The Rise Of An Empire

After offering a short explanation for his decision to Gu Liang and the rest. Lu Liang have led the rest of his army with enough food and water they could carry while leaving the rest of the carriages of supplies with Gu Liang.

Two hours later....

In a clearing near one of the biggest mountain in the Liang clan territory but also at the same time is the most treacherous from what Lu Liang can remember. A huge army is currently standing right in front of a rigid path behind Lu Liang with soldiers holding flags that have a single word 'Fei' on it.

Looking at the mountain bring back good memories from the past. When he was five years old and came out exploring accompany by the Liang clan household guards, he accidentally stumbled on this place due to a cry for help.

Once Lu Liang and his group arrive at the source of the crying. What he witness was a group of ten men and a little girl around his age being surrounded by unknown enemy dress in all black. Noticing that these people are from the outside because every residence inside the Liang clan wears a red bandana either on their forehead or arm besides a complicated tattoo mark that was imprinted on them since birth.

Only after Lu Liang save them did he finds out that the man leading this group was the governor of Vukong City named Sima Yin and his daughter which is the little girl name Mei Yin. They was on there way home from an important meeting with other officials in the nearby city when there party was attack by a large group of unknown assailant.

Due to the disparity in numbers between the two groups, Sima Yin was force to head towards the nearby mountain in an attempt to shake off his enemies. That is where he found a cave and surprisingly the cave led the group to a rigid mountain road over to the other side. However, they didn't expect that the cave and the mountain path to be full of dangers. Out of thirty people in the group, only ten made it through due to falling rocks the size of a man's head and inside the cave was ferocious beast.

Things didn't fare well for the attacker either but due to there side having an advantage in numbers. They soon catch up and surrounded Sima Yin group. By the time Lu Liang found them and interfered, Sima Yin and his group already have one foot in the grave with injuries all over their bodies.

Seeing their condition Lu Liang ordered his guards to give simple first aid before taking Sima Yin group back to Liang city. The group hesitate and on full alert at first but they soon calm down after seeing the Liang clan command token that only the main members of the clan can posses. Their injuries took a month to fully heal but within this month Lu Liang and Mei Yin relationship blossomed.

When it's time for Mei Yin to depart Lu Liang gifted her the main family bandana that is made out of thin gold tread with the word Liang in the front. While Mei Yin give him the most important thing she currently have which is her mother hair pin. And both promise to see each other again in this life or the next. Both Mei Yin and Lu Liang parents didn't take their vow seriously because they were still to young. But true love does not have an age requirement. Still, one of many problems that Mei Yin and Lu Liang have to face is that they are separated by an entire province.

Even though they are far apart now but their encounter a year ago might actually end up helping the Liang clan win this war. Besides marching and irritating Gu Liang. Lu Liang was thinking about the best scenario and the best course of action to take before reaching the second defensive line.

Taking the Tailong Mountain path did come across his mind but was quickly removed because of how dangerous it will be. While at the same time they don't know the enemy true intentions, if they were to risk taking the path resulting in casualties. Then meet the full bulk of the enemy afterwards and the possibility of the Pei Kingdom sending reinforcements can't be neglected either. The Feilong army could be devastated if he make a wrong decision but his worry was lighten after hearing the messenger report.

Touching the hair pin carefully with a gentle smile, Lu Liang said softly "thank you Mei Yin."

"You said something my lord?" Dong Liang who was close to Lu Liang turned to look at his lord after hearing him talk.

Shaking his head Lu Liang return his attention back to the mountain path and his eyes grew serious. Raising his hands Lu Liang immediately have the soldiers form groups. Base on Sima Yin explanation back then Lu Liang quickly came up with a solution.

"Have the men split into groups with a good balance from each unit! Remember to shield each other from falling rocks! Do not leave the injured behind! And form up in front of the cave once we arrived, no one is allowed to enter without orders. Understand!?"

"YES LORD!"

"MOVE OUT!"

"HOOOOO!"