On October 5, Sterling led the Central Army out of Yun Province and into Deya Province.
Both Deya Province and Iliya Province were populated mainly by humans. When the great rebellion that swept across the entire Far East broke out, Provincial Governor Gu Lan displayed the bearing of a famous general. Calm in the face of danger, he recruited local residents and organized a provincial garrison force of nearly a hundred thousand men. Working in coordination with the garrison forces of neighboring Iliya Province, their strength was insufficient to suppress the rebellion, but more than enough to defend their provinces. Thus, these two provinces became the only regions in the Far East untouched by the flames of war, and the people were able to maintain their livelihoods.
After trekking out of the mountains, marshes, and swamps of Yun Province, Sterling could finally catch his breath. He had returned to the world of hearth smoke and splendor. No longer did he see the brutal scenes of two armies clashing, blades meeting, and lives being fought over. Instead, he saw village girls laughing, shepherd boys chasing sheep, bustling cities packed with traffic, wine-red lights and green lanterns, merchants hawking their wares along the road... All these ordinary sights of life seemed strange and fresh to him, and the images of swords, spears, and halberds gradually faded from his mind.
He was a top-ranking official who commanded armies as their supreme commander. Everywhere he passed, local garrison officials of the Family came out to welcome and see him off, fawning over him with all their might. The streets emptied, firecrackers exploded, incense burned, flowers and wine were offered, and people came to admire the imposing ranks of the Imperial Army. All he saw were the ingratiating smiles of officials great and small. Moreover,