A Great Wind Rises, Clouds Fly on High

“The Lin Family Army of North Heaven City has arrived!”

“The Tianzhao Army of Wanhua City has arrived!”

“The Divine Machine Guards of Ziyue have arrived!”

…

Accompanied by one announcement after another, generals of all sizes arrived with their troops. Some brought tens of thousands, others seven or eight thousand, all clad in various styles of dress and armor.

On the martial arts stage stood a figure missing an arm, looking down at the billowing dust raised by the masses below.

In an ordinary household, such an injury would lead to one being called a useless person, but here, no one dared to look down on him.

For no other reason than the fact that he was Luo Bai.

“Commander Luo, the headcount is complete,” a soldier came forward to report.

“The various allied forces total five hundred thousand. Combined with our fifty thousand elite troops, we have a total of five hundred and fifty thousand.”

“Mm,” Luo Bai nodded.

The numbers should be sufficient. Now, it remained to be seen if these people were truly of one mind with him.

While Luo Bai was deep in thought, a commotion broke out not far away.

Luo Bai waved his hand, signaling the soldier to withdraw.

Shortly after, the generals leading the various armies arrived below the stage.

“Commander Luo, our men are all gathered. We await only your command.”

“You have all worked hard.”

Luo Bai smiled and made a gesture of invitation.

The generals took their seats one after another, and then, a predictable and tedious bout of bickering began.

After all, they came from different regions, and some were even former rival factions, now forced into a temporary alliance by the grander situation.

Fortunately, Luo Bai had already been pre-selected as the Alliance Leader; otherwise, with this much arguing, who knew when they would ever finish.

At that moment, another soldier ran over.

“Commander Luo, the Prince of Xizhou has arrived,” the soldier whispered in Luo Bai’s ear.

Luo Bai froze. The Prince of Xizhou was the biological uncle of the Heavenly Dynasty’s Emperor. For him to come to this rebel nest at a time like this…

It seemed there was a deeper meaning behind it.

“Everyone, please excuse me for a moment.”

Luo Bai rose, gave a formal bow, and followed the soldier down.

The meeting with the Prince of Xizhou took place in an inn within the city. The moment Luo Bai stepped inside, he felt something was off.

He felt as though someone was constantly peeking at him.

“Greetings, Commander Luo.”

The middle-aged man in the head seat rose and gave a smiling bow.

“Greetings, Prince of Xizhou.”

Luo Bai returned the greeting composedly.

He sat down right next to the Prince of Xizhou.

“I have long heard that Commander Luo is a young hero. Seeing you today, you truly live up to your reputation.”

“The Prince overpraises me.”

Luo Bai was clearly not buying into the Prince of Xizhou’s flattery.

“I simply wonder what business the Prince has with me?”

“I heard recently that Commander Luo wishes to restore order to the world. Though I have no great ambitions, I am willing to lend you a helping hand.”

The Prince of Xizhou clapped his hands. Soon, servants came forward carrying chests of jewelry.

“A small meeting gift, please accept it.”

The corner of Luo Bai’s eye twitched slightly. Though he was not a man who loved wealth, to be honest, it was the first time he had seen so much treasure.

If these treasures were fully utilized as military funds, they could expand Luo Bai’s personal army by more than twofold.

“The Prince of Xizhou is truly generous.”

Luo Bai also revealed a smile. They were both sensible people; since the other party had shown their strength, things would be easier to handle, wouldn’t they?

Thus, for the sake of the money, Luo Bai accompanied him in idle chatter.

Suddenly, the Prince of Xizhou shifted the topic.

“I wonder, does Commander Luo have a family yet?”

Luo Bai froze and immediately became alert.

This was a common tactic among nobles: political marriage.

“I have one betrothed wife.”

“Then that means you have not yet officially married.”

Luo Bai had still underestimated the thickness of the old fox’s skin. He had already stated he was a “married” man, yet the Prince was still making a move.

Before Luo Bai could speak, the Prince of Xizhou had already clapped his hands.

Beautiful maidservants emerged from behind a screen, all serving to accentuate a masked beauty in the center holding a pipa.

A true “half-hidden face behind a pipa.”

“My daughter is twenty years of age and has not yet wed. I am willing to grant her to Commander Luo as a wife.”

After speaking, the Prince of Xizhou even signaled the girl with a few hints.

“This little girl greets the General.”

Luo Bai understood. No wonder he had felt someone peeking at him since he entered the room.

For the first time, Luo Bai furrowed his brows deeply.

“Prince of Xizhou, I accept your intention to help us, but as for this beauty, let’s forget it.”

Luo Bai stood up, preparing to leave.

The Prince was stunned, followed by a look of disbelief.

He had clearly seen a trace of admiration in Luo Bai’s expression just now, which was why he had made the proposal.

Yet, it seemed the intended effect was quite far off.

Just as Luo Bai’s hand touched the door, it was suddenly kicked open. Then, a furious “rogue dragon” appeared.

“Where is Luo Bai? Where the f*ck did he go!”

Long Miaoming scanned the surroundings. Not seeing Luo Bai at first glance, she pulled the door open and saw him behind it.

Before Luo Bai could say a word, Long Miaoming reached out and twisted his ear.

“I was wondering why you left in such a hurry this time. So you came to a place like this? Just you wait until I get you home and fix you up.”

With that, she dragged Luo Bai away right before everyone’s eyes.

The crowd finally realized why Luo Bai, despite clearly being impressed, didn’t dare to accept the woman.

It turned out it was because he had a fierce wife at home.

Meanwhile, as they walked out of the inn, the dynamic between Luo Bai and Long Miaoming shifted. Seeing that no one was following, she released his ear.

“Hiss—girl, you really used force.”

Luo Bai rubbed his ear.

“Hmph, it’s because Beautiful Brother’s eyes weren’t behaving.”

Long Miaoming snorted, seemingly angry.

“Beautiful Brother, you must remember: you are my, Long Miaoming’s, man. You are not allowed to go around flirting in the future.”

Luo Bai let out a couple of bitter laughs.

This girl, since that day, had been constantly declaring her sovereignty to the outside world.

The two walked down the street as the local citizens greeted them.

“Beautiful Brother, are you leaving soon?”

Long Miaoming asked suddenly.

Luo Bai was stunned. Though he wanted to say no, everything was now prepared.

He truly was about to go on campaign.

Long Miaoming understood just by looking at the expression on his face.

“Beautiful Brother, this time, I am going with you.”

Long Miaoming said abruptly.

Luo Bai froze, then his brows furrowed tightly.

“Nonsense. The battlefield is so dangerous, a girl like you…”

“If you don’t take me, I’ll go by myself.”

Long Miaoming interrupted him and gave him a glare.

“I can fly anyway, you can’t stop me!”

“Miaoming…”

Luo Bai wanted to say more, but Long Miaoming directly covered her ears.

Luo Bai sighed; he had forgotten once again that she was no ordinary human.

He patted her small head.

“Alright, I can take you with me, but you must be obedient.”