Outside the city, Chen Zhennan sat lazily in the carriage, which swayed gently, making him appear relaxed and comfortable.

Chen Zhennan smiled slightly, but Qian Zihao next to him looked furious, his fists clenched, as if he could burst into anger at any moment.

"Qian Zihao," Chen Zhennan turned slightly to the side, a mocking smile playing on his lips, "Do you think I should just mobilize a large army to attack Ningzhou City right now?"

Qian Zihao glared at him angrily, his heart churning with countless emotions, yet he was speechless.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure you two brothers are reunited as soon as possible." Chen Zhennan's smile grew even brighter, making Yan Shiyu outside unable to help but curl up the corners of his mouth.

Qian Zihao frowned slightly, a vague unease creeping into his heart: "What exactly do you mean?"

Chen Zhennan curled the corners of his mouth slightly, a sly glint in his eyes: "Once I catch Qian Zijing, I'll take you to ask Qian Kun which of his two sons he wants."

Upon hearing this, Qian Zihao's heart trembled as if struck by lightning.

He couldn't help but think of his father. Who would his father choose between him and his elder brother? This question pierced his heart like a sharp blade, filling him with immense fear and unease.

"Are you kidding me?" Qian Zihao's voice trembled, and the anger on his face was gradually replaced by fear.

"I'm not kidding. A perfect hunter will test people's hearts, or rather, manipulate them."

Qian Zihao was horrified by what he heard and struggled to sit up straight.

"Don't move. I won't kill you, but it will still hurt if I shoot you again."

After a pause, Chen Zhennan sat up straight and placed his hand on Qian Zihao's shoulder.

"Back on Dongliu Mountain, I gave you two choices, but you chose yourself. Now I'm giving you two more choices: Qian Kun or Qian Zijing. Only one of you can live. Who do you choose?"

Qian Zihao felt as if his heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand, the pressure almost suffocating him.

He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down. In the quiet carriage, the only sounds besides the jolting of the carriage were his own rapid breathing.

Inside the carriage, the atmosphere was so heavy it was almost palpable.

Qian Zihao's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his heart was filled with turmoil and helplessness.

Chen Zhennan, like a cat toying with its prey, smiled slightly, his laughter carrying a hint of ease: "Don't rush, you have time to choose. You can choose when I capture Qian Zijing and my army is at the gates of Ningzhou."

Qian Zihao suddenly raised his head, gritting his teeth as he asked, "What use is my choice? You, Chen Zhennan, command a million soldiers across the land. Who lives and who dies is all up to you."

His voice carried a hint of despair, as if he could already see the ending he could not change.

Chen Zhennan shrugged, his movements relaxed and casual, his tone slightly playful: "You said it yourself that who lives and who dies is up to me, so I can choose to let one of them live."

"Is it fun to play with people's hearts like this?" Qian Zihao asked through gritted teeth in a low voice.

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan hurriedly shook his head, "It doesn't mean anything. It's just that you said you wanted to kill me before. I'm a petty person and I hold grudges."

Qian Zihao's face grew even paler, and a sense of powerlessness welled up inside him.

Seeing his speechless expression, Chen Zhennan lost his joking mood.

"Shiyu, Kaiyuan County, we'll wait there for Qian Zijing to walk right into our trap."

"yes!"

...

On the city wall of Pengyang County, the bloodstains were still wet, and Qian Zijing's sword tip was dripping with blood. Wang Dejun had already been killed.

Turning around, Qian Zijing said loudly, "The army must immediately return by the original route and be back before Chen Zhennan attacks Ningzhou."

At a single command, the 30,000-strong army immediately began to assemble and hurriedly headed back the way they had come.

After three hours of forced march, the sun gradually set, and the evening glow on the horizon, like burning flames, reddened the entire sky.

Qian Zijing looked at Kaiyuan County not far ahead and ordered, "The army will rest outside the city and continue its march tomorrow."

The army was stationed outside the city, tents stood in rows, fires flickered, and soldiers were busy at work. The whispers between them and the clanging of metal clashed together to create a tense symphony.

Qian Zijing, accompanied by his guards, entered the county town and headed straight for the county government office.

Upon arriving at the county government office, Qian Zijing had his guards wait outside while he entered the office with his two lieutenants.

Upon entering, Qian Zijing found it strange that there was no one inside.

"Strange, why isn't the magistrate coming out to greet us?"

Qian Zijing was secretly puzzled. He looked around and found that everything seemed unusually quiet.

Just as he was deep in thought, the county government gate behind him suddenly closed, and then a dozen or so men in black emerged like ghosts, the leader of whom was Yan Shiyu.

"Who are you people?" Qian Zijing's heart tightened, and he gripped his sword, its blade flashing, and asked coldly.

Yan Shiyu smiled slightly and bowed slightly to Qian Zijing: "I am Yan Shiyu, the captain of the special forces team under Commander Chen Zhennan. The Commander is waiting in the back hall. Please come in."

"Chen Zhennan?"

Yan Shiyu nodded slightly: "Yes, our commander said that as long as you go in, the brothers you brought from outside will live; if you don't go in, they will all die."

Upon hearing Yan Shiyu's words, Qian Zijing felt a surge of tension and his brows furrowed.

His deputy was about to rush forward like an angry tiger, but Qian Zijing stopped him with a gesture.

"Don't act rashly. It seems Chen Zhennan was prepared. The lives of our brothers outside are already in someone's hands."

After saying this, Qian Zijing sheathed his sword, handed it to the adjutant beside him, and slowly turned to look at Yan Shiyu.

"Brother, keep your word. Don't hurt my men."

Yan Shiyu nodded slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, before he regained his composure, seemingly deep in thought.

Despite his many doubts, Qian Zijing had no choice but to steel himself and walk toward the back hall.

Upon entering the back room, Chen Zijing noticed that Chen Zhennan was holding a teacup, while his younger brother Qian Zihao sat opposite him with a worried expression.

Seeing that his younger brother was safe and sound, Qian Zijing breathed a sigh of relief, and a huge weight was finally lifted from his heart.

However, in an instant, he frowned again, his heart filled with endless worry and doubt.

"General Chen".

Upon hearing this, Chen Zhennan turned his head slightly, a hint of gentleness in his eyes, and gestured for Qian Zijing to sit down.

"Isn't it a joyous occasion for brothers to reunite? Why are you looking so gloomy? Are you unhappy to see your younger brother?"

Qian Zijing gave a light snort, turned around, and pulled up a chair to sit down.

"Chen Zhennan, you're not waiting for me here just to mock me, are you? Just say what you have to say."

Chen Zhennan was somewhat surprised, not expecting Qian Zijing to be so calm.

"I have nothing to say, I just want to take you brothers back to Ningzhou City."