Legend of Fu Yao (扶摇)

3,000 men against 300,000 men.

They don't stand a chance.

You'll have to borrow some soldiers.

It's a huge world out there.

Who can he borrow soldiers from?

Aren't you the crown prince?

Can't Tianquan help out?

The Imperial City may reign over the five kingdoms

but we're not authorized to interfere with domestic affairs.

I can easily lend you the soldiers

but without the tally of Tiansha

they'll be blocked at the border.

Where else can we borrow soldiers from within Tiansha?

Prince Lie... are you thinking what I'm thinking?

It seems that... we'll have to go to Geya Desert again.

You mustn't!

This...

Running into the Black Wind Cavalry on the ice field wasn't a coincidence.

Those 3,000 men are just the tip of the iceberg.

I'm going to bring back all of the Black Wind Cavalry under the desert.

What's this about the Black Wind Cavalry under the desert?

During the Battle of Qiongcang

the Black Wind Cavalry was the elite army.

But some troops were bribed by a handsome reward

and betrayed the five kingdoms towards the end.

They nearly turned the war around.

After the war, the traitors from the Black Wind Cavalry

vanished in Geya Desert.

Since then, the Black Wind Cavalry of Tiansha

was given the duty of safeguarding.

Since Old Master Zhou was framed

all of the Black Wind Cavalry was almost wiped out 15 years ago.

Only 3,000 to 4,000 of them survived.

They guarded Geya Desert for generations.

But they couldn't put up a fight.

What exactly are they safeguarding then?

Those men betrayed the five kingdoms.

They betrayed their own blood.

But they didn't know that the price of their betrayal

was that they'd be confined by the power of Qiongcang for eternity.

They can never leave.

Like being imprisoned in Geya for generations.

All in all, they have been tormented for thousands of years.

Geya Desert is a bizarre place.

The cursed Black Wind Cavalry appears from time and time.

In the five kingdoms, they're also known as the secret army.

Is there no one to safeguard them

now that you've taken the Black Wind Cavalry?

The Black Dragon Sword is the key to command and restrain the secret army.

Now that the sword has seen the light of day again

the secret army wouldn't dare to take action.

But they won't stay still for too long either.

Are you going to meet up with the secret army?

You mustn't!

No!

The secret army is just a tale told to hoodwink children!

No one has ever seen them.

Besides... Geya Desert can eat people up!

You can't put your life at risk!

The princess is right.

The war took place thousands of years ago.

We don't even know if the secret army really exists.

Even if they do exist, what may have become of them?

- It'll be all right. - It's too dangerous, General.

The secret army of Tiansha in Geya Desert.

I can confirm that they really exist.

Yes.

I've seen them.

It was rumored that I nearly died in Geya Desert.

That was true.

It was said that I became as stiff as metal from the petrification disease.

That was also true.

Fortunately, I carry Supreme Master's Pouch of the Universe on me at all times.

That's how I can connect to Qiongcang at anytime.

Ingot also traveled through the pouch to find the Muling Berry for me.

But Ingot was away for a long time.

I was already on the verge of death.

It was right then...

That I saw the secret army.

Fortunately, Ingot got back in time.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have survived.

Actually...

After the Battle of Yao City...

in my dream, I went to Geya Desert with Zhan Bei Ye.

I also saw the secret army.

I must go there then.

Even if they do exist

you said that they were confined by divine powers.

If you go to them, are you sure you can get them under control?

I--

The two of you...

You're not sure.

Right?

You're the only one who has the right to decide.

I may not be able to subdue them.

I may not make it back alive either.

But this is the only solution.

All right... all right now.

All right now.

Didn't I say that I had made up my mind to take this path?

I have to take back what's mine.

Whatever the obstacle, however hard it is

I have to keep going.

All right.

The blood of the royal Zhan family runs in my veins.

I'm destined to accomplish this mission.

However slim the chances may be

I have to live up to my deceased comrades.

I have to live up to those who are hanging in there for me.

Isn't that right?

Yes!

Since you've made up your mind

I'll draw you a map of the secret army's location

from what I can remember.

There's no time to lose. Start preparing, quickly.

All right.

Since it's so dangerous there, we'll accompany you.

Don't be in a hurry.

We have other matters to attend to.

On top of what I just said, add another three layers of security.

Lock down the palace at 5 p.m. instead.

After sunset, anyone who enters the palace

must report to the Inner Court.

I understand.

In order to wipe out Prince Lie's past subordinates

we've arrested many high-ranking officials.

There are even generals among them.

There are many vacant military positions now.

Shouldn't we put an end to this now?

Of course not.

I won't give Zhan Bei Ye any chance to stage a comeback.

Now that Gu Ling Feng is dead

who will take charge of the Gold of Tiansha?

Bei Heng, are you thinking of taking over?

I'm a man of little talent and knowledge.

I'm not fit for it.

The Gold of Tiansha are the most elite of all guards defending the palace.

I'll have to select and train another commander

who will follow my every command.

You mean...

you want me to approach Zhan Nan Cheng?

Zhan Nan Cheng is very cunning.

We may not even defeat him with tens of thousands of soldiers.

We have to plant someone by his side, to win his trust

to collaborate from within and ensure that everything goes as planned.

But it won't be easy to infiltrate the palace.

How can I do it?

Gu Ling Feng just died recently.

The Gold of Tiansha needs a commander now.

According to their protocol, they will select one soon.

This is our best opportunity.

You mean to have me disguised as a man to take part in some selection process

and risk getting beaten up

so that I can take over the Gold of Tiansha?

Exactly.

I... If I get selected, do I have to fawn over that old fellow, Zhan Nan Cheng?

Are you just going to sit and watch then?

Will you do it?

I will.

Listen, Zhan Nan Cheng is very petty.

He loves snatching things from others.

How could let go of anything I like?

We'll have to use a trick or two to ensure that it goes as planned.

This is the qualifying match for the Gold of Tiansha's commander

the General of True Valiance.

It's the day to register for the match.

Respectable warriors, please sign up for the qualifying match.

There's no paper or ink on site and you won't be monitored.

Whatever the method

as long as you can carve your names onto the ice

the contract of True Valiance will be sealed.

Let's give it a try.

Be it victory or defeat, you're not to breach the contract.

I'll go first!

- Someone stepped forward. - Yes.

The one to win this match will be conferred as General of True Valiance

and can command the Gold of Tiansha.

The glory would be passed down for generations.

Of course.

The General of True Valiance is the highest position in Tiansha.

One man's glory is enough to offer his descendants a lifetime of luxury.

It's worth it, even if he has to risk his life.

Nan Cheng.

I delivered the invitation to Crown Prince personally

to invite him to the palace so he can judge the qualifying match.

Pick a few rare items and send them over.

We offended him because of Zhangsun Ping Rong.

We'll have to make an effort to win him over.

As for Prince Yi...

What is it?

We pledged an alliance with him.

So?

How could there be an ally for life?

Didn't Zhangsun Ping Rong just come here for the Englobement Bell?

Whoever is useful to me is my ally.

If Zhangsun Ping Rong doesn't understand that...

he shouldn't dream of becoming the crown prince.

In the past...

I placed my bets on Zhangsun Ping Rong due to misjudgment.

Now, I even have to make up for this mistake