The village had turned into ruins overnight. Smoke curled up from the broken walls. Under the light of dawn, it was silent as if it had slept for thousands of years.
There was no one, not even a sound.
Mingde couldn't remember how many doors he had opened. Inside, it was a mess. The bedding was in a mess, the unfinished water was on the table, and the children's half-practiced calligraphy was on the table. However, there was no one. Everyone had escaped into the mountains.
He ran all the way back to the Hanbei camp. Lin Bing had been waiting at the door. When he saw him, he immediately ran over and grabbed him. "Where have you been?"
Mingde was not in the mood to argue with him. Lin Bing grabbed him tightly. "Prince Dongyang is here!
Everyone with a military position has to go and greet him. If you keep running around, you'll cause trouble! "
Mingde frowned. "Li Jinyuan?
What is he doing here? "
Lin Bing choked.
No one told him that this new imperial envoy was so favored by the emperor that he could call the prince by his name.
Jinyuan drank the goat's milk in one gulp in the tent. It was not easy for him to get rid of the cold that had come overnight.
A deputy general walked in and bowed to Jinyuan, Lin Bing, and Mingde. He said in a low voice, "I've brought her."
Lin Bing explained to them, "A few soldiers found her. At first, they thought she was Zhuo Yu because she looked almost exactly the same. However, after they caught her, they realized she was a girl.
They weren't sure if she was Zhuo Yu's relative, so they brought her here.
Since the prince is here to supervise the army, I can't make the decision. Please make the decision. "
Mingde was slightly surprised. "Exactly the same?"
Lin Bing nodded.
At this time, the curtain outside the tent was lifted. A few deputies walked in with a young woman.
The expressions on their faces were a little strange. It seemed like everyone wanted to help the woman up, but no one dared to. Everyone was paying attention to each other's actions, but they were trying their best to hide it and put on a dignified look.
Dongyang King Jinyuan was a beauty lover. Although he had volunteered to come out of seclusion to protect the country for his brother, he could not change his nature. When he saw the young woman's face, he laughed and said, "You are indeed beautiful."
Ranwen
The woman had thin eyebrows and long eyes. Her eyebrows were slightly arched, and her skin was delicate and fair. She was only wearing a light blue blouse and a light yellow skirt. The color was not very flattering, but when she wore it, it seemed to emit a faint layer of jade light.
Her every movement was gentle and delicate. Even the most gentle young lady in Jiangnan could not learn such a style.
If one didn't look at her temperament, just based on her facial features, she was 100% like Zhuo Yu.
Mingde exclaimed softly, "Isn't this Zhuo Yu's … younger sister?"
Jinyuan glanced at him and asked in surprise, "How did Shangguan Daren know?"
Mingde opened his mouth and then asked slowly, "Since His Highness was ordered to supervise the army, he naturally gave a military order in front of the Emperor to protect the country and stain the battlefield with blood.
Since he was so sincere, why didn't he put in the effort to study the enemy's situation?
Could it be that your Highness's time is used to express your sincerity to the Emperor? "
The faces of the people who came from the capital and knew that Shangguan Mingde's words were fierce. Dongyang Wang Jinyuan's expression changed a few times. He smiled embarrassedly and said, "This prince also … also just arrived …"
Mingde opened his mouth to say something, but an official who knew his temperament immediately interrupted, "Shangguan Daren!
Why don't we ask this girl and see what her relationship with State Preceptor Zhuo is? "
Jinyuan immediately said, "Yes, yes, yes!
Miss, are you from Xi Wan? "
The girl obviously didn't know why she was brought here, nor did she know the background of the person sitting in front of her. She had never heard of the two words "Zhuo Yu".
She only vaguely knew that she was an abandoned baby who was picked up and raised by kind-hearted people. She didn't know anything else.
A few years ago, people from Xi Wan's palace suddenly came to find her. They didn't say anything, but each time they brought her enough money, jewelry, clothes, and sometimes some trinkets that girls liked, to ensure that she lived a safe and happy life.
Those people called her Miss, but they didn't say which family she was from.
They only told her that her elder brother hoped that she would grow old safely. The family was too complicated and dangerous, and they didn't want her to get involved.
She didn't know anything else. She didn't know anything about Zhuo Yu.
Mingde was silent.
If Zhuo Yu hadn't suddenly opened the seal in the camp, he probably wouldn't have wanted to find this sister for the rest of his life.
Dongyang Wang Jinyuan thought for a moment, then stood up and said, "Anyway, since General Lin said that Zhuo Yu went to the small mountain village to find a woman, then it's very likely that he went to find this girl.
There's really no other way for the two armies to confront each other. In my opinion, if we can use this girl to achieve the goal of a truce, it will be a great thing for the people of both countries. "
Lin Bing thought, "Are you kidding me? Zhuo Yu is not only the world's number one master, but he is also known as the world's most ruthless person. How can a mere sister who hasn't been seen for years force an army of 300,000 to retreat?
Did you take the wrong medicine? "
Before Lin Bing finished criticizing, Mingde suddenly stood up and said, "Your Highness, good idea!"
Dongyang Wang was frightened and immediately looked at him vigilantly.
Mingde said, "Hurry up and arrange accommodation for this girl. Your Highness, please write a letter immediately and send an envoy to the camp of the Xiwan Kingdom. This matter must be done within three days!"
Dongyang Wang thought, "Even if you want to mock me, you should at least make it a little clearer."
Unexpectedly, Mingde glanced at him and immediately took a few steps forward. He held his hand tightly and said in a loud voice, "Your Highness, this is a wonderful plan to pacify the country!
When we return to court, General Lin and this lowly official will definitely praise your brilliant plan to His Majesty! "
Jinyuan said, "I, I, I, I, I …"
Mingde shouted, "Guards!
Hurry up and arrange accommodation for this girl! "
Poor Dongyang Wang Jinyuan stood in place for a long time. The wind blew outside the tent. He looked around blankly and asked his men, "This time he's not deliberately mocking me?
This time he's not?
… "
The letter was quickly sent to the army camp of the Xiwan Kingdom. It politely said a lot of high-sounding words. In fact, the real meaning was very easy to understand. They said that they had caught his sister. If he didn't want her to be hung on the gate tower, then please come to the boulder of Cuixia Mountain in Yunzhou alone tomorrow to have a peace talk between the two sides.
The envoy soon came back. It was said that Zhuo Yu was too lazy to write a letter to answer. He directly sent a message with only one word: "Okay."
The word "okay" was full of contempt.
The envoy looked at the faces of the generals and princes on the seats of honor and carefully said with a smile, "That State Preceptor Zhuo can't do it. When I entered the tent, he was leaning on the couch. His face was so pale that he didn't look like a living person …"
Dongyang Wang Jinyuan was very proud and said, "That's good. After the army of the Xiwan Kingdom retreats, these hundreds of thousands of border soldiers can return to the capital!"
Lin Bing didn't show any joy.
He and Mingde looked at each other. There was an indescribable feeling of emptiness in their hearts.
Was the world's number one master who could successfully escape from the encirclement of three thousand elite soldiers, an iron-blooded general who could kill three people in a row with a sword, such a person to be threatened?
If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, then no matter how powerful others said he was, it would just be a legend. However, after seeing it with their own eyes, everything was different.
The fear that went straight to the bone was there. The thought of facing such a person face to face and threatening him was terrifying.
Lin Bing didn't agree with Dongyang Wang Jinyuan's words.
He stood up and said, "In that case, tomorrow Your Highness, Shangguan Daren, and I will go together.
Although this general is not good, I will try my best to ensure that everyone can retreat safely! "
Lin Bing's worry wasn't unreasonable. However, Zhuo Yu really needed this sister this time.
His opening of the seal was suppressed halfway, but it didn't fundamentally solve the problem.
Without a mouthful of blood from a fellow tribesman, it might relapse one day.
The boulder field of Cuixia Mountain in Yunzhou was on a plain in the valley. There was a huge stone formation left behind from the ancient battlefield. It was said that one stone could trap three thousand people. Without the ancient formation map to guide the way, it was impossible to enter.
Dongyang Wang Jinyuan looked at the ancient formation map while taking the lead in the front. A few of his trusted lieutenants were closely watching the young woman from behind. At the appointed time, a black-clothed figure rushed over from the sky. When they looked closely, they saw that it was Zhuo Yu. He was wearing a light coat and a long belt. His clothes fluttered in the wind as he stood in front of everyone.
His opening of the seal was forcibly suppressed halfway. Although the totem didn't move, it wouldn't retract either. Dragon claws could vaguely be seen on his arms and a few strands of dragon whiskers could be seen on the back of his neck.
Mingde looked at his face and felt that it was really ugly. He thought that this person couldn't hold on anymore.
At this moment, he glanced and saw a person standing silently not far behind Zhuo Yu. It seemed that he was monitoring them.
Although he was far away and couldn't see clearly, he could see that it was Lu Jiuchen!
When the woman saw Zhuo Yu, she was stunned for a moment. Then she sobbed and said loudly, "Brother!"
Zhuo Yu was moved and didn't know what to say for a moment. After a while, he said in a low voice, "Ah Zhen …"
Ah Zhen ran forward but was stopped by two guards. "Miss …" "Miss, don't be impulsive!"
"Miss, please wait for a moment …" These people were interesting. If she were an ordinary hostage, they wouldn't be so polite. However, Ah Zhen was very beautiful. The guards didn't even say anything harsh to her. They tried to make her happy every day.
Lin Bing said loudly, "State Preceptor Zhuo!
In that case, I won't say more. Your sister's safety is in your hands. You decide! "
Zhuo Yu sneered and asked, "General Lin, I don't understand what you're saying.
What do you want?
Just say it. "
Lin Bing looked to the left and right. Seeing that there were no objections, he said, "The people of the two countries should live in peace and contentment. Since the State Preceptor started this war, he should be the one to end it!"
Zhuo Yu was silent. After a while, he said, "The army can retreat a hundred miles …"
Lin Bing pulled out his sword and pointed it at Ah Zhen. "The State Preceptor can lead the army forward three hundred miles in a day. A hundred miles is nothing to him."
Zhuo Yu saw the tip of his sword flash. His face changed and he almost rushed forward.
Lin Bing's bodyguards immediately moved forward to stop him. The atmosphere was tense, as if it would break at any moment.
At this moment, a few coughs were heard. Zhuo Yu was shocked. "Ah Zhen!"
Everyone turned to look. They saw Ah Zhen holding her chest and coughing so hard that she knelt on the ground. Then, she spat out a mouthful of dark green blood.
Lin Bing took two steps forward. Suddenly, she heard the sound of wind whistling past. In a flash, Zhuo Yu had already flown up and helped Ah Zhen up.
Ah Zhen stopped breathing after a few coughs. In the blink of an eye, a layer of black smoke appeared on her forehead. At the same time, the smell of blood spread out.
All these symptoms came too quickly. No one could react. Only Zhuo Yu's face turned pale. "Ah Zhen, these two days … these two days, did you go to Yunzhou?"
Ah Zhen nodded weakly.
Lin Bing suddenly reacted. "Yunzhou's Zhe County?
Wasn't that place sealed because of the plague? "
Zhuo Yu's fingers were trembling.
Nothing could make him lose his composure like this. Even when countless people were dismembered in front of him, he had never panicked like this.
This was retribution. The plague that he spread was infected by his only family member.
The cycle of karma and retribution of the world happened to be here!
Mingde looked at Lin Bing, who was obviously at a loss. He took a step forward and asked, "Is there an antidote?"
"Yes," Zhuo Yu said, "but it's in my tent."
He picked up Ah Zhen and turned around. Just as he took a step, a sword and a halberd crossed in front of him.
Lin Bing shouted, "State Preceptor!
The advance or retreat of the army of three hundred thousand will be at your command! "
Zhuo Yu was expressionless, but his forehead was already covered in cold sweat.
In his arms, Ah Zhen coughed violently. A few mouthfuls of dark green blood gushed out from the corner of her mouth and into Zhuo Yu's black robe.
This kind of plague would lurk for a few days and break out very quickly. Blood, saliva, and water intersected to infect. Once it broke out, it would be extremely painful in just a few hours.
It would take four to six hours to rush from here to the Xi Wan Kingdom's camp. If they rushed over now, it would be too late.
Ah Zhen tried her best to raise her hand and grabbed the front of Zhuo Yu's shirt. "Brother …"
Zhuo Yu lowered his head. He had never met his sister of the same mother. Her face, which was exactly the same as his, showed a smile. "I'm very happy to be able to see you …"
She coughed a few times and whispered, "It would be great if I could live with you one day. Do you know where father and mother are?
They … why don't they want me? "
Zhuo Yu was silent for a long time. He said gently, "They all love you very much."
Ah Zhen stared at him. Obviously, these words were not credible, but she still showed a smile of trust.
"If that's the case, then it's good …"
Zhuo Yu silently closed his eyes. After a while, he raised his head and said faintly, "… After I go back, the Xi Wan Kingdom will withdraw their troops …"
Lin Bing's expression relaxed.
The biting cold mountain wind whistled. Zhuo Yu's words drifted in the wind like broken brocade. "… Although I am not a good person, I will not go back on my words.
Tomorrow morning, I will lead the troops back to the country. From now on, for 30 years, the two countries will not invade each other! "
With a clang, the two crossed halberds suddenly separated, making a way for him to go out.
At this moment, the smell of burning withered grass suddenly drifted with the wind. Then, black smoke rose wildly, and in an instant, it surrounded the place where the giant stone array was located.
Everyone's face changed in horror. They looked up and saw that outside the giant stones, flames that had been fed with oil were burning from all directions!
Lin Bing shouted sternly, "Who is it?!"
Only the sound of swords and arrows could be heard. A group of soldiers wearing the military uniform of the Dongyang Prince's Mansion emerged from outside the giant stone array. They all aimed their bows and arrows at them.
Dongyang Wang Jinyuan stood outside the array, holding a torch in his hand. He laughed and said, "I'm sorry, everyone!
A general's success is built on thousands of bones. You will temporarily be my first step to the throne! "
This upheaval was too sudden, and everyone froze on the spot.
Mingde was the first to react. He grabbed Zhuo Yu and said, "Hasn't this person been colluding with your Xi Wan all this time?!"
Zhuo Yu said coldly, "How would I know?
Look at him, he's already plotted against me! "
Dongyang Wang Jinyuan said loudly, "That's right!
State Preceptor Zhuo, I thought that even if you can't become a hero, you can become a formidable person. Who knew that you would do this for an inexplicable woman!
Today, this prince has let everyone down. After everyone dies, this prince can rightfully take over the Hanbei camp and immediately lead an army to the capital. When I ascend to the throne one day, everyone here will be outstanding contributors to the founding of the country! "