News of the great victory at Yanmen Pass spread through the Great Song, sparking celebrations everywhere. Even in the Imperial Palace at Kaifeng, the triumph silenced every voice of opposition.
A month later, the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun had been recovered in full, and the Liao court sent a delegation to negotiate peace.
Martial artists gathered in Kaifeng as the army returned victorious. Wu Xuantian formally ascended the throne and named his reign Wenwu.
The name signified an emperor who could govern through culture and secure the realm through martial might. During his reign, he would be known as the Great Emperor Wenwu.
Rewards were granted to all, whether titles or riches. After seven days and nights of negotiations, Liao ceded more territory and paid reparations.
For a time, the Great Song's territory reached its greatest extent.
Qiao Feng was appointed leader of the Beggars' Sect, granted the title of commandery duke, and given A Zhu and A Zi in marriage. He was the first leader of a martial sect to receive such honors from the court.
Time flew like an arrow; the days and months raced by.
New waves on the Yangtze River forever overtook the old. Ten years had passed since the battle at Yanmen Pass!
Wu Xuantian had long since married, and his four attendants had been named the empresses of the east, south, west, and north.
After returning to Kaifeng, Wu Xuantian rarely left the Imperial Palace, much less traveled the martial world. Gradually, that world forgot he was a Pinnacle Realm master.
Over those ten years, the Great Song grew ever stronger. It conquered Liao, Western Xia, and Tubo in succession, while Dali formally became its vassal.
The Great Song cavalry and the Divine Strategy Army swept all before them. In those years, they