"Fortunately, Third Young Master, you are alive. I believe the old general's spirit in heaven can also be comforted." Huang Ziyang said with emotion.
"Comfort?" Ao Xi laughed at himself. "The only thing that can comfort my father is probably the unification of the world."
Huang Ziyang tried to explain, "No, the old general cares about you very much. He often said that among the children in the family, you are the only one who looks most like him..."
"A bandit and a general, how are they alike?"
"bandit?"
Huang Ziyang was stunned for a moment, "Third Young Master, you must be joking."
"No, I am now the mountain king of Black Wind Village."
Ao Xi said this with a hint of anger, but Huang Ziyang didn't rebuke him like he would have done with the Marquis of Xuanwu. Instead, he said in surprise, "So, young master, you are the leader of the Black Wind Village? No wonder. I came here because I received a secret report from the Black Wind Village saying that someone here was illegally manufacturing weapons."
"ha?"
Ao Xi was stunned, but Huang Ziyang beamed with joy as he asked, "Third Young Master, you deliberately chose to be a bandit in the Prince of Qi's fiefdom. Was it to gather evidence of the Prince of Qi's rebellion?"
"I..."
"Hey, what nonsense am I talking about? It must be."
"actually..."
"I know everything without you having to tell me."
Ao Xi was interrupted after just two words. Huang Ziyang's eyes were gleaming. "Don't worry, Third Young Master. Although our He family army has remained at the border over the years, with the support of His Majesty, almost all the border commanders have been replaced by our men. Even if an invasion from the western frontier comes, it won't be a problem."
"Yes, but..."
"As long as the Qi prince's party is eradicated, His Majesty will definitely help you redress your wrongdoing!"
Huang Ziyang kept chattering away, and Ao Xi had no way of getting a word in. He could only raise his voice and say, "Let's talk about that later! Black Wind Village is in trouble right now, so I need to go back first."
"Trouble? What kind of trouble? A fight on the mountain?"
Ao Xi: “…”
After hearing the whole story, Huang Ziyang's expression grew serious. "Since the King of Qi is determined to eliminate the Black Wind Stronghold, even the Marquis's orders may not be effective. So, you take the officers and soldiers from Cangshan City and go there first. I will return immediately to allocate troops for support."
Ao Xi knew that mobilizing troops without permission was a serious crime, let alone helping a group of bandits fight against the prince. Huang Ziyang had put his head on his belt to help him, so he clasped his fists and said, "Thank you."
"Third Young Master, there's no need to thank me. The old general has been incredibly kind to me, and you've put yourself in danger to eliminate the rebels for the court. I should protect you on behalf of the old general."
When mentioning He Wei, Huang Ziyang could not hide his admiration on his face, and Ao Xi was a little dazed when he saw it.
He had seen this expression on countless people's faces in the past.
At that time, He Wei was like a god in the eyes of the He family army. On the battlefield, as long as they could see his back, they would fight to the death even if they were covered in wounds and shed their last drop of blood.
He Wei is not just his father, he was born to be on the battlefield.
-
With the help of Huang Ziyang, Ao Xi took almost all the officers and soldiers of Cangshan City with him when he left, and even the officers and soldiers of several surrounding counties were recruited.
With the marquis' token in Ao Xi's hand and Huang Ziyang's identity as a general, no one dared to object.
However, the number of officers and soldiers was limited after all, and even so, they only gathered less than a thousand people.
As for Xia Luoran, she left Cangshan City with Ao Xi. She was surprised that Ao Xi could actually know the general and even dispatch government officials and soldiers. She also realized that Ao Xi's identity was not just a bandit.
On the way back, Xia Luoran wanted to talk to Ao Xi many times, but Ao Xi was preoccupied with the hatred for his country and family, so he naturally had no mood to care about what Xia Luoran was thinking.
However, since Ao Xi met Xia Luoran, he understood that what Honggu said was true.
The moment he saw the words, he wanted to rush back to Black Wind Village and cut open Su Man's chest with a knife, and ask her what kind of heart she had to deceive him so much.
However, after talking with Huang Ziyang and learning the truth about his father being a deserter, he calmed down.
Although Suman was sent to take his life, she never harmed him.
And if it weren't for her, he would still be a muddle-headed bandit. Not to mention avenging his father, he wouldn't even know the true story of what happened back then.
There was no need to ask, the secret report Huang Ziyang mentioned must have been done by her. Apart from her, he could never imagine that anyone else would plan every step for him like this.
At this moment, Ao Xi's heart seemed to be squeezed and kneaded by two forces.
The reason why he married her was naturally because of their past youth.
Once upon a time, the appearance of Xia Luoran brought different colors to his gloomy life and allowed him to experience the joys, sorrows, anger and happiness that his peers should have.
He knew very well that Xia Luoran came to play with him because of Uncle Wei's scolding, but he was too lonely. Whether it was sincere or fake, he longed for someone to accompany him.
He found it even more amusing to see her being reluctant but having to accompany and carefully coax him.
The more uncomfortable she felt, the more he wanted to stay by her side and watch her rack her brains to find a way to escape.
Each of her expressions and movements was so vivid, like a stone thrown into the stagnant water in his chest, causing ripples.
At that time, he thought that one day, he would make it impossible for her to avoid or escape.
However, these childhood memories that once made him laugh seemed so far away now.
It was so far away that he could no longer remember Xia Luoran's features, let alone her every frown and smile.
Just as he was thinking about it, Ao Xi's right arm was suddenly pulled by someone.
When he turned around, he saw that it was Xia Luoran. She had come to his side without him noticing and was looking at him as if she had something to say.
At this moment, Xia Luoran's face was covered with a veil, leaving only her eyes. The scars were covered, making her look much more pleasing to the eye. She couldn't speak, so she handed a piece of paper to Ao Xi.
-
Black Wind Village
In a blink of an eye, the King of Qi's troops had been stationed at the foot of the mountain for several days, but there was still no progress in the massacre of the village.
During this period, Fang Qingshan tried everything, whether it was sneak attacks, negotiations, or threats, but the people of Black Wind Village refused to budge. As soon as they attacked, Black Wind Village would immediately throw Fang Junye down to play on the swings, and Fang Qingshan did not dare to act rashly.
Fang Qingshan has always lived a life of luxury. Living at the foot of the mountain for these days, he didn't have enough to eat or sleep warmly, and he was worried about his son. The stubble that he hadn't had time to clean had sprouted, and his clothes were no longer as spotless as before, looking a little sloppy.
General Gao wasn't much better. After he failed to persuade Fang Qingshan a few days ago, he hadn't shown up since. Fang Qingshan assumed he didn't dare to persuade him again and didn't bother to talk to him.
Until this day, an uninvited guest suddenly came to the foot of the mountain.
General Gao had received the news early on and hurried out to greet him, "Hey, isn't this the prince? Why are you here?"
Hearing the noise outside, Fang Qingshan also came out. He was also surprised to see who came, "Prince?"
The man who came was none other than the son of the King of Qi. Although he was wearing casual clothes, they were made of fine materials and exuded a natural air of nobility. He said expressionlessly, "Pass on my father, the King of Qi, the order to attack the mountain immediately. No disobedience is allowed."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
