"You dare!"
Su Can roared in fury as soon as he regained his composure. Just as he was about to charge forward, Wei Xia kicked him squarely in the legs. Wei Yun sat calmly on the Golden Throne, watching him coldly. "Your Majesty, it would be best if you refrain from reckless actions. You understand the blood feud between the Northern Di and my family."
Almost all the princes of Northern Di had been to the battlefield. Before ascending the throne, Su Can had crossed paths with Wei Yun.
Back then, Wei Yun was merely a youth cheering behind his father and brothers, but now he sat upon the Golden Throne, locking eyes with him in icy confrontation.
Su Can quickly grasped the kind of man Wei Yun had become. After steadying himself, he spoke slowly, "What kind of emperor your Great Chu has—aren’t you well aware? Now that you’ve come here, even if I recall Sucha, you will never leave alive. Is it not a pity to serve such a tyrant?"
Wei Yun curled his lips into a smirk. "Your Majesty is truly eloquent. Even at this moment, you still attempt to sow discord. A pity—Wei does not protect that dog emperor. If it were him, I might indeed be tempted."
Su Can’s expression darkened. Wei Qiu strode in and said coldly, "Marquis, the outside has been cleared. A few eunuchs in the rear palace are guarding the imperial consorts and refuse to come to the main hall."
"Ah," Wei Yun nodded. "Perfect. I happen to need a few hands."
With that, he stood and walked out. "Have everyone gather in the square. As for those who resist—light them all as Human Lanterns."
Hearing this, Su Can jerked his head up. Wei Yun turned to him with a smile. "I forgot to inform Your Majesty—Wei the Seventh never learned the Wei family’s honor and integrity, but I’ve taken quite an interest in Northern Di’s methods. Your Majesty currently has twelve children and thirty-one consorts in the palace. What do you think of lighting one every half-hour?"
Su Can trembled with rage in his eyes. Wei Yun suddenly recalled, "Your esteemed Dowager Empress must be nearing seventy now?"
"Wei Yun!"
Su Can could no longer restrain himself. He lunged forward but was slammed to the ground by Wei Xia, blood pooling beneath him. Wei Yun watched him impassively.
Su Can was warlike—it was only after his ascension that Northern Di launched full-scale campaigns. Staring at his blood, Wei Yun spoke slowly, "Su Can, when you started this war, you should have known that all battles are built upon mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Even as an emperor, you are not exempt."
Raising a hand, he commanded, "Drag him out. Keep him awake to watch the Sky Lanterns. One person every hour. The moment he writes the letter recalling Sucha, we stop."
Wei Xia and Wei Qiu acknowledged the order and hauled Su Can away. Soon, the sounds of women weeping, men cursing, soldiers shouting, and screams filled the air.
All the noises intertwined as Wei Yun sat upon the Golden Throne, his expression deathly still.
The Northern Di Royal Court’s hall was cold and dark. He felt as though he were in hell, surrounded by the laughter of demons—while he himself was the greatest demon of all.
His hands were drenched in blood, his heart filthy and vile. If there truly were judgment in the afterlife, he would surely be condemned to the eighteenth layer of hell, never to be reborn.
But he had no choice.
With just over two thousand men, he had to suppress the entire Northern Di Royal Court. Without a bloodbath, without breaking their spirits completely in one stroke, he would soon face their retaliation.The royal court had long become a massive crucible of strife, where one either killed or was killed.
But it was so cold and dark here. As the screams of women echoed outside, he couldn’t help but close his eyes. His entire body trembled, sustained only by the thought of one person.
The image of Chu Yu standing atop the city walls in her billowing white robes, watching him leave, was seared into his mind.
She was waiting for him.
He had to save her.
After what felt like an eternity, Wei Qiu entered, holding the Northern Di Royal Court’s Jade Seal and Imperial Decree. “Lord Marquis,” he said, “Su Can has written it.”
Wei Yun lifted his gaze and nodded numbly. “Send it out.”
As Su Can’s Imperial Decree raced toward the front lines, Sucha finally launched his final assault.
Most of the hills around Phoenix Tomb City had already been taken, leaving only the lone city standing atop the mountain. Sucha’s forces swarmed the slopes of Phoenix Mausoleum, eyeing the city with predatory intent.
Chu Yu watched as they hauled siege equipment up the mountain. Gu Chusheng stood beside her, frowning. “They’re likely preparing for their last strike.”
“Heaven’s Guard Pass is holding, right?”
Chu Yu’s voice was calm. “He’s desperate.”
Gu Chusheng hummed in agreement. As Chu Yu observed the sea of soldiers below, a premonition settled over her.
“Gu Chusheng,” she said quietly, “do you truly love me?”
Gu Chusheng stiffened slightly before answering without hesitation, “Yes.”
“You know,” Chu Yu chuckled softly, “I’ve always felt like you owed me from a past life.”
Gu Chusheng didn’t respond. He lowered his eyes, understanding her meaning.
When she looked at him, what Chu Yu remembered were those absurd, agonizing days of her past life. His voice was rough as he replied, “Perhaps.”
“Promise me one thing, and I’ll let go of that past life.”
At this, Gu Chusheng looked up at her. Chu Yu kept her gaze fixed on the mountain below, her tone steady. “If I die, promise me you’ll save Xiao Qi, work with him, and protect Great Chu.”
In their past life, it had been Wen Gu Wu Wei —Gu in civil affairs, Wei in military. This life should be no different.
Yet hearing this, Gu Chusheng’s eyes burned with anger. He stared at her, a bitter laugh escaping his lips.
“If you die,” he said, his voice deadly serious, “I will never forgive him in this lifetime.”
Chu Yu lifted her gaze to see Gu Chusheng clenching his fists, his eyes alight with fury and fear.
In their past life, Chu Yu had died before his eyes, and he had suffered for twenty years.
Now, he had come here precisely to avoid reliving those days. If she died, what reason did he have to keep living?
“Listen to me,” he said, his voice trembling with a fear even a child could detect, “if you die, I won’t spare the Wei family. I won’t spare the Chu family. Every single person you love—I’ll destroy them all!”
Chu Yu studied him quietly before letting out a soft laugh. “You’ve always been so arrogant.”
Even in his youth, Gu Chusheng had believed he could conquer mountains and rivers.
It seemed he still thought the same now.
Chu Yu wasn’t surprised by his confidence. She turned away, gazing into the distance. “If you don’t want me to die, then speak properly. What’s the point of this?”
Gu Chusheng froze. After a moment, his shoulders slowly relaxed, and he unclenched his fists.
Chu Yu took a sip of wine and turned to leave when Gu Chusheng suddenly spoke again.
“I don’t want you to die.”
Chu Yu paused, the wine pouch in her hand, and glanced back in surprise. Gu Chusheng lifted his head, meeting her eyes with unwavering intensity as he repeated, “I don’t want you to die.”Chu Yu remained silent. After a long while, she gave a faint smile, raised her wine pouch, then turned and left.
By midnight, the sounds of an assault on the city reached her ears. Chu Yu, already prepared, rushed up to the city walls and drew her sword amidst the beating of war drums.
The cacophony of war drums, explosions, and battle cries melded into one. After several engagements, the Northern Di had learned to counter the gunpowder, positioning their formations far enough away to render its already low accuracy even more ineffective.
By dawn of the second day, the Northern Di forces had reached the base of the city walls, attempting to scale them. Meanwhile, Chu Yu had long ordered the main gate to be barricaded with massive stones, sealing everyone inside—no one could enter, no one could leave.
The enemy swarmed upward, fearless of death, with no retreat possible.
Chu Yu’s sword broke, then her spear, then every weapon she could wield—until she snatched replacements from the corpses around her.
She lost track of time, remembering only the endless cycle of raising her arms, swinging whatever weapon she held, hastily eating when she could, dozing briefly with her sword in her arms, then standing again on the battlements.
Day and night blurred together.
Bodies piled high beneath the walls, and the living climbed over them to continue the assault.
More and more wounded were carried down from the battlements. Medical supplies in the city had long been exhausted, leaving only the most basic acupuncture techniques to treat the injured.
Chu Jin and Han Min shuttled back and forth, carrying the wounded down from the walls.
Gu Chusheng stayed close behind Chu Yu, intercepting assassins who targeted her from the shadows.
Time stretched endlessly until Chu Yu was drenched in blood. Finally, the Northern Di withdrew, seemingly to regroup.
As they rested, Chu Yu could tell they would soon launch a second wave. She sat on the battlements, watching the distance.
Gu Chusheng brought food—by now, the city’s provisions were gone, and they had begun slaughtering warhorses for rations.
Chu Yu ate the horse meat and took a swig of wine. Gu Chusheng said calmly, "The number of severely wounded soldiers in the city is beyond count. Only five hundred remain fit to fight. With no medicine left, more will die if this drags on."
Chu Yu paused mid-sip. Gu Chusheng continued, "But don’t worry too much. If Wei Yun succeeded, Sucha should withdraw soon. If you can hold out until then… we win."
His tone was flat, but he knew the weight behind those words. When would "then" come? With only five hundred defenders left against tens of thousands of Northern Di troops—how could they last?
Chu Yu pressed her lips together and said nothing. She gripped the wine pouch tightly, then took another drink, feeling the liquor burn down her throat before the tension eased slightly.
Moments later, horns blared again. The Northern Di soldiers regrouped and advanced, while every remaining defender in Phoenix Tomb City rushed to the walls at the urgent calls, taking their positions.
Under the bright moon, Chu Yu knelt on the battlements, her plain robes stained a deep crimson, as if she had been dredged from a sea of blood.
Watching the enemy slowly approach, she took a final sip of wine before pouring the rest over her blade.
The liquor trickled down the steel, softening the dried blood. With a light wipe, the sword gleamed cold and clear once more.
Chu Yu gazed at her reflection in the blade, her lips curving into a smile.
Pushing herself up, she pointed her sword at the charging Northern Di soldiers and laughed aloud."Even if my body shatters like jade, I will guard this peace across the rivers and mountains. If I may return home next year..."
Somehow, Chu Yu's eyes conjured the image of that youth in plain robes and jade crown, his back turned to her outside the long corridor.
When he left, green buds peeked from branches, flower buds hidden among leaves, trembling slightly when the wind blew.
Listening to the sounds of battle, Chu Yu spoke hoarsely: "Tell me, Hua Jing, how many springs have passed?"
As she spoke, Northern Di soldiers used the piled corpses as footholds, sending skilled climbers scaling the walls!
Chu Yu grabbed one by the collar and hurled him down!
This time, the Northern Di had regrouped, attacking fiercer and more relentless, determined to make this their final assault.
More and more fell. Gu Chusheng, Liu Rong and others moved to fill the gaps.
Until there were no more men to carry the wounded away—everyone held their ground.
The drummer had been shot dead by arrows, collapsed beside his drum. In the eerie silence, Chu Jin trembled as she grasped the drumsticks, gritting her teeth to strike the beat!
The drum's roar echoed across the battlements as dawn slowly broke. Chu Yu flicked her sword to dispatch another climber, spotting Northern Di royal envoys riding toward the distant commander's tent.
"They're retreating," Gu Chusheng panted.
Chu Yu acknowledged but said no more.
The Northern Di royal envoys remained in Sucha's tent for long. Half an hour later, when Sucha finally emerged, the retreat sounded. Soldiers hesitated until someone shouted in Northern Di tongue: "The royal city has fallen—we're going home!"
Within half an hour, the Northern Di army withdrew.
Seeing their retreat, Liu Rong—nearly fifty—collapsed to the ground, clutching Han Xiu's sleeve as he bawled like a child.
Sheathing her sword, Chu Yu rushed down the battlements. Gu Chusheng chased after her: "Where are you going?!"
"Heaven's Guard Pass."
Her voice calm, she mounted a horse and galloped off. Gu Chusheng, frantic but helpless, followed.
They rode without rest to Heaven's Guard Pass, now long pacified. Chu Linyang and Song Shilan had recaptured over a dozen cities, making the pass a secure rear position.
Dismounting, Chu Yu identified herself and sought out Chu Linyang. Gu Chusheng, physically weaker, vomited violently upon arrival and was carried away.
Facing her brother, Chu Yu's first question was: "Where's Wei Yun?!"
Chu Linyang had expected her. Seeing her bloodied state, he frowned: "Bathe, change clothes, rest properly."
"Where is Wei Yun?" she demanded through clenched teeth.
Chu Linyang pressed his lips, then answered slowly: "At the Northern Di royal court."
"I'm going to him."
As she turned, Chu Linyang stopped her: "Halt!"
Eyes shut, knowing his objections, she whispered hoarsely: "Brother, he went for me. I can't abandon him. Don't try to—"
"Bathe, change clothes, rest properly," he repeated. "I'll give you men—then you go."Chu Yu froze, turning back to look at Chu Linyang with eyes full of disbelief.
Chu Linyang met her gaze, pressed his lips together as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he only sighed and said, “Wei Yun is very good.”
“Yes,” Chu Yu smiled faintly and nodded. “Our Xiao Qi has always been the best.”
Chu Linyang seemed to have more to say, but under the proud look in Chu Yu’s eyes, he ultimately just nodded and remained silent.
Chu Yu returned, bathed, had a physician apply medicine to her wounds, changed into fresh clothes, then collapsed into bed and fell into a deep sleep.
When she woke the next day, she and Chu Linyang discussed the current situation.
Zhao Yue had taken Hua Jing, killed Emperor Chunde, and immediately sent letters to Chu Linyang and Song Shilan, claiming he would restrain Yao Yong and urging everyone to unite against their common enemy.
Zhao Yue showed great sincerity—sending money, troops, and provisions—while also placing Yao Yong under house arrest. Though everyone knew it was just for show, there was little they could do. After all, they couldn’t turn around and start a civil war within Great Chu.
After hearing Chu Linyang’s thoughts, Chu Yu finally asked, “What about The Eldest Princess?”
Chu Linyang paused slightly. Chu Yu lifted her eyes to him. “Emperor Chunde was The Eldest Princess’s elder brother. She would never help Zhao Yue kill her own kin. Is she alright?”
Chu Linyang thought for a moment, then shook his head. “There’s been no news of Her Highness.”
No news meant that the faction supporting The Eldest Princess had remained inactive during this time.
Chu Yu nodded in understanding. After settling on a departure time with Chu Linyang, she stood and walked out.
In the courtyard, she saw Gu Chusheng waiting for her by the gate, his luggage already packed. She frowned at him. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going with you.”
Gu Chusheng spoke decisively, listing his reasons: “You’ll need a cover story. We can pose as a merchant couple. You don’t have experience as a merchant, but I—”
“Gu Chusheng,” Chu Yu said calmly, “stay here. I can act as a merchant.”
Gu Chusheng froze. Only then did he vaguely recall—
In their past life, he and Chu Yu had also disguised themselves as merchants, gathering intelligence multiple times during the six-year war between Great Chu and the Northern Di.
She didn’t need him.
The realization struck him with a sharp pang, leaving him flustered and at a loss. He could only lower his head and murmur, “Oh… then I’ll just accompany you—”
“I don’t need your company.”
Chu Yu’s voice remained even as she studied his dejected posture, countless memories flashing through her mind.
Finally, she spoke again, but it was a question: “Do you know how The Eldest Princess is faring?”
Hearing this, Gu Chusheng was momentarily stunned before understanding her meaning. He quickly reassured her, “Don’t worry. Zhao Yue wouldn’t dare touch her, no matter who else he harms.”
In their past life, Zhao Yue had died by The Eldest Princess’s hand. If he were to meet his end this time, it would likely be the same.
Chu Yu nodded. Gu Chusheng clutched his bundle, waiting for her to speak. After a long silence, she finally said, “Stay. Assist Qin Shiyue in reorganizing the Wei family’s troops.”
“I—”
“While Wei Yun and I are away, watch over the Wei family. Once this is done…” She lifted her gaze to him, her expression complicated. “The debt you owe me will be settled.”
What he owed her from their past life—she no longer wanted to dwell on it, no longer wished to pursue it.This person wasn't from her past life, and she shouldn't have taken her anger out on him.
Gu Chusheng was slightly stunned. He understood what Chu Yu was referring to, but he could only pretend not to know. His voice was hoarse as he asked, "Then, one day... can I marry you?"
Chu Yu didn't answer. After a long silence, she finally said, "We'll see."
What the future held, she didn't know.
All she knew was that here and now, across countless mountains and rivers, she had to go save Wei Yun.
Without delay, after bidding farewell to Gu Chusheng, she gathered her men and headed straight for the royal court.
Meanwhile, Wei Yun, who was in the Northern Di palace, received news of Sucha's return. He secretly assembled his men and said to Shen You, "Take them and send them out in small groups without drawing attention. When Sucha is about two days away, we'll leave. Make sure to bring the horses."
"Where are we going?" Shen You asked, puzzled.
Wei Yun replied calmly, "There's a village nearby. We'll raid it and leave."
Shen You was completely dumbfounded by Wei Yun's words. It took him a long moment to process it. "Marquis," he finally said, "you have less than two thousand men right now, and you're deep in Northern Di territory. Instead of running, you want to attack another place? Are you out of your mind?!"
"Northern Di is vast and sparsely populated. The distance between villages is enormous. After we attack one place, by the time the news reaches Sucha and he comes after us, we'll have already moved on to the next target. Hit and run—no prolonged battles. With this kind of harassment, their people will naturally panic."
Wei Yun spoke coolly, while Shen You stared at him as if he were a madman.
After a long while, Shen You slowly came back to his senses. "I get it now. You don't plan on going back, do you?"
"Can I even go back?" Wei Yun lifted his gaze, his expression calm. "The people of Northern Di and Great Chu look so different that we'd be recognized immediately. Escaping from the royal court and crossing Northern Di to return to Great Chu—that wouldn't be a journey back, it'd be a fight back."
"Do you think I can win that fight?" Wei Yun looked at Shen You, his demeanor composed. Shen You was stunned by the question. Wei Yun gave a faint smile.
"So, I'd rather stay here, struggling to survive. As long as I cause chaos here, Sucha won't have the mind to attack Great Chu. Chu Linyang and Song Shilan can proceed with their plans, advancing step by step. I'll coordinate with them from inside."
"Who knows," Wei Yun's expression softened slightly, "I might even get to wait for my sister-in-law to come rescue me?"
Author's Note:
Chu Yu: Sister-in-law is coming, just as promised.
Next chapter, they'll finally meet and the romance plot begins, la la la la la~ ><
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