Chapter 154: The War Begins

Standing on the ancient city wall, Bai Feiyu felt an indescribable sense of loneliness creeping into his heart.

In the past, he could at least pass the time through cultivation, but now he could only gaze out into the distant horizon, letting out quiet sighs as he looked over the desolate battlefield.

"Hey, little brothers! I've brought you some food!"

At that moment, an elderly veteran pushed a small wheeled cart up to them. On the cart sat several dishes of food and a flask of fine wine.

This caught both Yang Fan and Bai Feiyu quite by surprise.

Drinking alcohol in the middle of a war? Was this some kind of sick joke? Were they entirely sure this wouldn't lead to a disaster?

As if reading the thoughts swirling in their minds, the veteran said calmly, "War is invariably dreary and oppressive, especially during these long, quiet nights."

"That is why some relief is naturally required to ease the fatigue. Don't worry, the alcohol they serve here can easily be expelled from your system using your cultivation Qi."

"When the time comes, just maintain the atmosphere; there's no need to fret. This has all been arranged by the commander."

Hearing the veteran's explanation, Bai Feiyu and Yang Fan finally set their minds at ease.

The food and wine were simple—merely four dishes and a single flask—but to Bai Feiyu and Yang Fan, currently stationed here, this was an absolute luxury.

Being able to have this much was already remarkable, considering that most of the time, such comforts were entirely nonexistent.

"Listen well. While you're drinking, you must keep a close eye on the sentry post. Although others are keeping watch simultaneously, if any trouble arises on your watch, every single sentry on duty tonight will be summarily beheaded."

"Just poke your head out to look around once every incense stick of time."

"Besides, not everyone is allowed to drink, nor is it permitted every single night. You drink for two nights and rest for one. That's simply how it goes."

After giving them these instructions, the veteran turned and left.

Just then, two soldiers from a nearby post noticed that Yang Fan and Bai Feiyu had received alcohol. Without wasting any time, they picked up their own dishes and wine and came over to join them.

"Little brothers, you've been here for a few days now. How are you finding it?" the two veteran soldiers asked, looking at Bai Feiyu and Yang Fan.

"Boring, to be honest. After waiting for so many days, it feels like we finally have some real work to do."

Yang Fan answered with complete honesty. Back at the Void Return Sect, he had always been so straightforward, and he possessed the confidence and backing to be direct without needing to play games or beat around the bush.

Hearing Yang Fan's reply, the two veterans smiled faintly before saying:

"We were your age once, too. Back when we were young like you, there weren't yet so many wars."

"So, the moment we finished our training within our sects, we rushed straight to the battlefield. Back then, however, we certainly didn't have it as easy as you do."

"People inevitably die in war. After watching your comrades perish day after day, you eventually become numb to it all. All we hope for now is that this war will finally end, and that everyone can find peace and settle down."

"Lately, we've found ourselves reminiscing about our days back at the Spirit Creek Sect. Life was so wonderfully carefree back then. It was only after arriving at the battlefield that we truly understood how precious life is."

As the veteran spoke, he took a sip of wine, picked up a morsel of food with his chopsticks, and chewed thoughtfully.

"You may find it boring now, but we sincerely hope you will cherish these dull, uneventful days."

"Because sooner or later, you will have to step onto the true battlefield, and the bloodshed you'll witness there is absolutely no joke."

Hearing the veterans' words, both Bai Feiyu and Yang Fan fell silent. To be frank, they suddenly realized that sometimes, a peaceful and uneventful life was a blessing in itself.

Although standing guard felt tedious right now, it was infinitely better than experiencing the agonizing heartbreak of loss.

Afterward, the veterans shared many stories with Bai Feiyu and Yang Fan about life in the border garrison. Life here was stifling and oppressive, and the occasional loss of a brother-in-arms cast a heavy shadow over their hearts. Sometimes, they even found themselves wondering what the purpose of human existence truly was.

Was it merely for the sake of war?

Why was it that certain people always chose to instigate wars simply to seize greater power and wealth? Wouldn't it be better if everyone could just live together in harmony?

Bai Feiyu and Yang Fan listened in deep silence.

By the early hours of the morning, Bai Feiyu and Yang Fan returned to their quarters to be relieved of duty. Back inside the tent, the lively atmosphere of the past few days was completely gone. Almost everyone now was either standing guard, performing other duties, or undergoing rigorous training.

Life remained monotonous and grim.

After returning to his tent, Bai Feiyu quickly fell asleep. But just as he was deep in slumber, someone suddenly patted him on the shoulder.

Bai Feiyu snapped awake instantly, immediately hearing the overwhelming, earth-shaking shouts echoing from outside.

"Young heroes! The people of the Zhou State are invading again! The two of you, as prodigies of the Shackled Realm, must take to the battlefield at once."

"The enemy is coming in full force this time, but the situation is rather peculiar. You will see for yourselves when you get there."

A soldier urged Bai Feiyu urgently.

Hearing this, Bai Feiyu felt a jolt of adrenaline shoot through him. He sprang up from his bed, quickly threw on his clothes, and hurried toward the garrison's city wall.

On the ramparts, soldiers stood on high alert everywhere. Many of them gazed nervously into the distance. Ahead, a vast, dark sea of enemy troops had gathered within a battle array. However, for the moment, they were merely shouting slogans and had not yet launched a direct assault on the fortress.

Right in front of Bai Feiyu and his companions, a young man was standing defiantly at the foot of the city wall, hurling insults and challenges.

"Do the people of the Zhao State have no true prodigies? Is there no one dares to come down and fight me to the death?"

"As a disciple of the Shackled Realm and a son of the Zhou State, I am here today to challenge the people of the Zhao State!"

"Does anyone dare to face me in battle?!"

With that, the youth cast an immensely arrogant glance up at the defenders on the wall. Immediately, many soldiers were filled with boiling rage, wishing they could instantly shoot him down with a volley of crossbow bolts.

However, they could not act so rashly. If they forcefully killed an enemy youth who had come out to provoke them, it would inevitably boost the morale of the opposing army.

After all, resorting to forcefully killing an enemy youngster would suggest that their own side lacked the confidence to defeat him fairly.

Should that happen, the enemy would conclude that the Zhao State was weak and incompetent, and their morale would skyrocket.

Morale could genuinely play a decisive role on the battlefield. Once morale collapsed, even a formidable military array would likely crumble to defeat in no time, simply because the enemy possessed greater daring and spirit.

Hearing the youth's provocative shouts, the younger disciples grew increasingly furious. Their side was hardly lacking in true prodigies.

Elite disciples from both the Void Return Sect and the Golden Light Sect were stationed right here—were they seriously supposed to be afraid of this punk?

Without hesitation, a disciple of the Golden Light Sect stepped forward and requested orders from the nearby officer, shouting, "Sir! Give me a chance! Let me go down there and slaughter this arrogant fool!"