In an instant, Tu Lingduo seemed to be struck by a whip, hissing: “This, how is this possible? Could it be a false military report?”
Duke Tu Lingtuo said: “Haigang has completely sided with Suo Lun, and Yan Mo is dead!”
Tu Lingduo stood frozen for a long while, all her smugness vanishing completely.
Then came overwhelming fear and rage!
Why? Why?
Why had Suo Lun won again? Could he not lose just once? On what basis?
The fear stemmed from the fact that she and Suo Lun were now truly locked in a fight to the death. If Suo Lun ultimately won, given his vindictive nature, the tragic fate that would befall her, Tu Lingduo, was entirely predictable.
“Wretch, Haider is a wretched woman.” Tu Lingduo screamed hysterically: “Haigang is a treacherous villain, a villain who deserves to be sliced into a thousand pieces. If he had not turned traitor, Suo Lun would already be finished.”
Like Zhili, Tu Lingduo simply could not believe that Suo Lun had defeated Yan Mo through his own abilities. It must have been Haigang’s sudden betrayal, a fatal strike from behind Yan Mo’s back, that had allowed Suo Lun to win by sheer luck.
Tu Lingduo’s eyes turned bloodshot as she roared: “Not a single member of the Hai family is trustworthy. They are all treacherous rebels!”
Duke Tu Lingtuo said coldly: “Tu Lingduo, you are becoming too deeply invested. You and Zhili are at best illicit lovers. You need not speak entirely from his standpoint.”
At these words, Tu Lingduo was stunned. What did her father mean by this?
Duke Tu Lingtuo said: “I know full well what a cunning old fox Haigang is. Even he has completely sided with Suo Lun, leaving himself no room for retreat. There must be a reason for this. Therefore, whether our Tu Ling family should continue down the same path with Zhili to the very end is a matter for deliberation.”
Tu Lingduo’s expression changed, and she said: “Father, our Tu Ling family has no path of retreat left. Between us and Suo Lun, it is already a fight to the death. Only one of us can survive.”
Duke Tu Lingtuo said coldly: “You are mistaken. The one locked in a fight to the death with Suo Lun is you alone, not our Tu Ling family. You must make that clear!”
At these words, Tu Lingduo was struck as if by lightning, utterly unable to believe it.
Her father, Duke Tu Lingtuo, truly turned his face as quickly as one turns the pages of a book.
Tu Lingduo said tremblingly: “Father, younger sister has already married Prince Zhili. We are already inseparable from him.”
Duke Tu Lingtuo said: “I have more than one daughter.”
Tu Lingduo said: “Eight hundred thousand troops besieging Suo Lun is already an arrow on the bowstring, impossible not to release!”
Duke Tu Lingtuo sighed: “Indeed, an arrow on the bowstring, impossible not to release! But what if the bowstring loosens?”
This military leader was wavering. He had no intention of supporting Suo Lun, but on the eve of the great battle, his heart was filled with unease.
This was his greatest gamble. Once won, he would naturally be enfeoffed as a king of a different surname.
But once lost, he would be utterly shattered to pieces, and the entire Tu Ling family would be annihilated.
The naval battle between Suo Lun and Yan Mo had appeared to be a certain defeat no matter how one looked at it, yet Suo Lun had won.
Both Zhili and Tu Lingduo kept insisting that it was due to Haigang’s betrayal from behind.
But when Haigang’s main forces marched south, he had signed the proclamation denouncing the rebel. Was his betrayal long premeditated, or was it a last-minute turn?
If it was long premeditated, then he had stood completely on Suo Lun’s side from the very beginning. Then the so-called death of his daughter Haizhi, and his falling out with Suo Lun, were all an act. This would mean that Haigang had long been optimistic about Suo Lun and had completely chosen his side.
Duke Tu Lingtuo did not dare to compliment Haigang’s breadth of mind, but he had absolute trust in Haigang’s discernment.
If it was the other scenario, that Haigang had turned traitor at the last minute?
Then… that would be too terrifying! Too mysterious, everything was filled with unknowns!
The current situation was completely an arrow on the bowstring, impossible not to release.
But Tu Lingtuo’s heart was filled with an inexplicable unease, and he had developed some wavering regarding the impending campaign.
…
Sensing her father’s wavering made Tu Lingduo extremely uneasy.
If there was anyone in this world who most wished for Suo Lun’s miserable death, apart from Zhili, it was undoubtedly Tu Lingduo.
Anyone in this world could make peace with Suo Lun, but Zhili and Tu Lingduo could not. She had already burned all her bridges completely.
Therefore, she would use every means at her disposal to put Suo Lun to death!
Duke Tu Lingtuo’s wavering would have an extremely detrimental effect. He need only pretend to be ill for a few days to delay the army’s departure.
Now that Suo Lun had won a great naval victory, his financial resources would not be cut off, and there would be a continuous stream of gold coins flowing in.
The fantasy of Tianshui City collapsing without a fight should be abandoned, and the reorganisation of the hundred thousand plus troops would proceed smoothly.
By then, Suo Lun would possess nearly two hundred thousand troops in his hands.
Every day of delay, Suo Lun grew stronger by a day.
Therefore, the longer the delay, the more disadvantageous it was for Zhili.
They must strike while Suo Lun was at his weakest, sending eight hundred thousand troops directly at Tianshui City to put Suo Lun to death.
The army must march, preferably setting out tomorrow at the earliest.
Today was again a day when conception was easy. After paying respects to her father, she had hurriedly rushed to the Young Lord’s residence to sleep with Zhili.
So tonight, having just entered the royal city, she was burning with impatience inside.
At this moment, her father Tu Lingtuo had actually wavered. She must nip everything in the bud before the situation deteriorated further.
Once her father Tu Lingtuo pretended to be ill, it would be too late!
After leaving the Tu Ling Ducal residence, Tu Lingduo closed her beautiful eyes, thinking of whom she should seek out.
Go to Zhili?
No, that would be equivalent to making the Tu Ling family completely offend Zhili.
Then who else could reverse Duke Tu Lingtuo’s thinking?
Soon, Tu Lingduo thought of a person, Suo Lun’s biological mother Fu Lingxi.
At that time, it was precisely because Fu Lingxi had expressed support for Zhili that the world had boycotted Suo Lun, leading to the siege of Suo Lun by the world.
After all, when even one’s biological mother stood on the opposite side of Suo Lun, the destructive power was immense.
“To the Zhidu Temple Tribunal!” Tu Lingduo said.
“Yes!”
…
An hour later, Tu Lingduo appeared within the Zhidu Tribunal and met Suo Lun’s biological mother Fu Lingxi.
She once again marvelled at Fu Lingxi’s beauty. Although this was Suo Ningbing’s biological mother, she truly looked like an elder sister.
Moreover, Fu Lingxi’s elegant composure, combined with her transcendent mature temperament, was truly enviable.
“I pay respects to Lady Fu.” Tu Lingduo saluted.
“There is no need for such courtesy.” Fu Lingxi raised her hand gracefully and said: “Lady Tu Lingduo, what brings you to see me?”
Tu Lingduo said: “Before speaking of the proper matter, may I ask you a question, perhaps one that is not easy to answer.”
Fu Lingxi nodded and said: “Please ask.”
Tu Lingduo said: “Why did you choose to become Suo Lun’s enemy? After all, he is your biological son?”
Instantly, Fu Lingxi’s breathtakingly beautiful eyes trembled violently. This question made her very uncomfortable.
After a long silence, Fu Lingxi said: “The first reason is that the Dragon God Temple greatly dislikes Suo Lun, even loathes him! Especially High Priest Gelai, and Grand Inquisitor Lord Luo Ge. The second reason is that my family greatly dislikes Suo Lun, even loathes him!”
Tu Lingduo was startled, not expecting Fu Lingxi’s answer to be so brutally honest.
Fu Lingxi said: “Very well, now it is time to speak of your matter.”
Tu Lingduo said: “Suo Lun achieved a great victory in the naval battle against Yan Mo, and Haigang has completely sided with Suo Lun. My father’s heart is uneasy, and he has begun to waver. I fear he will do something that makes the entire situation irretrievable.”
“Such as pretending to be ill, delaying the army’s departure? Then sitting back to watch how the situation further develops?” Fu Lingxi said.
Tu Lingduo said: “Yes! Suo Lun’s naval victory means his financial resources will not be cut off, allowing him to further swallow the Southeastern Province and accelerate the pace of army reorganisation. Therefore, the longer time drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for us. Suo Lun grows stronger every day. We must destroy him while he is at his weakest! Therefore, the army’s expedition must not be delayed. Tomorrow, after Prince Zhili presents the flag to the vengeance army, they must immediately set out for Tianshui City.”
Fu Lingxi said: “You want me to persuade your father and stop his wavering?”
“Yes.” Tu Lingduo said.
Fu Lingxi smiled and said: “Do not forget, I am Suo Lun’s biological mother. You are asking me to help kill my own son.”
Tu Lingduo said: “Lady Fu Lingxi, you and I are the same kind of people. I too was once infatuated with Suo Lun, even trying to stand by his side. But in the end, we both completely abandoned him and became mortal enemies. I sold my soul and body to become Zhili’s illicit lover. And you, for the sake of your own future, completely sold out your familial bonds. Neither of us has a path of retreat left. Destroying Suo Lun is our only way out.”
Tu Lingduo’s blunt words made Fu Lingxi’s beautiful eyes turn cold, all the elegance on her face vanishing completely, replaced by utter iciness.
Some things are done but not spoken of.
Tu Lingduo said: “Give you a knife and have you personally kill Suo Lun, and perhaps you could not do it. But adding fuel to the flames from behind, letting others destroy Suo Lun, I believe you would be happy to see that.”
Fu Lingxi closed her eyes and pondered for a good while.
Half a quarter of an hour later, she opened her beautiful eyes and said: “Tu Lingduo, what were you originally planning to do tonight?”
“Go sleep with Zhili, let him have me.” Tu Lingduo said.
Fu Lingxi said: “Then continue. I shall go see your father now.”
…
Fu Lingxi left the Zhidu Tribunal that very night, secretly heading to the Tu Ling Ducal residence.
In the secret chamber, no one knew what Fu Lingxi said.
Including Tu Lingduo, who had brought her there, did not know what she said.
In any case, merely a quarter of an hour later, Fu Lingxi had left.
But when Tu Lingduo saw her father again, all the unease and wavering in Duke Tu Lingtuo’s heart had vanished completely, replaced by utter resolve and absolute certainty.
“Tomorrow, the army shall march to punish Suo Lun. We shall not return until this villain is destroyed!”
Duke Tu Lingtuo’s voice was heroic and resounding.
Tu Lingduo’s heart was filled with boundless curiosity. What exactly had Fu Lingxi said to cause such a tremendous change in her father Tu Lingtuo?
One must know that her father was an extremely stubborn man. Others could not persuade him.
However, a phrase welled up in Tu Lingduo’s heart: Even a fierce tiger does not eat its cubs!
This woman Fu Lingxi appeared so beautiful and elegant, yet she was far more venomous than a fierce tiger.
…
Early the next morning!
The royal city Zhidu entered its most solemn and dignified day.
Young Lord Zhili went to the Dragon Pagoda to offer sacrifice to Heaven!
This was originally the king’s prerogative, but with the tacit approval of the Dragon God Temple, Zhili, merely as a young lord, also began to worship Heaven and the Dragon God.
The theme of this Heaven sacrifice was singular: Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun!
Eight hundred thousand troops to punish Suo Lun. A civil war of this scale was unprecedented in the Raging Wave Kingdom.
Therefore, this battle also required the highest justice!
Suo Lun’s perverse conduct had incurred the wrath of Heaven and the resentment of the people!
Openly assassinating the vassal Tuli Yang was already the smallest of his crimes.
The greater crimes were subverting the traditional order of yin and yang, attempting to elevate women to power. And using Heaven Shaking Thunder, harming the harmony of Heaven, violating the power of the Dragon God, and so on and so forth!
In short, in this proclamation for the Heaven sacrifice, Zhili enumerated thirteen great crimes of Suo Lun.
Each great crime was deserving of death, utterly unforgivable.
This time it was not he, Zhili, who sought to destroy Suo Lun, but Heaven itself that sought to destroy Suo Lun. Zhili was merely acting on Heaven’s behalf.
Therefore, the grand proposition of Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun came to be.
Although Zhili was only a young lord, all the rites of this Heaven sacrifice were identical to those of a king.
In other words, in the eyes of the Dragon God Temple and the vassals and nobles of the world, he, Zhili, was already no different from a king.
At this moment, all the unease in Zhili’s heart vanished completely.
So what if Suo Lun had defeated Yan Mo? He, Zhili, controlled the entire Raging Wave Kingdom, and behind him lay the absolute support of the Dragon God Temple.
One nation punishing a mere vassal. Victory was certain.
Eight hundred thousand troops punishing Suo Lun’s hundred thousand plus army. Victory was certain!
The favourable timing, advantageous terrain, and popular support were all on his, Zhili’s, side.
Man cannot fight Heaven, and at this moment he, Zhili, was the Heaven of the Raging Wave Kingdom!
Therefore, Suo Lun was certain to die!
…
After the Heaven sacrifice, Zhili personally inspected the vengeance army from Luanyang City led by Tu Lingduo in the palace square!
Each of these ten thousand vengeance soldiers was brimming with killing intent, their eyes filled with the flames of vengeance.
After the inspection, Zhili personally presented the vengeance army’s banner to Tu Lingduo.
“Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun, avenge our wrongs!” Tu Lingduo roared fiercely: “Old Master Tuli Wen, Master Tuli Yang, they are watching you from the heavens!”
“Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun, avenge our wrongs!” Ten thousand vengeance soldiers roared in unison, their momentum shaking the heavens.
The sound carried for several li beyond.
Countless royal city citizens also shouted with vigour: “Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun, Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun!”
At first, only tens of thousands of citizens were shouting, but later other royal city citizens were also greatly infected.
In the end, hundreds of thousands of royal city citizens also shouted in unison: “Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun!”
After a full dozen or so shouts, the hundreds of thousands of troops stationed outside the royal city also roared in response to the citizens’ shouts.
Over a million people shouted together: Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun!
Did they hate Suo Lun? No, they bore him no grudge whatsoever.
They were simply sharing a common hatred for the enemy, infected by the sense of justice.
“Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun!”
“Heaven’s Punishment upon Suo Lun!”
The shouts of over a million people made the entire royal city Zhidu tremble.
Zhili turned around, gazing towards the highest palace in the royal palace.
That was the palace where King Zhili Bian resided. For nearly two years, he had never taken a single step out of that palace.
Zhili sneered inwardly: “Old undying Zhili Bian, did you hear that? This is the voice of the entire royal city. This is the voice of the entire Raging Wave Kingdom. Suo Lun is finished, and you too shall be completely trampled beneath my feet! Suo Lun, tremble, shudder, and await the arrival of destruction!”
Finally, Zhili drew his sword and said passionately: “Army, march forth to punish Suo Lun!”
Then, he mounted his warhorse!
Behind him, Deputy Commander Tu Lingtuo, the commanders of the three great legions, over a hundred high-ranking generals, and nineteen vassals all mounted their warhorses, following behind him.
Zhili’s ten thousand troops from the Young Lord’s residence, and the ten thousand vengeance soldiers led by Tu Lingduo, followed behind, grand and magnificent, leaving the royal city.
And outside the royal city, hundreds of thousands of troops were ready to depart.
“We wish Prince Zhili a triumphant return!” Countless royal city citizens knelt to send off the royal army.
At a single command, hundreds of thousands of troops advanced from the northern, central, and southern routes towards Tianshui City.
Thus, the final decisive battle between Zhili and Suo Lun commenced!
The victor would ascend to the throne of king.
The defeated would plunge into the abyss of ten thousand zhang!