Chapter 165: CH 108

Hua Zhu Yu and the Hu Battalion rushed out of the Northern camp. Once they joined the main forces of the Southern Army, she pulled on her reins and turned around to face the Northern Army. 

The skies were consumed by dark clouds, letting only small traces of light shine through the cracks. 

In opposition, the black-armored northern soldiers stood in succession. The black flags rimmed with golden yellow beat in the wind. Several generals were riding beside the Northern Emperor Xiao Yin who was in a cold black armor. In his hand he gripped a long spear which exuded a callous shimmer, reflecting off his deep purple eyes. 

Hua Zhu Yu glanced over at the carriage. At this position, she could not see the woman clearly but according to what Xiao Yin had said she could guess that the person he had caught was the woman with Ji Feng Li a few days ago- Rong Si. 

It turns out Rong Si was actually Ji Feng Li’s future bride.

One of her soldiers came forward and whispered, “Commander Bao, should we bring out Miss Wen to carry out an exchange with the Northern Emperor?” 

She waved her hand and said, “Let’s see how the situation is first.” She was curious how Ji Feng Li was going to save his future bride.

“So has Left Chancellor daren thought it through carefully?” Xiao Yin looked straight at Ji Feng Li and coldly asked. 

Ji Feng Li urged his horse forward a few steps. The corners of his lips hooked up in a proud smile. “Since she is this Chancellor’s woman then she is not one to fear death! But if anyone dares lay a hand on her, you should be careful of the consequences!” He said in a light yet frightening voice. 

Xiao Yin laughed in amusement and asked, “Consequences? What are the consequences exactly?” 

Ji Feng Li was still smiling faintly as he replied, “Nothing; merely the burial of the entire army.” He said it so casually that it sounded like a joke but no one on the battlefield dared take his words as mere jesting. 

Xiao Yin threw his head back laughing. “Left Chancellor daren truly is imposing. To be able to be acquainted with such a great adversary, this Emperor truly has not lived in vain.” 

Neither was seemingly angry in this verbal exchange, not willing to lose their poise in front of their armies. 

“How about a deal?” Ji Feng Li proposed.  

Xiao Yin raised his brow, asking, “Oh? What exactly does Left Chancellor have to offer to deal with this Emperor?” 

Ji Feng Li narrowed his eyes and smilingly said, “The offer is to let the Northern Army safely withdraw. In today’s fight Northern Emperor should be most clear of the situation. So what if this Chancellor opens the gates of Yangguan for your army? This Chancellor can still recover it in the future, but that would merely inflict more casualties on both sides.” 

“And if this Emperor doesn’t agree?” Xiao Yin asked. 

“Well, it’s impossible to force you. Just don’t expect to safely retreat,” Ji Feng Li said indifferently. 

Presently, the Northern Army was losing the battle therefore Xiao Yin brought out Rong Si. But to annihilate the Northern Army completely was no easy task. Thus, Xiao Yin did not take Ji Feng Li’s words seriously, and neither did Hua Zhu Yu. 

Xiao Yin gave a signal to one of the soldiers on the side and the soldier immediately rested his sword upon Rong Si’s pale neck. Gazing at Ji Feng Li, Rong Si’s eyes were deep with affection and tinged with despair. 

Ji Feng Li’s gaze did not waiver. He gripped his reins tightly and said, “It appears Northern Emperor doesn’t believe this Chancellor. If that’s the case, Northern Emperor should not regret later on.” 

Once he spoke, the Southern Army made way and a chariot slowly appeared. Ji Feng Li dismounted and walked over to the chariot. He got up and stood there, his figure tall and upright. His eyes, reflecting the faint traces of sunlight, were cold and unwavering. 

He reached for the commanding flag in front of him and waved it. Immediately, the bugle rang, echoing across the battlefield. 

Xiao Yin frowned, seeing the Southern Army getting into formation. They shuffled along with the sound of the bugle, moving left and right, blurring his vision. The general who had been standing there quietly by his side, Zhang Xi, suddenly remarked, “Your Majesty, Southern Kingdom is getting into formation for battle!” 

Xiao Yin’s expression darkened and he coldly questioned, “Do you recognize this formation?” 

Zhang Xi carefully observed the formation. Suddenly he said, “This isn’t good, we’re about to be surrounded.”

Hua Zhu Yu knew Ji Feng Li had secretly trained the soldiers but did not think this formation would be so effective. From a glance it looked like the Nine Palace Formation but taking a look again it was slightly different.

Compared to the Southern Army, the Northern Army was relatively smaller by a few thousand men. After the battle, the disparity was even greater. However, relying on Northern Army’s brute force, even if they lost the battle, they would not be completely annihilated. Now that the battle formation had initiated, the tens and thousands of troops were entrapped in the formation. 

Hua Zhu Yu turned around to look at Ji Feng Li raising his hand, directing the flag. His movements were neither urgent nor slow. Such graceful movements seemed to be able to control everything between heaven and earth with a mere stroke of his hand. 

“Has Northern Emperor reconsidered the previous deal?” Ji Feng Li asked. 

“Zhang Xi, don’t you specialize in battle formations? Can you see through it?” Xiao Yin asked. 

Zhang Xi replied, “From a glance it appears to be the Nine Palace Formation but it’s slightly different and way more powerful. I fear it will be difficult for our army to retreat safely. Your Majesty, it is better to reconsider Ji Feng Li’s deal. If we don’t let this woman go, he will never let us out. If he keeps besieging us, our troops will suffer more casualties.” 

“We’ll bring this woman and break out of the formation. This Emperor doesn’t believe it cannot be broken,” Xiao Yin coldly remarked with haughtiness. He raised his voice and shouted, “There’s no deal!” and immediately led the army to break through the formation. 

“Your Majesty!” Da Qi urged his horse to ride beside Xiao Yin. Raising his voice he said, “Such a beautiful woman! Your Majesty should bestow her to this General. This General shall take good care of her in Left Chancellor’s place.” Da Qi deliberately employed his internal force so that everyone could hear him clearly.

translations at peachblossomgrove . com

“Yeah, ha ha ha…” the Northern soldiers agreed and erupted in laughter. 

Xiao Yin’s brows slightly knitted but he did not reply, merely staring straight at Ji Feng Li.  

Ji Feng Li was standing there alone on the chariot, his expression ice cold. 

Hearing such words, Hua Zhu Yu’s heart gave way to an inexplicable sadness. She tightly gripped the reins but suddenly a ripping sound erupted. It seems Da Qi had torn off a piece of the woman’s clothes. 

Ji Feng Li narrowed his eyes which flashed with a trace of pain. The hand clutching the commanding flag slowly loosened. 

“Wait!” a clear voice sounded. 

Hua zhu yu urged her horse to the front of the two armies. With a lazy smile she said, “You can’t touch her!”  

Ji Feng Li and Xiao Yin both turned to look at her with surprise. 

“You?” Xiao Yin gave a cold humph. “And why can’t I?” 

This face used to be so familiar to Hua Zhu Yu but at this moment it felt so foreign and distant. She replied, “ Because you may wish to see someone.” She signaled one of her soldiers to escorted Wen Wan forward.

“Northern Emperor has such deep affection with Miss Wen. Would you let her suffer the same humiliation?” Hua Zhu Yu asked. “Why don’t we carry out an exchange? What do you say?” 

Xiao Yin’s eyes slowly landed on Wen Wan. After a moment, he suddenly chuckled. “And here I thought it was something else. This woman’s originally from your Southern Kingdom. If you want to take her back then just take her. If you want to kill her, that’s up to you, no need to notify me. Moreover, I hear she deeply admires Left Chancellor daren and he also has feelings for her as well. Would you actually dare make a move against her?” 

“Using your own people to threaten us! You can even think of such a plan, ahahah…” Da Qi laughed wildly, along with the Northern Army. 

Hua Zhu Yu frowned. Xiao Yin was appearing as though Wen Wan meant nothing to him but she had personally witnessed how much he sheltered and cherished her that night in Northern Kingdom. Thus Hua Zhu Yu was not fooled by his words.

The soldier had brought Wen Wan forward and Hua Zhu Yu pointed her spear straight at her chest. Coldly she remarked, “If Northern Emperor doesn’t care, then there’s no need to drag this on any longer.” Once she spoke, her spear stabbed into Wen Wan’s chest, drawing fresh red blood.

Xiao Yin coldly gazed at Hua Zhu Yu. She removed the cloth from Wen Wan’s mouth and coldly said, “Miss Wen, why don’t you call for help?” 

Wen Wan let out a hoarse cry. “Don’t kill me!” she exclaimed in a fragile tone. 

“If someone is willing to save you, of course I won’t kill you!” Hua Zhu Yu grabbed Wen Wan’s hair and jerked it back, causing her to cry out in agony. 

“Louder!” Hua Zhu Yu coldly ordered. The more screaming the better. It was clear that Xiao Yin was moved.

“Save me, Lord Chancellor save me!” Wen Wan cried out with all her might. 

Hearing her cries, Hua Zhu Yu quickly stuffed her mouth with the cloth.

“Northern Emperor should look clearly. My spear is stabbing deeper. Could it be so deep that she’s starting to speak the truths of her heart?” Hua Zhu Yu looked at Xiao Yin and asked with a seeming smile. 

Looking at the spear in Hua Zhu Yu’s hand, Xiao Yin estimated the length and knew that if this continues….. 

Xiao Yin’s breath suddenly quickened but his expression remained cold and stern. 

Hua Zhu Yu calmly gazed at Xiao Yin. In fact, before she stabbed Wen Wan she had already smashed the tip of her spear. Using this little trick she could make it appear as though the wound was deeper than it truly was. That if she stabbed a bit farther it would appear to pierce through the heart. She had no intentions of killing Wen Wan but no one would know this. They could only see that the tip of the spear was stabbed half-way through with blood spilt. Whoever saw this scene would think that Hua Zhu Yu was about to kill Wen Wan at any moment. 

“If Northern Emperor is willing to let her go, then I won’t dawdle,” Hua Zhu Yu slowly said and raised her arm as though to stab further. 

But at this moment, Xiao Yin coldly shouted, “Wait, this Emperor….”

At the same time, Hua Zhu Yu wrist trembled as thought she was hit with something. The spear in her hand fell in concert. 

Seeing this situation, the words that were on the tips of Xiao Yin’s tongue were replaced by laughter. He turned around and looked at Ji Feng Li standing on the chariot. 

Angered, Hua Zhu Yu turned around to glare at Ji Feng Li, vaguely seeing his sleeves slightly raised and fluttering.

It turns out he was reluctant to part with both Wen Wan and Rong Si!  

At this moment she knew she no longer had the upper hand. 

Wen Wan was no longer their bargaining chip. Xiao Yin knew Ji Feng Li wasn’t going to let Wen Wan die so there was no way to use Wen Wan to exchange Rong Si. 

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Perhaps Ji Feng Li didn’t want to exchange Wen Wan. In any case, he had affection for Wen Wan as well. If not, why would he sacrifice her for this woman in the past? Even if this woman followed Xiao Yin, even if she betrayed Southern Kingdom, he was not willing to let her die. 

She retrieved the spear and order the soldiers behind her to take hold of Wen Wan. 

Xiao Yin pulled Rong Si over and threw her on top of his Imperial Guard Qing Yun’s horse. He then looked at Ji Feng Li and callously said, “Left Chancellor daren, we shall take this woman away first. This Emperor is quite interested in rushing through this formation of yours!” 

Ji Feng Li began to direct the different commanding flags. 

Thick clouds swarmed across the skies and the frigid wind whistled through the battlefield. 

The moment Xiao Yin had thrown Rong Si onto the horse, the wind had blown back her disheveled hair, revealing her face with a small delicate chin,  mouth gagged with a cloth, a tall straight nose, a pair of somber eyes, slightly raised brows and a full forehead…. 

Hua Zhu Yu suddenly felt like she couldn’t breathe. 

After a moment, she finally understood why. This face of Rong Si’s was very familiar to Hua Zhu Yu. 

This face was exactly the same as Jin Se who appears in her dream every night. This was Jin Se! 

Hua Zhu Yu focused her eyes on Rong Si. 

Was it really Jin Se or was she still dreaming? 

Had Jin Se not die? 

Were her eyes playing tricks on her? 

She wanted to take another look at that woman’s face but her hair had scattered across her face again and she was already lying across Qing Yun’s horse.

translations at peachblossomgrove . com

The sound of hooves erupted as Xiao Yin began leading his soldiers to break through the formation. 

Hua Zhu Yu could not calm her frantically beating heart. 

She couldn’t get a clear sight of that face and must take another look.

Feelings of shock and doubts overwhelmed her heart. She couldn’t think of anything else and quickly urged her horse to speed over there. 

Her mind was completely empty at this moment. 

In her eyes, this battle had dropped out of sight. The soldiers killing one another before her had faded away while that bloody, snow covered night appeared. The ringing of the bugle transformed into the agonizing cries of Jin Se. In her eyes, Hua Zhu Yu could only see the back of the person Qing Yun was taking away. 

She hoped with all her heart that it truly was Jin Se. 

Behind her a soldier shouted, “Commander Bao, it’s dangerous!” But it did not reach her ears as she continued rushing forward.

Hua Zhu Yu never that it was possible for Jin Se to still be alive. Nor did she think they would reunite like this on the battlefield. Moreover, this situation was just like that snowy night. 

That night, she was weakened by Ji Feng Li’s poison and had become powerless. She could only watch as they took Jin Se away but now it was different, there was no way she was going to let that happen a second time. 

Hua Zhu Yu dark eyes redened. Perhaps it was only someone who slightly resembled Jin Se. That face afterall was stained with blood and she did not get a clear look. But if there was a slightest inkling of hope, she would grab onto to it and hope it truly was Jin Se. 

Hua Zhu Yu whirled her spear in the air, drawing a circle around her, pushing back the oncoming assault to quickly pass through. 

Seeing Hua Zhu Yu ride into the enemy’s territory by herself, Ji Feng Li’s heart sank. He signalled the bugle to ring the sound of retreat but it fell on deaf ears as Hua Zhu Yu continued riding forward.

Feeling helpless, Ji Feng Li could only change the plan. He directed the flag and the Southern Army changed their tactics, rushing towards Hua Zhu Yu. 

Hua Zhu Yu was like a madman, rushing ahead while the soldiers chased after her. 

Ji Feng Li handed the commanding flag to Lan Bing and instructed, “We must entrap the Northern Army. Only that way can we save Rong Si.”  

Lan Bing nodded and he quickly received the flag from Ji Feng Li. Solemnly, he replied, “Rest assured Lord Chancellor, I will do my best to give command!” 

Ji Feng Li jumped down from the chariot and directly onto his horse. He urged his horse and chased after Hua Zhu Yu. 

He was getting closer and closer. 

Hua Zhu Yu broke through the entrapment and chased after the horse Rong Si was on. 

The Southern Army did not dare stop her while the Northern Army did not have the strength to. But her actions had caused the Southern Army’s formation to descend into chaos.   

Hua Zhu Yu was exchanging attacks with Xiao Yin’s Imperial Guard Qing Yun. 

Two northern soldiers standing on the side could assess that Qing Yun was not Hua Zhu Yu’s opponent. They quickly came to a decision and launched an attack towards Jin Se. It was clear they had received an order beforehand. If they were unable to take her away then she must die. 

At this precise moment, the wind had blown black her hair to reveal her face once again and Hua Zhu Yu could finally get a clear sight of it. This face, this nose, it really was Jin Se! But she was already struck by the sword and lost consciousness.

“No!” Hua Zhu Yu exclaimed. At this moment, Qing Yun’s spear once again attacked towards Hua Zhu Yu’s face and she did not have the time to dodge. She extended her left hand to grab the tip of the spear which pierced her palm, drawing blood. 

Hua Zhu Yu narrowed her phoenix eyes. Seizing this opportunity, she employed her internal force and directed it through the spear towards Qing Yun. His wrist shook and the spear in his hand immediately fell to the ground.

With her right hand she simultaneously stabbed the two soldiers with her spear. 

At this moment, Ji Feng Li had arrived. 

The white robes beneath his silver armor were stained with a malevolent red, displaying a grim appearance with eyes shimmering with a cold light.

Where ever the white figure attacked, Northern soldiers quickly succumbed. In this battle, Left Chancellor Ji Feng Li had divulged his martial skills which he had hidden so deeply all these years.

This was the fiercest battle in history between the Southern and Northern Kingdom. The Northern Army was defeated and the Southern Army gave chase pass the Qing Ming River. With no provisions and the arrival of winter, Xiao Yin led his army straight back through the border. At the very least, Xiao Yin did not have the means to launch another attack on Southern Kingdom within the year.

Yangguan. 

With the arrival of winter, the northern winds were becoming more fierce and cold. 

Hua Zhu Yu was currently standing in front of Rong Si’s tent. No, it should be Jin Se’s tent. She was now certain that person was indeed Jin Se. 

It seems the gods were still benevolent. 

She couldn’t describe how she was currently feeling. Noticing the military physician step out, Hua Zhu Yu quickly went over and asked, “How is she?” 

The physician took a look at her and let out a sigh. “Her injuries are severe. She’ll be alright if she can survive the night.” 

Upon hearing this, Hua Zhu Yu’s heart sunk into a deep, dark abyss. No, the gods can’t be this cruel. Surely, nothing will happen to Jin Se. She turned, wanting to storm inside but was stopped by the guards. 

“Lord Chancellor has given the order that Commander Bao is not allowed inside! If you continue acting like this, don’t blame us for being impolite!”  the guards said callously. 

Hua Zhu Yu shot them an icy glare and they took a step back in trepidation. 

At this moment, the curtains of the tent suddenly lifted and Ji Feng Li walked out. With a stern expression, he said, “She’s fine, you don’t need to worry. Follow me to the military camp.” With that said, he crossed his arms and left. 

Inside the military camp, Wang Yu was seated at the General seat while Ji Feng Li sat at the Supervising seat. 

The atmosphere inside the camp was solemn. The high ranked officers and commanders came in one after another, quickly proceeding to stand accordingly to their ranks. 

After obtaining victory they should return to court in triumph. Yet they were called in to this meeting for some unknown reason. They felt suspicious but no one dared question.

Entering the camp, Hua Zhu Yu was also taken by surprise but she quietly went to her place as one of the commanders. 

“Our army finally defeated the Northern Army. This is a great accomplishment. After returning to court, Lord Chancellor and this General will definitely inform His Majesty of your merits in this battle,” Wang Yu announced. 

Everyone sighed in relief as the tension within their hearts were let loose.

Suddenly, Ji Feng Li asked in a cold voice, “Wang Yu, if someone violates military orders and doesn’t listen to the commander, how should they be dealt with according to military law?”

Wang Yu knew Ji Feng Li was referring to Hua Zhu Yu. He felt a bit vexed since he did respect Hua Zhu Yu. With a bit of difficulty, he answered, “Lord Chancellor, on the battlefield, to violate military order is the greatest taboo. This crime is unforgivable and anyone who commits this should be beheaded without pardon. However…. If the situation is…..” 

“Alright!” Ji Feng Li cut him off and asked, “If the person who violated military order accomplished a meritorious deed, then what?”

Wang Yu relaxed a bit. He was afraid Ji Feng Li was going to behead Hua Zhu Yu but it seems that wasn’t the case. Thus he deliberately proposed the lightest punishment, “Then it depends on what the merit is. If that merit helped attain victory then the heaviest punishment is to receive at most 30 planks.” 

Hearing the exchange between Wang Yu and Ji Feng Li, the corners of her lips lifted in a frosty sneer. She stepped forward and looked straight into Ji Feng Li’s eyes. “Today this commander had violated military order, causing my comrades to suffer, causing Lord Chancellor’s wife to nearly die, even injuring Miss Wen so heavily. I earnestly request General Wang to met punishment accordingly to military law.”

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