The Road to Glory

Chapter 199: No Need for Slicing with Blades, Fetch the Iron...

Wei Zhou.

"...That villain murdered the County Princess and Young Master in such a manner, then escaped the city after a fierce battle with General Wei Tong." Yu Zhiyuan sat in an armchair, coughing repeatedly after speaking a few words.

Xiao Li's kick had broken several of his ribs and damaged his internal organs, making recovery difficult in the short term. Even speaking slightly louder caused sharp pain in his chest.

His face ashen, Yu Zhiyuan continued speaking to Yuan Fang, who had just returned to the city with the main army: "As for General Wei Ang... he had a dispute with the Old Madam before the Young Master's spirit tablet that day. After being reprimanded alongside the Old Madam, he felt ashamed, surrendered his Military Tally, and requested imprisonment."

Yuan Fang was close friends with Wei Ang and had developed friction with Wei Tong when he pleaded for Xiao Li's release after Wei Qishan imprisoned him. Learning that his friend Wei Ang had been stripped of his Military Tally and imprisoned, with most of the Wei family's troops now under Wei Tong's command except for his own forces that had attacked Luo Du, Yuan Fang wanted to seek Wei Xian for an explanation.

However, he was informed that Wei Xian had suffered a stroke not long after Wei Qishan's death due to excessive grief. After losing her husband, Madam Wei had subsequently lost both her children and was unable to manage affairs. All matters in the Wei residence were now handled by Yu Zhiyuan.

During his lifetime, Wei Pingjin had relied heavily on Yu Zhiyuan, who had assisted him in achieving numerous accomplishments. After the incident at Wei Jiamin's funeral, it was Yu Zhiyuan who promptly captured Xiao Li. Being on good terms with the Wei family generals, they had no objections to him temporarily handling the residence affairs on Wei Xian's behalf.

Yuan Fang had no choice but to ask him about the events of that day. After hearing his account, Yuan Fang sighed with apparent deep sorrow: "With the Marquis just departed, how could the Young Master and County Princess..."

Yu Zhiyuan subtly observed Yuan Fang's expression, coughed several times, then weakly said: "Whether that Xiao family villain was truly heroic when saving the General at Majia Liang, or whether he was acting under Liang Camp's orders all along, using a life-saving favor toward the General to infiltrate our Wei camp - this remains uncertain. But to prove that Xiao Li never betrayed them, Liang Camp specifically clarified, claiming they nearly mistakenly killed that villain due to falling for Pei Song's scheme to sow discord. How laughable! Despite such great enmity, when Han Yang fell into that Xiao's hands last year, he deliberately concealed her identity from the Marquis..."

Yu Zhiyuan's face showed deep pain: "Now that villain has brought such disaster to our Northern Wei. If he truly returns to Liang Camp, it would confirm all previous suspicions! Presumably, both Liang Camp and that Xiao villain understand this, which is why Liang Camp only sent envoys after their clarification to pretend-invite Xiao back to their camp, just to showcase their Princess Han Yang's benevolence and forthrightness in facing past mistakes, thereby building justification for the Yang clan members and Southern Border scholars to help exonerate Wen Shi's tyranny."

"And when that Xiao refuses to return to Liang Camp, wouldn't that make it impossible for others to question Liang Camp's attempted poisoning? What a fine performance - Liang Camp and that Xiao villain have orchestrated this entire play perfectly!" Speaking excitedly, Yu Zhiyuan aggravated his injuries and covered his mouth with another coughing fit.

After recovering his breath, he palely bowed to Yuan Fang: "This humble official knows that you, General, like General Wei Ang, are people who value loyalty. But that Xiao fellow might have exploited both your senses of honor to bring harm to the Wei family."Yuan Fang's face showed suppressed anger, seemingly successfully persuaded, but he asked one more question: "When did Wei Xian suffer his stroke?"

Mentioning this, Yu Zhiyuan's expression grew even more pained and indignant. He sighed: "General, being far at the frontlines, you wouldn't know. That traitor Xiao, dissatisfied that the Marquis only handed the Wolf Cavalry to him while the Northern Border's financial power remained in the Young Master's hands, deliberately had his subordinates cause trouble during the Marquis' funeral. They assaulted the guild leaders who came to pay respects, humiliating the Young Master. Then he seized the opportunity to demand control over the entire Northern Border merchant guilds... Chief Steward Wei Xian fell ill from anger after this incident."

Yuan Fang finally slammed the armrest of his chair with great force, roaring in grief and fury: "Now it appears I was the one who let the wolf in through the door back then!"

Yu Zhiyuan hurriedly said: "General, you were also deceived by that traitor Xiao. The most important thing now is for Northern Wei to unite against external threats! That traitor Xiao previously ventured deep into barbarian territory, putting on a show of forcing the barbarians to relocate their Main Camp, making the Northern Border people compete in praising his achievements. But how exactly did the battles in barbarian lands go? Besides him and his subordinates, who else truly knows?"

"Now that the barbarian thieves have returned, it's clear he didn't truly crush the barbarians' momentum before! Fortunately, General Wei Tong led troops to defend Yanle Mountain in time. The urgent summons for you, General Yuan, to return is to protect Yuzhou, preventing that traitor Xiao from harming the Princess and the Dowager Madame while the barbarians attack. It's also to gather the Northern Border states to jointly punish the traitor Xiao, to comfort the spirits of the Young Master and the County Princess in heaven!"

Yuan Fang seemed to be bursting with pent-up anger as he stood up: "I'm going to see Wei Ang. With the Young Master and County Princess' violent deaths before our eyes, and the Northern Border in need of talent, how can he abandon everything to wallow in self-pity in prison?"

Hearing this, Yu Zhiyuan hesitated briefly before showing a troubled expression: "The Marquis has passed, and General Wei Ang has been under that traitor Xiao's command for a long time, deeply trusted by him. Now... he insists there must be hidden circumstances regarding the traitor Xiao's alleged killing of the Young Master and County Princess. It's precisely because of this that he angered the Dowager Madame..."

"Absurd!" Yuan Fang shouted: "With the Young Master and County Princess suffering such a cruel fate, what loyalty could possibly outweigh this great vengeance? I must shake him awake with harsh words!"

After Yuan Fang left in a rage, Yu Zhiyuan coughed lightly twice before gazing solemnly in the direction Yuan Fang had departed, instructing his attendants: "Have someone keep watch on the prison."

Once outside the compound, Yuan Fang's personal guard leaned in to whisper: "General, the mansion servants..."

Yuan Fang raised a hand, signaling the guard to stop speaking.

After they had walked further and reached an open area, he spoke while looking straight ahead: "Beware of eavesdroppers."

The guard following half a step behind him nodded cautiously and resumed his previous topic: "The mansion servants don't seem to know the specific circumstances of the Young Master's assassination that day. Everything was identified by that Master Yu from the Young Master's side and the Princess after the fighting broke out."

Yuan Fang made no further comment. When he went to the prison to see Wei Ang, just as the jailers were retreating from the prison corridor, he called out to Wei Ang imprisoned in his cell with immense pain: "You fool!"

Among the two rows of empty prison cells, only this corner cell held Wei Ang.

While uttering words of regret, as Wei Ang approached, Yuan Fang grabbed him by the collar and pulled him against the wooden bars of the cell, shouting: "You were guarding Yuzhou! How could you let the Young Master and County Princess come to harm? Are you worthy of the Marquis?"After shouting this, he glanced at the entrance again and lowered his voice to ask, "What exactly happened with the deaths of the young master and the county princess?"

Wei Ang shook his head dejectedly, moving his lips slightly toward Yuan Fang as he said, "There are traitors within the Wei clan."

Yuan Fang had sensed something amiss ever since receiving the news and leading his troops back.

However, he had been attacking Luodu alongside the Liang army and wasn't at the Northern Border, so he didn't know what exactly had happened that day.

Currently, the entire Northern Border was condemning Xiao Li, vilifying him as a wolf-hearted schemer who slaughtered Wei Qishan's line to seize control of Northern Wei, while Pei Song secretly fueled the flames, stirring public resentment.

If he continued defending Xiao Li unconditionally, it would only add fuel to the already furious Wei generals' rage and play into the conspirators' hands, giving them an opportunity to strip him of his military power.

Thus, Yuan Fang had no choice but to take a roundabout approach.

He whispered, "Before returning to Weizhou, I secretly sent a letter to His Lordship inquiring about this matter. His Lordship replied only that I must protect Yu Zhiyuan's life at all costs."

This made Wei Ang vaguely realize something. He said, "I heard that General Zheng, who was by His Lordship's side that day, shouted that this Yu fellow was Pei Song's spy..."

Yuan Fang's expression shifted slightly. He glanced toward the entrance again before lowering his voice: "Now the entire Northern Border curses His Lordship. The conspirors forced you to surrender your military power. That Yu fellow previously helped the young master achieve numerous military merits, and with his silver tongue gained the support of many generals. The old madam and the princess also trust him deeply. Having just returned to Weizhou, it's inconvenient for me to investigate thoroughly under these circumstances. But if that Yu fellow truly is Pei Song's spy, then the princess..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but Wei Ang understood Yuan Fang's meaning.

The charges against Xiao Li were fabricated through the testimonies of Yu Zhiyuan and Wang Wanzhen, the so-called witnesses.

If Yu Zhiyuan's background was unclean, he could still be dealt with. But what about Wang Wanzhen?

Her current identity wasn't just that of the former Jin princess, but also the young madam carrying the Wei clan's sole remaining bloodline.

Wei Ang had indeed suspected that Wang Wanzhen, leveraging her pregnancy, might have helped Yu Zhiyuan frame Xiao Li for murdering Wei Pingjin and his sister, thereby securing her future status through her child.

After all, he had witnessed how Wei Pingjin never treated Wang Wanzhen as a princess, even humiliating her.

But everything required evidence.

Wang Wanzhen and Yu Zhiyuan accused Xiao Li of murdering Wei Pingjin and his sister—they were at least material witnesses.

If he voiced his suspicions openly, what evidence did he have?

Wang Wanzhen's false identity couldn't be exposed, and she and Wei Pingjin had always maintained a facade of mutual respect in public.

Who would believe that Wang Wanzhen killed Wei Pingjin and framed Xiao Li to pave the way for her unborn child?

If Wei Pingjin were alive, wouldn't their child still inherit the legacy?

Moreover, within just a few months, Wei Qishan's line had been reduced to only Wang Wanzhen and the old Wei madam—a destitute daughter-in-law and mother-in-law clinging to each other. If he still suspected Wang Wanzhen, wouldn't he be seen as exploiting orphans and widows to exonerate Xiao Li, while even framing the former Jin princess supported by the Wei clan?

After being forced to surrender his military tally, Wei Ang had come to understand many things during his days in prison.That day, the old Wei faction led by Wei Tong had so firmly believed Xiao Li was the murderer largely because many among the Wei old guard had long resented him. During the recent military armor procurement, Xiao Li’s subordinates had caused a scene at Wei Qishan’s funeral, making them realize Xiao Li had completely overshadowed Wei Pingjin.

Wei Pingjin, the so-called former Jin consort, was merely a puppet put on display.

No matter how loyal they were to the Wei family, they could never surpass those under Xiao Li’s command.

Thus, when Wang Wanzhen, the young mistress of the Wei family, and Yu Zhiyuan, Wei Pingjin’s “trusted aide,” personally accused Xiao Li, it handed them a perfect pretext to bring him down.

Even if Wei Pingjin’s death seemed suspicious, they chose to turn a blind eye.

After all, this crusade was driven by self-interest, not loyalty.

Wei Ang felt only a chill and exhaustion. With a complex expression, he said, “If it were just the fake princess colluding with Pei Camp’s spy, it would be manageable—eliminate the spy and confine the fake princess. What I fear… is that after the Marquis passes, influence will wane, and the generals will each scheme for themselves…”

“The Marquis might have a way to uncover the spy, but whether those seizing the chance to stir trouble will restrain themselves is another matter. This incident must have disheartened the Marquis. If he abandons Northern Wei, the true catastrophe will follow! How pitiful that the Marquis once painstakingly devised this path forward…”

Yuan Fang also felt a wave of sorrow.

Wei Qishan had known that after his death, Wei Pingjin might not control the old Wei faction or defend the Northern Border, so he entrusted everything to Xiao Li, intending for Wei Pingjin to live as a carefree noble.

But this plan had ultimately been thwarted.

Wei Ang was forced to surrender military power not because Wei Tong and the Wei generals sought justice for Wei Pingjin, but because they aimed to seize authority for themselves.

During Wei Qishan’s lifetime, his prestige in the Northern Border had been built over more than a decade. The entire Wei camp was trained by him, with clear promotions, so no one dared oppose him.

But after Xiao Li took over Northern Wei, he already had his own loyal troops and numerous fierce generals who had fought alongside him through life and death.

No matter how fairly he balanced interests, some Wei generals still believed direct loyalty to the Wei family offered better prospects.

With the pretext provided by Wang Wanzhen and Yu Zhiyuan, it was impossible to distinguish how many in the current denunciation of Xiao Li were feigning ignorance and how many were genuinely incited…

Yuan Fang closed his eyes and said, “After we root out those scum, I will personally apologize to the Marquis and plead for his return to Northern Wei.”

—

Wei Residence.

A servant entered with a tea tray. Yu Zhiyuan, handling documents at his desk, heard footsteps but didn’t look up. “What did that Yuan fellow say when he visited Wei Ang in prison?”

The servant remained silent, but the footsteps drew closer.

Feeling uneasy, Yu Zhiyuan glanced up and caught a glint of cold steel from the servant’s sleeve. His eyes sharpened, and he immediately grabbed an inkstone and hurled it at the intruder.

Ink splattered as the Hawk Hound disguised as a servant dodged. The shattering of teacups from the dropped tray mixed with the thud of the inkstone, filling the room with chaos.

Seizing the moment, Yu Zhiyuan kicked over a chair and bolted for the door, shouting as he ran, “Guards! Assassin!”Extreme panic made his mind momentarily dizzy and his limbs turn icy cold.

After he had established himself in Northern Wei, why would the Hawk Hounds sent by Pei Song to protect and assist him suddenly turn murderous?

Seeing Yu Zhiyuan flee, the Hawk Hound showed no concern, drawing a dagger hidden in his sleeve and continuing to stride calmly toward him.

The door had been pulled open. Before Yu Zhiyuan could shout for help again, he saw the group of Hawk Hounds stationed outside the courtyard also drawing their waist blades, all aimed at him.

Yu Zhiyuan retreated, pointing at the Hawk Hounds with a pale face as if unable to believe what was happening, and shouted, "Have you rebelled? Who gave you the nerve?"

The Hawk Hounds remained silent, only raising their blades and advancing step by step.

As he retreated, Yu Zhiyuan's expression, torn between extreme terror and disbelief, revealed a trace of madness born of desperation. He cried out sharply, "My father and I have rendered outstanding service to the Minister! How dare you kill me?"

The sound of shattered porcelain came from behind as someone stepped on it. Yu Zhiyuan turned to see the Hawk Hound who had tried to assassinate him now just two steps away. The man said, "Xiao Li holds a grudge against you for exposing him back then. Naturally, you will meet your end at the hands of that traitor Xiao."

With that, he thrust the dagger directly at him.

Yu Zhiyuan screamed "Help!" in panic again, dodging awkwardly. But as a strategist, already wounded, even risking his life to evade only managed to shift the dagger away from a fatal spot, letting it pierce his back shoulder.

He collapsed onto a rosewood official's hat chair placed against the wall. Blood gushed from the wound on his back shoulder, and cold sweat covered his deathly pale face. In that instant, he seemed to grasp many things. As the Hawk Hound clicked his tongue in annoyance that the strike hadn't killed him outright, Yu Zhiyuan spoke with effort, "Has... has something happened to my father?"

The Hawk Hound only replied, "The path the Minister has chosen for you is for the good of both you and your father."

As he pulled the dagger from Yu Zhiyuan's back and prepared to strike again, a volley of arrows shot into the room.

The Hawk Hounds inside frantically parried the arrows with their blades. The one with the dagger, while dodging the arrows, still sought to take Yu Zhiyuan's life. But another arrow flew through the wide-open window, striking the Hawk Hound squarely in the chest. He finally coughed up blood and fell.

Yuan Fang put away his bow and gestured to the armored soldiers behind him armed with crossbows and blades: "Quickly capture the assassins and rescue Master Yu!"

A crowd of armored soldiers surged into the room. The Hawk Hounds inside still intended to kill Yu Zhiyuan before retreating, but Yuan Fang's archery was too cunning—anyone raising a blade toward Yu Zhiyuan was shot down by his drawn bowstring.

Once the armored soldiers separated Yu Zhiyuan from the Hawk Hounds, the assassins had no further chance.

Seeing that they could not kill Yu Zhiyuan, the Hawk Hounds had no choice but to fight their way out and flee. Though they broke through the door with relative ease, in the courtyard, almost all were shot dead by the hail of arrows.

Those who still breathed and were captured by the armored soldiers—the moment the soldiers called out to Yuan Fang that there were survivors—immediately bit into their poison sacs and ended their own lives.

Yuan Fang watched the Hawk Hounds fall with black blood trickling from their mouths, his expression grim.

Since receiving Xiao Li's reply, he had been having people secretly keep an eye on Yu Zhiyuan.

His visit to the Wei residence to see Yu Zhiyuan today was both to probe him and to openly meet with Wei Ang.After leaving the prison, he received news of unusual activity from Yu Zhiyuan's side and hurried over with his men.

The earlier volley of arrows shot toward the house was meant to intimidate the Hawk Hounds, allowing the armored soldiers to tightly surround Yu Zhiyuan while letting the Hawk Hounds escape. This was also to ensure that the Hawk Hounds, in their desperation, wouldn't harm Yu Zhiyuan.

He had initially thought they could capture at least one alive, but unexpectedly, these Hawk Hounds immediately took poison and died after being caught.

He made a gesture for his subordinates to take the Hawk Hounds away first. When he stepped into the room, he saw Yu Zhiyuan already slumped disheveled in an official's hat armchair. Due to severe bleeding from his back, the legs of the chair he was leaning against were stained red.

Spotting Yuan Fang, Yu Zhiyuan weakly lifted his eyelids and gasped with effort, "I never expected villains to be lurking in the residence. If not for General Yuan, I'm afraid I would have already met my end..."

Yuan Fang quickly ordered someone to summon the residence physician, then put on a show of concealed anger and concern, saying, "This is absolutely outrageous! How dare they openly infiltrate the marquis's residence to commit murder! Fortunately, when those thieves fled the courtyard, we captured one alive. Once I interrogate the culprit, I will surely seek justice for you, my friend!"

Yu Zhiyuan, pale and weak, expressed his gratitude.

Soon, the residence physician arrived. After a brief examination of Yu Zhiyuan's injuries, he had Yu Zhiyuan carried to the bed.

With old wounds unhealed and new ones added, his current condition was far from optimistic.

Yuan Fang left a heavy guard to protect Yu Zhiyuan and excused himself under the pretext of interrogating the prisoner.

Once outside the courtyard, his expression darkened again.

The infiltration of so many assassins into the Wei residence was truly baffling.

These people wanted to kill Yu Zhiyuan, and Xiao Li seemed to have known about it early on—this puzzled Yuan Fang even more.

If Yu Zhiyuan was Pei Song's spy, then who ordered these assassins to kill him?

He deliberately told Yu Zhiyuan that one assassin was still alive to observe his reaction, but Yu Zhiyuan, whether truly unaware or too deeply scheming, had yet to reveal any flaws.

He instructed the personal guard following him, "Spread the word that the captive is held in the marquis's residence dungeon. Leave some weaknesses in the evening defenses."

—

Inside the room, Yu Zhiyuan's face remained extremely pale from blood loss.

After the physician left, the gentle composure he had barely maintained completely vanished from his expression, replaced only by boundless resentment and bitterness.

Leaning against the soft pillow at the head of the bed, he stared fixedly in one direction of the room. Soon, tears welled in his eyes and streamed down to the corners of his lips.

He had helped Pei Song tear Northern Wei apart—Pei Song couldn't possibly want him dead.

But since the Hawk Hounds assigned to him carried out this order, it meant his survival would jeopardize the entire plan.

The only thing that could expose this scheme was the revelation of his identity as a spy for Pei's camp.

When he infiltrated Northern Wei, Pei's camp had already helped him erase all traces of his past. His identity was sufficiently "clean":

—A commoner's son, who studied for years at the Sea-Viewing Academy on the Northern Border. After completing his studies, he passed the marquis's minor examination when Wei Pingjin was recruiting strategists and became one of his advisors.

Even the esteemed Embrace-Mountain Teacher at the Sea-Viewing Academy was his mentor.

The only remaining clue that could expose him was his father!

The only reason Pei Song would order his death was if his father was now in Xiao Li's hands!Pei Song feared that Xiao Li would threaten him with his father's life, ultimately forcing him to admit his identity as a spy. All his previous schemes had gone up in smoke, so he resolved to kill Xiao Li.

After all, if Xiao Li died, even if he captured Pei Song’s father, it would be useless.

The crime of causing the deaths of Wei Pingjin and his sister would still fall on Xiao Li’s head, and the people of the Northern Border would continue to revile him.

Yu Zhiyuan did not know whether Pei Song had made contingency plans to send someone to kill his own father, but Xiao Li, to ensure that the "witness" who could testify against him remained alive when they met, would surely send people to rigorously protect his father.

He gritted his teeth in agony, the moisture seeping into the crevices of his lips unbearably salty.

His knuckles, clutching the quilt, had turned white from the strain.

He did not want to die.

Father... Father might choose to die to protect him.

At this thought, his reddened, hate-filled eyes gradually sharpened with ferocity.

Pei Song had already abandoned them, father and son. It was unlikely Father could escape from Xiao Li's grasp again. The only one with hope to survive, who ought to survive, was him!

The moon hung high at its zenith, a campfire crackling and burning in the wilderness.

Zhang Huai used a charred, broken stick to point at a simple topographic map drawn on the ground, speaking to Xiao Li: "Although the clamor in the Northern Border to crusade against the Marquis is fierce, no one has yet dared to truly take the lead. Wei Tong is currently stationed with the Wei troops at Yanle Mountain. Our light cavalry unit carries no heavy supplies; if we take the small paths cutting across the prefectures, we can reach Yu Prefecture via the shortcut by noon tomorrow at the latest."

Xiao Li sat not far away, wiping his blade. His handsome face was cast in stark contrasts of light and shadow by the firelight. His dark, half-lidded eyes seemed to hold half the night within them, exuding a predatory ferocity like a beast lying in wait.

Footsteps approached from a distance.

Song Qin and Zheng Hu walked side by side. As they drew nearer, illuminated by the firelight, the bloodstains splattered across their battle robes became visible.

Clearly, they had just been through a fierce battle.

Song Qin reported: "The latest wave of Hawk Hounds attacking the prisoner transport has been dealt with."

The two sat down by the campfire. Zheng Hu cursed: "Those Hawk Hounds clearly didn't see the old man in that prisoner cart as one of their own. Their wild volley of arrows turned the cart walls into sieves. If not for Second Brother's earlier order to line all four walls of the cart with iron plates, leaving only a few air vents on top, that old man would probably be a pincushion by now."

He finished with a half-sneer: "Wonder if the old bastard regrets selling his life to that dog Pei now."

Zhang Huai said: "His only son is still stirring up trouble in Yu Prefecture. If I were Pei Song, I'd definitely have a two-pronged plan: send men to kill this old man Yu, and also send others to Yu Prefecture to take the life of that young scoundrel Yu. The old man probably realizes this too. Right now, his only thought is likely to seek death."

After all, if Yu Jingwen died, Xiao Li would lose his leverage to threaten Yu Zhiyuan.

He looked at Xiao Li and said with a smile: "Fortunately, the Marquis had already sent word in his reply, entrusting General Yuan Fang, who is returning to camp with the main army. By the time we reach Yu Prefecture tomorrow, that young scoundrel Yu should still be alive."

Xiao Li remained silent. After hearing Zhang Huai's explanation, Zheng Hu spat again: "That dog Pei must have been raised on venomous insects! His heart is truly vicious!"

Song Qin said: "The Yu father and son are no better. The father pretended to defect to Dou Jianliang's camp and masterminded the Majialiang Massacre. The son infiltrated the residence of Marquis Wei, caused the deaths of Wei Qishan's son and daughter, and then colluded with their Wei camp's puppet princess to frame the Marquis. What worries me now is that Yu Zhiyuan, to save his own skin, might deny his own father when we confront them at the city gate tomorrow."

Zheng Hu slapped his thigh: "If he dares deny him, I'll chop the old thief's head off right in front of the battle lines! I don't believe that little bastard could remain unmoved!"Zhang Huai slightly furrowed his brow, seeming to ponder for a moment before saying, "Both father and son of the Yu family excel at psychological manipulation. Their schemes all exploit human nature. Despite Dou Jianliang's caution, he was still led by the nose into a trap by that old scoundrel Yu. Yu Zhiyuan infiltrated the Wei camp, consistently advising Wei Pingjin to strive for advancement, devising strategies for him, and helping him accumulate military merits. Even Wei Qishan and the veteran generals of the Wei camp were deceived by him. If he hadn't exposed himself this time to frame the Marquis, it would have taken us considerable effort to root out this thorn."

He paused here, as if realizing something else, but did not continue, only adding, "Such a person possesses remarkable fortitude. Yu Jingwen's vicious scheme led to the massacre of twenty thousand Wei soldiers at Majialiang. Even if Yu Zhiyuan acknowledges this father, they would not escape death. I agree with General Song—Yu Zhiyuan will likely heartlessly disown his father."

Just as Zheng Hu was anxiously about to interject, Xiao Li spoke from the side: "He will acknowledge him."

Everyone turned to look at Xiao Li.

Zheng Hu even chuckled with delight: "Second Brother, do you have a plan?"

Xiao Li had finished cleaning his blade. As he sheathed it, the cold glint of the steel reflected in his eyes, making them appear even more detached and profound. The blade slid into the scabbard with a crisp, clean clang.

The next day, Yu Zhiyuan changed his wound dressing. Dressed only in his inner garments, he sat propped against the headboard, his face ashen and dark circles under his eyes, looking utterly drained.

He had not slept a wink the previous night.

The guards Yuan Fang left in his courtyard were ostensibly for his protection, but to some extent, they also served as confinement.

All night, he had been planning how to counter the accusations from Xiao Li's side and how to defend himself if the captive seized by Yuan Fang confessed his identity under extreme torture.

Now, not only did his wounds ache, but his head also throbbed faintly from a night of intense thought.

When a servant handed him the decoction for internal use, he waved it away weakly, one hand pressed to his temple, looking ill.

The servant set the medicine on the small table by the bed. Hurried footsteps sounded from outside.

Moments later, an armored soldier hurried in, clasping his fists toward Yu Zhiyuan and reporting, "Sir Yu, the General has sent word that the man named Xiao has surrounded the south gate with troops and is demanding to see you."

Yu Zhiyuan's face paled imperceptibly. He had not expected Xiao Li to arrive so quickly.

He coughed and wheezed a few times, feigning pained anger as he said, "General Yuan is stationed in Weizhou, and that villain still dares to attack? It is a pity that my injuries are severe, and I can barely leave this bed. I cannot go to the city tower to watch General Yuan behead the Xiao traitor to avenge the County Princess and the Young Master. Please convey to General Yuan that I will set up an incense altar in the Wei residence, awaiting his return with Xiao's head to sacrifice to the Young Master and the County Princess!"

After the armored soldier clasped his fists and departed, Yu Zhiyuan dismissed the servants in the room. Only then did he slump exhaustively against the soft pillow, closing his eyes in sorrow.

Xiao Li wanted to see him... His father was truly in Xiao Li's hands...

He swallowed hard, his throat dry, and whispered hoarsely, "Father, do not blame your son..."

He had long resolved that, whether facing accusations from Xiao Li or confessions from the Hawk Hound in Yuan Fang's custody, he would firmly insist it was all slander—a vicious plot by Pei Song and Xiao Li to eliminate him and seize control of Northern Wei.

With last night's assassination attempt as precedent, exonerating himself would not be difficult.But less than half an hour later, the armored soldier returned in a flurry of dust: "Master Yu, the Xiao Army has captured Yu Jingwen—the venomous strategist who planned the Majialiang Massacre for Pei Song—and claims... he is your biological father, demanding you meet him at the front lines. They also declared that Pei Song, fearing exposure of your slanderous schemes, has likely already sent assassins after you, and your refusal to appear on the city tower proves your guilt. General Yuan, concerned the troops might believe the Xiao Army’s slander, ordered me to escort you there at once.Yu Zhiyuan felt a surge of fury choke his heart, triggering another coughing fit that tore through his chest like a split wound.

These words had thoroughly blocked every possible excuse he could make.

Yuan Fang had captured a Hawk Hound, and it was unclear whether his identity had been extracted during interrogation.

Even if nothing had been revealed yet, Yu Zhiyuan had planned to use yesterday’s assassination attempt to sever all ties with Pei Song’s camp.

Now that the Xiao Army had exposed the truth—that the assassination was Pei Song’s attempt to silence him—if he didn’t show himself on the city tower, insisting it was slander would only invite suspicion.

He slammed the bedside fiercely, as if enraged: "Preposterous! My father passed away years ago—how dare those Xiao bandits insult me like this!"

Struggling to rise, he ordered: "Prepare the carriage. To the city tower!"

—

Outside the southern city gate.

The sun blazed overhead. Zheng Hu’s throat had gone dry from hurling insults, while not far away, Yu Jingwen—bound before the army formation—wore prison garb, disheveled and listless, a rag stuffed in his mouth to prevent him from biting off his tongue.

Squinting at the city tower, Zheng Hu grumbled to Song Qin beside him: "Big brother, do you think that turtle-spawn surnamed Yu will show?"

Song Qin tightened his reins: "The Marquis has backed him into a corner. He has no choice but to come."

Zheng Hu stole a glance at Xiao Li, who sat mounted behind them, exuding a cold, murderous aura. Just as he was about to speak again, movement stirred on the city tower.

Xiao Li lifted his icy wolf-like eyes.

Yu Zhiyuan, supported by attendants, ascended the tower. Yuan Fang, standing by the battlements, gave a perfunctory nod and pointed downward: "See for yourself, sir.Yu Zhiyuan gazed at the dark mass of troops spread below, his heart seizing at the overwhelming killing intent. It felt as if a wild beast had charged at him, roaring and slamming into his chest.

Sensing an intensely sharp gaze, he forced himself to look back. The moment their eyes met, his mind went briefly blank, leaving only one thought—that was the look one gives a dead thing.

Under the scorching sun, Yu Zhiyuan felt a chill shoot up from his feet, engulfing his entire body.

Xiao Li stared indifferently for two breaths before looking away, allowing Yu Zhiyuan’s rigid posture to ease slightly.

Zheng Hu began cursing: "Turtle-spawn! Finally crawled out of your shell?"

He then pointed at Yu Jingwen: "See your thieving father? Confess how you framed my second brother, kneel and kowtow three times to your Grandpa Zheng, and I’ll grant your thieving father a sip of water!"

Yu Jingwen, tightly bound, had been gagged for so long and had resisted eating to starve himself. Soldiers had to force-feed him gruel daily to keep him alive, leaving his lips now parched and peeling.Yu Zhiyuan followed the direction of his finger and naturally saw Yu Jingwen as well. Steeling his nerves, he declared, "My father died long ago. You all, conspiring with the Pei camp to frame me, bring forth some lowly wretch who shares my surname, and think you can tarnish my name with such slander?"

As if unable to bear the humiliation, he ignored his injuries and stretched out a hand, commanding those around him, "Bring me a bow! I will shoot this villain dead myself!"

Just one encounter with Xiao Li had already unsettled him deeply.

Yu Zhiyuan knew clearly that the longer Yu Jingwen remained in Xiao Li's hands, the more torment he would endure.

Better to end his life with a single arrow—sparing him further suffering and dispelling the ominous foreboding that had surged within him after facing Xiao Li.

The armored soldiers on the city tower exchanged uncertain glances, their eyes turning to Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang said, "Sir, you are injured. Do not act rashly in anger..."

But Yu Zhiyuan barked again, "Bring me a bow!"

His gaze remained fixed on Yu Jingwen, bound below at the front of the formation, his eyes seemingly reddened with fury.

At that moment, Yu Jingwen, who had been weakly hanging his head, lifted it to look up at the city tower, as if straining for one last glimpse of someone.

Below the tower, Zheng Hu, Song Qin, and the others frowned slightly at the scene.

Zhang Huai gave a faint frown and was about to turn to Xiao Li to say something when he noticed Xiao Li's expression showed not the slightest change. Instead, he called out to the city tower with cold mockery, "Staff Officer Yu claims to have no connection to this man, yet this very person masterminded the battle at Majia Ridge, causing the deaths of twenty thousand Wei soldiers—a heinous crime beyond redemption. Wouldn't letting him die from a single arrow be far too merciful?"

He called out, "Tiger."

Though Zheng Hu did not understand Xiao Li's intent, he responded promptly and loudly.

Xiao Li said, "Set up a cauldron."

Zheng Hu let out a soft "Ah," puzzled by Xiao Li's order, but with the two armies facing off, it was no time for questions. He immediately waved to his subordinates, instructing them to find a large cauldron.

Once the cauldron was set up and the fire lit, the scene became utterly bewildering.

Yet Xiao Li's next words sent a chill seeping into the bones of everyone present.

His cold eyes fixed on the opposite city tower, he uttered lightly, "The battle at Majia Ridge also grieves me deeply. Since rumors claim I colluded with the Pei camp, today I will publicly dismember this Pei strategist, then boil his flesh to feed the stray dogs outside the city. Perhaps this will offer some solace to the souls of the twenty thousand soldiers who fell at Majia Ridge."

The punishment of lingchi had existed since ancient times.

But to dismember someone while a cauldron boiled nearby, forcing the condemned to watch their own flesh being cooked—such an inhumane torture had never been employed before.

The weather was already hot, and under the intense flames, steam soon rose from the edges of the cauldron.

Yu Jingwen's Rack stood beside the cauldron, close enough for him to hear the crackling of the burning wood below.

The executioner stepped forward and cut away his clothing with a knife. His face was ashen, whether from weakness or fear in that moment, but his gaze remained fixed on the city tower.

After a moment of uproar, the opposite city tower fell into dead silence.

—Xiao Li intended to execute by lingchi the mastermind responsible for the deaths of twenty thousand Wei soldiers. The Wei camp had no grounds to stop him.Yu Zhiyuan stood at the city wall battlement, feeling a metallic taste rise from his chest to his throat. He suppressed it desperately, clenching his fist hidden beneath the wide sleeves of his Confucian robe so hard that his palm was torn open, yet he didn't register any pain.

He was the least qualified person in the Wei camp to call a halt to this torture.

He told himself he must endure it. Once he endured this, Xiao Li would have no further hold over him.

One day, he would avenge his father a thousandfold!

After carving another slice into Yu Jingwen, the executioner confirmed the old man was too weakened by pain to bite his tongue again. Removing the gag, he intended for Yu Jingwen's screams to intimidate the opposing side during the torture.

But the frail-looking old man proved steel-boned. The moment his jaw could move after the gag's removal, he ignored his agony and rasped: "This old man has no sons! My only son starved to death in the famine of the eighth year of Shaojing! It was Former Liang who wronged me!"

With his last strength, he spat toward Xiao Li's direction: "Bastard whelp from a Yongzhou whore's womb! In my youth, I too visited famed courtesans there. That whore mother of yours likely serviced me as well. Since no one claims you, you might as well call me father!"

"You old scum! I'll kill you!" Zheng Hu couldn't bear the provocation and immediately reached for his blade, only to be restrained by Song Qin who shouted: "Tiger, calm yourself! This old wretch is begging for death!"

Though held back, Zheng Hu spat back furiously, his eyes nearly bursting from their sockets: "Filthy old bastard, just wait! That dog-son of yours on the wall will be pounded into mincemeat by my hammers, steamed into buns and fed to dogs!"

Yu Jingwen merely sneered: "He's a Northern Wei strategist. What's his life or death to me? The more deaths in Wei camp, the happier I am!"

Clearly, both father and son were desperately performing this act to sever ties and ensure Yu Zhiyuan's survival. Fuming, Zheng Hu nearly charged forward again when Xiao Li's voice cut through: "No more knife carving. Use heated iron chains to scrape him raw."

His cold, deep eyes seemed frosted over even under the scorching sun.

Those who had followed him from Yong City knew - Xiao Huiniang was his absolute taboo.

The executioners swiftly replaced their blades with thick iron chains. After dipping them in boiling water, two men pulled them taut and began scraping Yu Jingwen's body.

Having already been carved open, the rough chains grinding against exposed wounds with brute force felt like having skin and flesh torn off raw. Yu Jingwen immediately convulsed in agony, screams tearing from his throat uncontrollably. The robes beneath him were soaked through with warm, metallic-smelling fluid in his extreme torment.

—The pain was too overwhelming for him to maintain bodily control.

This method far surpassed knife carving. At least blades were sharp, each cut delivering clean pain.

Scraping with chains meant crushing flesh slowly, shredding it bit by bit—a suffering that exceeded lingchi torture multiple times over, yet prevented quick death.

Before Yu Jingwen could recover from the previous agony, the executioners already swung the chains down upon him again.Yu Jingwen let out another agonized scream, the pain so intense he genuinely wished to bite off his tongue and end his life. Yet the torment had drained him of all strength—though he gnawed his tongue until it was mangled and bleeding, he couldn’t sever even the tip. All he could do was hurl the foulest, most vulgar curses at Xiao Li, his words degrading to the point of being unbearable to hear.

Xiao Li, however, showed not the slightest trace of anger.

Soon, Yu Jingwen no longer had the energy to curse. Beyond hoarse, instinctive screams driven by pain, he could no longer form a single word.

By the end, he couldn’t even manage a cry. Only his body twitched spasmodically as the iron chains scraped downward.

The gushing blood had long since dyed the clothing beneath him crimson, and shreds of flesh, the color of rouge, were scattered across the execution platform.

When the chains were dipped into boiling water, scraps of flesh carried along with them cooked, and the scent of meat wafted up to the city wall with the wind.

Yu Zhiyuan’s palms were already drenched in blood, and the taste of iron filled his mouth. He forced himself to watch the execution alongside the Wei camp soldiers, his senses nearly numb.

Several times, when Yu Jingwen’s screams grew too harrowing, he lowered his gaze, not daring to look. But when the smell of cooked flesh drifted on the wind, he could no longer hold back. Leaning against the battlements, he bent over and vomited violently.

An armored soldier stepped forward to support him, but Yu Zhiyuan waved him off, his face ashen as he explained, “It’s nothing. I’ve just never witnessed such a method of execution before.”

Straightening up, his eyes bloodshot, he glared downward. It was as if he wanted to declare this as a victory to Xiao Li, who had used such cruelty to force his submission, and to make it clear that one day, he would repay all of this suffering twofold!

But before Yu Zhiyuan could utter a word, Xiao Li had already begun clapping in admiration. “To watch your own father being sliced to death and boiled without flinching—Advisor Yu, you possess remarkable fortitude. Yet, until his last breath, your esteemed father never took his eyes off you. I wonder, in those final moments when he could no longer cry out, whether he pleaded silently for you to save him.”

Bathed in the blazing sun, Xiao Li’s features appeared even more strikingly beautiful, his tone utterly calm.

But in that moment, all he revealed was boundless mockery and malice.

It was as if this entire brutal spectacle had been staged solely to see what choice Yu Zhiyuan would make, watching his own father endure death by a thousand cuts.

Author’s Note:

Apologies, everyone. I’ve been dealing with some real-life issues lately, both physically and mentally, and haven’t been in a good state. I wasn’t able to log into JJWXC to update you, which caused concern. I’m truly sorry and deeply grateful for everyone’s care and support (bows.jpg).

It’s a new year now. Wishing you all peace, health, and happiness.