“Ungrateful beast! Say that again!”
A fierce gust of wind suddenly swept through as Zhao Song drew the battle blade from his waist. His pine-green robe billowed violently in the cold wind, like a ferocious eagle tearing at its mighty plumage. The usually carefree and kind-hearted man stood in the cold wind, his gaze sharp, his face fierce. The imperial aura of the Great Xia royal family instantly revived within him!
Yan Xun changed his usual peaceful and gentle expression, his face now ice-cold, eyes glancing sideways at Zhao Song.
Behind the man was the night, black as ink. Under his iron hooves, the entire imperial city trembled. In his ears, he seemed to hear the crumbling sounds of the decaying Sacred Golden Palace. He slowly curled his lips, his voice cold as a blade’s edge: “Ungrateful? What gratitude exists between Yanbei and Great Xia?”
Zhao Song snorted coldly and said fiercely: “Father Emperor raised you for ten years, treating you as his son. Not only did he confer upon you the title of King of Yanbei, but he also betrothed Chun’er to you. Such a great favor! Yet you betray the country and slaughter the capital’s citizens. Yan Xun, your wolf’s ambition is clear, your heart deserves execution!”
The cold wind blew as the man in black robes suddenly let out a cold laugh: “Raised for ten years, treated as his own? The white bones on Shangsheng Plateau remain, and the fresh blood on Nine Abyss Tower has not yet congealed. Zhao Song, is this the overwhelming favor of your Zhao imperial family?”
Zhao Song was stunned, then raised his eyebrows and said sternly: “The King of Yanbei rebelled, and the imperial army’s campaign was righteous…”
“Enough!” Yan Xun suddenly shouted, showing impatience on his face, coldly saying: “You need not say more. History books are always written by the victors. A thousand years of merit and fault will be judged by future generations. You and I need not argue here. Zhao Song, for the sake of our many years of friendship, I’ll let you leave today. Go back and tell your father that I, Yan Xun, have rebelled.”
Just then, a firecracker shop in the southern part of the city was ignited. With a thunderous boom, fireworks exploded into the sky. The sky, reddened by the great fire, suddenly became colorful. In the darkness, Yan Xun’s eyes looked like morning stars in the sky, spirited yet determined as iron.
Eight years of planning, moving in one morning. Could the mighty Great Xia bear this tremendous fury?
“You!”
“Zhao Song!” A clear female voice suddenly came. Chu Qiao spurred her horse forward and said solemnly: “Zhao Song, go back.”
“A Chu?” Zhao Song frowned painfully: “Are you also going to be my enemy?”
Chu Qiao looked at Zhao Song’s face. Beside her were iron-blooded soldiers, behind her was the capital of Zhenhuang engulfed in flames. Everything seemed like a dream of a fleeting life. Time flew swiftly past her. She remembered many years ago, in the snowy garden of the plum forest, the young master wearing a jade-green brocade robe haughtily shouting at her: “Yes, you! I’m calling you!”
In the blink of an eye, after years of bloody rain and wind, she raised her head, looking firmly at the young man on horseback, and said solemnly, word by word: “I never wanted to be your enemy. The bond of eight years of protection, I would never dare forget.”
Zhao Song let out a long sigh, his expression slightly softened, hurriedly saying: “That’s good. A Chu, come back with me. Don’t follow him. I will plead to Father Emperor for you…”
“But I must be the enemy of the entire Great Xia Empire.” The resolute words suddenly came from the girl’s mouth. Zhao Song was stunned. Chu Qiao urged her horse forward, standing by Yan Xun’s side: “You should understand my position. I have never changed.”
“Fine,” Zhao Song smiled sadly, his eyes blood-red, his voice hoarse: “I was blind before.”
With a sharp “swoosh,” Zhao Song swung his blade down, drawing a white mark on the blue brick pavement of the long street. The man’s face was stern as he said fiercely: “From today onwards, I, Zhao Song, sever all ties with you two. When we meet on the battlefield in the future, we are not friends, only enemies! Chun’er, come with me!”
Zhao Chun’er’s eyes were blank, having remained doll-like and unresponsive all along. Hearing Zhao Song’s voice, she suddenly raised her head, her eyes misty. She extended her delicate white hand, trying to grasp Yan Xun’s boot. The man on horseback frowned slightly, reining his horse back. Zhao Chun’er grasped empty air, one white delicate hand suspended in mid-air, still bearing a dark red bloodstain.
That blood belonged to the messenger she had killed, her first kill ever.
With an “ugh” sound, Zhao Chun’er suddenly knelt on the ground, opening her mouth to vomit violently. The acidic fluid from her stomach was thrown up, staining her magnificent wedding dress, and soiling the mandarin ducks that symbolized a hundred years of marriage and companionship.
“Why did it turn out like this?”
The young girl raised her pale little face, like a hairless puppy in winter, tears falling pitter-patter. Her voice didn’t tremble, but there was a heart-chilling sadness in it. It was as if everyone around her no longer existed, and she was just quietly talking to herself: “It’s all my fault. It’s all my fault. Brother Yan, why wasn’t Chun’er by your side when Father Emperor executed the entire Yan family?”
“All these years, I’ve always regretted. If Chun’er had been there, even if I couldn’t save Lord Yan, I could have protected Brother Yan, protected you from being bullied. But I was too young then. Mother Empress locked me in the great hall. No matter how much I cried, she wouldn’t let me out. Little Tao helped me build a cupboard, and we both climbed up from there, lifted the tiles, trying to escape from the roof, but accidentally fell, alarming Mother Empress.”
Zhao Chun’er suddenly began to sob, her voice trembling, tears falling more fiercely: “Then… then Little Tao was beaten to death by people from Mother Empress’s palace. I… I saw it with my own eyes. Her waist was broken, blood kept flowing from her mouth… flowing… flowing so far, soaking my boots, so hot, like burning fire.”
“Brother Yan, I’m useless. I didn’t dare to escape again, and even during those first two years, I didn’t dare visit your courtyard. I was afraid, I was timid, and I always had nightmares. Little Tao’s blood kept flowing, about to drown me, past my neck, mouth, eyes all red.”
Zhao Chun’er hugged her shoulders tightly, shrinking her head fearfully as if blood was really about to drown her. She bit her lower lip, raising her head, tears falling earnestly: “But Brother Yan, please don’t rebel, alright? Father Emperor will kill you. Chun’er will ask for nothing more, won’t force you, won’t compel you to marry me, just want you to live well, even in a place where Chun’er can’t see, as long as you live well.”
Yan Xun frowned tightly, not looking into Zhao Chun’er’s eyes, but turning his head aside, the lines of his face profile looking cold and hard in the air.
“Chun’er! Come here to me!”
Zhao Song thundered angrily.
With a “thud,” Zhao Chun’er immediately knelt, crawling forward a few steps, raising her hands high to grab Yan Xun’s robe, and finally crying out loudly: “Brother Yan, don’t rebel, Chun’er begs you!”
Zhao Song’s eyes blazed with fury as he shouted: “Chun’er, what are you doing?” With that, he spurred his horse forward. The warriors of the Datong Association all stepped forward together, protecting Yan Xun, weapons pointed outward, coldly shouting in unison!
“Brother Yan, Chun’er begs you! Father Emperor will kill you, he will send people to kill you!”
Zhao Chun’er prostrated herself on the ground, crying loudly. Yan Xun remained unmoved, looking up at the sky, letting Zhao Chun’er clutch his robe. Only when the cold wind blew his black hair and black robe could one see his slightly furrowed sword-like eyebrows on his tenacious profile, like a deity in the darkness.
Just then, intense sounds of battle suddenly rang out from a distance. A golden flame exploded in the sky over the southern part of the city. Yan Xun and Chu Qiao both raised their heads simultaneously, their expressions serious.
“The Nineteenth Division has broken through! Yan Xun, if you don’t want others to die in vain with you, surrender immediately!”
Zhao Song brandished his sword, driving back a Datong Association warrior, shouting fiercely.
“Yan Xun, we can’t delay.”
Yan Xun turned his head, slowly nodding, then reined his horse to turn around, heading towards the southern part of the city without hesitation. Zhao Chun’er, sitting on the ground, immediately lost balance and fell to the ground. Chu Qiao and the black-armored warriors followed behind Yan Xun, galloping furiously. From a distance, she looked back and could still see Zhao Chun’er’s figure half-prostrated on the ground, crying, and Zhao Song, the young man standing beside his sister, tall in stature, gripping his long blade, sitting upright on horseback, the cold wind blowing his clothes, even his flying black hair appeared so desolate and forlorn.
Eight years together, yet ultimately like flowers in a mirror and moon in water, all turned into nothing.
The moment she followed Yan Xun into the Sacred Golden Palace, today’s outcome was already determined. Thirteen, your kindness, I have finally failed.
“Hya!”
The girl shouted fiercely, whipping her horse to gallop, leaving behind eight years of drifting years. Her eyes fixed ahead, persistently following that black eagle flag in front!
The thick smell of blood and indescribable stench hit her face. On South An Street in the southern part of the city, the mob of rioters had already been pushed back. The officials and soldiers of the Southwest Garrison led the charge against arrows and stones. Method White Elm, the guard chief of the Nineteenth Division, wielding a heavy sword, bathed in blood, led the soldiers of the Nineteenth Division in a fierce battle. The formidable imperial regular army, like an unstoppable iron flow, moved slowly but steadily towards the inner city of the capital. Wherever they went, it was a mess, breaking through all obstacles, crushing all resistance.
Fast horsemen returned like wind and fire, bringing one unfavorable battle report after another. Yan Xun sat on horseback, silent, his face calm, unreadable.
Chu Qiao narrowed her eyes, looking into the distance, saying solemnly: “Is it not yet time?”
Yan Xun spoke in a low voice, shaking his head very calmly: “Not yet.”
“Casualties are heavy. Should we continue to wait?”
“Yes, we still need to wait.”
Chu Qiao took a deep breath, frowning, saying solemnly: “Yan Xun, if this continues, the Southwest Garrison will be destroyed.”
“The guard chiefs of the Twelfth Division and the Thirty-sixth Division are still watching outside. If we retreat now, there will be fresh forces in the imperial city, and our return journey to Yanb will not be peaceful. We will be pursued by the empire like homeless dogs.”
“But if this continues, our people will also suffer heavy casualties! Just transporting the wounded and arranging retreat will throw our formations into disarray.”
Yan Xun frowned slightly, then shook his head: “Don’t worry, I have my arrangements.”
“Yan Xun…”
“A Chu, leave the city first.”
Chu Qiao was startled, then frowned and said solemnly: “I won’t.”
“A Chu,” amid the killing and bloodshed all around, the man’s face was gentle as he said softly: “Leave the city first. Go to the bank of the Chishui River and arrange the river crossing with A Jing. He’s rough and careless, I’m worried.”
“No,” Chu Qiao stubbornly shook her head: “I want to stay with you.”
Yan Xun deliberately put on a stern face and said solemnly: “A Chu, this is a serious matter, don’t throw a childish tantrum.”
“Here’s a place of swords and blades, with the Twelfth Division and the Thirty-sixth Division eyeing us covetously from behind. How can I leave you alone with peace of mind!”
Yan Xun immediately smiled: “Silly girl, how am I alone? There are still ten thousand troops of the Southwest Garrison. You needn’t worry about me.”
Chu Qiao retorted crispy: “The Southwest Garrison just defected. Who knows if they’ll switch sides again later? How can I trust them?”
“If the Southwest Garrison can’t be trusted, even if you stay, we can hardly escape death. A Chu, trust in using people, and doubts in not using them. These words, you taught me.”
Chu Qiao looked at Yan Xun with suspicious eyes, asking puzzledly: “Yan Xun, do you really trust them so much?”
“I don’t trust them, I trust myself.”
Huge battle cries suddenly rang out. Another round of fierce attacks and counterattacks began. Arrows filled the sky, blood splattered everywhere. Yan Xun’s black robes fluttered violently in the night sky, his eyes sharp as stars, his gaze calmly looking at the killing and bloodshed ahead, slowly saying: “Except for relying on me, they have no way to retreat. Fighting to death still gives them a glimmer of hope. Defecting would make them traitors despised by both Yanb and the empire.”
“But,” Chu Qiao said reluctantly, “this battle’s killing is too excessive. I fear it will harm your reputation for benevolence.”
“Benevolence?” Yan Xun laughed coldly: “My father was too benevolent, that’s why he died on the plateau of Yanb. I will not be like him.”
Yan Xun’s face seemed to be covered by a layer of black mist in an instant. Chu Qiao was startled, raising her head to look at him, calling softly: “Yan Xun?”
Yan Xun lowered his head, smiling as he looked at Chu Qiao, opening his arms on horseback, embracing the girl’s thin shoulders: “A Chu, trust me, wait for me by the Chishui River. We will leave together.”
A wild wind blew, and Chu Qiao suddenly felt a bit cold. She extended her hands to tightly hug the man’s waist, her voice bearing a few traces of undisguised sobbing.
“Yan Xun, if anything happens to you, I will surely avenge you.”
The howling wind blew through the dark streets. The battle cries from afar seemed so distant at that moment. The young King of Yanb had a jade-like face, his black hair flying, he lifted the girl’s chin with one hand, a faint smile on his lips, their eyes meeting, inseparable deep feelings. Eight years together, entrusting their lives to each other, the bond of life and death, deep feelings etched in their marrow. Yan Xun’s eyes were like deep pools, as he said softly: “A Chu, there’s something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”
The girl’s cheeks were white, under the illumination of the great fire, there was a touch of red. She raised her head, smiling gently: “What are you waiting for?”
“Haha!”
The young king laughed heartily, immediately lowering his head, his lips lightly pressing on the girl’s flower-like lips.
At that moment, Chu Qiao closed her eyes, letting her thoughts fall into an endless abyss. Eight years of memories churned in her heart. In the distance, battle cries shook the heavens. Nearby, weapons were like fire. The entire capital city of Zhenhuang trembled beneath their feet, letting out a beast-like wail of demise. The magnificent Sacred Golden Palace was engulfed in flames, and countless golden buildings were reduced to ashes. The corrupt empire’s elder nobles and aristocrats rubbed their eyes in disbelief, unable to believe everything they were seeing.
Eight years ago, no one would have believed that those two children, as lowly as dirt, would one day have such courage and strength.
Eight years later, no one would doubt this anymore. The young tiger had grown up. It bared its sharp claws and teeth, tearing through the walls of the capital, about to break out of this murky world.
“A Chu, wait for me!”
“Yes,” letting go of her hands, Chu Qiao smiled like a flower: “Riding to Yanb, treading snow to return, Yan Xun, I’ll be waiting for you!”
A great wind howled by. The girl let out a light cry, under the protection of her guards, riding towards the northwest city gate!
Yan Xun sat on horseback, watching Chu Qiao’s figure gradually disappear into the night. Under the night sky, his figure was like a straight tree on the plateau, without any sign of bending: “History won’t remember details, it will only remember results, and this result is filled in by the victor.”
“Young Lord! The Twelfth Division can’t sit still anymore, and the Thirty-sixth Division also shows signs of troop movement!”
A scout hurried over on horseback. Yan Xun nodded, murmuring: “It’s time.”
A bright light flashed across the night sky, dazzling fireworks brilliant and eye-catching. The azure light dazzled everyone’s eyes.
On the desolate plain, a group of people were moving quickly. Seeing the fireworks, they all stopped.
“The full counterattack has begun.” Chu Qiao’s face was determined as she murmured: Yan Xun, take care.
“Hya!”
The cold wind was fierce. On the green grass plain, the girl led the charge towards the bank of the Chishui River. On the high city tower, the man’s face was tenacious as he raised a wine cup of blessing: “Warriors! The honor of Yanb is upon you all. The thousands of fathers and elders on the plateau of Yanb, their lives, and death depend on our battle today. Yan Xun is here, waiting for your triumphant return!”
Thousands of soldiers raised their arms and shouted: “Long live the Lord! Yanb will not perish!”
“Yanb will not perish!”
The deafening shouts echoed in the empire’s sky. Even the Sacred Golden Palace, surrounded tightly, trembled in these shouts. Yan Xun drew his battle blade in one motion, shouting fiercely from the high tower in the cold night: “The eagles of the Yanb army should soar over the hundred rivers of the earth, not bound by golden armor. Warriors of Yanb, use your blades to tell these cowards of the capital what the Yanb military spirit is!”
“Yanb military spirit!”
The warriors’ blood was thoroughly ignited. They jumped onto horseback, turning to kill enemies several times their number, engaging in fierce street fighting in the streets and alleys. The officials and soldiers of the Southwest Garrison, always known for their cowardice, fought with all their might, like a fierce lion, roaring in the streets and alleys of the capital, thrusting sharp battle blades into the hearts of enemies.
“Young Lord,” Xi Rui and Bian Cang of the Datong Association, both in armor, walked up to the city tower and said solemnly: “The Southwest Garrison has cut a bloody path. The Twelfth, Nineteenth, and Thirty-sixth Divisions have suffered heavy losses. Should we leave the city now?”
“No,” Yan Xun shook his head: “Not enough yet.”
Xi Rui and Bian Cang exchanged glances, both seeing a trace of worry in each other’s eyes. According to the plan, they should retreat now. Why was the Young Lord so persistent? Could it be that hatred had blinded him?
“The empire’s elite are still there. We cannot withdraw.”
“Elite?” Bian Cang asked puzzledly: “I don’t understand. The officers of the Xiaoqi Camp and the Green Army are no longer there. The Southwest Garrison has defected to our side. The Twelfth, Nineteenth, and Thirty-sixth Divisions have suffered heavy casualties. Our army has achieved a great victory.”
“What does it matter if the officers are gone? Great Xia can dispatch a battalion of officers at any time.”
“What does Your Highness mean?”
Yan Xun raised his eyebrows, his eyes icy cold. Surrounded by dozens of torches, Yan Xun stood on the high city tower, wearing a black robe covered with a white cape. The snow-white cape fluttered in the dawn, with an eagle with spread wings embroidered on it.
“Cut the grass but don’t remove the roots, and the spring wind will make it grow again. Order all warriors of the Datong Association to follow me to the Shangwu Hall of the capital. I want the Great Xia Dynasty to have no usable generals for three years, no commander for ten years!”
Xi Rui and Bian Cang were stunned, looking at the man with fluttering black robes. Endless killing intent burst forth from this usually gentle and calm man, the intense blood and killing aura like a surging flood, violently covering the entire imperial city.
The tremendous killing had just begun at this moment. The moment of destruction for the capital of Zhenhuang was initiated in this man’s hands. The doomsday blade fiercely cut through the pitch-black night, letting out a crazy howl in the sky above the ancient city. Many years later, people might not remember Zhao Zhengde, might not remember Xia, Tang, Huai, or Song, but history would record this man heavily: On the twentieth of May, Yan Xun rebelled, ordering the massacre of three thousand students at Shangwu Hall, half of the empire’s elites died in this battle!
Under the red glow of the fire, due to unclear circumstances and the absence of leaders, the entire Shangwu Hall was dead silent. These elites of the empire wisely chose to retreat behind the edge, unlike the soldiers of the security department who left the camp to maintain order. So at this moment, they still maintained a full military appearance.
However, at the third watch, a great fire suddenly started outside. Because they had closed the doors and didn’t come out, the young officers missed the best opportunity to extinguish the fire. The flames swept through the entire Shangwu Hall academy like a storm, spreading unbridled everywhere. Countless pillars of fire rose to the sky, the raging flames devouring this most solid hope of the empire!
Tragic human voices suddenly rang out. Some students attempted to open the doors and rush out of the academy but were met with the well-prepared Yanb Datong warriors. Under round after round of dense arrow rain, not a single person from the entire Shangwu Hall escaped. People, through the black mass of people, saw with terror the Yanb heir who had always stood in an inconspicuous corner of the capital. However, at this moment, his straight back seemed like the smile of death. The officers shouted in terror: “It’s Yan Xun, Yan Xun is here!”
“Yan Xun is here! The Yanb rebels are here!”
Everyone was shouting in panic. Three thousand elite troops, before even engaging in battle, immediately collapsed. Xi Rui requested to fight three times. Finally, Yan Xun said in a flat tone: “The enemy’s fighting spirit is lost, no need for close combat. Burn it down with fire, you stay here, don’t let the swine inside escape.”
“Yan Xun, you little brat! If you have the courage, fight me fair and square!”
Wei Shu Han, the new generation young general of the Wei family, shouted fiercely, then brandishing his battle blade, before he could run a step, was shot through the throat by an arrow, falling into the chaotic great fire with eyes wide open.
Yan Xun didn’t even glance at him, just mounted his horse, reorganized most of the troops, and said solemnly: “Follow me to the Xiaoqi Camp.”
That night, the Southwest Garrison was persuaded to defect, and the security department’s soldiers died among the rioters, the Twelfth, Nineteenth, and Thirty-sixth Divisions clashed with the Southwest Garrison, and half of them died or were injured. Afterwards, Yan Xun used the same method to eliminate all the troops of the capital’s academy Shangwu Hall, the Xiaoqi Camp’s southern camp, the Seventh Army, and the Ninth Army, who were observing from the sidelines due to their commanders being assassinated. Subsequently, because there were too many people, Yan Xun simply ordered the southern city military field to be opened, using bows, arrows, and fierce fire to drive the remaining two thousand soldiers of the sixteenth camp to the small square, then charging on horseback, trampling down with thousands of hooves, crushing to death more than eighteen hundred people. The remaining two thousand were all injured, lying on the square full of corpses, moaning and wailing.
Bian Cang requested to cut the grass and remove the roots, but Yan Xun coldly shook his head, saying lightly: “These cripples, leave them for Zhao Zhengde to settle.”
At the fourth watch, the edge of the sky became even darker. The entire capital was in disarray, with few living people in the military camps. The last troop returned from the prefect’s office of the capital, reporting that the officials of the prefect’s office had already fled. They killed more than a hundred soldiers from the yamen and then retreated.
With this, in the entire capital city of Zhenhuang, except for the three thousand guards led by Song Que in the imperial city, and the three divisions of the garrison army that were fighting with the Southwest Garrison, there were no more armed forces.
“Young Lord, order the Southwest Garrison to withdraw. We should leave the city.”
“Yes,” Yan Xun looked at the scorched land of the ancient city of Zhenhuang, slowly nodding, saying: “It’s time to go.”
“Then I will go to the Southwest Garrison battle area to deliver the order.”
“Stop.” Yan Xun glanced at Xi Rui indifferently, saying solemnly: “When did I say we would take the Southwest Garrison with us?”
Xi Rui was greatly shocked, stammering: “Young Lord?”
Yan Xun turned around, speaking in a flat tone: “The Southwest Garrison, to resist the fierce enemy, heroically sacrificed themselves, voluntarily staying behind to resist the blade of the empire’s three garrison divisions, to preserve Yanbei’s strength. Their loyal and righteous hearts are models for contemporary soldiers.”
Xi Rui frowned tightly, hurriedly stepping forward to say: “But Young Lord…”
Before he could finish, he was grabbed by Bian Cang, who tightly covered his mouth.
“General Xi Rui, please do not doubt the loyalty of the Southwest Garrison. They have hidden in the capital for many years, waiting for this life-and-death battle. We have no right to deprive the warriors of their loyal and righteous act of bravely serving the country.”
Yan Xun’s gaze was calm, his tone gentle as he slowly spoke, but the blade edge revealed in those words pierced everyone’s heart like arrows. Bian Cang hurriedly said: “The Young Lord is right. That the Southwest Garrison has such determination to serve the country makes them models for contemporary soldiers. We should all follow their example.”
His hand tightly grabbed Xi Rui’s clothes, fearing this colleague would say another word. Having seen Yan Xun’s methods of killing just now, he did not doubt that this seemingly peaceful man would execute both himself and Xi Rui with a wave of his hand.
“As such, the entire army will retreat through the north gate. After the army leaves the city, seal the gate.”
Horses galloped out. At the moment when the heavy city gate closed, the whole world changed color. The Southwest Garrison, still fighting with the Twelfth, Nineteenth, and Thirty-sixth Divisions, were all terrified and speechless, standing stunned on the vast land. After a long while, countless desperate voices shouted in unison: “Your Highness! What about us! What about us!”
“We have been abandoned! We have been betrayed!”
The fear of a defeated army instantly spread like a tide throughout the troops. Warriors rushed out of the trenches, running in all directions, shouting in panic and distress: “What should we do? What should we do? We have been abandoned!”
“Brothers! Follow me and fight!”
Method White Elm, the guard chief, was greatly inspired, shouting fiercely, wiping the blood from his face, charging forward with a roar.
“Troops from the imperial city are coming out! Reinforcements from the imperial city are here!”
Soldiers of the Nineteenth Division shouted in unison. The man at the front had sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, wearing snow-white armor, holding a blue-faced battle blade, majestic like a god of war in prosperous times, cutting through thorns, killing his way forward!
“It’s the Seventh Prince! The Seventh Prince’s reinforcements are here!”
Following the imperial city guards behind Zhao Che, Zhao Xiang tightly pulled Zhao Yang’s horse reins, saying fiercely: “Fourteenth brother, it’s chaotic outside. Father hasn’t sent you to battle. Why meddle in this mess?”
Zhao Yang raised his sword-like eyebrows, holding his sword, looking at his brother, saying solemnly: “Seventeenth brother, do you want to kneel on the ground forever looking up at others, or do you want to stand up with your ability? If you want to stand as a person, follow me out now.”
Zhao Xiang’s face turned red. With a “plop,” he jumped onto horseback, drew his battle blade, and said loudly: “Fourteenth brother, wherever you go, your brother will follow you to death.”
Zhao Yang nodded, looking at the majestic city gate. Intense killing sounds came from outside. The young prince raised his battle blade, his eyes firmly looking at the killing and fire ahead, murmuring: I swear, in this life, I will never again follow behind others!
Leading his palace guard army out of the imperial city, this force of less than a hundred people was like a dagger inserted into the heart of the Southwest Garrison. Blood light exploded across the sky. A new star of the empire rose slowly in the battle!
When Chu Qiao arrived at the bank of the Chishui River, A Jing was already waiting vigilantly for Yan Xun’s army. Over a thousand war horses were prepared on the other side of the river. Seeing Chu Qiao come alone, he wasn’t surprised and was about to lead her across the river. Chu Qiao dismounted, greeted A Jing and the others, and swept her gaze around, her brow suddenly furrowing as she said solemnly: “A Jing, there’s only one pontoon bridge. The Southwest Garrison has over ten thousand people. Can they cross the river before dawn?”
A Jing smiled faintly and nodded: “This was ordered by the Young Lord. It must be correct. Let me escort the lady across first.”
Chu Qiao stood still, a terrible thought suddenly rising in her mind. Her face instantly turned deathly pale, her eyes showing a trace of panic. A Jing asked: “Lady, what’s wrong?”
Chu Qiao immediately composed herself, slowly smiled, and said: “Nothing. You lead them across first. I’ll wait for Yan Xun.”
A Jing frowned: “But His Highness ordered…”
“No need to say more. Cross the river quickly.”
A Jing naturally knew that the feelings between Chu Qiao and Yan Xun were far beyond his comparison. He nodded and didn’t force the issue.
Half an hour later, intense battle sounds suddenly came from the southeast direction, even more violent than before. Chu Qiao’s heart shook. She immediately mounted her horse and galloped towards the southeast.
“Lady!” A Jing was greatly alarmed, shouting: “Where are you going?”
“I’m going to meet Yan Xun!”
Halfway there, she saw a group of horsemen galloping fiercely from afar, numbering about five thousand, all in black clothes and black armor, with a black flag waving in the air. Chu Qiao was delighted. She went forward and saw Yan Xun riding towards her, his robes like an eagle, his eyebrows like swords.
“A Chu!”
“Yan Xun,” Chu Qiao went to meet him, smiling and saying: “Are you alright?”
“All is well. Let’s go.”
Chu Qiao nodded, seemingly casually looking back: “Where are the forces of the Southwest Garrison? Why haven’t they caught up?”
Yan Xun naturally couldn’t deceive her with the lie about the Southwest Garrison troops voluntarily staying behind to resist the enemy. He smiled and said: “Don’t worry, they’ll be here soon. Let’s go first.”
“Alright.” Chu Qiao followed Yan Xun toward the Chishui River without hesitation.
The troops began to cross the river quickly. Although there was only one pontoon bridge, most of the men and horses crossed the river after half an hour. Chu Qiao stood beside Yan Xun, watching the troops crossing the bridge one after another, looking at the fiery red Zhenhuang city in the distance, suddenly sighing: “Eight years, and we’ve finally escaped.”
Yan Xun let out a long sigh, reaching out to hold Chu Qiao’s shoulders, saying emotionally: “A Chu, you’ve suffered.”
Chu Qiao shook her head, her eyes bright as stars: “No, you gave me a goal in life, gave me the motivation to live on. Yan Xun, for the past eight years, we were each other’s support. We supported each other, took care of each other, perfected each other’s strategies, made up for each other’s mistakes. Because of this, we were able to survive day by day in that imperial city. We owe each other nothing.”
“Yes, we owe each other nothing.” Yan Xun smiled gently: “We have long been one, sharing fortune and misfortune, life and death.”
“Right,” Chu Qiao slowly nodded: “We share fortune and misfortune, life and death.”
“Your Highness, all the men and horses have crossed the river. We can go now,” A Jing ran forward, saying solemnly.
“Good,” Yan Xun nodded: “Pass the order, the whole army will move out.”
“Yan Xun!” Chu Qiao suddenly called out: “Aren’t we waiting for the soldiers of the Southwest Garrison?”
Yan Xun shook his head, smiling: “Don’t worry, they’ll catch up with us.”
“If the pontoon bridge is removed, how will they cross the river?”
Yan Xun had already prepared his explanation, slowly saying: “The pursuit from the capital is no longer threatening. They can follow the official road to West Ma Liang and join us.”
Chu Qiao nodded: “Oh, I see. Then let’s go.”
After taking a few steps, the girl suddenly raised her eyebrows, feeling her waist, exclaiming in alarm: “The Datong token you gave me? It’s gone?”
Yan Xun frowned. That token was no small matter. He also became nervous, saying: “How could it be missing? Weren’t you carrying it on your person? Don’t worry, think carefully.”
Chu Qiao turned around a couple of times, searching her entire body but couldn’t find it. Suddenly, the girl slapped her forehead, saying: “I’m so stupid. The token is in the waist pouch of the horse. I’ll go get it.”
Yan Xun grabbed the girl’s arm. For some reason, his heart suddenly rose with a trace of inexplicable fear. He said: “Let someone else go get it. Wait here.”
“So many horses, how would they know which one is mine? Don’t worry, I’ll be right back.”
Before he could stop her, the girl ran up to the pontoon bridge. She was petite, and the bridge barely sank when she stepped on it.
In the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, the girl ran to the other side of the river. Yan Xun ordered torches to be lit, looking towards the other bank. He saw Chu Qiao find her horse, then lead the horse to the edge of the pontoon bridge, seemingly pondering something.
Yan Xun was startled, shouting loudly: “A Chu, did you find it? Come quickly!”
The girl suddenly raised her head, her face as pale as paper, but her eyes as sharp as swords, staring fixedly at Yan Xun on this side of the river.
In an instant, like a lightning bolt piercing the heart, Yan Xun pushed aside A Jing in front of him, running frantically to the pontoon bridge.
Almost simultaneously, Chu Qiao drew the sword from her waist, silver light flashing, fiercely cutting down. The pontoon bridge immediately broke, following the surging river water downstream!
“A Chu!” Yan Xun shouted fiercely, his eyes like fire, roaring angrily: “What are you doing?”
The girl stood by the surging Chishui River, her hair like a waterfall, her eyes like swords, shouting: “Yan Xun! You just said we are one, sharing fortune and misfortune, life and death. So, I cannot watch you commit this terrible sin!”
Yan Xun was about to jump into the Chishui River, but A Jing and others pulled him back from behind. The man shouted fiercely: “A Chu, don’t be foolish, come back immediately!”
“Yan Xun, the reason you can receive such support, the reason the people of Yanbei are eagerly waiting for your return, is all because Lord Yan once spread benevolent governance throughout Yanbei. Even the capital’s seven departments of officials couldn’t take over Yanbei, relying on the prestige of the Yan family for generations! Yan Xun, I cannot watch you destroy your foundation, topple your great wall!”
Yan Xun was furious, completely losing his usual calmness and serenity, shouting angrily: “A Chu, come back immediately. We’ll set up ropes to cross over, you catch them on that side, come back immediately, I order you!”
Chu Qiao shook her head, silently turning around, climbing onto her war horse, and then looking back: “You made a mistake, I must correct you! Yan Xun, we’ll meet in West Ma Liang. If I don’t arrive in two days, lead everyone back to Yanbei first. I will bring the soldiers of the Southwest Garrison to meet with you on the plateau of Yanbei.”
With that, the girl shouted fiercely, raised her horsewhip, galloping wildly on the dark wilderness. Five thousand masterless war horses followed behind the girl, also charging toward that majestic city wall.
“A Chu…”
The surging river water beat against the riverbank, waves rolling, huge waves surging. In the endless void, only the man’s hoarse and piercing cries remained. That voice penetrated the blue sky, echoing in the black night!
This world is not a playground. There is never a second chance. All we can do is twist fate before disaster fully strikes! Yan Xun, what I do today, perhaps you will only understand many years later. I am not being soft-hearted like a woman. I just don’t want you to be blinded by hatred. Wait for me. I will bring an impressive army, returning from thousands of miles, to reunite with you.
“Hya!”
“Commander, we’ve been abandoned!”
Within the Southwest Garrison, people were running around in panic everywhere. Many were shouting wildly, their voices sharp and piercing, not like sounds humans could make. Shattered despair spread among the crowd. With enemies on all sides, no way forward, and pursuers behind, these soldiers far from home finally became homeless wanderers. In this vast world, there was no longer a place for them!
Among the crowd, some let out hysterical screams and wails: “Why! Why abandon us?”
“Kill! Haha, kill! The end days are here, let’s all go to hell together!”
…
Fire embraced the entire city. There was no way out, no escape hatch. Soldiers frantically scattered, no formation, no strategy, completely fighting individually like loose sand. The capital’s guards, having been suppressed for so long, finally had their moment, their methods cruel, stopping at nothing.
As far as the eye could see, there were bodies in disarray everywhere. The capital’s soldiers surrounded one soldier from the Southwest Garrison with twenty or thirty people, wildly hacking with their blades, venting all their hatred toward the traitors!
Zhao Che sat on horseback, looking at this brother he had always disdained. The young Zhao Yang was covered in blood, his handsome face covered with fresh blood, still unyieldingly gripping his battle blade, examining the battlefield of slaughter before him with eyes cold to the point of cruelty.
“Seventh brother, the enemy can’t hold out anymore.”
“Yes,” Zhao Che nodded: “It’s time.”
However, just as he was about to give the order for a full attack, a huge rumbling sound suddenly rang out from the direction of the northwest city gate. It was as if thousands of muffled thunders were shaking together. The entire land of Zhenhuang trembled. Everyone was shocked and stopped, raising their heads to look at the sky in the northwest direction.
“Boom!”
“Boom! Boom!”
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Violent tremors came from everyone’s bones, climbing up everyone’s spine as if the universe and wilderness were raging before them. Everyone looked up in shock. A Yanbei warrior’s horse blade was still stuck in the shoulder of a capital guard, he had forgotten to pull it out. The capital guard’s battle blade was at the neck of the Yanbei warrior, he had also forgotten to swing it down!
With a “bang,” the west gate was rammed open. The thundering hooves of five thousand war horses, like a tide, rushed madly towards the group in the midst of chaotic fighting, instantly creating a huge gap in the ranks!
The capital’s guards immediately remembered how Yan Xun had massacred the sixteenth camp’s troops. Everyone’s face turned pale, their legs almost trembling. At this moment, a black eagle battle flag was firmly planted on the city wall. The girl’s petite but upright figure stood under the battle flag, facing the entire capital city of Zhenhuang, letting out a fierce cry like a white eagle: “Warriors of Yanbei! You have not been abandoned. Listen to my command! Obey me! Follow me! I will lead you home!”
After one second, two seconds, and three seconds of silence, huge cheers suddenly erupted like mountains calling and seas roaring!
“Back to Yanbei! Back to Yanbei! Back to Yanbei!”
People in despair grasped the last straw of survival. They were like an unstoppable tide, shouting towards the northwest sky!
“Seventh brother, fourteenth brother, who is that person?”
Zhao Yang looked at Chu Qiao, silent for a long time. Zhao Che sat on horseback, his eyes slowly narrowing, looking at the fierce woman under the fluttering military flag, slowly opening his mouth to say: “Remember, this woman will become the greatest threat to Great Xia in the future. To recover lost territory, to unify the realm, she will be the first towering mountain difficult to cross!”
Beacon fires rose everywhere. That day, on the northwest city tower of the capital, the entire Great Xia Dynasty remembered this name. Eight years ago, she entered the Great Xia Palace as a slave. Eight years later, she took away the last Yanbei armed force in the capital city of Zhenhuang, leaving the land of Zhenhuang, galloping onto that vast hot earth outside the city of Zhenhuang.
Chu Qiao did not know now that it was precisely her action today that saved Yanbei from a disaster of instant destruction, saved the newborn Yanbei regime, and at the same time, created the first armed force for herself in the chaotic world.
That night, the soldiers of the Southwest Garrison each vowed in their hearts to serve this delicate girl to death. From then on, they followed their master, fighting across the north and south, their iron cavalry sweeping across the entire Western Mongolia land, firmly upholding their oath, loyal to Chu Qiao regardless of how difficult the environment and circumstances, unwavering for life.
And this delicate girl, because of this, took the first step towards what many years later would be known across the entire continent as the “Xiuli King”…