TVSS Chapter 34-35

The war with the Li Jiang tribe is not a significant concern for the northwest; it’s just a small tribe with a few thousand people.

What troubles the northwest soldiers is the tribe’s bizarre and cunning use of poisonous methods. The antidote provided by Su Jingxuan specifically for dealing with the Li Jiang tribe makes it difficult for the enemy.

Following the strategist’s orders, a few soldiers and Su Jingxuan rushed day and night, traversing mountains and rivers. Within seven days, they returned.

As Su Jingxuan analyzed, there seemed to be no movement on the surface in the entire northwest, but in reality, it had become chaotic. Bought traitors and loyalists to the prince were in a standoff, creating tension among the higher-ups. Just a spark could plunge the entire northwest into chaos.

The strategist and a few soldiers first contacted the faction still loyal to the prince, discussed a plan to continue restraining the traitors, and then quietly mobilized three thousand soldiers to quickly reach Camp口 Canyon.

The general guarding the canyon had already sided with the traitors. The strategist didn’t contact him and directly initiated the battle.

Using Su Jingxuan’s method, the three thousand soldiers used silver needles to puncture acupoints and ignited smoke. When the smoke reached the Li Jiang army, they immediately subdued the traitorous forces in the canyon.

Afterwards, they swiftly advanced, capturing the helpless Li Jiang army without resistance. The remaining enemy soldiers were killed. Simultaneously, they launched an attack on the remaining people of the Li Jiang tribe, capturing everyone to be held until Chu Heng returned for judgment.

If even one member of this tribe, known for using poison, were to escape, it would pose a significant threat. Thus, the prolonged Li Jiang war was easily resolved.

When the rebel forces in the northwest learned of the canyon’s news, they were instantly panicked. They never expected Chu Heng to send someone back in advance, using some unknown method to swiftly eliminate the troublesome Li Jiang tribe overnight, leaving them terrified.

Having followed Chu Heng for many years, they knew his character well. He was extremely protective, and betraying him would lead to direct execution.

“Go! Leave immediately!” someone immediately commanded.

They had to leave; half of the commanders in the northwest were still loyal to Chu Heng, and they had no way of seizing control of the northwest in a short time.

If they delayed any longer, Chu Heng’s return would result in their swift annihilation with his ability and reputation.

The other betraying commanders understood this as well. Without hesitation, they immediately nodded in agreement and hastily packed their belongings, intending to escape anywhere as long as they weren’t caught.

Escape, escape quickly—everyone fled in panic during the night.

But how could the strategist not anticipate their thoughts?

When they first made contact with the loyal forces in the northwest, they prepared for such a situation. Before the rebels could leave the city, they were intercepted, captured, bound, and gagged, without even the chance to commit suicide.

When Chu Heng returned with three thousand elite soldiers, the northwest situation had been stabilized, and all rebel and enemy forces had been dealt with.

Without a pause, Chu Heng arrived at the northwest military camp, dismounted, and went straight to the three leading rebel commanders, drew his sword, and severed their tendons.

“The three commanders of the rebel forces have betrayed the country and colluded with the enemy. They deserve death! They led three thousand brothers to destruction. They deserve to be killed! They betrayed their king. They deserve to be dismembered!”

Chu Heng stared harshly at the rebel commanders, listing their charges one by one. He showed no mercy in his actions, and by the time he was done, the three were incapacitated. He then ordered loudly, “Bring them to the altar! In front of all the soldiers, cut them into pieces to honor the fallen brothers! Not a single cut should be spared! The remaining rebel soldiers will be enslaved!”

Soldiers acknowledged and took the rebel leaders away. Having betrayed the prince and caused the deaths of their brothers, these people were despised. Facing the entire army, they were subjected to a thousand cuts until their bodies were torn apart.

Loyal soldiers cheered with satisfaction, while those with hidden intentions had their legs trembling as they hypnotized themselves to eliminate any dissenting thoughts.

After a decade of planning rebellion, these rebel commanders were surprisingly easily dealt with. They dared not harbor any other thoughts!

The rebel forces were eliminated, leaving only Li Jiang captives.

Chu Heng did not issue any orders regarding them; he left everything to Su Jingxuan.

Su Jingxuan also temporarily refrained from killing. He ordered the captives to be further detained and instructed the construction of a platform at the northwest border.

After completing all these tasks, he had people beat drums day and night at the border to attract attention.

Chu Heng didn’t ask about his intentions and simply let him proceed.

Three days later, Su Jingxuan had soldiers bring the most important Li Jiang captives to the constructed platform at the border.

Because of the three days and nights of incessant drumming, not only the northwest soldiers but also many civilians had gathered near the border. Even soldiers from neighboring factions came over, standing in the distance and watching silently.

“Prince, what does Lord Chunyi want to do after all?”

The strategist followed Chu Heng, curious about Su Jingxuan’s actions. Apart from the apparent activities, he had also ordered some actions in secret these past few days.

Several soldiers accompanying them were also eager to know.

“Have you completed all the tasks assigned by Lord Chunyi? Is the entire army ready for deployment?” Chu Heng didn’t explain, instead, he inquired about other matters.

“Lord Chunyi’s orders have been fulfilled, and the three armies are fully prepared for battle, ready to engage at any time.”

“Good, then wait patiently.”

Chu Heng nodded, looking at the young man on the platform with a faint smile on his lips.

On the other side, Su Jingxuan stood on the platform, holding the child quietly. Both were dressed in black and white mourning clothes.

Several leaders of the Li Jiang tribe, with crucial positions, were all tied to wooden crosses on the platform, guarded by soldiers.

At the appointed time in the late morning, when the sky was clear, Su Jingxuan, holding the child, walked to the front of the platform and spoke slowly.

“Soldiers and civilians of the border, this is the current Third Prince, Prince Cong of Yubei. Today, the prince has come here for a reason…”

Although standing on the high platform and far away, the voice of the young man was clear to people across dozens of miles at the border.

Despite their surprise, everyone listened attentively.

Curious gazes were fixed on the young man on the high platform, and the child beside him, referred to as the Third Prince. People wondered what the young man, who had made such a big fuss with the drums for three days and nights, intended to do today.

On the high platform, the young man’s voice continued.

“Years ago, the Black Tribe, Lan Tribe, Bai Tribe, and the Li Jiang Tribe conspired together, disregarding the peace agreement with Dayong. They shamelessly attacked Dayong’s border, killing tens of thousands of innocent civilians, annihilating the 30,000-strong Nanlan family army

, and slaughtering thousands of young and inexperienced soldiers. Although the other side was defeated and surrendered, Dayong suffered countless losses of both excellent commanders and civilians.”

“That day, our dynasty showed tolerance and did not exterminate the four tribes, only allowing them to submit and pay tribute to barely survive. Yet, just one year after the end of the war, the four tribes violated the agreement and conspired with the Li Jiang tribe to launch an attack. Such treachery and shamelessness deserve execution! They must be killed!”

The young man’s voice was loud, and his cold tone carried a strong sense of anger as he denounced the enemy’s unfaithful actions.

As the words fell, the soldiers and civilians in the northwest were stirred up with resentment, responding with angry shouts, “Shameless! They deserve to be killed!”

Many of them had lost family members in the provocations and battles twice.

Although a peace agreement had been signed between Dayong and the various border tribes, aiming to ensure a peaceful life for the people, the reality turned out differently. These people deliberately instigated conflicts three times, which was truly shameless and despicable, arousing hatred among the soldiers and civilians.

The strategist Su Jingxuan silently watched the crowd’s emotional response. When the people calmed down a bit, he continued speaking.

“The four tribes have shamelessly betrayed their promises. The court will surely provide an explanation to all the fallen soldiers and innocent civilians.”

He pushed the child forward and pointed to the Li Jiang captives behind him.

“These people are the kings, clan leaders, and princes of the Li Jiang tribe. They conspired with the four tribes to disturb the peace of Dayong. Today, the Third Prince will personally end their lives to honor the spirits of our fallen people and soldiers!”

The voice, filled with a heavy killing intent, echoed clearly in everyone’s ears.

After Su Jingxuan finished speaking, he turned around and handed a dagger to the child.

“They are the ones who killed your uncle, caused the deaths of numerous people in our dynasty, and turned our Nanlan family soldiers into beasts. They are not worth pitying in death. Are you willing to take action to comfort the souls resting in the Nine Springs?”

Su Jingxuan calmly watched the child, not forcing him but merely asking if he was willing. If not, he would have to do it himself. However, the reality was cruel; the revenge of the Nanlan family should be carried out by a member of the Nanlan family. The original host was already dead, and the child was the true and only successor of the Nanlan family.

“Kill!”

After a few silent seconds, the child, who had never spoken before, uttered a cold word from his throat. He took the dagger and walked towards the Li Jiang captives.

One by one, he slit their throats. The Li Jiang king was the first to fall without closing his eyes. The child’s face was splattered with blood, but he showed no fear. He continued walking to the second, the third, the fourth… lethally cutting the throats of each captive on the platform.

The onlooking soldiers and civilians were all suppressed, and some covered their mouths.

The strategist and the generals took a deep breath. Truly, he was a descendant of the Nanlan family!

Chu Heng nodded in agreement.

Su Jingxuan also revealed a rare satisfied smile.

He walked over, wiped the blood off the child’s face, took the tightly held dagger from his hand, and replaced it with a xun.

“I know this is cruel, but the Nanlan family is now left with only the two of us. We must bear the mission of the family, blow the xun, and avenge the Nanlan family. From today, we will start settling each score.”

He spoke slowly, with a serious and solemn tone.

The child stared at him for a while, lips pressed tightly. The dark eyes finally showed some emotional fluctuations.

Nodding slightly, the obedient child turned around. Facing the vast wilderness beyond the border, he blew the xun in his hands.

The deep sound of the xun began, like a silent mourning for the martyrs, and also like a sad reminiscence for the departed heroes.

Listening to it, the crowd recalled their deceased loved ones and couldn’t help but shed tears.

However, at this moment, with the spread of the xun’s sound, the surrounding forest began to stir.

“Bats! So many bats!”

“Snakes! So many snakes! And insects, insects!”

Suddenly, someone screamed in terror.

In the nearby forest, flocks of bats filled the sky, obscuring the clear sky like dark clouds. One after another, flower snakes slithered out, making the grass-covered ground eerie. Countless poisonous insects and ants emerged from who knows where, all advancing towards the gates of the Black Tribe, Lan Tribe, and Bai Tribe on the opposite side of the border!

The chaotic scene caused the onlookers to panic and scream.

Suddenly, in this panic and chaos, Su Jingxuan lifted the corners of his mouth, stepped forward, and shouted loudly.

“The Black Tribe, Lan Tribe, and Bai Tribe are unfaithful and treacherous! Divine punishment is descending!”

“The divine might of the Third Prince! The divine might of the Third Prince!”

Chu Heng also raised his hand to signal the soldiers to kneel, joining the high-spirited cheers.

Tens of thousands of soldiers shouted in unison, their voices breaking through the sky like thunder, causing even the heavens and earth to tremble for a few moments!

The chaotic crowd was silenced, and upon hearing the resounding cheers, they stared at the little child blowing the mournful xun on the high platform. A sense of submission and awe surged from the depths of their hearts.

“The divine might of the Third Prince! The divine might is punishing those unfaithful scoundrels…”

Countless onlooking civilians and soldiers knelt down, weeping with tears of gratitude.

This scene was impossible for ordinary people to achieve. It was the divine might, the divine might of the Third Prince descending.

Yes, it was the divine might of the Third Prince punishing those who betrayed and destroyed their hometown, killed their loved ones. It was the divine might avenging their relatives!

The people cried and kowtowed, shouting fervently. The shouts of tens of thousands of people continued for ten minutes, and the thunderous voices even made their ears ache. Their blood boiled with excitement.

When the child stopped playing the xun, some people were still faintly shouting…

From now on, the name of the divine might of the Third Prince would spread across the vast land of Dayong, reaching every citizen’s ears.

---

At the city gate, accompanied by the tearful cheers of the Dayong citizens, the military camps guarding the borders of the Black Tribe, Lan Tribe, and Bai Tribe were also filled with fervor, though it manifested in roars.

Countless snakes and insects crawled in, biting relentlessly, and bats in the sky went mad, attacking furiously. The densely packed creatures were truly hair-raising, instilling fear and causing people to retreat without a fight, fleeing in all directions.

The terrified sounds traveled over dozens of miles and reached the Dayong side. The citizens and soldiers at the Dayong border listened with fear and resentment.

If it weren’t for the treachery of these people, their loved ones wouldn’t have died, and these people wouldn’t have ended up in such a situation.

Su Jingxuan looked down from the platform, feeling a bit desolate. “One’s success is built on the bones of thousands,” and both the peace of the country and its success were built upon a foundation of corpses.

However, he had to do this. Not only for revenge for the Nanlan family but also to make the other tribes fear and prevent future unrest. Only by dealing with these unscrupulous tribes could decades of peace be achieved in the border regions.

With enough time, Dayong would eventually unify and subdue all the tribal fiefdoms, and then the land of Dayong would truly be a place of peace and prosperity.

The child stood by his side, displaying unimaginable resilience. Even at this moment, there was no fear on his face, as if the horrifying events that just occurred had never happened.

Su Jingxuan nodded in satisfaction before leading the child down from the platform.

The strategist cleaned up the remnants of the border city gate, while Chu Heng immediately led the troops on horseback, relentlessly attacking the border cities of the three tribes. As long as they took down the border cities of the three tribes, the destruction of the three tribes was imminent!

…

Sitting in the study on the dragon throne, Yuan Beiyi stared at the confidential report in his hand, his expression changing continuously. When he finished reading everything, he leaned back on the throne, feeling a slight tremor in his hands.

How could this be? How could this be…

He was a cautious person, and Su Jingxuan’s performance in the palace had made him wary and suspicious. How could he feel at ease letting someone who dared to use a sword to threaten him leave publicly? Although he couldn’t extend his hand to the northwest, he could send people to closely monitor and, halfway, find an opportunity to silence them.

But he never expected to receive news more terrifying than a failed attempt to silence.

Su Jingxuan not only changed course halfway to the northwest, but he also effortlessly solved the long-standing problem of the Li Jiang tribe for Chu Heng. Moreover, he staged a ‘Divine Might of the Third Prince’ spectacle in front of the border citizens.

Nalan Yu had such capabilities!

Was the young man helping Chu Heng solve problems and appease the people, or was he scheming for himself?

The Third Prince had already claimed divine might. What should he, the emperor, be called?

Yuan Beiyi felt heavy-hearted and deeply frightened. The young man had been by his side for a whole year, and he hadn’t noticed anything…

“Send two more batches of people to closely monitor the situation in Yubei and the northwest.”

After a moment, Yuan Beiyi burned the confidential report and gave orders to the seemingly empty surroundings.

“Yes!”

“Wait, how is the investigation going on Wei Guijun’s matter?” Yuan Beiyi nodded and remembered something, stopping a guard.

“Your Majesty, the investigation is still ongoing,” the guard replied with his head bowed.

Yuan Beiyi fell into silence, dismissed the guard, and without getting an answer to the question that troubled him, he felt somewhat melancholic.

He leaned back on the throne, closed his eyes to rest, but couldn’t calm down.

Suddenly, the chief eunuch from outside rushed in, with a joyful expression and knelt down, reporting.

“Your Majesty, good news! Great news!”

“What good news?”

“The eunuch from Huacheng Palace reported that Wei Guijun is expecting. Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations!”

The chief eunuch was full of joy, kowtowing and offering congratulations.

As the eunuch who had been serving by the emperor’s side for many years, His Majesty knew more than anyone else about the emperor’s favoritism towards Guijun. He had personally heard the emperor promise to immediately confer the title of crown prince upon Guijun as soon as a son was born. The edict had already been drafted and was ready.

But with the difficulty of giving birth to a son, despite Guijun’s favor, there had been no offspring for many years. Now, finally, there was news of pregnancy. The emperor must be overjoyed.

The chief eunuch kept offering congratulations, but Yuan Beiyi did not seem as happy as expected.

After a moment of silence, he stood up and left the study, heading towards Huacheng Palace.

Now, with the legitimate heir gone, Wei Guijun became the sole ruler of the harem. Although he had faced house arrest due to the matter of the Third Prince, the emperor still visited Huacheng Palace whenever he had the chance, and his affection for Wei Guijun did not wane.

As soon as news of pregnancy spread throughout the palace, everyone rushed to congratulate Wei Guijun, filling Huacheng Palace with joy and excitement. Even if the concubines were jealous inside, they still had to maintain outer appearances of congratulations.

While walking to the door, Yuan Beiyi overheard the conversation between Wei Guijun and Wei Zixuan, who seemed to be talking happily, constantly asking about Guijun’s health and nervously inquiring about the pregnancy. The anxious appearance made people think that he and Guijun had great affection for each other.

“Everyone says that General Wei and Guijun have had a good relationship as brothers since childhood. Today, seeing General Wei’s appearance, it looks like he is just as happy as if his own wife is pregnant,” a consort smiled, covering her mouth playfully. Even if they were jealous, they had to show happiness on the surface.

Yuan Beiyi’s face darkened for a moment upon hearing this, but he quickly suppressed it, putting on a smiling expression as he entered the palace, walking to the bedside and touching Wei Zixuan’s not-so-good complexion with concern, saying, “Zixuan, you’ve worked hard…”

“To conceive a prince for His Majesty, Zixuan is not tired,” Wei Zixuan replied with a shy smile, though inwardly feeling a bit disgusted. He no longer had any feelings for the emperor, but since the emperor liked his shyness, he acted it out for him.

The shyness of a loved one is something any man cannot resist, and Yuan Beiyi found it satisfactory. He had loved Wei Zixuan for more than ten years, and it surpassed even the power.

“Imperial Physician, I see that your lord’s complexion is not good. How is his health?” he called the imperial physician to inquire.

“Your Majesty, your lord has just conceived for two months. The severe morning sickness may cause the complexion to be poor. I’ll prescribe some tonics to take care of it,” the imperial physician respectfully reported.

However, Yuan Beiyi’s expression suddenly stiffened.

Two months? That was shortly after the Imperial Garden banquet. At that time, he was still recuperating from the heart attack, having spent only one night in Huacheng Palace.

In three years since Zixuan entered the palace, there had been no movement despite his favor. Yet, it happened in just one night?

He felt a bit depressed. Suddenly, he remembered the last time he saw them drinking in the hall late at night.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong with you?” People asked as the emperor fell silent with an unpleasant expression, especially the imperial physician, who was somewhat fearful, afraid that the emperor would blame your lord’s poor health on him.

Yuan Beiyi shook his head, letting the imperial physician leave.

Then he looked at Wei Yifeng in the hall. Seeing him smiling with a rosy face, he felt a bit uncomfortable.

“General Wei seems even happier than me…” he said with a forced smile.

“Since childhood, General has always cherished the young master the most. When the young master had a slight injury, General would dismiss the attending servants in anger. Now that the young master is pregnant, General is naturally happy,” the maid who served Wei Zixuan answered proudly, interrupting before Wei Yifeng could respond.

“Is that so? General Wei is indeed thoughtful.”

Yuan Beiyi’s mood became even gloomier after hearing this.

Wei Yifeng felt that the emperor’s tone today seemed a bit off. He immediately bowed, “Your lord is my younger brother, and his child is also my child. It’s something I should do.”

Who knew that as soon as he said this, the emperor’s expression became even more unsightly, so much so that everyone in the room could see it at a glance.

If in the past, Wei Yifeng had said this, Yuan Beiyi would have been happy, thinking that his son had such an affectionate uncle was good, and that the Wei brothers had a good relationship.

But at this moment, he felt a piercing sensation. The words “your lord’s child is also my child” almost choked him.

Yuan Beiyi continued, though he was smiling, his hand under the dragon robe clenched tightly, staring at Wei Yifeng with a dark and unclear gaze.

After finishing, a concubine couldn’t help but speak sourly, “Your Majesty is really biased. My brother has asked for the marriage of Princess Qiuli many times, but you refused. Now, you easily marry General Wei…”

The Ninth Princess was the only daughter of the late emperor and the biological sister of the current emperor. Her status was noble, her appearance was beautiful, and the emperor directly gave her in marriage to Wei Yifeng.

Because of the emperor’s favor towards Wei Zixuan, the entire Wei family was honored and privileged, making others envious and resentful.

However, Wei Yifeng, who should have been grateful, knelt down, “Please take back the decree, Your Majesty.”

Yuan Beiyi couldn’t smile anymore, and the people in the room widened their eyes. Refusing the marriage granted by the emperor to the Ninth Princess, and doing so in front of so many people, was Wei Yifeng out of his mind?

“Do you think that my Ninth Sister is not worthy of you?”