Sochong truly lived up to his reputation as a military expert who knew the geography of Fast as well. He arranged the final encampment on the way to the capital, Esnia, in a beautiful and scenic place. After just one more day's journey, they would be able to reach the capital safely, and everyone felt very relaxed.
Aurelian Dragon also received news from the messenger sent earlier that the capital had dispatched city guards to their location, and they were expected to meet up with them around noon tomorrow.
With the burden finally lifted from her shoulders, Aurelian Dragon felt extremely relieved. It seemed that the marching route arranged by Suo Chong had confused the men sent by the Third Prince, and those guys might still be wandering around aimlessly behind her, taking detours based on the tracks they deliberately left behind.
Thinking of this, Aurelian Dragon patted Suo Chong on the shoulder and said, "I am deeply grateful for the General's great assistance this time! When I return to the capital, I will definitely repay the General properly!"
Suo Chong quickly thanked him, saying, "You flatter me, sir. I have only done my duty and do not deserve such praise. To be honest, it is a great pleasure in my life to be able to work with you!"
Seeing that no one was around, Suo Chong said in a low voice, "I am really unhappy staying in the city guard. If you are so kind as to do so, could you transfer me to your command?"
Aurelian Dragon was taken aback. He looked up and stared straight at Suo Chong. He saw his eager eyes and knew that Suo Chong respected him. But it was too early to say such a thing. He didn't even know how much power he had. How could he agree to take the city guard's thousand cavalry under his command?
Suo Chong seemed to see through Aurelian Dragon's thoughts and said sincerely, "I believe that you, sir, are not someone to be underestimated. When you have the ability, just remember what you said today!"
Having said all that, how could Aurelian Dragon refuse? Besides, Suo Chong was indeed a talented individual, and having such a helper would make things much easier in the future. However, he didn't understand why Suo Chong had such great confidence in him and believed he could achieve great things.
Suo Chong was overjoyed when Aurelian Dragon agreed. Having served in the army for many years, he hadn't earned the favor of his superiors due to his status and temperament. Now, Aurelian Dragon's actions were exceptional, and his commoner knight background resonated with Suo Chong. He trusted his judgment; the man before him was far beyond the reach of a mere commander of ten thousand cavalry. Aurelian Dragon's fame had spread rapidly in the few days since arriving in the capital. Emperor Andre III's high regard for him and General Fei Feng's appreciation all indicated a promising future. More importantly, he had witnessed Aurelian Dragon's outstanding performance along the way, making him believe that Aurelian Dragon was a man worth serving.
Lynette Quill's sweet voice rang out from not far away: "Aurelian, Bafeng and the others found a small lake over there. The scenery is very beautiful. We want to go there to visit it. Do you want to come?"
Aurelian Dragon quickly replied, "Go, go. How could I be left out? Without me, the scenery would lose half its splendor." Amidst the laughter of the women, he said to Suo Chong, "I'll have to trouble you to take care of things these next few days!"
Suo Chong bowed and said, "My lord, please rest assured, I will do my best and live up to your expectations!"
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Lynette Quill was absolutely right. Not far from their campsite lay a beautiful lake, its waters a tranquil, turquoise blue, like a mirror nestled among the mountains. The campsite chosen by Suo Chong was in a hilly area, so they were only separated from their camp by a small hill. Sitting on the grass by the lake, they could faintly hear the sounds of soldiers cooking over a fire coming from the hillside, which only added to the serenity of the place.
Looking at the distant mountains and lush forests, layer upon layer of verdant peaks, and then down at the distinct reflections on the lake, the women were speechless, all captivated by the breathtaking scenery.
It was almost evening, and the sky was gradually darkening. The setting sun painted the clouds on the horizon with a brilliant gold, which then transformed into countless colors, so colorful and dazzling that it was hard to believe.
A thin mist rose from the lake, its hazy glow enhancing the serene and pleasant atmosphere. Coupled with the rolling green hills and continuous bamboo groves in the foreground, the scene was truly tranquil and beautiful.
Aurelian Dragon blurted out, "Such a beautiful place! If I could build a house here and live here, enjoying such beautiful scenery every day, it would be one of the greatest joys in life!"
Lynette Quill said in a dreamy voice, "It's better not to do that. Human intervention shouldn't ruin this natural beauty. Aurelian, we should come back here more often when we have time!"
The women all nodded in agreement, and Da Feng, one of the eight guards, added, "Young master, if you come again in the future, don't forget to take us with you!"
Looking at the verdant hills rising on the lakeshore, Sifeng suddenly said, "Only immortals could live out their lives here! How could we mortals be so lucky?" Upon hearing this, all the women fell silent.
Seeing the somewhat subdued atmosphere, Aurelian Dragon suddenly had a bright idea: "Why don't we go down and play in the water?"
The women all shook their heads, and Lynette Quill rolled her eyes at him, saying, "The camp is over there. Aren't you afraid of being seen?"
Aurelian Dragon chuckled and said, "It's alright, just send someone to guard the path leading this way. If you're still worried, I'll keep watch for you."
At first, it was just a suggestion, but once the words were out, he really wanted to see what it would be like to see these beautiful women playing in the water amidst such scenery. Just thinking about it made him incredibly excited.
Seeing that they were already somewhat interested, he pressed his advantage, using his silver tongue to continue, "Look how clear and refreshing this lake water is. Soaking in it would be incredibly comfortable. If you don't like it, then I'll have to go down."
Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade were finally convinced, and they discussed the safest way to proceed. They decided that Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade would go back to camp to retrieve a cloth to fence off an area by the lake, making it much safer for them to enter the water there. Lynette Quill was sent to order some Golden Phoenix Guards to block off the mountain path leading to the area.
As Obsidia Shade was leaving, she suddenly leaned close to Aurelian Dragon's ear and said, "Young master, do you want to see us swimming naked?"
Aurelian Dragon was startled; she had actually seen through his thoughts. He was about to deny it when Obsidia Shade chuckled again, "Now you can have Eight Guards perform for you!"
Aurelian Dragon knew he couldn't hide it from this guy, so he reached out and gave her a hard slap on her plump buttocks, laughing and scolding, "Little darling, how do you know me so well? I'll make you give me a good show later!"
Obsidia Shade and Lynette Quill got up and left with a grin. The Eight Golden Phoenix Guards looked at Aurelian Dragon with some confusion, unaware that the two of them had just been plotting against them.
As expected, once Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade had gone far away, Aurelian Dragon began to persuade the Eight Guards. The Eight Guards were no match for his persistent persuasion, and the proposal also seemed very novel and interesting to them. In addition, they had never done anything in front of this man before, so half shy and half eager, the eight beautiful women began to undress in front of Aurelian Dragon.
As the last garment left their delicate bodies, their captivatingly beautiful forms, set against the backdrop of the stunning natural scenery, became even more alluring.
Eight vibrant, alluring bodies were displayed before Aurelian Dragon, each one beautiful and graceful, slender and plump, tall and short, leaving him speechless. When they gracefully leaped into the water, the feeling of them blending seamlessly with nature deeply moved Aurelian Dragon.
For a moment, he stared blankly at the eight guards swimming in the lake, his heart soaring to the highest heavens, or perhaps expanding to an infinite distance. The clear and melodious laughter rang in his ears, and in that instant, he seemed to have captured something, and an incomparable sense of joy welled up within him.
This is the beauty of life. If one could become one with heaven and earth, merge into them, and become a part of them, what a beautiful sight that would be! He suddenly understood the true meaning of the "eye of the soul," which is the union of the whole body and mind with the environment. Wherever heaven and earth and all things are, that is where the soul manifests.
Once he grasped this point, he no longer found it as difficult to use the "Mind's Eye" as before. With his mind completely open, his senses expanded infinitely, and he could easily "see" the surrounding mountains and rivers, the fish swimming in the lake with the eight phoenixes, and the beasts and insects crawling on the hills behind him.
Sanfeng swam to the edge of the small lake, tilted her upper body back, and revealed her breathtakingly proud breasts and crystal-clear skin in the clear lake water. Looking at Aurelian Dragon sitting on the grass by the lake, she said in a coquettish voice, "Young master, the lake water is so comfortable, won't you come down?"
Aurelian Dragon smiled slightly upon hearing this, and was about to reply when a sudden chill swept through his mind. An alarm sounded in his heart, as if everything here sensed the presence of danger and was warning him. His expression changed instantly, and he hissed, "Someone's coming!"
Sanfeng looked at Aurelian Dragon's change with bewilderment and asked in confusion, "Is it Miss Qin and the others?"
Aurelian Dragon leaped to her feet, her hand resting on the Fiery Sword at her waist, and cried out urgently, "No, come up here quickly! There's killing intent!"
Upon hearing this, Sanfeng was greatly alarmed and hurriedly summoned the other seven phoenixes to rush ashore, quickly dry themselves off, and put on their clothes.
Just as they finished dressing, Aurelian Dragon saw a dozen figures rushing towards them from the opposite hill. Their speed was like a streak of light and lightning. By the time Bafeng drew his longsword, these people had already surrounded them.
In the afterglow of the setting sun, Aurelian Dragon discovered that these were very unusual women. Each was tall and athletic, with long, curly blonde hair adorned with golden headbands. They were almost entirely naked, their snow-white skin dazzlingly bright. They wore small black cloths barely covering their genitals, and black breastplates that barely covered their ample breasts. On their feet were half-height combat boots, the tips of which were pierced with gleaming blades. In their left hands they held shining silver shields, and in their right hands, javelins that shimmered with an eerie light. On their backs were javelin sacks, filled with several javelins of the same color. Upon seeing these women, Aurelian Dragon felt a profound sense of unease.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through Aurelian Dragon's mind, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Goddess Warrior?!"
The Goddess Warriors are one of the three divine races. Legend says they possess immortality and unparalleled fighting power. Although their numbers are small, and they are all female, their achievements during the War of the Hundred Races were astonishing. However, with the end of the War of the Hundred Races, the Goddess Warriors retreated into the Divine Heaven Mountain on the continent, never to be seen again. They are the true Queens of the Mountains and Forests, their fighting prowess unmatched in the world.
※ ※ ※
As two soldiers standing at the camp gate were chatting, they suddenly noticed dozens of riders galloping up from the path ahead, rushing towards them like a gust of wind.
"Hey, who are you people?"
Tall soldiers with guns blocked the knights' path. Only then did he realize that these knights were actually beautiful women, dressed in dashing riding attire.
The sharp-eyed companion beside him had already noticed the phoenix embroidered on the riding clothes of these female knights, which were supported by their high breasts. He quickly pulled his taller companion and said to the Golden Phoenix Guard who was sitting high on his horse, "Are you looking for General Ye?"
Several Golden Phoenix Guards parted to the sides, and a female knight with a blue veil rode up from behind. Although she was just sitting quietly on her horse, an undeniable air of nobility made the two Fast soldiers dare not breathe, and her eyes, which seemed to see into people's souls, made them involuntarily lower their heads.
Those beautiful, diamond-like eyes turned to the Golden Phoenix Guard with the largest eyes at the front. Although she didn't speak, her eyes clearly conveyed her meaning.
The leading Golden Phoenix Guard with big eyes nodded and said in a sweet voice, "We have important business to discuss with General Ye. Go and inform him quickly!"
Upon receiving the soldier's report, Garrick Stonewall hurried out of the camp and welcomed them into the commander's tent.
Upon arriving at the commander's tent, the veiled woman who had been following silently behind suddenly spoke up: "Where is General Ye? Quickly find him." Her voice was like a clear spring flowing over the green stones in the mountains, or like the tinkling of silver bells, unforgettable and resonating deep within the soul.
Garrick Stonewall paused for a moment, as if pondering the question, before replying, "Lord Ye and Miss Liu went to enjoy the scenery at the small lake behind the house. I'll send someone to find them right away."
The tent flap was lifted, and Lynette Quill and Obsidia Shade walked in one after the other.
"Huh, it's you guys?" Lynette Quill was taken aback.
Upon seeing Lynette Quill, the Golden Phoenix Guards greeted her in unison, "Captain Liu, long time no see!" Lynette Quill responded, her gaze suddenly falling on the woman with the blue veil covering her face. Her beautiful, smiling eyes gleamed with wisdom, as if she could see into other people's hearts.
Lynette Quill's body trembled slightly, and she blurted out, "Sister Feng!" Her voice was filled with surprise and a hint of astonishment.
Garrick Stonewall was shocked. This woman was none other than Phoenix Vane, known as the "Beauty Warrior." No wonder she had such an imposing presence. Even he felt inexplicably respectful in front of her and naturally obeyed her orders.
Phoenix Vane shook his head, removed his veil, and revealed his breathtakingly beautiful face. Upon seeing such a stunningly beautiful woman, even a burly man like Garrick Stonewall, who was not interested in women at all, was captivated. He could hardly believe that such a celestial, noble and refined woman could be a general who commanded with composure and superb skills on the battlefield.
When he first saw Valeria Immortalis, he was already surprised by her beauty. Such a woman should not be associated with war. But now, after seeing Phoenix Vane's ethereal beauty, he realized how much he could look forward to fighting under General Phoenix. Just seeing such a peerless beauty was enough to make one feel ashamed and submit to her.
Lynette Quill looked at Phoenix Vane and asked, "Big sister, what brings you here? You didn't even tell me beforehand. How did you find this place?"
After greeting Obsidia Shade, Phoenix Vane said to Lynette Quill, "You've got a good question. Get ready for anything. I saw quite a few people on the back hill when I came here."
Lynette Quill was startled and quickly asked Garrick Stonewall, "Have you released the scouts?"
Garrick Stonewall shook his head and said, "We've just settled in. The fast horses we sent out have returned, but the scouts for the shift change haven't set off yet." He then glanced at Phoenix Vane, turned, and ran out of the command tent, loudly calling for the soldiers to prepare for any eventuality.
The camp was instantly thrown into chaos. Soldiers who were lighting fires to cook stood up cursing as they stood up. The sounds of armor clashing against weapons, the shouts of officers of all ranks, and the footsteps of soldiers filled the air, yet the activity did not appear chaotic.
Phoenix Vane looked in the direction Garrick Stonewall had walked out and said with delight, "That man is very skilled in martial arts and has great military talent; he's truly an outstanding individual." Then, changing his tone, he asked, "Why didn't Aurelian come in with us?"
"He and Bawei are still at that small lake."
Phoenix Vane was startled and exclaimed, "Oh no! I thought you all came back together!" Before he could finish speaking, chaos erupted outside the camp, and shouts of battle came from behind.
"Oh no! The young master and the others are still by the small lake behind here!" Obsidia Shade exclaimed, stamping her foot before rushing out of the command tent.