THE FLOWER PALACE'S SECRET

Chapter 36: The Promise of Peace

Chang Valley returned to peace after days of fierce fighting. Thousands of the corpses of soldiers from Ling's army and Xiaxi's scattered troops began to be buried according to their identities. The smell of rancid and the smell of rotting corpses and horses filled the open field of the valley.

The thousands of arrows stuck on the ground and the war chariot looked like an animal filled with thorns. Sharp and broken swords were scattered almost everywhere leaving no small amount of ground to stand on. Even the leaves on the tree and in some places a little far from the battlefield were also not separated from the pungent smell of blood, stuck to the surface.

The Young Noble General, sitting on his throne of greatness in the military barracks. Some of his subordinate generals stood firmly on the left and right. In front of the throne, two men who were slightly older than the great general with wounds on his body were sitting down. Their hands were tied to iron chains. In an instant, the main hall in the military tent looked like a judicial hall.

“Ah this is so annoying!”

Lin Zian threw his regretful gaze towards the side. It had been two hours, but the two men before him did not make a sound. The two men were the great generals Xiaxi survived and are now prisoners of war. Despite being prisoners of war, the two were not treated cruelly. The two enemy generals were even treated first before being brought into this room.

“You took my time! I can't get home fast enough!”

The two Xiaxi generals looked at each other. Is this the temperament of the Young General of the Land Noble Ling? The man who looked like a war god with the Moon Sword in his right hand during that war turned out to be ridiculous in the face of an enemy like this? They really don't want to believe it! The man was like a raging demon, swinging a sword and beheading whoever was before him. Even with a single swing of the hand, the man could subvert two to three Xiaxi warriors.

“Why? You guys are fascinated by me?”

The two captive generals were astonished. Is the prince of this country so narcissistic when it comes to winning?

“Alright, I've had enough of playing around with you guys. Say, you guys want to make peace or not?”

Lin Zian suddenly became serious. The man stared intently at the two men before him. The gaze was like the gaze of an eagle when looking at prey, making anyone shiver and feel intimidated. The two captive generals were still silent. Both even bow their heads.

“What is your guarantee if peace is successfully done?” One of the two ventured to ask while raising their heads, trying to stare at Lin Zian's face and eyes.

“No war, no territorial struggles! Ah, one more! Your people will be free to enter my land as long as he qualifies!”

“You mean, a wedding?”

“It was just a transaction. I'm not interested in marriage with people from your country.”

“But, a peace deal is usually reached with a wedding!” The other general opened his voice.

Lin Zian screeched. Shortly afterwards he laughed. What thoughts have the Xiaxi people always been ancient like this? There are many ways to reach a peace agreement and stop a war. A wedding? A two-state marriage is just a very dirty and uninteresting political transaction!

“What are you laughing at?” ask one of the generals.

“I laugh at your stupidity.”

“You!”

Two of the captive generals were about to rise. Lin Zian's two subordinate generals stopped him until they remained in a kneeling position. Lin Zian took out his Moon Sword, rubbed it with his shirt then took it out until the illumination light bounced on the sharp blade.

“You want to fight with me again?”

These two captives were very stubborn. Lin Zian was already kind enough to keep the two people alive. In the past, Lin Zian had never allowed a single enemy person to take a breath. The man is too tired now. He was already too fed up with seeing blood and beheading the Xiaxi people who were unceasingly harassing the peace of the mainland of the Ling empire.

Lin Zian threw two swords in front of the two captive generals. The man then told his subordinates to unbind the chains that tied the hands of the two. The Moon Sword in his hand he held tightly. The man then stood up while not letting go of his gaze at the two people.

“I gave you a chance to fight me. Go forward!”

The two captive generals slowly grabbed the sword lying in front of him. Both are faced with a difficult choice. Not only was Lin Zian already tired of fighting, but the two of them were also fed up with spilling blood on this never peaceful land. Tens or even hundreds of thousands of soldiers from both sides lost their lives years ago. This difficult-to-access border valley became a valley of death that was always stained with blood and carrion throughout the year.

The two captive generals realized that war would not solve the problem. What is wrong with making peace? Perhaps, if peace is achieved, these two countries can reduce and stop the bloodshed that always makes people feel afraid. The terrible wars that occur throughout the year can also be stopped.

However, both are just subordinates. A peace deal is not something they can decide for themselves. The land of the Ling and Xiaxi empires had been mortal enemies for many years. In fact, the previous Crown Prince and Emperor also died in a war with Xiaxi eighteen years ago. Both sides suffer loss and suffering.

“Then, go! Send my message to Emperor Xiaxi, that the Ling mainland is waiting with all my heart!”

Lin Zian put back his Moon Sword into place. Eventually, all this chaos met a bright spot. Now, the two captive generals had no chance to fight back because almost all of the troops he led had been killed. If they wanted to live, then the message of the peace offer should reach the ears of Emperor Xiaxi.

The two captive generals then bowed their bodies in salute. This ridiculous general was very firm in giving orders. Secretly, both of them were amazed at Lin Zian. The young man who had the status of the Second Prince of Ling was so capable in leading the army. At such a young age, the man was already able to make the Xiaxi troops that were sent to attack crumble apart. He was better suited to be a military leader than a prince.

“In the future, I don't want to meet you guys on the battlefield anymore! Do you know how bored and upset I am about having to deal with you so many times?”

“We will try,” replied one of the two.

“Bai Ru, give them a horse!”

The two captive generals then came out of the tent. In front of the training altar, they paused for a moment. The views of the two swept across the entire landscape in this military barracks. Not long after, the two climbed onto the horse that Bai Ru had given them. The horses immediately galloped away leaving the military barracks as soon as the rope of his control was pulled. Slowly but surely, the two captive generals were lost in the wilderness of the forest.

...***...

The chaos of the former battle in Chang Valley was already cleared and cleared. All the bodies were placed in their final resting place with a grand ceremony. Those who were killed certainly left the service when they became loyal soldiers. On the contrary, for those who betray, the gallows and other punishments are already waiting in plain sight.

Ten days after the trial in the main tent, a letter came from Xiaxi to Chang Valley. The letter contains acceptance and approval of peace. Emperor Xiaxi in his letter said that in the next few weeks, an envoy from his country would come to Ling's palace with a princess. Lin Zian laughed again. He had expected that this one emperor would use marriage as a peace treaty, just like the other emperors.

The man can no longer count how long he's been here. The days that he went through only contained training, strategizing, and fighting. Sometimes he felt lonely at night when all the soldiers had rested, enjoying the night with silence in his private room while looking away with his own mind.

“How long is the time to reach the peak of spring?” ask her to Bai Ru.

“About four days. Has something been bothering you?”

“I just remembered something.”

Lin Zian only had four days to get to the capital. The distance from Chang Valley to Rouwu took at least a week by taking the fastest route. If the other four days were the peak spring festival, Lin Zian might have been too late and reneged on his promise to Shen Yanzhia. He was worried that Shen Yanzhia would actually act as he said at that time. The woman never messed with her words.

The man could actually come back early because all the business here was done. Xiaxi would no longer dare to attack because she had already agreed to a peace deal. But, Lin Zian remained unable to calm down before this valley was completely safe and Xiaxi kept her promise. The man was also unable to leave Bai Ru alone when things had just improved.

He was afraid that Xiaxi would break her promise and things would turn around. If that happened, he would upset the entire Ling land and make him labeled as an irresponsible prince. After all, going to this place was a wish of his own, although it had been alluded to by the palace officials at that time.

“I don't know what spring is like in Rouwu now.”

Lin Zian looked at the moon that was hanging in the sky of Chang Valley. The moon is perfectly round. The moonlight was so bright that the streets became bright and the sidelines of the trees and twigs became luminous. In this remote place, the sky of the Ling mainland felt clearer.

“General, do you miss him?”

“Who gave you the courage to guess my heart?”

Bai Ru took a few steps back.

“People who have never touched a woman like you are very predictable when in love.”

Lin Zian turned his body then stared intently at Bai Ru. The man then took out a spear and threw it towards Bai Ru. The subordinate general immediately caught up to him quickly. He was already used to being vigilant when he made Lin Zian feel annoyed. The boss won't let go easily.

“Fight with me, and see how your courage endures!”

Then, Lin Zian went through that sunny night by fighting alongside Bai Ru, hoping for her attention to be slightly distracted. Lin Zian really wished he could sleep well tonight