at the Feng Army’s barracks, Feng Xiyan stood on the podium, looking down at the Feng Army soldiers.
Raising his wine cup, he declared, "Brothers, after more than two years, we have finally won the war against the Yuezhi Tribe today!"
As his words echoed through the square, the soldiers’ eyes turned red.
Feng Xiyan tightened his grip on the wine cup and continued, "Today, this general will offer this cup of wine to honor our fallen brothers!"
Looking up at the sky, his voice grew heavy with grief. "Brothers! Today’s victory and peace would not exist without all of you! Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice!"
With that, Feng Xiyan solemnly poured his wine onto the ground. As his head lowered, a single tear fell, mixing with the spilled wine.
Seeing this, the soldiers below followed, pouring out their wine. Some wept silently as they remembered their fallen comrades, while others lowered their heads with reddened eyes.
After a long silence, Feng Xiyan raised his head and refilled his cup.
Once more, he lifted it high, pride filled his voice. "Brothers, this general toasts all of you! Thank you for bringing peace to Xiqiang City!"
After saying that, he drank the wine in one gulp.
Below, the soldiers filled their cups, raised them, and shouted in unison, "Long live the Feng Army!"
Then they drank, emptying their cups, and raised their heads high.
Seeing this, Feng Xiyan smiled and announced, "Let the victory banquet begin!"
As soon as his words fell, cheers erupted. Soldiers gathered in groups as the kitchen staff brought out dish after dish.
While the Feng Army feasted and laughed, the Jin Army soldiers could only sit in silence inside the underground prison, listening to the noise and smelling the food from afar.
In one of the underground prison cells, a Jin soldier sniffed the air and swallowed his saliva.
"What is this smell? It’s so fragrant," he muttered, nose twitching.
Standing up from the cold ground, he followed the scent to the small square hole in the wall that served as a window.
Pressing close, he inhaled deeply. Without the rancid, humid stench of the prison masking it, the aroma of food was overwhelming.
The soldier sniffed again, then froze, his eyes widening in disbelief. "This... this is the smell of grilled chicken!"
The moment he spoke, the other soldiers turned toward him at once.
One scoffed, "Brother, are you so hungry you are hallucinating now?"
The first soldier turned toward him, face deadly serious. Grabbing him by the arm, he pulled the other soldier up. "Brother, come here."
Seeing the excitement on the other soldier’s face, he grew curious. Standing, he let himself be dragged to the window.
Pointing eagerly, the first soldier urged, "Sniff the air outside."
Although doubtful, the soldier leaned against the dirty wooden bars and drew a deep breath. As soon as the fresh air filled his lungs, relief washed over him.
A second later, he suddenly froze. He inhaled again, longer this time.
Seeing this, the first soldier asked excitedly, "Brother, what did you smell?"
The second soldier took another deep breath and replied, "I smell grilled chicken, a faint hint of peach mixed with familiar alcohol, and some scents I have never smelled before."
After he described what he smelled, the first soldier nodded quickly and said, "That’s exactly what I smelled just now!"
Seeing the other soldier still sniffing the air and blocking the window, the first soldier nudged him aside and said, "Brother, let me smell it too."
While the two of them were savoring the fragrant aroma in the air, the other soldiers lowered their heads in silence.
After a long moment, another soldier suddenly punched the ground angrily.