Chapter 243 - 171: Gratifying Revenge

On the shore, Shi Yin led the rearguard. Though distant, he too was thrilled, watching the Qi Emperor bursting out from the chaotic battle.

"The dog Emperor has quite the guts!"

Shi Yin’s eyes shone with excitement.

Was this not a heaven-sent opportunity to make a name for himself?

He made two hand signals, signaling the archers to get ready, then rushed behind the shieldmen and shouted loudly:

"Kill the dog Emperor, the Great General rewards a hundred taels of gold."

Just a hundred taels of gold for a mighty Emperor.

It seemed the Great General wasn’t exactly rolling in wealth.

But even so, the soldiers were still very excited.

They gathered around, shieldmen and cavalry forming their ranks, all targeting that handsome sovereign on the white horse wearing a silver helmet...

Xie Congguang’s throat turned bittersweet, and he nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

"Your Majesty!"

Not even the King of Hell could hold back a ghost eager to die; the Emperor’s way of fighting wasn’t a battle—it was suicide.

Xie Congguang bellowed, "Protect the carriage! Protect the carriage!"

"Yes, sir."

The Beiyong Army was on its retreat, but Xiao Cheng, leading this pursuing force, didn’t have many men either; the sides were evenly matched. If they were surrounded, even if he fought to his last breath, Xie Congguang couldn’t save Xiao Cheng.

"Damn it! Let’s go all out."

The cries of battle shook the heavens.

Surrounded by people on all sides.

Shi Yin grabbed a crossbow, mounted his horse, and found a good position, aiming for Xiao Cheng.

With a whish, the arrow, as if it had eyes, flew rapidly towards Xiao Cheng.

"Your Majesty!" Ping’an bellowed.

There was no time to react; he suddenly leapt from his own horse and threw himself straight at Xiao Cheng.

The arrow pierced through his back and into Xiao Cheng’s arm.

Blood gushed forth, and Ping’an’s pupils dilated as he looked at Xiao Cheng’s face, asking worriedly:

"Your Majesty, are you hurt?"

Then he abruptly turned back, shouting anxiously.

"Someone come quick, His Majesty is hurt! Quick, come here!"

Xie Congguang stared at the arrow that had gone through his body, stunned and speechless, dismounted to help Xiao Cheng up, and held him tight with both hands.

"Your Majesty, the Beiyong Army excels in luring the enemy into battle; we cannot pursue any longer!"

Xiao Cheng looked at Ping’an, opened his mouth to reveal blood-stained teeth, and suddenly cold sweat broke out down his back.

What was he doing?

Was he seeking death just moments ago?

"Someone." Xiao Cheng seemed to suddenly come to his senses, commanding the guards, "Take Ping’an down and summon the Imperial Physician."

Ping’an, listening to Xiao Cheng’s vigorous commands, saw that he had only injured his arm, and his face broke into a brilliant smile.

"It’s okay, His Majesty is okay..."

Before he finished speaking, his body went limp.

That was the moment Feng Yun looked out from the window of the warship.

The two armies clashed mightily; the cries of combat were deafening.

She had just been roused by Xiaoman, her mind still foggy. In a daze, it seemed as if she heard Xiao Cheng’s shouting?

He was calling for Ayun, saying they should start over...

Feng Yun felt she must be hallucinating.

But Pei Jue retreating from Bingzhou, Xiao Cheng pursuing here; wasn’t this scene a reenactment of the great battle at Shiguan Dock from her past life?

She watched Shi Yin shoot Xiao Cheng.

Saw Ping’an take the arrow for Xiao Cheng...

Stunned, her eyes narrowed.

Scenes identical to her previous life, an arrow through the chest...

She even suddenly understood why, no matter how annoying Ping’an’s words were, no matter how much she detested Ping’an, Xiao Cheng would always trust him, keeping him close by.

He was the man willing to take an arrow for him in a life-or-death moment.

Smiling, she looked on.

The white horse neighed long, and the figure in silver armor disappeared into the crowd...

Just as she guessed.

Xiao Cheng was still cautious and knew the times—he didn’t pursue any further.

This was a man innately indifferent; he would not change.

The tower ship grew more distant.

The shore remained ablaze with voices.

In their furious shame, the Qi Army attacked frantically.

While the Beiyong Army’s warships departed, having achieved their goal, Shi Yin no longer entangled with them, retreating according to the planned order, while still carrying their banners high and shouting, producing long, taunting tunes, as if to humiliate Xiao Cheng...

The thundering charge of thousands of horses resonated as one.

Xiao Cheng, caressing his injured arm, stood in silence.

Feng Yun leaned against the ship’s rail, her eyes gradually losing focus.

The sunlight reflected on the water’s surface, bright as gold.

They couldn’t see each other.

Yet they were both pondering what the other might be feeling at this moment, whether there was even a trace of pain and discomfort...

Of course, Feng Yun wasn’t in pain. She was just thinking that the plan for vengeance would likely last a long time because Xiao Cheng wouldn’t die so easily...

"General." Daman’s call brought her back to her senses. She turned to see Pei Jue, who had walked into the cabin without her notice.

The abrasion on his face was evident, his handsome features appeared colder than usual, and both Daman and Xiaoman dared not speak, their heads bowed, silently standing to one side.

Feng Yun turned to face him.

The two of them locked eyes, speechless.

After a moment, Feng Yun sighed.

"What would you like to say, General?"

Pei Jue looked at her, "Based on this battle, did I win or lose?"

Feng Yun didn’t expect him to ask that.

"We won," Feng Yun seemed to say to him, yet also as if to herself, "At least, I think the General won."

Pei Jue’s eyebrows lifted slightly.

"You look pale, is there something wrong with you?"

Feng Yun chuckled lightly.

Pei Gou wasn’t really concerned about her health; he clearly wanted to ask her whether she felt sad seeing her old lover chasing her on horseback along the shore, whether she was upset seeing him tackled to the ground by Ping’an after being shot by an arrow...

But at that moment, she was extraordinarily numb.

It was somewhat surprising to her that Xiao Cheng had pursued them.

Such a proud and conceited man, who treasured his own cause so dearly, how could he make the grave mistake of risking his own life?

But it was merely a surprise, without any other emotion; she wouldn’t flatter herself to think that Xiao Cheng did it because of lingering affection or love.

"No," Feng Yun touched her cheek, her voice faint and calm, the corners of her lips rising with a slight smile, revealing no emotions.

"I suppose I was too worried about the General last night, I didn’t close my eyes at all, just worn out."

There was a faint blue beneath her eyes.

Pei Jue glanced at her, "Sleep then."

He turned and left, just as quietly as when he had arrived, without making any sound, but with a face of somber indifference. Feng Yun watched that retreating figure, utterly puzzled.

Was he happy,

Or not?

She could not read Pei Jue.

Yet the words just now were sincere.

Analyzed from an overall perspective, not only had Pei Jue won, but he had also won splendidly.

Xiao Cheng suffered so many losses, only to reclaim Bingzhou City, which originally belonged to him...

He must feel quite embarrassed and annoyed right now.

As it should be.

Such embarrassment and pain will only become more frequent in the future...

-

Traveling up along Ghost River to the ferry crossing of Hongye Valley, it was already past noon. The weather today was indeed fine, with the sun hanging high in the sky, scorching, adding a bit of warmth to the winter day.

The luggage and carriages were brought ashore one after another.

Supported by Xiaoman, Feng Yun disembarked first and walked to the shore.

That day, when they crossed the river here, she was full of worries, which led to the capture of Xiao Rong in the Ghost River.

Returning today, she saw that Ao Qi was alive.

All had gone smoothly.

Feng Yun saw Ao Qi, armed with a ring-headed saber, standing by on guard, and warmth filled her heart as she slowly approached.

"Guard Ao Qi."

Ao Qi turned to look at her, his lips moving, but no sound came out.

Perhaps he didn’t know what to call her?

Feng Yun smiled and asked softly, "In Hongye Valley, I saw a solitary grave; is General Zhu really..."

"Really," Ao Qi’s eyes reddened.

"Big Brother Zhu died in the line of duty."

That day, when they entered Hongye Valley and were surrounded by Han Chuhu’s renegade soldiers, the ambush was sudden, Zhu Cheng immediately had Ao Qi lead others away to save the strength of the Red Armor Army while he stayed behind to cover their retreat.

"When we withdrew, Big Brother Zhu didn’t survive his grave injuries..."

His voice was choked with emotion, but Feng Yun was puzzled.

"Wasn’t it said that Han Chuhu’s renegade soldiers didn’t betray? This time, they even ambushed the Qi Army together with the Red Armor Army?"

Ao Qi glanced at her.

"Han Xu, Hu Yi, and Chuhu long rebelled. But the Vitex Nigra Army, Green Flame Army, and Azure Dragon Army didn’t betray Uncle. By saying this, do you understand, miss?"

Feng Yun paused for a moment, "I understand now."

Ao Qi continued, "I only found out afterward that Uncle had his people in place within the Vitex Nigra Army, Green Flame Army, and Azure Dragon Army. As soon as Han Xu, Hu Yi, and Chuhu long rebelled, they were quickly controlled by Uncle’s men."

Just for that point alone, Ao Qi was impressed with Pei Jue.

Even that exchange on the warship just now made him feel inferior to Wen Xingsu; he was still too young. He knew he lacked experience; beyond feeling sad, he was just... so sad.

"Do you think I’m completely useless, miss?"

Feng Yun: "Why would I think that?"

She was still pondering why Pei Jue had prepared so extensively—not only anticipating Han Chuhu’s betrayal but even setting a trap that ensnared Xiao Cheng, leading him to believe he was assured of victory when the renegade soldiers turned their coats in an instant, catching him off guard...

If it weren’t for Han Chuhu’s betrayal, this battle wouldn’t have gone so smoothly.

Caught off guard by Ao Qi’s dejected words, she laughed.

"This time, Guard Ao Qi, you’ve indeed made great contributions. The General thinks highly of you, personally praised you, saying you have great potential and a promising future... "

Ao Qi looked up, "Really?"

The young man’s eyes were red, revealing a sense of grievance as he looked at her.

Feng Yun assured him, "Of course, it was said in public, I heard it with my own ears."

Ao Qi twitched his mouth, noting Pei Jue descending from the ship, he stepped back, "Miss, please get in the carriage quickly."

Feng Yun also noticed Pei Jue.

But she didn’t lose her composure like Ao Qi.

Ordinary interaction among the two was not enough to make her flustered.

"Alright. When we’re free later, I’d like to hear more about the ambush battle from Guard Ao Qi."

"Sure," Ao Qi said dispiritedly.

He didn’t seem at all like someone who had won a victory.

Feng Yun wanted to comfort him with a few words, but her carriage was at the front of the line, and any delay would affect the flow of the crossing troops. So she gave Ao Qi a bow and walked straight over.

As soon as she boarded the carriage, the curtains opened again.

She thought it was Daman and Xiaoman and didn’t turn around.

It was only when someone sat down beside her and their breathing became audible did she realize something was amiss.

Turning around, she saw a cold face.

"General?" Feng Yun assessed Pei Jue, "Why are you..."

Not riding a horse, but taking a carriage?

This was out of character for Pei Jue.

Pei Jue’s face was expressionless.

"Tired, just want to rest for a while."