The white-haired old eunuch Gao Ning Shi said in a cold voice, “Count Suo Lun, are you betraying Duke Ting and His Majesty the King?”
Suo Lun said, “I have always been quick to turn hostile, faster than turning the pages of a book!”
Gao Ning Shi said, “If I were you, I would absolutely never rashly say words that would make me regret.”
Then, he took out a letter and handed it over, saying, “Count Suo Lun, this is a letter from my master, Duke Ting. He said it must only be given to you when absolutely necessary.”
Suo Lun opened it and discovered that the language in Duke Ting’s letter was unprecedentedly fierce.
“Suo Lun, when you see this letter, it means you have said something extremely foolish. I can forgive you the first time, but there will absolutely not be a second time.
Yes, it was my decision to return Suo Ning Bing to A Shi Luo. This is an order. Whether you understand it or not, you must execute it.
A Shi Luo is, after all, her husband. No matter what kind of man he is, Suo Ning Bing must return to his side.
His Majesty the King needs A Shi Luo, needs the A Shi clan.
As for you and A Shi Luo, both of you will become the left and right arms of the kingdom. You must cooperate sincerely and share the burdens and solve difficulties for His Majesty together.
Handing Suo Ning Bing over to A Shi Na to take away, this is an order!
If you refuse to execute it, that is defying a royal command. That proves you are an incomparably stupid person. All consequences are your own responsibility.”
It was the first time Suo Lun discovered that Duke Ting, despite being so obese, could actually write such excellent handwriting.
…
As expected, there were still more intelligent people in this world.
Suo Lun was originally the only pawn of the King and Princess Ji Yan, and after the victory in the Tian Shui City great battle, he could be considered to have successfully crossed the river.
A pawn that has crossed the river can be used as a chariot, but after all, it is not a chariot.
And this A Shi Luo before him, Suo Ning Bing’s original husband, this perverted handsome man who came from Yao Zhou, was without doubt a true chariot, and a chariot that charged about recklessly.
He was the heir of the foremost vassal under heaven, the future master of Rou Ran City, ruling over a thousand li of territory, several million subjects, and over a hundred thousand troops. Not to mention, he also possessed the Rou Ran cavalry, acclaimed as the foremost under heaven.
The power he held in his hands was ten times that of Suo Lun. If he chose to stand on Ji Yan’s side, it would truly be like adding wings to a tiger.
After weighing the matter, how the person behind Duke Ting should choose was very clear.
Moreover, in Duke Ting’s view, handing Suo Ning Bing over to her perverted husband A Shi Luo completely killed two birds with one stone.
First, it could gain the friendship of the A Shi clan and make A Shi Luo stand on Princess Ji Yan’s side.
Second, Duke Ting knew of the romantic relationship between Suo Lun and Suo Ning Bing. This way, with Suo Ning Bing returning to her husband’s side, Suo Lun could also settle his heart.
In Duke Ting’s view, this was completely for Suo Lun’s own good. His “illicit” relationship with Suo Ning Bing was entirely a time bomb that could explode at any moment.
Of course, A Shi Luo was completely indiscriminate about gender, a cruel and perverted demon.
As for what kind of perverted torment Suo Ning Bing would suffer after being taken to Rou Ran City by him, this was not within the consideration range of great personages.
For the sake of the kingdom’s grand trend, was sacrificing one small woman not the most normal thing? And Suo Lun, for the sake of the kingdom’s great enterprise, was sacrificing one sister not also the most normal thing?
If you were unwilling to sacrifice, that proved you were a person without a sense of the bigger picture. Then you, as a person, were not worth cultivating.
Therefore, once Suo Lun completely turned hostile for the sake of Suo Ning Bing, of course they could only discard the sesame seeds and pick up the watermelon, choose A Shi Luo, and thoroughly abandon Suo Lun.
Moreover, Suo Lun was already bitter enemies with Ji Li’s forces, and his only reliance was the King and Duke Ting. So he completely had no other choice. If he chose to break with Duke Ting, then he would have no place to stand in the Nu Lang Kingdom, and might even die without a burial ground.
These words were not directly written out, but they were clearly expressed.
Suo Lun looked towards the eunuch Gao Ning Shi and said, “Is this also the will of Princess Ji Yan, or even His Majesty the King?”
Gao Ning Shi said, “His Majesty, Princess Ji Yan, and Duke Ting are one. So, execute the order. Otherwise, the consequences are your own responsibility.”
A Shi Luo said, “Suo Lun, I know this is a very painful matter. Handing over the woman you love, this is a complete trampling upon your dignity. But after trampling and trampling, you will get used to it. So, hand over your sister and let me take her away. I guarantee I will treat her… well.”
When he spoke the words “treat her”, A Shi Luo’s tone grew heavier and was filled with a mocking air.
Then, A Shi Luo’s expression changed and he said nervously, “Right, your sister Suo Ning Bing’s virgin chastity is still intact, yes? Your intimate affection is fine, but don’t actually go and do the deed, or I will truly be very angry.”
Then, he carefully examined Suo Ning Bing’s eyebrows and legs. His gaze was extremely evil, and wherever he looked, it was as if one had been stung by a venomous insect.
“Good, good.” After looking, A Shi Luo let out a breath of relief and said, “Your sister is still a virgin. Thank you for preserving her for me until now. Then I shall take her away. Welcome to visit Rou Ran City as a guest in the future, little brother-in-law.”
After speaking, he was about to step forward and lead Suo Ning Bing away.
Suo Lun stepped forward, blocking his sister Suo Ning Bing.
“Suo Lun, do not bring ruin upon yourself.” The eunuch Gao Ning Shi said coldly.
A Shi Luo said, “Little brother-in-law Suo Lun, my martial arts are very, very, very high. With the people you have here, I am afraid they truly… cannot stop me. Also, that female warrior beside you in tight leather armour is not bad. Why not let me take her away as well? I will exchange two beauties for her.”
Suo Lun directly drew his sword.
Before he could act, Ye Jing Yu beside him, with scimitar in hand, swiftly slashed towards A Shi Luo.
Immediately, the scimitar warriors beside A Shi Luo were about to charge forward.
“Don’t come up, let me play with her.” A Shi Luo said, “Even if I am about to be killed, you are not permitted to take a single step forward.”
Immediately, all the scimitar warriors retreated.
“Swish…” Ye Jing Yu was very fast, using dragon power critical strike, aiming a full-force blow at A Shi Luo’s face.
“Clink!” A Shi Luo seemed to stretch out his hand slowly, yet two fingers effortlessly caught Ye Jing Yu’s lightning-fast scimitar.
Instantly, this scimitar seemed to be pressed down by a great mountain. No matter how desperately Ye Jing Yu tried to pull it out, it would not budge an inch.
A Shi Luo flicked it lightly, and immediately Ye Jing Yu’s delicate body flew out directly, losing all combat ability.
“Ah…” The next second, the high-ranking warrior Suo Fei Yang beside Suo Lun charged out fiercely, the sword in his hand stabbing towards A Shi Luo.
A Shi Luo once again effortlessly caught his sword between two fingers and shook it lightly.
Instantly, the sword in Suo Fei Yang’s hand shattered into pieces, and his entire person flew out, blood spurting wildly.
A Shi Luo rubbed his fingers and said, “I already told you, my martial arts are very, very, very high, as high as a ten-storey building.”
Then, his finger pointed at Suo Lun and said, “Little brother-in-law, if you still don’t step aside, the consequences are your own responsibility.”
And the eunuch Gao Ning Shi beside him stood motionless, as if he had seen nothing.
A Shi Luo’s martial arts were extremely high. At this moment, ten Suo Luns could not stop him.
And this perverted man actually pretended to move in slow motion, slowly reaching his hand out to grab Suo Ning Bing, then looking at Suo Lun mockingly, wanting to see his pained expression.
In this world, what could be more satisfying than snatching the woman another man loved from his hands?
At this moment, unless a heavenly deity descended, no one could stop A Shi Luo from taking Suo Ning Bing away.
Suo Lun did not act, but instead put down his sword, frowned and shouted, “Old Bi, I know you are here, you have always been here. If you still don’t show yourself, it will be too late. I shall shout loudly.”
There was no reaction from the surroundings.
Suo Lun shouted loudly, “Sword Venerable Bi Xiao, t, i, a, n…”
He slowly spelled out the pinyin for Tian Mu, and immediately Sword Venerable Bi Xiao, who was hiding in the shadows suppressing all his energy aura, was terrified.
“Whoosh…”
Bi Xiao’s figure seemed to appear out of thin air before Suo Lun and the others. He could not follow Suo Lun at every moment, because he still needed to meditate and cultivate, so he only needed to keep an eye on Suo Ning Bing, which was equivalent to keeping an eye on Suo Lun.
Bi Xiao said, “A Shi Luo, leave. Do not make things difficult for me.”
A Shi Luo stared at Sword Venerable Bi Xiao for quite a while, then said, “You… are Bi Xiao?”
“Yes, I am Bi Xiao.” Bi Xiao said.
A Shi Luo said excitedly, “I finally get to see the real person today. May I ask you a question?”
“Please ask.” Bi Xiao said.
A Shi Luo said, “Have you slept with your younger sister? Did it feel good?”
The moment these words were spoken, Sword Venerable Bi Xiao’s expression completely changed.
A Shi Luo said, full of thirst for knowledge, “Quickly say, quickly say, I am eager to exchange ideas with you. I have taken a fancy to my elder sister, but I don’t know whether I should make a move. I need your… guidance as someone with experience.”
Bi Xiao’s face was livid as he said coldly, “Scram.”
A Shi Luo said, “How can you be like this? I am sincerely asking for your advice.”
Bi Xiao raised the sword in his hand, placing his hand on the hilt.
A Shi Luo said dejectedly, “Fine, if you won’t say, you won’t say. I shall explore it myself. You are truly a strange person. Since you dared to do it, yet dare not speak of it, no wonder you lost your territory. You are truly incomparably incompetent.”
Sword Venerable Bi Xiao seemed to be stabbed in a sore spot, and his face immediately twitched.
A Shi Luo said, “But Bi Xiao, are you certain you truly want to help Suo Lun? You should know that behind me are Rou Ran City and Yao Zhou. Your empty title of duke and the name of Sword Venerable hold no deterrent power for me.”
Bi Xiao said, “My sword holds sufficient deterrent power for you.”
A Shi Luo frowned and said, “Bi Xiao, you should know that whoever blocks my path, I will definitely kill his entire family. All who have offended me have had their skulls made into wine cups by me. I change to a different one every day, and a year is not enough to use them all.”
Bi Xiao did not speak, but directly drew his sword halfway. Once fully drawn, it would definitely see blood and kill.
“Good, good, good…” A Shi Luo raised his hands and said, “You are formidable, I shall scram…”
Then, A Shi Luo actually truly rolled on the carpet.
After getting up, he said to Bi Xiao, “Bi Xiao, I have remembered you. Within ten days, you will see my revenge. It will definitely hurt you very, very much.”
“As for Suo Lun, you can only hope that Bi Xiao protects you for the rest of your life.” A Shi Luo pursed his lips and said, “You remember this well. Your sister Suo Ning Bing is my wife, and I will definitely take her away.”
Then, he directly turned and left.
More than a dozen scimitar warriors, more than a dozen beauties wearing not an inch of cloth, also hurriedly followed after him.
And the two beauty dogs, truly like little puppies, ran wildly on all fours, desperately chasing after him, winding around A Shi Luo’s legs. Just like real little puppies, they liked to run clinging to their master’s legs.
A Shi Luo was impatient and kicked out fiercely.
“Whimper…” That beauty dog was kicked flying more than ten metres, crashing heavily onto the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood from her mouth, struggling and unable to get up, yet still whimpering like a little puppy from her mouth.
A Shi Luo stopped his steps, then turned and walked over to pick up that beauty dog, saying, “I’m sorry, did I kick you too hard?”
And that beauty dog actually fawningly stretched out her little tongue to lick his palm.
Her little tongue was completely covered in blood, so A Shi Luo’s palm also became a vivid red.
…
Watching A Shi Luo’s disappearing figure, Sword Venerable Bi Xiao’s face was filled with worry as he said, “Suo Lun, how did you provoke this… demon star?”
Suo Lun said, “You, the dignified Sword Venerable, are actually afraid of him?”
The Sword Venerable shook his head and said, “You simply do not know how great this person’s background is, and how protective that old ancestor of Yao Zhou behind him is. This A Shi Luo is completely the most untouchable and most feared person in the entire human kingdom.”
Suo Lun said, “Even you, the Sword Venerable, cannot afford to provoke him?”
Bi Xiao said, “You think too highly of me. I have told you before, martial arts are the most worthless thing in this world. Moreover, in a few years his martial arts will surpass mine as well. Among his peers, this person’s martial arts are nearly invincible. Probably only Jiang Xue of Dong Li Kingdom could defeat him.”
Suo Lun said in astonishment, “His talent is so high?”
Bi Xiao said, “Not only is his talent high, the key is that the cultivation technique he practises is too terrifying. He harvests yin to replenish yang. The higher the martial arts of the women he conquers, the faster his cultivation breaks through.”
Suo Lun said in shock, “There… there is actually such a thing?”
Bi Xiao said, “Yao Zhou is the most mysterious and evil of the four great powers under heaven, so of course there is nothing that does not exist.”
At this moment, the eunuch Gao Ning Shi suddenly said, “Count Suo Lun, it is still not too late for you to hand over Miss Suo Ning Bing to me now. I will deliver her to Young Master A Shi Luo. Otherwise, the consequences are something you cannot bear.”
Suo Lun immediately pointed at his nose and said coldly, “Scram, scram back to your master’s side, and deliver a message for me.”
The eunuch Gao Ning Shi’s face was ice-cold as he said, word by word, “What message?”
Suo Lun said, “Ji Ting, you stupid cunt!”
The moment these words were spoken, Gao Ning Shi hissed, “Suo Lun, you seek death!”
After speaking, his Buddhist whisk was about to slash down fiercely.
Bi Xiao blocked it with his scabbard, and immediately Gao Ning Shi’s Buddhist whisk was completely stuck and unable to move.
“Old Gao, do you take me for nonexistent?” Bi Xiao said coldly.
Gao Ning Shi stared coldly at the Sword Venerable, then said to Suo Lun, “Count Suo Lun, you have already severed your last path of survival. Very soon you will lose everything, this Rubble Island, and the entire Tian Shui City, and your life. And what is most, most tragic is that even if you pay the price of your life, you still cannot protect your sister Suo Ning Bing. Why do you bother?”
“Let us go.” Gao Ning Shi gave the order, leading the four eunuchs away.
…
Half an hour later, A Shi Luo’s fleet completely withdrew, and Gao Ning Shi and the four eunuchs also completely withdrew.
The entire Rubble Island returned to quietness, a deathly quietness.
Suo Lun smiled at Suo Ning Bing and said, “Let’s go, let us return to Tian Shui City, let us go home.”
Suo Ning Bing said mournfully, “Little brother, is the legendary femme fatale someone like me?”
Suo Lun said, “You must not think nonsense. Just obediently follow me home. I said I can protect you, so I definitely can protect you.”
Suo Ning Bing said, “But, what should be done about that devil A Shi Luo? If going with him can protect you, I am willing…”
Before she could finish speaking, Suo Lun covered her mouth.
“Sister, believe in me. This matter is extremely complicated, far more complicated than you imagine.” Suo Lun said, word by word, “I said it will be fine, so it will be fine. I said I can protect you, so I definitely can protect you.”
“Yes.” Suo Ning Bing said softly.
An hour later, Suo Lun, Suo Ning Bing, and Ye Jing Yu boarded the ship, sailing towards Tian Shui City.
On the ship, Ye Jing Yu and Suo Lun stood at the bow, watching the surging river waters as she said, “Master, what should we do? Where should we go? I originally thought that after the Tian Shui City great battle, everything would be smooth sailing. But I never imagined it would actually be a bottomless abyss.”
Her words were actually filled with despair. Regarding everything that had just happened, she truly felt it was too sudden, completely without any mental preparation.
Suo Lun looked at the mist-shrouded sea ahead and said, “Can you see what is ahead?”
Ye Jing Yu shook her head and said, “The mist is swirling, I cannot see.”
“But, I can see.” Suo Lun said, “Every time before, I have been able to lead you through crises. This time is no exception.”
As he spoke, Suo Lun gazed into the distance, as if trying to pierce through the fog ahead and clearly see everything.
…
At dawn the next day, Suo Lun returned to the main city of Tian Shui. Upon returning to the city, he heard a piece of terrible news!
“My lord, the one hundred thousand troops of Duke Ji Wei, Governor of the Southeast Province, have already entered Bai Yun Commandery, less than two hundred li from Tian Shui City territory.” Suo Dan Chen stepped forward and said, “Ji You, son of Duke Ji Wei, has been waiting in the city lord’s residence for a long time. Fierce in manner, he comes with ill intent.”
Suo Lun asked, “Where is Lord Yan Shuang?”
Suo Dan Chen said, “Lord Yan Shuang led troops to Wind Thunder Fortress to block Duke Ji Wei’s great army.”
Wind Thunder Fortress, the westernmost fortress of Tian Shui City territory, bordering Bai Yun Commandery, was the only necessary route to enter Tian Shui City from the west.
Suo Lun said, “How many troops did she lead?”
Suo Dan Chen said, “Four thousand.”
Yan Nai Er led only four thousand troops, while Duke Ji Wei had a full one hundred thousand. Wanting to block him was completely like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
“Jing Yu, you settle in my sister properly.” Suo Lun said to Ye Jing Yu, “I shall go and meet Ji You.”
Suo Dan Chen saw Suo Ning Bing’s half-exposed face from within the carriage, and was immediately overcome with excitement. He stepped forward, knelt and kowtowed, saying, “Suo clan retainer Suo Dan Chen pays respects to the young lady.”
Suo Ning Bing descended from the carriage, looking at her long-unseen home, her emotions surging. Originally this should have been an incomparably joyful moment, yet…
…
Suo Lun entered the city lord’s residence and saw the extremely arrogant Ji You.
At this moment, Ji You was in a very complex emotional state, filled with smugness, yet also filled with irritation and impatience.
Seeing Suo Lun, he looked him up and down coldly for a while, then said, “Suo Lun, you truly are a genius. I never imagined you would actually manage to do it. In half a year’s time, from having nothing to possessing thousands upon thousands of troops, and using inferior numbers to fight superior numbers, using nearly insane tactics to win the Tian Shui City battle. You truly made us see you in a new light.”
“You’re too kind, too kind.” Suo Lun said, “Your Highness the heir, I trust you have been well since we last met?”
Ji You said coldly, “I have not come to negotiate. I have come to deliver commands.”
Suo Lun spread his hands and said, “Please speak.”
Ji You said, “Unconditionally release Princess Ji Ning, unconditionally release Miss Tu Ling Duo, unconditionally release Young Master Gui Qin Qu, unconditionally release all high-ranking warrior lords. Otherwise, you and your Tian Shui City will be reduced to dust.”
He had indeed come to deliver commands, not to negotiate.
“Suo Lun, you have only six hours.” Ji You turned and said, “Six hours later, if we do not see Ji Ning and the others, we shall level Tian Shui City, and under the pretext of helping you suppress rebels. We believe there are still many rebels in Tian Shui City, and most crucially…”
Ji You’s words were not finished, and then he never looked back, directly leaving. Of course his words were not finished. Even if Suo Lun released Ji Ning and everyone else, Suo Lun and his Tian Shui City were still certain to die.
Suo Lun watched Ji You’s disappearing figure, slowly closing his eyes, looking at the ceiling.
Although he had already reclaimed Tian Shui City, although the Tian Shui City great battle had already ended.
But now was the most, most dangerous moment for Tian Shui City.
Did this crisis come suddenly? Yes, very suddenly, but it was not entirely without warning.
Could he survive this crisis of destruction?
Seven parts depended on his wisdom. Three parts depended on the will of heaven. He hoped that this time, heaven would stand on his side.
Taking a deep breath, Suo Lun walked towards the underground prison cells of the city lord’s residence. There, the most, most important prisoner was held, Princess Ji Ning!
Whether Tian Shui City could survive this fatal crisis depended to a large extent on this woman, Ji Ning!
…
Although this was a prison cell, it was magnificently decorated, and even had a window leading to the ground.
Princess Ji Ning sat before the mirror, combing her hair. The curve of her back, waist, and hips was incomparably voluptuous and alluring.
At this moment, her mood was very good, without the slightest bit of dejection as a prisoner. It was completely different from the situation a few days ago when she was defeated, and she was even humming a little tune.
From the crystal mirror, Princess Ji Ning saw the door of the prison cell open, and then Suo Lun walked in.
“Suo Lun, have you come to beg me for mercy?” Princess Ji Ning sneered, “Coming only now is rather too late. It’s useless, just wait to die, wait for Tian Shui City to become a wasteland.”
Through some unknown channel, Ji Ning already knew that Duke Ji Wei’s one hundred thousand troops were pressing close to Tian Shui City.
Suo Lun looked at her alluring back and said, “No, I have not come to beg you. I have come to… sleep with you.”
After speaking, Suo Lun stepped forward, grabbed her, pressed her to the ground, and kissed her little mouth fiercely.
Ji Ning was astonished. Her scream was completely blocked by Suo Lun, and then his tongue directly drilled in, and his hand also drilled into her clothes.
So… so direct!