Princess Ji Ning’s carriage stopped before Wind Thunder Fortress. To reach Duke Ji Wei’s camp, she had to pass through Wind Thunder Fortress, as it guarded the only official road leading west from Tian Shui City.
A knight of the Suo clan stepped forward and presented Suo Lun’s handwritten letter of passage, saying, “Please report to Lord Yan Shuang. This lowly one has been ordered by the city lord to escort Princess Ji Ning back to Bai Yun Commandery City.”
A moment later, the castle gates slowly opened, though Yan Nai Er did not appear.
The cavalry squad escorted Ji Ning’s carriage through the castle gates.
Suddenly, Princess Ji Ning said, “Stop. I want to see Yan Shuang. Have a woman come and carry me down from the carriage.”
After a while, a female warrior came forward, lifted Princess Ji Ning from the carriage, and carried her directly to Yan Nai Er’s temporary room.
At this moment, Nai Er was sitting with eyes closed in meditation, cultivating her spiritual power.
Princess Ji Ning sat down carefully, but still pulled at her wounds, causing her brows to twitch slightly from the pain.
This kind of thing, one did not feel it during the frenzy at the time, but afterwards it truly hurt very much.
“Suo Lun raped me, a full two hours, I don’t know how many times, and he used every manner of trick imaginable.” Ji Ning said directly, “So, I cannot even walk.”
Nai Er’s beautiful eyelashes trembled slightly, and her peerlessly beautiful face showed an expression of distress.
“You came specifically to tell me this. What do you mean?” Nai Er asked.
Ji Ning said, “You previously warned Suo Lun not to rape me, but he still did it.”
“And then?” Nai Er asked.
Ji Ning said, “He has once again betrayed your feelings. Why do you still keep such a man? Why do you still risk your life for him?”
Nai Er’s small hand clenched into a fist, as if she wanted to shatter something, but then relaxed.
“Even if he did this, it does not count as betraying our feelings.” Yan Nai Er said, “He did it for Tian Shui City.”
“Stupid, childish, incomparably stupid.” Ji Ning said, “Yan Nai Er, as a fellow woman, I feel ashamed for you. Will you die without a man? A scoundrel like Suo Lun, and you can still tolerate him?”
Yan Nai Er said angrily, “Do not provoke me. If you provoke me again, I will hit you. I am already very angry.”
“Then go and kill Suo Lun.” Ji Ning sneered coldly, “Why are you venting your anger on me? I am the victim.”
“You, the victim? Then why does every single eyebrow of yours seem to be singing with joy? Why is your face so radiant that even the corners of your eyes are pink?” Nai Er said angrily, “Leave immediately, or I cannot guarantee I will not hit you.”
Ji Ning sneered coldly, “Yan Nai Er, you won’t hit Suo Lun, yet you want to hit me. How is such a you any different from those foolish women?”
Eighty percent of women, upon learning their husband has kept a mistress, will not hit the husband, but will only go hit the mistress.
Nai Er said coldly, “I have never been any different from those women.”
Then, she abruptly stood up, found a horsewhip, and gripped it fiercely in her hand, saying, “Are you leaving or not?”
“Hahaha…” Ji Ning let out a triumphant laugh, then stood up and said, “Someone, carry me out.”
“Walk yourself.” Yan Nai Er said.
So, Ji Ning painfully furrowed her brows and limped outwards.
It truly hurt. Every step was painful. Ji Ning could not help cursing Suo Lun again and again in her heart.
When Ji Ning descended the castle and reboarded her carriage to depart, Nai Er could no longer endure it. She picked up the horsewhip and lashed the castle walls desperately.
A moment later, the horsewhip was completely shattered.
Then, Nai Er tilted her head back, forcefully holding back her tears from sliding down.
And at this very moment, a burst of fierce hoofbeats came from behind Wind Thunder Fortress.
“Miss, Lord Yan Yan has led eight thousand troops to come to your aid. They are only a few li away.” Suddenly, the voice of her close female guard rang out from outside.
Yan Nai Er collected all her tears and expression, descended the castle, and went to welcome her father, Yan Yan.
A quarter of an hour later, Yan Yan’s eight thousand troops entered Wind Thunder Fortress.
At this moment, the entire Wind Thunder Fortress defence line possessed twelve thousand troops. Facing Duke Ji Wei’s one hundred thousand troops, this was still very few, but at least they would not collapse at the first blow.
Father and daughter came to the top of the castle, gazing into the distance at Bai Yun Commandery.
“Girl, this is the man you chose. He has made enemies of almost the entire world.” Yan Yan said, “And now he has even lost the King’s protection.”
Yan Nai Er said, “Father, how did you know? It has not been more than three days since this happened.”
Yan Yan said, “Naturally there are people with ulterior motives spreading it, to shake the morale of Tian Shui City’s army.”
Nai Er said, “Since I have chosen, I will not regret it, even if my body is ground to dust. It is just that I have also dragged Father into this.”
Yan Yan smiled lovingly and said, “We are all the same. You are willing to be ground to dust for Suo Lun, and for you I would not regret dying even the slightest.”
Then, Yan Yan looked into his daughter’s eyes and discovered that the rims of her eyes were somewhat red. He could not help asking, “Were you just crying? Did Suo Lun do something that let you down?”
“No.” Nai Er said, “It is just that the great battle is imminent, and I feel somewhat melancholic in my heart.”
…
Inside the great camp north of Bai Yun City, Duke Ji Wei’s one hundred thousand troops were already assembled and ready to depart.
He had issued Suo Lun a final ultimatum. Within six hours, unconditionally release Princess Ji Ning, Tu Ling Duo, Gui Qin Qu, and all others.
Otherwise, the one hundred thousand troops would immediately enter Tian Shui City and reduce everything to dust.
At this moment, there was still one hour remaining until the six-hour deadline, and Ji Wei’s one hundred thousand troops were already fully assembled.
At this time, Suo Lun had already left Tian Shui City for three hours, and was still nearly three thousand li from the royal capital Ji Du.
“Father, will Suo Lun keep Ji Ning as a hostage?” Ji You asked.
Duke Ji Wei said, “What would keeping her as a hostage achieve?”
Ji You said, “Forbidding us from attacking Wind Thunder Fortress, or else he will immediately kill Ji Ning.”
Ji Wei said, “To enter Tian Shui City, Wind Thunder Fortress indeed guards the only official road. But our army can avoid the official road. This is not Tian Wolf Pass. There are countless small paths into Tian Shui City.”
Ji You said, “Then he will hold Ji Ning hostage in Tian Shui main city. If we attack, he will kill Ji Ning.”
Ji Wei said, “Then we shall first attack Tian Wolf Pass, the Savage Fortress, and all of Tian Shui City’s territories, and finally surround Tian Shui main city completely. Then we exchange the life of her sister Suo Ning Bing for Ji Ning’s life. Will he agree?”
Ji Wei was not wrong. Taking Ji Ning hostage, although not a stupid move, was absolutely not a clever one either.
Ji Wei looked at the hourglass. It was about to run out.
Once the time was up, his great army would immediately advance and enter Tian Shui City territory.
And once they entered Tian Shui City territory, it would be like a sword drawn from its scabbard. It would not return to its scabbard without seeing blood.
Time passed minute by minute…
Suddenly, a burst of hoofbeats rang out from the front.
Then, a cavalryman galloped up at high speed, falling from his saddle and kneeling on the ground, saying, “Your Grace, Suo Lun’s cavalry are escorting Princess Ji Ning back. They request that we send someone to receive her.”
Ji Wei had originally wanted to send Ji You to receive her, but after thinking about it, he personally led one thousand cavalry to go and welcome Ji Ning.
He led the one thousand cavalry, galloping out thirty li.
Here there was a river, about twenty metres wide, with a broad stone bridge spanning both sides.
This river was the natural boundary between Tian Shui City and Bai Yun Commandery.
At this moment, Suo Lun’s cavalry squad was on the opposite bank of the river, and Princess Ji Ning alone stood gracefully in the middle of the stone bridge.
Duke Ji Wei had the one thousand cavalry beside him remain on the west bank of the river, while he alone went onto the bridge, followed by a luxurious carriage.
“Little Ning.” Duke Ji Wei said, “You have suffered.”
“Uncle.” Ji Ning said softly, “It is Ji Ning’s incompetence, requiring Uncle to come and clean up the situation.”
Duke Ji Wei smiled magnanimously and said, “Just you wait. Uncle shall immediately lead one hundred thousand troops to flatten Tian Shui City and avenge you.”
Then, Ji Ning forcefully endured her burning pain, pretending to be completely unharmed as she boarded the carriage.
Ji Wei personally escorted Ji Ning back to the great camp north of Bai Yun Commandery. Suo Lun’s cavalry squad returned by the same route. From beginning to end, there was no exchange of words.
…
Inside the central army tent of Ji Wei’s great army, Princess Ji Ning had already finished bathing and changed into brand new clothes, sitting comfortably upon a soft tiger-skin couch.
“Where is A Shi Luo? He is not in the great army, is he?” Ji Ning asked.
“No. After leaving Rubble Island, he went to Ying Zhou Island.” Duke Ji Wei said, “Ji Ting is truly incomparably stupid, actually abandoning Suo Lun for an A Shi Luo of unknown quantity. He does not know that everything was our stratagem, and that A Shi Luo has long since pledged allegiance to us.”
“Not allegiance, but a transaction.” Ji Ning said, “To obtain Rou Ran City’s support, we paid three hundred li of territory.”
Duke Ji Wei said, “But nominally, these three hundred li of territory do not ultimately belong to us, but are merely within our sphere of influence.”
Then, Duke Ji Wei said, “Very well, now the sky is already bright. It is time to advance into Tian Shui City, exterminate the Suo clan to the last person, and vent your anger.”
After speaking, Duke Ji Wei was about to walk out of the tent and strike the marching drum.
“Wait.” Ji Ning said, “Uncle, Suo Lun negotiated with me. He said he could pledge allegiance to us, on the same terms as Suo Han Yi.”
“No.” Duke Ji Wei said, “That is a venomous snake. It is absolutely impossible for him to truly pledge allegiance to us. Facing this venomous snake, one can only stomp it to death. This opportunity is once in a thousand years. Once missed, it will never come again.”
Ji Ning did not speak, but closed her eyes and recalled Suo Lun’s words.
As long as Ji Wei’s great army entered Tian Shui City, it would be a fight to the death. Suo Lun would definitely fight to the last man.
“Ning, let me be your secret lover. I pledge allegiance to you. Spare my Tian Shui City.” Suo Lun’s nearly rascally voice once again rang out in her heart.
Then, Ji Ning recalled the intense passion of a few hours ago.
How many times had the two of them gone wild? Ji Ning could not remember either. In any case, under Suo Lun’s manipulation, they had tried everything that a man and woman could do. Unparalleled intimacy, unparalleled excess.
Some were things Ji Ning could have imagined, while others were things Ji Ning could not have imagined.
Thinking of this, her throat once again felt swollen and painful, and that suffocating sensation once again assailed her. That bastard, actually…
She could not help but pick up her teacup and take a sip, moistening her swollen throat.
“Should I believe him?” Ji Ning’s mind turned over and over.
Once the great army entered Tian Shui City, there would only be one outcome. The Suo clan would be destroyed, and Suo Lun would die in battle.
Immediately after, Ji Ning remembered something of extreme importance. She began to calculate her cycle.
Ever since she vomited blood and was injured several months ago, her physiological cycle had been somewhat unstable. But these past four or five days could all be times when pregnancy was easy.
What to do? What to do?
Should she immediately eliminate the possibility of pregnancy, either by taking medicine or using other methods?
“Little Ning, I know you cherish Suo Lun’s talent, and I know even more of your… complex feelings of love and hate intertwined with him.” Ji Wei carefully chose his words and said, “But that is a venomous snake. A venomous snake that must be stomped to death.”
Ji Ning still remained silent with her head lowered.
Ji Wei said, “Use your instincts, use your true heart to think. Is Suo Lun worthy of trust?”
Was Suo Lun worthy of trust?
The instant Ji Ning closed her eyes, she could obtain the answer. This was a man as cunning as a fox and as vicious as a snake. He absolutely could not be trusted.
But, but he had already become her first man.
And even if she deceived herself, it was useless. Ji Ning knew that she liked him, even loved him.
This deformed love had perhaps begun several months ago. It began when he first defeated her.
When he raped her, she felt not the slightest pain. Instead, every single cell in her body was rejoicing.
Even her movements were more intense than Suo Lun’s. Again and again, until utterly exhausted.
Moreover, when Suo Lun had her take him in her mouth, she had actually accepted it with pleasure. Although it was somewhat difficult to breathe, she did not feel the slightest disgust. Ordinarily, she would not even touch a man’s hand.
Thinking of this, Ji Ning could not help licking her tongue, as if Suo Lun’s taste still lingered upon it.
Yes, that was the man she loved. No matter what kind of love it was, whether sadomasochistic or deformed. After this intimacy of skin against skin, she loved this man even more madly, loved every inch of his body.
Was she to kill the man she loved? Ji Ning’s mind struggled desperately.
“Ji Ning, do not bring ruin upon yourself.” Duke Ji Wei shouted loudly, “Do not forget, you are still to marry Prince Ji Min of the Yan Empire. Therefore, Suo Lun is even more certain to die.”
Ji Ning’s delicate body trembled, waking from her wandering thoughts.
Yes, she was still to marry Prince Ji Min. The Yan Empire was an absolutely untouchable colossus.
Once her private affair with Suo Lun was exposed, it would bring heaven-shaking calamity, and might even bring fatal consequences to her brother Ji Li’s great enterprise.
Yes, Suo Lun must die. Even if she loved him, he must still die.
Or rather, precisely because she loved him, he must die.
“Yes, Suo Lun must die.” Ji Ning said firmly, “Suo Lun cannot be trusted. He must die.”
Ji Wei’s brows relaxed, and he said, “We shall immediately lead one hundred thousand troops to flatten Tian Shui City and kill this little venomous snake.”
Ji Ning said, “Suo Lun still holds many hostages in his hands. Tu Ling Duo and Gui Qin Qu must be rescued first. Otherwise, in his desperation, Suo Lun will definitely burn all boats.”
Ji Wei said, “We can negotiate while fighting.”
“No.” Ji Ning said, “Once our great army enters Tian Shui City, there will be no room left. He now harbours illusions about me. We can take this opportunity to trick him into handing over Tu Ling Duo and Gui Qin Qu.”
“But…” Ji Wei frowned.
“No buts.” Ji Ning said, “Once Tu Ling Duo and Gui Qin Qu are killed, what will the consequences be?”
Ji Wei said, “We would not have killed them. It would be Suo Lun who killed them.”
Ji Ning said, “But we had the opportunity to rescue them, yet we did not do so. Would Tu Ling Tuo and Gui Xing Fu not direct their anger at us? These two are our left and right arms. One is the greatest noble, and the other is the spokesperson for the vassals.”
Ji Wei nodded and said, “Very well, then send a letter to Suo Lun, ordering him to unconditionally release Tu Ling Duo and Gui Qin Qu and all other important prisoners. Then advance into Tian Shui City and destroy the Suo clan.”
A moment later, an envoy rode a fast horse towards Tian Shui main city, carrying Princess Ji Ning’s latest orders.
Unconditionally release Tu Ling Duo, Gui Qin Qu, Nu Er Dan, and all other important prisoners.
…
In the royal capital Ji Du, inside Duke Ting’s ducal residence.
Suo Lun was brought to a secret study, where he once again saw Duke Ting.
“What have you come here for?” Duke Ting said coldly, “I received the message you had someone deliver.”
That message was: Ji Ting, you stupid cunt.
Then, Duke Ting stared coldly at Suo Lun and said, “For the sake of a mere woman, you actually disregarded the bigger picture and turned hostile against me directly. Such an incomparably stupid person, we do not want.”
Suo Lun still did not speak, but stared into his eyes, stared at his face, carefully observing every minute expression.
Duke Ting’s gaze gradually filled with killing intent, and he said, “Not only that, you also expelled my people from Rubble Island, and used the basest language to humiliate me. Suo Lun, do you truly believe I dare not kill you?”
Duke Ting’s voice was no longer merely stern.
“Suo Lun, with a single order from me, you will be cut into ten thousand pieces.” Duke Ting said coldly, “But looking at the fact that you fought for me, get out. If I see you again, you will certainly die.”
At this moment, Suo Lun instead let out a long sigh of relief, then said, “What happened to His Majesty the King? What is the matter?”
The moment these words were spoken, Duke Ting’s expression changed drastically.
Immediately after, he waved his hand fiercely, and four eunuchs floated out from the darkness, surrounding Suo Lun in the middle. Four swords pressed directly against his throat.
With a single order from Ji Ting, Suo Lun would certainly die.
Ji Ting said in a cold voice, “Suo Lun, what do you mean by these words? Cursing the King?”
Suo Lun said, “I have always been puzzled. Your Grace, you possess great wisdom that appears as foolishness. You should not be so stupid as to turn hostile against me for an unknown quantity like A Shi Luo.”
Ji Ting said, “Do not forget, A Shi Luo’s martial arts are a hundred times stronger than yours. His Rou Ran City is more than ten times stronger than Tian Shui City.”
Suo Lun said, “Ten birds in the forest are not worth one bird in the hand. Moreover, A Shi Luo is an unpredictable person, not worthy of trust. And I defeated Ji Ning’s tens of thousands of allied troops and reclaimed Tian Shui City. I have now successfully crossed the river and transformed into a chariot. What a great price did we pay for today? To turn hostile against me at this time? Even if you were that stupid, Princess Ji Yan would not be that stupid.”
The fatty flesh on Duke Ting’s face twitched slightly.
Suo Lun said, “Ever since I entered, I have been observing you. You are extremely exhausted. Your eyes are completely bloodshot, and you have lost a full circle of weight.”
Duke Ting could not help reaching out to touch his own face. Indeed, he had lost a full circle of weight.
Suo Lun continued, “A Shi Luo coming to pledge allegiance to Princess Ji Yan is merely a conspiracy, a vicious stratagem to sow discord. He has long since colluded with Ji Li. This is a chain stratagem. If I had been defeated and died in the Tian Shui City great battle, then nothing would have happened. If by chance I won, then this A Shi Luo sowing discord would play out. If nothing unexpected happens, this should be His Highness Ji Li’s handiwork. This person is far more insidious and vicious than I imagined.”
Duke Ting’s stern expression finally gradually relaxed.
Suo Lun said, “This conspiracy might succeed with you, but it should not deceive Princess Ji Yan’s eyes. I have seen those eyes. They are transcendent and ethereal, capable of seeing through all fog and human nature. What reason could make you knowingly jump into this trap, even turning hostile against me?”
“There is only one reason. Something has happened to His Majesty the King.” Suo Lun advanced upon Duke Ting, word by word, and said, “You are already powerless to protect me. Even more importantly, you need to use this matter to cover up the secret that something has happened to the King.”
At that time, when A Shi Luo and Suo Lun were in confrontation, Ji Ting had to choose to keep one.
If he chose to keep Suo Lun, that would mean that when Duke Ji Wei’s one hundred thousand troops pressed close to Tian Shui City, His Majesty the King would have to step forward and issue an order to stop Ji Wei.
However, the King was already unable to step forward. By that time, the secret that something had happened to the King could no longer be concealed.
Once so, the consequences would be unimaginable. Once it was confirmed that something had happened to the King, the nobles and vassals would, in the shortest possible time, support Ji Li’s ascension to the throne.
The reason Duke Ji Wei boldly led one hundred thousand troops to press close to Tian Shui City was not only to destroy the Suo clan, but also to carry out a final test of the King.
The King had not appeared publicly for a very long time. The cabinet and the high command already had their suspicions.
Therefore, to cover up the King’s secret, Duke Ting had to pretend to fall for the trick and turn hostile against Suo Lun.
Ji Ting looked at Suo Lun for a long time, then waved his hand. Immediately, the surrounding eunuchs departed.
“Yan’er, come out.” Duke Ting said.
Then, an absolutely beautiful and transcendent figure walked out from the shadows. It was Princess Ji Yan, who was like an immortal fairy.
However, at this moment, Princess Ji Yan’s face finally showed some mortal aura. Her ethereal eyes also carried a trace of bloodshot.
“Half a month ago, Father suddenly collapsed from a stroke. To this day, he remains unconscious, hovering between life and death.” Princess Ji Yan said, “We have exhausted all methods, yet still cannot make him wake up. With each passing day, hope diminishes.”
Ji Ting said, “Moreover, if the King does not appear again, the people of Ji Li’s faction will make their move.”
Suo Lun said, “Does His Majesty the King not have a body double?”
Ji Yan shook her head and said, “A body double is useless. Whether it is Yan Wu Ji or Tu Ling Duo, they can identify him at a single glance.”
Suo Lun said, “Where is Ji Li?”
Ji Yan said, “He has gone to visit the Yan Empire.”
Instantly, Suo Lun felt ice-cold all over.
He felt that before him lay an endless abyss of darkness. He had originally thought that Ji Li chose to leave the Nu Lang Kingdom at this time because of him, Suo Lun. He had never imagined that he had vastly overestimated his own importance.
Ji Li’s departure was to avoid suspicion. He seemed to possess divine foresight, knowing that the King would collapse from a stroke during this period.
This person was truly more terrifying and more vicious than imagined.
Duke Ting said, “Suo Lun, regarding His Majesty the King’s accident, have you heard even the slightest trace or clue?”
“Nothing at all.” Suo Lun said.
Duke Ting said, “Then how did you know?”
Suo Lun said, “Many signs. If A Shi Luo was determined to have my sister, why did he not go to fetch her earlier? Why is Duke Ji Wei so bold, clearly after the war has ended, still leading one hundred thousand troops to press close to Tian Shui City? Even when I was at sea leaving Rubble Island and returning to Tian Shui City, I already had my suspicions. After returning to Tian Shui main city, I was completely certain that something had happened to His Majesty the King.”
Instantly, Ji Ting clicked his tongue in amazement!
This, was this still human?
That there could be such a monster under heaven, who in complete darkness and fog could see through the truth at a single glance.
Truly, his wisdom was nearly demonic!
Ji Ting said, “Then you rushed back to the royal city from a thousand li away in order to…”
Suo Lun said, “Ascertain the truth, confirm the facts, and then… save the King!”
The moment these words were spoken, Princess Ji Yan’s delicate body trembled slightly.