Chapter 398

Maynila, capital and largest city of the Felipinas.

The city of Maylina was situated on the eastern shore of Maynila Bay, located on the western edge of Luzon. Otherwise known to the locals as “Little Luzon”, it was located right on the natural harbour of Maynila Bay, and was also the largest port in all of the Felipinas. The city itself was very prosperous. But unlike the states of Siam and the Great Viet, which boasted of a strong foundation of regional folklore and legends, Maynila was far more cosmopolitan in nature.

Malacanan Palace, official residence and workplace of the president of the Felipinas. It was a colonial-style building. The time now was midnight. Only the streetlights and some surveillance lights were switched on in the palace. Just then, some of the presidential guards suddenly felt a chill across their bodies. Simultaneously… the trees, flora and fauna in the surroundings keeled over with a soft rustle, almost as though something was softly brushing past their rich canopies.

“What’s that?” “It wouldn’t be a ghost, would it?” “How is that possible? This is the official residence of the president we’re talking about.”

Unfortunately, none of them were aware that a magnificent ghostly city was flourishing with dazzling lights right underneath the Malacanan Palace.

The ghastly city was neither built with the same flair as the Han or Tang Dynasty architectural styles, nor was it constructed with the flamboyance of the Ming Dynasty. Moreover, it was far grander than the buildings more commonly seen in the Song Dynasty, and yet also constructed with far more beauty and splendour, and with intricate designs that exemplified their owner’s keen eye for detail. Pavilions sprouted up everywhere across the canopies of the vast buildings. The city covered a vast land, while the gambling houses appeared to have a ceaseless flow of activity at night. One by one, Yin spirits drifted about the streets at night, coming and going from their merriment endeavours. The entire city depicted a grand sight of prosperity and wealth.

Anyone who entered the city would immediately wonder if they had gone back in time and entered the Song Dynasty once more, albeit one that was far more prosperous than it had ever been before.

Yet what stood out in the center of the city was a seven-storey wooden building. Yang Jiye sat in the throne room, clad in resplendent armor. Meter-tall flames danced about reverently atop two thick candles that sat right behind him, illuminating a map of the East Continent that hung behind him. The generals of the Yang Clan were all seated in their respective seats.

“Great General, is there any reason for which you’ve summoned us today?” A man with a stern expression asked respectfully from the left side of the hall.

Yang Jiye didn’t speak. Instead, he simply picked up a smaller map that lay in front of him and gazed intently at it. After some time, he muttered, “The new Hell has sent an imperial edict, requesting Luzon to send reinforcements. We are to rendezvous where the new Hell is located, and render aid to Hell in their endeavours to pave the way from the City of Salvation to Martial City. In other words, we’re talking about forging a path from Insignia Province through to the mouth of the Yellow River in Eastmount Province.”

Everyone was silent.

Yang Jiye ruled his army with an iron fist. Anyone who was conscripted into the barracks would be strictly identified by their ranks, regardless of what ties they might have with others around.

He looked up, and a bright netherflame flickered in his eyes, “Who’s willing to go?”

Almost all of the generals in the room stood up at the same time, “I am!!”

Yang Jiye smiled, “It’s not possible to send everyone. We still need people to stand guard in the Felipinas. Over the last ten years, we’ve seen an increase in the number of incursions on our territorial waters. In fact, just last month, during the imperial court meetings, we’ve even spotted an Overwatch Sea Beast not more than three hundred nautical miles away from us. We cannot let our guards down. Furthermore…”

He paused for a moment, and his expressions soon turned somber, “Lord Qin’s letter has made it crystal clear - he suspects that there might be other cities of Yin spirits sprouting up within Cathay. I expect that those heading out on this expedition right now… might not be able to return to Luzon within the next hundred years or so. You guys have to think carefully about this.”

Silence.

A minute later, a young general stood up and cupped his hands respectfully, “The establishment of the new Hell is to restore all glory to the Han Cathayans. All who attempt to take from Hell are no more than traitors! Great General, I am willing to offer up my life for King Yanluo of Hell!”

“I am also willing to head out on this expedition.” Another general promptly stood up as soon as the young general was done. It was a female general this time. Yet, not a single person in the hall appeared to be surprised by her response at all.

“I, too, am willing.” A second young man stood up, “I’ve participated in the old Hell’s expeditions to the western reaches and helped forge three stretches of national highways for the old Hell. I shall cut down all Yin beasts in my path and assist Lord Qin with his endeavours on this road to Martial City. Demons and ghosts alike, beware!”

“I’m willing to go!” “I’m also willing to lend aid to Hell!” “Same here!”

More than half of the forty generals on scene stood up within moments!

Yang Jiye glanced about the hall and sighed wistfully as he nodded, “Yang Yanzhao.”

“Here!” The young general who stood up first at the very beginning responded with great excitement. However, Yang Jiye’s expression remained just as stern and somber, “You were the only one who returned alive from the Battle of the Golden Beach back then. Your literacy in military affairs is second to none. I hereby appoint you as the commander-in-chief of the subjugation force. Take ten thousand Savage Tiger Raiders and immediately depart for the City of Salvation. Make sure that nothing happens before reinforcements arrive. The City of Salvation cannot be lost! Most importantly, keep Lord Qin safe and secure at all costs!”[1]

“Yes!”

“Yang Yande. You emerged from seclusion on the mountains and returned to the battlefields. Your bravery and might are second to none, and you have the respect of the troops under your charge. I hereby decree that you take charge of twenty thousand Girded Spear Yin Soldiers and depart immediately. You are to catch up to your commander-in-chief in the fastest time possible! Can you do this?” [2]

“Most certainly!”

“Hua Jieyu, you’ve overcome all odds to become a female general that everyone looks up to. I want you to take command over generals Mu Guiying, Yelu Jiner, Huyan Chijin, together with four Yin beasts, namely the Nine-Eyed Siegebeast, the Scarlet Lotus Beast, the Yin-Footed Beast, and the Cloud Devourer, and thirty thousand bowmen, and depart for the City of Salvation immediately. You are also to catch up to your commander-in-chief in the quickest time possible! Understood?”

“Yes!” Four female voices responded with great determination.

Anyone from the modern era would scream in astonishment if they saw this sight panning out in front of their very eyes.

After all… everyone present today was in some way or another a famous general of the Yang Clan in their own right!

Unlike Yu Qian, Ma Fubo and other gentries, the Yang Clan was known for their illustrious military endeavours! Their clan practically constituted the bulk of the military force of the entire Song Dynasty!

To that end, perhaps the only other envoys who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Yang Jiye would be Zhou Yu and Liu Yu.

Besides, Yang Jiye’s loyalty to the new Hell was well apparent. Incidentally, Yang Yanzhao was one of the most famous of the generals in the hall. He was more commonly known as Yang Liulang. (TL: Liulang literally means the 6th son.)

Apart from that, Yang Yande, also known as Yang Wulang (TL: Wulang means the 5th son), was in life conferred the title of General Xuan Wei, appoint