Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 367 - 4 Dragon Tiger Banner

Chapter 367: Chapter 4 Dragon Tiger Banner

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Chapter 367: Chapter 4 Dragon Tiger Banner

The archery display at the drill ground revealed Li Yan’s undeniable strength.

When he was about to return the bow in his hand, Li Rumei waved her hand, “It’s yours now.”

This bullhorn great bow, lacquered in pitch black with tendons as fine as hair and gilded copper hoops at both ends, had a subdued tone that bespoke its intricate craftsmanship. It was of “rare” quality, on par with the Tiger Head Bronze Spear.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Although the bow and arrows offered limited benefits to him, Li Yan accepted Li Rumei’s gift nonetheless.

“That’s enough, everyone disperse. I have a few words to speak with Governor Li in private.”

After dismissing everyone else, Li Rumei led Li Yan to her study. Once he was seated, she began, “I’ve witnessed your martial prowess in Joseon, and frankly, not to offend you but, at that time, there were surely commanders in the army who could best you, like Luo Shangzhi who has now returned to the capital and Song Yi who resigned due to injuries… But today, your mastery is truly shocking to the world.”

She shifted the topic, “However, you’ve exerted your might too freely today. This is not good; the ways of the military and the court are perilous, and in comparison, martial arts seem insignificant.”

“I will take the lord’s teachings to heart,” Li Yan replied.

“Ahem, I digress.”

Li Rumei coughed dryly. The Li Clan was renowned for generations of loyal and brave generals – her father Cheng Liang, and her brother Rusong, were both pillars of moral and martial excellence.

Compared to them, Li Rumei fell slightly short. While her archery was unmatched in the military and her leadership in battles competent, she only spouted platitudes about the ways of the court. All this talk of the court’s treacherous ways was just what she had picked up along the way. Seeing Li Yan being so respectful, Li Rumei felt somewhat embarrassed.

“I mentioned earlier, the reason I asked you to come here is to escort the Dragon Tiger Banners. Are you familiar with them?”

Li Yan shook his head honestly, “I am not, my lord.”

Li Rumei patiently explained, “The Dragon Tiger Banners are vital instruments of statehood, crafted by the Heavenly Master Tao due to the offerings from all over. In the Jiajing third year, Dragon Tiger Mountain suppressed the Two Capitals and Thirteen Provinces with one hundred and eight Dragon Tiger Banners. Despite disdain from the officials, the truth is that since the banners were distributed, various epidemics and calamities have reduced significantly, and we even enjoyed several bountiful years. In the past eighty years, locust plagues, droughts, and floods have decreased by a whole seventy percent. I am a simple person and dare not speak frivolously of gods and spirits, but seeing as the nation is peaceful and the people secure, the prominence of Heavenly Master Tao is not without reason.”

“However, a month ago, the Divine Emperor decreed that by September, all Dragon Tiger Banners must be returned to Dragon Tiger Mountain to assist the Heavenly Master in subduing monsters. I am not too clear on the specifics.”

Li Yan frowned, “If I may speak freely, according to you, my lord, these Dragon Tiger Banners are critical to the nation’s well-being and should not be disturbed lightly. If the Heavenly Master Tao has been graced by the Emperor’s favor, how can they justify recalling the Banners with the mere excuse of subduing monsters? What monster could be more significant than our Great Ming’s lands and people?”

Agreement appeared on Li Rumei’s face, but she rebuked, “Presumptuous. The edict comes directly from the Divine Emperor, and as his subjects, we follow his commands.”

“I spoke out of line,” Li Yan admitted.

After a pause, Li Rumei continued, “While Liaodong is nominally under the jurisdiction of Shandong, it alone received a full fourteen banners, the most of any region in the Great Ming. For this escort mission, Heavenly Master Tao has repeatedly emphasized that we should not make a grand spectacle and the escort team must be kept as lean as possible.”

“And what is the reason for that?”

“I am not entirely sure. According to the Heavenly Master Tao, various inexplicable incidents are likely to happen along the way, rendering a larger group not just a cause for unwarranted killing, but otherwise useless. They stressed the need for strong warriors. I specifically requested you because it’s not only your exceptional martial prowess, but also because in Joseon, you organized a large number of Wandering Deities and spirits. In this regard, no one in the military can match your experience.”

Li Yan nodded in acknowledgement.

“Just wait here a moment.”

After instructing Li Yan to wait, it wasn’t long before a person entered from outside the door, wearing a black and white Daoist robe, with a jade hairpin threaded through their topknot and holding a three-foot-long vermillion sword box in their arms.

“Met the Commander-in-chief, sir.”

This Taoist merely nodded lightly.

Li Rumei had grown accustomed to the Taoist’s indifferent demeanor and pointed to Li Yan, “This is the officer selected from our troops to escort the banner.”

When the Taoist turned his head, Li Yan felt as if he had been pricked on the body, and he frowned subconsciously. Then a cool breath exploded between his eyebrows.

The Taoist’s complexion changed drastically, and he retreated several steps in quick succession.

The hint from Yan Fu came to Li Yan’s ears.

“You’ve been stimulated by the Dragon Tiger Qi Skill: ‘Three Pure Ones Fingertip Secret’.”

“You’ve ignited a new Destiny Yak pattern: ‘Resistance Vanguard.'”

“[Fourth-Tier Gene: Resistance Vanguard]: Resist most non-physical types of mental oppression, illusions, and probing attacks. Also, enhances abilities related to mental oppression.”

“Your inherited skill: ‘Calamity Faction’s suppression over aquatic creatures has been enhanced.'”

Li Yan rubbed his brow and remained silent.

The Taoist nodded, his expression complex, and respectfully gestured to Li Rumei, “A thousand troops are easy to obtain, a general is hard to find. The Commander-in-chief truly has discerning eyes.”

Li Rumei’s lips showed an almost imperceptible smile and replied implicitly, “Governor Li in Liaodong is also among the top in bravery. I believe he can meet the requirements of the Heavenly Master Tao.”

The Taoist’s face was filled with solemnity, “Liaodong is filled with brave warriors, I was presumptuous.”

He then looked at Li Yan, opened the vermillion sword box in his hand, and showed it to Li Yan, “Governor Li, within this crimson box are fourteen Dragon Tiger Banners. Lord Governor must take great care. If the banners are displaced, the grand formation of The Thirteen Envoy Departments within Heavenly Gate Mountain will exist in name only. All manner of creatures will certainly covet these banners, and even Wandering Deities and scattered immortals might be unconsciously attracted to them. The burden on the Governor is a heavy one indeed.”

Li Yan’s brows lifted as he looked into the sword box.

Inside the box were fourteen jade tokens, each as long as a palm and as wide as two fingers, each wrapped in golden silk. On the part of the banner that was exposed, thick purple-gold and deep red entwined together, and he could even see the two colors slowly flowing.

This thing felt eerily familiar to Li Yan…

The core of Yan Fu!

Dragon Tiger Banner (single piece, some properties not displayed).

Quality: Legendary.

Properties: Renders Dragon Tiger Qi ineffective within a certain range of the holder.

Li Yan realized after reading it. The natives of this fruit generally had mediocre qualities. Even with training in martial arts, they were only slightly stronger than those in ancient Earth. The court, relying solely on cannons and swords, had no power to resist monsters and evil gods. Military generals and soldiers killed evil beings, usually relying on Dragon Tiger Qi; Heavenly Master Tao’s spells could only be executed with Dragon Tiger Qi. This time, the government placed all its hope on someone outstanding in personal valor.

These banners reminded Li Yan of the incident “Night Turmoil in the Capital City” when he first broke the Yan Fu core. Those dragon-shaped artifacts had the exact same aura as the Dragon Tiger Banners.

One hundred and eight Dragon Tiger Banners, each of legendary quality. Does that mean that above legend, there are even more precious objects?