Chapter 68 The gloom slowly, thickly, descended from below…
A volley of arrows was fired, like raindrops.
A cold glint pierced the night sky.
"Swish swish——"
The arrow pierced through the body, and blood gushed out.
This should have been an overwhelming victory; the well-equipped imperial army against the rabble was a foregone conclusion.
That's what the soldiers thought.
That is indeed the case, however—
As the rebels approached, torches burning like raging fire illuminated their entire bodies.
The soldiers on the city wall all stared in shock.
These rebels were less like an organized army and more like living corpses dug out of the ground.
The rebels were all ragged, without armor or even proper clothing. The rebels in the front row were emaciated, and in the firelight, their cheeks were sunken, and their cloudy, bloodshot eyes bulged outward, as if they were about to fall out of their sockets at any moment.
Everyone gasped.
The blood on these people's skin was spreading, but it wasn't all from arrow wounds. Instead, it was a grotesque, jagged mass of flesh, layer upon layer, covering their skin. The outermost layer had turned black, like withered wood burned by flames.
The most complete thing they had on them was their weapons; the blades gleamed coldly, which only made them look even more terrifying and bizarre.
"Gurgle."
Someone's Adam's apple bobbed nervously.
"Is he still alive?" someone asked in a trembling voice.
The rebels ahead were not invincible; arrows pierced their flesh and blood, but nothing could stop their advance. They staggered forward, dragging their festering legs.
"Could it be that that person truly possesses evil magic, capable of bringing the dead back to life and granting them unfettered freedom of movement?"
Panic-stricken discussions quickly spread.
Meanwhile, the ethereal voice continued to chant.
"Those who join my divine religion will live as long as heaven and earth, and shine as brightly as the sun and moon..."
Mixed with the sound of bells in the void, it sent chills down one's spine, yet also made one irresistibly confused.
Ruan Min did not speak immediately, but instead looked at Ji Chengning.
The young general, leading troops for the first time, raised his voice and said, "Pass down the order: those rebels are just patients infected with the plague, not corpses!"
The commands were conveyed one after another, but became unclear through repeated recitation.
All people suffer...
Who can escape it...?
Such is the nature of the world, and there is much suffering in human life. Humans are no different from animals, forced to offer their necks for slaughter, to be eaten clean and drained of their marrow. Why not join my sect as fellow practitioners and enjoy peace and happiness in the next life?
No matter how much we strive and how much we indulge in, in the end we all become nothing more than a handful of dust, serving as stepping stones for others' success.
The arrow pierced the body, splattering out clusters of bright red blood.
However, even if the rebel soldiers were so badly stabbed that they were unrecognizable, as long as they had a breath left, they would still struggle to climb the city wall, even if they were biting their knives.
The whispers of the enchantress seemed to echo in their ears, along with the ethereal, repetitive ringing of bells and the bloodied, mangled bodies—to the soldiers on the city walls, it was nothing short of a nightmare.
"General, this won't do!" Li Bi knelt on one knee, his armor clanking against the ground with a "crack." "Your subordinate is willing to lead the troops out of the city!"
Ji Chengnin resolutely said, "Absolutely not!"
Li Bi stared at him in astonishment, "General?"
Ji Chengnin asked in a deep voice, "They must be carrying the plague. If you lead your troops out of the city and they get infected, what will happen?"
Li Bi blurted out, "I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's grace and have no fear of death!"
"Nonsense!" Ji Chengnin almost kicked him. "This general doesn't want to collect your corpses right now."
“But…” Li Bi gritted his teeth.
These rebels may not be capable of breaching the city, but should we allow them to incite unrest among the troops?
If this were to cause panic and a mutiny within the army, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Ji Chengning's gaze moved quickly through the crowd, landing on the purple-clad man surrounded by believers.
He was a full seventy feet away from this person. At such a distance, even if an arrow could reach the purple-clad man, it would be extremely difficult to hit one person among thousands of others.
Besides, it wasn't a target, but a moving, living thing.
However, if it is not stopped, it will surely cause great chaos.
The seductive chanting continues.
It was as if someone was whispering behind his ear, their voice deep and melodious, gently and persuasively chanting: "All people suffer..."
Ji Chengning casually pulled over a hard bow.
The young general squinted, holding his breath and concentrating.
A sliver of cold light gleamed on the arrowhead.
As Ji Chengnin changed direction, he pointed directly at the man in purple!
In an instant, Li Bi suddenly noticed that Ji Chengnin's aura had changed. It was neither arrogant nor unrestrained, nor lifeless, but rather a kind of suppression hidden beneath still waters, about to erupt.
It seemed as if everything that had been bothering him had vanished in that instant.
Li Bi and the other soldiers didn't even dare to breathe loudly.
Ruan Min was completely stunned. What was Ji Chengning going to do?
Why didn't he send Li Bi to fight? Even if there was an infectious disease, so what? The most important thing was to relieve the siege. If he really got infected, he could just deal with the soldiers who left the city. A merciful general cannot command an army. The worst thing for a general is to be soft-hearted and soft-hearted!
Did Ji Chengnin think he could hit that man in purple?
"Ji Chengning!"
A furious shout came from the steps of the city wall.
Getting closer and closer.
The wind ruffled his hair, but Ji Chengnin remained motionless.
At that moment, all he could see was that tiny purple dot.
"What are you doing?" Zhou Yan roared, "The enemy is at the city gates, why don't you take the initiative to fight? Do you intend to use your army to..."
Before he could finish speaking...
"Bang!"
Zhou Yan felt a sharp pain spreading through his abdomen, and a heavy punch landed on his lower abdomen without hesitation.
When had Zhou Yan, a prince of noble birth, ever been treated like this? The taste of blood surged in his mouth, his vision went black, and his body went limp and he fell backward.
"temple……"
The guards were terrified.
The culprit, however, stood nonchalantly before them, lowering his long, pale hand and softly saying, "Shh—"
A soft, melodious sound entered my ears.
If the repeated chanting on the battlefield is a bewitching demon, then the calm, emotionless yet chilling man before them is a malevolent ghost filled with resentment!
Perhaps it was because this person's aura was too cold and frightening, but the guards shrank back and none of them dared to step forward.
On the city wall, Ruan Min stared in disbelief at Ji Chengnin's every move.
Has Ji Chengnin gone mad?
Zhou Yan only attracted Ruan Min's attention for a moment before it immediately returned to Ji Chengning.
Hundreds of meters away, the believers surrounded the man in purple, wishing they could give their lives for him. How could Ji Chengning possibly shoot an arrow straight at the enemy leader amidst a sea of soldiers?!
"Whoosh—"
The arrow shot out suddenly, piercing through the clouds, seemingly carrying immense power.
It was too fast, so fast that one could only see a silver dot flashing with a cold light.
As he gasped for breath, the silver dot magnified before the purple-clad man's eyes.
"grown ups!"
"Bang!"
The arrow pierced through the man's brow, and the purple-clad man was thrown backward by the powerful impact.
A moment of silence fell over the city tower, then a thunderous roar of praise erupted.
"good--"
"General, you're a master archer!"
Just recovering from the excruciating pain, Zhou Yan leaned against the wall in a daze.
what happens?
Ruan Min, on the other hand, looked completely incredulous.
The young man's archery posture intertwined and overlapped with a crimson figure.
Amidst the smoke and flames, and the crimson glow of the city, the cold, dignified faces of the young man were illuminated.
Ruan Min bit his tongue hard, and the sharp pain brought him back to his senses.
It's the season—
However, the scene of profuse bleeding did not occur.
The joy on the soldiers' faces froze.
The next second, the purple robe spontaneously combusted, and the brilliantly burning humanoid skeleton floated in the dark night sky, deeply imprinted in everyone's eyes.
Is this still a living person?
The men carrying the chariot seemed to hold a superior position within the rebel army. They appeared to be startled by the purple-clad man who had been "shot dead," and glanced warily at the city wall.
After all, the purple-clad "people" are not afraid of death; they are the ones who will die.
He then stuck his finger into his mouth and let out a long whistling sound.
The eerie music and chanting stopped abruptly, and in an instant, the refugees dispersed like a tide.
Dust billowed and scattered.
Only the corpses lying scattered on the ground proved that they had been there.
However, the soldiers present did not show much joy at the victory; their faces were pale and they looked like they wanted to vomit.
A small number of people stared at Ji Chengnin in shock, unable to look away for a long time.
Ji Chengnin put down the bow.
This is a 16-stone bow, so hard that ordinary people cannot even draw it, and even in the army, few can budge it.
Ji Chengnin had been concentrating for too long, and when he lowered his hand, he saw that his ring had been crushed, leaving a bloody red mark on his finger.
Ji Chengning shook his hand and ordered a guard post, only then did he see Zhou Yan rushing up angrily after recovering a little strength.
Zhou Yan trembled with anger, "Ji Chengnin, is this how you discipline your subordinates! What is Cui Yao? A lowly merchant, a nobody who bought his way into a minor official position, and he dares to touch me, His Highness!"
His internal organs were churning, and with every word he spoke, his lower abdomen ached even more.
Cui Yao stood quietly behind Ji Chengning, seemingly unable to hear or see anything.
He acted submissive and easy to bully, which displeased Ji Chengning—after all, he genuinely hadn't seen Cui Yao hit Zhou Yan.
From his perspective, Zhou Yan was being unreasonable and even dared to insult his cousin.
Moreover, given Young Master Ji's temperament, Zhou Yan was interfering with him and delaying military affairs. It would be perfectly justified for him to not only be beaten but also beheaded.
His gaze shifted downwards, sweeping over Zhou Yan's cuffs.
The pink marks left by the makeup are clearly visible.
Ji Chengning chuckled.
How dare some scoundrel who just crawled out of nowhere point in telling soldiers who are fighting on the battlefield to do something?
He then sneered, "Your Highness has called Lord Cui a lowly commoner. Have you forgotten that the army's food supplies all depend on the Cui family? You say he offended you? If you can conjure up food supplies for me, I'll kill him right now to apologize to Your Highness!"
While uttering harsh words, he also gently tugged at Cui Yao's sleeve to appease her.
Cui Yao's eyes drooped slightly, her thick, long eyelashes concealing a fleeting hint of smugness.
Seeing that Zhou Yan was still trembling, Ji Chengnin felt that the matter was not yet settled and said, "If you delay important military matters, even if you are of noble birth, His Majesty will not be lenient." He smiled slightly, "Your Highness, have you forgotten the Second Prince?"
These words made Zhou Yan so angry that she couldn't breathe.
He glared hatefully at Cui Yao, who stood behind Ji Chengning, his gaze so venomous it seemed he wanted to skin the two despicable men alive.
Unable to find fault with Cui Yao, he could only roar angrily, "The rebels' rout is the perfect opportunity to pursue them! Why aren't you chasing them?"
Ji Chengning said, "Military strategy says not to pursue a defeated army. If they have set a trap and are just waiting for us to take it, wouldn't we be needlessly losing the lives of our soldiers?"
He didn't believe that a rebel army capable of occupying a large prefecture consisted of only these people.
More likely, the rebel leader used these infected rebels to scout ahead, a means to instill fear or lower their guard in them, so that if they rashly pursued them, there would surely be elite troops lying in ambush behind them!
Once these words were spoken, everyone present agreed wholeheartedly.
The officers exchanged glances, all feeling that the Third Prince was being too hasty in his pursuit of merit. He made it sound so easy, but if there really was an ambush, it wouldn't be this Third Prince who would die!
Zhou Yan was speechless, and angrily flung his sleeves and strode downstairs.
Cui Yao lowered her head and took out a handkerchief to wipe Ji Chengning's sweat, saying softly, "Why did Your Highness have to quarrel with me for your sake?"
Ji Chengning, exasperated, failed to notice Cui Yao's subtle actions and angrily retorted, "You too! You're usually so quick-witted with me, and all you do is listen to him scold you!"
Cui Yao lowered her eyes, "Yes, but..."
Ji Chengnin asked irritably, "But what?"
“But,” Cui Yao seemed afraid to look at Ji Chengnin, “with the Crown Prince here, how could he allow me to be humiliated?”
Cui Yao spoke softly, but with great seriousness, clearly indicating that she was absolutely certain of this idea.
Ji Chengnin was taken aback.
Cui Yao cautiously raised her eyes.
Their eyes met.
The latter's eyes were soft and gentle, flowing like spring water through Ji Chengning's heart.
So he really did feel the sudden shock of being drenched in water.
He took a small step back before noticing the handkerchief Cui Yao had stuck to his forehead. He pulled the handkerchief away and mumbled, "Thank you, but it's dirty. I won't give it back."
Without waiting for Cui Yao's reply, he went to give instructions on how to handle the aftermath.
It's so hot.
Ji Chengning rubbed his ears; the damp sweat clung to his skin, causing a slight itch.
However, with so many things to do, Ji Chengning immediately put this little anomaly out of his mind.
Ji Chengning instructed the military doctors to prepare disinfectants such as sulfur and wood ash, and ordered all soldiers to wear tight-fitting straw hats to collect the corpses below the city and burn them.
Ruan Min remained silent for a long time after hearing the order. "General, this action may be lacking in benevolence and righteousness."
When the news reached the capital, the officials had even more excuses to impeach this arrogant and domineering young marquis.
Ji Chengnin chuckled briefly. "I don't care about morality or righteousness. I only know that if these corpses are left unattended, they will spread disease."
But there was no smile in his eyes.
Seeing a living person being tortured into a living corpse, Ji Chengnin felt extremely complicated. His throat itched, but he forced himself to suppress his discomfort because everyone was there.
Since he was ordered to lead troops, he should kill the rebels and lift the siege of Luanyang. Since he led troops into battle, he must not disregard the lives of his soldiers. He brought them out of the capital and should lead his army back in triumph, bringing them back alive!
But he couldn't save everyone.
For example, right now, there are corpses piled up in a haphazard, disorderly fashion below the city.
The east was pitch black, the sky hung heavy and dark, devoid of any light.
The world is so vast; a person, deep within it, is like a grain of sand in the ocean, insignificant.
The stench of blood and burning corpses mingled with the cool night breeze, and Ji Chengnin's face was somber.
Over there, Cui Yao was talking to Chen Jian.
After listening to Cui Yao's words, the military doctor's eyes showed a strange look, and then he solemnly bowed to Cui Yao, saying, "Lord Cui is benevolent, and I thank you on behalf of the people."
Ji Chengning stood on a high place, his gaze unfocused and looking down.
It landed right on Cui Yao.
Cui Yao seemed to have just finished talking to someone when she noticed Ji Chengnin's gaze and looked up.
Their eyes met.
There was no joy in Cui Yao's eyes from the first victory, nor any relief after the strange retreat of the rebels; there was only his unwavering concern.
clatter.
Something landed softly.
...
Because of the surprise attack tonight, Ji Chengning did not go to the villa, but rested with the soldiers in the barracks where the Yan County government troops were stationed.
Ji Chengning took a shower first to wash away the dust and the stench of burning corpses before entering the barracks.
The barracks were small, only two zhang long and two zhang wide. Inside, there was only a desk for Ji Chengning to use as an office, a small bamboo bed, and a chest half the height of a person. The bedding was brand new. When Chen Chong and Zhang Wenzhi and other officials learned the news, they knew that they could not persuade Ji Chengning, so they hurriedly sent him a complete set of brocade quilts and soft pillows, as well as dozens of gold and jade ornaments.
For example, the bonsai in front of him had leaves made of gold flakes and branches made of white jade. The carving was exquisite, and the veins and vines were all lifelike. The pot was carved from a single piece of jade, and colorful gemstones were used as cushions under the tree. The shimmering light made people's faces shine.
Upon seeing this, Young Master Ji flicked the gold leaf twice with his finger.
The sound of the leaves colliding is crisp, elegant, and pleasant.
"Keep it," he said casually.
Upon hearing this, the official who came to deliver the gifts grinned from ear to ear, as if Ji Chengnin had not accepted their tribute but rather gained a tremendous advantage. He quickly bowed and uttered a string of praises before leaving with profuse thanks.
The room was filled with precious light.
The person standing in the room appeared even more stunning, with an incomparably handsome face and a pair of peach blossom-like eyes that seemed to glow with light as they moved.
It's as if these priceless treasures, any one of which could be taken out at random, have come to life.
"Ah Yao, is there something you need from me?"
Cui Yao, who had just entered, snapped out of her daze.
He heard himself reply calmly, "Nothing urgent, it's just," he paused, "that I'm just thinking that I'm busy with official duties, so please get some rest, Your Highness."
Seeing his serious expression, Ji Chengning teased him with a smile, "Now that you have a private room, A-Yao must be very happy."
He turned slightly to the side, talking to Cui Yao while casually lifting the lid of the jade incense burner with twin lotus flowers on the cabinet.
Cui Yao's gaze was obscure and unreadable.
The candlelight flickered, casting a soft glow on the young general's upturned lips.
It's nonchalant, yet so beautiful it makes you feel resentful.
He had gone to great lengths and exhausted all his efforts, while Ji Chengning stood not far away, watching him with a smile.
They laughed at him for wasting his effort.
They laughed at him for asking for trouble.
No, no, Ji Chengnin wouldn't do that. He wouldn't care about this harmless infatuation at all, or rather, he wouldn't even notice his own chaotic, complicated, and infatuated thoughts.
Before he could finish speaking...
Ji Chengning felt a tightness in his lower back, his waist suddenly pressed tightly against something hard. Caught off guard, he instinctively tried to dodge, but there was a cabinet in front of him, and his body leaned forward.
The body behind him was firm and hard, almost unlike... Ji Chengning's thoughts drifted away again, it didn't seem like a woman.
"Clang—"
The impact caused the cabinet, which was already missing a leg, to shake violently. The round incense burner lid, which was placed upside down, wobbled and suddenly rolled towards the edge of the cabinet!
In the blink of an eye, seeing the stove lid about to fall, Ji Chengning, without bothering to push Cui Yao away, reached out and pressed the lid down.
A hand, a little slower than his, slipped past his ribs and pressed precisely onto his hand.
"Snap!"
Jade is warm and cool, while the back of my hand feels cold as if it were made of something inhuman.
Ji Chengnin's hand trembled slightly from the cold. He tried to pull it away, but the icy thing on his hand wouldn't let him have his way. It held his hand tightly, and its fingers moved, inserting into it right in front of Ji Chengnin.
Cui Yao and Ji Chengnin together held the white jade incense burner lid shut. He lowered his head and whispered in the latter's ear, "Be careful."
The cold, yet intensely present body was still pressed tightly against his back.
Tsk.
Ji Chengning thought somewhat unhappily, "Why did A Yao put on such a high cushion?"
His chaotic thoughts were jolted back by this seemingly innocent but actually malicious remark, and he laughed in anger, "If you hadn't suddenly come over, I wouldn't have been so careless."
Cui Yao respectfully admitted his mistake, "It was my oversight." Whether intentionally or unintentionally, he brushed his other hand across Ji Chengning's neck.
Just as Ji Chengnin was about to turn around and glare at him, he slipped the incense stick over his shoulder and gently placed it on the incense burner.
Long, slender fingers probed into the furnace, the pads of the fingers rubbing and polishing the snow-white inner walls of the furnace.
"I have never seen such an exquisite incense burner before. I was stunned for a moment. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."
Ji Chengning smiled slightly, "If you want me to forgive you," he gently nudged her back with his elbow, pressing it against Cui Yao's lower abdomen, "A Yao, you have to let go of me first."
"I was so engrossed in admiring the treasure that I was completely captivated," Cui Yao said, bowing his head and turning to the side with utmost respect.
Ji Chengning broke free from his embrace, which wasn't really an embrace, and suddenly distanced himself from Cui Yao.
While Ji Chengnin was unaware, his fingers moved silently, and a drop of dark red fell from his fingertip, landing precisely in the center of the incense burner.
Cui Yao covered the stove with the lid.
Ji Chengning yawned. "Ayao, it's getting late. You're so tired today, you should go back to your room and rest."
Cui Yao lowered her head and said, "Yes."
After Cui Yao left, Ji Chengnin looked around the luxurious bedroom again, chuckled, and impatiently kicked off his military boots, then collapsed onto the bed fully clothed.
The candles went out, and the room was plunged into complete darkness.
Ji Chengnin was lying in bed.
He didn't notice anything unusual while on the city wall, but when he rested, he realized that his arm was swollen and numb, with a tearing pain in his muscles. It was okay if he didn't move, but as soon as he moved slightly, "Hiss." Ji Chengning grimaced in pain.
In comparison, the pain from the congested and swollen legs could be easily ignored.
Ji Chengning closed his eyes.
The silk was smooth and silky. After sleeping in a carriage for half a month, he suddenly felt uncomfortable lying on a soft bed. He felt that his limbs and bones were empty and unsupported.
The cool, smooth feel of the bedding reminded him of the touch of a certain demon's skin.
Ji Chengnin rubbed his arms angrily.
The room was small and dark. Ji Chengning closed the doors and windows. After a while, he felt his nose getting warm, but it wasn't hot. On the contrary, it was warm and comfortable. A sweet and warm fragrance was inhaled into his nasal cavity and spread to his limbs.
Ji Chengnin made a muffled sound.
Sleepiness is creeping in.
He finally stopped moving around and turned his back to the door and window, his breathing gradually becoming steady.
"Creak..."
The long-neglected door emitted a faint sound.
Ji Chengnin's long eyelashes trembled slightly, then returned to calm, seemingly unaware of anything.
The shadows spread silently.
Like a tide, it flowed from the door to the bedside.
A gloomy, overcast sky hung low.
The tall figure slowly approached, sticking to Ji Chengning's entire body from bottom to top.
It enveloped him completely.
Ji Chengnin suddenly opened his eyes.
-----------------------
Author's note: Finally, finally it's finished.
Goodnight, my love, muah!
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