Chapter 138 Bodhisattva lowers her brows, Vajra glares fiercely (8) "Put on your wedding attire..."

Chapter 138

Feng Tingxiao chuckled softly as he looked at him. His slender fingers grabbed Feng Tan's bound fingers, but he also pressed the knife against Feng Tan's neck. "Xiao Yinshi, from the first time I saw you, I felt you deserved to die. It was truly a mistake that I failed to kill you back then."

A cool breeze ruffled the strands of hair that had fallen beside Xiao Yinshi's temples, and a mocking expression appeared on his face. "What you shouldn't have done was hold a knife to her neck."

Dark clouds rose in the sky and spread in an instant, the clouds as black as ink, rolling and surging across the battlefield.

Feng Tingxiao did not move the dagger pressed against Feng Tan's neck. He lowered his eyelashes and looked at Feng Tan's cold expression, his eyes filled with a hint of nostalgia. He spoke to Feng Tan, but it seemed more like he wanted Xiao Yinshi to hear him, "Yongle, you were cuter when you were a child. Unfortunately, he will not withdraw his troops, so I have no choice but to take you with me... Your birth and death should go hand in hand with the Imperial Uncle."

Feng Tan tilted her head slightly, and with a slight movement of his knife, she retreated a little. Her stubborn and aloof face was reflected in Feng Tingxiao's eyes. "If you can't hold the knife steady... who will win this round?"

Seeing this, Princess Chu silently gripped her longsword tightly behind Feng Tan.

Feng Tingxiao narrowed his eyes, gripped the dagger tightly, and applied a measured amount of pressure to Feng Tan's neck. A line of blood appeared between her fair skin, instantly staining the blade red. He said firmly, "The way you leave this world is up to me to decide."

Feng Tan curled her lips in a sarcastic smile. Feng Tingxiao looked down at her with a complex expression, his eyes filled with both anger and infatuation, love and hate lingering on his lips. Xiao Yinshi took everything in, his dark eyes brewing a hurricane.

When Feng Tingxiao looked at Xiao Yin, he asked with a half-smile, "Retreat or not?"

Xiao Yinshi's gaze met Feng Tan's in mid-air, and they could both see the enduring emotions surging in each other's eyes.

Feng Tan possessed great courage, surviving each encirclement and annihilation, her eyes still gleaming with undiminished light.

Xiao Yinshi still regarded Feng Tan as the original intention of fate, even though she never responded. The love hidden deep in his dark pupils was obsessive and unforgettable.

Xiao Yinshi's brows furrowed with a heavy sense of pressure. He rarely showed such a fierce expression on his face; most of the time, he was simply cold and indifferent. "If I don't back down, are you really going to kill her?"

Feng Tingxiao kept glancing at Feng Tan's face out of the corner of his eye. He smiled indifferently and said, "I brought her here. I'm leaving, and she has to come with me."

"Are you going to back out, or not?"

Xiao Yinshi's brows furrowed sharply, his lips parted slightly, "I will not retreat."

The wind rose and the snow fell. The spring snow of March descended on this blood-stained land. The snowfall was not heavy and melted into the blood in an instant, reflecting Xiao Yinshi's tall figure walking towards Feng Tan. "If you have the ability, then kill her. She is just a woman. She is nothing compared to the great cause of unifying the world."

The strength of a strong person lies in their ability to anticipate the opponent's intentions and devise a countermeasure only after the opponent reveals their hand.

Feng Tingxiao judged that Xiao Yinshi would withdraw his troops for Feng Tan's sake. Even with his tendons and veins severed, he did not retaliate against Feng Tan. How strong must a person's mentality be to not harbor hatred for such a thing? This is enough to prove that Feng Tan holds a different position in Xiao Yinshi's heart. As a man's intuition, Feng Tingxiao was absolutely certain that Feng Tan was an extraordinary existence for Xiao Yinshi.

But Xiao Yinshi's reaction was completely unexpected.

Things became tricky. Feng Tingxiao handed over control of Feng Tan to the Princess of Chu. As he walked from the army towards Xiao Yin, he said with a half-smile, "They say that even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. I was narrow-minded and thought you were the same."

After saying that, Feng Tingxiao drew his sword and swung it at Xiao Yinshi. The true energy of a ninth-grade martial artist was vast and powerful. Xiao Yinshi raised his sword to block, and the two swords sparked fiercely, which was particularly dazzling in the snow.

Even though Xiao Yinshi had reached the level of a grandmaster, his tendons and veins in his hands and feet were severed, and he could not fully exert his internal energy. Blood surged in his throat, and blood spilled from the corner of his lips.

As Feng Tingxiao closed in, Xiao Yinshi had been waiting for this moment. He gathered all his inner strength amidst the opponent's powerful true energy and charged towards Duanmai, then suddenly swung his palm to attack Feng Tingxiao.

"Bang!" The powerful internal force shook Feng Tingxiao's internal organs. He fell to the ground and spat out a mouthful of blood. When his gaze fell on Xiao Yin, who was kneeling on the ground after exhausting himself, he was shocked and then slowly mocked, "You've accomplished everything in one battle... You're ruthless enough."

"Master!" Zhu Qi shouted. He could not intervene in the duel between powerful martial artists, so he could only rush out from the army when both sides were injured and reach out to help Xiao Yinshi up.

Xiao Yinshi shook off Zhu Qi's arm that came to help him up, used the support of his longsword to stand up from the ground, wiped the blood from the corner of his lips and looked at Feng Tingxiao, "Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman."

Feng Tingxiao coughed up several mouthfuls of blood again. Xiao Yinshi's skill was superior to his, but the ruptured tendons and veins greatly reduced the strength he could unleash. That palm strike just now was completely unexpected, shattering all his true energy.

When two tigers fight, both are injured. Feng Tan's eyes flashed with a fierce light, like a hunter who had been lying in wait revealing his rifle. Her bound hands turned around and gripped the pistol tightly, firing it with a bang at the Chu Princess who was holding her captive from behind.

Princess Chu was suddenly shot. As she released her grip, Feng Tan leaped up, like a light goose, and dashed into the battlefield, landing precisely in front of Feng Tingxiao and raising her gun to shoot him in the heart.

At the same time, the Queen Consort of Chu, who had been shot, clutched her bleeding wound and shouted, "Shoot the arrow!"

Those closest to Feng Tingxiao were all skilled archers, having practiced countless times in the fighting arena. Their arrows, imbued with true energy, struck Feng Tan precisely from behind.

"Bang!" The bullet pierced Feng Tingxiao's heart. With a surge of strength, he pulled Feng Tan, who was heading towards him, into his arms, turned him around to shield him, and let the arrow pierce his back.

Blood splattered everywhere in an instant.

The Princess of Chu cried out in anguish, "Your Highness!"

Looking at the blood-stained face and brows of the person in his arms, Feng Tingxiao scoffed, "This way of dying is truly awful..."

He pressed all his strength against Feng Tan, savoring this once-in-a-lifetime intimacy as if in a stolen moment of pleasure. His fingers were stained with the tears Feng Tan had unconsciously shed. "Yongle, you've avenged Feng Sangrou, so call me Imperial Uncle again... just like when we were kids..."

Feng Tan looked at the tear on his fingertip. Having avenged her great grudge, she didn't understand why she was reacting this way. She pushed Feng Tingxiao away from her and stood up from the ground.

Feng Tingxiao relaxed his body and landed back on the ground, feeling a long-lost sense of ease. He had spent his life pursuing power, striving to sit on the throne of the emperor, creating Evil Spirit Island, launching a military coup, and committing countless crimes, but he had no regrets. This world was inherently a dog-eat-dog world.

As for Yongle... love is boundless, and he didn't think his love for her was abnormal. He never understood why these people insisted on reforming... She was like a sharp sword, trying to cut through the deep-seated problems of the Dahuang Dynasty and even the entire dynasty, but in the end, she would also cut herself.

He couldn't bear to see her die in front of him, so he waited for her to come to the underworld to die with him.

He didn't win, and Xiao Yinshi won't win either.

The one who remained unmoved throughout and steadfastly held the gun was Feng Tan.

Snowflakes fell on Feng Tingxiao's cheeks, and he felt a cool touch, like that winter when a little girl tilted her head and approached him, threw a thick fleece on his lap, rolled over and climbed into his arms, and asked with a smile, "Uncle, are you still cold?"

It's not cold, it's not cold...

Feng Tingxiao reached out his palm in the direction Feng Tan had left, but she never looked back in his fading vision.

The future is over.

Feng Tingxiao's hand fell into the blood, and he slowly closed his eyes.

Princess Chu rushed over and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face, "Your Highness, Your Highness!"

As Feng Tingxiao's body grew colder, Xiao Yinshi coldly watched this scene before turning his gaze back to Feng Tan. She was looking up at the swirling snow, her pale face covered in blood from Feng Tingxiao's body, and tears were streaming down her face.

He walked towards Feng Tan, wiped the tears from her cheeks, and frowned as he asked, "Why are you crying?"

Feng Tan raised her watery eyes and looked at Xiao Yinshi, whose face was colder than frost and snow. "Who knows?"

Mother's revenge was fulfilled, Hu Shu's revenge was fulfilled, and all the girls who suffered humiliation on Evil Spirit Island got their revenge.

But she still felt it was unfair.

***

At night, a campfire was lit in the military camp. Yu Ruxi felt bored in her tent, so she went to the small kitchen and took a piece of dry rations to eat with the soldiers.

The warm firelight shone on her round face, making her teeth, which were biting into dry rations, appear even whiter. Yu Ruxi took a sip of water and asked Mu Long, the leader of the Imperial Guards who had come with her, "Tell me, what's the situation with the Chu King's rebel army?"

Emperor Chongming attached great importance to this exoneration and sent the Imperial Guards to assist the Yu family army.

Seeing the weariness in her eyes, Mu Long knew she hadn't slept well the night before. He handed her the roasted rabbit he was holding, took the dry rations from her hand and chewed on them, saying, "The King of Chu is dead, and the morale of his army has been greatly damaged. However, the Queen Consort of Chu has been by the King's side for so many years and has learned a lot of skills. She is not a simple person. She has taken over the army, but after all, she is a woman, and many in the army are not convinced."

Yu Ruxi pondered for a moment, "In that case, it would be a good time for us to attack now."

“That’s not the case,” Mu Long said, taking a sip of cold wine and looking at the burning flames. “Xiao Yinshi’s army is entrenched in the Canglong Mountains, eyeing us covetously. If we attack, he will surely reap the benefits. At that time, with the country’s gates wide open, he may be able to advance unimpeded, and the situation will become complicated.”

Yu Ruxi frowned and asked, "What exactly is the Living Yama trying to do? He makes moves that don't harm the enemy, and when he does, they aren't fatal."

Mu Long said, "It's all very vague, I can't tell."

Yu Ruxi pondered for a moment and said, "I always felt that his purpose was only to kill the King of Chu... He didn't intend to attack Dahuang. As for why he wanted to kill the King of Chu, I don't understand."

Mu Long smiled and said, "After all, he is a person who rose from a commoner to a second-rank official in the Dahuang court. If his moves were so easy for you to see through, that would be a miracle."

Yu Ruxi said, "That's true... What about Yongle? How is Yongle doing?"

The firelight stretched their shadows long, casting them onto the mottled tent. Mu Long added some firewood to the fire, and sparks suddenly flew up. "The princess is also very strange. Xiao Yin forced himself to exert his power, and he was already at his limit. It wouldn't have been difficult for him to leave if he wanted to, but he didn't."

Yu Ruxi poked at the campfire, watching the soldiers coming and going in the camp, and said, "She has her own ideas, and I trust her."

"Are you being so nice to her because she's a princess?" Mu Long realized his mistake as soon as the words left his mouth and added, "It was my fault, it's not just because of that."

Yu Ruxi waved her hand, looking at the stars in the sky, her eyes sparkling, and smiled, "After I was born, everything I saw, heard, and felt was discipline... until I entered the palace and became Princess Yongle's study companion. I thought the palace would be an extremely restrictive place, but it wasn't. The poems and books taught by Master Feng contained a vast world, and Yongle... she was free, had backbone and righteousness, and was the kind of person I aspired to be."

Looking at Yu Ruxi's profile with admiration in his eyes, Mu Long said, "General Yu, you are also a woman of integrity and loyalty."

Yu Ruxi looked at him, paused for a moment, then burst out laughing, "This is the first time someone has ever praised me like this!"

After saying that, she looked up and saw a group of soldiers walking towards her. This group was a bunch of rascals in the army. The young and handsome soldier at the head sat down next to Yu Ruxi as if to be friendly, and said with a grin, "General Yu, we just made a bet that whoever loses has to sing you a folk song. Would you do me the honor of singing one?"

Unlike her brother, Yu Ruxi was not cold and aloof in the army. She was approachable and easy-going, and she mingled with the soldiers like a tomboy.

Mu Long was the first to respond, then slapped the dry rations in his hand against the man's head, saying, "Sing my ass!"

The soldier, clutching his head and baring his teeth, said, "Oh dear, sir from the capital, what business is it of yours if I'm talking to our young General Yu!"

Mu Long said matter-of-factly, "She's too embarrassed to refuse, so I'll do it!"

The soldier wasn't intimidated. "Pah! Who do you think you are to the general?"

Mu Long paused for a moment, looked at Yu Ruxi, his slightly dark skin was not visible in the firelight of the night, and a faint blush appeared on his face. After a moment, he said, "She and I are... soulmates!"

"Pfft!" The soldiers burst into laughter.

A smile also appeared on Yu Ruxi's face. She looked at Mu Long with joy in her heart and leaned closer to him, saying, "When did we become close friends?"

Mu Long said, "Just... just now."

"Well done!" Yu Zhenyu strode over, kicked the soldier next to Yu Ruxi, and said, "Go play somewhere else!"

The soldier quickly ran away, and only then did Yu Zhenyu get down to business, "A messenger has come to deliver a message from Xiao Yinshi's side."

After he finished speaking, a soldier dressed in the Rakshasa Army stepped out from behind him and said to Yu Ruxi, "His Majesty is getting married. He said that Miss Feng needs a family member to accompany her on her wedding day, and he specially invited Miss Yu to go."

Yu Zhenyu's eyes flashed with anger, and he kicked out again.

Damn it! No wonder he wouldn't tell me directly earlier; he was afraid the news wouldn't reach his sister's ears, so he was waiting for him here!

Yu Zhenyu did not hold back, and the soldier fell backward to the ground after being kicked in the chest. After struggling to get up, he said, "In the friendship between two dynasties, envoys are not to be killed!"

......

As dusk fell, large red lanterns were already hung at the camp gate, their crimson glow flowing between the armor and banners, as if adding a touch of beauty to the blood-soaked battlefield. The soldiers laid down their blood-stained swords and donned brand-new armor, yet the grim determination in their brows remained undiminished.

The central command tent had been converted into a wedding hall, its vermilion beams and pillars draped with gold and red silk. Outside, two bronze cauldrons burned ambergris, the rising smoke unable to drown out the restless neighing of warhorses in the distance. Inside, twelve gilded screens kept the stench of blood out, their embroidered designs of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix gleaming in the candlelight, a stark contrast to the cold glint of the armor on patrol outside.

The veteran generals held jade scepters and nuptial wine, their hands still habitually resting on the hilts of their swords. Gazing at the dragon-patterned wedding robes faintly visible behind the screen, they whispered among themselves, "Why would His Majesty choose this place for his wedding? Could it be…?"

In the center of the camp, a hundred drummers beat their cowhide war drums, the sound shaking the ground and startling crows into flight. To the beat of the drums, sixteen palace maids carrying glass lanterns led a gilded phoenix palanquin slowly into the distance.

When the curtain of the sedan chair was lifted, the official looked surprised. Inside the sedan chair was only a maid who was tied up, not Princess Yongle from the Dahuang Dynasty.

He cautiously observed the emperor's expression. His Majesty's black dragon robe was embroidered with dark gold cloud patterns, and his expression remained unchanged, as if he had expected this. He looked into the sedan chair and turned to Zhu Qi, asking, "Where did she go?"

Zhu Qi lowered his head and said, "Reporting to Master, Miss Feng knocked out the maid and went up the mountain alone."

Xiao Yinshi pondered for a moment and said, "Put on the wedding dress, and I will dress her in it."