Volume Two, Chapter Six: Tears

Ye Boyang, a disciple of the Zhengjia Sect, together with disciples from the Pure Heart Sect, the Hai Kong Sect’s Guan Canghai, and Nanqiao Sect’s Qifan Jin, served as the foundation of the gathering. Beside a six-foot wide aloeswood bed hung a precious gauze canopy, embroidered throughout with begonia blossoms in silver thread and scattered pearls; when the wind stirred, the gauze swayed as if one had fallen into a dreamscape of cloud mountains and illusionary seas. Upon the couch was set a blue jade fragrant pillow, layered with soft silk and a cool silk mat, atop which lay neatly folded robes with jade sashes. From the domed ceiling of the hall, a massive luminous pearl was suspended, radiating light as bright as the full moon. The floor was paved with white jade inlaid with golden pearls, carved into lotus blossoms—each with five stems, the petals vivid and exquisite, even the flower’s stamens rendered in delicate detail. Stepping barefoot upon it felt warm and smooth, for it was carved from gentle, warm Lantian jade, as if with each step one conjured a lotus beneath their feet, rivaling the extravagant luxury of Pan Yuer’s legendary golden lotuses. Such exquisite craftsmanship and splendor, even Ling Yue had never seen the like before.

The entire formation was divided into three parts: the vanguard, the rear, and the core (central Wuxu earth element). When the formation shifted, it blended truth and illusion, reality and deception.

The Long Serpent Formation was devised based on the habits of serpents, and it featured three modes of change.

First, strike the serpent’s head—its tail moves, coiling in defense.
Second, strike the tail—the head moves, ready to bite.
Third, when the serpent’s body strikes sideways—the head and tail converge, entangling the enemy.

Through these three transformations, the Long Serpent Formation moved like a giant python launching an assault, its attacks fierce and relentless! The mobility of the cavalry on both flanks (the most agile forces of ancient warfare) was paramount. Therefore, to break the Serpent Formation, the best method was to restrict the flanks’ mobility, preventing the head and tail from supporting each other. The optimal tactic was to seize the head, pin the tail, and sever the waist!

The detailed strategy was to set traps among one’s own infantry, using two infantry phalanxes to coordinate and block the enemy’s flanking cavalry, denying them their agility. Then, launch a fierce charge with heavy cavalry against the serpent’s belly—the enemy infantry—disrupting and scattering their formation! In one stroke, the infantry phalanx would be broken, cutting the Long Serpent Formation into three pieces. Thus divided, each segment would be forced to fight alone, unable to cooperate as a unified whole, and the formation would collapse without further attack.

“Riding the Wind for Ten Thousand Miles,” Volume Two, Chapter Six: Tears. Currently being transcribed, please wait a moment.
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