The moment the tree fell, Gong Yin pulled Jing Hengbo and they shot skyward.
Looking down from above at the four directions – good heavens, there were people everywhere.
Voices, hoofbeats, running sounds, the clash of blades and swords came from all sides. On this wilderness at the Daimao border, dark masses of heads filled the area. Flickering torches were trampled underfoot. Jing Hengbo could no longer distinguish which were Silent Army soldiers and which were Fifteen Gangs members. Naturally, she couldn’t find Tie Xingze either.
Someone in the distant crowd shouted loudly: “Kill the Queen! Kill the Queen!” In the firelight, that person leaped up, seized a horse, and charged straight toward the great tree. Around his neck seemed to be a floating ribbon that looked familiar. Then Jing Hengbo remembered – it appeared to be the Silent Army Deputy General Wang she had captured earlier.
Could the problem be with him? Could it be that her remote pulling earlier hadn’t strangled him to death? After he fell among the Fifteen Gangs members and the Silent Army immediately began attacking them, everyone was busy protecting themselves and didn’t have time to kill him?
This man didn’t die and shouted out the truth among the Fifteen Gangs members, causing both the Fifteen Gangs and Silent Army to realize something was wrong, finally stopping their mistaken battle to unite against her?
It appeared so now. Jing Hengbo deeply regretted not killing that deputy general when she threw him out. Why had she needed to remotely control the cord to stimulate the Silent Army?
She suddenly felt a push – Gong Yin was pushing her outward, wanting her to teleport away.
How could she be willing? She turned and tightly hugged his waist, “Don’t even think of abandoning me!”
There were too many people, densely covering the entire wilderness. She might be able to flash away, but Gong Yin had already gone through one fierce battle. Fighting his way out through such a sea of people would be too costly. She wasn’t at ease.
The two had no choice but to land again on the fallen treetop. Someone threw a torch from afar – “whoosh” – flames ignited the tree trunk, immediately making this spot a bullseye.
In this situation, they could only choose a relatively weak point to force their way through. Gong Yin quickly pulled Jing Hengbo around to face the direction they had come from earlier, which looked like the place with the most people.
Jing Hengbo inquired with her eyes. Gong Yin said, “The Silent Army values their comrades greatly, so now the Silent Army soldiers who were originally besieging us may have all rushed here to rescue people. The pressure on Seven Kills, Yelu Qi and the others will decrease, and they’ll naturally move toward this direction too. Thus, we should be able to get support halfway.”
Jing Hengbo nodded and was about to pull Gong Yin to teleport together when suddenly Gong Yin pressed down her hand, gazing into the distance and saying slowly, “Over there, we can’t leave now either.”
Jing Hengbo looked up and after a while, finally saw the horizon in the southwest direction trembling faintly, as if another army was approaching.
Her heart jumped. Who else could be coming at this time? If her Horizontal Halberd Army appeared, it wouldn’t be from that direction – that direction required passing through Fifteen Gangs territory!
In the darkness, Gong Yin’s gaze was sharp as a needle. Even across the vast distance, he seemed to see the opponent’s banner clearly and said slowly, “Ming.”
Jing Hengbo’s heart sank with a thud – it really was Ming Yan’an!
Ming Yan’an actually dared to leave the city and march far to join with the Fifteen Gangs to encircle and annihilate her. Then what about the Horizontal Halberd Army in the three counties? What had happened?
Jing Hengbo always had an incredulous feeling. She had clearly arranged for Chai Yu early on, and the messages Chai Yu had sent before indicated everything was basically settled, with confidence in bloodlessly eliminating Ming Yan’an and taking Shangyuan City. Now this situation had appeared – where had variables emerged? Or was this also part of Chai Yu’s strategy?
“Ming Yan’an’s arrival direction perfectly blocks our breakthrough route. Judging by the numbers, there are tens of thousands, truly a full-scale deployment,” Gong Yin said calmly while dealing with incoming blades, swords, and hidden weapons. “Once he establishes a tight perimeter on the outside and we crash into it with exhausted bodies, I fear we’ll have a bad outcome.”
“The war for Daimao has begun ahead of schedule,” Jing Hengbo murmured. “I very much hoped to resolve everything at once, but it can’t be this fierce.”
Gong Yin suddenly waved his hand, ice and snow flying from his fingertips. The surrounding temperature plummeted sharply, and that blazing fire slowly died out.
Then his fingertips flicked repeatedly, whistling sounds never ceasing in all directions, as if people were simultaneously breaking out in all directions. Those approaching people all cried out loudly.
“They’ve escaped!”
“They’re fleeing outward!”
“From our direction – I heard wind sounds!”
“No, it’s our side. Something just swept past my ear – strike quickly!”
“Ah, over here too!”
…
Darkness and the crowd both trapped Jing Hengbo and Gong Yin, but equally made it impossible for the besiegers to distinguish their surroundings. Gong Yin pulled Jing Hengbo’s hand and they had already swept out from the opposite direction of the one they’d determined earlier.
In that direction, there had always been sounds of fighting and calling, as if battle continued. When everyone else had clarified the misunderstanding and joined hands to deal with Jing Hengbo, the continued fighting there appeared particularly obvious and easy to discover.
There were also particularly many people there, with no possibility of breaking through. But Jing Hengbo trusted Gong Yin’s choice and followed him without question.
All the way flying and killing enemies – the Fifteen Gangs members were still running around like headless flies, but the Silent Army was truly formidable. Though Gong Yin and Jing Hengbo moved lightly, flying over people’s heads, just that little movement could alert the Silent Army. At this moment on the wilderness, the only two enemies were Jing Hengbo and Gong Yin. The Silent Army didn’t need to identify them – they directly attacked continuously in various ways, with ingenious and endless variations. Jing Hengbo hadn’t yet adapted to combat techniques in darkness and encountered danger several times. Finally, Gong Yin simply tucked her into his embrace and passed through all the way.
Too many people, too many methods. After charging through ten zhang of distance, Jing Hengbo heard Gong Yin’s somewhat irregular heartbeat. For an expert like him, this was almost inconceivable, indicating his great exhaustion.
Jing Hengbo looked ahead – a wilderness spanning thousands of zhang, with mountains still far away and dense crowds everywhere. Ten zhang made one feel tired – how could they charge out of this wasteland?
Gong Yin’s body suddenly paused.
Jing Hengbo also noticed the anomaly. Not far ahead, a small battle group was fighting, and at the very center was clearly Tie Xingze.
He seemed to have been fighting for a long time. Already wounded, he was now at the end of his strength, covered in spotted bloodstains. There was a fresh wound on his head, blood matting his hair in strands against his forehead, making his face pale as paper.
For a moment, both Gong Yin and Jing Hengbo didn’t move.
Both extremely calmly watched that scene – the swinging blades, chopping, struggling, and roaring in the darkness.
Then Jing Hengbo looked at Gong Yin. In the darkness, his profile was like a carving, unchanged.
Tie Xingze’s charging direction was toward the periphery, constantly making sounds while attacking, attracting more people toward him. So much so that Jing Hengbo and Gong Yin could actually stand steadily here, because the Silent Army was all drawn toward Tie Xingze.
Jing Hengbo stared at the battlefield. All the way to now, she could confirm the Silent Army’s target really was Tie Xingze.
One person could fake, but a group couldn’t fake. True killing intent couldn’t be faked. At least three times, Jing Hengbo saw Tie Xingze in mortal danger, about to die by the blade.
At least three times, both she and Gong Yin could have acted but didn’t.
That battle group grew larger and larger. Tie Xingze was already stretched thin. From his gradually slowing movements and rapid panting, even if he didn’t fall to attacks, his stamina couldn’t support him much longer.
A blade chopped down from above. Tie Xingze raised his blade to meet it. Sparks flew in the darkness. Tie Xingze was exhausted and pressed back, his body leaning backward. Just then, a long spear, silent as a venomous snake, aimed straight for Tie Xingze’s back.
This spear thrust was extremely vicious and close. Tie Xingze absolutely couldn’t escape.
Jing Hengbo’s heart trembled, voices echoing in her ears.
“Do you dare trust me?”
“I dare!”
She clenched her fingers – some things ultimately couldn’t be done!
Her body moved to sweep out, but her hand was quickly grabbed by Gong Yin. The next instant, his fingertip flicked, cold light shot out, and “snap” – that spear was deflected, arcing behind Tie Xingze and tearing away a piece of cloth from his back.
Just a hair’s breadth away.
Jing Hengbo exhaled, her heart even more tangled – who would risk their life to fake?
Behind them in the distance seemed to be clamorous sounds, as if someone was charging but could never get close. Jing Hengbo vaguely heard Seven Kills’ cursing. Above her head, wings flapped as Er Gouzi landed on her shoulder, crying strangely, “So many people! So many people!”
Jing Hengbo flashed to slightly higher ground and saw the wilderness divided like an ant nest into groups, each group boiling restlessly like a bubbling pot, splashing blood and cold sword light – those were her people, once again trapped in divided and isolated defeat. Her carefully accomplished dog-eat-dog scheme had completely failed.
Even worse, at the far end of the horizon, Ming Yan’an’s army was grimly advancing.
Behind her, Gong Yin’s voice suddenly rang out, still calm and resolute, “Hengbo, remember to go southwest later.”
“That’s where Ming Yan’an’s army is…” she said instinctively.
“Large numbers don’t necessarily mean advantage. On the contrary, the more mixed forces are, the more problems arise from uncoordinated command. Ming Yan’an has come from afar with unclear circumstances – that’s the best breakthrough point. Also,” Gong Yin paused, “given Ming Yan’an’s nature, under normal circumstances he wouldn’t leave Shangyuan for distant campaigns. When things are abnormal, there must be demons. It’s worth confronting them to see clearly.”
“Good,” she said. “We’ll go together.”
“Also,” Gong Yin seemed not to hear her words and continued, “though today’s situation is dangerous, once resolved, the Daimao territory will be convenient for your maneuvering. Remember, when heaven offers a gift and you don’t take it, you’ll suffer the consequences instead. No matter what happens, you cannot indulge in it. You must seize the opportunity to counterattack. If you can resolve the main Fifteen Gangs members and Ming Yan’an here, Daimao will be yours.”
“You speak as if you’ve already resolved this predicament. But I have a feeling tonight is our death date. Still, dying together isn’t a bad thing. Gong Yin, let’s pray we can transmigrate after death – I’ll take you to visit my research institute.” Jing Hengbo dodged various assassins while gazing at the battle group there, watching Yelu Qi, Seven Kills and others move slowly. Growing more desperate, she really didn’t see any meaning in what Gong Yin was saying now.
Gong Yin also seemed indifferent to her strange words. He suddenly stepped forward and embraced her.
“Remember every word I’ve said to you, remember every promise you’ve made to me. Remember your oath under Dige City, remember that trusting yourself is better than trusting anyone.”
His cool breath penetrated her body – deep snow, thin ice, sealed orchid fragrance. She looked up at him, “Gong Yin, why are you suddenly saying this?”
He held her and turned, robes sweeping up, dodging an assassin’s attack – a brilliant blue-green hidden weapon that flashed dazzling tail light as it swept past their faces, reflecting her pupils like water. In those water-like pupils were his profound gaze and half the sky.
That half of sky suddenly disappeared. Only darkness remained between heaven and earth. His face had already gently pressed down, lips pressing against hers.
Jing Hengbo was shocked for an instant, not expecting that in this dangerous battlefield moment, this cold and proud person would suddenly have this kiss before everyone’s eyes.
She sensed his abnormality and wanted to embrace him, push him away, and ask clearly first, lest that ominous feeling spread through her heart. But he was so insistent today. His lips lightly sucked, his teeth gently touched, and she suddenly felt herself melting in his embrace. The surrounding vicious fighting, the encircling enemies, suddenly became distant as the ends of the earth.
His kiss began gently, then became fierce and powerful, sweeping through her teeth, roaming her world, lightly licking her lips, finally ending with an almost lingering press of lips. Throughout the process, they continued dodging, she could feel those hidden weapons and blades whooshing past, the forest-cold and bloody coolness of iron weapons mingling with the fragrance and heat of his lips, weaving strange sensations. She couldn’t help but passionately kiss him back, feeling this battlefield kiss was like facing a desolate farewell in chaotic times – the dock and ferry with sky vast and earth green, and the departing person never returning.
Such associations were truly inauspicious. She caught her breath, brushing away the unease in her heart. But he released her at this moment, only saying lowly, “Remember.” Then he threw her toward Ming Yan’an’s army direction.
This throw used all his strength, even tapping her pressure points. In mid-air, she instinctively teleported, already passing over the crowd, far from him.
Before she could react, his figure flashed to Tie Xingze’s side, supporting him with one hand, saying lightly, “Xingze, are you willing to assist the Queen once more?”
“I dare not refuse even unto death!” Tie Xingze looked at him while panting. “As long as you trust me!”
“Then good,” Gong Yin said quietly. “The Silent Army’s target has always been you. We’ll lead the Silent Army away.”
“Good.”
“Do you have any way to stimulate the Silent Army so they’ll pursue relentlessly regardless of consequences?”
“Yes,” Tie Xingze wiped blood from his lips and smiled. “Pass the throne to someone of different surname! They’re loyal to the royal house and have sworn blood oaths for generations. They might possibly spare me, but absolutely cannot allow me to pass the throne to non-Tie clan members!”
“Then abdicate to me. We’ll return to Chentie.”
“Good!”
…
Jing Hengbo flashed three times in mid-air before dodging a wave of attacks. When she steadied herself, what she saw was the direction where Tie Xingze and Gong Yin had been suddenly erupting in tragic screams and fierce shouts, followed by horse neighing. Heads surged, a dark tide of pushing and shoving. Vaguely, two horses seemed to gallop forward, both with blood-soaked cloth around their necks, very conspicuous, charging outward fiercely. The surrounding Silent Army and Fifteen Gangs members naturally fought desperately to block them. Those two horses were unstoppable, cutting through like slicing melons, rolling out streams of blood and heads, shooting through the crowd like a blood line.
From afar, Tie Xingze’s loud laughter came. His voice suddenly seemed much stronger, and many people across the wilderness heard him.
“Brother, if you can safely escort this king back to Chentie and eliminate these rebels, this throne will be yours!”
Then came Gong Yin’s calm and resolute tone.
“Good!”
The voices continued echoing in the open space. The Fifteen Gangs members were still stunned, but the Silent Army all turned abruptly.
Jing Hengbo cried “Ah!” already understanding what Gong Yin wanted to do.
Like before, he would also use Tie Xingze to lead away the Silent Army, but his leading meant taking the entire Silent Army away, using a situation the Silent Army absolutely couldn’t accept to force them all to follow.
But this was no longer her momentary luring from before. The journey back to Chentie was hundreds of li – this was hundreds of li of pursuit by ten thousand troops!
Having done this, the Silent Army would never rest until death. This group was skilled in both battle formations and assassination. No matter how high their martial arts, they were still flesh and blood, already exhausted. How could they maintain constant vigilance during this long journey back to their country?
Moreover, she still wasn’t at ease…
“No—” she cried out and rushed toward that direction.
But she was already blocked by crowds. The Silent Army’s target was Tie Xingze, but the Fifteen Gangs’ target was only her. Batches of gang members rushed over, forming human walls before her. She teleported several times, but after landing encountered blades and spears chopping down.
Ahead, after hearing those words, the Silent Army immediately sent out a sharp whistle blast. All moved in unison, immediately withdrawing and gathering, directly pursuing those two horses.
Looking into the distance, she could no longer see Gong Yin and Tie Xingze’s lonely two horses, only thousands of troops, wind and smoke thundering, shaking the earth in fierce galloping.
She constantly batted away blades and swords, smashed hidden spears, pursuing above people’s heads by treading on air, but only chased the tails of those horse groups. Several times she landed on the long spears of the Silent Army formation, then was forced back by their blade and spear formations.
She continuously flashed in mid-air, persistently trying to keep up. All the Silent Army soldiers already knew her tricks. With a long shout “Throw!” short spears flashed like dark clouds, instantly covering the sky, forming an absolute mountain barrier before her. She saw spear points flashing coldly, continuously enlarging in her vision. She even saw the frontmost spear point was slightly blunt, stained with someone’s dark red blood.
The combined force of everyone’s attacks created fierce winds. She was forced by the air pressure to sway like a broken kite, no longer able to cross that sea of blades and iron. The frontmost spear point was only three feet from her, yet she suddenly felt powerless to retreat further.
A pair of hands grabbed her shoulders, yanking her forcefully backward. She fell into that person’s embrace – broad and full of fiery vigor.
Pei Shu’s voice rang above her head, exasperated, “Are you crazy! Even if you want to die, you can’t do it like this!”
She opened her eyes and first saw daylight. Dawn had broken. The sun was like a mass of blood, struggling to emerge at the horizon. She widened her eyes, wanting to find his horse, but only saw ahead the rolling dust of ten thousand troops.
Jing Hengbo’s tears burst forth.