Chapter Forty-Nine
Liu Zhao stared in disbelief at his son, who was facing him with weapons. In those eyes, which resembled his mother's, burned a flame he had never seen before—a flame that could overturn everything for one person.
The flames both enraged him and subtly pierced a long-buried memory of regret deep within his heart.
But self-interest trumps everything. When Liu Zhao saw his son dare to draw his sword against him, his eyes burned with rage, and he shouted, "Seize this rebellious son!"
"Protect the young master!" Liu Jinhuai's personal guards shouted at the same time.
At the command, the two sides instantly clashed.
However, this was ultimately a conflict between father and son. Both Liu Zhao's personal guards and Liu Jinhuai's protectors were hesitant to act, fearing that they might actually hurt the other party and cause irreparable consequences.
The sounds of clashing swords, trampling hooves, and suppressed shouts mingled together, creating a chaotic scene.
It was this chaotic situation, where people were hesitant to act for fear of harming others, that gave Liu Jinhuai the perfect opportunity!
He glanced deeply at his father, whose face was ashen in the crowd, and without further hesitation, he yanked the reins sharply!
"drive!"
The horse neighed loudly, raised its front hooves, and then charged like an arrow towards the weakest point in the encirclement.
"Stop him!"
Upon seeing this, Liu Zhao roared in exasperation.
Several loyal Liu family guards tried to stop him, but were held back by several highly skilled guards around Liu Jinhuai, who used their bodies to clear a path for him.
The sound of horses' hooves was rapid, kicking up dust.
Liu Jinhuai held the unconscious Yu Mobai tightly in his arms, lowered his body, and rushed out of the battle without looking back, leaving his father's roar and the chaotic sounds of fighting far behind.
His goal was clear—Yancheng!
Horse hooves trod across the last hill on the border of Yancheng, and the familiar city began to emerge in the morning light.
Liu Jinhuai pulled on the reins and stopped.
He looked down at Yu Mobai, who was still unconscious in his arms due to blood loss and exhaustion.
That face, which was always full of lively smiles, was now as quiet as a child's.
He carefully, almost greedily, traced the other person's features with his gaze, as if trying to etch this moment into his soul.
He bent down and, very gently, like a feather brushing against Yu Mobai's cold forehead, left a silent farewell.
Then, he deftly dismounted.
He took out a highly effective wound medicine and a small bag of water that he always carried with him, and gently placed them in Yu Mobai's arms so that he could find them when he woke up.
After doing all this, he took a step back and looked at Yu Mobai one last time, as if he wanted to bury him along with this unspoken emotion.
"Snap..."
Liu Jinhuai slapped the horse's rump hard, and the horse, wincing in pain, spurred itself forward, steadily walking towards the city gate...
He did not set foot in Yancheng.
That place was Yu Mobai's ideal world, a pure land he devoted all his efforts to protecting.
What identity should I have when I go in? A traitor who defected on the battlefield? A stray dog in need of shelter?
Or... an "old friend" he might never want to see again?
Pride wouldn't allow him to do that.
He was also unable to return to his family.
He turned against his father with swords drawn, betraying the family's interests for the sake of the "enemy," and had personally severed his path home.
The identity of Liu's legitimate son shattered the moment he held Yu Mobai in his arms.
In this vast world, there is no place for Liu Jinhuai to stand.
The guards at the gate saw a man lying unsteadily on his horse and immediately surrounded him.
"It's the city lord!"
Some people gasped in shock after seeing the face clearly.
Hongdou, who had been waiting anxiously at the city gate, could no longer contain herself and rushed forward, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"Quickly! Help the city lord down and send him back to his residence to heal his wounds immediately!"
Yu Mobo stood at a distance and took one last look at the figure being carried on someone's back.
Then, he turned around resolutely without any hesitation. Alone, with slightly unsteady steps, yet with extraordinary determination, he walked towards that vast, unknown road—a road completely opposite to the city, his family, and all his past.
He gave up the glory bestowed by his surname, the power that came with his status, and even the right to be close to that person.
The sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting a long shadow of him, lonely yet carrying a desolate freedom.
He vanished at the end of light and dust, like water dripping into the desert, leaving no trace.
...
Inside the military tent, sunlight shone on Song Guansui's handsome face. His dark hair was slightly disheveled, and there was a lazy smile at the corner of his eyes, showing no trace of his former fierceness.
He leaned back on the couch, toying with a string of silver bells between his fingers, the smile on his lips revealing his undisguised delight.
"Prepare the carriage to return to the central area. Choose the thickest and softest cushions."
"Prepare a few more sets of plain-colored clothes, made of brocade, because Yan'er doesn't like complicated patterns."
His tone was languid, with a charming sense of relaxation, and the fleeting joy in his eyes accentuated his extraordinary handsomeness.
However, at that moment...
Hurried footsteps and anxious reports came from outside the tent.
"Report! Lord Song, something terrible has happened! Our army's three main supply lines were completely cut off last night, and three major grain depots caught fire simultaneously, resulting in heavy losses!"
"Report! Urgent! Qin Moxuan and Shen Qingyuan, together with seventeen chambers of commerce in the Southern District, have announced the establishment of the 'Southern District Trade Alliance,' and... on this basis, have frozen 30% of the cash and goods circulating in the Song family's purview!"
"Report! An unidentified army has appeared in the direction of Yancheng. They are well-organized and carry a commander's flag with the character 'Qin' clearly visible. They have already broken through two of our defenses and are heading straight for the outskirts of Jincheng!"
A series of devastating news struck like three thunderbolts in quick succession within the magnificent military tent.
The silver bell in Song Guansui's hand suddenly stopped shaking.
The smile on his lips vanished completely, and his eyes, which had just been filled with ease and languor, were now as dark as the night sky before a storm.
What a Qin Moxuan! What a Shen Qingyuan!
After twenty years of lying low, he remained still until the moment he struck, unleashing a thunderous force! Song Guansui led the powerful figures of the central district to besiege Jincheng here, engaging in a seemingly casual battle.
The couple, however, quietly circled around to the back of the entire coalition forces.
Instead of joining forces with Jincheng to attack the powerful main force of the coalition, they used precise and ruthless methods to directly destroy the coalition's economic lifeline and logistical foundation.
This is no longer a simple military harassment; it is a meticulously planned, all-out treacherous war aimed at dismantling Song Guansui's power!
However, you all underestimate me, Song Guansui!
...
Meanwhile, within Jincheng.
The day after Jiang Manyan wrote that vicious oath, the "divine soldier" returned from the ruins and despair!
Despite being severely injured, Qin Lingfeng, who remained as upright as a javelin, appeared in the chaotic city of Jin.
At this moment, the traitor at the city gate was trying to lead the enemy army into the city and take over Jincheng.
The ranks of the troops were in turmoil. Lin Xiu, the sixth brother, held a knife in one hand and led the remaining troops in a final stand.
"Lin Xiu!"
A familiar, hoarse yet incredibly firm shout made Lin Xiu, who was in dire straits, turn around abruptly.
Qin Lingfeng was covered in blood, his armor was tattered, but his eyes were as sharp as ever.
Behind him was the army of Yancheng.
...
The traitor was quickly brought to justice.
Then, without saying a word, the two excitedly bumped chests and embraced each other!
"I knew it... I knew you wouldn't die!"
Lin Xiu's eyes welled up with tears, her voice choked with emotion, and without hesitation, she took out a token from her bosom and solemnly handed it over.
"General Qin! Before the city lord left, he gave an order that if you return, you will temporarily take over all affairs of Jin City!"
Qin Lingfeng took the token, resolutely turned around, and stepped onto the high ground.
His gaze swept across the crowd below, a mixture of fear, anger, and anticipation, as he raised the two tiger tallies, representing the highest military power in Jincheng and Yancheng, high above his head!
"The internal strife has been quelled!"
His voice was loud and clear, like a war drum resounding in everyone's heart, carrying an undeniable power.
"The traitor has been captured! This is the military mobilization tally for Jincheng and Yancheng! From this moment forward, all defenses of Jincheng will be temporarily handled by me, Qin Lingfeng!"
He surveyed the crowd, each word carrying immense weight.
"Gentlemen! Follow me—to defend against the enemy!"
...
In the dark and damp dungeon, the third brother, Wang Jianglin, sat against the corner of the wall, wearing heavy shackles and bearing injuries, clearly having just experienced some "entertainment".
He stared blankly at the ground, seemingly numb to everything around him.
The cell door was suddenly pushed open, and Qin Lingfeng, still smelling of gunpowder from the battlefield, strode in with Lao Liu, Lin Xiu, and the others.
The sixth brother, his eyes bloodshot, was the first to rush forward and grab the third brother by the collar, almost lifting him up.
"Wang Jianglin! Why?! The city lord treated you like a brother, and Jincheng is our home! Why did you betray us?! Speak up!"
The sixth man's voice was distorted with anger and grief.
The third brother let him grab him, without even a flicker of emotion in his eyes, only his lips were tightly pursed, revealing an almost desperate stubbornness.
Qin Lingfeng raised his hand, stopping the sixth brother who was about to make a move. He walked up to the third brother, looked down at him, and spoke in a voice as cold as ice.
“Wang Jianglin, Man Yan and I have both treated you well. If it weren’t for your intelligence, how could the Allied forces have struck our side so accurately and besieged Jincheng?”
"If you hadn't revealed the secret passage, how could Jiang Zhong have been captured? And Man Yan... how could he have..."
Qin Lingfeng choked up, unable to continue speaking due to immense pain. He took a deep breath and stared intently at the third brother.
“Give me a reason. Otherwise, I cannot answer to my dead brothers, nor can I answer to… the Slow Smoke that is still in the enemy’s hands.”
The third brother finally raised his head. He looked at Qin Lingfeng, his once honest eyes now bloodshot and filled with unfathomable weariness.
He opened his mouth, a thousand words stuck in his throat, but in the end, they only turned into a hoarse whisper.
"I'm sorry to the city lord... I'm sorry to my brothers... I... have nothing to say."
He lowered his head again, pressing all his explanations and grievances, along with his heavy guilt, deep into his heart.
He disdained to explain, nor could he explain, because any explanation would seem pale and powerless in the face of the established, tragic facts.
...
Outside Jin City, inside the main tent where the "Qin" flag fluttered, the atmosphere was solemn.
Qin Moxuan frowned, his gaze fixed on the location of Jincheng on the military map, his eyes filled with unbearable grief and deep self-blame.
"That boy, Manyan, fought against the powerful and wealthy with the newly reborn Jincheng, buying us this precious opportunity. If only we could have acted a little faster..." His unfinished words were filled with heavy regret.
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