Chapter 16

Half an hour later.

The Yingzu tribe of Yizhou was in complete disarray.

Qian Kui fought with fierce abandon, cursing and lamenting with frustration—although Luozhou had won a great victory, the Yizhou guards had successfully used their lives to buy time, allowing that wretched old villain to escape!

On the mountain, Mu Guanghan observed the situation below. “Xiao Ling, go inform General Qian once more: pursue the enemy no more than three miles; beyond that, do not chase.”

He had given these orders before the battle.

No pursuit of a fleeing enemy, no hurry to seize spoils, travel light.

The victory was glorious.

But they must not let it cloud their judgment. If Suizhou and the Tuoba clan united, they would still number as many as 130,000. They must defeat them in detail before that happened—and swiftly.

“Time waits for no one. All troops, adjust your formations and march toward Chicheng!”

...

Though Luozhou’s army was weak and poorly provisioned, there was one advantage: unity and obedience.

Just like Qian Kui, who forcibly restrained his desire to chase after Yingzu and fulfilled his duties as a general faithfully.

Soon, Chu Danxi, who had been pursuing Yingzu on foot, returned, shaking his head.

“It’s over, it’s over!” Qian Kui sighed, slamming his war hammer into the map. Even those formidable black-clad guards hadn’t caught him; today, that damned Yingzu was simply not meant to die. Sigh.

Forget it—just consider it a little more torment for him.

Next time, he would make sure Yingzu experienced the same crushing defeat again!

Night had deepened.

Though Luozhou’s army had just fought a battle, no one complained of fatigue. Instead, they pressed forward toward Chicheng with high morale.

The Lord of Yuehua City had a well-earned reputation.

Fortune smiled upon Luozhou today; the battle was brilliant and triumphant, avenging past humiliations!

The soldiers were exhilarated, and the commanders even more so.

Even as Qian Kui’s horse raced forward, he circled around Mu Guanghan the entire way.

Before, he had never fully respected the Lord of Yuehua, despite his flawless marksmanship in camp.

But after this triumphant battle, Mu Guanghan’s stature in his eyes was at least half that of the venerable General Lu Tingyun!

“Lord, the horse traps you taught us were incredibly effective. Should we make more later?”

“Lord, avenging this great grievance feels so satisfying! When we meet the Suizhou army again, we’ll make them run for their lives just the same!”

Mu Guanghan quietly reminded him, “General, do not underestimate the enemy.”

Qian Kui scratched his head sheepishly. “Heh, yes, yes.”

Some rejoiced, others worried.

Li Gouling rode silently beside them, her eyes lowered.

Though the battle had been swift and brilliant, she felt a mixture of relief and lingering regret.

This man truly belonged to Wu Heng.

Their rare treasure now shone brightly in another’s hands.

She did not oppose Luozhou’s revival. During the Battle of Tianchang, she had even wept with her parents for the old rulers of Luozhou.

But still, she could not fully reconcile herself.

“Ah Ling.”

Suddenly, Mu Guanghan called to her.

She turned, seeing him smile with gentle, radiant eyes. “Did you enjoy the fight in Jade Valley just now?”

Li Gouling was taken aback.

Yes.

Of course she enjoyed it.

Her fingertips still trembled faintly with blood and excitement. It had been a long time since she had felt such exhilaration. Though she was a fierce cavalry general, this feeling had come only a few times in her life—

The last time, on the battlements of Hengcheng, amidst flames and smoke, when they chased the Xiliang army.

It was just as thrilling.

Born into a family of warriors, she preferred armor over finery, mastering martial arts with the resolve to achieve greatness.

Yet for so many years, she had few opportunities to display her skills.

The young lord was confined to a corner, and her few proud victories were mostly beside the Lord of Yuehua.

Suddenly alert, Li Gouling’s hazel eyes glanced suspiciously at Mu Guanghan—but he no longer looked at her, instead lowering his gaze with warmth as he spoke to the little Luozhou heir in his arms.

Li Gouling: “…”

She could not be sure if the Lord of Yuehua’s question carried some hidden meaning.

But the Li clan was a prestigious family of Wu Heng for generations. No matter how well others understood her heart, she… would never betray Wu Heng!

...

The next morning.

The Suizhou army faced nearly the same fate as Yizhou’s.

“General! The enemy is attacking from the rear!”

Amid the thin mist, with no warning, the Suizhou troops were suddenly ambushed in a valley raining arrows, unable to see the enemy clearly, thrown into chaos.

Only the commander’s deputy, Wen Jun, tried to remain calm.

“General, if we now turn formation and prepare to meet the enemy head-on, there might still be a chance!”

“General? General!”

However, the Suizhou commander lacked battle experience. He was merely a relative of the Suizhou Marquis’s wife, who had obtained the military rank through connections. He came only to claim achievements, thinking it would be easy to join the allied forces in attacking the shattered Luozhou.

Now, he was completely terrified, bordering on madness.

“Why is there an enemy here? Where are the allies? Where are the Yizhou army and the Tuoba clan? Intelligence! Where is the intelligence?”

“How many enemies are there? Which faction? It’s over for me!”

Wen Jun closed his eyes, silent.

...

All the lord’s close aides were jealous and scheming, and the entire Suizhou was rotten to its core.

How to save it?

It was too late.

Meanwhile, Qian Kui charged straight into the enemy ranks with two axes raised.

He knew he should not be so reckless, breaking through the encirclement, but when strong enough, one could do as one pleased.

At that moment, he was a beast crashing into the enemy, axes swinging wildly, causing screams, wails, and scattered flight.

Soon, his massive figure stood before the commander.

“Waaahhh—”

Deputy Wen Jun closed his eyes, blood splattered on his face.

In these turbulent times, powerless to change fate.

His life ended here.

Then, a clear voice rang out.

Mu Guanghan: “Commander fallen, Suizhou defeated. All soldiers surrender, no killing!”

Almost instantly, Luozhou soldiers shouted in unison: “Commander fallen! Surrender and live!”

Qian Kui raised his cold hammer before his eyes. “The commander is dead. Now you are the highest-ranking officer here. My lord values talent. Those who join Luozhou will be promoted two ranks!”

Surrender, and you may live.

...

The Suizhou army surrendered.

Mu Guanghan did not relax until dawn brightened the sky and scouts reported the Tuoba clan had fled back to Qingcheng. Only then did he breathe easy.

They had won.

Two battles, smooth and without complications.

He swayed slightly.

Chu Danxi: “Master!”

Mu Guanghan steadied himself in Chu Danxi’s arms but only had time to say to Qian Kui, “After clearing the battlefield, take the lightly armed back with you, leave the heavy armor. If any Suizhou soldiers escape, let them go.”

“The army has marched for a day and night without rest or food. Finish quickly and return to Ancheng to regroup.”

“We have limited resources. Not a single soldier may be lost.”

“No glory seeking—head home first.”

...

The army returned to Ancheng at a slower pace.

Soon, another moonlit night.

One hundred thousand men marched out, nearly without loss, bringing back over fifty thousand Suizhou prisoners—a great gain.

Qian Kui was in high spirits, unable to stop boasting.

“Haha! When I first met the Lord of Yuehua, I thought him a talented, free-spirited, ingenious, and brilliant man—no ordinary person!”

Qian Kui’s adjutant, Shen Ce, unremarkable in appearance but meticulous and earnest, always took notes.

Now he took out a bundle of papers. “General, after two great victories today, I am utterly impressed by the Lord of Yuehua. But there is one thing I cannot understand. I hope you can enlighten me.”

“Last night, when we crushed Yizhou, if they had sent a messenger at full speed to warn Suizhou and the Tuoba clan, allowing them to prepare, how would we have coped?”

On the way back, Shao Mingyue rode Qian Kui’s horse.

“My master said Yingzu was always cunning, cold, and greedy. With such a spiteful temper, he would never warn the allies.”

“Even if he suddenly changed, after such a devastating defeat, with only scattered remnants fleeing, he wouldn’t have the time or heart to pick a trustworthy messenger.”

“Even if the messenger was fast, the Tuoba clan would still need more than an hour to join Suizhou by a shortcut. If we can finish off Suizhou within that hour, we can still win.”

“I see.”

Shen Ce understood. “The Lord of Yuehua had everything calculated—truly prescient.”

Shao Mingyue smiled, saying no more.

Her master also said he could not guarantee victory.

On the battlefield, countless tiny chance occurrences and endless variables mean that even the most meticulous plans can be upset by fate. No general can ensure victory—only adapt as best they can.

Know yourself and your enemy; never underestimate them.

She had written these words down.

...

Shao Xiaoling listened for a while with her little nephew and Qian Kui. Ce rode up.

“Hey, Ahan, the little one just called you master.”

“When did you secretly take my nephew as your disciple? And not tell me? I have to arrange a proper ceremony!”

Chu Danxi: “Shh.”

“Master is tired and fell asleep. Don’t disturb him.”

Shao Xiaoling’s handsome face instantly fell.

A mere guard dares to hush the Marquis of Luozhou?

Moreover, this “husband” really leaned on the guard’s chest with eyes closed?

Couldn’t he be a bit more mindful of appearances? Though the betrothal was false, everyone saw the wedding boat pick him up, and at Anmu city gate he received the new marriage gifts of the Marquis of Wu Heng. Everyone assumed he had a thing with the Lord of Yuehua.

Yet this man—

One moment lingering with Wei Liuyi, the next snuggled up to a handsome guard.

If you’re going to sleep, at least sleep in my arms! Otherwise, how can others see me? The dignified Marquis of Luozhou cuckolded by his husband?

Just as he was about to give up, his gaze fell on the face of the person in Chu Danxi’s arms.

“Hey!” Shao Xiaoling shouted, “Why does he look so pale?”

...

Under the moonlight in Ancheng.

Shao Xiaoling had always seen Mu Guanghan as carefree and invincible.

Now, he was curled up in bed, arching his back, his whole body convulsing, teeth clenched, unable to speak.

His black hair clung to his face, covering his eyes. The mat beneath was soaked with cold sweat.

Shao Xiaoling was at a loss, trembling as he reached out to touch him. His body was chillingly cold to the bone.

Shao Xiaoling: “How could this happen, Ahan? Tell me where it hurts!”

He looked up anxiously at Chu Danxi. “Why did he suddenly become so ill? Quick, find the best doctor in Ancheng—”

Chu Danxi lowered his gaze, unwilling to speak. “He’s always been weak, must not overexert. Two days’ rest will cure him.”

Two days’ rest?

But seeing him suffer like this, it was clear rest alone wouldn’t help!

“Uh…”

Just then, the man in bed writhed in pain, struggling to fall out. Shao Xiaoling rushed to catch him but was pushed aside by Wei Liuyi.

The damp body felt like ice pulled from water.

“Ahan!” Wei Liuyi’s eyes widened. The man bit his lip, unable to utter a sound, neck raised trembling as if wracked by unbearable pain.

“Ahan, Ahan…”

He seemed to hear his name. His dark gray eyes fluttered open, but the gaze was weak, nearly vacant, breathing silently. Wei Liuyi’s mind reeled.

It was as if reliving the moment his body grew cold in his arms.

His heart ached sharply.

Suddenly his shoulder stung; Chu Danxi’s voice suppressed but resolute: “Let him go.”

“Let go! You don’t deserve to touch him! You owe him a lifetime you’ll never repay. If I had been by his side then, I would have killed you!”

“Want to know why he is like this?”

“Both the master and I are Yuehua clan. At the full moon, we are affected by the moonlight. As city lord, he endures the torment of the lunar curse. You stripped him of his marrow pearl, weakening him further, causing this agony!”

Wei Liuyi felt as if pierced through the heart, gasping for breath.

Underneath, Mu Guanghan twisted again. The once hideous poison marks on his neck and face shifted with spasms in his chest, growing and spreading over his body.

Seeing this, Shao Xiaoling’s eyes filled with rage.

He grabbed an axe and was about to strike Wei Liuyi.

Li Gouling quickly stepped forward to protect her young lord.

In the chaos, Mu Guanghan awoke.

Though in great pain, he still heard them.

“…Stop… fighting.”

The pain was unbearable, yet these people were still bickering. It made him want to curse, but he could only feel the bitter irony. His eyes, full of suffering, bore a despairing calm.

Chu Danxi, usually restrained, was now choked with emotion, holding his hand and kissing his palm, tears streaming down her face. “Ahan, Ahan…”

Long ago, on a night of eternal darkness in Yuehua city, beneath a bright moon.

Someone had always been watching him, though he had not noticed.

If only time could turn back...

“Two things.”

Mu Guanghan’s cold sweat dripped as he gritted his teeth, his hoarse voice trembling with each word, yet crystal clear.

“You… listen carefully.”

“There are enemy infiltrators inside Ancheng. Dig deep, find them.”

“And tomorrow, or at the latest the day after, Yingzu of Xiucheng will… withdraw his troops.”

“Because, Yan Zhi…”

He lacked strength, gasped for a moment, then spoke only the key points in breaks.

“In any case, Xiaoling, you, Qian Kui, and A Ling must seize Xiucheng while it is vulnerable.”

“If tactics are uncertain, listen to Qian Kui… if strategy is uncertain, listen to A Ling.”

“Do not miss this opportunity.”

At last, he was done.

Mu Guanghan was proud of himself.

After so many bouts of pain, he had learned to endure without dwelling on past loves or memories.

Only focusing on his greatest threat.

Thinking of what Yan Zhi was doing, what he intended.

Sometimes, a flash of insight allowed him to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Like now.

The venomous marks spread again. Mu Guanghan could no longer open his eyes; his fragile Adam’s apple bobbed weakly.

“Don’t look at me…”

It really hurt.

Those last three words drained his final strength.

The world darkened.

Someone called his name, distant and unreal.

Fingers brushed away burning tears; if he had any strength left, he would say, “I’m fine. I won’t die.”

Perhaps in anyone’s eyes, he seemed broken and scattered.

But he had been a clown since childhood, with an inner strength beyond most.

After surviving this full moon, he would return to his usual self.

In the darkness, a gentle warmth enveloped him.

Strangely.

At some point, whenever the pain reached a certain point, this subtle presence—like faint orchid fragrance—would ease it.

Mu Guanghan had crashed headlong into walls many times, dying several times yet stubbornly persevering, still willing to believe.

Perhaps truly, someone or something silently protected him.

Or maybe it was just a faint longing—from a mother lost too soon, a love never met, or a future self looking back on the present.

His garment fell open.

Wet clothes clung to his body; a leather cord slipped from his collarbone, holding a simple stone ring glowing faintly white.

The stone was fluorite, its glow subtle but unmistakable.