Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin Episode 34 Recap
> Nirvana in Fire 2: The Wind Blows in Chang Lin Recap
The Changlin Army had already made preparations in the northern border. Not only did they strengthen patrols in the direction Xiao Pingjing had predicted Dayu would attack, but 300,000 torches were also being urgently produced. On the other side, Xun Baishui boarded a carriage bound for the northern border, claiming to the court that he was ill. The King of Changlin grew suspicious when he saw that Xun Baishui had not attended court for several days.
Xun Feizhan, understanding the King of Changlin's intentions, forcefully entered Xun Baishui's home and discovered the secret that he was not there. The 200,000-strong main force of the Dayu Royal Army, led by their commander Prince Kang Tan Lingshuo, marched south in a mighty procession, heading towards the Changlin Army's Monan Camp. The vast grasslands were filled by the massive formation of the Royal Army. However, all their actions were already within Xiao Pingjing's calculations.
After Monan Camp feigned defeat, they concealed themselves in the valley, ready to cut off the Dayu Royal Army's retreat at any moment. The entire Royal Army had already crossed Mo Mountain, and the time for the solar eclipse was approaching. Everything was within Xiao Pingjing's grasp; it could be said that all was ready, lacking only the east wind.
However, at this moment, he learned that a team of envoys from the capital, sent to deliver an imperial decree, had arrived and settled in at the Biannan Post Station. Xiao Pingjing dismissed the main generals of each camp, claiming that the envoys from the capital were fatigued from their journey, and the border road was difficult to travel, so they would inevitably encounter incidents like broken axles.
He hinted to Lu Zhao to use this method to obstruct the capital envoys' progress. Xun Baishui indeed fell into the trap; either an axle broke, or a horse fell ill with no replacement available. He knew full well that this was definitely orchestrated by Xiao Pingjing but could do nothing about it. Seeing the convoy thus stranded, he decided to take only a few attendants and travel light to stop Xiao Pingjing.
At this time, the Changlin Grand Army had already set off, but Xiao Yuanqi voluntarily stayed in the city to take charge of receiving. Xiao Pingjing led the way, guiding the army towards the predetermined ambush location. Along the way, battle reports came continuously. He ordered his army to accelerate their advance and seize the initiative. On the other side, only Xiao Yuanqi and Lu Zhao, who had voluntarily stayed behind, were there to meet Xun Baishui.
In front of Lu Zhao, Xiao Yuanqi pretended to be perfunctory towards Xun Baishui. But after he sent Lu Zhao away, Xun Baishui reprimanded him for not stopping Xiao Pingjing. However, Xiao Yuanqi still told Xun Baishui that Xiao Pingjing should be west of Ning Pass city at this moment, and frankly stated that Xiao Pingjing's major move would happen in these few days. If Xun Baishui departed very early the next day, he should be able to catch up.
Before Ning Pass, the trap Xiao Pingjing set for the Dayu Royal Army finally took shape. With various camps feigning defeat and luring them along the way, he was gradually guiding Dayu's 200,000 main force into the encirclement. Subsequently, he ordered the two camps from Meiling and Ningzhou to launch a joint attack, delivering a significant setback to the Dayu Royal Army. This blocked the Dayu army's option of heading south towards Meiling, forcing their main force towards Ning Pass.
Furthermore, before the solar eclipse phenomenon arrived, he aimed to deliver a psychological blow to the Dayu army, complementing the psychological impact the solar eclipse, appearing in a few days, would have on the Dayu soldiers. Now, as the Dayu army approached step by step, the time was also drawing closer to the moment of the solar eclipse.
When Tan Lingshuo's silver dragon royal banner entered Xiao Pingjing's sight, it would be the ultimate moment for the final battle to commence. Although Tan Lingshuo's leadership of the main force had experienced minor failures, overall, he had been effortlessly advancing into Daliang territory. He walked proudly at the forefront of his troops, directing his forces, followed by what he considered his omnipotent and fearless Dayu Iron Cavalry. Xun Baishui finally reunited with his ceremonial escort.
He ordered his subordinates to raise the emperor's ceremonial banner, trying his best to invigorate his spirit. He hoped to overwhelm Xiao Pingjing with his authority. To prevent Xiao Pingjing from suspecting him, Xiao Yuanqi galloped to Xiao Pingjing's camp, informing him that Xun Baishui had personally arrived at the northern border, even though tomorrow was the day Xiao Pingjing had calculated for the decisive battle. At this moment, Xun Baishui finally arrived, dusty and weary, before Xiao Pingjing's tent.
He held an imperial sword and stood outside the camp gate. Xiao Pingjing had no choice but to let him in. Guarded by the emperor's ceremonial escort, Xun Baishui held the imperial sword aloft, demanding that Huaihua General Xiao Pingjing step out of the tent to receive the imperial decree. Xiao Pingjing wanted to invite Xun Baishui into the tent to discuss delaying the decree by a day.
However, Xun Baishui directly stated that Xiao Pingjing was greedy for military achievements, allowing border conflicts to escalate, and disrespecting the late emperor's spirit. Xiao Pingjing retorted furiously, saying that border soldiers defended the nation, not fearing bloodshed on the battlefield or dying wrapped in horse hide. Was it possible that in Xun Baishui's eyes, only "military achievement" mattered? This heavenly opportunity, rare in a hundred years, he begged Xun Baishui to concede a step.
At this moment, the celestial phenomenon abruptly changed; the solar eclipse was approaching, and the world gradually grew dim. Xun Baishui, seeing the solar eclipse, deemed it an ominous sign and immediately unfurled the imperial decree, about to announce and read it. Seeing the heaven-sent opportunity, fleeting and impossible to replicate, about to arrive in an instant, Xiao Pingjing stepped back two paces, pondered for a moment, looked at the gradually dimming world, and finally made up his mind.
He took his brother Xiao Pingzhang's long spear, and leading his generals, bypassed Xun Baishui and the imperial decree in his hand. He loudly declared that everyone in Changlin would obey his orders. After this battle, all responsibilities and crimes would be borne by him, Xiao Pingjing, alone. The time of destiny had arrived; he ordered the entire army to go forth with him.
Under his inspiration, the Changlin Army's shouts of battle were deafening, and the grand army immediately set out. At this time, the sky was dim, and the Dayu Royal Army was in chaos. All the soldiers had heard the rumors about the solar eclipse that Xiao Pingjing had previously ordered people to spread. Even Prince Kang Tan Lingshuo himself was affected by these rumors, and when he saw the solar eclipse phenomenon, he cried out in panic, "Impossible!"
If he was like this, other soldiers were even more frantic. Just as the entire Dayu army plunged into panic, the Changlin Army's attack arrived precisely at this moment. Propelled by massive catapults, firebombs engulfed in blazing flames fell like meteors, and rockets rained down like fiery showers. The Dayu army camp immediately became a sea of flames, like an inferno on earth.
