Chapter 515: Beishuo’s Dead End, Reunion and Fury |
Beishuo City, Lord’s Great Hall
Yang Zun sat alone at the head seat. In front of him hung a green beaded curtain, and behind it the silhouettes of more than ten maidservants swayed as they tended his wounds. From within the inner room faint sobbing of women could be heard.
In the front rows below the hall stood eleven people in total. Five of them were Beishuo’s Sun Manifestation Level cultivators; the other six were Sun Manifestation Level figures who had come from Chencang, including Chu Xuanling, Chu Renjie, and Chu Qinghe.
“My lord, fifty thousand Xia troops did not camp outside the city. They split into four detachments. Twenty thousand are at the east main gate, and the other three sides each hold ten thousand. They have surrounded the city and closed to within three hundred meters of the gates!”
As Yang Rong hurried in and reported the situation of the Xia army outside the city, the already tense atmosphere in the hall grew even heavier.
Although everyone’s faces looked grim, not a single person spoke. They did not dare make any big movements, much less look up toward the beaded curtain at the head seat.
Only Chu Xuanling, who had lost both arms, repeatedly turned his head to glance at the curtain. His mouth hung slightly open, but his expression was heavy as he swallowed whatever he intended to say.
“Old Chu, if you have something to say, just say it plainly…”
Suddenly, from behind the curtain at the head seat, Yang Zun’s voice came.
The silent crowd finally all turned to look toward Chu Xuanling and the other five from Chencang.
It was obvious from the depths of their pupils that the people of Beishuo carried strong hope. They had all realized that, at this moment, the only ones who could help them were Chu Xuanling’s group.
Chu Xuanling knew exactly what the people of Beishuo were thinking. Hearing Yang Zun, he did not hesitate and spoke in a low voice: “Brother Yang, it’s been almost three days and the Chencang men still haven’t arrived. We can basically conclude He Fei was intercepted. Whether he’s alive or dead is unknown.
When I learned of the defeat at Baimu City last night, I sent Qinghe back to seek reinforcements. Qinghe is steady and skilled at concealing his movements; he likely won’t be intercepted by Great Xia again. The problem is…”
He paused slightly, then continued: “The distance is long. Even if Qinghe encounters no incident on the way, the round trip will take at least sixteen hours…”
When Chu Xuanling’s words fell, the hall immediately became deathly silent.
Saying Baimu City was defeated last night wasn’t strictly accurate, because in the Ice Abyss the break between days is at dawn and there was still over an hour before dawn now. So the defeat at Baimu City technically occurred in the earlier half of this night.
When Yang Zun fled back to Beishuo City, less than two hours had passed in the early night. Chu Qinghe left at that time as well. So from the moment he left the city to report until now, at most seven hours had passed.
A trip from Beishuo City to Chencang and back would take at least sixteen hours. Seven hours doesn’t even reach half that time.
Crucially, Chu Xuanling had said that was assuming Chu Qinghe encountered no incidents. If something went wrong, it would take even longer. Worse, if he were intercepted by Great Xia…
In an instant, the despair on the faces of Beishuo’s people deepened.
“Old Chu, I, Yang, am the Military Advisor for Yanling Commandery. Ordinarily I should not interfere with the governor’s decisions, but before marching southward the governor repeatedly ordered that Great Xia must not be allowed to annex Beishuo. You see the situation now. If aid does not arrive soon, we cannot hold back Great Xia’s forces…”
“I understand!”
Hearing the slight threat in Yang Zun’s voice, Chu Xuanling’s expression turned unpleasant. He had lost his arms in Xia City too and was just as angry inside, but thinking of Yang Zun’s two recently dead younger brothers, he suppressed his wrath and answered in a low voice: “Reinforcements cannot arrive in the short term. The Caiqiu faction won’t come to help us either. Right now we can only hold the city defensively. Beishuo’s fortifications are relatively solid; holding for a few days shouldn’t be a big problem.
The current point is to buy time…”
How long to buy?
Sixteen hours was only an estimate; who could know when Chu Qinghe would actually bring men over.
Seeing the expressions on everyone’s faces, Chu Xuanling immediately knew what they were thinking. A hint of contempt flashed in his eyes as he spoke in a low voice: “You have nearly two hundred thousand Digging Realm cultivators in the city. The Xia army would not choose to assault by night. In other words, if you hold the two daylight hours, you effectively hold for a full day.
Thirty-five thousand soldiers—what are you afraid of?”
At his words, the crowd fell momentarily silent, then turned to look at Yang Zun behind the beaded curtain, and immediately lowered their heads.
Who wasn’t afraid?
In the battle at Baimu City, Yang Fa and Yang Jian had been killed. The five great Sun Manifestation Level fighters’ fates were unknown. Twenty-five thousand troops had nearly all been lost, and their revered lord had almost been killed.
At this moment, everyone in the hall recalled the terrifying sight when Yang Zun returned in the early night with half his neck severed. A cold chill ran through their hearts.
“Beishuo will probably not be saved…”
Suddenly, Yang Zun, who had been silent for a long while, spoke.
When he did, everyone below was shocked and immediately looked up at him with puzzled confusion in their eyes.
“As your lord, I have been rooted in Chencang for many years. I have been lax in managing this town and haven’t paid much attention to you. Beishuo falling to its present fate is, in a sense, my deserved guilt…”
Yang Zun’s tone carried a trace of resignation. He supported his neck, rose from his chair, drew aside the beaded curtain, and walked out slowly. Looking at the people of Beishuo below, his gaze landed on three middle-aged men in the front row, and he said in a grave voice: “Haiwen, Dongxin, Yuhe, you three take your families and leave the city to surrender to the Xia forces! That Xia Hong is not a small-minded man. If you genuinely surrender, he will not harm you.”
“My lord, why say this? The Mo clan and Beishuo rose together; we share honor and disgrace. Haiwen will live and die with Beishuo!”
“Only through adversity does true character show. Dongxin admits he is no great man, but he will not be a little villain who betrays his lord. Don’t speak this way, my lord. Dongxin swears to live and die with Beishuo!”
“Yuhe lives as a Beishuo man, dies as a Beishuo ghost. Whether it’s town destruction or clan ruin, the Huang family has sworn loyalty to the lord for generations. We cannot break our integrity here!”
Mo Haiwen, Yu Dongxin, and Huang Yuhe—three non-Yang Sun Manifestation Level men from Beishuo—heard Yang Zun and immediately changed faces. The three spoke out passionately, refuting Yang Zun without thinking.
The Yang siblings below had been in extremely low spirits, but when they heard the three men speak, their expressions brightened a little.
Yang Zun only gave a bitter smile.
“No need for that…”
He waved his hand and shook his head. “Don’t be afraid. I did not mean to test you. I, Yang Zun, rose from humble beginnings; I’m not ignorant of the situation. Even if the two allied towns send aid, they will only bring a few Sun Manifestation Level fighters. Even if we could hold the town, it would not reverse the larger trend. Great Xia unifying the Southern Foothills is effectively decided!”
Saying this seemed to comfort Yang Zun as well. He lowered his head to look at Mo Haiwen and the others, speaking sincerely and seriously: “Haiwen, Dongxin, Yuhe, by count you are the third generation of Beishuo’s descendants. Your ancestors followed me to establish this town. Between us the emotional ties are not particularly deep. So whatever choice you make, as your lord I can accept it…”
Seeing them about to retort again, Yang Zun gestured for silence and then glanced around at the other Warmth Realm people of Beishuo. After a moment’s thought he turned to Yang Rong and continued in a low voice: “Rong’er, issue my order. Anyone in the city who wishes to surrender to Great Xia must assemble at the east gate within half an hour. After half an hour I will go to the gate to negotiate with Xia Hong and have them escort those people out.”
“My lord…”
Yang Rong’s pupils reddened; he dared not nod in assent.
Not only him, the Yang clan’s younger members’ expressions reached the utmost grief. They tried to speak but seemed to have their throats choked, unable to produce a word.
As for the non-Yang core personnel of Beishuo— from the three Sun Manifestation Level men like Mo Haiwen down to the Warmth Realm cultivators—raising their heads to look at Yang Zun, their eyes were all wet, faces full of emotion.
Gaining ten thousand jin in silver is not worth gaining Yang Zun’s promise.
This saying was a known truth across the Southern Foothills.
So at this moment no one doubted the sincerity of Yang Zun’s words. How could such a lord not move their hearts?
“My lord, we still command thirty-five thousand troops, and the city has nearly two hundred thousand Digging Realm cultivators. The Xia army is only fifty thousand. If we are of one mind, we can certainly hold the town!”
“My family has forever been indebted to the lord. How could we betray him? I will live and die with the lord and Beishuo!”
“Begging Great Xia for mercy? That is not the backbone of Beishuo’s sons! Stop saying this, my lord. I will die rather than bow to Great Xia!”
“Beishuo has stood in the Southern Foothills for over a century. What is Great Xia? I will live and die with the lord and never bow to Great Xia.”
…
In an instant, every non-Yang core person in the hall shouted in anger.
If even they responded this way, the Yang clan’s members needed no proof. Though none of them spoke, the determination in their pupils had surged many times over, and a few were even breathing heavily; their emotions had clearly risen.
“No more words. My word is final. Since I said it, it must be done. Half an hour is the limit. Consider this the one path of life I leave for the town’s people. Go and carry it out!”
Yang Zun was not swayed by the statements in the hall. He waved his hand and ordered Yang Rong to go deliver the order.
Though reluctant, Yang Rong knew his lord’s temper. He cupped his hands and bowed, then unwillingly left.
“Dawn is still more than an hour away. Half an hour to assemble, then half an hour to negotiate with the Xia troops to let them leave the city—this should be about right…”
After saying this, Yang Zun turned back toward the curtain, sat down wearily in his chair, and said with a heavy face: “The Xia army will certainly attack after dawn. Notify the city defenders to prepare! All of you leave now. Let me be alone.”
Everyone in the hall, including Chu Xuanling and the household maidservants who had been treating Yang Zun’s wounds, quickly left the great hall.
Once they left, the hall fell silent.
From behind the curtain came an eerily intense wailing.
“Third Brother, Second Brother, Big Brother will avenge you. Xia Hong… Xia Hong, I will kill you, I will kill you, aaaaaa…”
…
Beishuo City, east main gate, the snowy plain three hundred meters away.
Dozens of huge bonfires roared, flames leaping ten meters high. Thick smoke stained the night sky dark gray. Snowflakes had long since been driven away by the heat; the surrounding cold currents could not penetrate.
Countless armored elite Xia troops had arrayed themselves before the gate.
Several golden command banners shimmered in the bonfire light. Not a single soldier spoke. The massive army made nothing but the sound of banners flapping and the occasional clang of armor when soldiers shifted. No other sound could be heard.
The atmosphere was utterly grim and deadly!
“Daddy, A-Yao misses you so much…”
Yet oddly, from the front of this grim formation came a little girl’s slightly excited, coquettish voice.
There was an open-air commander’s platform set before the army lines.
The platform was square, about five or six meters high and roughly fifty meters wide. Over a hundred armored officers stood behind Xia Chuan, looking excitedly at the head seat, faces full of enthusiasm.
Seated at the head seat was of course Xia Hong.
But Xia Hong’s attention wasn’t on the faces of his officers. It was entirely on his eldest daughter, Xia Yuyao, cradled in his arms.
Not having seen her for three years, Xia Yuyao’s startling growth left Xia Hong somewhat dazed.
She wore a deep-blue Xia-style flowing celestial silk dress patterned with silver-cloud embroidery and phoenix motifs, the hem adorned with five or six strings of pale-blue tassels. Despite the noble finery, it did not overwhelm her delicate little face.
Though not yet ten, under a small silver Xuanluan crown her pretty, fine-featured face was exceptionally striking. She resembled his wife Li Xuanling in some ways but had more mischief and innocence—more approachability than Li Xuanling.
But appearance was secondary.
Before she had even thrown herself into his arms, Xia Hong sensed that his eldest daughter’s base strength had already reached 280,000 jin.
His mind stirred and he glanced at Li Xuanling, who was holding their younger son Xia Yusheng. He was also slightly startled.
“Over 260,000 jin. Both of my children are heading toward 300,000 jin. Might they surpass me someday?”
“You finally came back…”
A slightly aggrieved voice pulled Xia Hong’s thoughts back. Seeing Li Xuanling’s eyes glistening slightly, his heart softened and guilt crossed his face.
Being away for over three years had not been his original plan. Even with a spiritual tablet present, Li Xuanling could not rest fully given how dangerous the Ice Abyss was. In such times of not seeing him, how could she not worry?
Moreover, the Southern Foothills were far from peaceful. When he left three years ago Great Xia had not seemed like it did now. Li Xuanling must have had her hands full dealing with northern towns back then.
“Xia Chuan told me, Xuanling, that these three years have been hard on you!”
Hearing Xia Hong’s solemn tone and remorse, Li Xuanling’s nose ached and much of her resentment and anger immediately ebbed. Knowing a great battle was imminent, she did not pursue the subject further. She released their son’s hand and gently nudged him forward.
“You always nag him about his father. Now that he’s back, you stand there like a fool. Learn from your sister!”
Hearing his mother, Xia Yusheng’s face flushed. He stiffened for a moment, then walked to Xia Hong, cupped his hands, and bowed: “Sheng’er salutes father.”
A son is still a son. At nine or ten he was at the age of learning manners and slowly becoming more mature.
Although Xia Hong knew this day would come, seeing Xia Yusheng bow made him realize he had missed his son’s last pure childhood moments over the three years he’d been away, and a faint melancholy crept in.
Sighing softly, he found some comfort in his daughter in his arms. He looked at his son, thought for a moment, and asked in a low voice: “Your uncle said you’ve been depressed these three days, hiding in the Star Gathering Hall. Were you frightened? Do you really intend to not leave Xia City until you break through Sun Manifestation Level?”
Hearing this, Xia Yusheng’s expression instantly dimmed. His pupils reddened and he nodded slightly, whispering: “Sheng’er did not plan to come tonight, but I miss father so much, so I…”
Boys can say “I miss my father,” and that is almost unprecedented. Embarrassed, Xia Yusheng trailed off.
Seeing his son’s demeanor, Xia Hong’s heart softened further. Memories of times his child had flung into his arms flashed by. He gently touched his son’s forehead and said softly: “I’ve heard about the Tiger Nursing Forest incident from your uncle. It wasn’t your fault. You were merely a trigger…”
At his father’s words, Xia Yusheng’s nose burned. The grievances he had held back for days surged up and he nearly burst into tears.
“Over these years your mother kept you and your sister inside Xia Palace and wouldn’t let you go anywhere. You probably had resentment. Through this incident you will understand better.
As my descendants, you will inevitably receive a lot of attention. Among those who watch you, some mean well and some mean harm. You must learn to tell them apart. Having the resolve not to leave Xia City until you break Sun Manifestation Level is admirable. I respect it from the bottom of my heart. Yet…”
Xia Hong paused, then fixed his gaze on Xia Chuan and the armored officers behind him. His tone hardened with sharpness as he shifted: “Whether you can go out of Xia City is no longer just your matter!
Great Xia spans a vast territory with countless citizens constantly on the move. The Tiger Nursing Forest incident served as a wake-up call. If my descendants cannot move safely within our borders, if they cannot even leave Xia City, what of everyone else’s safety?”
Anger clearly threaded Xia Hong’s words. He glanced toward Beishuo City and continued in an ever lower voice: “They dared to lay hands on your ideas; imagine what they would do to others. If we do not give these petty criminals a deep lesson, Great Xia will never see peace again!”
Since his arrival in this world, Xia Hong’s stance toward the weak and vulnerable had been consistent. In this harsh winter world, if such groups are not given assistance, humanity’s fate would be bleak.
Supporting the weak is the foundation for population growth and the most vital reassurance for human survival in this frozen world.
On a grand scale, it is the first step in reconstructing human civilization; on a smaller scale, any camp that stops caring for the weak risks collapse.
With this mindset, when Xia Hong annexed or attacked other camps he typically struck only the chief culprits and perhaps punished their families. For the vast majority of ordinary people he encouraged integration into Great Xia.
For anyone to lay hands on a child under ten and mobilize as many as twenty-three Sun Manifestation Level fighters—that was absolutely intolerable and unacceptable in Xia Hong’s view.
If this became common practice, everyone would be fearful. Young people would hide in their cities. How could camps continue to grow?
If this continued, what hope would the human race have?
Yang Jian had essentially sought his own death from the moment he appeared outside Xia City and attacked Xia Yusheng. But his death alone would not be enough for Xia Hong to firmly establish this rule—it was only the beginning.
Yang Jian likely led the affair; the other twenty-two Sun Manifestation Level fighters had come from the two allied towns of Chencang and Caiqiu. Seventeen of them had been killed that night during the rescue. Subtract Yang Jian and that leaves five survivors.
Those five, and Yang Zun—none of them would be allowed to escape…
Refocusing, Xia Hong turned to the officers below and named one directly:
“Xiao Kangcheng.”
“I am here, my lord!”
“You said just now those five who fled are located where?”
Xiao Kangcheng had already come from Zhongyang Camp. Last night he and Mu Longhe successfully hunted down Yang Qin and Yang Ping, then went to Baimu City to report. Hearing of the lord’s return, he had come ahead of the rest.
“My lord, there are two of them inside Beishuo City. The remaining three, judging by direction, are in Yangju Town. They should be from Caiqiu.”
His Soul-Seeping Incense had an excellent tracking effect. When they pursued that group that night he had already tampered with them. He did not know each of the five by name or exact identity, but he knew their locations as clearly as his palm.
“Beat the drums, sound the muster, and notify the other three army detachments to prepare to assault the city…”
“Reported!”
As Xia Hong finished speaking, a Dragon Garrison Captain runner dashed in from outside with a golden sealed letter in hand. He bowed and said, “Lord, forgive my interruption. A letter has been delivered from Beishuo’s lord Yang Zun.”
The runner knew he had interrupted the lord and first apologized before handing the document forward.
Xia Chuan stepped forward, opened and inspected the letter, and, seeing no immediate problem, placed it before Xia Hong.
Xia Hong read the letter and his expression darkened subtly. Then he pushed the document toward the center of the table for Xia Chuan, Xu Ning, and the others to read.
Everyone crowded around the table. Reading the contents, their faces showed astonishment, caution, suspicion, disdain, and deep thought in turn… in short, a variety of expressions.
“This Yang Zun is indeed not simple…”