The Road to Glory

Chapter 197: "Keep Your Wretched Life Until I Come..."

Zhang Huai looked at the attendant and asked, "What matter requires discussion?"

After Wei Qishan's departure, Wei Pingjin had avoided direct contact with them whenever possible, always using Wei Ang or Wei Xian as intermediaries to relay messages. This was the first time he had actively requested to meet with Xiao Li.

The attendant showed a somewhat troubled expression and said, "This... I'm merely a messenger. I don't know the specific details of what needs to be discussed."

Xiao Li, who happened to be looking for Wei Ang anyway, said, "Never mind, I'll go over."

Due to last year's incident where Xiao Li was detained after attending Wei Pingjin's wedding banquet, Zhang Huai had developed a habit of insisting that Xiao Li bring more people whenever he went to the Wei residence. As Xiao Li fetched his cloak, Zhang Huai said, "General Zheng is free in the camp today. Why don't you take General Zheng along?"

When the subordinate went to find Zheng Hu, he was sparring with Tao Kui. Upon hearing that Zheng Hu was going out with Xiao Li, Tao Kui eagerly followed along.

If it were a military campaign, Xiao Li would never allow Tao Kui to come along. Tao Kui still had a childlike mentality, and the battlefield was no place for him with its unpredictable dangers and strict military commands.

But today was just a visit to the Wei residence, with no apparent danger, so Xiao Li didn't send him away.

Having been cooped up in the camp for over half a month, Tao Kui was overjoyed to finally go out. After mounting his horse, he cupped his hands around his mouth, trying to imitate the whistle Zheng Hu had taught him.

Listening to Tao Kui puffing out his cheeks and producing a series of "pfft" sounds along the way, Zheng Hu laughed and said, "You silly boy! I told you it's not about blowing with all your might—there's a technique to it!"

Tao Kui ignored him and continued earnestly trying to learn the whistle.

Zheng Hu glanced at the somewhat gloomy sky and remarked, "The sky looks like it's brewing a heavy storm today."

Wei Residence.

A man in a Confucian robe hurried along the corridor. After pushing the door open and entering, he said, "Xiao Li has returned to the camp. I've sent Wei Pingjin's attendant to invite him here. Once he enters the courtyard, the crossbowmen ambushed outside the walls will strike."

Wang Wanzhen sat dazed at the foot of the bed, which was covered with a plush carpet. Her skirt was stained with blood. Not far away lay Wei Pingjin's corpse, his dead eyes still glaring furiously in her direction, the blood having soaked a large portion of the carpet red.

Wang Wanzhen swallowed with difficulty, too afraid to look at Wei Pingjin's body again. Her voice trembled as she asked, "Are you sure we can frame that Xiao fellow for this?"

The man in the Confucian robe was none other than Yu Zhiyuan, the strategist Wei Pingjin had trusted most. He glanced at Wei Pingjin's gruesome corpse, then approached and crouched down to embrace Wang Wanzhen. "Your Highness, don't be afraid. Zhiyuan will always stand by your side. Once Xiao Li is dead, with your personal testimony that both Wei Pingjin and his sister died by his hand, and with the 'Wei bloodline' in your womb, who would doubt it?"

He comforted her gently, "Last time, during the armor-sewing incident in the army, you saw for yourself how many of the old Wei faction are dissatisfied with Xiao Li. Now that the Northern Border is no longer threatened by barbarians, and Pei Song in Guanzhong is being pushed back by three armies, this is the perfect time for our Wei clan to recuperate. Losing one Xiao Li won't hurt Northern Wei in the slightest. We can even use this opportunity to reclaim the military power in his hands. The Wei generals were never content serving under Xiao Li anyway. If they can share the military power and serve the Wei clan again, why wouldn't they be happy?"Wang Wanzhen’s temples throbbed with pain from her heightened emotions. Her face pale, she said, “The Wei residence’s steward suffered a stroke just days ago, then Wei Jiamin drowned in the lake, and now Wei Pingjin has died at her funeral… It’s all too suspicious. I fear…”

“So what? All of this was Xiao Li’s doing.” Yu Zhiyuan cut her off, his gaze calm and gentle as he looked at her. “If you kill Xiao Li, Your Highness, you will have avenged the Wei siblings. Wei Pingjin was your consort, and you carry his ‘bloodline’ in your womb. Who would ever suspect you?”

Wang Wanzhen seemed utterly exhausted. She closed her eyes briefly and said, “Ever since I pushed Wei Jiamin into the lake, I’ve been plagued by nightmares. Now Wei Pingjin’s death is added to the toll…”

A flicker of disgust crossed Yu Zhiyuan’s face. If this foolish woman hadn’t insisted on meeting him today and been caught by Wei Pingjin, he wouldn’t have had to kill Wei Pingjin and ruin his carefully laid plans.

After she became pregnant, his original plan was to make Wei Pingjin believe the child was Xiao Li’s, thus provoking Wei Pingjin to continue fighting Xiao Li.

But what was done was done. He would have to find another way to break the stalemate.

He grasped Wang Wanzhen’s hand. When she opened her eyes, he maintained his gentle expression and said with conviction, “Your Highness did nothing wrong. Those who stand in your way deserve to die. The incident with the armor last time made that Xiao fellow realize how deeply the Wei family’s interests are entangled with the major northern clans. Military power alone isn’t enough for him. If the county mistress were to marry him now, he wouldn’t refuse. Then the Wei family’s old followers, for the county mistress’s sake, would no longer treat Xiao as an outsider. So, the county mistress must die.”

Wang Wanzhen’s heart trembled at his words.

Yu Zhiyuan continued, “Wei Pingjin lacked ambition, willing to hand over everything the Wei family had. But you, Your Highness, are of imperial blood—how could you share the fate of a puppet with him?”

Wang Wanzhen felt even more reassured.

It was precisely because she refused to let all the power she currently held slip away that she had resolved to eliminate Wei Jiamin. This decision came after news of Xiao Li’s successful raid on the barbarians’ main camp reached them, and Madam Wei and Wei Pingjin began discussing reviving the marriage proposal between Xiao Li and Wei Jiamin upon his return to Weizhou.

Yet, this act had haunted her with nightly nightmares. It was only today, after summoning a physician, that she discovered she was pregnant.

But Wei Pingjin, despising her past as an actress who had entertained countless men, had never once entered her chambers.

This child was conceived two months ago, after she secretly met Xiao Li in the bamboo grove and was discovered by Yu Zhiyuan. He confessed his admiration for her, and Wang Wanzhen, fearing he would expose her, sought to win him over and secure mutual leverage. Thus, she consummated their relationship.

Today’s secret meeting was originally intended to discuss what to do about the child. She never expected Wei Pingjin to discover them and overhear their plot against Wei Jiamin.

In a fit of rage, Wei Pingjin kicked down the door, sword in hand, intent on killing them. Yu Zhiyuan, a mere strategist, was no match for him. At the critical moment, a Shadow Guard hidden by his side took Wei Pingjin’s life from behind.

Perhaps it was the brush with death, or perhaps it was because in her nearly twenty years of life, Wang Wanzhen had always been the one bowing and scraping to please others—this was the first time someone had treated her as precious. A wave of melancholy washed over her, and she smiled bitterly. “It’s a pity I’m not the true Princess of Former Jin. That old woman of the Wei family knows my real identity…”Yu Zhiyuan said, "From the moment the Marquis of Shuobian publicly announced your identity as the princess, you became one. Moreover, you are the daughter-in-law of Old Madam Wei and carry her 'grandchild' in your womb. Not only would Old Madam Wei not publicly dispute your identity, but even if she did, others would simply think she had lost her mind from the grief of losing her children and husband."

The issue did not lie in how ironclad the evidence was that Wang Wanzhen was the former Jin princess, but in how much benefit this identity brought to Northern Wei.

Wang Wanzhen suddenly understood this point, feeling more confident about her identity. Only then did she have the mind to ask Yu Zhiyuan, "What is the background of the Shadow Guard by your side who killed Wei Pingjin?"

A flicker passed through Yu Zhiyuan's eyes before he smiled faintly and replied, "He is a martial artist who received my kindness in earlier years.Wang Wanzhen, recalling his earlier mention of ambushed crossbowmen, pressed further, "Do you have your own forces within the Wei residence as well?""

Yu Zhiyuan answered flawlessly, "If I hadn't cultivated my own influence within the Wei clan, how could I protect the princess?"

Regardless of his true intentions, these words pleased Wang Wanzhen. The more power the other party held, the more secure she felt as a partner sharing the same boat.

Wind blew through the loosely shut window, stirring the room's curtains. Wang Wanzhen lifted her gaze to the heavy clouds outside, feeling a surge of boundless ambition rising within her: "As long as we kill Xiao Li today, the entire Wei clan will belong to you and me from now on."

Yu Zhiyuan curled his lips: "I have already lured Wei Ang out of the residence under the pretext of selecting a burial site for the county princess. Xiao Li will certainly not return alive today."

The warhorses galloped all the way to the Wei residence. Xiao Li and his party dismounted and were led inside by the regular attendant.

Wei Qishan's funeral had just concluded, and the white silks had only recently been taken down when Wei Jiamin met with misfortune.

According to folk customs, the funeral of an unmarried young lady could not be grandly conducted. Thus, no white silks were hung in the residence, and very few guests came to offer condolences.

It was said that Madam Wei had been completely broken by these successive tragedies and could not even receive guests now. Her sister-in-law from her maiden family had come and was staying with her in her room.

After entering the main gate, before the regular attendant could lead Xiao Li's party further toward the main courtyard, a man in a Confucian robe approached leisurely and bowed from a distance: "The Marquis has arrived."

Xiao Li, finding the man unfamiliar, remained silent. The other party smiled and introduced himself: "This humble one is Yu Zhiyuan, a strategist serving the Imperial Son-in-Law. The Imperial Son-in-Law and General Wei Ang have been awaiting the Marquis's arrival in the main courtyard for some time. Please follow me."

He then said to the regular attendant, "Take these generals to the flower hall for some tea and refreshments."

His words were carefully chosen, understanding that if Wei Pingjin were to meet Xiao Li alone, it would arouse suspicion. Hence, he deliberately mentioned Wei Ang's presence.

Zheng Hu, remembering Zhang Huai's instructions before their departure, coldly crossed his arms and said, "We will wait outside the main courtyard."

Yu Zhiyuan glanced at Xiao Li and, seeing that he did not object, took it as silent consent and continued smiling, "That is also acceptable."

As he led the party toward the main courtyard, he instructed a servant behind him who appeared to be an attendant: "Quickly go to the main courtyard and inform the Imperial Son-in-Law that the Marquis has arrived."

The servant glanced at Zheng Hu and the others behind Xiao Li before hurriedly accepting the order and rushing back.The group continued inward, passing through a courtyard where the scent of burning spirit paper and incense grew noticeably heavier. Carried by the wind, it became almost suffocating.

Zheng Hu kept wrinkling his nose, even sneezing several times, muttering, "The incense smell is overwhelming."

Xiao Li had noticed the absence of guards or servants along the way, his eyes growing solemn. He asked, "Is the County Princess's memorial hall nearby?"

Yu Zhiyuan replied, "The Lady has set it up in the County Princess's former residence, burning all the things the County Princess loved for her."

As soon as he finished speaking, one of Xiao Li's personal guards abruptly collapsed.

Zheng Hu's expression changed. He moved to check on the fallen man but stumbled, unable to steady himself. His fierce eyes glared at Yu Zhiyuan, then turned to Xiao Li as he urgently shouted, "Second Brother! The wind carries... knockout smoke...While speaking, he bumped into Tao Kui, who panickedly tried to steady Zheng Hu but ended up being dragged down with him. After struggling briefly, Tao Kui failed to rise, seemingly unconscious as well.

The other guards were equally alarmed, letting out low groans before collapsing one after another.

Xiao Li's face turned cold and stern. Bracing himself against the wall with one hand, he fixed a murderous gaze on the smirking figure ahead. "What is the meaning of this?"

Seeing that Xiao Li's guards were all incapacitated and Xiao Li himself appeared at his limit, Yu Zhiyuan dropped the pretense. Curling his lips, he declared:

"Traitor of the Xiao family! With the heart of a ravenous wolf, you were entrusted by the Marquis to command the Wolf Cavalry, yet your greed drove you to attempt usurpation! Two days ago, you oppressed the County Princess at the Lin Marquis Manor, forcing her to drown herself! Today, upon learning the Imperial Son-in-Law intended to hold you accountable for trespassing the Marquis Manor two nights prior, you sought to assault the Princess and compel her to marry you! When the Imperial Son-in-Law discovered this, you ruthlessly took his life! Your crimes are unforgivable! Only by presenting your head can we appease the Marquis's spirit in heaven!"

Xiao Li sneered, "This Marquis only returned to Weizhou today. How could I have oppressed your County Princess and driven her to suicide?"

Yu Zhiyuan retorted, "You villain, wielding immense power and influence, returned to Weizhou with the victory report two days ago! After failing to force yourself on the County Princess during the Marquis's mourning period and driving her to drown, you hastily departed, only to return to camp with great fanfare today. The Princess and we are all witnesses!"

At the mention of "the Princess," Xiao Li understood this trap was jointly set by Yu Zhiyuan and Wang Wanzhen.

His wolf-like eyes turned icy. "What a fabricated charge."

In that moment, the sharp killing intent radiating from him overshadowed the weakness induced by the knockout smoke.

Intimidated by this aura, Yu Zhiyuan knew only Xiao Li's immediate death could eliminate the threat. He immediately ordered, "Seize this traitor!"Soldiers ambushed in the courtyard swarmed out to capture Xiao Li."

But they hadn't anticipated the "debilitated" Xiao Li would suddenly strike. Yu Zhiyuan barely registered how Xiao Li closed the distance before excruciating pain shot through his arms and throat.

—Xiao Li had dislocated his arms and seized him by the throat.

Belatedly realizing he'd been deceived, Yu Zhiyuan roared in fury, "You were never affected by the knockout smoke!"Zheng Hu and the others who had previously fallen to the ground sprang up like carp leaping from water, sweeping their legs to knock down the oncoming armored soldiers of the Wei residence. He roared, "You turtle spawn! Your grandfather here used to work in the escort business, traveling the martial world. Do you think a cheap trick like burning incense to release knockout smoke could escape your Grandpa Zheng's sharp eyes?"

Tao Kui, built like a brute ox, grabbed two armored soldiers by their collars, forcing them to drag their feet backward before violently shaking them off and hurling them away.

With his scheme exposed, Yu Zhiyuan's face flushed with embarrassment, but he soon sneered and strained to speak to Xiao Li, "Do you think capturing me will let you leave this place today?"

Xiao Li knew this was a trap set specifically for him and wasted no words on Yu Zhiyuan. Tightening his grip on the man's throat, he said, "Either call off your men, or die."

Yu Zhiyuan chuckled weakly, "It's useless. My worthless life is nothing compared to the lord's head, worth ten thousand gold."

The sky darkened as a fierce wind whipped up, scattering magnolia petals from both sides of the courtyard to Xiao Li's feet.

Suddenly, the Wei residence armored soldiers surrounding Xiao Li and his men drew their blades and charged at him.

Zheng Hu and the others immediately drew their weapons and clashed with them, blocking the armored soldiers' assault on Xiao Li.

But in this exchange, it became clear this was no mere test of strength. These soldiers moved with bizarre agility, their attacks cunning and unorthodox—unlike ordinary garrison troops, they were more like specialized assassins.

Soon, some of Xiao Li's personal guards were wounded.

Xiao Li recognized something in their strange movements. As he dragged Yu Zhiyuan aside to evade an attacking soldier and blocked a rebounding steel claw with his scabbard, a fierce glare sparked in his eyes: "Hawk Hounds?"

Zheng Hu and the others also found these garrison troops troublesome. After a brief skirmish, they all gathered back-to-back around Xiao Li.

Hearing this, Zheng Hu spat on the ground and cursed, "Damn it all! So they're all Pei Song's running dogs?"

Yu Zhiyuan, still pinned by Xiao Li with a hand at his throat, seemed utterly unafraid of death. A smile played on his lips as he whispered to Xiao Li, "Is the lord pleased with this gift?"

"Today, the lord either dies here—or kills me and the former Jin princess the Wei family has put forward, declaring to the world that we framed you. I rather hope the lord can fight his way out, because... our master has a second gift waiting for you!"

As his words fell, countless crossbows appeared atop the walls on both sides. The Hawk Hounds who had surrounded Xiao Li and his men instantly retreated in all directions.

Arrows glinting coldly shot over like locusts. The thunderclouds brewing in the sky all half-day finally cracked with a roar, and icy rain poured down in sheets.

Xiao Li drew the short blade at his waist, cutting down incoming arrows amid the chaos. He tripped a fleeing Hawk Hound and slit his throat, simultaneously slicing open the man's armor—but found no Hawk Hound tattoo.

Rainwater dripped from his jaw, his expression growing even colder.

Understanding his intention, Yu Zhiyuan continued laughing, "The Wei family knows much about our master's Hawk Hounds. Why would our master let them carry any identifying marks?"

Xiao Li's fingers suddenly tightened, choking Yu Zhiyuan's face from pale to crimson. As the man's eyes bulged bloodshot, Xiao Li coldly stated, "Keep your dog's life. I'll come to claim it."After speaking, he released his grip and kicked the man, sending him flying backward.

Yu Zhiyuan crashed against the wall and fell to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Lying prone on the ground, he felt a sharp pain in his throat, almost unable to make a sound. His internal organs churned violently, and he had no idea how many ribs were broken. The slightest movement sent waves of agony through his body. When the Hawk Hounds helped him up, his face was as pale as paper, cold sweat mixing with rainwater dripping from his temples onto his eyelids.

Gazing at Xiao Li, who had survived the ordeal, Yu Zhiyuan watched as he and his subordinates clashed with the Hawk Hounds blocking the entrance.

Arrows shot from the top of the wall were blocked by the outer guards using the corpses of fallen Hawk Hounds as shields.

The dense human wall was quickly breached under the fierce strikes of Xiao Li’s iron-hard Arm Wraps.

As the human wall fractured and retreated, short blades carved crimson lines of blood in the cold rain, and bodies fell one after another into the rain-soaked ground.

Amid flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder, Xiao Li swept his gaze over the Hawk Hounds blocking the path ahead. The murderous intent in his eyes, like blood mingling with the rain, seemed to spread outward.

Even just staring at that retreating figure, Yu Zhiyuan felt a piercing chill in his heart.

If Xiao Li hadn’t noticed that this group of Hawk Hounds bore no tattoos, and if he hadn’t realized, after his earlier words, that killing Yu Zhiyuan would only further implicate him in the murder of Wei Pingjin—exactly as Pei Song had intended—he would never have spared Yu Zhiyuan’s life.

It was precisely because he understood this that Yu Zhiyuan knew Xiao Li must not be allowed to leave the Wei residence alive today.

—No one could bear the reckoning of this ferocious wolf.

Chaotic footsteps and the clatter of iron armor echoed from outside the courtyard. Moments later, a group of Wei generals led by Wei Tong hurried over with the residence’s armored soldiers. Seeing Xiao Li and his personal guards engaged in a bloody struggle with the Wei guards, they froze in confusion. “What is happening?”

Supported by the Hawk Hounds, Yu Zhiyuan endured the excruciating pain throughout his body and shouted hoarsely, as if seeing a savior, “General Wei Tong, seize this traitor at once! He has killed the young master!”

Wei Tong was visibly stunned for a moment. “What are you saying, sir? How could the young master be in danger?”

Before Yu Zhiyuan could speak again, the intense pain in his throat rendered him temporarily mute. From within the inner courtyard, now sealed off by layers of armored guards, a blood-soaked Wang Wanzhen emerged, leaning against the wall in the heavy rain.

Her clothes were disheveled, and her skirt was stained with blood. She wept bitterly, “This scoundrel from the Xiao family assaulted me, and when the imperial consort discovered us, he drew his sword to kill him. But this villain, relying on his martial prowess, seized the sword and killed the consort instead! He then forced me to suppress the matter, marry him, and help him legitimately claim the throne! If not for Sir Yu arriving with his men in time, I would have surely suffered this scoundrel’s disgrace! Generals, kill him quickly and avenge the consort!”

Hearing Wang Wanzhen’s words, the Wei generals were first stunned, then filled with shock, rage, and grief, their eyes burning with murderous intent as they glared at Xiao Li and his men.

Zheng Hu, enraged, immediately cursed, “You’re spouting nonsense! So many of our brothers accompanied Second Brother here, only to be ambushed. It’s clear that you, venomous woman, conspired with this pretty boy to kill the Second Young Master of Wei and frame our Second Brother!”

He pointed at Yu Zhiyuan. “This pretty boy is Pei Song’s spy!”

Supported by the armored soldiers beside him, Yu Zhiyuan looked up at the sky and let out a desolate laugh in the pouring rain, his voice hoarse. “I have served the young master with countless achievements. Now you villains have murdered him and dare to smear me with such filth?”

As if deeply humiliated, he rasped at Zheng Hu, “You accuse me of being Pei Song’s spy—where is your evidence!”

Zheng Hu was about to curse again but was stopped by a large hand.He turned to look and saw Xiao Li's face was cold and stern, his icy gaze fixed sharply on Yu Zhiyuan: "No need for more words, fight our way out!"

Zheng Hu also understood that today's gathering was nothing but a trap. On the Wei residence's turf, further talk was pointless. Immediately, he raised his blade and charged alongside Xiao Li toward the blocking Hawk Hounds.

With a swing of their swords, blood was drawn. The Hawk Hounds could no longer hold their ground.

Wang Wanzhen, also fearing that Xiao Li might escape the Wei Manor today, quickly continued wailing mournfully: "The Marquis misjudged people! How could he entrust Northern Wei to a villain like you! Forcing the County Mistress, driving her to jump into the lake, now insulting this consort, cruelly murdering the Imperial Son-in-Law, and still slandering this consort! If not for the fact that this consort already carries the Imperial Son-in-Law's bloodline in her womb, this consort would rather dash herself to death to accompany the Imperial Son-in-Law underground!"

Wei Tong had not yet recovered from the grief and fury of Wei Pingjin's death when he heard that Wei Jiamin's death was also related to Xiao Li, and that Wang Wanzhen was already pregnant with Wei Pingjin's child. His chaotic mind barely managed to sort out the crucial information from this.

The Wei family still had surviving bloodline!

But seeing Xiao Li and his group already fighting their way toward the main gate, he hurriedly dispatched Manor Guards to block them while pointing his weapon at Xiao Li and demanding: "Is the County Mistress's death also related to this treacherous villain?"

Wang Wanzhen, tears streaming down her face, said: "This man personally told this consort that the County Mistress didn't know her place and ruined his mood, thus meeting her end by falling into the lake, warning this consort to be more sensible... If not for this, why would the Imperial Son-in-Law have directly drawn his sword to come kill him!"

Yu Zhiyuan also spoke hoarsely: "I can testify that two days ago, this villain did come to the Wei Manor, but left in haste without seeing the Young Master. Shortly after, the County Mistress was found drowned in the lake. The Madame was so grief-stricken she fell ill and couldn't withstand any further shocks. The Young Master, fearing there might be some misunderstanding, ordered us to keep silent about this matter. Today, when he announced his return to camp, the Young Master sent someone to invite him here precisely to inquire about his nighttime visit to the Marquis Manor two days ago."

At this point, he seemed overwhelmed with grief, each word dripping with blood-like anguish: "Who could have expected that upon understanding the Young Master's intention, he would again conceive such vicious intentions and strike this deadly blow!"

Zheng Hu kicked a Manor Guard flying, finally unable to restrain himself from continuing to curse: "Your dog mouth dares to sully others' innocence? When the Shubian Marquis was alive, he personally bestowed the marriage, yet my Second Brother still declined. You fabricate stories about my Second Brother forcing himself on that so-called County Mistress? I spit on you! I say it was you who forced her to her death!"

While speaking, he directly swung a long blade seized from a Manor Guard and hurled it toward Yu Zhiyuan.

Yu Zhiyuan was helped to dodge by the Hawk Hound disguised as a Manor Guard, but due to his severe injuries, the movement made his face turn several shades paler. He hurriedly cried out to Wei Tong: "General, save me!"

Then he rasped: "After the previous Military Armor incident, this Xiao family villain must have realized how difficult it is to maintain troops. Seeing the Young Master controlling the Northern Border's financial resources, he sought to marry the County Mistress to completely marginalize the Young Master! Who could have expected the County Mistress to be so unyielding, unwilling to suffer his humiliation during the Marquis's mourning period, thus forcing her to jump into the lake. And now his subordinates still have the face to use his previous hypocritical marriage refusal to insult the County Mistress!"

The Military Armor incident remained a hidden pain in Wei Tong's heart. Already resentful of Xiao Li, and now hearing that Wei Pingjin and his sister likely incurred fatal disaster because of that matter, he felt a surge of furious malice swirling in his chest. Leveling his spear, he shouted fiercely: "Villain! Your life is forfeit!"

Xiao Li's short blade sliced through the raindrops, cutting through armor and drawing gushes of blood. Amid the chaos, he caught Wei Tong's spear thrust with a backhand move, while the Fine Iron Bracer on his other arm braced against the blade for support, his eyes revealing utter cold ferocity: "If I, Xiao Li, wanted to take the entire Northern Border, I wouldn't stoop to such despicable methods!"

Having spoken, he used brute force to violently deflect Wei Tong's spear. Wei Tong was forced back several steps before stabilizing his stance with his spear.Zheng Hu and Tao Kui had crashed into the large gate that was locked from the outside, breaking the lock and sending the Manor Guards blocking the entrance flying backward from the impact.

The personal guards who had gone to fetch horses from the stables galloped over, shouting, "My Lord, mount up!"

Wei Tong urgently commanded, "Stop them! A thousand gold coins as reward!"

Xiao Li shot him a glance, then with one hand lifted the several-hundred-pound Bronze Cauldron in the courtyard and hurled it toward him.

Wei Tong dared not catch the massive cauldron and hastily scrambled aside in a panic.

The bronze cauldron struck down several Manor Guards and crashed to the ground with a thunderous boom, causing a large section of the courtyard's bluestone pavement to collapse and shatter.

Amid the driving rain, Zheng Hu and his men seized the moment to mount their horses, shouting to Xiao Li, "Second Brother, let's go!"

Xiao Li, his hands stained with blood, gripped the reins. Before urging his horse onto the main street, he turned back, his gaze like a cold arrow piercing Yu Zhiyuan, who was being supported by the Hawk Hounds: "You and your master—wash your necks clean and await this lord's coming to claim your heads."

Author's Note: Added several thousand words of content, but the original plot direction remains unchanged. For this chapter, dear readers, you can just read the supplemented ending, or flip back to earlier sections to see the scenes involving Wang Wanzhen and Yu, to understand their motivations for acting this way (bows).