The Suo clan owed Gui Xing Fu a tremendous debt of gratitude.
This must be traced back more than twenty years. The previous generation’s Lin Hai City Lord, Gui Huai Zhi, suddenly died violently. At that time the heir, Gui Xing Fu, was travelling far away.
By the time he returned home, his elder brother Gui Xing Chou had already declared himself city lord and had slaughtered all of Gui Xing Fu’s direct loyal forces.
Not only that, Gui Xing Chou had already sent people to the royal capital to lobby, and all that remained was the royal family’s official appointment and recognition. It seemed that the position of city lord was about to fall into his elder brother’s hands as a done deal.
Moreover, to eliminate any future troubles, his elder brother struck mercilessly at Gui Xing Fu, intending to take his life. In a situation of nine deaths and one life, Gui Xing Fu escaped from Lin Hai City only under the desperate protection of his trusted elite experts.
Although he escaped with his life, Gui Xing Fu had nothing left and nowhere to go. He thought of his best friend from the royal capital academy, Suo Long. So he fled to Tianshui City and sought help from Count Suo Long, who was Suo Lun’s father.
At that time Suo Long had only succeeded as city lord for less than two years. Facing Gui Xing Fu’s plea for help, he could have ignored it, after all even the deepest friendship could not rival interests.
But Suo Long spoke out with justice. He contacted other feudal lords to petition the royal family, earnestly requesting that the king not appoint Gui Xing Chou, this rebellious minister and traitor who had illegally seized the position.
Not only that, Suo Long lent Gui Xing Fu a piece of territory, several thousand soldiers, and twenty thousand gold coins.
It was precisely by relying on the territory, soldiers and money lent by Suo Long that Gui Xing Fu was able to rise again, fight his way back to Lin Hai City, and seize back the position of city lord.
From then on, Gui Xing Fu and Suo Long became sworn brothers. They were not blood brothers but were closer than blood brothers. Not only that, when the children of the two families were still in swaddling clothes, they formed a marriage alliance between their offspring.
The engagement between Suo Lun and Gui Qin Shao was decided against this background.
Therefore, the Suo clan’s favour to Gui Xing Fu was as high as the heavens and as thick as the earth, like giving him a new life.
Back then when Gui Xing Fu sought help from Suo Long, the Suo clan agreed without a second word, lending soldiers, money and territory. Now, Suo Lun’s situation was almost exactly the same as Gui Xing Fu’s at that time.
Therefore, this debt of gratitude should now be repaid by Gui Xing Fu.
It was perfectly justified for Suo Lun to borrow soldiers, money and territory from him. If he did not agree, he would certainly be condemned by thousands of people.
However, Suo Lun had always been accustomed to speculating about others with the darkest thoughts. Just as his elder sister had said, there were many who added flowers to brocade, but few who provided charcoal in snowy weather. Upright and benevolent people like his father Suo Long were even rarer.
Therefore, for this trip to Lin Hai City, the strategy Suo Lun set was that he could not ask, he could only force.
Whether it was marrying Gui Qin Shao or borrowing money and territory, the other party had to lend whether they wanted to or not.
…
After leaving the royal capital, Suo Lun led his team without stopping, travelling day and night. They changed horses every two hundred li, determined to reach Lin Hai City in the shortest possible time.
After leaving the royal capital, Suo Lun indeed saw countless watchful eyes.
This group of assassins had originally intended to act against Suo Lun’s party. But because Zhi Li’s order had not been issued, they ultimately did not make a move.
Was it that Zhi Li truly fully honoured the agreement with Suo Lun? No, it was not like that. Zhi Li was not that pedantic.
The reason he did not ambush and kill Suo Lun on the road was that he had vaguely received some kind of warning. Although this warning had no words at all. But with Zhi Li’s sensitivity, he could fully sense it.
Therefore, although he had laid layered killing traps on the road, he ultimately did not give the order to act.
Since that was the case, this Suo Lun would be left to Suo Han Yi to kill. He, Zhi Li, could not kill him, but Suo Han Yi could.
In this way, Suo Lun led a hundred riders, travelling day and night. After three days and two nights, they had covered more than two thousand li.
Throughout these more than two thousand li, there were always many pairs of eyes staring at Suo Lun’s team, continuously releasing carrier birds to report Suo Lun’s location.
Suo Lun’s team of more than a hundred people was galloping on the official road. From the moment they left the royal capital, they had been under surveillance, so keeping it secret was simply impossible.
…
On the fourth day after leaving the royal capital, at nightfall, Suo Lun led his team into Bai Yun County.
This place was only two hundred li away from Lin Hai City.
Continuing two hundred li due north was the Nu River. Crossing the Nu River would mean entering the territory of his father-in-law’s Lin Hai City.
And all the killing traps would also be in these final two hundred li.
Suo Lun led his team into the Bai Yun County post station, where they changed horses and made final preparations.
“Little brother, there have been many pairs of eyes staring at us along the way.” Suo Ning Bing said.
Suo Lun nodded and said: “Every move we make is under the enemy’s watchful eyes.”
Suo Ning Bing said: “Actually, you should have separated from the main group, disguised yourself, and entered Lin Hai City.”
That was indeed true. That way Suo Lun would be relatively safer. But he could not do that. He could not abandon Suo Ning Bing and Ye Jing Yu, nor could he abandon the family warriors, because this was his only capital for rising again.
Suo Lun took out the map, and his gaze fell on these final two hundred li.
From Bai Yun County to Lin Hai City there was only one official road. As a cavalry team they had no choice at all and could only take this road.
Suo Lun took out a pen and drew along this road on the map. This road went straight north, and at the end of the road was the Nu River. Crossing the Nu River meant reaching Lin Hai City.
Once they entered Lin Hai City they would be safe.
However, Zhi Ning would definitely ambush and kill him in these two hundred li. If nothing unexpected happened, there would be at least more than ten thousand troops laying a dragnet ahead.
To successfully break through and enter Lin Hai City, relying on military force would not work. It must rely on intelligence. Then, the moment of his peak intellectual duel with Zhi Ning had come again.
Suo Lun gazed at the map in thought. Where would Zhi Ning choose to ambush and kill him around these two hundred li of official road?
First, she definitely would not act personally but would use the name of the rebel troops to surround and kill him. And most importantly, she would definitely have Suo Han Yi kill him.
Yes, she would definitely have Suo Han Yi kill him. That way Suo Han Yi would have no way back and could only become a dog of Zhi Li.
And this point was precisely Suo Lun’s only chance for survival. Using this point, Suo Lun could deduce where the ambush location was. Using this point, Suo Lun could create life after placing himself in a desperate situation.
Finally, Suo Lun stopped the tip of the pen on a mountain.
This mountain was called Ling Jiang Peak. It stood at the end of the official road to the north, towering on the southern bank of the Nu River.
Suo Lun heavily drew a circle on this mountain.
Yes, the final ambush and killing location should be here. It must be here.
Suo Ning Bing was right. As long as he disguised himself and separated from the main group, he could smoothly enter Lin Hai City.
But he was unwilling to do so. In the upcoming peak confrontation with Zhi Ning, he not only wanted to escape smoothly but also to expose Suo Han Yi’s true face. The latter was especially important, because Suo Han Yi held a very high position in the hearts of the family warriors, even higher than himself.
Using himself as bait and risking his life was the only way to achieve two goals with one arrow.
Suo Lun clearly felt that whether it was Suo Ning Bing, Ye Jing Yu, or the other family warriors, they all had a strong urge to enter Tianshui City territory and join forces with Suo Han Yi.
That feeling of being close to home yet timid, the urgent desire to go home and see, Suo Lun could fully sense it. This trust in Suo Han Yi, and even dependence on him, he could feel it even more.
“Master, this subordinate has something to say.” Outside came the voice of the family warriors’ leader, Suo Mu.
“Come in and speak.” Suo Lun said.
Suo Mu entered, knelt on one knee and said: “May I ask if Master intends to lead us into Lin Hai City to seek help from your fiancee’s family?”
Bai Yun County was very close to Lin Hai City, so this point was not hard to see. Suo Lun nodded.
Suo Mu said: “This subordinate and the others really do not understand why we do not enter Tianshui City territory and join forces with Lord Suo Han Yi. Although Lord Gui Xing Fu is your father-in-law, he is after all an outsider. Lord Suo Han Yi is your elder brother and your support.”
As soon as these words came out, Suo Ning Bing and Ye Jing Yu both looked towards him. Although the two of them obeyed Suo Lun unconditionally, deep in their hearts they were also very puzzled as to why Suo Lun did not go to join Suo Han Yi.
Suo Mu continued: “I know that your relationship with Lord Suo Han Yi is not good. But previously he was only angry at you for not striving. Now that you have transformed, he will definitely be very happy. I feel that in the face of the family’s overall situation, there should not be personal grudges. As the saying goes, when brothers are of one heart, their sharpness can cut through gold. This subordinate really does not understand why we go to find an outsider instead of finding our brother.”
Suo Lun said: “You do not need to understand. Just obey the order.”
As soon as these words came out, Suo Mu’s face twitched, and then his gaze dimmed. Although Master Suo Lun had performed a miracle in the graduation examination, his character was still so arrogant, so… impulsive, so ignorant.
Suo Lun added: “If you really do not understand, you may leave me.”
Suo Mu’s face twitched. He kowtowed and said: “This lowly one has served the Suo clan for generations. Even our surname has been changed. Where else can we go? At worst, we will just lose this life.”
Then he turned and left directly, his heart filled with grief and indignation, as well as disappointment.
After he went out, the other several family warriors’ leaders immediately gathered around and asked: “How was it? Did the lord agree for us to go and join Lord Suo Han Yi?”
Suo Mu smiled bleakly and said: “We should just… wait to die. A lord who values personal grudges more than the family’s fate really makes one lose heart…”
Inside the room, Suo Ning Bing wanted to speak but stopped. In the end she still asked softly: “Little brother, elder sister obeys you and trusts you unconditionally. Then can you tell elder sister what you are thinking in your heart?”
Suo Lun drew a circle on the map and said: “We are still two hundred li away from Lin Hai City. In these final two hundred li, Zhi Ning has laid down at least ten thousand troops waiting for us to charge in.”
As soon as these words came out, Suo Ning Bing and Ye Jing Yu’s expressions changed.
Suo Lun said: “What I want to do is to lead you charging into her dragnet, and then escape with our lives from her most得意 place and enter Lin Hai City. Jing Yu, the things I asked you to prepare, are you sure they are completely ready?”
“Absolutely foolproof.” Ye Jing Yu said, although she had no idea what use these prepared things had. These things had cost several hundred gold coins in total.
Then Ye Jing Yu asked: “Then why not go and join Lord Suo Han Yi?”
Suo Ning Bing also opened her beautiful eyes wide, looking at Suo Lun.
“Suo Han Yi has already betrayed us. He is waiting ahead to kill me.” Suo Lun said. “However, it is precisely because of this point that I have gained the opportunity to create life after placing myself in a desperate situation.”
Suo Ning Bing did not speak, but her eyes still revealed extreme shock and extreme disbelief. Suo Han Yi’s loyalty to the family had already been engraved into his bones. Saying that he had betrayed them, she really could not believe it at all.
But Suo Lun was the person she trusted the most and… loved the most.
Ye Jing Yu said: “You, how do you know this? I know that your relationship with Lord Suo Han Yi has never been good, but… but Lord Suo Han Yi’s loyalty to the Suo clan is witnessed by heaven and earth.”
Suo Lun shook his head and did not answer.
Because in his heart he was dark and had always been accustomed to speculating about others with the worst thoughts. Moreover, he had an instinctive keen sense of smell for conspiracies.
It was not only him. Zhi Li and Zhi Ning also had this sense of smell. It was just that Zhi Ning was sometimes influenced by her inner emotions.
“I do not need to explain. At most by tomorrow you will be able to see the truth of the matter.” Suo Lun said. “Rest for two hours, then set off north towards Lin Hai City.”
…
Two hours later, Suo Lun led the family warriors out of Bai Yun County and headed north along the only official road.
In the military camp a hundred li away, a black carrier bird landed in Zhi Ning’s palm.
She took out the secret letter from its leg. It was full of code, but Zhi Ning easily read it out.
“Suo Lun has already led his team into our dragnet.”
Zhi Ning’s beautiful eyes narrowed. She turned to the man fully covered in black armour beside her and said: “Our target has entered the net. Soon your task will come. You will not be unable to make a move, will you?”
The man in black armour said coldly: “Do I still have any choice now? Moreover, killing him is something I have never been unable to do.”
He was, of course, Suo Han Yi.
Princess Zhi Ning picked up a pen and searched for the target on the large map on the wall. Then she drew a circle on a mountain peak.
“Here, the place called Ling Jiang Peak, is Suo Lun’s place of death.” Zhi Ning said. “Order the army to begin closing the net. Drive our prey to Ling Jiang Peak to make it convenient for Lord Suo Han Yi to hunt and kill.”
“Yes!” The eunuch Li Zhu drifted out like a ghost.
Then dozens of military orders were quickly issued.
If there was an eye in the sky at this moment, one could clearly see.
On the only official road from Bai Yun County to Lin Hai City, a team of a hundred people was galloping rapidly towards the north.
On the entire official road there was only their team. There was no sign of anyone around.
And dozens of li behind them, layer upon layer of troops were weaving a dragnet, surrounding them layer after layer.
A full ten thousand troops were behind Suo Lun’s team, surrounding them so tightly that not even air could pass through, driving Suo Lun towards the planned trap.
Ling Jiang Peak!
This burial ground that Zhi Ning had chosen for Suo Lun. In her view, even immortals could not escape her dragnet.
…
Suo Lun’s team, with two horses per person, galloped madly.
The surroundings were quiet, with not half an enemy in sight. But one could smell a killing intent so oppressive that it made breathing difficult.
No one could see that behind them more than ten thousand troops were gradually contracting, forming a pocket formation and surrounding them layer by layer.
In less than three hours they had covered two hundred li. At this time the sound of rushing river water could already be heard.
Ahead was the Nu River. Crossing the suspension bridge over the Nu River would mean entering Lin Hai City and complete safety.
But Suo Lun’s gaze looked towards the isolated mountain not far ahead. This was Ling Jiang Peak. This was the burial ground that Zhi Ning had chosen for him.
At this moment, a despairing roar suddenly came from ahead: “The suspension bridge over the Nu River has been destroyed. We cannot cross. We are finished. We are finished.”
Suo Lun’s group urged their horses faster and rushed to the southern bank of the Nu River.
Indeed, the sturdy suspension bridge above had been completely destroyed.
Dozens of metres below the cliff was the surging river water, fierce and violent like galloping wild horses. No boat could cross it.
Looking far across the Nu River, the land on the opposite side was Lin Hai City.
The Nu River was nearly one hundred and twenty metres wide, like a natural chasm lying between Suo Lun and Lin Hai City. It was truly so close yet so far.
Immediately after, the scouts behind rushed up quickly and said in horror: “Lord, large-scale enemy troops have been discovered behind, flying the flag of the Nur Dan rebel army. They are approaching us and are less than ten li away.”
Suo Lun said: “How many people?”
“Dense and countless.” The scout said.
Immediately, everyone present fell into complete despair.
In Suo Mu and the others’ hearts, besides despair there was also infinite grief and indignation.
Their lord Suo Lun had acted wilfully. Because of personal grudges he refused to join forces with Lord Suo Han Yi and insisted on heading north to Lin Hai City.
Now the bridge ahead was destroyed, the Nu River blocked the way, and rebel troops pressed from behind. They were already in a desperate situation and would surely die.
“Has the net finally been closed?” Suo Lun sneered in his heart. Then this peak confrontation with Zhi Ning would also officially begin.
Suo Lun said: “Everyone, dismount immediately. Each person carry the things on the horses and go up the mountain!”
He pointed to the Ling Jiang Peak not far ahead.
There was precisely the burial ground that Zhi Ning had chosen for him. There was also the place where Suo Han Yi would appear to kill Suo Lun.
Whether they lived or died, whether they could create life after a desperate situation, whether they could achieve two goals with one arrow and expose Suo Han Yi.
It all depended on this moment.