The Road to Glory

Chapter 218

Pei Yuan spotted Zhao Bai crouched on the official road behind them and wanted to strike again, but as more Azure Guard members arrived to shield Zhao Bai and A Yin, and considering his earlier injuries from fighting Xiao Li, continuing the battle would likely bring no advantage.

Seeing Chen Wei’s cavalry approaching the mountain bend from afar, and the distant "Xiao" banner fluttering along the tree-lined official road, he felt a bone-crushing pain shoot through his left arm again. Knowing it was unsafe to stay, he urgently said to Pei Song, "Master, the allied forces besieging Luodu are also closing in. We must retreat!"

When Pei Song remained silent, he added, "Master, do not waste Master Gongsun’s efforts!"

Pei Song’s eyes, red as though weeping blood, slowly turned toward the distant "Chen" and "Xiao" banners rising along the official road. It seemed he had completely severed ties with something from his past. He finally gritted out one word: "Retreat."

The Hawk Hounds quickly brought horses and escorted Pei Song away on horseback.

Zhao Bai was helped up by the Azure Guard. Gazing in the direction where Pei Song and his Hawk Hounds had fled, she spat blood from between her teeth and said hatefully, "After them!"

The nearby Azure Guard, aware that Jiang Yichu’s death had driven her to fury, supported Zhao Bai and cautioned, "Commander, no! If that treacherous dog realizes we’re stalling for reinforcements and gets cornered, he might become desperate and seize the young county mistress as a hostage!"

Zhao Bai looked at A Yin, held by an Azure Guard but crying hysterically, slapping the guard and struggling with a reddened face to reach the cliff edge. Her heart ached sharply.

The arrow wound in her abdomen, driven deeper during her fall, made it difficult even to stand. She knew her subordinate was right—if they delayed Pei Song, his Hawk Hounds might fight to the death, and she might not be able to protect A Yin fully.

Shame and hatred peaked within her. Swallowing the blood in her mouth, Zhao Bai closed her eyes in anguish.

As A Yin cried until she gasped for breath, frantically tugging the Azure Guard’s hair, Zhao Bai endured the abdominal pain and knelt, taking A Yin into her arms. With red-rimmed eyes, she said, "This servant was incompetent and failed to save the consort."

Zhao Bai had once been a martial maid sent by Wen Heng to Jiang Yichu, so A Yin recognized her.

Having cried until her voice was hoarse, A Yin finally quieted her wails in Zhao Bai’s embrace, sobbing, "Aunt Zhao, I want my mother…"

Zhao Bai’s eyes reddened further. "This servant will personally lead a search for the consort below the cliff."

One month later, the battle report from Luodu reached Chen Kingdom.

Yang Baolin sat on an embroidered stool beside the desk, reading the dispatch. A smile spread across her face as she said to Wen Yu, "Congratulations, Your Highness! The battle at Luodu is a great victory. However, that cunning scoundrel Pei Song fled west with his close followers before the city fell. Generals Fan Yuan and that Lord Xiao from the Northern Border are now leading separate forces to hunt down the traitor."

The conflict between Chen Kingdom and Western Mausoleum had intensified, flooding Wen Yu with endless memorials to process. To save time, trusted female officials like Yang Baolin would summarize reports for Wen Yu, who then made the final decisions.When her gaze fell on the latter part of the military report, the joy on her face froze. She hesitated slightly before looking up at Wen Yu, who sat behind the desk marking memorials with a vermilion brush.

Noticing her unusual reaction, Wen Yu wearily pressed her fingers against her brow and asked, "Why did you stop reading?"

Yang Baolin clutched the war dispatch tightly, her knuckles turning white. "The Crown Princess was abducted by Pei Song during their escape. She fell off a cliff, and her current condition remains unknown."

When Wen Yu went to Southern Chen for a political marriage, the Chen state had posthumously honored her father as emperor and her elder brother as crown prince.

Although Jiang Yichu had long been held captive by Pei Song, Zhao Bai and others still habitually referred to her as the Crown Princess Consort. However, when Li Xun and his officials drafted military reports, they followed protocol by addressing Jiang Yichu as Crown Princess.

Hearing this, Wen Yu's fingers resting on her temple stiffened. The vermilion brush in her other hand left an unintended red mark on the memorial as she abruptly stood up. "Let me see the report."

Tong Que, who had been serving tea beside Wen Yu, paled at the dreadful news and leaned closer to read the dispatch.

Yang Baolin hurriedly handed over the report.

Wen Yu took it, her eyes scanning the densely written characters until they fixed on the line: "The Crown Princess has fallen from a cliff, search efforts ongoing with no results thus far." She stared at those words for a long time.

Despite her efforts to maintain composure, a redness gradually tinged the rims of her eyes.

Worried about her, Tong Que called out softly with tearful eyes, "Your Highness..."

Wen Yu set down the report, braced her hands on the desk, and closed her eyes for two steadying breaths. After forcefully suppressing the ache in her heart, she spoke with rare firmness: "My sister-in-law will be protected by heaven. Dispatch more troops to search for her."

Tong Que and Yang Baolin exchanged glances, understanding that although Jiang Yichu wasn't related by blood to Wen Yu, she meant far more than any blood relative could.

Even if there seemed no possibility of survival after Jiang Yichu's fall from the cliff, as long as her remains weren't found, Wen Yu would cling to hope—even if it meant deceiving herself—and continue sending search parties.

Neither voiced further objections. Tong Que cupped her fist and responded, "As you command."After Tong Que withdrew, Yang Baolin watched Wen Yu's strained expression with closed eyes and advised with concern, 'Your Highness, you've been handling urgent reports from the western front for days without proper rest.' Even iron will eventually wear out. Perhaps you should rest today—"

"Military affairs are urgent. These memorials concern the lives of our frontline soldiers—they cannot be delayed," Wen Yu responded, her voice hoarse.

When she opened her eyes, they remained red-rimmed, but she had forcibly suppressed the pain within them.

Yang Baolin, aware of the heavy burden Wen Yu carried, sighed inwardly and swallowed further words of advice.

Picking up another dispatch, she finished reading it and reported to Wen Yu, though her expression again showed hesitation: "Your peace proposal sent to the Xiao Army camp in the Northern Border has yet to receive a reply. The Lord Xiao of the Northern Border has been pursuing Pei Song westward."

While the Liang territory appeared pacified on the surface, the current situation suggested a standoff between northern and southern borders. Whether hostilities would resume depended entirely on whether the Northern Border's Lord Xiao would accept Wen Yu's peace offering and official appointment.

Furthermore, the situation in Liang indirectly influenced the war on Chen's western front.

If Liang were truly unified, Wen Yu could effectively combine the forces of both states against Western Mausoleum, making their invasion no longer a threat.But if that Xiao Jun truly intended to contend for the empire, the northern and southern borders of Liang would continue to endure bitter warfare, and the Chen Kingdom's support would become even more difficult.

Setting aside all personal sentiments, no one dared to gamble on that ambition of ruling the world.

Though she had just finished reading the victory report from Luodu, Yang Baolin suddenly felt as if nothing had gone right all day. After speaking those words, she hardly dared to look at Wen Yu's expression.

After enduring an unbearably long wait without hearing Wen Yu respond, she finally lifted her gaze to find Wen Yu's long eyelashes lowered, still intently reviewing the memorial in hand, seemingly unaffected by what she had just said.

Only after finishing that memorial did Wen Yu ask: "How are the arrangements for sending A Li's hundred-day banquet invitations to the various tribes?"

Yang Baolin knew that Wen Yu's true purpose in sending people to deliver invitations was not the banquet itself. Using the trade relations built with those tribes over the past year as foundation, this was actually an opportunity to win them over, making them align with Chen Kingdom to jointly deal with Western Mausoleum.

Wen Yu had already prepared for both possibilities when drafting the peace letter to be sent to the Xiao Army.

Yang Baolin couldn't quite describe the feeling in her heart at this moment—partly feeling sorry for Wen Yu, yet also thinking that if it truly came to armed conflict, it might be better for Wen Yu to walk her path alone from then on. She replied: "Officials including Sikong Wei and Fang Mingda have already departed."

Great Liang, Western Frontier.

At the summit of towering mountains that pierced the clouds, snow remained perpetual.

Xiao Li guided his horse across the river, followed by a contingent of mounted personal guards. The sounds of flowing water and hooves splashing through water blended together in a continuous rush.

The grasslands on both riverbanks were lush with green grass and blooming wildflowers.

Zhao Youcai rode behind Xiao Li, his grinning teeth barely retracting: "I truly never expected to see the General... no, Marquis again after parting at Pingzhou. Every time I heard from General Fan that Magistrate Li had gone north to meet you, I kept hoping you would return to the Southern Border. Fortunately, I finally get to see you this time..."

Perhaps finding Zhao Youcai too noisy, Xiao Li interrupted him: "How do you know the Western Frontier language?"

After entering the Western Frontier, due to the extremely high altitude and particularly complex terrain, despite it being warm spring, the temperature difference between day and night remained extreme. The Liang troops from the Southern Border that Fan Yuan led fell ill in large numbers overnight due to the cold miasma.

The Wolf Cavalry that Xiao Li brought, accustomed to the perennial harsh cold of the Northern Border, had relatively fewer soldiers falling ill.

To avoid delaying the pursuit of Pei Song, both sides decided that Fan Yuan would remain with the Liang troops guarding the Western Frontier's periphery, while Xiao Li would lead the Wolf Cavalry deeper into the territory to continue pursuing Pei Song.

However, this was Xiao Li's first time entering the Western Frontier region. Many tribes that had previously pledged allegiance to Great Liang still used their own tribal languages, requiring them to find both a guide and an interpreter.

Coincidentally, when Xiao Li left Pingzhou, a recommendation letter had sent Zhao Youcai—who understood the Western Frontier language—to Fan Yuan's side. Considering that Zhao Youcai had originally served under Xiao Li, Fan Yuan sent him over.

Zhao Youcai scratched his head somewhat sheepishly: "I'm not originally from Xinzhou. My mother was from the Western Frontier, and my father was a convict laborer exiled to Tiger Gorge Pass. After my father died of illness, my mother remarried under family arrangement. Feeling rather meaningless staying in the Western Frontier, I wanted to see the hometown my father remembered until his death. So at fifteen, I followed a merchant caravan heading south to Xinzhou."Zheng Hu had initially disliked Zhao Youcai for his slick tongue, but hearing about his background lessened his prejudice considerably. He said, "Didn't expect you've had a hard life too. Since you used to follow my second brother, from now on, Brother Hu will watch out for you!"

He pointed at himself with his thumb.

Zhao Youcai immediately began flattering Zheng Hu again: "Ah, I'm truly blessed by fortune..."

Xiao Li listened to Zhao Youcai's flattery without further comment.

After crossing the wide shallow river, their guide suddenly dismounted and knelt on the ground, bowing toward the distant snow-capped mountains that spread out like the wings of a giant roc.

Seeing this, Zhao Youcai symbolically bowed toward the twin-peaked mountains from his horse.

Zheng Hu couldn't help asking: "What are they worshipping?"

Zhao Youcai explained: "It's a tradition of the Western Frontier people. When reaching the foot of the sacred mountains, one must pay respects."

Zheng Hu was puzzled: "Sacred mountains?"

Xiao Li also turned his gaze toward Zhao Youcai.

Below them, the guide was still kowtowing and murmuring prayers, appearing very devout.

Zhao Youcai elaborated: "The Western Frontier people call those two mountains Father God Mountain and Mother God Mountain. On our Great Liang maps, they're called the Northern Jiashi Mountains and Southern Jiashi Mountains. The Northern Jiashi Mountains begin here and extend all the way to the Northern Border - Yanle Mountain in the Northern Border is also part of the Northern Jiashi range. The Southern Jiashi Mountains stretch from here southwest to Hundred Blades Pass. To exit the Western Frontier, one must pass through Tiger Gorge Pass between the two sacred mountains, which the Western Frontier people call Divine Valley Pass."

"I've heard that the Western Frontier was willing to submit to the Central Plains because the two sacred mountains, together with the eastern Qiling Range, encircle the entire Central Plains territory. The Western Frontier ancestors believed that Central Plains people were also under the protection of the sacred mountains, sharing the blessings of the parent mountains, thus making them kin. That's why they ceased warfare and accepted the Central Plains emperor's conferment."

Zheng Hu stammered for a while before managing to say: "Making peace with the Central Plains because of two mountains... these Western Frontier people are quite straightforward..."

As they spoke, the old man who had been kneeling finished worshipping the sacred mountains and turned back to look at Xiao Li's group.

Zheng Hu looked at Zhao Youcai: "What does that mean?"

Zhao Youcai made a praying gesture with his hands clasped and said to Xiao Li: "Well... Lord Marquis, you just need to bow casually like this. The old man believes that after bringing strangers into the sacred mountains, worshipping them will prevent divine punishment and instead bring blessings. You can also make wishes to the sacred mountains."

Following local customs, Xiao Li said nothing more. He clasped his hands on horseback and bowed toward the distant twin-peaked snow mountains.

Zheng Hu and the others behind him followed suit, with Zheng Hu muttering: "Then please let the sacred mountains help us capture that traitor Pei Song soon..."

Under the same sky where the snow peaks were visible, Pei Song wrapped himself in a felt scarf, dressed no differently from the local Western Frontier people. Mixed in with the crowd exiting through the city gate, he gazed at the distant Tiger Gorge Pass watchtower flying the "Yang" banner, a self-mocking smile twisting his pale face: "It's truly been years since I've seen such a sight."

Pei Yuan returned from scouting the city gate with an extremely grim expression: "Master, there are wanted notices with your portrait posted at the city gate. The garrison general Yang Shuo is also present. I'm afraid we won't be able to get through."

Xiao Li was conducting carpet searches and surrounding them from behind, while the Liang Camp's arrest warrants had already been delivered to Tiger Gorge Pass in advance.As long as General Yang Shuo, who was guarding Tiger Gorge Pass, currently had no intention of opposing Wen Yu, he had to follow the orders from Liang Camp.

If they hid in the city, waiting for Xiao Li to conduct a carpet search from the rear, they likely wouldn’t be able to remain concealed for long.

But if they insisted on leaving the pass, with Yang Shuo personally stationed at the city gate, it would be no different from walking right into a trap.

A gray felt cape covered most of Pei Song’s face. After covering his mouth and coughing for a while, he uttered the name: “Yang Shuo?”

Pei Yuan nodded.

Pei Song gazed at the “Yang” character flag fluttering in the wind, a faint, ambiguous smile appearing on his pale face—as if mocking himself, or as if resigning himself to fate. He said, “Then let’s give it a try.”

Pei Yuan and the rest of the Hawk Hounds all showed expressions of surprise.

The line of people leaving the pass moved forward slowly. Pei Yuan and the Hawk Hounds could clearly see that everyone exiting the pass, after submitting their travel documents for inspection by the petty officer, also had to have their appearances compared one by one with the portraits on the wanted notices.

When it was Pei Song’s group’s turn, the petty officer at the gate routinely demanded their exit documents and ordered Pei Song to remove his hood.

Pei Yuan handed over the travel documents they had seized from merchants leaving the pass. After verifying them, the petty officer noticed that Pei Song’s face appeared to be severely burned, making his original features unrecognizable. He demanded, “What happened to your face?”

Pei Yuan quickly slipped some silver to the petty officer, smiling apologetically. “My elder brother suffered burns in a fire years ago, and his face was scarred.”

The petty officer, however, refused the silver and barked, “Come here!”

As he spoke, he reached out to touch the horrifying burn marks on Pei Song’s face.

Pei Yuan’s heart nearly leaped into his throat. Exchanging glances with the Hawk Hounds, he was already prepared to fight their way out of the pass when a middle-aged man’s voice interrupted, “What’s going on?”

Seeing Yang Shuo approach, Pei Yuan felt his hair stand on end, increasingly convinced that they might not escape today. Only Pei Song remained unusually calm.

“General, this man’s face looks suspicious. I was about to conduct a thorough search,” the petty officer replied.

Yang Shuo turned his gaze to Pei Song, who met his eyes calmly, the corners of his lips faintly quivering. In his eyes, aside from self-mockery and exhaustion, there was only numbness—as if he no longer wished to struggle against fate and was merely waiting for Yang Shuo to deliver his predetermined verdict.

With just one glance, Yang Shuo’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly. He stared at Pei Song for a long time, his eyes filled with suppressed anguish and a multitude of unspoken, complex emotions.

After a long pause, he finally asked, “Where are you from?”

Pei Song answered according to the merchant’s documents: “From Liuzhou.”

Yang Shuo continued, “Why are you leaving the pass?”

Pei Song lifted his lips slightly. “Just doing some small business.”

Yang Shuo extended his hand to the petty officer. “Let me see the documents.”

The petty officer quickly handed them over. “I’ve already checked them, General. The documents seem to be in order.”

Yang Shuo flipped through the papers and asked, “When will you return home?”

Pei Song replied, “Small businesses are tough. I don’t know when I’ll have enough savings to go back.”

Yang Shuo said, “The scenery beyond the pass is beautiful. Settling there permanently might not be a bad idea.”

After finishing his review of the documents, Yang Shuo gave Pei Song one last deep look, returned the papers to him, and instructed the petty officer, “There’s no issue. Let them pass.”

With Yang Shuo’s order, the petty officer dared not obstruct them further.

Pei Song gave Yang Shuo a slight nod. “Thank you, General.”After the party rode out of the pass for nearly a mile, Pei Song finally reined in his horse and looked back at the watchtower standing between the two mountain ranges.

Pei Yuan had already sensed some underlying tension from the exchange between Pei Song and Yang Shuo at the city gate and asked, "Master, are you acquainted with that Yang Shuo?"

Pei Song's expression was a mix of sorrow and mockery: "He was personally promoted by my father when he guarded Tiger Gorge Pass."

Pei Yuan instantly understood. Yang Shuo waiting personally at the city gate was most likely to intercept Pei Song. He was so shocked he didn't know what to say.

Before he realized it, the words had already escaped his lips: "Then why didn't you persuade him to join us? We could hold Tiger Gorge Pass and launch a counterattack back to Luodu!"

Pei Song smiled faintly with irony: "Didn't you hear him telling me to settle outside the pass and never return?"

Pei Yuan realized his blunder and didn't dare speak further.

It was clear Yang Shuo still wished to remain a Liang official, which was why he had posted the arrest warrants at the city gate after receiving the urgent message from Liang Camp.

Letting them slip through the pass privately was already the utmost he could do to repay Qin Yi's past mentorship.

Pei Song looked up at the sky, his smile widening as he watched the sun's shadow: "No matter. This time, fate stands on my side."

Since heaven didn't take his life, it meant the heavens wanted him to live!

Several days later, Xiao Li arrived at Tiger Gorge Pass. With Yang Shuo's cooperation, he quickly conducted a thorough search of the city but found no trace of the Hawk Hounds.

After another fruitless search, Zheng Hu gulped down a bowl of tea and wiped his mouth with his tightened sleeve: "Strange. Before reaching Tiger Gorge Pass, no matter how Pei Song hid, we could always track some traces. How come upon reaching this pass, he and his pack of running dogs have completely vanished into thin air!"

After pouring tea for Xiao Li, Zhao Youcai said: "Could they have escaped beyond the pass?"

Zheng Hu waved his hand: "Impossible. The arrest warrants are posted at the city gate, and the inspections are so strict. Unless Pei Song dug his way underground!"

Zhao Youcai said: "But they only inspect men leaving through the gate, right? What if Pei Song disguised himself as a woman to exit the city?"

Zheng Hu, who had just taken a sip of newly poured tea, nearly spat it all out. He laughed: "That would be the ultimate humiliation! To save his skin, Pei Song dressed as a woman in front of all his subordinates? Has he no shame left?"

Zhao Youcai scratched his head awkwardly and smiled: "Brother Hu is right."

Noticing Xiao Li had been silently studying the map with crossed arms, Zheng Hu called out: "Second Brother, what are you thinking about now?"

Xiao Li continued looking at the map: "Send a letter to Liang Camp. Their forces should continue searching within the Western Frontier. I'll take the Wolf Cavalry beyond the pass to investigate."

Before parting ways with Fan Yuan, Fan Yuan had informed him that before Qin Yi was recalled to Luodu, he had been responsible for guarding Tiger Gorge Pass and had achieved some accomplishments in the Western Frontier.

Wen Yu's earlier deployments had cut off Pei Song's escape route to the west with his main army when Luodu was caught between northern and southern attacks, forcing him to flee in disgrace with his elite troops after the city fell.

But if the enemy escaped to the Western Frontier and used Qin Yi's past achievements to rebuild their forces, both Chen Army and the Southern Border Liang Army would easily fall ill from the cold miasma when pushing deeper into the Western Frontier. The situation could become extremely troublesome.

Therefore, they must pursue their victory relentlessly. Even if Tiger Gorge Pass's garrison defected to Pei Song, they needed to prepare for battle to completely sever Pei Song's path to resurgence in the Western Frontier.This was also the reason he had brought the Wolf Cavalry into the region this time.

So far, everything seemed to be developing in the best possible direction. Not only had the garrison commander of Tiger Gorge Pass refused to surrender to Pei Song, but he was also assisting in the search for Pei Song due to intelligence from the Liang Camp.

However, after searching for over half a month, Pei Song and his close associates remained nowhere to be found, as if... they were never in Tiger Gorge Pass at all.

If that were truly the case, it was unclear whether they had used some method to deceive the guards at the city gate and slip out of the pass, or if Yang Shuo had intentionally let them go.

Continuing to linger inside the pass was not a solution. If Pei Song had indeed left the pass, the longer they delayed, the slimmer the chances of finding his trail again. He had to venture beyond the pass to investigate.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Youcai’s expression changed, and he hurriedly said, “My lord, the terrain and climate outside the pass are even more treacherous and harsh. Wouldn’t it be too risky to leave the pass?”

What he truly wanted to say was that, given the strategic terrain of Tiger Gorge Pass, if they left and the gates were not reopened upon their return, the situation would become perilous.

Although the Liang and Xiao camps were temporarily allied, if Xiao Li were to perish outside the pass with the Wolf Cavalry, the Northern Border army within the pass would be left leaderless. Wouldn’t it be far easier for Southern Liang to reclaim the Northern Border in the future?

This line of thinking, though somewhat cynical, was not unfounded. Zhao Youcai himself was part of the Liang camp and knew that Fan Yuan was straightforward by nature, while Wen Yu carried the demeanor of a ruler and would likely disdain such underhanded tactics. However, the fear of another “Poison Arrow” incident necessitated caution.

Now that he had followed Xiao Li deep into the Western Frontier, Xiao Li’s safety was directly tied to his own life, so he naturally devoted himself wholeheartedly to strategizing for Xiao Li.

Xiao Li lifted his gaze. “Pei Song dared to leave the pass with his battered troops. How could I, with the Wolf Cavalry, lack the courage?”

“That’s not what I meant…” Zhao Youcai scratched his head anxiously, glancing around to ensure no outsiders were present before explaining plainly:

“What I mean is, the fact that we still haven’t found Pei Song and his Hawk Hounds is already suspicious. If Pei Song and Yang Shuo have secretly joined forces to lure you out of the pass, and the gates are then shut, the terrain would make it impossible to break back in. With barbarians swarming outside, if anything were to happen to you, and Yang Shuo claimed it was done under the princess’s orders, the Northern and Southern Borders would resume fighting, leaving the Western Frontier neglected. Wouldn’t that give Pei Song the perfect opportunity to rise here?”

Zheng Hu, hearing this, also feared Xiao Li might fall into a trap and urged, “Second Brother, the strategist isn’t here. We should act cautiously!”

Xiao Li picked up a dagger from the table and began polishing it. The gleaming cold steel reflected his sharp, handsome features, and the intimidating aura forged through countless battles, even when not deliberately displayed, made it almost impossible for others to meet his gaze. “If Yang Shuo has truly defected to Pei Song, wouldn’t my taking the Wolf Cavalry out of the pass be the perfect way to expose their scheme?”

Although many Liang soldiers had fallen ill due to the climate, given more time to adjust, they would gradually adapt. It wasn’t as though they were permanently incapable of advancing into the Western Frontier.

Zhao Youcai pressed anxiously, “But outside the pass, how will you replenish supplies? What if you encounter unforeseen dangers?”

Xiao Li seemed to smile faintly. Then, with a dull thud, the gleaming dagger was plunged into the map, right at the location of the Western Mausoleum. “My men have slain Northern barbarians. They can slay these Western barbarians too!”

“The army will carry a month’s worth of rations—enough to search the entire area beyond the pass.”

When Xiao Li proposed leaving the pass to search for Pei Song, Yang Shuo attempted to dissuade him. However, seeing Xiao Li’s determination and considering their current alliance with the Liang camp—along with the fact that leaving the pass would give the Great Liang, holding Tiger Gorge Pass, the strategic advantage—he had no choice but to agree.After leading the Wolf Cavalry out of the pass, Xiao Li spent several days scouting the situation beyond the border. Only then did he learn that the various tribes and minor states scattered around Tiger Gorge Pass had all submitted to Western Mausoleum over the years. This rapidly rising dynasty of recent decades was displaying astonishing ambition.

Had Tiger Gorge Pass not been as strategically defensible as Hundred Blades Pass, Western Mausoleum would likely be attacking Great Liang instead of Southern Chen at this moment.

After continuing their search for over half a month, Xiao Li and his men still found no trace of Pei Song and his Hawk Hounds. Instead, they had several encounters with nearby tribes and minor states.

When they made camp at night, a sandstorm arose. Zheng Hu returned from outside, spitting sand from his mouth as he complained, "What cursed weather! Sand flying everywhere every couple of days."

He plopped down by the campfire and said to Xiao Li, "Second Brother, if you ask me, if that bastard Pei Song really fled beyond the pass, even if he didn't die at the hands of those tribal barbarians, he'd probably perish in these frequent sandstorms. My teeth ache from chewing dry rations all these weeks. Shouldn't we head back inside the pass?"

The wind was strong, scattering sparks everywhere.

Xiao Li crushed two walnuts single-handedly and tossed one to Zheng Hu. Through some clever technique, he had shattered both shells while keeping the kernels intact. The shell fragments fell from his palm into the fire, his eyes reflecting the flames: "We've searched all the way here. If Pei Song hasn't hidden in Western Mausoleum, he can only be hiding in the oases around Heng Lake. We'll search the oases near Heng Lake before deciding."

Zheng Hu picked at the walnut meat as he ate, then looked at the map beside the campfire. Though barely literate, after following Xiao Li for so long, he could recognize characters from the Liang, Chen, and Xiao camps and understand marked maps. Suddenly he exclaimed, "Hey, this Heng Lake doesn't look far from Sister-in-law's Chen Kingdom!"

Thinking he'd conceived a heroic rescue plan to reconcile the two, he excitedly suggested, "I heard Chen Kingdom is fighting fiercely with the Western Mausoleum barbarians. Second Brother, why don't we swing by and help Sister-in-law fight the Western barbarians?"

When he looked up, he found Xiao Li's face cold enough to freeze icicles, his voice cutting like ice: "Why should I help her?"

Zheng Hu choked slightly, scratching his head as he realized he'd proposed a terrible idea.

After all, Wen Yu and that King Chen were properly married husband and wife. Back when they were in Luodu, news had spread that the couple already had a daughter.

Their alliance with the Liang Camp to hunt Pei Song was motivated by vengeance for Elder Sister Xiao.

If Xiao Li helped against Western Mausoleum's attack on Chen Kingdom, would he be aiding Chen Kingdom or Wen Yu?

One couldn't expect Wen Yu to divorce King Chen and marry Xiao Li just because of such assistance.

Embarrassed, he grabbed his hair and sighed, "Sorry, Second Brother, you know I can't keep my mouth shut—whatever comes to mind just comes out..."

Xiao Li stood up directly: "Rest now. We continue searching for Pei Song tomorrow."

After Xiao Li entered his tent, Zheng Hu slapped his own mouth in regret: "Too much talk, speaking without thinking..."

Inside the nearby military tent, Xiao Li lay with his arms behind his head, fully clothed, his gaze cold and murderous fixed on the pitch-dark tent ceiling, his lips pressed tightly together.

Help her?

No.

Back when it concerned the alliance benefits between Liang and Chen, she hadn't been willing to abandon King Chen.Now that she already had a daughter with King Chen, even if he crawled to her like a dog wagging its tail and begging for mercy, she would likely—just as before—use that sanctimonious rhetoric of acting for his own good, claiming she clearly understood there could be no future between them and thus couldn’t join him in his mistakes or hinder his progress, to distance herself and draw a clear boundary with him!

He understood her too well.

She valued rationality, she upheld righteousness, she sought to be blameless before everyone.

Thus, this pitiful stray dog from the streets—foolishly dreaming of reaching for her—would forever only be pitied from above and discarded by her.

If he couldn’t beg her back, then he would seize her back!

Currently, Western Mausoleum was launching a full-scale invasion of Southern Chen, and the military forces within Great Liang were too far to intervene. He could even add fuel to the flames, accelerating the destruction of the Chen Kingdom!

Author’s Note:

Cold miasma: altitude sickness.

Tongue: interpreter.

(Reiterating: the worldview, terrain, and geography in this story are entirely fictional and made-up.)

I dislike spoilers, but readers should have a fairly clear understanding of the male lead’s character traits from the previous chapters.