In the deep night, Chenliu was utterly silent. The sound of galloping horses was incredibly clear on the streets. As the horses rushed past, lantern after lantern lit up behind their swaying tails. Viewed across the whole city of Chenliu, that thin straight line looked like an arrow pointing directly at the still sleeping King Residence.

Before long, the lanterns of the King Residence were lit as well.

 

*

 

Song Shuo was snoring softly, but the noise outside woke him at once. He was like this these days—always sleeping lightly, never able to rest deeply. As long as he hadn’t returned Chenliu to Xiao Rong’s hands, he didn’t have a single peaceful day.

He sat up, perked his ears and listened for a moment. He realized it was Gao Xunzhi’s voice, and unlike usual, it carried a hoarse, desperate quality. Song Shuo froze, hurriedly climbed out of bed, and looked for his shoes. He didn’t put on a coat, his shoes were even on the wrong feet, but he couldn’t care. The servant outside had just been woken up and was still rubbing his eyes when a gust of wind passed him. Only after lowering his hands did he realize it had been his Master rushing past.

 

……

 

The closer he got, the clearer Gao Xunzhi’s voice sounded. Song Shuo rushed over and suddenly pushed open Gao Xunzhi’s door.

“How could this happen?! Why didn’t you report earlier!!!”

The city guard soldier delivering the message lowered his head, his voice heavy and anxious. “I don’t know. Commander Yao’s personal soldier came with the message just one cup of tea ago. Except for him, no one else came. After reporting, he cried for a while, then fainted from exhaustion. As for details—”

Before the guard finished, Gao Xunzhi yanked on his outer robe and shouted, “Take me to him!”

He rushed out without even glancing at Song Shuo. Song Shuo stared for a moment, then hurried after him.

On their way to the city gate, Song Shuo finally learned what had happened—Yuan Baifu had rebelled. He had killed Wang Xinyong and taken away nearly eighty thousand troops of the Northern Army. Where he was now and what he intended to do, they didn’t know.

When they reached the gate, Gao Xunzhi quickly went up the wall. The soldier was still unconscious, but Gao Xunzhi had no choice. The military doctor gave him several needles, yet the soldier was too weak to wake. Seeing this, the gate general pushed the doctor aside, picked up a bronze basin, and with a splash, poured cold water freshly drawn from the well over the soldier’s face.

The soldier’s facial muscles tightened. He opened his eyes violently, but his mind was frozen from the cold. Only after a long moment did he finally look at the face right in front of him.

 

…………

 

He didn’t know much, because he had been the first person Yao Xian sent out. They had just descended Lianyun Pass then, and Yuan Baifu hadn’t revealed his plans. All he knew was that Yuan Baifu had killed Wang Xinyong, then executed several people who refused to obey him to establish authority. Once no one resisted, he continued marching according to the original plan.

This occurred eight days ago—no, it should have been nine days ago.

Nine days.

One day alone was enough for Yuan Baifu to commit treason. In these nine days, no one knew what terrible things he might have done.

When the soldier finished speaking, he collapsed again from exhaustion. The doctor quickly ordered people to change his clothes and prepare medicine. Gao Xunzhi stared blankly ahead for a while, then turned mechanically and walked out step by step.

Standing in the open space atop the wall, the fog in his head seemed to lift a little. Gao Xunzhi suddenly strode toward the stairs.

In the next instant, Song Shuo spread his arms wide. He watched Gao Xunzhi with alert and stubborn eyes, his words no longer polite. “Where is the Chancellor going?”

Gao Xunzhi didn’t even know when Song Shuo had arrived. He didn’t think about it. He only answered, “I… I will take some troops to Ningzhou first. Once His Highness hears the news, he will definitely rush there. I—”

He spoke in a confused jumble, as if he needed to think before knowing what he should say.

“I will take the troops there and wait to join His Highness. Before things reach the point of no return, I want to try. Perhaps Yuan Baifu acted on impulse. He… he may not be determined—”

Song Shuo said, “Wang Xinyong is dead.”

Gao Xunzhi trembled all over.

For nearly three months, Song Shuo had suppressed his anger, but this night, using this matter, it erupted.

“He killed Wang Xinyong! He lured him out and, when he had no idea, personally killed him!”

Song Shuo had never lost his temper like this. He knew he shouldn’t—Gao Xunzhi was acting irrational only because of the shock. He needed calm persuasion, but Song Shuo couldn’t be calm—because he was truly, deeply furious.

He stared into Gao Xunzhi’s eyes, almost aggressive. “He went this far to tell us he doesn’t want a way back! He could mercilessly kill a comrade who lived and died with him for so many years. On what basis do you think he will repent when he sees you?! And even if he repents, so what? If you persuade him back, will that bring justice for General Wang, who died far from home?!”

Song Shuo’s expression twisted with anger. Gao Xunzhi stared at him blankly, and gradually, his expression changed.

Song Shuo was right.

Yuan Baifu wasn’t the one acting on impulse—he was.

He took a deep breath. Cold air rushed into his nose, like blades scraping his flesh. After a long silence, Gao Xunzhi spoke again. “I still must go to Ningzhou.”

Song Shuo didn’t shout this time, because he saw clarity return in Gao Xunzhi’s eyes. He was calm again.

Seeing Song Shuo silent, Gao Xunzhi continued. “This matter is too serious. Those seventy thousand soldiers are not Yuan Baifu’s men, they are His Highness’s men. I must bring them back. Besides, once His Highness learns of this, he will be furious. I cannot watch him make a mistake.”

Song Shuo frowned. “Won’t Xiao Rong return with His Highness?”

Gao Xunzhi: “…”

Indeed.

However, in this situation, he wasn’t sure Xiao Rong could stop Qu Yunmie.

 

*

 

Two days later, Qu Yunmie and the others reached the upper reaches of the Luo River, a famous place—Tong Pass.

Staying there made Xiao Rong crave roujiamo, but not the imagined version of sitting at a table and happily eating. Instead, he sat on the edge of the carriage, hands in his sleeves, watching people loading goods, preparing to board the boats.

They had found a gentle crossing point. There were passenger boats here, but nowhere near enough to carry a hundred thousand Northern soldiers. They had to requisition some, assemble others, and ferry men and goods in several batches—this was normal.

Even so, Xiao Rong felt nervous. Last time, they had only brought grain and supplies. Losing a boat had been a little painful but tolerable. This time, they were carrying many treasures back. If a boat capsized mid–river, Xiao Rong would never return to Chenliu—he would stay there until every last piece was retrieved.

 

……

 

Once they crossed this river, they were not far from home. Just a little more, and everything would be different. One river crossing was difficult, so everyone would choose the easiest plan.

Yet the world was full of “just a little more.” Before the boats were fully assembled, Xiao Rong saw a plume of dust rising from a distant small troop riding desperately toward them.

He straightened instinctively. When those riders saw the tens of thousands of troops across the river, they sped up instead of turning back like the scattered troops Xiao Rong had encountered before.

 

……

 

At the riverbank, they dismounted and shouted loudly, but the Luo River was wide, and with so many people around, Xiao Rong couldn’t make out their words. Qu Yunmie walked over and gave a wave. Dongfang Jin nodded, then signaled someone else. After four or five relayed gestures, a boat finally went to fetch them.

On the boat, the group was tense. When they slowly reached the opposite bank, Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong were already there waiting.

Before the boat fully docked, the men scrambled out, trouser legs soaked. They couldn’t care about that. The leader dropped to one knee before Qu Yunmie. The others followed.

“Your Highness, Mr. Gao sent us to inform you: ten days ago, General Yuan rebelled. General Wang died by his hand. The Left Army and Rear Army have all been taken by him. Two days ago, Mr. Gao led twenty thousand Chenliu garrison troops to Ningzhou. He hopes Mr. Xiao can lead another twenty thousand Central Army troops back to Chenliu to reinforce its defenses.”

He must have memorized this even in dreams, for he spoke fluently, but he didn’t dare to rise. Not only him—everyone behind him looked rigid with fear. Bearing messages was never good work. Good news earned rewards, bad news earned punishment. No one liked to be the bearer of misfortune.

He had mentioned Xiao Rong, but Xiao Rong stared at him blankly. After a long moment, he reacted, turning instantly to look at Qu Yunmie.

Dongfang Jin stood nearby, barely daring to breathe. Shock rippled through the ranks. Even the Buddhist Disciple came out upon hearing the commotion, stunned by the news.

Everyone looked toward Qu Yunmie.

Qu Yunmie took a step forward. “Impossible.”

His voice was calm, as if he truly believed these men had ridden 400km, risking execution, just to tell a joke.

The leader shut his eyes in despair, then forced himself to shout again, “I do not lie! General Yuan—no, Yuan Baifu—truly rebelled! Chenliu hasn’t received any reports from him or General Wang for seven days! The Rear Army is now under Yuan Baifu and Qu Jin’s control! The soldier who escaped to deliver the message can testify! General Wang is dead! Yuan Baifu has rebelled!!!”

Qu Yunmie shouted, “Silence!!!!”

His voice cracked like thunder. The messenger froze, resisting the urge to crawl backward. He lowered his head and said no more. Qu Yunmie stared at him, bloodshot eyes glaring, his clenched fists cracking at the joints.

No one dared make a sound. This time, not only the messengers were terrified—everyone was. Suddenly, Qu Yunmie strode forward. In two or three steps he reached the messenger, grabbed him by the neck, and lifted him off the ground.

He used immense strength—within a breath, the man’s face turned red from engorged blood. He kept his mouth shut, unable to beg, his limbs twitching weakly.

Xiao Rong’s mind had gone blank earlier. Seeing Qu Yunmie’s action, he snapped back and rushed forward in shock, desperately pulling at Qu Yunmie’s arm. “Your Majesty! No, no, no—”

His voice was soft, almost weak. He had been frightened senseless and was acting on instinct. Qu Yunmie himself was acting on instinct. Perhaps a second passed—maybe longer—before Qu Yunmie’s grip loosened. The man fell to the ground, coughing violently. His companions were terrified but didn’t dare help him up.

Qu Yunmie stared as though he hadn’t noticed the man barely clinging to life. He fixed his eyes on him and asked, “Why?”

The man was still coughing, the sound so raw it seemed his lungs might tear apart. His companions, afraid he would anger Qu Yunmie again, quickly asked, “W–What does Your Majesty mean?”

Qu Yunmie looked at them. His expression was so terrifying that simply meeting his gaze froze them stiff.

“Why did Yuan Baifu betray me?”

The group: “…”

Uh—they didn’t know!

If they knew, wouldn’t that make them Yuan Baifu’s accomplices?!

They couldn’t answer. As the silence grew heavier, Qu Yunmie exploded again. At that moment, he looked nearly deranged.

“Speak!!!”

“Why did he betray me? I even promised him the throne, I treated him well, I trusted him, why!!! Why did he do this!!”

No matter how many times Qu Yunmie repeated this question, those who couldn’t answer it still could not answer, and these people no longer dared to stay silent. They reflexively placed the other leg down as well, prostrated on the ground, and shivered as they shouted, “Your Majesty, calm your anger!”

Even the one who had been coughing for half the time dragged his broken body up, then obediently knelt on the ground. Qu Yunmie stared at the backs of their heads, then suddenly stepped back and looked at the others around him.

Those who met his gaze were stunned for a moment, then hurriedly imitated them, kneeling down and shouting in unison, “Your Majesty, calm your anger!!”

No one could answer his question. Even the Buddha’s Son blended in with them, avoiding a response.

Realizing this, Qu Yunmie paused, then looked at the only person still standing.

He looked at Xiao Rong, who met his eyes and was slightly taken aback. Xiao Rong lowered his gaze and also knelt, kneeling before him no differently than the others.

Xiao Rong said, “Your Majesty, calm your anger.”

Xiao Rong didn’t see that Qu Yunmie’s gaze shifted from ferocity to confusion. He looked at Xiao Rong, who had voluntarily knelt at his feet, but didn’t help him up. Qu Yunmie staggered back two steps, then suddenly turned and strode away.

Dongfang Jin saw this and quickly got up, calling his subordinates to pursue him. After they left, Xiao Rong also stood up from the ground.

Many people gathered around the messengers to try to find out more, but that was all. They had set out in the middle of the night two days ago and knew nothing of the outside situation. Two days had passed, and undoubtedly other events had occurred, but news didn’t spread that fast. Everyone was moving forward in the dark, without exception.

These people were all close to Gao Xunzhi and were familiar with Xiao Rong. When Xiao Rong approached, they immediately stopped talking to others and respectfully cupped their fists to him. “Mr. Xiao.”

Xiao Rong only asked them one question: “Did Yuan Baifu really kill Wang Xinyong?”

They were silent for a moment, then collectively nodded at Xiao Rong.

 

*

 

The river-crossing plan was completely suspended. News spread from one to ten, ten to a hundred, and the entire army was in an uproar. No one was in a hurry to return home. Everyone wanted to capture the traitor Yuan Baifu. Several mid-ranking generals had once served under Wang Xinyong, they were the most furious and couldn’t wait to fly to Ningzhou that day, kill Yuan Baifu, and avenge General Wang.

Xiao Rong stood by the river for a while. Mijing stood behind him, watching him. He felt that Xiao Rong’s state was unusual, but he wasn’t the type to care about others’ moods, and the sudden new situation had caught everyone off guard, leaving him somewhat agitated.

After watching the slowly flowing river for a while, Xiao Rong turned and left. He went to find Qu Yunmie, who was selecting his weapons.

He brought the Snow-Drinking Vengeance Spear, the long sword, and the long knife, strapped and hung all three, then turned and suddenly met Xiao Rong’s eyes.

Qu Yunmie looked grim. He packed his bag, leaving behind most of his belongings. Xiao Rong could already tell what he intended to do, but he still asked, “Why fully armed?”

Qu Yunmie clenched the revenge spear in his hand. “Those who betray me, all must die.”

Xiao Rong asked, “You plan to leave immediately?”

Qu Yunmie looked at him cautiously.

Xiao Rong didn’t care and continued asking, “How many people will you take?”

Qu Yunmie said, “Thirty thousand.”

Xiao Rong said, “Not enough. Take sixty thousand. Add the twenty thousand from Chancellor Gao, and roughly more than thirty thousand from the Rear Army, though we don’t know exactly how many are left now. That should be safe enough.”

Qu Yunmie didn’t object. Frankly, he didn’t care how many troops he brought, he only wanted to reach there quickly and personally capture Yuan Baifu.

He forced himself to calm down, then spoke again to arrange the rest, “Fine, sixty thousand. You take the remaining thirty thousand and return to Chenliu. Close the city gates, allow no one to enter or leave.”

Xiao Rong said, “I won’t return. Let the Buddha’s Son take them.”

Qu Yunmie was surprised, and his suppressed anger flared again. “You won’t return?! I will march to Ningzhou tonight. Do you want to follow me?!”

Xiao Rong said, “Yes.”

Qu Yunmie said, “Impossible! You can’t endure this hardship!”

Xiao Rong lifted his head. His gaze was more stubborn than Qu Yunmie’s. “I can endure any hardship! You can’t see how much I’ve suffered!”

He forced himself to stop speaking, closed his eyes and inhaled slightly. After he calmed down, he spoke again. “Let me go with you. I won’t hold you back. It’s just a forced march. I can keep up. I beg you, take me with you.”

Qu Yunmie’s eyes flickered. He didn’t understand. “Why?”

Perhaps Xiao Rong would say it was to prevent him from being reckless, but he could clearly feel that this time the reason was different.

Xiao Rong didn’t avoid the question. He looked into Qu Yunmie’s eyes, and his throat moved slightly. “Because he killed Wang Xinyong.”

A person who shouldn’t have died, a person he should have warned, a person who should have survived and had a good future.

Xiao Rong looked like he was about to cry, but he didn’t. He didn’t cry. His expression was firm. Qu Yunmie lowered his eyes, blinked slightly, then put the Snow-Drinking Vengeance Spear back on his back.

As they walked, the armor and weapons clashed, making a series of crisp sounds. Qu Yunmie walked in front of Xiao Rong, reached out, and rubbed the lower eyelid of Xiao Rong with his rough fingertip. Xiao Rong didn’t shed tears, so he didn’t know what Qu Yunmie meant by this.

Xiao Rong frowned at him. Qu Yunmie said, “Don’t fall ill again.”

Xiao Rong was stunned.

Qu Yunmie lowered his eyes, and his voice carried a subtle plea that even he barely noticed. “If you fall ill now, I truly don’t know what I would do.”

 

*

 

Qinling Mountains, in a certain forest.

Wang Xinyong probably never imagined that after his death, so many people would care about him. Countless people wanted to avenge him, even those he usually paid little attention to felt heartache over his death.

This meant nothing to Wang Xinyong now because he had wandered in this forest for several days. If he couldn’t get out, he would probably really die here.

If that happened, it would’ve been better to have fallen off the cliff initially. At least then someone could’ve retrieved his remains. Now, having wandered deep into the forest, it would be worse—he would leave no remains.

Compared with the shock of seeing the black-and-white bear on the first day, in the following days Wang Xinyong often saw this bear. For some reason, it didn’t hibernate, so it appeared frequently.

Most of these bears weren’t highly aggressive, and being far away was fine. His guards gradually lost vigilance in this false sense of peace and even tried to test what would happen if they approached. That afternoon, one panda appeared, stood up, and swatted a hungry wolf that had come down the mountain to find food.

His guards never spoke like that again.

In winter, all animals were starving. Wang Xinyong had to find the correct path while struggling to survive. Water and food weren’t a concern, the mountains had fresh water, and though one guard had a broken arm and the other was lame, they were experienced elite soldiers. Hunting small animals was no problem.

Cold, wild beasts, and the maze-like forest that trapped them—that was the real threat.

The longer time passed, the more numb Wang Xinyong’s mood became. Five days had passed, then another five. He was still trapped here, unable to do anything. When he had regained consciousness after the fall, he was ambitious, thinking he would personally kill Yuan Baifu and avenge his comrades. Instead, fate teased him, giving false hope while delivering only despair.

Wang Xinyong became increasingly silent. His guards didn’t dare disturb him. Once again, they spent the night in a narrow cave. The guards slept, but Wang Xinyong stayed awake.

He thought of his family. His father had long passed, his mother had been brought to Chenliu before winter, waiting for his triumphant return. He had no children, no wife or concubines. In Jinling, he married, but when his wife learned he had been captured by Qu Yunmie, a boy of fourteen, she sent a divorce letter. She was a noblewoman, marrying him for his status and achievements. No one expected Qu Yunmie to succeed, so her actions were understandable.

After Qu Yunmie became King of the North, Wang Xinyong secretly sent someone to inquire about his ex-wife. Within two months after the divorce, she remarried, gave birth to a son the following year, another son the year after, then died from postpartum fever.

“…“

Wang Xinyong had wanted to feel proud, but learning she had died complicated his emotions. Love, hate, revenge—these meant nothing in the face of death. Once a person died, nothing remained.

Wang Xinyong had fallen into his darkest moment. He felt hopeless, uncertain which winter night he would die. While he was lost in thought, he heard rustling outside, growing closer to the cave.

Wang Xinyong’s expression changed slowly. He quietly picked up a sharpened stick and prepared for whoever appeared.

Three, two, one—

A figure suddenly darted in. Seeing Wang Xinyong pointing the stick at him, he froze, then froze again when he saw Wang Xinyong’s scruffy face.

He was unsure if he was hallucinating. “General… Wang Xinyong?”

Wang Xinyong stared at him. “Daqiang?”

Kang Daqiang, a young soldier with a catchy name, became excited upon seeing it was truly Wang Xinyong. “General Wang! You’re not dead, that’s wonderful!!!”

Wang Xinyong also became excited, dropped the stick, and woke his nearby guards. He hugged Kang Daqiang, tears welling. “How are you here?!”

Kang Daqiang cried and replied, “Captain Yao sent me to deliver a message, but I couldn’t find the way out and was delayed many days.”

Wang Xinyong patted his shoulder hard. “It’s fine, it’s fine! Now that you found me, you’ve done a great service!”

Kang Daqiang nodded tearfully. “Thank you, General, I have no way to repay you!”

Wang Xinyong laughed heartily. Even the cold wind around him didn’t make him feel cold. He looked at Kang Daqiang with relief. “You are my soldier. What repayment? Tomorrow morning, you will take me back to where you came from, and we will find Yao Xian together! Hahaha, Daqiang, this is what it means to survive great hardship and be rewarded later!”

Kang Daqiang’s face was full of agreement, but he pressed his lips together. “General, you are right! But… I don’t remember where I came out from….”

Wang Xinyong thought: When I can’t hunt anymore, I will eat you first!!

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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