Night fell. South of Zhuxian Town, there were bailiffs gathering on the riverbank. In the light of the torches, a blood-red color floated down from upstream, followed by corpses.
Not far from the road, there were residents and pedestrians in twos and threes. Seeing this scene, most of them panicked.
At this time, not many people knew what had happened in the north. Only in the evening, someone had seen a figure covered in blood riding a horse. The bailiffs from a small town nearby came over and saw the scene in the water. For a moment, they were frightened.
This was the only time they had seen such a scene in the capital region, and it hadn't been long. Last autumn, when the Female Zhenren came, the river was also red. But the Female Zhenren had just left … Did she come back?
For a moment, there was a small commotion nearby.
…
On the horizon, the last embers of the setting sun were gone. The wilderness was filled with the smell of blood.
In the black silhouette, there were sometimes sounds of sobbing. When Chen Jianyu drowsily sat up from the ground, his hand was sticky. It was something that flowed out from the nearby corpses — he didn't know which section of internal organs it was.
An intense pain passed through his head. His body trembled. "Ah, ah …" It wasn't a laugh, but a suppressed cry.
Corpses were everywhere.
Even the heroes of the Lulin Forest who roamed Jianghu and had experienced killing for a long time might not have seen such a scene — he had heard similar stories before — when the Female Zhenren came, the battlefield had truly become a battlefield of slaughter. To be able to make such a big name for himself in the Lulin Forest, he had experienced many killing formations and seen many dead people, but he had never seen such a scene. When he heard about the scene of the battle with the Female Zhenren, he also couldn't remember the scene clearly. But now, he could roughly guess.
People of the Lulin Forest had their own way of traveling Jianghu. Selling to the royal family was one way, and not getting involved in official matters was another way. No matter how powerful a person was, he couldn't stop an army. This was the common understanding of ordinary people. But the feeling of not being able to stop an army was completely different from the feeling of actually facing an army one day.
When he saw the pale-faced man on the hill, Chen Jianyu had thought about whether he should find an excuse to challenge him first. That monk was called the number one in the world. His martial arts might be really powerful, but ever since he started his cultivation, he had never been afraid of anyone. If he wanted to walk the narrow road and become famous, he had to take a ruthless gamble. Moreover, the other party might not be able to do anything to him due to his identity.
Then, a thousand riders appeared, their weapons surging forward like a huge wave.
Even Number One in the World could only flee in the crowd. The rest of the people were swept into the wave of killing. At that moment, the night wind that permeated the air seemed to be sticky! More and more people were dragged into the battle, and their screams resounded throughout the dusk. There were also some who saw that they couldn't escape and wanted to turn around to fight, but before they could finish their words, they were sent flying by the galloping horses. At the other end of the field of vision, there were even people who had rushed over after seeing the fireworks. They stared dumbfoundedly for a moment before joining the fleeing crowd.
He was knocked into the air by a galloping horse, and then knocked unconscious by its hooves. The galloping cavalrymen had only stepped on his body twice, and the injuries were all on his left thigh. Now that the bones in his leg were broken and his tentacles were badly mangled, he understood that he was already a cripple. Sobbing, he struggled to straighten his legs. Not far away, faint sobbing sounds could be heard.
The people who had come were all men of the pugilistic world. Men of the pugilistic world would not easily shed tears. If it wasn't because they were in extreme pain, grief, and helplessness, they probably wouldn't be able to hear such sounds.
Regarding the killings in the pugilistic world, as well as the fights in the arena, and all sorts of accidents, they were already mentally prepared for anything that might happen. It was only today that they had really been dragged into it. To put it bluntly, they were just bystanders in this pugilistic world battle. To put it more deeply, everyone wanted to make a name for themselves, but they didn't even have the time to do anything. The Great Radiant Sect's Sect Leader had led his followers over, and the other party had blocked them. Even if both parties were to fight, it would just be a fight. At most, they would just get hurt, and then they would take action to teach the other party a lesson.
However, there was nothing. With so many people, there was no way out.
Perhaps it was the same for the Great Radiant Sect's Sect Leader. This was really not a game at their level. Faced with such a battle formation, Number One in the World could only flee at the first instant. Thinking of that pale-faced young man and then thinking of the provocation a few days ago, Chen Jianyu felt vexed. However, he didn't understand. It was just a matter like this. He and the others had only come to the capital to fight for their reputation and status. Even if they had offended someone, why would they end up like this …
The light spots flickered. Not far away, the person who had started crying waved his hand and turned on a fire starter. The light gradually brightened, illuminating the face that was covered in blood and also a small area in the surroundings. Chen Jianyu looked at the light and wanted to say something for a moment. However, with a pfft, he heard an arrow flying toward the chest of the person in the circle of light. That person fell and the fire starter fell to the ground. Although it had clearly dimmed a few times, it was finally extinguished.
In the distance, the figure of a horse silently walked a few steps in the darkness. The person named Yuwen Feidu looked at the extinguished light, then pulled out an arrow from his back and nocked it on the bowstring.
In the darkness, there were still vague figures waiting quietly, preparing to shoot the survivors or those who had come to collect the corpses.
In the north, the cavalry had already left and was on the way back to the military camp. A group of people dragged a simple cart and passed through Zhuxian Town. Ning Yi walked in the crowd, and there was an old man's body on the cart.
The stars in the sky were dim. Looking around, he saw that he was surrounded by the land of Bianliang. Several chief arresters hurried back to Bianliang City, but there was still a group of people following them. It didn't matter anymore.
In the surrounding fields and hills, there were figures hiding in the dark, watching from afar, or following them for a while. Not long after, they disappeared into the original darkness.
Bianliang City. All kinds of news came, and the atmosphere in the whole upper class was tense. A storm was brewing, and it could break out at any moment.
*****
In the mansion, Tong Guan had lost his temper twice, which was rare. When the servants ran in, they were prepared for him to lose his temper for the third time. However, such a scene did not happen.
"… Qin, Qin Siyuan is … is dead."
Even though he was a servant from the army, it took him some effort to finish this sentence. Tong Guan held a pair of iron balls in his hands, stopped moving, and blinked his eyes. Obviously, he had expected this, but after the matter was confirmed, he was stunned for a moment.
Then he exhaled and said in a low voice, "Dead? Killed by Lin Zongwu? "
"Your Highness, no, he and his wife and concubine committed suicide by taking poison."
"Suicide." Tong Guan repeated, and after a while, he said, "What about his son? What about Qin Shaoqian?"
The servant answered this question. Hearing the answer, Tong Guan nodded slowly. He walked to the side and sat on a chair. "Old Qin, this person is really … always doing well, but in the end … he accepted good advice without resistance …"
However, he also knew in his heart that this was because Qin Siyuan had blocked his own path of retreat through a series of extreme actions. Just as he was about to sigh, someone came in hurriedly.
"Report! General Han Jing has entered the city! "
"Oh, he has entered the city. Where are his soldiers?"
"I heard that they are on the way back to the barracks."
Tong Guan pursed his lips and frowned. "… He still dares to return to the city." Then he sighed, and the expression on his face became even more complicated.
"General Han went directly to the palace. It is said that he personally went to ask for forgiveness from His Majesty."
"I know." Tong Guan put down the two iron balls in his hands and stood up. He seemed to be talking to himself. "He's back … really … His Majesty can't kill him …"
After hearing the news of the Lu Liang volunteer army, Tong Guan's reaction was the most furious. Admittedly, he was a general who had often lost his temper over the years. But some of his anger was fake, and this time it was real. But after hearing that the cavalry had returned, his tone clearly became somewhat complicated. At this time, Tan Zhen, Li Bingwen, and the others had already entered the palace. Nominally, he was no longer in charge of the army. After a while, he walked straight out of the garden, his expression complicated. No one knew what he was thinking.
In the palace, Zhou Zhe raised his gaze from behind his desk and looked at the kneeling Han Jing.
"Do you think we can't kill you?"
"This subject knows that I have sinned and must die. Your Majesty, please punish me and grant me death."
Zhou Zhe frowned and stood up. Just now, he had strode in from outside the hall, sat behind the desk, and buried his head in a report before speaking. Now, he came out from behind the desk and pointed a finger at Han Jing. His eyes were full of anger, his fingers trembling, and his mouth opened twice.
He didn't expect that the other party wouldn't even say a word to defend himself. To kill or not to kill, this was the question.
"You." He controlled his tone. "Tell us everything clearly!"
"This subject knows that I have sinned and failed Your Majesty. This matter concerns military law. Han Jing does not want to be someone who quibbles and shirks responsibility. But this matter concerns only Han Jing. I hope that Your Majesty will consider the merit of the Lu Liang cavalry in protecting the city and only bestow death on Han Jing! "
"You bastard!" Zhou Zhe roared. "Protecting the city is meritorious. Are you using the merit to threaten us? Speak! To kill you or not is our business. Right now, we want to know what happened! "
Han Jing knelt on the ground and was silent for a while. "We, the people of Lu Liang, left the camp this time only to kill for a personal grudge."
"Fine, a death sentence!" Zhou Zhe said.
"We are here to kill the leader of the Great Radiant Cult, Lin Zongwu."
"Humph." Zhou Zhe snorted. "I have heard of this person. How big of a grudge did he have with you, that he wants all of you to kill your way out?! "
Han Jing fell silent again. After a while, he said, "Your Majesty, do you know what kind of days we, the people of Lu Liang, have gone through?"
"… Deep in the mountains and forests, the land is barren, and the crops that we grow are not much. We are near the Yanmen Pass, right at the border. The Liao people come every year to harvest grass and grain. Every time they come, people die. Not only do they die, but the food that is not enough to eat is also taken away. Since young, every year, I have seen people around me freeze to death, starve to death, or be killed. Your Majesty, in the past few decades, Han Jing has committed all kinds of crimes. I have killed people, and when I am hungry, I have eaten people. The people of Lu Liang Mountain are not only killed by the people outside, but the people inside also have to kill each other. This is because there is only so little food. If people don't die, how can they survive? The people outside say that they live happily by the Fen River, live together in the southeast of Jin, and cry in Lu Liang Mountain. Even if they die, they will not cross the Yanmen Pass. Your Majesty, my mother starved to death. When people are about to starve to death, they can't cry even if they want to … "
"That's enough." Hearing Han Jing say these words slowly, he frowned and waved his hand. "What does this have to do with you secretly leaving the camp to seek revenge!"
Han Jing paused for a while. "Lu Liang Mountain only became better after the First Leader came. The First Leader is a woman, but in order to save people, she ran around everywhere. She persuaded us to join forces and do business with the people around us. In the end, we saved a village. Your Majesty, this is all. However, only we know the hardships that the First Leader experienced. She went through more than just risking her life. Han Jing will not hide it from Your Majesty. During the most difficult time, we also did illegal things in the village. We did business with the Liao people. We transported some ceramics, calligraphy and paintings to sell, just for some food … "
"I'm afraid you also transported ironware." Zhou Zhe said.
"There are not many ironware in the mountain. In order to protect ourselves, we kept what we had for ourselves. This is the foundation of our survival. Without it, we can't survive even if we have food. Moreover, we hate the Liao people the most. Every year, when we harvest grass and grain, countless people die in the hands of the Liao people. The First Leader's teacher also died when he tried to assassinate a general of the Liao people. Because of this, when Your Majesty took charge of the war against the Liao people, everyone in the village applauded and cheered. You could also take us in. We have a military system, which is also to make it easier to buy food from the outside world. However, we have never forgotten about these things. Later, when we heard that the Jurchen people were heading south, with the support of the elders in the village, we also headed south. "
"… It's not easy for you guys either." Zhou Zhe nodded and said.
"It's not easy to survive in the desolate mountains. Everyone in the Green Wood Village remembers the First Leader's kindness. Although she is a woman, to us, it's not an exaggeration to say that she gave birth to our parents and raised us. Two years ago, Lin Zongwu came to the mountain and said he wanted to do business with us. We naturally welcomed him. Later, he wanted to take control of Mount Lu Liang. He wanted to compete with the First Leader because he was skilled in martial arts. Actually, we live in the wilderness and fight on the battlefield. It's normal for us to use our swords to survive. If we lose our lives, it's just fate. However, now that our days are better, how can we let the First Leader risk her life for us again? "
Zhou Zhe said, "It's not bad for you to think this way. What happened next? "
"We tried to dissuade him, but the First Leader, in order to make things easier and not be forced too much, decided to take action." Han Jing knelt there and took a deep breath. "That monk used despicable methods and injured the First Leader, causing him to vomit blood. Then, he left. Your Majesty, this is a great humiliation to the Green Wood Village. Therefore, when he appeared today, we had to kill him. However, I know that it's a big crime for an army to leave the camp without permission. I don't regret killing that monk, I only regret betraying Your Majesty. Please punish me, Your Majesty. "
The imperial study quieted down. Zhou Zhe clasped his hands behind his back, thoughts flashing in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he turned his head and looked at Han Jing.
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