Xie Queshan suddenly stood up and paced to the window. He glanced outside—several mansion guards were patrolling, just normal security.
Wanyan Jun’s suspicious gaze followed his footsteps, watching as he quite naturally closed the window.
Perhaps the late spring temperature was somewhat cool, or perhaps he feared eavesdroppers—Wanyan Jun didn’t become suspicious. His attention wasn’t on Xie Queshan now anyway, but was focused on how to capture the Yucheng Army in one net.
“My lord, would you like to hear my honest words?”
“Young Master Queshan, speak freely. In this Li Du Mansion now, you’re the only person I can trust.”
Xie Queshan slowly walked closer to Wanyan Jun and inexplicably smiled.
“I’m grateful for your lordship’s favor, but… your suspicions about me weren’t without reason.”
There was something strange in this statement. Just as Wanyan Jun was frowning in thought, the next second a hand chop struck over.
In the second before Wanyan Jun lost consciousness, he seemed to see the determination in Xie Queshan’s eyes. He regretted it immensely, but it was already too late.
Xie Queshan drew his sword from his waist, but after a moment’s hesitation, he put it back.
Killing Wanyan Jun would save a lot of trouble, but in moments the mansion guards would discover the anomaly, and Xie Queshan wouldn’t be able to get out the door. With events happening suddenly, he didn’t have many means for covering up.
He still needed to use this identity to act—he had to remain clean.
Keeping Wanyan Jun alive was a huge hidden danger, but to buy a moment’s time, he could only do this. Xie Queshan dragged Wanyan Jun to the inner room, took the military tally from his waist, threw him on the couch, and told the mansion guards outside that he and Lord Wanyan were celebrating victory early—the lord had drunk too much and was taking a nap. When soldiers peeked in and saw the lord sleeping peacefully, they didn’t become particularly suspicious.
Once out the mansion gates, he first went to Jiangyue Ward to find Song Muchuan.
This neighborhood ostensibly remained under Qi jurisdiction, but actually all stationed troops had been quietly subdued. The Yucheng Army had changed into Qi soldiers’ clothes and were just waiting to fish in troubled waters, board the ships, and detonate the explosives when the opportunity arose.
As soon as Xie Queshan entered Jiangyue Ward, he was vigilantly surrounded by the battle-ready Yucheng Army pointing swords at him.
Song Muchuan hurriedly dismissed everyone and brought Xie Queshan to a secluded place: “Why did you come?” Since their last hasty parting, they hadn’t even had time to properly catch up, but at such a critical moment, Song Muchuan actually didn’t want to see Xie Queshan—his coming meant the plan had changed. But his fragile heart could no longer bear his close friend having even the slightest problem.
“I still need some time. Wait for my signal before boarding the ships.”
Xie Queshan spoke calmly, but Song Muchuan still detected a trace of urgency: “Is it serious?”
“Still under control.”
Song Muchuan could hear that this was both comfort and a determination to not give up until the goal was achieved. He didn’t want Xie Queshan to take more risks, but he could only restrain his personal feelings, telling himself to trust him—only this way could he give him strength.
He was brief and to the point: “What do you need me to do?”
“Before the hour of shen, send someone to watch Wanyan Jun’s mansion. If he comes out, no matter what, even if you have to kill him, don’t let him appear at the military camp.”
This directive was too intense—Song Muchuan immediately understood that Xie Queshan had completely torn off his mask and was openly challenging the Qi people. The long years of undercover work were compressed into these few hours, cutting off his arm to save his life—all the preparation was just to fight for the slightest chance of victory today.
“Alright.” Song Muchuan answered very solemnly.
“I’m leaving.” Xie Queshan didn’t stop for a moment, hurriedly turning to leave.
Watching his back, he suddenly felt uneasy.
“Xie Chao’en.” Driven by some inexplicable intuition, Song Muchuan called out to him.
That person’s footsteps paused, as if anticipating what he was going to say, deliberately not turning around, not wanting people to see his expression.
“Return victorious.” He shouted at his back.
Xie Queshan’s face showed a long-absent smile as he waved his hand.
Song Muchuan thought he might hear Xie Queshan say something, but he still said nothing, mounting his horse and leaving. Watching the hoofbeats grow distant, Song Muchuan knew he was pessimistic.
He was silently telling him: do your best and leave the rest to fate. But Song Muchuan believed that this time, heaven would be on their side.
His heartbeat was like beating drums, growing louder as Xie Queshan departed. That sound leaped from his heart to echo with the drumbeats from the other side of the city.
Wooden mallets, sheepskin surfaces—bare-chested warriors struck the war drums with ringing force, blow by blow, as horns sounded from the watchtowers.
A sudden military order made all soldiers feel they faced great enemies, quickly donning armor and forming ranks.
On the martial arts platform, Xie Queshan held up the military tally in his hand and declared loudly: “The Yucheng Army has broken through the gates and is escorting Prince Ling’an away from Li Du Mansion. The situation is critical—Lord Wanyan specifically ordered me to come mobilize troops. All soldiers listen to orders! Depart immediately and board the dragon boats! Kill the new king and capture Jinling!”
The camp commander still had some doubts, asking: “But Lord Wanyan clearly ordered us to remain stationed here…”
Just as he voiced his question, Xie Queshan didn’t waste words—he directly drew his sword and executed the man on the spot.
“Military orders state: all who disobey orders or delay shall be executed immediately. Who else has objections?!”
Xie Queshan had previously managed the army alongside Gusha, and in everyone’s eyes, he was the Han strategist who calculated without fail, quite prestigious in the army. His words carried conviction.
A natural commander—even though he held a stolen military tally in his hands, even though his words were complete fabrication, as long as he stood there and raised his arms in a shout, he could inexplicably move hearts and brook no doubt.
“Kill the new king and capture Jinling!”
“Kill the new king! Capture Jinling!”
The soldiers’ blood ran hot. Without suspicion, they immediately formed ranks and departed.
Heavy rain continued falling in the mountains.
When Yajiu’s blade chopped down, Nanyi had anticipated it, crossing her sword to desperately block. Seeing the blade press down more and more, Yajiu suddenly heard a click—his chest felt pain as a small crossbow bolt shot out from her sleeve while he was unprepared.
Damn, this woman had plenty of dirty tricks.
Yajiu absorbed the pain and unleashed his final bit of strength, viciously embedding the blade into her shoulder.
Blood flowed like a fountain, the crimson color washed by heavy rain into muddy water. Nanyi’s face was blurred by the torrential rain, but only her beast-like eyes remained wide open.