With Huo Liuxing’s departure, the Dingbian Army lost its backbone. He didn’t feel comfortable leaving Shen Lingzhen here, so he arranged for a military escort to take her to Huo Qi’s location.

After all, Huo Qi was already past sixty. With frequent warfare in the northwest these past two years, new injuries piled upon old ones until he could barely bear the burden. After Meng Qufei and Huo Shuyi successively arrived in Hexi, they both advised the old man to withdraw to Xi’an Zhou, southeast of the front lines, to recover from his wounds.

Xi’an Zhou had Tiandu Mountain at its back and faced Xiaohuang River in front—truly an impregnable location. Now with Huo Qi stationed there, it naturally became an ideal destination for Shen Lingzhen.

Moreover, now that the truth from those years had come to light and the misunderstanding between the two families had been resolved, Huo Qi would presumably be able to accept this daughter-in-law.

After arranging Shen Lingzhen’s journey properly, Huo Liuxing and Xue Jie led five thousand cavalry wearing Xiqiang armor, brought Jianjia along, and headed north—pretending to be rushing back to the Qiang capital after capturing a hostage.

Behind them, another Daqi cavalry unit followed in hot pursuit as part of the act, according to Huo Liuxing’s arrangements.

Huo Liuxing had no time to stop and discuss details with Xue Jie, so the two communicated while seizing every opportunity on horseback.

While wielding his whip, Xue Jie asked Huo Liuxing, who rode alongside him: “This act won’t last long. What’s your plan?”

Instead of answering, Huo Liuxing asked: “Let me ask you first—when you were in Xiqiang, how were you able to uncover Ya Lichong’s secrets?”

“At a banquet, Ya Lichong got drunk and started bragging about past events. I eavesdropped from the shadows.”

Huo Liuxing smiled: “Don’t you find that too coincidental?”

“You mean Ya Lichong deliberately said it for me to hear?”

Huo Liuxing nodded.

Ya Lichong understood Daqi far better than the old Xiqiang king. The old king believed Xiqiang had successfully turned Xue Jie, but Ya Lichong, having crossed swords with him in Daqi before, guessed he might waver, so he prepared another plan to deal with a potential battlefield betrayal.

“He told you so that if you did betray them, you would naturally tell me the truth from those years. Once enraged, I might very well personally attack Xiqiang seeking revenge. That way, he could set up an inescapable trap and wait for his prey.”

Xue Jie’s expression darkened: “You’re saying Ya Lichong was already prepared? Then won’t rescuing people be exponentially harder?”

“There’s still a chance.”

Ya Lichong was merely a Xiqiang general, not the Xiqiang king. He couldn’t mobilize troops based solely on his own speculation and empty words. Moreover, most of Xiqiang’s forces were currently concentrated in Hexi—there weren’t abundant military resources within the borders. So he had to first confirm whether Xue Jie’s army was genuine before requesting authorization from the old king.

“When we approach the Xiqiang border, the cavalry behind us will catch up and feign an attack on our rear. You’ll use this opportunity to request reinforcements from the Xiqiang border guards and let us flee through the gate. Once inside the city, Jingmo will lead a detachment away under the pretext of escorting the hostage, using this time difference to rescue Madam Xue. Before Ya Lichong sees Jianjia, he won’t be able to confirm whether the hostage is real and won’t risk sending people to intercept them.”

“After Jingmo leaves, how do we coordinate on our end?”

“The cavalry will continue attacking Xiqiang, and Meng Qufei will also bring troops from Hexi to support them, trying to throw the cities along the line from the Xiqiang border to the capital into chaos.”

“By then Ya Lichong should have confirmed our identities. With one command, we won’t be able to continue approaching the capital.”

“Correct.” Huo Liuxing smiled. “But will Ya Lichong really be willing to stop us so far away?”

When you can’t break their moves, turn their strategy against them. Since Ya Lichong was exploiting Huo Liuxing’s desire for revenge, Huo Liuxing could likewise exploit Ya Lichong’s mentality of “you can’t catch a wolf without risking the child.”

From the arrow-throwing incident at the welcoming banquet in Bianjing, one could see that Ya Lichong harbored unusual feelings toward the Huo family.

Ya Lichong had grown up with the Huo Family Army since childhood. His brotherhood with Huo Liuxing’s elder brother might not have been entirely false. Ultimately compelled by duty, he had killed him through underhanded means, leaving behind the regret of never having defeated him in an open, honorable confrontation.

Now, in Ya Lichong’s eyes, Huo Liuxing was essentially a shadow of his elder brother. However much Huo Liuxing wanted to eliminate Ya Lichong, Ya Lichong equally wanted to fight Huo Liuxing to the death.

For Ya Lichong, stopping Huo Liuxing early near the border would very likely allow him to turn around and be retrieved by Meng Qufei. That way, everything would be for naught.

Therefore, this trap of “luring the enemy into the jar” needed to be set deeper. Even if Ya Lichong discovered the army was fake, he would still lure them deep into Xiqiang territory before closing the net.

Xue Jie nodded: “Good, we’ll go with this plan.”

——

Racing like the wind, two days later Huo Liuxing and Xue Jie entered Xiqiang territory as planned.

The great army led by Meng Qufei and Huo Shuyi also launched a counterattack in Xiqiang, appearing very much like they were “flying into a rage for a beauty” because Shen Lingzhen had been captured.

Xue Jie negotiated with the Xiqiang border city commander, explaining that his cavalry had been pursued by enemy forces for two days and nights and had been beaten into disarray. He hoped to withdraw to the rear to reorganize temporarily. After receiving permission, they naturally advanced deeper into Xiqiang territory.

As Huo Liuxing had predicted, the cavalry traveled all the way along Lingzhou River from downstream to upstream without encountering any resistance.

Another day passed. Past the middle of the hour of the ox, the five thousand troops stopped near the Vast Sea, about a hundred li from Xiping Mansion, the Xiqiang capital.

Stretching before them was a vast expanse of marshland. The night was deep and fog heavy, with water vapor thick on all sides. Looking north, the Qiang capital seemed like a mirage—visible but unreachable.

Xue Jie stood by the river, explaining the road conditions ahead to Huo Liuxing: “Not far north of the marshland is the moat. Even if Ya Lichong wants to lure the enemy deep, he couldn’t possibly actually lead you into Xiping Mansion. He’s probably hoping that after you circle around the marshland, he can use this natural barrier to cut off our retreat and wipe us out completely, so…”

Halfway through his words, Huo Liuxing suddenly raised his palm to signal a stop, moved his ears, and looked toward the shimmering river surface.

Xue Jie immediately became alert and made a gesture to the soldiers beside him.

The soldier tilted the torch in his hand slightly to illuminate the center of the river.

“My lord…” Two heads emerged from underwater, one after the other.

It was Jingmo and Jianjia.

Xue Jie’s expression changed. A day ago, these two had taken advantage of Meng Qufei’s disruption in Xiqiang to lead troops to rescue his mother. They shouldn’t be appearing here now.

Huo Liuxing jerked his chin, signaling several soldiers to pull them ashore.

Both were in a miserable state. After coming ashore, Jianjia collapsed exhausted on the ground. Jingmo reported breathlessly: “My lord, this humble one failed in his duty and couldn’t…”

“What happened to my mother?” Xue Jie stepped forward, his face deathly pale.

Jingmo’s face showed reluctance as he bowed: “General Xue, Madam Xue held righteousness in her heart and was unwilling for you to defect for her sake. She took her own life the very day you led your troops away from Xiqiang. Xiqiang kept the truth from you to control you.”

Xue Jie blinked blankly, as if hearing an ending both unexpected yet reasonable. He laughed bitterly in extreme grief, murmuring: “I see, so that’s how it is…” He squeezed his eyes tightly shut. After a long while, he opened them again and asked with trembling jaw: “Where is my mother’s body?”

“Madam Xue must have anticipated that you would search for her remains and worried that Xiqiang would use them to threaten you again, so… so she went in a great fire.”

That meant not even bones remained. Nothing was left.

Xue Jie nodded, responding with an expression between crying and laughing. He leaned on his sword and looked up at the starless, moonless sky. After a long while, he actually calmed down: “Good, good… In that case, there’s no need to wait…” He turned to look at Huo Liuxing. “General Huo, let’s proceed.”

——

An hour later, outside Xiping Mansion by the moat, Ya Lichong stood atop the city tower gazing into the distance.

Watching the mass of dark cavalry galloping toward them from afar, the deputy general beside him revealed a satisfied smile: “Congratulations, General. The prey has taken the bait as expected.”

“Not necessarily.” Ya Lichong’s expression was somewhat grave. “This cavalry is advancing too recklessly—not quite like Huo Liuxing’s style.”

“You mean…”

“From what I know of him, Huo Liuxing is quite a patient person who rarely acts impulsively. Whether he’s actually in this army is still unknown.”

The cavalry gradually approached the moat. Ya Lichong narrowed his bell-like eyes into slits and suddenly said: “They’re short.”

The deputy general froze: “What’s short?”

“Cavalry—short by five hundred, eight hundred… no, over a thousand.”

“Could it be that to maintain the act, some were casualties along the way?”

Ya Lichong shook his head: “If they want to attack Xiping Mansion, they’d want to bring more people, not make such meaningless sacrifices.”

“Then where did these thousand-plus men go?”

Just as the deputy general finished speaking, a bundle of crimson fireworks suddenly shot up into the western sky, bursting into a blood-red bloom.

At the same time, the cavalry’s shouts shook the heavens as they rapidly approached the moat.

Xiqiang didn’t use such firework signals—this was a Daqi signal.

Ya Lichong’s eyelid twitched: “Enemy activity in the west?”

The deputy general rushed down from the tower in confusion to inquire, then made a gesture to Ya Lichong above, indicating all was well.

But immediately after, a second crimson firework burst open in the south.

Moments later, it was the east’s turn.

The deputy general ran back and forth, confirming repeatedly before rushing up the tower to report to Ya Lichong: “General, confirmed that we haven’t received any battle reports regarding enemy activity!”

Ya Lichong quietly watched the cavalry in the near distance who seemed encouraged by the fireworks, their morale rapidly surging as they galloped faster and faster. He remained silent for a long while without giving instructions.

The deputy general was anxious: “What went wrong? If it were ordinary enemy activity, it should have been discovered already. Could it be as the general said—that Huo Liuxing isn’t in this cavalry at all, and he and those thousand-plus cavalry went elsewhere?”

Ya Lichong’s brows knitted tightly. After a moment of silence, he turned and descended from the tower.

The deputy general chased after him: “General, this subordinate is willing to lead troops to meet the enemy. You absolutely must not leave Xiping Mansion! If you leave, this Xiping Mansion…”

“Can you really not defend against a mere four thousand cavalry and an inexperienced Xue family boy?” Ya Lichong strode swiftly, instructing the guard commander below the tower: “Muster five thousand elite troops. Follow me out of the city.”

Five thousand men quickly headed south under Ya Lichong’s command.

An hour later, daylight broke. Two blue-armored cavalry units met face to face south of the Vast Sea.

The other group was precisely the thousand men missing from Daqi.

These thousand men had formed an unbreakable triangular formation on the boundless plain, as if they had been lying in wait for a long time.

Ya Lichong reined in his horse before the formation, his hand gripping the reins tightening. He knew he had fallen into a trap.

No enemy activity was discovered because there was no enemy activity at all.

Ordinary diversionary tactics should actually accomplish something with their feint—burn a granary or capture a city. But Huo Liuxing knew that wouldn’t make Ya Lichong feel threatened.

Attacking cities was inferior; attacking hearts was superior. What truly creates fear is the crisis one manufactures in one’s own mind. Huo Liuxing had actually done nothing—merely had people set off one firework each in three different directions.

Because he didn’t know what was actually happening in the shadows, Ya Lichong instinctively believed only Huo Liuxing possessed such ability to stir up winds and clouds. So even knowing this was a diversionary tactic, driven by obsession, he had chased after them anyway.

Never expecting he would miss Huo Liuxing entirely.

Now these thousand men planned to use their lives to pin down his elite force.

Ya Lichong clenched his jaw tightly and raised his right hand high, making a “kill” gesture.

War drums thundered, banners flew, and the rising eastern sun witnessed this brutal clash.

Five thousand against one thousand—the outcome was beyond question. Moreover, Ya Lichong had been played by Huo Liuxing and was burning with rage, desperately needing to vent. He quickly gained the upper hand with bloodshot eyes.

But he also had to admit that these Daqi soldiers fighting with determination to die reminded him of the Huo Family Army from many years ago.

When a Daqi soldier whose left chest had been pierced by an arrow miraculously rose again and killed three more Xiqiang men, Ya Lichong began to feel uneasy about the situation at Xiping Mansion.

This batch consisted of soldiers without their leader. If Huo Liuxing were present, to what degree would their combat effectiveness reach?

The engagement originally estimated to end in an hour seemed to drag on endlessly under these Daqi soldiers’ cunning and stubborn resistance.

When the battle finally ended, the sun was already high overhead in the afternoon, and behind Ya Lichong only two thousand remained alive.

Looking out across this mountain of corpses and sea of blood, this battle where he had annihilated the opposing forces entirely left him with no sense of satisfaction.

Ya Lichong closed his eyes. Without stopping for a moment, he reorganized his troops, wheeled his horse around, and prepared to rush back to Xiping Mansion. Just as he was about to give the order, he saw a fast horse galloping from the north in the distance.

After reining in his horse, that Xiqiang soldier practically rolled off, frantically reporting: “General, Xiping Mansion was breached by Daqi over an hour ago. Huo Liuxing and Xue Jie have already killed their way into the city, and also…”

Ya Lichong said through gritted teeth: “And also what?”

“And also that Meng Qufei—he actually… actually marched through the marshland, crossing the Vast Sea without anyone knowing, and brought ten thousand troops to Xiping Mansion as well…”

Ya Lichong’s face turned iron-blue as he kicked the messenger a zhang away, then furiously waved to those behind him: “Return to the city!”

——

The setting sun of early spring always carried a hint of cold.

Even though the horizon was deep crimson and looked scorching hot, reaching out one could only touch cool wind.

Just like this slaughter in Xiping Mansion—the fire arrows falling from the sky were scalding hot, yet piercing flesh they were bone-chillingly cold.

Viewed from above, on three main streets, three generals leading from the front moved with uncanny synchronization. After killing each wave of defenders, they advanced ten zhang with their troops, then made a “release arrows” gesture, progressing as if through an undefended realm.

The Xiqiang soldiers on the three main streets scattered in chaos, gradually falling silent.

After a prolonged offensive, Huo, Meng, and Xue converged at the intersection at the end of the main streets.

Reunited after long separation, Meng Qufei and Huo Liuxing were somewhat like old friends seeing old friends, eyes brimming with tears. Looking at Huo Liuxing and Xue Jie, he gasped first to complain: “Hey, that green armor of yours really looks great covered in blood. What did I do to deserve being covered in stinking marsh mud?”

Huo Liuxing laughed once: “Later we’ll use Xiqiang blood to give you a good wash.”

After joking briefly, the two quickly became serious again, looking back at the soldiers behind them.

Including the troops Meng Qufei had brought across the Vast Sea, over ten thousand had attacked Xiping Mansion. Now only a mere three thousand remained.

Just then, Jingmo galloped near and reported: “My lord, we should withdraw. Within two incense sticks’ time, Ya Lichong will attack into the city.”

“What about Hexi?”

“Xiqiang has already withdrawn their troops.”

With the Qiang capital fallen and nearby cities thrown into chaos by Meng Qufei, the old Xiqiang king was powerless to continue contesting Hexi and naturally had to withdraw the garrison there.

Huo Liuxing had come precisely to resolve the Hexi crisis. Now that his objective was achieved and only a handful of Daqi soldiers survived in the city, they should withdraw in time.

Otherwise, when reinforcements arrived, they would all die here.

“Then let’s go,” Meng Qufei hooked his mud-covered arm around Huo Liuxing’s shoulder. “I’ll accompany you to kill that Ya surname bastard to avenge your family, then return to Hexi to retire.”

Huo Liuxing smiled faintly: “His surname is Ya Li.”

The two wheeled their horses around, about to spur them forward, when they both paused simultaneously, looking toward Xue Jie, who hadn’t spoken a word from beginning to end.

He sat high on his horse, gazing toward the Xiqiang palace, both eyes bloodshot.

After arriving at Xiping Mansion, Meng Qufei had roughly heard about Xue Jie’s ordeal. Seeing this, he guessed: “Brother Xue, you’re not still thinking of doing something big, are you?”

Xue Jie turned his head and made an affirmative sound: “You go first.”

“Whoa, Brother Xue, don’t be rash. Going alone like this is a one-way trip.”

“I know.” Xue Jie’s expression was abnormally calm. “I couldn’t return anyway.”

No matter how difficult his circumstances, he had ultimately committed the crime of defecting to the enemy for private family matters. Even if his merits offset his crimes, this stain could never be erased.

Green mountains laugh with casual ease, withering or flourishing rests with your intent. Whether to leave a fragrant name for a hundred generations or a foul stench for ten thousand years—it had been his choice, but he had chosen wrongly.

His mother, for the Xue family’s honor, hadn’t hesitated to burn herself in fire. If he couldn’t accomplish something today, he would have no face to see her a hundred years hence.

“Xue Jie,” Huo Liuxing called his name. “Think carefully.”

“I’ve thought it through. I’m alone with no family—I don’t care about what comes after. You should hurry back and not make Yinyin worry.” As he spoke, he waved cheerfully at Huo Liuxing and Meng Qufei, spurring his horse toward the palace without looking back.

Huo Liuxing watched his retreating figure in silence, ultimately making a “retreat” gesture to the three thousand cavalry behind him.

Meng Qufei followed closely, his usually playful face now exceptionally solemn.

Approaching the city gate, he suddenly stopped short, reining in his mount: “Liuxing.”

Huo Liuxing also stopped and sighed.

Meng Qufei exclaimed “Aiya”: “That expression—you really are the tapeworm in my belly!” Seeing him frown without speaking, he laughed heartily. “Don’t look at me like that. I just think Brother Xue has a point. What kind of place is Xiping Mansion? We might only get inside once in a lifetime. Now that we’re at their lair’s doorstep, how can we not do something big?”

Just as Huo Liuxing was about to speak, Meng Qufei immediately raised his palm to stop him: “Hey, don’t! You have a family and household—you shouldn’t join in this excitement. Besides, what would we three do bunched together? Splitting into three routes gives us a better chance of success. You go out of the city now and tangle with that Ya surname fellow, buying more time for my life.”

——

That night at the hour of the dog, soldiers continuously ran in and out of the Xi’an Zhou garrison camp, reporting to Huo Qi about the battle situation in Xiqiang and Hexi.

At Hexi, after Meng Qufei and Huo Shuyi headed north, it was Huo Liuxing’s mother Yu Wanjiang holding the position. Huo Qi had wanted to hurry over, but firstly his injuries were severe and he was willing but unable, and secondly Huo Liuxing had sent word that the pressure in Hexi would soon lighten and asked him not to exhaust himself traveling back and forth. So he remained in Xi’an Zhou.

Shen Lingzhen had been here for two days, staying in the logistics camp together with Huo Miaoling, who was equally without a place to settle. Though the military camp was safe, it was full of men, so it was inconvenient for them to move about. They could only stay in their tent all day.

When she had parted ways with Huo Liuxing at East Valley Fortress, Kongqing had been sent to Shen Lingzhen’s side. So her daily source of news was Kongqing’s reports.

But tonight, Kongqing hadn’t appeared for a long time, and the atmosphere in the military camp was especially tense. Shen Lingzhen guessed the battle must be approaching a conclusion.

Huo Miaoling clutched her heart and asked the soldiers outside every two incense sticks how Mother was, how Elder Sister was, how Second Brother was, how Cousin Qufei was. The soldiers could only shake their heads helplessly, saying they didn’t know either.

Approaching the hour of the ox, Kongqing finally returned to the logistics camp and inquired softly outside Shen Lingzhen’s tent: “Young Madam, are you resting?”

In this situation, Shen Lingzhen naturally couldn’t rest. She and Huo Miaoling were copying scriptures by lamplight, praying for the front lines.

Hearing Kongqing’s voice, she immediately came out to greet him: “Is there news from the front?”

“Not yet. The master guessed you would also be worried and asked you to come wait with him on the tower.”

Shen Lingzhen nodded, instructed Huo Miaoling to stay safely in the tent, and followed Kongqing onto a carriage.

While driving, Kongqing turned back to tell her: “Young Madam, don’t be too nervous. At the hour of the dog, the master received news that a great fire broke out at the Xiqiang palace. This humble one guesses that with Xiqiang in such chaos, Daqi must have gained the upper hand.”

“A great fire broke out at the Xiqiang palace?” Shen Lingzhen could hardly believe her ears.

“Yes! Our lord and the others are truly bold. This humble one really wishes I could witness such a heartening scene.”

“After the fire started, are my lord, A’Jie brother, and Young Master Meng still in Xiping Mansion?”

“The battle report from the hour of the dog said they split into three routes to withdraw. We don’t know where they are now. The troops freed up from Hexi have also split into three routes to retrieve them. After picking them up, they’ll use fireworks to notify each other, so the master plans to go up the tower to wait for firsthand news.”

Shen Lingzhen understood. Half an hour later, she followed Kongqing up to the tower of Xi’an Zhou’s north gate.

Huo Qi stood with his hands behind his back by the battlements. Hearing movement behind him, he turned and beckoned to her: “Child, come here.”

After arriving at Xi’an Zhou, Shen Lingzhen had only seen Huo Qi that first time. Then Huo Qi had been bedridden with his injuries, and soldiers had been coming and going in the tent, so they hadn’t been able to speak much.

So although she knew Huo Qi now understood the truth from those years, Shen Lingzhen still felt nervous seeing him. She slowly approached and called with bowed head: “Commissioner Huo.”

“Mm.” Huo Qi glanced at her, unclear whether he was speaking to her or himself. “Can’t sleep, can you?”

Shen Lingzhen made a low affirmative sound.

“I’ve grown old and useless. I couldn’t hold Hexi, which forced them to take such life-and-death risks.”

Shen Lingzhen quickly shook her head: “That’s not true. Hexi is such a long, narrow corridor—it’s easy to attack but hard to defend. Unless you were a deity from heaven, how could one man hold the pass against ten thousand?”

Huo Qi looked at her sideways: “You girl certainly know how to talk.”

“Then let me say more. My lord once said there’s no such thing as complete safety on the battlefield. Even if they didn’t attack Xiqiang and used different tactics, there would still be risks and sacrifices. So this decision isn’t anyone’s fault—you mustn’t blame yourself too much.”

Huo Qi smiled and coughed twice, covering his chest.

Shen Lingzhen looked worriedly at his complexion: “Commissioner Huo’s injuries haven’t healed. Why don’t I wait here while you go down to avoid the wind?”

“Call me Father.”

“Ah?” After a moment of surprise, Shen Lingzhen understood and stammered an “Oh.” “Father… should you go down to avoid the wind?”

Huo Qi shook his head, the hand behind his back moving to rest on the battlement.

Shen Lingzhen stopped urging him.

The two stood on the tower for a full hour. Behind them, Kongqing was yawning continuously, but his eyes remained fixed on the dark northern sky. Just when his eyes could no longer distinguish colors clearly, his vision suddenly flashed.

He rubbed his eyes vigorously and stared at that crimson firework bursting in the azure night sky. He jumped up in excitement: “It’s a firework! That’s a firework, right!”

Just as his words fell, a second bundle of fireworks also rose into the air from another direction.

Shen Lingzhen’s hand gripping the battlement began to tremble. The brow that had been furrowed all night finally relaxed, only to quickly knit again: “Why are there only two bundles?”

Huo Qi clenched his back teeth: “Wait a bit longer.”

These words were meant for Shen Lingzhen, but also for himself.

But they waited and waited. Even as dawn broke and clouds parted to reveal the rising sun, they never waited for that third bundle of fireworks.