Chapter 53 (First published on Jinjiang Literature City)

Chapter 53

Perhaps Lin Rong, in matters of military intelligence and warfare, would also, like other mortals with ordinary eyes, idolize Pei Zan, believing him to be invincible and unbeatable.

She never imagined that one day, the South would be breached by an extremely fierce enemy army.

It is currently the cold month of October.

The first snow fell from the sky, and the white snowflakes landed on the broken walls, scattered limbs, and shattered homes. The snowflakes melted little by little, turning the ground into a pool of blood.

Those barbaric and domineering enemy troops attacking the city were not the Wei army, who were also from the Central Plains, but rather the uncivilized Tibetan barbarians from the border regions.

Logically speaking, since Qingzhou borders Liangzhou, if it wanted to reach the south and launch a powerful attack on the city, it would at least have to break through the Liangzhou passes before it could penetrate deep into the heart of Wei.

Little did they know that Liangzhou and Longzhou had been given to the new Tibetan Khan, Chide Atai, by Wei Jun Chen Wenjin half a month ago under the guise of "marriage dowry"!

Now, the Lianglong area has been invaded by small foreign countries and has become a land of suffering and destitution. Local officials, upon hearing the news, have already taken their families with them. Who would be willing to stay and suffer the oppression of these barbarians?

Without the border troops to guard the city, the Tibetan barbarians suddenly entered the territory, wielding their swords and hacking and slashing, making the siege as easy as walking on flat ground.

They burned, killed, looted, raped women and children, and slaughtered able-bodied men. In just a few days, Liangzhou became a horrific hell of devastation!

The barbarian soldiers, fed by the military supplies left behind in the border town, grew strong and powerful, and their killing instincts intensified.

The Tibetan people were not good at farming, and they had been fond of killing and cruelty since ancient times, specializing in plunder. The abundant resources of Liang and Long prefectures made them greedy and tempted them to take up their swords and attack the prosperous southern land!

Qingzhou, bordering Liangzhou, was the first to bear the brunt of the war and its devastation.

Eighty thousand elite Tibetan cavalrymen overthrew the mountain and attacked the southern pass. However, Pei Zan had led his army north on a long expedition for six months, leaving only forty thousand troops to guard the southern region. How could they possibly be a match for the Tibetan cavalry?

Even though Pei Zan had planned everything meticulously, he never expected that Chen Wenjin would lose his mind, lose all sense of shame, and become so despicable as to commit such an act of "betraying the people of Wei and ceding territory to sell out the country"!

This man is unworthy of being human; he is utterly despicable and lowly. He actually handed over the country to the barbarians to trample on!

The people of the South knew perfectly well that Chen Wenjin's power was waning. In order to defeat Pei Zan, he deliberately flattered and pleased the Tibetans, enticing these uncivilized barbarians to attack the South from both sides, destroy the six prefectures that Pei Zan had pacified, and cut off his supply lines.

This would create an opportunity to annihilate the Pei family's troops.

Lin Rong, holding the infant Pei Jiashu, boarded the carriage.

In order to protect Pei Zan's wife, the guards escorted her all the way, attempting to break through the encirclement and escort the young master and his wife to Xuzhou, far away from the war in Liangzhou.

Qingzhou is the first pass in the south, and it will be razed to the ground by the brave and skilled Tibetan cavalry in less than two days. They cannot allow Pei Zan's wife and children to die here!

The carriage curtain swayed, and bursts of blood-red light shot into the carriage.

Hearing those mournful cries that sounded like an endless hell, Lin Rong felt a chill run down her spine.

But Pei Jiashu, who was more than four months old in her arms, was oblivious. He was rarely carried by his mother when going out, and he thought that Lin Rong was taking him out to play. He just grinned and giggled at his mother.

Looking at Yu Xue's adorable son, Lin Rong felt a pang of sadness for some reason. Her eyes reddened and tears rolled down her cheeks.

Hot tears fell onto Pei Jiashu's round little face. Perhaps it was the bond between mother and child, but the child sensed Lin Rong's sadness and frowned and pouted.

Lin Rong lowered her head, kissed her son, and gently coaxed him, "Yu Nu, don't cry, Mother is here."

Lin Rong hugged Pei Jiashu even tighter. She wiped away her tears and forced back her sorrow and fear as she looked at the horrifying scene of blood-soaked grass and mountains of white bones.

She watched as the barbarian with deep-set eyes and a high nose rode by, wielding a scimitar and weaving through the hordes of screaming, panicked people.

Their horses' hooves were stained with blood, trampling on the flesh and blood of their compatriots. Their golden eyes were as sharp as hawks', and they casually grabbed several fair-skinned and beautiful young girls, tearing their clothes and breaking their bodies on horseback!

The Zheng family, the Wu family, the Zhang family... all the prominent families in the prefecture sent troops to help, but with so many troops gathered together, the enemy outnumbered us and we were far from enough to drive out the barbarian troops!

Unless Pei Zan abandons his ambition to become king and immediately recalls his troops to the city, even if Pei Zan were willing to give up the throne that was within his grasp, it would still take more than ten days to reach the southern lands...

By then, most of the prefectures in the south would have been trampled by barbarians, and perhaps only Xuzhou, located in the north, could be saved.

This was Lin Rong's only way out. She had to ensure that the carriage reached Xiaomen Pass safely and delivered Pei Jiashu to the Pei family's retainers. Only then could she have someone escort Pei Jiashu all the way to Xuzhou.

Lin Rong watched as the city's residents rushed out of the city like madmen. Before they could even squeeze out of the streets, a long knife pierced through her back, and her internal organs spilled out onto the ground.

Lin Rong closed her eyes and refused to look. She held the soft baby tightly, her heart aching. Thinking of the scenes of inhumane killing, she was filled with indignation.

At this moment, she could finally realize that although Pei Zan was wicked, he was not incompetent or tyrannical. At least under Pei Zan's rule, no one dared to bully the six prefectures of the South, and the people lived peacefully and prosperously. Although he was morally flawed, he was not ashamed of the people of the South.

The claim that Pei Zan was bloodthirsty and fond of killing was simply a matter of the chaotic times, where war was the only way to stop war and killing was to suppress killing.

"Yu Nu, your father... will definitely protect you."

Escorted by soldiers, the carriage left the main city and headed towards a secluded mountain road.

Lin Rong lifted the curtain and glanced at the back of the car.

The group of fierce and ruthless Tibetan cavalrymen were still in hot pursuit.

They seemed to have discovered the green-brimmed carriage guarded by Pei's personal guards, and were certain that there were gold, silver, jewels, and beautiful women inside. Their blood boiled, and their desire to conquer surged like a tide. They were determined to block Lin Rong's path.

The barbarian soldiers' fierce golden eyes radiated a savage desire for possession, as if they wished they could tear the carriage apart and destroy everything inside!

The Pei family's troops were fierce and decisive. They followed the carriage towards the desolate official road while simultaneously setting up battle formations, drawing their bows and arrows to create a dense net of arrows.

With a whoosh, a barrage of black-feathered arrows flew out like locusts, their arrowheads striking with fierce force, instantly piercing the skulls of the barbarians!

Skulls shattered, brain matter splattered, red and white all over the faces of the barbarian cavalrymen.

The tall cavalryman crashed to the ground, trampled into a bloody pulp by the raging warhorses.

The barbarian soldiers smelled the blood of their comrades, and their murderous intent grew stronger. They spurred their horses and charged forward!

The cavalryman's long saber suddenly slashed down, its momentum fierce and unstoppable.

Bright red blood splattered into the carriage, and suddenly something rolled in—the head of a Pei family guard who died with his eyes wide open!

Granny Zhou was terrified and let out a scream.

Lin Rong quickly covered her mouth, forcing back her tears: "Granny... don't shout."

Granny Zhou's eyes were filled with tears, and she felt a chill run down her spine.

She witnessed the horrifying scene of Tibetan cavalry killing people with knives. Qingzhou had now fallen into an inescapable hell where people were boiled in molten copper, and were forever condemned to the realm of evil spirits.

In the desolate and barren wilderness, only a horse-drawn carriage travels alone.

The Pei family soldiers, undaunted by death, fought bravely and selflessly to protect Pei Zan's wife and children.

Such bloodshed and carnage had long since terrified people to the point of exhaustion.

Lin Rong huddled in the corner, clinging tightly to Pei Jiashu, feeling utterly hopeless.

Lin Rong couldn't understand why the world was so cruel, that even newborn children had to endure inhuman slaughter...

Xiaomen Pass is right in front of us.

If she can get through this period, she will survive!

But... but all of Pei's soldiers are dead.

Lin Rong's carriage, treading on a carpet of vibrant blood, headed towards the thriving other shore.

Behind the chariot, only two Tibetan cavalrymen remained, closely following behind!

Clad in blood-stained clothes, with their hairy arms bare in the cold early winter, they held blood-stained knives, vowing to avenge their fallen comrades!

Those curved knives were dripping with blood and covered with bits of flesh and bone... They were savage and bloodthirsty, and once they caught up with the carriage, they would never let Lin Rong and Pei Jiashu live!

Lin Rong had nowhere to retreat and no way to do anything; she was just a woman who couldn't even kill a chicken.

She had to think of a way; she had to survive.

Lin Rong loosened her grip on Pei Jiashu and handed the bewildered child to Granny Zhou.

Lin Rong glanced out the window; Sesame was still speeding along with the car, following right behind her. Suddenly, she smiled with relief.

"Granny Zhou... I entrust the child to you. Once we reach Xiaomen Pass, deliver the young master to the garrison commander as soon as possible. You must save Yu Nu's life."

Granny Zhou was terrified, seemingly realizing what Lin Rong was planning to do.

"My dear wife, this is absolutely impossible!"

Lin Rong smiled and asked, "Does Granny know how to ride a horse?"

Granny Zhou glanced at the coachman who was already dead, and tears streamed down her face: "This servant wouldn't..."

“In that case, I am the only one who can do this. Granny, Yu Nu is my concern, please protect him.”

Granny Zhou gritted her teeth, knelt down and kowtowed to Lin Rong: "Even if I am willing to be skinned alive, I will protect the young master!"

"Then I'm relieved." Lin Rong handed Pei Jiashu to Granny Zhou, gave him a deep look, and praised him, "Actually, he's not that ugly once he grows up."

After saying that, Lin Rong, holding a dagger that could cut through iron like mud, squeezed out of the carriage and glanced at Sesame, which was speeding away with its mane flying.

Lin Rong took a deep breath, resolutely pulled on the reins, and rolled onto the saddle.

The carriage sped forward, passing Lin Rong and disappearing from sight.

In the dim world, only tall grass and trees grew, and the wind and snow howled.

A beautiful figure on horseback captivates the heart.

On the distant mountain path, a beautiful woman with disheveled black hair and teary almond eyes stood out like a seductive enchantress in the dark night, captivating all who beheld her.

Lin Rong sat serenely on horseback, her golden lotus-embroidered shawl fluttering in the wind, her green willow-colored dress billowing in the breeze. Reflected in the mountain mist and snow, she resembled a Buddha goddess who had saved all living beings, noble, radiant, and beyond compare.

Such stunning beauty instantly attracted the attention of the Tibetan cavalry.

They were so captivated by Lin Rong's beauty that they momentarily forgot to follow the unassuming green carriage.

Lin Rong shouted, "Run!"

Sesame carried its master, its hooves leaping forward, and it sped off into the deep mountains and forests!

The cavalrymen's wicked hunting instincts surged into their hearts. They lingered with sinister eyes on Lin Rong's beautiful back as she bent over and rode her horse, their eyes lingering on her plump, soft flesh and slender waist.

They longed to tear her clothes off, pin her down in the wilderness, and ravage and sexually abuse her, only then could they avenge their fallen comrades!

The barbarian cavalry's attention was completely drawn to Lin Rong. They raised their scimitars, whipped their horses, and chased after her relentlessly!

Today, they will capture Lin Rong, and they will enjoy this hard-won trophy to the fullest until they draw blood, break bones, and shatter their bodies!

All the people of Wei will grovel beneath them like livestock, enduring their cruelty and beatings!

Lin Rong glanced back and knew that the pursuers had changed direction, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

But the earth-shaking sound of horses' hooves behind her made Lin Rong uneasy.

With no way out, she had no choice but to take a desperate gamble and flee forward.

Lin Rong had never run so fast before. Riding her horse, her heart was in her throat, and the biting cold wind blocked her mouth and nose, making it difficult to even breathe.

Lin Rong felt as if her heart and lungs had been slashed by a sharp blade, leaving behind waves of indescribable pain. She endured the agony of riding a galloping horse, her trembling fingers gripping the razor-sharp blade tightly.

This was her path to life, and also her path to death.

Lin Rong could not bear the humiliation. If she fell into the hands of the barbarian soldiers and was tortured to death, she would rather end her own life!

Lin Rong's cheek was scratched by the horizontal branches, her leg bones gradually became weak and powerless, she was in great pain and her life hung by a thread, until a flat cliff appeared in the distance.

Moonlight poured down, and the sky and earth seemed vast and open.

Lin Rong slightly curled the corners of her lips.

She knew that the horse was doomed from its leg injury, and she owed no one anything, nor would she implicate anyone.

The cavalrymen had already thrown their scimitars, the sharp blades grazing Lin Rong's black hair and nearly slicing off her ear.

Blood splattered into the corner of Lin Rong's eye, turning her beautiful eyes bloodshot.

Lin Rong didn't have any more time to think!

Lin Rong gritted her teeth and whispered to Sesame, "Sesame, I have to go first... Listen to me, take care of yourself, and live well."

After speaking, Lin Rong made her decision.

She spread her arms, abandoned her horse, and lunged forward fiercely.

Lin Rong fell off a towering cliff.

The woman's magnificent dress billowed open, billowing in the fierce wind sweeping up from the bottom of the cliff, her garments fluttering like soaring birds or beautiful butterflies.

Lin Rong is moving further and further away from those dangerous situations.

Her ears were filled with the cacophony of the wind, and she could no longer hear the cries of the living beings. Her heart was also squeezed by the surging wind, and she was in so much pain that she was unable to think.

Lin Rong hung in mid-air, waiting for the moment she would be shattered to pieces.

She opened her eyes and looked at the chaotic, dark world.

She was finally able to enjoy a moment of peace, freedom, and unbridled enjoyment of the moon.

The world is so vast.

The moon is so big.

She didn't kill anyone or drag anyone down with her.

All kindness, sins, and suffering will be repaid tonight.

Lin Rong belongs only to herself.

At that moment, Lin Rong released the breath she had been holding in and smiled softly.

In the moment of death, she finally felt free.

The author says: I feel I should just keep quiet and write, only writing what I want to write.

You can stop here, or you can continue... But I did some rethinking yesterday, and I think I can promise this is a happy ending (HE). It's definitely not a bad ending (BE), but how happy it will be depends on how well Pei Zan performs... I can no longer control how the protagonist progresses, because I'm following their lead in pushing the story forward, and many of the things I set up will be overturned by them while writing.

No more spoilers, I'm continuing~ Sunday's update =3= I've only been promising to update every other day recently (about once a week), but it might also be daily. Please bear with me, because I want to write until I'm satisfied before posting. I will try to maintain a stable daily update schedule in the future.