Zhang Huai looked toward that attendant and asked: “What matter does he wish to discuss?”

After Wei Qishan’s death, Wei Pingjin had almost avoided contact with them whenever possible. In all matters, he had Wei Ang or Wei Xian serve as intermediaries to relay messages. This was the first time he had taken the initiative to request a meeting with Xiao Li.

That attendant revealed a somewhat troubled expression and said: “This… this humble one is merely a messenger. As for what specific matter is to be discussed, this humble one does not know.”

Xiao Li happened to want to find Wei Ang anyway, and said: “Forget it, I’ll make a trip there.”

Because of the incident last year when Xiao Li attended Wei Pingjin’s wedding banquet and was detained, Zhang Huai had developed the habit of having Xiao Li bring more people whenever he went to the Wei mansion. As Xiao Li retrieved his cloak, Zhang Huai said: “General Zheng is also idle in camp today. My lord, take General Zheng along.”

When subordinates went to find Zheng Hu, he was sparring with Tao Kui. Hearing that Zheng Hu was to accompany Xiao Li out, Tao Kui eagerly followed along as well.

If it were an external military campaign, Xiao Li would never allow Tao Kui to go. He still had the temperament of a child, and on the battlefield where blades had no eyes and one had to follow military orders, it was not suitable for Tao Kui.

But today was merely a trip to the Wei mansion with no danger, so Xiao Li did not drive him away.

Having been cooped up in camp for over half a month, Tao Kui was finally able to go out. Extremely delighted, after mounting his horse, he even cupped both hands around his mouth, imitating the whistle sound Zheng Hu had taught him.

Hearing Tao Kui puffing out his cheeks and blowing “puff puff” sounds all the way, Zheng Hu laughed: “This silly boy! I already told you it’s not about blowing with all your might—there’s a technique to it!”

Tao Kui ignored him and continued trying hard to learn the whistle sound.

Zheng Hu glanced at the somewhat gray and overcast sky and said: “Looking at today’s weather, seems like there’ll be a torrential rain.”

—

The Wei Mansion.

A man in scholar’s robes walked quickly through the corridor. After pushing the door open and entering, he said: “Xiao Li has returned to camp. I’ve already sent the regular attendant from Wei Pingjin’s side to invite him here. Once he enters the courtyard, the crossbowmen lying in ambush outside the walls will make their move.”

Wang Wanzhen’s dress still had quite a bit of bloodstains on it. She sat as if she had lost her soul at the foot of the bed covered with a plush carpet. Not far away lay Wei Pingjin’s corpse, fresh blood having already soaked a large area of the carpet on the floor red. His eyes remained wide open with rage even in death, staring toward this direction.

Wang Wanzhen swallowed with difficulty, not daring to look at Wei Pingjin’s corpse again. Her voice trembling somewhat, she said: “Are you certain you can frame that man surnamed Xiao for this matter?”

That man in scholar’s robes was precisely the strategist Wei Pingjin relied on most, named Yu Zhiyuan. He glanced at Wei Pingjin’s gruesome death, then walked closer and crouched down to embrace Wang Wanzhen, saying: “Princess, do not fear. Zhiyuan will always stand by the Princess’s side. As long as Xiao Li dies, and with the Princess personally testifying that both Wei Pingjin and his sister died at his hands, and with the Princess carrying ‘Wei clan bloodline’ in her womb, who would have doubts?”

He consoled her gently: “Last time with the military armor matter, the Princess also saw that there are many among the Wei clan’s former subordinates who are dissatisfied with Xiao Li. Now the northern border no longer faces barbarian threats, and Pei Song in Guanzhong is being defeated repeatedly by forces from three directions. This is precisely an opportunity for our Wei clan to rest and recover. Killing one Xiao Li means nothing to Northern Wei, and we can also take the opportunity to reclaim the military authority in his hands. The Wei clan generals were already unwilling to remain subordinate to Xiao Li. If they can gain military authority and serve the Wei clan again, why wouldn’t they be happy to do so?”

Under extreme emotional distress, Wang Wanzhen’s temples throbbed with pain. Her face pale, she said: “The Wei mansion’s chief steward suffered a stroke just a few days ago, then Wei Jiamin fell into the lake and died. Today at her funeral, Wei Pingjin has also died… This is too suspicious. I fear…”

“So what if it is? All of this was done by Xiao Li.” Yu Zhiyuan interrupted Wang Wanzhen, his gaze upon her gentle and calm: “Once Xiao Li is killed, the Princess will have avenged the Wei siblings. Wei Pingjin is the Princess’s Prince Consort, and the Princess carries his ‘bloodline’ in her womb. Who would suspect the Princess?”

Wang Wanzhen seemed extremely weary. Closing her eyes briefly, she said: “After pushing Wei Jiamin into the lake, I’ve been having nightmares these past few days. Now Wei Pingjin’s life has been added…”

A flash of irritation crossed Yu Zhiyuan’s face. If this foolish woman hadn’t insisted on seeing him today and been discovered by Wei Pingjin, why would he have needed to kill Wei Pingjin, ruining a chess game he had laid out long ago?

After she became pregnant, his plan had been to make Wei Pingjin believe this child was Xiao Li’s, inciting Wei Pingjin to continue fighting with Xiao Li.

But matters had reached this point—he could only seek another way to break the deadlock.

He grasped Wang Wanzhen’s hand. When she opened her eyes, maintaining that gentle expression, he said in a determined tone: “The Princess did nothing wrong. Those who block the Princess’s path all deserve to die. The last armor incident also made that man surnamed Xiao realize how the Wei clan’s interests are deeply entangled with the major powerful families of the northern border. Just having military authority in his hands is not enough. If the County Princess were to marry him again, he would not refuse. Then the Wei clan’s former subordinates, because of the County Princess, would no longer treat that man surnamed Xiao as an outsider. Therefore, the County Princess must die.”

Wang Wanzhen’s heart shook at these words.

Yu Zhiyuan continued: “Wei Pingjin lacks ambition and is willing to hand over everything of the Wei clan. The Princess is of noble imperial blood—how could you share the role of puppet with him?”

Wang Wanzhen felt even more consoled at heart.

She had been unwilling to let all the power and influence she currently possessed turn to nothing. That was why, when the victory report of Xiao Li raiding the barbarian royal tent was transmitted back and Wei Furen and Wei Pingjin discussed that once Xiao Li returned to Weizhou they would raise the matter of his marriage to Wei Jiamin again, she had steeled her heart and ended Wei Jiamin’s life.

But because of this, she had nightmares every night. Today, when she summoned a physician for examination, she learned she was pregnant.

However, Wei Pingjin disdained her as a former actress who had served as a pillow for thousands, and had never entered her chambers.

This child was conceived two months ago when she had a secret nighttime meeting with Xiao Li. After being discovered by Yu Zhiyuan in the bamboo grove, he revealed his deep admiration for her. Fearing he would inform on her and wanting to win him over while also having mutual leverage, Wang Wanzhen had simply consummated the relationship with him.

Today she had secretly met him intending to discuss what to do about this child, but unexpectedly Wei Pingjin discovered them and even overheard their plot to harm Wei Jiamin.

In a towering rage, Wei Pingjin had kicked the door open with sword drawn to kill them. Yu Zhiyuan, being merely a strategist, was no match for Wei Pingjin. At the critical moment, a shadow guard hidden by his side had taken Wei Pingjin’s life from behind.

Having just experienced a life-and-death crisis, and in these nearly twenty years of her life having always been the one who humbled herself and pleased others, this was the first time someone treated her as precious treasure. This stirred some emotion in Wang Wanzhen. She smiled bitterly: “But I’m not a true former Jin Princess. That old woman from the Wei family also knows my true identity…”

Yu Zhiyuan said: “From the day the Marquis of Shuobian publicly announced the Princess’s identity, you have been. Moreover, you are Lady Wei’s daughter-in-law, and you carry her ‘grandson’ in your womb. Not to mention that Lady Wei won’t make an issue of your identity publicly—even if she truly spoke of it publicly, others would only think she had gone mad from the pain of losing her children and husband.”

This was not about how ironclad the evidence of Wang Wanzhen being a former Jin Princess was, but about how great the benefits this identity brought to Northern Wei were.

Wang Wanzhen suddenly understood this point and felt more confident in her identity. Only then did she have the presence of mind to ask Yu Zhiyuan: “That shadow guard by your side who killed Wei Pingjin—what is his background?”

Yu Zhiyuan’s eyes flickered slightly, then he smiled faintly: “A person from the martial world who received Zhiyuan’s kindness in earlier years.”

Thinking of the crossbowmen he had mentioned earlier as being in ambush, Wang Wanzhen continued to ask: “You have your own forces within the Wei mansion?”

Yu Zhiyuan answered seamlessly: “If Zhiyuan had not cultivated his own power within the Wei clan, what would I use to protect the Princess?”

Regardless of true intentions, these words ultimately pleased Wang Wanzhen. The more power and influence the other party held, the more at ease she could be as a partner on the same boat.

Wind blew in through the improperly closed window, stirring the curtains throughout the room. Wang Wanzhen raised her eyes toward the accumulated dark clouds outside the window, feeling a surge of supreme ambition rise in her heart: “As long as we kill Xiao Li today, from now on the entire Wei clan will belong to me and the gentleman.”

Yu Zhiyuan’s lips curved: “I’ve already lured Wei Ang out of the mansion under the pretext of helping the County Princess find a burial site. Today, Xiao Li will surely meet his end here with no return.”

—

The warhorses galloped all the way to the Wei mansion. Xiao Li’s group dismounted, then were led into the mansion by that attendant.

Wei Qishan’s funeral affairs had just concluded, and the white silk had been removed from the mansion not long ago when Wei Jiamin met with another misfortune.

According to folk customs, when an unmarried young lady passed away, the funeral could not be held on a grand scale. The mansion did not even hang white silk, and very few guests came to offer condolences.

It was said that Wei Furen had been completely crushed by these successive calamities. She could not even receive guests now. A sister-in-law from her natal family had come over and had been staying in her room to keep her company.

After entering the mansion gates, before that attendant could lead Xiao Li’s group onward toward the main courtyard, they saw a man in scholar’s robes approaching at a leisurely pace. From a distance, he bowed to Xiao Li: “The Lord has arrived.”

Xiao Li looked at this unfamiliar face and did not respond. The other party was already smiling as he introduced himself: “This humble person is Yu Zhiyuan, a strategist serving the Prince Consort. The Prince Consort and General Wei Ang have been waiting in the main courtyard for the Lord for quite some time. Please, Lord, follow this humble person.”

Having said this, he also said to that attendant: “You take the various generals to the flower hall for some tea and refreshments.”

His words were very cautious. He understood that if Wei Pingjin met with Xiao Li alone, it would surely make Xiao Li suspicious. That was why he deliberately mentioned that Wei Ang was also present.

Zheng Hu, remembering Zhang Huai’s instructions from before they came, crossed his arms with a cold expression: “We’ll just follow to wait outside the main courtyard.”

Yu Zhiyuan glanced at Xiao Li. Seeing that Xiao Li said nothing, he knew this was his tacit consent, and continued to smile: “That’s also acceptable.”

As he led the group toward the main courtyard, he instructed a servant-like attendant behind him: “Quickly go to the main courtyard and inform the Prince Consort that the Lord has arrived.”

That servant glanced at Zheng Hu and the others behind Xiao Li, hastily acknowledged the order, and hurried back.

The group continued walking inward. Passing through a certain courtyard, they felt the smell of burning spirit money and incense candles had become much heavier. When the wind blew, it was even somewhat choking.

Zheng Hu kept wrinkling his nose, even sneezing several times, muttering: “Such a heavy incense and candle smell.”

Having seen no guards nor mansion servants along this entire route, Xiao Li’s eyes had already taken on some solemnity. He asked: “Is the County Princess’s memorial hall set up nearby?”

Yu Zhiyuan said: “The Lady is in the County Princess’s former residence, burning things the County Princess used to like for her.”

His words had just fallen when one of Xiao Li’s accompanying personal guards suddenly collapsed straight down.

Zheng Hu’s expression changed. He wanted to check on the fallen person, but unexpectedly stumbled, his entire body unable to stand steady. His tiger eyes instantly turned fierce as he looked toward Yu Zhiyuan, then turned to look at Xiao Li, urgently shouting: “Second Brother! There’s… there’s sedative smoke in the wind…”

While speaking, he bumped into Tao Kui. In his panic, Tao Kui tried to support Zheng Hu, but was instead brought down with him as they both fell to the ground. After struggling twice without being able to get up, they seemed to have both passed out.

The other personal guards were all greatly alarmed, then each groaned softly and successively collapsed to the ground.

Xiao Li’s expression turned cold and grim. Supporting himself against the wall with one hand, he barely steadied his form. His eyes looked fiercely toward the person standing ahead with a smile: “What is the meaning of this?”

Seeing that all of Xiao Li’s accompanying personal guards had been brought down, and that he himself was at the end of his strength, Yu Zhiyuan no longer put on an act. He raised the corner of his lips:

“The Xiao clan traitor has the ambition of a wolf! Though entrusted by the Marquis to command the Wolf Cavalry, he still was not satisfied and attempted to usurp the throne! Two days ago, he oppressed the County Princess at the Marquis’s mansion, driving the County Princess to throw herself into the lake. Today, summoned by the Prince Consort and fearing the Prince Consort would question him about his nighttime intrusion into the Marquis’s mansion two nights ago, he again attempted to defile the Princess and force the Princess to remarry him. When discovered by the Prince Consort, he even ruthlessly took the Prince Consort’s life! This crime cannot be pardoned! Only by taking the head from your neck can we console the Marquis’s spirit in heaven!”

Xiao Li laughed coldly: “This marquis only returned to Weizhou today. Where does this claim come from that I oppressed your County Princess and drove her to throw herself into the lake?”

Yu Zhiyuan said: “You traitor, holding great power with eyes and hands reaching everywhere, had already returned to Weizhou two days ago with the victory report. You only wanted to force the County Princess during the Marquis’s mourning period, but after driving the County Princess to jump into the lake, you hastily departed, then made a great show of returning to camp today. We and the Princess are all witnesses!”

Hearing the words “Princess,” Xiao Li knew that today’s trap must have been set jointly by the person before him and Wang Wanzhen.

His wolf eyes turned cold with fury: “What a fabricated crime.”

In that instant, the sharp killing intent bursting from his body even overshadowed the weakness from being affected by the sedative smoke.

Yu Zhiyuan was intimidated by this aura. Knowing that only Xiao Li’s immediate death could eliminate future troubles forever, he immediately commanded: “Seize this traitor!”

The armored soldiers lying in ambush within the courtyard immediately surged out, attempting to capture Xiao Li.

But they did not expect that the originally “extremely weak” Xiao Li would suddenly attack. Yu Zhiyuan almost didn’t see clearly how he closed in on himself. When he realized what was happening, he only felt severe pain in both arms and at his throat.

—He had already been seized by Xiao Li, who had dislocated both his arms and was gripping his throat.

Yu Zhiyuan belatedly realized he had been tricked, furious beyond measure: “You weren’t affected by the sedative smoke at all!”

Zheng Hu and the others who had fallen earlier also sprang up one by one like carps leaping, sweeping down the attacking Wei mansion armored soldiers with kicks, shouting: “You little turtle grandson! Your grandfather used to run an escort agency business traveling the martial world—burning incense and releasing sedative smoke, these little tricks can fool your Grandpa Zheng’s discerning eye!”

Tao Kui, with his robust build, was like a bull. Grabbing the front of two armored soldiers’ uniforms with each hand, he pushed them so that their legs nearly dragged along the ground as they retreated backward, then finally flung them far away with a mighty swing of his arms.

With the scheme broken, Yu Zhiyuan’s face showed some embarrassment, but he soon laughed coldly, saying to Xiao Li with difficulty: “You think that by capturing me, you can leave this place today?”

Knowing this was a trap specially set for him today, Xiao Li did not waste words with Yu Zhiyuan. With one hand locked on his throat, he said: “Either have your people stand down, or die.”

Yu Zhiyuan laughed lowly, saying with difficulty: “It’s useless. My humble life—how can it compare to the value of the head on the Lord’s neck, worth ten thousand gold?”

The sky was overcast and the wind fierce. The magnolia flowers on both sides of the courtyard were blown by the wind, petals swirling down to Xiao Li’s feet.

The Wei mansion armored soldiers surrounding Xiao Li’s group suddenly all raised their blades and charged toward Xiao Li.

Zheng Hu and the others hastily drew the weapons on their bodies and clashed with them, blocking the momentum of those Wei mansion armored soldiers attacking toward Xiao Li.

However, once they engaged, it was no longer just a contest of strength. They discovered that these armored soldiers’ movements were abnormally strange and devious, their attack patterns extremely cunning and specialized—unlike ordinary mansion soldiers, but more like assassins specifically trained in killing.

Among Xiao Li’s personal guards, someone was quickly wounded.

He had already discerned something from these armored soldiers’ strange movements. As he gripped Yu Zhiyuan and avoided an armored soldier attacking him, using his blade sheath to block the rebounding steel hook claw, a fierce glint suddenly appeared in his eyes: “Eagle Dogs?”

Zheng Hu and the others also discovered how difficult this group of mansion soldiers were to deal with. After a brief exchange, they all gathered back-to-back around Xiao Li.

Hearing his words, Zheng Hu immediately spat on the ground and cursed: “Damn his grandfather! So they’re all Pei Song’s running dogs?”

Yu Zhiyuan, still held by the throat by Xiao Li, seemed not to fear death at all. With a smile playing at his lips, he said in a low voice to Xiao Li: “Is the Lord satisfied with this gift?”

“Today, the Lord must either die here; or kill this humble one and that former Jin Princess pushed forward by the Wei clan, then publicly claim we framed the Lord. This humble one rather hopes the Lord can fight his way out, because… the master over there still has a second grand gift waiting for the Lord!”

As his words fell, countless crossbows were raised on the walls on both sides. The Eagle Dogs who had been surrounding Xiao Li’s group instantly retreated to all sides.

Arrows gleaming with cold light flew like locusts. The thunderclouds that had been brewing in the sky for half the day finally exploded with a crash at this moment, and cold rain poured down like buckets.

Xiao Li drew the short blade at his waist. In the chaos, he severed arrows flying straight at him, then tripped a fleeing Eagle Dog. As he slit the throat with his short blade, he also cut open the armor on the person’s body, but did not see any tattoo identifying them as an Eagle Dog.

Rainwater slid down his jaw. The expression on his face clearly became even colder.

Understanding his intention, Yu Zhiyuan continued to laugh: “The Wei clan knows much about the master’s Eagle Dogs. How could the master leave identifying marks on their bodies?”

Xiao Li’s five fingers suddenly tightened, choking Yu Zhiyuan until his face changed from pale to flushed red. When the other’s eyes were somewhat bloodshot and bulging, he said coldly: “Keep your dog life and wait for me to come take it.”

Having said this, he released his grip and kicked the person flying backward.

Yu Zhiyuan crashed into the wall and fell to the ground, immediately vomiting a mouthful of fresh blood.

Lying on the ground, he felt severe pain in his throat and could hardly make a sound. His internal organs were churning, and he didn’t know how many ribs were broken. Every movement brought pain throughout his body. When supported by the Eagle Dogs, his face was as white as paper, cold sweat mixed with rainwater dripping from his forehead to his eyelids.

He watched as if having narrowly escaped death as Xiao Li led his subordinates and clashed with the Eagle Dogs blocking the doorway.

The arrows shot from the walls were blocked by the outer ring of personal guards using the corpses of dead Eagle Dogs as shields.

That dark mass of a human wall, under Xiao Li’s fierce strikes with arms like iron bindings, was breached after just a few blows.

The human wall collapsed and retreated. Short blades carved crimson blood lines in the cold rain. Corpses fell one after another into the rainy ground.

Amidst lightning and thunder, Xiao Li swept his gaze toward those Eagle Dogs blocking the path ahead. The murderous aura in his eyes was like blood mixed in the rain, flowing toward them together.

Just watching that back figure, Yu Zhiyuan felt a bone-chilling cold.

If Xiao Li had not discovered that this batch of Eagle Dogs had no tattoos on their bodies, and understood from his earlier words that killing him would instead make it impossible to clear his own name for killing Wei Pingjin—precisely what Pei Song desired—he would never have spared his life.

Precisely because he understood this point, Yu Zhiyuan knew deeply that today they absolutely could not let Xiao Li walk out of the Wei mansion gates alive.

—No one could bear this fierce wolf’s reckoning.

Chaotic footsteps and the sound of iron armor clashing came from outside the courtyard. In a moment, a group of Wei generals led by Wei Tong, bringing mansion armored soldiers, hurriedly arrived. Seeing Xiao Li leading his personal attendants fighting with the mansion guards, they couldn’t help but freeze: “What is happening here?”

Supported by Eagle Dogs, Yu Zhiyuan endured the severe pain throughout his body. As if seeing his savior, he hoarsely shouted: “General Wei Tong, quickly seize this traitor! This traitor killed the Young Lord!”

Wei Tong was clearly confused for a moment: “What is the gentleman saying? How could the Young Lord meet with misfortune?”

Yu Zhiyuan wanted to say more, but unfortunately his throat hurt so severely he temporarily could not speak. From the inner courtyard sealed off by layers of iron-armored guards, through the heavy rain, someone emerged supporting herself against the wall with hands covered in blood—it was Wang Wanzhen.

Her clothing was disheveled, her dress also stained with blood. She wailed: “This Xiao clan traitor violated this palace and was discovered by the Prince Consort. The Prince Consort drew his sword to kill him, but relying on his martial arts, he seized the sword and killed the Prince Consort instead, then forced this palace to suppress the matter and remarry him, to help him legitimately compete for the imperial throne! If not for Gentleman Yu arriving with people in time, this palace might truly have suffered this traitor’s humiliation! Generals, quickly kill him and avenge the Prince Consort!”

Hearing Wang Wanzhen’s words, after their initial shock and confusion, the Wei generals were all filled with furious grief and indignation. Their eyes contained murderous intent as they looked toward Xiao Li’s group.

Zheng Hu was so angry he immediately cursed: “You’re talking nonsense! So many of us brothers accompanied Second Brother all the way here and were ambushed—clearly you poisonous woman and this pretty boy killed Young Master Wei Number Two and are framing my Second Brother!”

He pointed at Yu Zhiyuan: “This pretty boy is Pei Song’s spy!”

Supported by an armored soldier beside him, Yu Zhiyuan laughed miserably toward the sky in the heavy rain, saying hoarsely: “I assisted the Young Lord, establishing countless achievements. Now you traitors have harmed the Young Lord and want to throw such filthy accusations on me?”

He seemed to have suffered extreme humiliation, hoarsely questioning Zheng Hu: “You accuse me of being Pei Song’s spy—where is your evidence!”

Zheng Hu wanted to curse more, but was stopped by a large palm.

He turned to look and saw Xiao Li’s face completely cold and grim, his cold eyes locked coldly on Yu Zhiyuan: “No need to waste words. Fight our way out!”

Zheng Hu also understood that today was a Hongmen Banquet. On the Wei mansion’s territory, their words were useless. He immediately raised his blade and together with Xiao Li charged toward those Eagle Dogs blocking the path.

The group swung their blades and blood was immediately drawn. The Eagle Dogs were already unable to withstand them.

Wang Wanzhen also feared that Xiao Li might escape from the Wei mansion today. She hastily continued to wail: “The Marquis failed to judge people clearly—how could he entrust Northern Wei to you traitor! Forcing the County Princess, driving the County Princess to jump into the lake, today violating this palace, and ruthlessly killing the Prince Consort, yet still trying to slander this palace! If not for the Prince Consort’s bloodline already in this palace’s womb, this palace would only wish to dash my head to death and accompany the Prince Consort below ground!”

Wei Tong had not yet recovered from the grief and fury of Wei Pingjin’s death. Hearing that Wei Jiamin’s death was also related to Xiao Li, and that Wang Wanzhen was already carrying Wei Pingjin’s offspring, in his confused mind he managed to sort out the important information.

The Wei clan still had bloodline remaining!

But seeing Xiao Li’s group already fighting their way toward the main gate, he hastily dispatched mansion soldiers to intercept them, and pointed at Xiao Li with the weapon in his hand, asking: “The County Princess’s death is also related to this traitor?”

Wang Wanzhen said through tears: “This person personally told this palace that the County Princess failed to recognize what was good for her and spoiled his mood, which led to her falling into the lake. He told this palace to be sensible… If not for this, why would the Prince Consort have come directly with sword drawn to kill him!”

Yu Zhiyuan also said hoarsely: “I can testify that two days ago, this traitor did indeed come to the Wei mansion, but left in a hurry without seeing the Young Lord. Subsequently, the County Princess was discovered drowned in the lake. The Lady was so overcome with grief she fell ill in bed and could not bear any more stimulation. The Young Lord, fearing there might be some misunderstanding, had us all keep quiet about this matter. Today, when he publicly announced his return to camp, the Young Lord had someone invite him here precisely because of the nighttime visit to the Marquis’s mansion two nights ago.”

He said this as if extremely grief-stricken, each word like weeping blood: “Who could have expected that after he understood the Young Lord’s intention, he would conceive such vicious intentions and strike so ruthlessly!”

Zheng Hu kicked a mansion soldier flying, finally unable to restrain himself from continuing to curse: “Your dog mouth slanders innocent people, doesn’t it? When the Marquis of Shuobian was alive, he personally arranged a marriage, and my Second Brother declined. You fabricate that my Second Brother used force on that so-called County Princess? Bah! I could just as well say you used force and drove her to death!”

While speaking, he directly swung a long blade he had seized from a mansion guard and hurled it toward Yu Zhiyuan.

Yu Zhiyuan was helped by the Eagle Dogs disguised as mansion guards to avoid it, but unfortunately with his heavy injuries, once he moved, his complexion turned even paler. He hastily called to Wei Tong for rescue: “General, save me!”

He also said hoarsely: “After the military armor incident last time, this Xiao clan traitor must have understood how difficult it is to maintain troops. Seeing that the Young Lord controlled the northern border’s financial resources, he then wanted to marry the County Princess to thoroughly sideline the Young Lord! Who would have expected that the County Princess was steadfast and unwilling to be humiliated by him during the Marquis’s mourning period, which drove her to jump into the lake. His subordinates today even have the face to use his previous pretense of declining the marriage to humiliate the County Princess!”

The military armor matter was already a hidden pain in Wei Tong’s heart. He had never submitted to Xiao Li. Hearing that the Wei Pingjin siblings had very likely incurred this fatal disaster because of that matter, he immediately felt a surge of rage swirling in his chest. He raised his spear and shouted fiercely: “Traitor! Accept your fate!”

The short blade in Xiao Li’s hand cut through raindrops, slashing through armor and bringing spurts of blood. In the chaos, when he caught Wei Tong’s spear thrust with his other hand, the iron wristguard on his other arm pressed against the blade’s back for support. His eyes displayed utter cold ferocity: “If I, Xiao Li, wanted to take the entire northern border, I wouldn’t need to use such base methods!”

Having said this, with brute force he violently deflected Wei Tong’s spear. Wei Tong forcibly retreated several steps before steadying himself by bracing his spear.

Zheng Hu and Tao Kui had already crashed through the locked main gate from outside, breaking the lock. The mansion guards blocking the door were all sent flying backward by that force.

Personal guards who had gone to the stable to fetch horses also came galloping with the horses, shouting: “Lord, mount up!”

Wei Tong hastily said: “Intercept them—reward of a thousand gold!”

Xiao Li glanced at him, then with one hand lifted a bronze tripod weighing several hundred catties from the courtyard and hurled it toward him.

Wei Tong absolutely dared not catch this several-hundred-catty great tripod and hastily dodged in a wretched manner.

That bronze tripod knocked several mansion guards flying before crashing to the ground, like another muffled thunder exploding. The bluestone slab flooring in the courtyard collapsed and shattered across a large area.

Swift rain struck their faces. Zheng Hu and his group had already mounted their horses in this interval, shouting to Xiao Li: “Second Brother, let’s go!”

Xiao Li’s blood-covered hand gripped the reins. Before urging his horse toward the long street, he turned back, his gaze like a cold arrow nailing Yu Zhiyuan who was being supported by Eagle Dogs: “You and your master—wash your necks clean and wait for this marquis to take the heads from your shoulders.”