Chapter 1704: Geshu Hans Testament! I (1/2)
Chapter 1704: Geshu Han's Testament! (I)
Translated by: Hypersheep325
Edited by: Michyrr
A warhorse with snow-white hooves galloped along the road to Big Dipper City, the scenery whizzing by.
Wang Chong sat on its back, his eyes determined and his expression cold.
It had been three or four days since he had left the capital.
The winds howled around him, and the sky overhead was as black as ink, almost suffocatingly oppressive.
From the capital to Longxi, that heavy air of mourning had only gotten thicker and thicker. Wherever Wang Chong looked, he saw white streamers, and the villages he passed by all had black ash drifting in the air. The common folk of Longxi were paying their respects to Geshu Han.
The long distance quickly flitted by, and after several days of almost nonstop travel, past numerous hills, Wang Chong heard a great wailing in the distance.
”I've arrived!”
Wang Chong raised his head in shock. Past a hill, on the horizon, a massive fortress loomed.
This fortress was still imposing and strong, but past its dignified and grandiose exterior, Wang Chong could sense a solemnity and grief!
Big Dipper City!
This was the largest and most illustrious fort on the Great Tang's western border!
Wang Chong urged his horse forward. Even though he had already prepared himself, he was still shocked by the flood of grief he sensed upon his arrival.
A vast crowd of people had gathered outside Big Dipper City, not members of the Big Dipper Army, but tens of thousands of people from Longxi, dressed in white mourning clothes to send off Geshu Han.
Almost all of them were looking at Big Dipper City with tears down their eyes and grief on their faces. Even five-year-old children showed sorrow on their faces.
One wail after another rose from the crowd and reached to the heavens, so loud that they could be heard for several dozen li. This was the weeping Wang Chong had heard earlier.
The ones left most grief-stricken by Geshu Han's death were none other than the people of Longxi.
Geshu Han had offered up almost his entire life in service to the people of Longxi, and the fall of this general star was incredibly difficult to accept. A hint of gloom flitted across Wang Chong's eyes, but he continued to press forward.
Past the dense crowd, Wang Chong finally reached Big Dipper City.
This renowned fortress had its gate wide open, and rows of Big Dipper Army soldiers guarded it.
The Big Dipper Army was known for its strict discipline and determined attitude, but after the death of Geshu Han, while these soldiers still had their straight postures, their eyes were bloodshot and their faces overcome with sorrow.
They were all wearing plain cloth in mourning as they stood guard over General Geshu for the last time.
”Stop!”
Seeing a figure suddenly come out from the distance, several Big Dipper Army soldiers immediately stepped forward to stop it. But they had only taken a few steps before they were immediately called back.
”All of you, withdraw!”
Behind these men was a Big Dipper Army soldier of seemingly higher status. While he had a dignified expression, his eyes were similarly bloodshot, and he seemed even more haggard than the other soldiers.
He walked up, his eyes passing over the hooves of Wang Chong's White-hoofed Shadow and the white gauze on Wang Chong's right shoulder.
”This is the man the general often mentioned, the King of Foreign Lands!
”Your Highness! …We've been waiting for some time.”
The Big Dipper Army soldier respectfully bowed.
”Thank you for coming to see our general!”
The other Big Dipper Army soldiers also lowered their heads.
The sound of that man's voice made Wang Chong's heart sink. Wang Chong had some faint recollection of this soldier. When the Battle of Talas was over and he had been returning from the west, he had traveled together with Geshu Han on the journey back and met this soldier. The soldier had been a bright and energetic youth back then, but now he had been put through the grinder several times and appeared to have greatly aged.
”Take me to see your general!”
Wang Chong dismounted with a heavy heart.
The soldier nodded and quickly ordered another soldier to lead the White-hoofed Shadow away. He then personally led Wang Chong through the gates toward the spirit hall within Big Dipper City.
Past numerous white banners, in the depths of Big Dipper City, the center of the Big Dipper Army, Wang Chong saw a coffin.