Love Beyond the Grave

When Zhao Chun returned to his own tent, he saw his guards' corpses strewn haphazardly across the ground in the flickering lamplight. His heart clenched as he was about to shout for help when suddenly a flexible steel wire tightened around his neck from behind. The assailant kicked his knees, forcing him to kneel, then bound his hands behind his back. The wire continued constricting his throat, making it impossible to breathe or cry out.

The attacker stepped in front of him, and Zhao Chun's eyes widened in shock.

Duan Xu stood there, his face pale and steps unsteady, as if the ambush had drained his strength. He crouched before Zhao Chun, resting a hand on his shoulder with an innocent smile. "Marshal Zhao, long time no see. You've grown even more impressive—so much so that I'm left utterly speechless with admiration."

Remembering Duan Xu's infamous moniker, "Smiling King of Hell," Zhao Chun shuddered. How had Duan Xu suddenly appeared at the front lines?

"In just one month, Qingzhou fell, half of Fengzhou was lost, and if not for the desperate resistance of our Great Liang soldiers, you would have lost both Qizhou and Youzhou too! Do you know what Youzhou is? Our lifeline! And Qizhou? Our granary! What kind of fool are you? Do you think war in the Northern Territory is child's play? That just because I conquered five provinces in a year and a half, you could do the same? You're a commander—countless lives depend on you! The Northern Territory soldiers who've fought alongside me in countless battles know better than you how idiotic your orders were. Did you listen to them? You wanted to assert your authority, but all you did was send them to their deaths!"

"The Returning Crane Army lost thirty percent, the Snow-Treading Army lost thirty percent, and the Accomplishing Victory Army lost twenty percent. My brother..." Duan Xu's eyes reddened as his fingers dug into Zhao Chun's shoulder. He spoke through gritted teeth, "My brother wasn't even fourteen this year. For six years, I kept him by my side, never letting him risk his life in the most dangerous battles! And yet... he had to die for your stupidity! Pierced by countless arrows! Without him, you would have lost Youzhou too! You knew you were incompetent—you should have dashed your brains out in the imperial court rather than accept that Imperial Decree!"

The Youzhou garrison, following Zhao Chun's orders to attack proactively, had fallen into Danzhi's ambush. Chen Ying led a cavalry unit to flank the enemy, sacrificing a thousand men to kill ten times their number and allowing the Great Liang army to break through and retreat to defend the city. But not one of those thousand soldiers—nor Chen Ying himself—returned alive.

Duan Xu yanked Zhao Chun's collar, watching as his face turned purple from suffocation, and smiled. "You thought that since you're the Emperor's man, no matter how reckless you were, he wouldn't execute or even reprimand you? Pity. The Emperor won't kill you—but I will."

Zhao Chun's eyes bulged as he choked out incoherent whimpers, shaking his head as if trying to scream. Then Duan Xu grasped both ends of the wire around his neck and mercilessly pulled taut.

With a final jerk, Zhao Chun collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

"Marshal Zhao! Marshal Zhao!"

Someone called from outside the tent before lifting the flap and entering. Duan Xu coolly raised his gaze to meet Ding Jin's armored figure. Ding Jin took in the sight of Zhao Chun's body, then Duan Xu, his pupils contracting sharply. Outside, it seemed a captain was about to follow him in, but Ding Jin barked, "Stay out! Summon Colonel Shi immediately. Where are the generals Chang and Sun that Marshal Zhao brought with him?"

"In the western camp."

"Keep them under close watch. Report every movement."

"Yes, sir."The lieutenant outside the camp departed to carry out his orders. Ding Jin walked up to Duan Xu, knelt on one knee, and bowed deeply, calling out, "Marshal Duan!"

Duan Xu patted Ding Jin's shoulder. When Ding Jin looked up, the usually cold and sharp-tongued man had reddened eyes. Duan Xu gave a faint smile and extended his hand, saying, "Help me stand."

Duan Xu was taken aback for a moment before noticing Duan Xu's weakened state, which made him even more astonished at the corpses strewn across the ground—all slain by Duan Xu's hand. He helped Duan Xu to his feet and guided him to a nearby chair. No sooner had Duan Xu sat down than Shi Biao barged into the tent with a dark expression, shouting, "Looking for me—"

His eyes widened when he saw Duan Xu. Ding Jin leaped forward to cover his mouth, whispering, "Keep quiet."

Shi Biao shook off Ding Jin's hand and lunged forward, exclaiming, "Marshal Duan! Marshal Duan, you’ve finally come! Damn it, Zhao Chun never even fought the Danzhi bastards—dumber than a donkey! If any of us dared say a word, he accused us of insubordination! We’ve suffered so much! Even... even Chen Ying—"

Duan Xu's expression darkened.

Noticing Duan Xu's pallor, Shi Biao grew even more furious. "Marshal, what’s wrong with you? Did that damned emperor plot against you? We... once we crush Danzhi, let’s not go back! Rebel against the bastard!"

"Shi Biao!" Duan Xu and Ding Jin both snapped at once.

Shi Biao fell silent, still seething. Only after his impassioned outburst did he notice Zhao Chun’s lifeless body on the ground. His eyes blazed with fury, and he looked ready to kick the corpse. Standing up, he declared, "Marshal, just tell us what to do—we’ll follow your orders!"

Duan Xu glanced at the body and said, "Zhao Chun took responsibility for the repeated defeats in the Northern Territory and committed suicide. As for the men he brought..."

He turned to Ding Jin. "They died in battle at the front."

Ding Jin bowed and replied, "Understood."

"Dispose of Zhao Chun and the guards’ bodies, then summon the lieutenants we can trust," Duan Xu instructed Ding Jin before turning to Shi Biao. "Unfold the geographical map. We’ll assess the situation and plan our next move."

Ding Jin and Shi Biao each acknowledged their orders. Inside the tent, the flickering candlelight cast shadows over Duan Xu’s exhausted face, his fists clenched tightly, never loosening.

Shi Biao spread out the geographical map. Duan Xu braced himself against the table and slowly stood, walking over. Shi Biao briefed him on the frontline situation. Duan Xu had anticipated Danzhi’s feigned peace overtures and had left behind defensive strategies before departing—ordering garrisons to hold their positions and wear down Danzhi if they counterattacked.

But Zhao Chun’s arrival had completely disrupted Duan Xu’s plans. Eager for glory, Zhao Chun had recklessly ordered offensives, attacking the enemy’s strengths with their own weaknesses. After several battles, the frontlines were full of gaps, and losses were devastating.

At least Youzhou still stood.

That was what Chen Ying had bought with his life.

Duan Xu closed his eyes, his fists tightening until his nails dug into his palms. The pain forced his eyes open, and he refocused on the battle. As he and Shi Biao discussed, Ding Jin returned with others.

"Marshal Duan, this time... besides our own men, I’ve brought someone else." Ding Jin stepped aside, revealing the figure behind him.

In the flickering candlelight, the man stood tall, a vicious scar slashing across his face, his eyes filled with nothing but grief.

Duan Xu was silent for a moment before calling out, "Ling Qiu."Han Lingqiu took two steps forward, his throat tightening as he whispered, "When I heard about the danger in Youzhou, I rushed there immediately... but I was still a step too late. I couldn’t save Chen Ying."

That child had called him "Brother Han" for four months, had been his half-apprentice, yet had died right before his eyes.

Just one step sooner—had he arrived half an hour earlier, he could have saved him.

He pulled out a bloodstained token from his robes and handed it to Duan Xu, saying, "Chen Ying asked me to give this to you before he died. He said... he didn’t break his promise. He kept your wish."

Duan Xu stared at the bloodied token of the Snow-Treading Army, his mind flashing back to when he was still its general. Chen Ying had once said his future wish was to protect him and He Simu. At the time, Duan Xu had dismissed it as childish words.

But Chen Ying had meant it.

So much so that even in death, his lingering obsession remained unresolved, turning him into a Wandering Soul, his name appearing in the Ghost Records.

Clutching the token, Duan Xu swayed before bending over and coughing up a mouthful of blood. Gasps erupted around him as Han Lingqiu steadied him. Gripping Han Lingqiu’s hand, Duan Xu raised his eyes and said, "Take this token."

Han Lingqiu froze.

"The Snow-Treading Army’s general fell in battle and entrusted the token to Chen Ying, who then passed it to you. You were once the general of the Snow-Treading Army. Now, you are again."

Han Lingqiu’s eyes reddened as he murmured, "You know I—"

"I trust you," Duan Xu said.

After a moment of silence, Han Lingqiu took the Snow-Treading Army’s command token from Duan Xu’s hand and bowed. "Understood, Marshal Duan."

Duan Xu patted his shoulder, wiped the blood from his lips, then pointed at the map. "Look here."

"Qingzhou is already lost, and half of Fengzhou has fallen. Though Youzhou still stands, our losses in the last battle were severe, and the enemy’s assault is relentless. Have Meng Wan dispatch ten thousand from the Solemn Valor Army as reinforcements, crossing through Qizhou. Demand half a year’s worth of provisions from Zhao Xing. For Fengzhou and Qingzhou, feign retreat to lure Danzhi’s forces into the eastern valley of Heyu Mountain. Wu Shengliu will lead troops to encircle them from behind—annihilate them completely. If successful, we’ll exploit Fengzhou’s weakened defenses and reclaim our lost territory."

The candlelight cast a warm glow over Duan Xu’s pale face as he pointed at the map, issuing orders for Ding Jin and Shi Biao to relay to the stationed troops.

"Keep Zhao Chun’s death quiet for now. Announce it only after Wu Shengliu completes the encirclement. Adapt as needed in the meantime. Ding Jin, you’ll oversee overall command, but all orders must come through Shi Biao’s mouth. The situation in the Southern Capital is volatile. Ding Jin, your family is there—be cautious. The soldiers in the Northern Territory know us well. Once they hear these arrangements, they’ll understand and follow your lead."

Shi Biao looked surprised. "Marshal Duan, you’re not staying?"

Duan Xu lowered his eyes wearily, rubbing his temples. "I have no official appointment. Coming to the frontlines privately is already a capital offense. None of you can breathe a word about my presence here today. I must return to the Southern Capital and petition the Emperor to reinstate me as marshal."

Shi Biao grew furious, on the verge of repeating his treasonous words, when Duan Xu cut in, "I don’t want to turn against the court. Many of our soldiers’ families are in the south."

After a pause, he added bitterly, "My family... is still there too."Duan Xu returned to the Southern Capital amidst falling snow, the accumulation just reaching ankle depth under the dim sky. Upon entering the city, he first delivered his pre-written petition for war to the Office of Transmission for submission to the emperor before finally returning to the Duan residence.

Before his return, he had heard rumors of "Duan Xu" contracting leprosy and secluding himself from visitors. Thus, he arrived heavily wrapped, so much so that the steward nearly failed to recognize him. When he removed his face covering and hood, the steward was overjoyed to the point of tears, rushing back to inform Duan Chengzhang that the young master had returned.

As Duan Xu entered the courtyard, he saw Duan Chengzhang standing under the eaves, leaning on a cane, his face livid as he glared at him. Striking the ground with his cane, he demanded, "So you finally remember to come home."

Duan Xu's complexion was as pale as the snow around him. Rubbing his temples wearily, he sighed, "Father, I'm exhausted. Can we discuss this later?"

"Kneel!" Duan Chengzhang roared.

Duan Xu raised his eyes to meet his father's gaze. Duan Chengzhang struck the ground again with his cane, furious. "Ungrateful child! Do you mean to be the death of me? Kneel!"

After a moment of silence, Duan Xu lifted the hem of his robe, stepped back, and knelt in the snow facing his father.

"Where have you been all this time?" Duan Chengzhang demanded sternly.

"I'm sorry, but I can't say," Duan Xu replied bluntly.

"Why didn't Fang Xianye die back then?"

Duan Xu looked at his father, seemingly too drained to maintain any pretense. His voice was calm. "You tried to kill him twice. I saved him. I brought him to the Southern Capital, arranged for him to follow Duke Pei, and staged his impeachment by acting alongside him to send him to the border as a general. For the past ten years, we've been working together. He knows everything I've done, and Luo Xian is also one of us. Well? Is there anything else you'd like to know, Father?"

Enraged, Duan Chengzhang stormed into the snow and struck Duan Xu's back with his cane, only to be stopped by Madam Duan. "Chengzhang! In the end, it's us who wronged him!"

Duan Xu didn't evade the blows, silently enduring them. He noted with some surprise that his mother had emerged from the prayer hall—evidence of how chaotic the household must have been in his absence.

Pulled back under the eaves by Madam Duan, Duan Chengzhang prevented her from helping Duan Xu up. Pointing his cane at his son, he shouted, "So all this time, your obedience was just an act? You've been deceiving us? Why would you do this! Not a single word in ten years—are you even my son?"

Duan Xu met his father's gaze and chuckled lightly. "Had you known earlier, it would have hurt our relationship."

"Nonsense! Does knowing now not hurt just as much?" Duan Chengzhang bellowed.

Duan Xu fell silent briefly, the mirth in his eyes cooling.

"If you had known from the start, not only would it have hurt our relationship, but you would have stopped me. Now that you know... it only hurts our relationship."