Chapter 362
Chapter 362
While Princess Ning Yan was on her way to marry into the Prince of Yan's residence in the Great Yan Dynasty, she saw Wuyue being dragged to the capital. After hearing Wuyue’s story, the princess believed she had been wronged and immediately went to the King to ask for her release.
The King had a terrible headache. Ning Yan had already taken countless young female warriors to form her Women’s Army, many of them the descendants of disgraced generals. However, the world knew what kind of man her future husband was, and the King, feeling a pang of guilt, found himself unable to refuse Ning Yan's request. He ordered the Blackwater Terrace to release Wuyue. From then on, Wuyue followed Princess Ning Yan, becoming a leading commander in the Women's Army. Now forty years old, Wuyue had resolved to never marry.
Shen Lang had seen stout female warriors who were eight feet tall and nearly as wide, but he had never actually met Wuyue.
“Xiannu greets Young Master Shen.”
A brawny female warrior with a waist eight feet in circumference spoke shyly. She was the deputy commander of the Women’s Army. Shen Lang looked at the two hundred formidable women. They were likely all the female warriors under Ning Yan’s command.
“Her Highness is confined within Jingzong Temple and cannot leave, so she has specially sent us to accompany you on your mission. We will obey any command you give, even if you order us to leap into fire.”
The eight-foot-waisted warrior, Xiannu, also spoke.
“Young Master, we of the Women’s Army are either descendants of disgraced officials or lowly female warriors. We were all in dire straits. Had Her Highness Princess Ning Yan not saved us, we would have met a miserable end long ago. Since that day, we have not considered our lives our own. No matter how dangerous the place, we are not afraid. The worst that can happen is death!”
Princess Ning Yan had given Shen Lang her entire force. He had known she would. Shen Lang had tried to visit Princess Ning Yan at Jingzong Temple, but he had failed. The King had issued a strict decree that Ning Yan was to be confined for two full months, and he was absolutely forbidden from meeting her. The King didn't trust his own daughter, and he trusted this scoundrel Shen Lang even less. He worried that if the two met, no matter where they were, they would end up rolling around in bed together, all while calling each other ‘brother.’
However, before leaving the capital, Yun Mengze had given Shen Lang a heads-up that Ning Yan would hand over all her warriors. Even though he knew this beforehand, seeing the incredibly dependable and robust Women’s Army before him now, Shen Lang felt a surge of warmth and gratitude.
“Big Butt, it seems I made a good brother in you.”
Zhang Chong lifted the carriage curtain, looked at them, and couldn't help but comment.
“What a magnificent force.”
He then gave Shen Lang a look of admiration. Shen Lang sighed and said.
“What can I do? When a man is this handsome, women can’t help but adore him. Everywhere I go, beauties are willing to give me their hearts and souls!”
Zhang Chong immediately wanted to switch to another carriage. He felt a sense of relief that his own daughter hadn't truly fallen into this scoundrel Shen Lang's trap. If she had, he would be beating the ground in regret right now. Shen Lang stepped out of the carriage and looked at the strong, sturdy female cavalry, picturing Princess Ning Yan’s face in his mind once more. Though Shen Lang was a man of smooth words, he was genuinely moved. He truly didn't know how he could ever repay Princess Ning Yan’s kindness.
Shen Lang looked down at the two hundred female warriors under Ning Yan’s command and said.
“Sisters! We are heading to Su Nan’s base of operations. It can be considered a true dragon’s den. Though our lives may not be under constant threat, danger lurks at every corner. Moreover, even if we achieve great things, there will be no path to official rank. Are you still willing to go?”
The leading female commander, Wuyue, said.
“If not for Her Highness, we would have been dead long ago.”
Xiannu added.
“I was born a lowly wrestling slave. Sometimes I wrestled with a loincloth, but other times, I had to wrestle without even that. If we wrestling slaves were disobedient, we were thrown into the water prison to be tormented by leeches and venomous snakes. We were living a life that was neither dead nor alive. If not for Her Highness, we would still be living like livestock and would have died long ago. What is there for us to fear? This life is simply for repaying Her Highness’s grace.”
At Xiannu’s words, the eyes of the female warriors turned red. Their circumstances were all similar. Of the two hundred women, half were descendants of disgraced officials, and the other half were fighting slaves and wrestling slaves. They were pitiful women with no families, living lives no better than beasts. They had no freedom, nor any human dignity. At first, Princess Ning Yan had saved them for fun or to build her Women's Army. But gradually, she came to see rescuing these pitiful women as her mission.
In that regard, she was quite similar to Qiu Yao'er. If one had to compare, Qiu Yao'er was more of a philanthropist than Ning Yan, saving all women, most of whom were frail. In contrast, Princess Ning Yan only saved strong and valiant female warriors, gathering them to build her own power. To all the pitiful women, Qiu Yao'er was a goddess to be respected and admired, but one who was unapproachable. She was invincible and needed no one's help. Princess Ning Yan, on the other hand, was more like a hero from ancient tales. She was like a great champion, akin to Fan Kuai or Guo Jie. Ning Yan valued loyalty and called all her brawny female warriors her brothers.
Of course, this female champion persona of hers was a facade. Deep in her heart, she was just an innocent young girl. Otherwise, why would she call Shen Lang her brother yet jump into bed with him at every opportunity? A truly domineering female champion would have cast the matter aside after a night together, completely forgetting her partner. But after sleeping with Shen Lang, Ning Yan couldn't let him go.
The brawny warrior Xiannu shouted loudly.
“Charge the mountain of swords and leap into the sea of fire!”
“Charge the mountain of swords and leap into the sea of fire!”
At her cry, two hundred female warriors responded in unison. The elite male soldiers watching from the side felt ashamed, feeling their own valor was lacking in comparison.
Shen Lang continued.
“Excellent! Then from this day forward, sisters, we will share life and death together. This younger brother has no grand gift to offer, so I will give you something practical and useful for your daily lives. Thirteen, bring it over!”
At Shen Lang's command, Thirteen and dozens of warriors began carrying over boxes filled with gifts.
“Sisters, you are braver than any other. Though you are women, your spirit is second to none. However, for a few days each month, you all face a troublesome and irritating situation. If you use the items I’ve gifted you, those days of the month won’t be so agonizing. This gift is called Angel's Wings. I’ve given thirty to each of you!”
Thirteen’s face was ashen as he distributed the gifts.
‘What Angel’s Wings? They’re just menstrual towels.’
No matter how valiant the Women's Army was, they were still women and could not avoid those few days of the month. So, Shen Lang thought his gift would be well-received. And indeed, it was! When they received the gifts, they were first surprised, then blushed, and finally, they were delighted.
‘He truly is the man our princess has set her heart on. Not only thoughtful but also practical.’
This gift greatly increased the two hundred female warriors' favorability toward Shen Lang.
“Forward march!”
Two hundred magnificent and valiant female warriors spurred their warhorses and joined the army's formation. Each woman led two horses, making the infantry following on foot green with envy.
* * *
Two days later.
As Zhang Chong and Shen Lang’s forces were about to leave Lang County, a carriage with a farmer-like driver appeared on the official road ahead. Shen Lang was overjoyed to see him. From this day on, he no longer had to worry about his own life. Shen Lang was a man who greatly feared death, so even though he was on his way to eliminate the Su Clan to settle a grudge, he had to ensure his own absolute safety. Having Big Dummy as a super-class bodyguard was not enough. He needed someone even more formidable by his side to feel at ease, and the candidate he had in mind was none other than the Sword King, Li Qianqiu.
Shen Lang said to Zhang Chong.
“Your Excellency’s marching speed is too slow. We must part ways here.”
“Young Master Shen, let us bid farewell here, then.”
Shen Lang stood up and, without the slightest hint of carelessness, bowed deeply to Zhang Chong. After parting with Zhang Chong here, it would likely be a long time before they met again. When they did, it would be on a fierce battlefield.
“Lord Zhang, I entrust the defense of White Night County to you. Please hold back the main force of Su Nan's rebel army as well.”
This mission was truly as difficult as ascending to the heavens.
“I will do my utmost. However, your situation will likely be even more perilous than mine. I may have three thousand men, but you have only two hundred to face thousands, even tens of thousands of enemies.”
Shen Lang smiled at him.
“Not at all. If everything goes smoothly, my side will face no danger. It may look like the world is shaking with all the noise, but in reality, I should be able to handle things effortlessly. Your side, Lord Zhang, is the one in a truly difficult situation. Su Nan will throw everything he has at you in a frenzy. But I have one piece of good news. He is already injured.”
“That is good news indeed. I truly do fear him.”
“Lord Zhang, how are your martial arts?”
“They’re decent.”
For Zhang Chong to say they were ‘decent’ meant his skills were likely profound. Shen Lang had never seen Zhang Chong use his martial arts, which piqued his curiosity.
“The road ahead is long. It will likely be over a month before we meet again. I will see you on the battlefield.”
“See you on the battlefield! Young Master Shen, I hope everything goes smoothly for you, so that when the time comes for the final, decisive battle, we can attack from both front and rear to annihilate Su Nan's rebel army.”
“On the day of the great battle, I will be sure to arrive on time, so you will not have to fight alone!”
Thus, as soon as they left the capital, the two men cast aside the strategic mission given by the King and proceeded with their own plans, step by step.