Chapter 104: The Prophecy Passed Down Through Generations

Chen Mu’s heart tightened, for Li Biao had always been composed and steady—when had he ever been so flustered?

“Bring him to me.”

Chen Mu hurried to the council chamber. Soon, a member of the covert guards dashed in.

Seeing the guard’s disheveled state, Chen Mu’s heart sank.

The man appeared freshly arrived, his face smeared with dust and sweat, scars from gravel cuts marked his skin, his hair wildly tousled, and his clothes twisted and torn.

His expression was one of terror.

“Your Highness, the frontier is in crisis! A group of strange people armed with unfamiliar weapons have seized Tongtian County. Our garrison troops stand no chance against them.”

Strange people?

Strange weapons?

And this news was delivered by a covert guard?

Chen Mu frowned. “Why didn’t Tongtian send for help?”

The guard seemed to recall something dreadful. “When someone tried to report, those people attacked with strange chariots and strange bows, killing them.”

“I sent a message to the neighboring counties. They said they’d investigate and report back. Fearing delay, I rode here myself.”

Chen Mu pressed, “What kind of strange chariots? Describe them.”

The guard replied, “Their chariots weren’t pulled by horses, but by some small beasts, and the beasts were covered.”

Chen Mu asked again, “Describe their bows.”

“Like crossbows, but much longer and single-shot. Strangely, when the arrows hit a person, the bolts vanish.”

Chen Mu suddenly stood up, miming a posture with his hands.

“Like this?”

The guard nodded repeatedly. “Yes, that’s how they fired.”

A chill ran through Chen Mu’s body.

This was clearly a rifle!

The so-called strange chariots were automobiles!

No horses in sight!

How could rifles and cars exist in this world?

The Imperial Academy of Daxia hadn’t even developed the steam engine yet.

Could there be other travelers from different worlds?

And they understood metallurgy, the mechanics of rifles and automobiles?

Chen Mu’s mind raced. “Tell me the entire sequence again—don’t omit a single detail.”

The guard nodded and recounted the terrifying events repeatedly, ensuring every strange person’s action was precisely described.

After listening, Chen Mu felt somewhat reassured.

It seemed the enemy numbered only a few dozen, having seized just one county before halting. Judging by their appearance and language, they were probably Daxia people—not some mysterious alien tribe.

The rifles appeared to be flintlock muskets, and the cars were steam-powered. This meant the enemy’s technology was from the steam age.

If they wielded machine guns or artillery, Daxia wouldn’t stand a chance.

But what was their purpose? Why hadn’t they come out earlier?

Chen Mu decided to consult Chen Xingtian, hoping he might know something.

Upon entering the palace, Chen Mu relayed everything to Chen Xingtian, carefully omitting that he’d already recognized the weapons—there was no way to explain that.

Chen Xingtian stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“In Daxia’s history, no one is recorded as having retreated to the snowy mountains, but there is a prophecy every emperor must remember. It is time you know it.”

“The original text says: ‘Heaven blesses Daxia; the Yan and Huang shall not perish.’”

“Past emperors interpreted this as: when the descendants of Yan and Huang face crisis, heavenly soldiers will descend to aid them.”

“I used to think the ‘heavenly blessing’ referred to the immortal guidance you received in your dreams.”

“Now, it seems related to those strange people.”

Chen Mu immediately thought of the prophecy left by Li Su’s father in the Eastern Yue region:

“The Mountain God will send a sage to bring happiness to the Eastern Yue people. The sage will appear one dawn, emerging from flames as the sun rises.”

He had not only left this prophecy but also taught Li Su a set of ‘magic’ techniques, preparing for the day Daxia would conquer Eastern Yue.

Could Chen Xingtian’s prophecy be a similar scheme?

Chen Mu shook his head. “No, this isn’t a heavenly blessing for Daxia—it’s an invasion.”

Chen Xingtian nodded. “Perhaps the ancestors misinterpreted it. If this prophecy is true, I hope it refers to you.”

Chen Mu smiled. “I hope so too.”

Then his expression grew grave once more.

“In any case, they must have emerged from uninhabited lands, and their numbers are small. We cannot wait for them to grow.”

“If they recruit local residents, that would be troublesome.”

Fortunately, Chen Mu’s inventions had already bolstered the resilience of Daxia’s people. Had these invaders appeared before Chen Mu, they might have been worshipped as gods.

Chen Xingtian asked, “What’s your plan?”

Chen Mu replied, “I will lead the Invincible Flying Army and the Unyielding Flying Army, traveling by carriage, while Li Feng will command ten thousand cavalry. We will travel light, resupplying along the way, and rush to the frontline as fast as possible.”

Chen Xingtian said, “Good. You go to support the front. I will reorganize the capital’s troops. Once you send word, I’ll dispatch reinforcements.”

Chen Mu nodded. “Agreed.”

After finalizing plans, Chen Mu assembled his troops, taking along incendiary devices, caltrops, and a day’s rations, then set off directly for the front.

Three days later, the army reached Weishan County.

Weishan was a strategic barrier; to invade Daxia’s heartland, the enemy had to take it or bypass it by force.

The county had not yet been attacked, indicating the enemy’s limited numbers.

Chen Mu ordered the troops to camp outside the city, dispatched cavalry for wider reconnaissance, and then entered Weishan himself.

The county magistrate greeted Chen Mu at the government office. After seating himself, Chen Mu inquired, “What is the current situation with the enemy?”

The magistrate replied, “Your Highness, the enemy has not left the city, and they ignore our scouts.”

Chen Mu asked, “Then the situation inside Tongtian County remains unknown?”

At that moment, a nearby clerk suddenly spoke up, “Your Highness, I know some information.”

The magistrate was startled. “Li Lao’er, what nonsense are you spouting?”

“I’m not Li Lao’er.”

The clerk wiped his face, instantly altering his appearance.

The magistrate hastily shouted, “Seize him!”

As the guards moved forward, the clerk said, “I am from the Fire Squad.”

Chen Mu raised his hand. “Stop! He’s one of us.”

“Speak. What intelligence do you have?”

The covert guard answered, “The enemy numbers fifty-six, about half are women. Most speak Daxia’s language, and their appearance is indistinguishable from Daxia people.”

“They have thirty strange vehicles, and each carries one of those odd crossbow-like weapons.”