Chapter 409: The Strategist Enters the Fray with His Life

At 45 minutes past the hour of the Goat (1-3 PM), the sky had turned overcast. Several thick, heavy clouds veiled the blazing sun—it looked like it might rain.

In front of the North City Gate of Heyun Prefecture, a noodle stall and a small table had been set up.

Billowing white steam rose from the stove on the noodle cart and was swept into swirling spirals by the autumn wind.

At a wooden table nearby, Yan Wuyong, dressed in coarse hemp robes, had rolled up his sleeves and was slurping down a large bowl of noodles.

Even when the Grand Preceptor and his entourage approached within three steps, he did not raise his head to look at them.

It was as if the bowl of noodles in front of him was far more important than the Grand Preceptor of Great Wu.

Smelling the spicy aroma in the air, Grand Preceptor Ran carefully observed this king of the rebel army, whom he had never met in person but had “crossed swords” with from afar many times.

A cunning hero in chaotic times, with a boldness that shocks the world!

That was Grand Preceptor Ran’s first impression of this rebel king.

To appear without even a single guard by his side, and to allow them to approach within three paces—such courage was likely possessed only by a warlord like Yan Wuyong, who had clawed his way out of life-and-death struggles.

“I am Ran Lin, Grand Preceptor of Great Wu, here with my disciples to pay respects to Monarch Yan.” As he spoke, Grand Preceptor Ran bowed respectfully to Yan Wuyong with his disciples.

“Hm.” Yan Wuyong slurped a mouthful of noodles and said offhandedly, “Wait until I finish eating.”

At this, many of the disciples showed expressions of outrage. They felt this bandit before them was far too arrogant. The Grand Preceptor had come in person and greeted him with proper courtesy, yet he had the audacity to make them wait while he finished his noodles.

Utterly insolent!

Just as the disciples were about to speak up, Grand Preceptor Ran raised his hand to stop them, then stepped forward and said, “Seeing how much Monarch Yan is enjoying his noodles, I too feel like trying a bowl. Might Your Majesty be willing to spare some?”

Hearing this, Monarch Yan looked up and gave the old man before him a glance. He then pointed with his chopsticks toward the noodle stall. “Boil your own noodles. Pick your own toppings.”

“A pinch of salt, a handful of chili, three spoonfuls of soy sauce… don’t add soup. Just mix and eat.”

“Many thanks, Monarch Yan.” Grand Preceptor Ran rolled up his sleeves, walked over to the noodle cart, and dropped a wad of noodles into the boiling pot with his chopsticks.

Yan Wuyong glanced at him and warned, “Do you even know how to cook noodles? If not, don’t bother. Don’t go burning my pot.”

“Rest assured, Monarch Yan. Before I entered court service, what I ate most often was noodles I cooked myself.”

Grand Preceptor Ran smiled as he replied. He fished out the noodles, added the condiments just as Yan Wuyong had instructed, and soon had a bowl of chili soy-sauce noodles ready.

Carrying his bowl, he sat across from Yan Wuyong, took a bite, and exclaimed in surprise, “This is excellent—who would’ve thought plain noodles could taste this good?”

At the mention of the noodles, Yan Wuyong seemed intrigued. He set down his chopsticks and chuckled. “Let me tell you, this recipe was taught to me by an immortal. Ordinary people don’t get to eat this.”

“Oh?” Grand Preceptor Ran’s tone rose with a hint of delight on his face. “Then I truly am fortunate today, blessed by Monarch Yan’s presence.”

With that, the gray-haired old man began devouring the noodles with large, unrestrained bites.

Across from him, Yan Wuyong gave him a meaningful glance, smirked playfully, and resumed eating with equal vigor.

For a moment, the scene was strangely surreal—on one side, the leader of a rebel army; on the other, the most powerful official in the realm—and yet, here they were, sitting together and eating noodles.

Not far from the table, two hazy figures stood side by side. Arms folded, Heaven Arbiter Ashen said with interest, “They make it look so delicious—I’m tempted to try it myself.”

“Mr. Gu, when this game is over, I want to make myself a bowl of those noodles too, using your recipe.”

Gu Ning’an raised his eyes and said flatly, “To eat as a last meal before execution?”

Heaven Arbiter Ashen fell momentarily silent and did not continue that line of conversation. Instead, he returned his gaze to the noodle-eating Grand Preceptor and Yan Wuyong.

At the same time, a sense of dread crept into his heart… Could Mr. Gu truly be confident that he’ll kill me?

Not long after, the two at the noodle stall set down their chopsticks. Monarch Yan casually wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, while the Grand Preceptor, seeing this, declined the handkerchief offered by a disciple and similarly wiped the chili oil from his mouth with his hand.

Seeing this, the disciples were even more astonished. Their teacher on this trip felt completely different from the man they once knew…

Grand Preceptor Ran said with a smile, “Along the way, I saw the people around the Meng River living in peace and comfort. They seemed to be doing quite well—I suppose this is thanks to Monarch Yan’s care.”

“Don’t pin that on me.” Yan Wuyong raised a hand dismissively. “The people don’t need me to care for them… It’s just that they live in a place without oppressive policies and harsh taxes, that’s all.”

“Sigh…” Grand Preceptor Ran let out a long sigh. “Great Wu has fallen into chaos. With no backbone to rely on, the people have truly suffered.”

“Heh!” Yan Wuyong sneered coldly. “One word—‘suffer’—can’t possibly sum up the pain of the people!”

Grand Preceptor Ran nodded. “Great Wu has indeed made many grave mistakes. That’s why a heroic figure like Monarch Yan was able to rise.”

“I’m no hero,” Yan Wuyong waved a hand. “Just an ordinary man who nearly couldn’t survive, doing everything I could to keep living—dragging my fellow villagers to survive with me. That’s all.”

“Monarch Yan is too humble,” Grand Preceptor Ran smiled, then pulled out an imperial decree from his robe and laid it open before Yan Wuyong. “This is a decree of alliance personally written by His Majesty. Now that the demon race has broken through the pass, Great Wu is on the brink of life and death.”

“His Majesty cannot bear to see the people slaughtered, turned into livestock for the demons.”

“Thus, I have been sent to form an alliance with Monarch Yan to stand together against the demon race!”

Though Yan Wuyong had already guessed the purpose of their visit, he still fell into deep thought upon hearing the formal request.

Atop the city walls, several generals who had held their tongues for some time could no longer stay silent. Seeing a lull in the conversation, they immediately shouted abuse at the Grand Preceptor.

The Grand Preceptor’s disciples stepped forward as well, engaging in heated arguments across the walls with the generals.

After a while, Grand Preceptor Ran stood up, clasped his hands, and bowed toward the generals on the wall. “In times of war, casualties are inevitable. All past sieges and encirclements were my doing. All grievances and hatred should fall upon me alone.”

“I have come through the night to settle these scores. I ask Monarch Yan to form an alliance!”

Shua!

Cold flashes gleamed as weapons appeared in the hands of the Grand Preceptor and his disciples!

The Grand Preceptor, followed by more than a dozen disciples, bowed to Yan Wuyong and declared in unison, “Today, we offer our lives! We beseech Monarch Yan to set aside past enmity—for the sake of the people—form an alliance with Great Wu to protect the common folk!”

Riiip!

Blood sprayed into the air!

Without the slightest hesitation, the Grand Preceptor and his disciples slit their own throats on the spot!

In that moment, even the foul-mouthed generals atop the wall were left speechless by the shocking scene!

The Grand Preceptor of Great Wu—a man second only to the emperor himself—had actually sacrificed not just his own life, but also those of his disciples, for the sake of an alliance!

Staring at the fallen bodies, Yan Wuyong picked up the blood-splattered decree of alliance and raised his voice:

“Without lips, the teeth grow cold. Since the Grand Preceptor of Great Wu has offered his life in invitation, then my Yan Southern Army shall, for the sake of the people, set aside all past grudges and stand united against the demon race—!”