From the hillside, he could see that the town was in a state of panic. The wind blew from afar, bringing with it a cold chill. There was a faint smell of blood. Pei Zi Yun waved his hand, and a bright light flashed. The blood stains on his body faded away, and he was clean once again.
After this, Pei Zi Yun looked at Zhang Ling, who was rushing towards him. Zhang Ling could not help but shiver as she bowed and smiled apologetically.
Pei Zi Yun did not speak for a moment. He retrieved an oilcloth and opened it up. It was a rice ball. Although it looked simple, each rice ball was plump and full. There was also some beef jerky inside. After he finished eating, he then said, "Han Zi Yuan is dead. The nearest person to us is You Ji General Shi Pu.
"This person has recently taken over Bai Tai County. However, he has a thousand soldiers under his command, and the situation is tense. It's impossible for him to stay in a county. Besides, he doesn't know that I've killed Han Zi Yuan."
"Bring me a map." Pei Zi Yun frowned as he thought for some time before instructing Zhang Ling.
When Zhang Ling heard this, she hurriedly retrieved a map from her luggage and handed it to Pei Zi Yun. Pei Zi Yun took it and looked at it, deep in thought.
"There are many dangers in the county, and only the waterways are safe. Shi Pu will have to pass through here to get back to the county, Gale Ferry." Pei Zi Yun pointed at the river with his finger, his expression cold, "I shall wait there, and kill him in one fell swoop."
"True Sovereign, what do you need us to do?" Zhang Ling stepped forward and asked in a humble tone.
With such power, how could anyone not feel hopeless? Not only that, but with such power, they would also be able to support him. As long as they could get some benefits, they would be able to rise in ranks and become rich.
"All you have to do is to contact the government officials and provide me with logistical support and intelligence. As for the rest, I will handle it myself." Pei Zi Yun looked at the map and said.
"Yes." Zhang Ling swallowed her saliva as she replied. However, her heart was not calm. Pei Zi Yun was prepared to handle everything himself. Was he trying to show off his power to the government?
Gale Ferry
Raindrops fell from the ferry, hitting the surface of the river and creating countless ripples. The surrounding hills withered and turned yellow. Withered leaves danced in the wind and rain as they fell into the river. From time to time, fish would leap up and fall back into the water.
On the hillside, a Daoist official in his thirties with a cold expression and thin lips exuded an austere aura. He was looking down from a high vantage point near Gale Ferry. From this vantage point, he could see the entire region.
After an unknown period of time, there was a faint movement in the distance. The Dao official's thick eyebrows slightly raised. He pressed his hand on the hilt of his sword and lowered his body to take a look.
Below them was a group of King Lu's army. Their banners were bright and clear, and they stood tall and proud. The one leading them was Shi Pu. The Daoist official was elated when he saw this. He retrieved a talisman which lit up.
"Ta Ta" The sound of the armored soldiers moving forward startled many birds in the forest and caused them to fly up. In the rain, the bodyguards escorted the general forward. Occasionally, someone would fall into the muddy water, but they would immediately jump up and continue on their way.
Shi Pu rode on a tall horse, looking like a weak scholar. Only his eyebrows were slightly raised, revealing a grave and murderous aura that only a general could have. Behind him was an endless stream of infantrymen, numbering more than a thousand.
All of a sudden, a horse galloped towards them. The horse was covered in mud and water. Just as the horse steadied itself, a bodyguard dismounted and saluted Shi Pu, "General, we've split up to search the area. There aren't any enemies lying in ambush."
"It's just that the water level at Gale Ferry has risen, and the temporary wooden bridge has collapsed. There's only one boat."
Shi Pu stopped his horse and stared at the bodyguard, "What happened to the boat?"
"I've asked the ferryman at the ferry. He said that General Liang Wu Yuan had sent the boat to transport the grain." When Shi Pu heard this, he frowned and didn't speak. He looked at the distance and spoke to the bodyguard, "Let's go and take a look."
As he spoke, dozens of riders galloped forward and arrived at Gale Ferry. They then saw that the water was pouring down, and the ferryman was exhausted as he saluted them.
Shi Pu gazed at the other side of the river, and could see that there were people on the other side of the river. They seemed to be shouting. Around them were reeds that had withered and turned yellow. Shi Pu turned around and asked, "Who's that?"
"General, they're from our ferry as well. It's just that the wooden bridge has collapsed. We're still investigating. But there's only one boat left. What do you think?"
Shi Pu looked up at the darkening sky before turning around and spoke to his deputy general, "One boat is fine. Send a few hundred men over to check the surroundings. This is to prevent anyone from ambushing us."
These were the words of an experienced man. The deputy general hurriedly complied and arranged for his men to cross the river.
The ferry wasn't too big, but it could fit up to a hundred people. The ferryman shouted as the boat slowly crossed the river. In less than a minute, they had arrived at the other side of the river.
The foot soldiers and scouts disembarked and checked the surroundings. Seeing that there weren't any signs of enemy activity, the foot soldiers then waited in formation. The boat then sailed back. After a few more rounds, another two hundred men crossed the river and were confirmed to be safe.
The deputy general then turned around and spoke, "General, there aren't any ambushes on the other side. Furthermore, the autumn rain is too cold. If you stay in the rain for too long, it will hurt your body. There's a relay station on the other side of the river. You should change your clothes and warm yourself.
Shi Pu acknowledged and boarded the boat. Since he was an important person, he couldn't be as cramped as the soldiers. There was plenty of space left. Even so, there were still fifty soldiers guarding the boat. Some of them were in charge of rowing the oars.
"I originally thought that your highness would be able to resolve this crisis, and that we would be crushed. Who knew that the Imperial Army wouldn't be able to withstand our attacks, and were forced to retreat. It seems like your highness is truly destined to be invincible." Shi Pu stepped onto the deck and sighed.
When the deputy general heard these words, he laughed, "Yes, your highness. Every time there's a war in the army, there will be many talented people. The general's lieutenant, Han Zi Yuan, is a talent as well. It's just that he's a little cruel."
"Haha, although I'm a scholar, I understand this logic!" Hearing the deputy general's words, Shi Pu laughed, "Desperate times call for desperate people. As long as we can win, what's a little cruel?"
"General, you're right." The deputy general smiled. King Lu had won so many battles, and those who followed him would naturally have a bright future ahead of them.
On the surface of the river, a bird swooped down and picked up a fish before flying off into the distance. On the shore of the river, there was a huge patch of reeds, which had turned yellow and withered.
At this point, there was a small boat that was about the length of a person. Pei Zi Yun was standing on it as he watched Shi Pu's arrangements. He then laughed, "He's very cautious. However, his fate is sealed. What else can he do?"
As he spoke, he tapped his foot on the small boat. Like a sailboat, there wasn't any resistance as it broke through the waves.
He couldn't see anyone on the boat for a while. Shi Pu then thought about Count Zhong Qin and asked the deputy general, "I've heard that Count Zhong Qin has died. Who do you think killed him?"
When the deputy general heard this, he laughed coldly, "King Lu is the true Son of Heaven. This Count Zhong Qin was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, and went against King Lu. He deserved to die."
He then paused for sometime before saying, "However, there are rumors that Pei Zi Yun was the one who killed him. It's said that Count Zhong Qin was loyal to the throne, and was suspicious of Pei Zi Yun. Hence, the two of them had a grudge against each other."
When Shi Pu heard the deputy general's words, he nodded his head before shaking his head, "The rumors are all nonsense. Although Pei Zi Yun is a Daoist, he's someone who has passed the Imperial Examinations. He understands the rules and has a good reputation. Why would he commit such a heinous crime?"
"General, many Daoists know demonic arts. It's said that if you have a weapon in your heart, you will have the desire to kill. If I were to say something wrong, Mister Xie also used a demonic art to gain the King's favor."
"Actually, this is a violation of the rules." When the deputy general saw that there was no one else around, he then spoke out softly, "General, in terms of military rank, I am your deputy general. In terms of relationships, I am your brother-in-law. I know that you've always admired Pei Zi Yun, but times have changed. You're now King Lu's You Ji General, and have a bright future ahead of you."
"And Pei Zi Yun killed Mister Xie, and was hated by the King. I can't speak up for him. Besides, this person is a Daoist, and a True Sovereign. He's not of the same race, and has a different heart. Who knows, he might really commit such a heinous crime."
"Yes, you're right. Life is hard to predict!" Shi Pu pondered for a long time, then laughed bitterly, "I was originally a scholar, and my family was even more scholarly. But who would have thought that my family's fortunes would fall, and I would become a blood-soaked soldier."
"General, aren't you also a member of a large family now? You're already a fifth ranked official, and you're even faster than the Imperial Examinations. When King Lu ascends the throne, you'll definitely be given a title. We don't wish to be a Marquis, but rather an Earl. Wouldn't it be better to teach our children to read and write?"
The deputy general smiled as he tried to persuade Shi Pu. Hearing these words, Shi Pu sighed and didn't reply. He then recited,
"Life's pleasures must be exhausted, don't let the golden goblet face the moon emptily."
"Everything I'm born with has its uses. Even after a thousand gold is gone, I'll come back."
As he finished, he sighed, "What a good poem. Such a rare talent that only appears once every few hundred years, is he going to end up like a prostitute? Now that we're all serving different masters, if we were to face off against each other, it would be hard to imagine. "
"King Lu is the Son of Heaven. Even Pei Zi Yun is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. He won't have a good ending." The deputy general spoke. At this point, the surface of the river became turbulent, as a black dot appeared in the distance. Someone on the boat shouted, "Who's there? Don't come any closer!"
This sudden turn of events attracted everyone's attention. Many of the soldiers on the boat had already drawn their weapons. They saw a small boat without any wind or sails, and yet it was moving like an arrow. In an instant, it had closed the distance between them and the boat. There was a person on the boat. Although they couldn't see his face clearly, they could see his clothes fluttering in the wind.
Seeing that his shouts were ineffective, the deputy general's face fell. He looked around and shouted, "Archers, get into formation."
The person on the boat had appeared too suddenly. If this person wasn't an assassin, then what was he? Even if he wasn't an assassin, he would still die if he got close to the boat.
As he spoke, the boat shot forward like an arrow. It was only about two hundred feet away from the boat. After a moment of panic, the archers stood by the side of the boat. The sound of a mechanism could be heard as the bowstring was pulled taut. The arrow tip gleamed coldly.
The bodyguards were all dressed in sharp armor as they surrounded the general, ready to fight at any moment.
Seeing the boat getting closer and closer, the deputy general's expression turned solemn. How strong must the person be to be able to step on the boat like an arrow? Or could it be a Daoist?
"Yes, it's a Daoist!" As he got closer, he could clearly see the assassin's attire. The deputy general suddenly understood Count Zhong Qin. These Daoists had strange skills and were able to confuse the Emperor or assassinate the general. They were the most dangerous people in the world, and were even more dangerous than the rangers.
As these thoughts flashed past his mind, the deputy general shouted, "Get ready, fire!"
As he gave the order, "Buzz buzz!" The sound of bowstrings being fired rang out incessantly. Although there were only ten of them, they were all fired at the same time. It was like a black cloud, carrying with it the aura of death.
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