Yu Qi's arrogant and defiant words struck Lin Xugui at the foot of the cliff like two slaps across the face. His face flushed crimson, and for a long moment, he couldn't utter a single word.
Yu Qi let out a cold laugh, striding forward in two steps. "Minister Lin, this is your only chance. The men beside you are also Zhou people. According to our Prince's will, kinsmen should not raise blades against each other. But if you insist on forcing us to leave no survivors, we have no choice but to comply!"
Lin Xugui's hands trembled with tension, to the point where he could barely grip his longsword. All around him, hesitant and pleading gazes fell upon him. Utterly distraught, he glanced around frantically before suddenly turning to Lin Xie beside him. During the time it took to drink two cups of tea, Lin Xie had already been utterly broken by fear, rendered speechless. When he noticed Lin Xugui looking at him, his eyes immediately filled with entreaty...
Seeing the plea in Lin Xie's eyes, Lin Xugui suddenly gritted his teeth and spat, "You... you are all rebels! If we surrender to Yan Chi, how can we protect our families back in the capital? Surrender?! Don't even think about it!" As he spoke, Lin Xugui turned to the surrounding soldiers, "Think carefully! If you surrender, you'll become rebels too—punishable by the extermination of all nine clans! Do you still want to surrender?!"
The soldiers, already terrified, grew even more panicked at these words. Among them were garrison troops transferred from Dingzhou and those who had followed Lin Xie from the capital. Those from the Imperial Guard mostly hailed from the Luozhou capital region, and Lin Xugui's words struck directly at their deepest fears!
"My... my family isn't in the capital! I surrender! I surrender!"
Just as Lin Xugui's words were beginning to have some effect, a soldier further away was the first to throw down his long blade and kneel.
Once this man knelt, soldiers around him followed one after another, until soon a whole swath of them were prostrate on the ground. Lin Xugui's eyes burned crimson with fury as he gritted out, "No... no surrender... I won't surrender... absolutely not..."
Most of the Dingzhou garrison troops came from areas around Dingzhou, which had historically been quite close to Shuoxi. At this critical juncture, they cast aside all concerns—almost every one of them chose to surrender, even the wounded struggling to rise from where they lay!
"Long live Prince Rui! We pledge our allegiance to Prince Rui!"
"Long live Prince Rui! We pledge our allegiance to Prince Rui!"
Someone shouted these words, and instantly, the cries spread like waves through the ranks. One after another they knelt, one after another they kowtowed and pledged their loyalty. In the end, fewer than a thousand people remained standing in the entire mountain valley. Watching this scene unfold, both Lin Xugui and Lin Xie felt profound despair grip their hearts!
Lin Xie couldn't help grabbing Lin Xugui's arm. "Minister Lin, my General Lin! Make a decision quickly! Preserve your life now, and we can plan for the future later! Do you truly wish to die here?..."
Lin Xugui's lips trembled, but he still couldn't bring himself to speak the words of surrender. Seeing this, Lin Xie didn't dare voice surrender either—as Lin Zhang's nephew and the designated successor of the Lin clan, surrendering to Yan Chi here would undoubtedly mean he'd have no place left in the family thereafter!Yu Qi watched the kneeling figures filling the mountain hollow and laughed heartily, "Good! Excellent! A wise man knows when to yield! Most of you hail from Dingzhou. Since you're from Dingzhou, you ought to know the ways of our Northwest Frontier Army, and you must be aware of our Prince's formidable reputation and benevolent virtue. Today, all who surrender shall be spared! But if any refuse to yield, or attempt to feign surrender to save their skins—death will be their only fate!Yu Qi's words carried an innate deterrent power. The Dingzhou garrison troops, recalling Yan Chi's fearsome name and considering the current chaos between the Northwest and the southern regions, suddenly felt that defecting to Yan Chi's banner might not be such a bad prospect. However, the capital garrison troops and Lin Xie's duo couldn't surrender so easily. The two stood rigidly beneath the cliff face, torn between resignation to death and cowering fear that kept them from even raising their heads. Seeing this, Yu Qi smiled faintly and waved his hand grandly. Instantly, Northwest Frontier Army soldiers poured down from both mountain ridges!
With both exits and entrances blocked by the Northwest Frontier Army, few dared resist. The battle concluded with lightning speed!
Yu Qi descended halfway down the slope, directing with a chuckle, "Be careful now! Minister Lin and our Deputy Commander Lin are important figures from the capital. Don't let them get injured—capture them properly and bring them back. Our main camp's water dungeon hasn't housed such dignitaries in a long time!"
Yu Qi's roaring laughter echoed, and the surrounding Northwest Frontier Army soldiers joined in uproarious mirth. All who had surrendered discarded their weapons and complied with instructions. Only Lin Xugui and Lin Xie, along with a hundred or so soldiers, huddled tightly against the cliff wall. As Yu Qi's words settled, Lin Xugui's group found themselves surrounded. In such circumstances, Lin Xugui's cause was utterly lost—it seemed captivity was his only alternative to death!
At the mountain peak, Qin Guan observed the scene with a heart heavy with grief for the deceased Jiang Shi, yet stirred by the victory. She turned to gaze at Yan Chi, who watched the proceedings below with unshakable calm, as if merely observing a military exercise. Her emotions grew even more complex—this was war, where victory and defeat were inherent, and only the victor could claim kingship!
Qin Guan withdrew her gaze, her spine straighter than when she had arrived, her eyes more resolute. "What will become of them?"
Yan Chi replied serenely, "They'll become prisoners. Those accustomed to life in the capital cling too dearly to life to seek death."
No sooner had Yan Chi spoken than Lin Xie's soldiers began dropping their blades. Soon, Chu Fei Sheng approached Lin Xugui and Lin Xie with his troops. Had they wished to preserve their honor, the two could have taken their own lives then. Yet they stared in terror at the advancing Northwest Frontier Army, unable to even lift their swords. With a thunderous shout from Chu Fei Sheng, the Northwest Frontier Army swarmed forward, swiftly apprehending Lin Xugui and Lin Xie. Witnessing this, a sharp glint surfaced in Qin Guan's eyes.
Those who had indulged in wealth and luxury truly proved more cowardly and desperate to preserve their lives!
With the battle concluded, Qin Guan asked Yan Chi, "Shall we return to camp?"
Yan Chi shook his head. "Not to Sunset Ridge. We're heading to the main camp."
Qin Guan registered mild surprise. At that moment, Bai Feng, standing behind Yan Chi, launched a Signal Flare into the sky. A crimson streak shot heavenward, and in the next instant, torches blazed to life all along the mountain ridges—including around Yan Chi and Qin Guan, bathing them in brilliant light!
Every captive in the mountain hollow looked up toward the peak. None had imagined anyone would be standing there.Yu Qi descended from the mountainside and delivered two swift kicks to Lin Xie and Lin Xugui, sending both men kneeling to the ground, facing the direction of the ridge above.
Yu Qi laughed, "Why aren’t you kowtowing to our prince yet?!"
Lin Xie’s expression shifted dramatically at these words, but before he could react, Yu Qi’s next kick struck him, filling his throat with the metallic taste of blood. Panicked, Lin Xie hastily kowtowed toward Yan Chi’s direction. Meanwhile, Lin Xugui remained rigidly kneeling, unmoving. Twirling his dagger, Yu Qi remarked with a sinister grin, "Minister Lin, you truly have backbone—"
As he spoke, Yu Qi flicked his wrist, and a flash of crimson followed. Lin Xugui’s agonized scream pierced the air as he collapsed, clutching his ear. In the muddy snow beside him lay the severed ear, cleanly cut by Yu Qi. Hauling Lin Xugui up by the collar, Yu Qi sneered, "This is the consequence of disrespecting our prince." How many ears do you have left to lose, Minister Lin?!"
With that, Yu Qi shoved Lin Xugui aside and ordered, "Tie these two behind the horses—let them walk back to the main camp!"
The soldiers obeyed promptly. On the ridge, Yan Chi finally spoke, "Let’s go. We’ll reach the main camp by dawn."
Qin Guan nodded and followed Yan Chi down the eastern slope of the ridge. At the foot lay the entrance to the valley, where Chu Fei Sheng and Yu Qi were already waiting. Yan Chi instructed, "Have Liao Jun cover the rear and clean up the battlefield. The rest of us will return to the main camp first, bringing Lin Xugui and the other along."
Chu Fei Sheng and Yu Qi responded with bright-eyed enthusiasm, their spirits lifted by the long-awaited victory. They had waited half a year for this moment—for Yan Chi to finally return to the main camp, and now it was happening.
Liao Jun led over a thousand troops to clear the battlefield, while the remaining ten thousand soldiers set off for the main camp.
Lin Xugui and Lin Xie, tied behind Yu Qi’s horse, resembled stray dogs. The night journey was arduous, so Yan Chi’s group progressed slowly. Even so, it took an entire night to glimpse the faint outline of the main camp. Qin Guan rode alongside Yan Chi the entire way. When she glanced back at Lin Xie and the others, she felt no trace of pity. Noticing this, Yan Chi whispered, "Can you hold on? Would you like to ride with me?"
Qin Guan withdrew her gaze and smiled, "I am your princess consort—of course I can endure!"
Though Yan Chi worried for her, Qin Guan found the journey manageable. Exhaustion was inevitable, but it was far more tolerable than she had imagined.
The worst off were undoubtedly Lin Xugui and Lin Xie. The trek from the valley to the main camp lasted all night. Initially, they stumbled along, but within two hours, Lin Xugui—weakened by blood loss—collapsed. Lin Xie managed to persist a while longer. After being dragged for some distance, Lin Xugui was hoisted onto a horse like cargo, laid horizontally across the saddle. Seeing this, Lin Xie dared not even feign unconsciousness—such a position would surely break one’s back.
They traveled through the night, and as dawn tinged the sky, Qin Guan spotted a hazy silhouette in the distance.The Northwest Frontier Army camp was built in a depression backed by hills. From afar, Qin Guan felt she was looking at a city rather than a military camp. The closer she advanced, the clearer she could see a wall resembling a city gate—square, broad, and gateless, yet equipped with high railings. Above the gate tower stood a majestic hall, flanked on both sides by one tall watchtower after another. At this moment, the gate towers and halls were blanketed in snow, appearing like a phantom city suddenly emerging in the snowy wilderness—so serene and solemn it seemed unreal. Yet upon closer look, one could spot fluttering dragon-patterned banners!
Yan Chi also noticed the dragon-patterned banners at once. Narrowing his eyes, he suddenly picked up the longbow hanging from his horse's head.
Yan Chi nocked an arrow, drew the bow, and shot at the dragon-patterned banner atop the gate tower. With a "whoosh," Qin Guan saw the arrow streak through the air like a meteor. Soon, one large banner toppled over. Yan Chi drew his bow repeatedly, firing six arrows in total. All six banners on the gate tower abruptly fell. Behind them, Yu Qi and the others erupted in waves of cheers. The overnight march had not dampened their morale; on the contrary, returning to the main camp with Yan Chi was a matter of pride that set their blood boiling!
Simultaneously, on the gate tower of the Northwest Frontier Army's main camp, several soldiers jolted awake from their slumber.
"Something's wrong! Something's wrong! Quick, report it! Someone's attacking!"
"The banners have fallen! Who has such fine archery? All six banners are down!"
The news spread like wildfire, quickly alarming nearly half the camp. Northwest Frontier soldiers gathered toward the camp entrance, peering outside.
"What should we do? Minister Lin hasn't returned yet—what's happening?!"
"Hmph, it's not our Northwest Frontier Army battle flag that fell! Why panic? Isn't it said that General Chu is leading troops here?!"
"General Chu only has a few thousand men—how dare he approach so closely!"
The soldiers buzzed with discussion. Most remained unmoved by the fall of the dragon banners, eagerly anticipating Chu Fei Sheng's arrival with his troops. Yet a portion grew vigilant. Among the officers still at the main camp, some had been persuaded by Lin Xugui. One such officer now stepped forward and declared, "What nonsense are you all spouting?! Even if Chu Fei Sheng comes, he's a rebel now! Why haven't you raised the banners? Do you all want to rebel?"
Everyone knew this man had been bought off. They sneered inwardly but dared not openly defy him. With their young general yet to return, the camp lacked a leader, and they could only endure for now. At the bribed officer's words, some went to hang the banners. But then, those on the watchtowers suddenly cried out in alarm.
"They're coming! They're really here! So many people! I see them!"
The watchtower guards shouted, but those below couldn't see that far.
"I see it—it's the wolf-patterned army flag! It's our battle standard! General Chu has returned!"
At these words, except for a few who had been bribed, all craned their necks in anticipation. The crowd buzzed with waves of talk, many openly expressing support for Chu Fei Sheng. Just then, another shout came from the watchtowers: "Wait! It's not General Chu—it's—"The speaker hesitated, not daring to speak plainly, while those below grew increasingly anxious. As the army drew closer, the wolf-emblazoned banners became visible against the snowy night sky. Soon, two stumbling, disheveled figures came into view first!
"Look! Who are they? They look like Minister Lin—"
"Yes! It's Minister Lin! And that deputy commander from the capital—"
"Hahaha! Minister Lin's state clearly shows defeat! They've been taken prisoner!"
Lin Xugui and Lin Xie had their hands bound, with long ropes dragging on the ground—an intentional humiliation. At the sight, the soldiers couldn't help but cheer, disregarding even the higher-ranking bribed officers nearby! Lin Xugui had been in the Northwest Frontier Army for some time, usurping authority under the emperor's banner and nearly causing Chu Fei Sheng's death. Ordinary soldiers had long seethed with silent anger. Now, seeing Lin Xugui return in such disgrace, seasoned veterans instantly understood what had happened.
"Minister Lin was defeated! Was it General Chu? Did General Chu crush them?"
"No! Not General Chu—look at the one leading the march. That's clearly—"
Everyone held their breath behind the barricades, watching the approaching army. Amid the tide of soldiers advancing like waves, Yan Chi's figure stood out strikingly. Clad in black armor today, he appeared majestic and formidable, his presence overwhelming. The crowd stared in disbelief—some murmuring in shock, others rubbing their eyes as if dreaming. But as the troops drew nearer, most recognized Yan Chi clearly.
"It's the young general! The young general has returned—"
"The young general is now our prince! Our Prince Rui!"
"It's him! His Highness has returned! His Highness is back!"
The soldiers erupted in fervor. Those guarding the gates couldn't resist pushing the barricades open. Once opened, the front ranks surged forward to meet them. Seeing Yan Chi leading the army closer, the foremost soldiers suddenly knelt to the ground!
Every loyal member of the Northwest Frontier Army shared Yu Qi's sentiments. They had been waiting, yearning—since Yan Lin's death, Yan Chi had become their only hope. Now, their hope had returned.
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