Nine Nights Owl Song

The tenth day of the fifth month in the eighteenth year of Yong'an.

Liangzhou, the commander's tent.

The Qiang army withdrew, but not far.

Helian Tieshu stationed his 100,000-strong army at Qingxia Pass, 120 li west of Liangzhou, and defended it from a strategic position. Qingxia Pass was located in a dangerous area, with steep mountain walls on both sides and a narrow gorge in the middle, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Su Zhentian stood before the sand table, his brow furrowed. Qingxia Pass was a formidable stronghold, impregnable by even a single man. One hundred thousand Qiang cavalry guarded it; even if the entire 60,000 troops of the Great Liang were deployed, a direct assault wouldn't be enough. The Qiang's supply lines were cut off, but it was only a matter of time before they brought in provisions from the rear. Once their supplies arrived, they would return with renewed force.

"We must take Qingxia Pass before their supplies arrive," Su Zhentian said, tapping his wooden stick on the sand table. "But a direct assault won't work."

The generals exchanged bewildered glances. A direct assault wouldn't work, so how did they proceed? Su Jiuge looked at the sand table. "Father, are there any shortcuts to Qingxia Pass?"

Su Zhentian shook his head. "I've checked the intelligence on the Thousand Machine Tower, nothing. Both sides are sheer cliffs, even monkeys can't climb them."

Su Jiuge remained silent for a moment. "If there's no road, then build one."

The generals were stunned. Build a road? How? Su Jiuge looked up at Su Zhentian. "Father, the Dark Guard will clear the way."

May 10th, night. Su Jiuge led the Dark Pavilion members to the foot of the mountain wall on the north side of Qingxia Pass. The mountain wall was steep as if cut by a knife, pitch black, and the top could not be seen by looking up. Zhao Ying looked up at the mountain wall. "Sect Leader, can this thing really be climbed?" Su Jiuge squatted down to check the equipment he had brought—grappling hooks, ropes, rock bolts, and a hammer. The Dark Pavilion assassins were trained in rock climbing, and the terrain of Cangwu Mountain was much more treacherous than this. But climbing such a high mountain wall was a first for them.

Su Jiuge hung the grappling hook on her waist.

"I can climb." Zhao Ying took a deep breath. "Okay, if the Pavilion Master says I can climb, then I can climb. If I die, it's on me." Su Jiuge looked at him. "You won't die." Then she turned and walked towards the mountain wall.

The grappling hook was thrown up, its claws gripping the rock. Su Jiuge tested its weight-bearing capacity and began to climb. Zhao Ying followed behind her, Shen Qing on the other side, while Ghost Hand and the others provided support from below. The mountain wall was steeper than Su Jiuge had imagined; the grappling hook couldn't hold onto the rock, and she had to find a new spot to secure it every few steps. She dug her fingers into the crevices of the rock, her toes stepping on protruding rocks, inching her way upward.

Zhao Ying followed behind, muttering, "Sect Leader, slow down." Su Jiuge ignored him.

Two hours later, Su Jiuge reached the summit. She lay on the edge of the cliff, panting heavily, her fingers raw and bleeding. Zhao Ying climbed up from behind, also covered in sweat and blood. Shen Qing came up from the other side without uttering a sound.

Su Jiuge stood up and looked down at Qingxia Pass—brightly lit, the Qiang camp densely packed like a luminous sea. One hundred thousand troops slept soundly tonight. No one knew that the enemy stood atop the mountain.

Su Jiuge drew her knife from her waist. "Do it."

The members of the Dark Pavilion descended silently from the mountaintop via ropes, landing in the Qiang camp. Zhao Ying's short blade flashed in the firelight, and a sentry's throat burst open; Shen Qing's sword was as fast as lightning; Su Jiuge's blades were deadly. When the Qiang camp awoke from its slumber, it was too late. The provisions were burning, the armory was burning, the commander's tent was burning. Firelight illuminated half the sky, warhorses neighed, and soldiers scattered and fled.

Helian Tieshu burst out of the command tent, shirtless and carrying a sword. He saw flames soaring into the sky in the camp, and Liang troops surging in from all directions. No, not the Liang army—black-clad figures, black face masks, members of the Dark Pavilion. Su Jiuge stood before the command tent, looking at Helian Tieshu.

Helian Tieshu's pupils constricted sharply. "Night Owl."

Su Jiuge did not answer, but walked towards him with her sword in hand.

Helian Tieshu was no weakling in martial arts; as a commander leading an army of 100,000, his skills were naturally exceptional. With his peak-level internal energy cultivation, his swordsmanship was fierce and powerful. Su Jiuge fought him for over ten rounds without being at a disadvantage. Zhao Ying, having dealt with the surrounding guards, rushed over, her short blade aimed straight for Helian Tieshu's back. Caught off guard, Helian Tieshu was attacked from both sides and Su Jiuge slashed his arm.

"Withdraw—withdraw for me—"

Helian Tieshu's order was given amidst the chaos, and the Qiang army was routed. They were not defeated by the Liang army, but by a woman.

As dawn broke, the shouts of battle at Qingxia Pass gradually subsided. The Qiang army fled north, and the Liang army occupied Qingxia Pass. Su Jiuge stood at the pass, watching the direction in which the fleeing Qiang soldiers had disappeared. Zhao Ying approached, her arm wrapped in bandages, but she seemed to be in good spirits. "Sect Master, Helian Tieshu has escaped."

Su Jiuge said, "He will come back."

Zhao Ying nodded. "Next time, he'll bring more than 100,000."

Su Jiuge was silent for a moment. "Next time, we'll do more than 60,000."

Su Zhentian came down from the gate and walked up to Su Jiuge.

He aged ten years overnight—not old, but exhausted from the battle; his eyes were bloodshot, and his armor was covered in dust and dried blood.

"Jiuge, you fought a brilliant battle." Su Zhentian's voice was hoarse.

Su Jiuge looked at him. "Father, the Qiang tribe has retreated, but not far. Helian Tieshu still has reinforcements in the north."

Su Zhentian nodded. "I know. That's why we need to establish a firm foothold at Qingxia Pass."

Father and daughter stood side by side at the pass, looking north. The rising sun shone on Su Jiuge's face.

"Jiuge, your mother will be happy to know you won the battle," Su Zhentian suddenly said.

Su Jiuge did not answer.

Su Zhentian patted her on the shoulder. "Go back and get some rest. There are still many battles to fight."

Su Jiuge nodded, turned, and left. Shen Qing followed behind her.

The Battle of Qingxia Pass made Su Jiuge famous overnight.

With 60,000 men against 100,000, without losing a single soldier, they burned the enemy's supplies, destroyed the enemy's main camp, and forced the enemy to retreat north.

The imperial court erupted in jubilation upon receiving the news of the victory.

The Crown Prince congratulated his father, the Emperor, in court, while the Second Prince smashed a tea set while in confinement.

Emperor Yong'an stared at the victory report for a long time.

"Su Jiuge is truly a daughter of a military family." He put down the report of victory. "Issue my decree: appoint Su Jiuge as General of Anxi, a third-rank official, and bestow upon her a set of golden armor."

Gao Dequan accepted the order.

Xiao Yan stood in the court ranks, head bowed, staring at his toes. A slight smile played on his lips—he restrained himself. His father had bestowed upon her the title of General of Anxi.

She wouldn't care about these empty titles, but he was happy for her. She finally had the identity she deserved—not "Sixth Prince's Consort," not "Sect Master of the Dark Pavilion," not "Military Supervisor," but General Anxi.

The first female general in the history of the Great Liang Dynasty. She deserves it.

At the Prince Zhao's residence, Xiao Yan leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, while Bai Yu stood opposite him.

Bai Yu said, "Master, Miss Jiuge has won a great victory. She has been appointed General of Anxi by the imperial court."

Xiao Yan opened his eyes. "Is she injured?"

Bai Yu hesitated for a moment. "It's a minor injury, nothing serious."

Xiao Yan nodded.

She promised to write every day—and indeed, she did after arriving in the Western Territory. Sometimes it was a dozen words, sometimes just a few. "Arrived in the Western Territory, all is well." "Burned the Qiang tribe's provisions, all is well." "Qingxia Pass, victory." It was impossible to tell from those letters whether she was injured or not; she wouldn't say.

He could only wait, wait for her to come back.

"White Feather."

"exist."

"Get ready, I'm heading to the West."

Bai Yu was stunned for a moment.

"OP, what are you going to the Western Frontier for?"

Xiao Yan looked out the window.

"Look at her."

On the official road from Luoyang to the western border on May 15th.

Xiao Yan did not bring any ceremonial guards or attendants, but only a few guards from the Thousand Machine Tower. He rode a fast horse and traveled day and night.

He couldn't wait any longer; five days had passed, and she had written five letters.

The last letter read, "The Qiang people have retreated north after the victory at Qingxia Pass, and all is well," but he couldn't believe the phrase "all is well."

She is Su Jiuge. She won't say when she's injured, she won't cry out when she's in pain. She carries everything on her own.

He wanted to go see her, to see if she was really "all right".

If not, he would stand by her side and bear it together.

On the city wall of Liangzhou, Su Jiuge looked into the distance.

Shen Qing stood behind her, while Zhao Ying leaned against the city wall and yawned.

Su Jiuge suddenly spoke:

"Shen Qing."

"exist."

"He's here."

Shen Qing followed her gaze—a fast horse was galloping along the official road.

The person on horseback was dressed in a moon-white casual outfit, his hair was blown about by the wind, and his face was covered in dust.

It was Xiao Yan.

Su Jiuge's lips twitched slightly—not a smile, but something she herself couldn't quite explain, softer and warmer than a smile.

She turned and walked down from the city wall.

"Go open the city gate."

Shen Qing followed behind her.

Zhao Ying peeked out from the city wall and saw the horse in the distance, then grinned.

"The original poster is here. Time to watch the show."

Su Jiuge stood at the city gate and waited.

Xiao Yan's horse rushed into the city gate. He dismounted, his legs buckling and he almost fell.

He had been running for five days and five nights, changing horses four times—he was exhausted. He saw Su Jiuge standing in front of him, covered in blood, her hands wrapped in bandages, and her face marked with fine lines left by the wind and sand.

He looked at the wounds and was so heartbroken that he couldn't speak.

Su Jiuge looked at him.

"Why are you here?"

Xiao Yan looked at her.

"I came to see you."

Su Jiuge remained silent for a moment.

"I am fine."

Xiao Yan shook his head.

"You're not good."

Su Jiuge remained silent.

Xiao Yan reached out to touch her face, but his hand stopped in mid-air.

Article 9 of the prenuptial agreement stipulates that no physical contact shall be made with Su Jiuge without her consent.

He slowly lowered his hand.

Su Jiuge looked at him.

The moment he lowered his hand, her heart sank; she didn't know that feeling was called disappointment.

"Xiao Yan".

"Um."

"I agree."

Xiao Yan was stunned.

"Agree to what?"

Su Jiuge did not answer.

She took his hand and placed it on her face. Xiao Yan's fingers touched her face—cold, rough, with fine marks left by wind and sand, and scars.

His eyes reddened.

"Su Jiuge, you've lost weight."

Su Jiuge looked at him.

"The same to you."

Sunlight streamed in through the city gate, falling on the two of them. Xiao Yan's hand was still pressed against her face, reluctant to let go.

On the city walls of Liangzhou, the banners of the Great Liang Dynasty fluttered in the wind. On the fifteenth day of the fifth month of the eighteenth year of Yong'an, the sixth prince, Xiao Yan, traveled a thousand miles to the western border to visit his wife, Su Jiuge, the first female general of the Great Liang Dynasty.

I've been waiting for this moment for so long.