Chapter 92 He ran away again, yet he still dares to covet my woman?
The flickering firelight first illuminated a pair of old, dark riding boots. The rider's steps were steady, treading on the blood-stained ground, yet he seemed to be walking on the jade steps of a temple, carrying a composure that was completely out of place in his servant's attire.
He was fully exposed to the firelight, his posture upright like a pine tree. Even in his coarse clothes, he could not conceal the majesty he possessed from his long-standing position of authority.
The flickering light and shadow danced on his sharply defined face. His deep eyes, no longer feigning docility, were now as calm as an ancient well and as sharp as a hawk's, sweeping across the entire scene with an invisible sense of oppression that even made the bloodthirsty assassins pause in their movements.
Several assassins finally reacted, pounced on him like wolves and tigers, roughly twisted his arms behind his back, and tied them tightly with rough ropes.
He was forced to kneel, his knees hitting the ground with a dull thud, but he didn't even flinch, as if he felt no pain. He only slightly adjusted his kneeling posture, still keeping his spine straight, kneeling beside Yan De, who was also covered in wounds but equally unyielding.
Yen Teh suddenly turned his head to look, his eyes filled with disbelief and astonishment.
Is it Ah Qi? That Northern Barbarian bandit? Why is he here? Yan De's mind flashed back to the scene of Fang Ru tearfully choosing to leave with Ah Qi, and his heart was filled with doubts. What is this person's intention in appearing now?
He simply couldn't believe that the kidnapper would be so kind as to risk his life to save a "love rival."
The scarred leader narrowed his sinister eyes, warily scrutinizing the "prisoner" whose demeanor was so different from his own.
He still held the steel knife against Yan De, his voice hoarse like the grinding of gravel: "Who are you?" These three words, filled with intense killing intent, echoed in the hall.
Ah Qi raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting the scrutinizing eyes of the scarred leader.
"I am a secret agent under Lord Hadan." He finally spoke, his voice not loud, but exceptionally clear. "My lord is a man of great wisdom and has long seen through your conspiracy. He has ordered me to infiltrate this place and work with the warriors of the Northern Barbarians on the outskirts to ensure the safety of the Khan." In his words, he deliberately revealed the caution and determination of someone carrying out a secret mission.
"A spy?" The scarred leader frowned, clearly disbelieving. "How could one of Hadan's men be dressed as a servant? Tell me, who else is hiding in here?" His gaze sharpened as he swept towards the shadows where Ah Qi had appeared.
Zhou Ling felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that this was the most crucial moment and that they absolutely could not be allowed to discover Fang Ru.
He remained outwardly calm, even leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice, which carried a solemnity akin to sharing a secret: "This concerns the Great Khan's safety; how could I treat it lightly? To ensure absolute success, Lord Hadan has only sent me to infiltrate. Too many people would only make things worse. My mission is to find the Great Khan and remain hidden until the signal is given."
His explanation was reasonable, and the certainty and secrecy in his tone successfully shifted the attention of the assassins from "searching for accomplices" to "the mission itself."
The scarred leader snorted coldly, not entirely convinced, but the situation was urgent, so he temporarily suppressed his doubts and pointed the blood-stained tip of his blade at Yan De again: "Even if you are Hadan's man, it is not your place to give orders here! Give me a reason not to kill him!" The blade gleamed coldly, only an inch away from Yan De's skin.
Zhou Ling knew that the moment that would determine his life or death had arrived.
His voice suddenly rose, carrying a powerful and resounding force:
"Reason? Just because General Yan De's word is law in the Xia Kingdom, and his prestige is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people! You keep saying you are doing this for the Great Xia, but have you ever thought about what would happen if hundreds of thousands of Xia soldiers knew that their revered General Yan De did not die on the battlefield, but instead died a humiliating death at the hands of your own people who call themselves 'righteous men of Xia'!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the soldiers around him who were slightly moved by his words. His tone became even more somber and sharp: "Once the news reaches back home, the entire army will be shaken, and morale will crumble instantly! Your actions today are not those of heroes, but rather those of villains for the Xia Kingdom! Is this the ending you wanted?!"
His words were like a heavy hammer, each word striking the core beliefs of the suicide squad.
He skillfully concealed his identity as the emperor of Xia, yet he displayed an unparalleled understanding of the morale of the army and the people. Kneeling there, imprisoned, he seemed to be judging everyone present.
The scarred leader's eyes flickered violently a few times, clearly shaken by this morally reprehensible argument.
His hand holding the knife stiffened for a moment.
Fangru, hiding behind the wooden frame, covered her mouth tightly, not daring to breathe.
She looked at the man kneeling on the ground, who seemed taller than everyone else, and watched him risk his life to save her benefactor, speaking eloquently and trying to turn the tide with his words.
His calm demeanor, sharp eyes, and the power in his words gave her heart, gripped by fear, a faint yet firm sense of reliance.
Through his blurred vision with tears, his figure seemed to glow.
However, the struggle on the scarred leader's face lasted only a very short time.
After all, he received a death order that required no mercy.
Obedience to orders ultimately outweighed rational consideration.
His fleshy face twitched violently, and the fierce light in his eyes surged again, even more intensely than before!
"You're using sweet talk and flattery to demoralize our troops!" he roared, completely losing his patience. "Whether you're telling the truth or not, kill them all!"
Before he finished speaking, the muscles in his arm bulged, and the bloodthirsty steel knife, carrying a resolute killing intent, sliced through the air with a sharp whistling sound, and was about to cleave down on the heads of Ah Qi and Yan De, who were kneeling side by side!
"No!" Fangru screamed silently in her heart.
At this critical moment, she saw Ah Qi move.
He did not panic, did not struggle in vain, and did not even look at the blade that was about to kill him.
He simply and slowly, with utmost composure, raised his head. In the firelight, the lines of his profile were as hard as if carved from stone, and his eyes, which were always deep and unfathomable, were now astonishingly bright, like tempered cold stars. There was not a trace of fear in them, only an almost terrifying calmness and an all-knowing understanding.
He didn't immediately look at the scarred leader. Instead, he quickly scanned the surrounding assassins who were on high alert. His gaze was as sharp as a hawk skimming over its prey, as if he had assessed everyone's position, expression, and how they held their weapons in an instant.
The scrutinizing and controlling gaze in his eyes caused the assassin closest to him to instinctively tighten his grip on his knife.
Then, his gaze settled steadily on the scarred leader's face, and a very faint, almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth. It was not a smile, but an expression that mixed contempt and understanding.
"The chief's strike was indeed satisfying," his voice rang out, not loud, but exceptionally clear and steady, like a boulder thrown into still water, each word carrying a heavy weight, "but... to exchange our two mere heads for a monumental achievement that would make us famous throughout the grasslands and terrify the Northern Di royal court... is perhaps too much of a waste."
The scarred leader's arm muscles tensed, and the blade recoiled slightly by half an inch. A flicker of surprise crossed his sinister eyes, a hint of being caught off guard, but more so, suspicion: "Even on the verge of death, you still want to spread rumors and mislead the masses?"
"Deceive the masses?" Ah Qi chuckled lightly, his laughter carrying the composure of someone in a superior judging their inferiors. "Let me ask you, leader, what is your purpose in disguising yourselves as a merchant caravan and infiltrating the Northern Barbarians? Is it merely to assassinate one or two generals and create a few disturbances?"
He didn't need a reply, and continued speaking on his own, his voice suddenly becoming powerful and resonant, with a kind of manipulative magic, "No! What you want is to severely damage the Northern Di and enhance the prestige of the Xia Kingdom! What you want is for all the Northern Di people to tremble at the mere mention of the name of the Xia Kingdom's elite warriors! And now, a perfect opportunity is right in front of you!"
He leaned forward slightly, and even though he was bound and kneeling, his posture seemed to be issuing a command: "Kanmaner, a famous general of the Northern Di, how much does his head weigh? If his elite troops, who are about to launch a strong attack, can be lured into a trap and annihilated in one fell swoop... which is more important, this merit or the silent execution of two prisoners here?"
His words struck like a heavy hammer, each blow landing on the heart of every assassin present. Even the assassin holding Ah Qi's shoulder unconsciously loosened his grip slightly.
Fangru held her breath in the shadows, watching as Aqi, at the brink of life and death, not only did not grovel for mercy, but instead, with incredible calmness and wisdom, attempted to turn the tide.
He spoke eloquently, analyzing the pros and cons and outlining a blueprint. His calm demeanor and confident control of the situation made her almost forget that their lives were hanging by a thread.
A mixture of shock, dependence, and an indescribable sense of trust quietly grew and spread in her heart.
The scarred leader's facial muscles twitched a few times, clearly indicating that he was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
He stared intently at Ah Qi, as if trying to find a flaw in his unfathomable eyes. "Silver tongue! How can you prove it? And how will you contact the outside world?"
“Proof?” Ah Qi raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying the arrogance of a capable person. “My infiltration of this place is proof! As for communication…” He turned his gaze to the dark night sky outside the hall, his tone resolute, “I have practiced archery diligently since childhood. I dare not say I can hit a target from a hundred paces, but delivering an arrow with a secret message attached to it precisely to Lord Hadan’s designated rendezvous point is a piece of cake. Before infiltrating, I had already agreed with the Lord that seeing my arrow would be the signal for the general attack. The message will specify the strength and weakness of the internal defenses, the exact location of the Khan, and… the best route for a breakthrough that can also encircle the resistance!”
The scene he described was so tempting that it was almost an irresistible trap.
The murderous intent in the scarred leader's eyes was gradually replaced by greed and scheming.
He hesitated for a moment, then slowly withdrew the knife from Ah Qi's neck and waved to his men: "Untie him, and bring paper, pen, and bow and arrows!"
After the rough bow, ink stick, and strips of cloth were delivered, Ah Qi stretched his slightly stiff wrists, his posture calm and composed, as if he were not writing a life-saving talisman under the watchful eyes of enemies, but reviewing memorials in his own study.
His hand holding the brush was as steady as a rock. He dipped it in ink, and the strokes were fluid and elegant, exuding an innate nobility and composure.
Fangru looked at his lowered eyes, his focused expression, and his slender fingers holding the pen... Her heart involuntarily trembled slightly with the movement of his pen tip.
He wrote "South Gate".
But beneath those seemingly neat strokes, he employed a secret writing technique known only to him and the mole who had been lurking around General Camman for many years.
Between the beginning and end of the stroke in the character "南" (south), there is a subtle pause signifying "北" (north); at the hook of the character "门" (door), there is a unique stroke representing "reverse direction." Taken together, they form a clear instruction: attack from the north gate!
After finishing writing, he calmly held up the strip of cloth for the scarred leader to see.
The leader examined it carefully and confirmed that it was the word "South Gate". A ferocious smile appeared on his face, as if he could already see the scene of the Northern Di people being slaughtered in the ambush circle at the South Gate.
Ah Qi calmly and carefully wrapped the strips of cloth around the arrow shaft, tying them securely and neatly.
Then, he stood up, walked to the hall entrance amidst the vigilance of the assassins, and drew his bowstring.
The bow made a steady creaking sound in his hands, full of power. He tilted his head slightly, his jawline taut, his sharp eyes aiming at the endless darkness in the distance. His focused and confident posture made it seem as if everything in the world was within his calculations.
Fangru gazed at his retreating figure, feeling as if he were a falcon about to unleash a thunderous strike in the dark night—dangerous, yet captivatingly charming.
"call out!"
The arrow, carrying the secret message with hidden meaning, disappeared into the thick darkness of the night.
Time stretched on endlessly during the wait.
The atmosphere inside the horse ranch tent was heavy and eerie.
Most of the assassins had been transferred to the vicinity of the South Gate, where they lay in ambush under the cover of dilapidated fortifications and shadows, swords drawn and arrows nocked, waiting for the Northern Di to walk right into their trap.
A bloodthirsty excitement and anxious anticipation filled the air.
In the center of the hall, Ah Qi and Yan De were still being guarded, kneeling on the cold ground.
The surrounding firelight seemed dimmer than before, casting long, flickering shadows.
Taking advantage of the guards' momentary lapse in attention, Yan De lowered his voice and asked A Qi urgently with barely concealed concern, "Fangru... how is she? Is she safe?" Even though he himself was in danger, his greatest concern was still the safety of that woman.
Ah Qi turned his head, his cold gaze falling on Yan De's face. A cold smile curved his lips, and his voice was deep, yet each word was clear, carrying an undeniable domineering tone: "General Yan, even at this point, you still dare to covet my woman?"
He leaned closer, his breath carrying a sense of oppression. "If you have a chance to escape later, you'd better run far away and never let me see you again. Otherwise..." His unfinished words were a blatant threat.
Yan De was startled.
Although both were prisoners, the aura emanating from the bandit named Ah Qi beside him sent a chill down his spine—a kind of control and danger far surpassing that of the knife-wielding assassins before him, a chill that was far more terrifying.
He fell silent for a moment, not daring to ask any more questions.
Time passed slowly, and the area outside the south gate remained silent; not even the expected shouts of battle rang out.
The smugness and patience on the leader of the assassins' faces were gradually replaced by anxiety and doubt.
He whirled around, strode up to Ah Qi, grabbed him by the collar, and his eyes flashed with malice: "What's going on?! Why is there still no movement?! Did you deliver your arrow or not? Or are you playing tricks?!"
He raised the knife in his hand again, as if he was about to cleave Ah Qi in two at any moment.
Faced with the enraged leader, Ah Qi's expression remained unusually calm, even carrying a hint of knowing he had anticipated it.
He looked up to meet the leader's menacing gaze, his voice calm and unwavering: "Leader, please calm down. Kanman is no fool; he is always cautious in his military operations. Upon receiving the secret message, he will undoubtedly first ascertain the truth, mobilize his forces, and devise tactics. The south gate appears to be poorly defended, which will only make him suspicious. Naturally, he needs time to observe and prepare. At this moment, it's a test of patience. The longer they drag on, the more relaxed they will become. The best time to launch a surprise attack will be when they are most exhausted before dawn. We, on the other hand, will have a greater chance of victory by waiting in comfort."
His analysis was reasonable, explaining the reason for the delay and reiterating the advantages of "waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out" and "having a greater chance of winning," cleverly transforming the leader's anxiety into an expectation of greater victory.
The leader's grip on his collar loosened unconsciously, and the murderous intent in his eyes lessened slightly, but his doubts were not completely dispelled. He simply snorted coldly and stared intently at the south gate.
Time slipped away in anxious waiting, each breath feeling like being tortured on a knife's edge.
Just as the leader's patience was about to run out and he was preparing to launch another attack!
"kill!!"
A deafening roar of battle cries erupted suddenly from the direction of the North Gate, like a thunderclap from a clear sky!
This sudden turn of events caught everyone off guard.
Accompanied by the sounds of clashing weapons, shrill screams, and the rumble of collapsing wood and stones, chaos swept through the entire racecourse like a flood bursting its banks!
Just now, the Xia Kingdom spy lurking beside Kanmaner saw through the mystery in Zhou Ling's secret letter at a glance.
He earnestly advised Kamman: "General, this letter superficially points to the South Gate, but it contains a hidden secret. Look at the pause at the end of the character 'South'; it clearly warns that there is a trap at the South Gate. The real way out is at the North Gate!" Kamman made a decisive decision and changed the direction of the entire army's attack.
"North Gate! It's the North Gate!" Panic-stricken shouts came from the direction of the North Gate, accompanied by the increasingly loud sounds of fighting.
The leader of the assassins' expressions changed drastically; he instantly realized he'd been tricked! He whirled around, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at Ah Qi, his gaze filled with a murderous intent: "You tricked me!" With a roar, he didn't hesitate any longer, swinging his blade fiercely at Ah Qi, who was right in front of him! This strike, fueled by rage, was as fast as lightning!
Ah Qi was prepared! The moment the leader's expression changed, he leaned back sharply, and at the same time, his legs, which were bound behind his back, suddenly kicked out like springs, accurately and ruthlessly striking the leader's wrist!
With a muffled thud, the leader winced in pain, his blade veering to the side, grazing Ah Qi's shoulder, tearing his clothes and drawing a trail of blood.
The leader missed his first strike and tried to attack again, but the Northern Di soldiers had already poured in from the north gate like a tide, and they were locked in a fierce battle with the hastily assembled assassins. The situation was completely out of control.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, the leader's eyes flashed with madness. He recklessly lunged at the neglected Khan of the Northern Di, and with a swift stroke, ended his life. Then, like a mad tiger, he went to find Ah Qi again.
At this moment, Ah Qi rolled over to a soldier who had just been killed by a Northern Di soldier. He turned his back, used his still free legs to clamp the hilt of the fallen sword, and brought his bound hands close to the sharp blade, quickly and forcefully rubbing and cutting it!
The rope snapped instantly!
The moment his hands were freed, a cold glint flashed in Ah Qi's eyes. He grabbed the longsword from the ground with fluid and swift movements, like a dragon emerging from the abyss. His aura suddenly changed, transforming from restraint and forbearance to fierce and unparalleled power!
Just as he was about to look for Fangru, he caught a glimpse of Yan De's personal guards rushing over in the chaos, swiftly cutting Yan De's ropes, and pulling out Fangru, pale-faced and terrified, from behind the timber.
"General! Run!" The guards protected Yan De and Fang Ru, trying to fight their way through the chaos to a relatively safe area.
"Fangru!" Yan De grabbed her hand, wanting to take her away.
In extreme terror, Fangru subconsciously followed Yan De and ran a few steps.
When Ah Qi saw this scene, his eyes instantly turned extremely sinister! Without any hesitation, he moved like lightning, passing through the chaotic crowd in a few leaps, and accurately blocked Yan De and Fang Ru's path.
"Let go!" His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an irresistible authority and a chilling killing intent. His gaze shot like a sharp arrow towards the hand that Yan De was holding Fang Ru.
Seeing this, Yan De's personal guards tried to step forward to stop him, but A Qi flicked his wrist, and the sword light flashed like a bolt of lightning. The speed was astonishing. With a few clangs, the weapons in the hands of those guards were knocked away! He did not kill them, but the strength he displayed was enough to intimidate them.
Yan De's face turned pale, and he involuntarily loosened his grip on Fang Ru's hand.
In that instant, Ah Qi had already pulled Fang Ru over and held her tightly in his arms, with such force that it seemed he wanted to crush her.
He glanced coldly at Yan De, said nothing more, and, holding the struggling and crying Fang Ru in his arms, quickly disappeared into the increasingly chaotic battle and the billowing dust.
...
After an unknown amount of time, all the noise was left behind.
Inside a low, secluded house in the core area of the Northern Di.
The door was kicked open and slammed shut, cutting off the faint sounds of chaos coming from outside.
Ah Qi roughly threw the nearly exhausted Fang Ru from his arms onto the only hard wooden bed in the room.
Dust particles danced in the dim light filtering through the window cracks.
Fangru was thrown around in a daze. Before she could react, she felt a sharp pain and a feeling of being bound in her wrists and ankles. Aqi had found some rough hemp rope from somewhere and, with extremely skilled and irresistible technique, tied her limbs firmly to the four corners of the wooden bed, creating a humiliating and inescapable position.
"Ah Qi! What are you doing! Let me go!" Fangru struggled in terror, tears streaming down her face.
Immediately afterwards, with a few tearing sounds, Ah Qi used brute force to completely rip off her already disheveled clothes and threw them carelessly on the ground.
The cool air touched her skin, causing her to tremble violently. Her body, exposed to the dim light, broke out in small goosebumps from fear and shame.
Ah Qi's tall figure loomed over him, like a demon seeking death in the dark night.
He leaned down, bracing his hands on the bed frame beside her ears, completely trapping her in the shadow beneath him.
His eyes were as deep and cold as a pool, churning with long-suppressed violence, possessiveness, and a kind of madness that came from having his sore spot touched.
He lowered his head, his cold lips almost touching her earlobe, his breath hot and dangerous, his voice low and husky, each word striking her eardrums and heart with clarity:
"Did I ever say... if you dare to run off with someone else again, I'll cut off your limbs, turn you into a human pig, and make you stay by my side for the rest of your life?"
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Author's Note: There might be another chapter later.
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