Chapter 119: Chapter 103
Towering above them, so high they had to crane their necks right back to see the top, was a vast stone wall. And it was not just a wall, but a wall that went on and on, stretching out in both directions, undulating over mountains and valleys, for as far as the eye could see.
It was a wall, Melisandre thought, which might encompass the whole world. Squinting against the sky, the top of the wall almost lost in the heat haze from the sun way above, Melisandre saw what appeared to be the tip of a vast tower or fortress.
While she lowered hed gaze and something caught her eye at the base of the wall, a flash of brilliant purple in her peripheral vision.
And—wonder of wonders—she saw a group of at least thirty horsemen, sitting atop magnificent steeds and watching them silently, who had appeared seemingly from nowhere. The horsemen's gleaming purple armour was so beautiful, so immaculate, so intricately decorated, each of the purple-clad horsemen wore a purple helmet from which antlers curled, and each was armed with an unusually long lance.
Merlin and Melisandre were calm, even when the soldiers, in one smooth motion, unsheathed their swords and raised their long lances, the two mercenaries simply stared, making no move to defend themselves.
Another flash of color, red this time, made Merlin look up. And now he saw that above them, equally positioned along the top of the wall, a row of red-clad archers had appeared, their heads encased within crimson helmets. The archers were poised, their bows readied, countless gleaming, deadly arrow heads pointed in the direction of the two men.
Merlin recalled the formidable army forged to combat the demons—an elite force known as the Nameless Order. From what Merlin understood, the Order was divided into five specialized units: the Bear Troop (Black), experts in melee combat; the Crane Troop (Blue), known for their acrobatic precision; the Eagle Troop (Red), archery specialists; the Tiger Troop (Yellow), siege weapon masters; and the Deer Troop (Purple), cavalry experts.
Telepathically, Merlin relayed his observations to Melisandre."They are the army created to fight the Taotie. They call themselves the Nameless Order. The soldiers before us belong to the Deer Troop, specialized in cavalry, while the others in red belong to the Eagle Troop, masters of archery."
Melisandre gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment.
Stepping forward, Merlin raised his voice, speaking in flawless YiTish."I am Merlin the Sorcerer. I have come here at the request of your Emperor, Chai Wong."
The commanders of both units immediately became alert. With commanding voices, they shouted simultaneously,"Stand down!"
At their orders, the soldiers relaxed their stances. Swords were sheathed, and bows lowered, though their eyes remained vigilant.
The leader of the Deer Troop spurred his horse forward, approaching Merlin and Melisandre with several soldiers trailing behind. His imposing presence was amplified by his attire.
Commander Deng's armor, an intricate blend of dark purple tones, gleamed under the light. Layered plates and detailed craftsmanship gave it both elegance and practicality. His shoulder guards were adorned with elaborate designs, and his helmet, crowned with curling antlers, made him appear almost mythical.
His square-shaped face, defined by a strong jawline and slightly almond-shaped eyes, radiated calm authority. His gaze was steady and resolute, his features unmarred by scars. Strands of straight, dark hair peeked from beneath his helmet, framing his face. He held an ornate halberd, its shaft engraved with intricate patterns that hinted at both status and experience.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Eagle Troop, Commander Chen, observed keenly from a distance. His dark red and black armor, designed with an avian aesthetic, struck a balance between flexibility and protection. The sleek patterns on his armor resembled feathers, and his helmet, shaped like a bird's head with a beak-like structure, added to the effect.
Commander Chen's face was more oval-shaped, with a softer yet determined demeanor. His sharp, intense eyes, slightly downturned at the outer corners, scanned the scene with precision. His thick, straight eyebrows enhanced his piercing gaze, while his fuller lips rested in a neutral expression of measured authority.
When Commander Deng reached Merlin and Melisandre, he dismounted and bowed slightly."Welcome. We were not informed of your arrival so soon."
Merlin returned the bow with a warm smile.
"I preferred to arrive early, as the demon invasion is an urgent matter."
Commander Deng nodded, his expression unwavering."I am Commander Deng, leader of the Deer Troop. I will escort you to Commander Shao."
With a subtle gesture to Commander Chen, he signaled that the situation was under control. Commander Chen acknowledged with a sharp nod, his watchful gaze never faltering as the scene unfolded.
As both Merlin and Melisandre were led inside by Commander Deng.