Chapter 158 Release her, and I will commit suicide.
Lu Zhaoruo suppressed her thoughts, her eyes clear as snow, and slowly swept over the bald man in front of her and the surrounding Japanese pirates. Her voice pierced through the howling cliff wind: "Heroes, the main force of the Japanese pirates in Linhai has been wiped out by General Xiao, and your leader in the capital, Deputy Director Gu Chen, has also been brought to justice. Your actions today are nothing more than the last gasp of a spent force, a desperate struggle of a cornered beast."
She paused slightly, keenly catching the fleeting wavering in the bald man's eyes, and continued calmly, "Even if you all use me as a hostage, do you really think you can harm General Xiao in the slightest? If I die, it will only provoke his fury, and he will hunt me down to the ends of the earth. Where can you escape to then?"
Her voice suddenly rose, her clear and sharp tone echoing between the cliffs, striking straight to the heart: "The pirates of the sea hate defeated generals the most! You have lost your patrons and exhausted your strength, like stray dogs. Which warlord would take in a bunch of worthless cripples? I'm afraid you will not only not be protected, but will be used as a typical example of a defeated army, beheaded and displayed to warn others!"
In the shadows, several Japanese pirates lowered their heads instinctively, the tips of their knives trembling slightly.
"Furthermore," she changed the subject, "you are all surely familiar with General Xiao's character. He is strict in his military discipline, yet fair in his rewards and punishments, and he values integrity above all else. If you were willing to abandon your evil ways and submit to him, wouldn't that be far better than living in constant fear, bearing the infamy of Japanese pirates, being despised by the people, and never having a peaceful day?"
Her gaze swept over the crowd, and she spoke earnestly: "Following General Xiao means turning over a new leaf and returning to the right path. Not only can we secure a bright future, but we can also marry and have children with dignity, and establish a family and career."
"What good man in the world doesn't yearn to achieve great things, who doesn't want to protect his family and enjoy a peaceful life? Why waste his life and reputation on this pointless resistance?"
The bald man's eyes flickered violently, and his grip on the knife handle loosened slightly.
These words precisely struck at his deepest desire for "stability" and "future".
The other four Japanese pirates also looked at each other.
The Japanese pirates who had Lu Zhaoruo hostage suddenly shouted angrily, "Shut up! Don't listen to this woman's sweet talk!"
He tightened his grip on the blade, the cold edge almost touching her skin.
The four thugs' eyes instantly turned fierce again.
The Japanese pirate spoke again, his voice ruthless: "Xiao Yeming will definitely come to save you! We've already sent your maid back to deliver a message, ordering him to go to the appointment alone. If he wants to save your life..."
He deliberately dragged out his words, his tone cruel, "Then you must commit suicide on this cliff! His life will save yours. As soon as he dies, we will release you immediately, and we will never break our promise!"
His tone suddenly changed, the blade moved closer, and he said fiercely, "If he is unwilling to risk his life to save you... I will kill you right now! More than thirty of us have been lying in ambush all around. Even if we are all wiped out, we will fight to the death to tear off a piece of his flesh!"
"Even if we perish together at that time, it won't be a loss."
"To kill the person he loves most, to cause him unbearable pain, and to make him live a life of unease!"
The bald man standing to the side had a sharp, darting gaze.
He didn't want to die.
He wanted the future and stability promised by the woman, but now that he was in such a desperate situation, how could he survive?
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo couldn't help but chuckle: "Let him commit suicide in exchange for my life? You all overestimate me, Lu Zhaoruo."
Her eyes were clear as she spoke, each word distinct: "General Xiao protects the country and guards the borders, bearing the responsibility for the safety of countless people. To him, I am at most an old acquaintance. Even if... even if there is some affection between us..."
She paused, the image of the handkerchief and the portrait flashing through her mind, a slight sting in her heart. "How could he possibly sacrifice his life and betray his country for a mere merchant's wife like me?"
“Besides,” her tone suddenly turned cold, seeing through their trick, “I’m afraid even if he really does commit suicide as he says, you will never let me go. Such a promise is nothing but a child’s joke.”
The wind howled from the cliff, whipping up sand and gravel.
Xiao Yeming's figure slowly emerged from the dark end of the cliff path.
The moonlight outlined his tall and upright figure, while the night wind rustled the hem of his dark robes.
He was not wearing armor, only a neat and tidy outfit.
His gaze pierced through the dim light, instantly locking onto Lu Zhaoruo, who was being held hostage by a sharp blade.
A gust of wind swept across the cliff, ruffling Lu Zhaoruo's disheveled hair and making her heart skip a beat.
She stared at him, slightly stunned, her eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment…
He actually... removed all his weapons and stepped into this desperate situation alone?
Her words, "How could he give up his life for me?", were clearly etched into Xiao Yeming's ears.
He responded silently yet powerfully in his heart: "Sister Lu, you are wrong. To me, your life is more important than anything else. If it can bring you peace, I would gladly face any danger, even death."
But the next moment, the extreme rationality honed on the battlefield extinguished the surging emotions like ice water.
His cold gaze swept over the menacing enemies around him.
"But Sister Lu's guess was correct."
He continued coldly in his heart, "These faithless and ungrateful people before me, even if I were to commit suicide with my sword right now, they would never keep their promise and let you go."
The bald man grinned, breaking the silence. His rough voice held a hint of amazement: "Madam Lu, did you see that? General Xiao is truly devoted to you! The dignified commander of the Linhai Navy actually took off his armor and weapons, and came alone to brave this dangerous place... Heh, even I almost believed you just now, thinking that you weren't the one he cherished, and that he would lead his pack of fierce guards to charge up here!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo's heart trembled violently. Ignoring the sharp blade at her neck, she cried out, "General Xiao! Run! Don't worry about me!"
Xiao Yeming's gaze fell heavily on her face, his voice low and hoarse, yet carrying a different kind of emotion: "Now that I've come, if I'm to leave, I will leave with you."
That moment.
Lu Zhaoruo felt a bittersweet yet warm current surge into her heart.
He actually... has feelings for me?
Seeing this, the Japanese pirates holding her hostage were certain that Xiao Yeming was in love with the woman in front of him, and they sneered, "Ha... I never thought that General Xiao, who was so powerful and ruthless on the seas, would be such a fool who could be dragged down by love! What a joke!"
Ignoring his sarcasm, Xiao Yeming said coldly, "Leng Ying, now that I'm here, release her."
He recognized him at a glance; the man was Leng Ying.
Japanese pirates who escaped from his grasp several times!
Leng Ying's blade drew another half-step closer, and he said sharply, "Release her? We went through so much trouble to lure you into our trap, why would we release her so easily? You want to save her? Fine, but only if..."
"You shall immediately commit suicide on this cliff! Use your life to save hers!"
He had already made up his mind.
The possibility of someone like Xiao Yeming committing suicide is extremely slim.
Even if he refuses to comply, having this woman in his hands means he has a hold on his lifeline, preventing him from making any rash moves.
Even more insidious is—
He waited for the moment when Xiao Yeming's mind was shaken and he revealed a weakness, then the people lying in ambush around him took the opportunity to shoot him with hidden weapons. Even if they couldn't kill him on the spot, they would make him seriously injured!
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhaoruo's face turned deathly pale, and she cried out urgently, "General, you mustn't! This is a trick! They will never keep their word!"
Xiao Yeming remained motionless, but his gaze suddenly narrowed, becoming as cold as ice, and fixed on Leng Ying's face.
Leng Ying was ruthless and raised his knife directly: "Since General Xiao can't do it, then let's cut off one of her arms first!"
In that instant, Lu Zhaoruo was terrified to the extreme, and the "numbing powder" hidden in her sleeve quietly slipped into her palm.
She had prepared for the worst.
If your arm is truly severed, then fight desperately to scatter this powder; there is a chance of survival.
But the price is the permanent loss of an arm.
Despair gripped her, almost suffocating her.
A fierce glint appeared in Leng Ying's eyes, and he swung his broadsword down with a whoosh of wind!
"stop!"
Xiao Yeming's voice rang out, barely concealing his anxiety.
He took a sudden step forward, his clothes fluttering in the wind, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at the sharp blade hanging on Lu Zhaoruo's arm, and said, "I am willing to commit suicide."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
