With the Blade-Chapter 44 - 41: The Way to Defeat the Monster

Though the battle flag was somewhat unwilling, after being polished by Du Chengfeng, it temporarily quieted down.

"However, the weapons in the storage still need regular maintenance."

After exiting the passage, Du Chengfeng found Governor Liu and discussed the precautions.

"The battle flag itself doesn’t have evil qi, but if the weapons around it haven’t been polished for many days... It’s like seeing your soldiers not training for a long time, wouldn’t you want them to exercise a bit?"

"I see..."

After hearing Du Chengfeng explain the situation, Governor Liu was relieved, but immediately, he grew interested in the battle flag.

Just like evil energy weapons granting martial artists superhuman strength, this battle flag is clearly a rare treasure for a military commander.

If this flag could unify the entire army’s evil qi, what terrifying combat power might it unleash?

Thinking this, Governor Liu walked into the storeroom and grabbed the battle flag.

The moment he touched the flag, Governor Liu’s eyes turned crimson and fierce.

"Ah!"

Startled, Du Chengfeng quickly snatched the battle flag back and swung his arm, slapping Governor Liu twice across the face.

"Wake up now!"

"You rebellious crook, how dare you seize... eh?"

Just as Governor Liu began to mutter, his words were cut off by the slaps, the redness in his eyes faded, and he regained awareness.

"What was I... Apologies."

Although Governor Liu was a bit dizzy from the slaps, seeing the battle flag in Du Chengfeng’s hand, he realized the terrifying incident he had just experienced.

Moreover, this touch revealed the reason behind the fall of Youzhou Governor’s Mansion.

Indeed, the Youzhou armory chief was unjustly accused; after touching the flag, the Youzhou governor was influenced, believing himself to be a former Chu army general. A Chu general in the Chen governor’s mansion would indeed consider the surroundings enemy territory, and being a fierce general trapped in enemy lines, he naturally sought to dispel the traitors violently.

However, this raised another issue.

The phoenix battle flag in Jizhou’s arsenal was brought back during the previous dynasty’s recovery of Yuyang County.

But how did a phoenix battle flag come to be in Youzhou’s arsenal?

"Something seems off about this..."

Governor Liu furrowed his brow, acknowledging now wasn’t the time to ponder such matters.

Bowing with clasped hands, he offered Du Chengfeng a deep bow.

"Thank you, Mr. Du, for saving me. Otherwise, Jizhou today might be as devastated as Youzhou."

"No need for such words, as long as you don’t blame me for slapping you twice."

Du Chengfeng didn’t mind. He had been watching the whole time, and even if Governor Liu went mad from the phoenix battle flag, he was close enough to stab the opponent with any of his seventeen blades.

Governor Liu was straightforward too; Du Chengfeng entered the governor’s mansion armed without a search.

"That’s because I’m also skilled in martial arts."

On hearing Du Chengfeng’s question, Governor Liu simply raised his hand and made a cut.

On the stone-bricked passage wall, there appeared a deep mark etched by Governor Liu’s finger strength.

"In my Chen dynasty, being a governor requires the great strength to wield a deadly weapon. I’ve practiced martial arts for over twenty years..."

"Then what happened earlier?"

Du Chengfeng scratched his head.

"No problem, if it was just a shortcut, you don’t need to explain, I get it."

"...Earlier was an accident."

Governor Liu blushed with embarrassment.

"The evil qi in the battle flag matched what I had in mind; thus my mind inadvertently aligned, giving the flag an opening... Regarding governors using shortcuts, perhaps southward you’ll find some, but not in this pivotal border land."

"...What did you say just now?"

Du Chengfeng continued scratching his head.

"I didn’t catch that, can you repeat it?"

"I said in essential border lands..."

"Not that, what before that?"

"Before? I, Liu Yanran, practiced martial arts for over twenty years..."

"Yes, that’s the one."

Du Chengfeng nodded, secretly remembering Governor Liu’s name.

Liu Yanran, the very name "Yanran" refers to the Desert North Royal Court deep within the steppes.

Born in the north of Ji, yet named after Yanran, Governor Liu’s ambitions are evident.

"So, you wanted to know my name."

Upon hearing Du Chengfeng, Governor Liu realized.

"I am Liu Yanran, like the Yanran who chiseled inscriptions in Yanran... But usually, address me by my title, Governor Liu will do."

"Understood."

Remembering the name, Du Chengfeng took out the battle flag.

"As for this..."

"This thing... never mind."

With a reluctant glance at the battle flag, Governor Liu sighed in resignation.

Though a treasure, it’s not something he could handle.

"Moreover, as you mentioned earlier, though the Chu military’s commanding method seems blazing, it’s practically flawed. This battle flag, in the end, is somewhat outdated. It’s better sealed back in storage... No."

Just as the words left his mouth, Governor Liu shook his head.

Indeed, it couldn’t be sealed back now. Du Chengfeng already mentioned why the armory was filled with evil qi, and simply sealing the flag away would mean it would rouse again, practicing drills, so does the Governor’s Mansion want that?

So, upon returning to Yangjiabao that night, Du Chengfeng had an additional warhorse and a battle flag wrapped in thick cloth.

The warhorse was from Governor Liu, technically a part of the Governor’s Mansion’s property, but convenient for Du Chengfeng’s commuting, since the borrowed draft horse from Carpenter Li’s home wasn’t fast enough. As for the battle flag... it was purely work-related; Du Chengfeng didn’t intend to take it.

After all, compared to the battle flag, Du Chengfeng had acquired something more crucial.

That was the battlefield experience felt while honing the battle flag.

"So even fierce generals aren’t entirely invincible..."

Riding on the horse, Du Chengfeng felt he vicariously touched upon some method.

The natural-born monster named He Xiqing might not be as terrifying as imagined.

Even with inhuman strength and a legion of ferocious steppe cavalry at his command, in this world filled with evil qi, his advantage multiplies. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

But ultimately, it is no greater than the bravery of Chu’s mighty general Long Yan.

Even a valorous leader could perish on the battlefield; so too can He Xiqing.