Chapter 39
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Huchi Er halted his steps. He heard another sharp sound of breaking wind from behind, this time aimed straight at his left chest. He narrowly avoided it by leaning aside.
In the distance, the rhythmic sound of galloping hooves drew closer. It was the well-organized cavalry of the Changming Army.
He couldn’t afford to get entangled easily. It was clear that the person on the mountain was after Chu Xie. At the moment, they couldn’t catch up, so they used flying arrows to intimidate.
If they continued like this, they might really be captured by the people from the Xu family.
He couldn’t keep dragging this out. As long as the green hills last, there will be no worry about firewood
Huchi Er felt a sense of dissatisfaction but ultimately lowered Chu Xie. He took several steps back, looking towards the hill, and there were no pursuing arrows.
It turned out that they were protecting Chu Xie.
Could Xu Chunmu be so shrewd that he even knew to have an expert archer positioned on the opposite hill?
He felt a deep sense of resentment and regret.
They should have decisively launched an attack from the beginning.
Now, they were in a difficult position, neither able to advance nor defend.
They had no choice but to give up the three counties in the west of Wei and retreat beyond the southern mountains.
It was such a missed opportunity.
What a pity.
Huchi Er clenched his fists, and then he looked back at Chu Xie, who was lying curled up on the ground under the moonlight. There was a mixture of love and hate in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth. He clearly knew that this person was cunning and full of nonsense, yet he always seemed to believe his lies.
There was no way to take Chu Xie with them. They could only quickly withdraw their camp.
Huchi Er concealed himself behind a hill and signaled for a swift horse to come over. He mounted it and swiftly rode away.
As the sound of hooves drew nearer, Deputy Commander Yu ran towards the figure curled up on the ground in the grass. There were specks of blood splattered on the person, and their wrist was bruised and swollen. His expression turned grim.
He quickly helped the person onto the horse carriage and released a messenger pigeon into the sky.
Deputy Commander Yu didn’t dare to drive the carriage too fast; he wasn’t sure if Chu Xie had any other injuries. So, it took them more than half an hour to finally arrive at the camp in Changye Commandery. After dismounting, he heard the urgent sound of galloping hooves approaching from behind. It was Xu Chunmu, who had rushed back overnight.
Xu Chunmu’s crimson robe had been scorched in places, with a few black spots scattered across it. His robe billowed in the wind, revealing a young and spirited figure.
His nose was covered in soot, and his hands had some scrapes. Even his usually tidy hair was slightly disheveled. His usually clean face looked a bit disheveled this time.
Xu Chunmu noticed the horse carriage and immediately whipped the horse, causing it to speed up. He leaped onto the wooden pole at the front of the carriage and took two strides inside.
Xu Chunmu keenly spotted the carriage and mercilessly whipped the horse, jumping onto a wooden pole at the front of the carriage and then taking two steps inside.
“What’s going on?” Xu Chunmu looked at Vice General Yu, who was holding Chu Xie, and then noticed the pale expression on Chu Xie’s face. He quickly helped him up and checked if he had been injured.
“There… there were some unexpected changes.” Deputy Commander Yu said evasively, avoiding eye contact. “I didn’t expect that Huchi Er would pursue us recklessly and even figure out our escape route. He intercepted our carriage directly on the official road…”
Upon hearing this, Xu Chunmu’s heart suddenly tensed. “And then?”
“Lord Chu told me to leave first and bring reinforcements…”
Xu Chunmu couldn’t bear to hear any more and angrily rebuked, “He told you to go, so you went?! Don’t you know he’s completely defenseless, at the hands of….”
“I’m sorry, I failed in my duty.”
Deputy Commander Yu knew he was in the wrong and didn’t dare to argue further. Xu Chunmu’s anger flared up quickly but subsided just as fast. He soon regained his composure and carefully checked Chu Xie’s wrists and legs, finding that the person was physically unharmed, except for a sprained wrist and some swelling. There were multiple abrasions on his back, and the wounds seemed to have reopened.
Xu Chunmu understood that in such a situation, Chu Xie had no choice but to make the most advantageous decision, not because Deputy Commander Yu was afraid of death, but because the circumstances forced him to make the best choice. Xu Chunmu hadn’t planned well enough, which had put Chu Xie in danger. Fortunately, overall, Chu Xie was fine.
They needed to attend to the wound on his back quickly.
Xu Chunmu carried Chu Xie off the horse carriage and gently lowered him to the ground, taking a moment to cushion the fall with his bent knees. He felt a faint sense of danger behind him and suddenly turned his head to look at the dense forest half a mile away.
It was pitch black, and he couldn’t see anything clearly.
Was it just his imagination?
Without dwelling on it further, he carried Chu Xie into the tent, removed his cumbersome Northern Xiong clothing, soaked a clean towel in medicinal water, and began to clean the wounds on his back. Then, he fed Chu Xie a bowl of brewed herbal medicine.
Xu Chunmu opened the doors and windows, lit a charcoal fire at the bedside, and sat down on the floor to keep watch. He was afraid that Chu Xie might develop a fever during the night.
After a short while of half-closed eyes, the surroundings gradually quieted down, and only the steady breathing of the two could be heard, along with the rustling sound of the night wind brushing through the grass outside the window.
Suddenly, Chu Xie woke up, opened his dry eyes, and without moving his head, he reached out to grab the sleeve of the person beside him.
Before he could grasp it, he just made a slight move, and Xu Chunmu woke up.
“Are you thirsty?”
“You’re back.”
Chu Xie’s voice sounded a bit weak, with a hint of congestion, and it even carried a touch of coyness. Xu Chunmu pulled the blanket up a bit higher, feeling his heart melt. “Yeah, I’m back.”
“Is your shoulder better?”
Xu Chunmu’s nose tingled, and there was a hint of a smile in his voice. “It’s been fine for a while now, it doesn’t hurt at all.”
“That’s good. Don’t go to fight anymore; Huchi Er is the wildest warrior on the grasslands, very dangerous.”
Chu Xie said a couple of sentences but seemed to lose his strength. His voice grew quieter as he spoke.
Knowing he was dangerous, you still went to face it.
Xu Chunmu softly retorted, “I’m not weak either. I promised I would protect you.”
Chu Xie’s breathing gradually became more shallow, and with Xu Chunmu’s help, he slightly shifted his body to find a more comfortable position.
His voice still carried a heavy nasal tone and sounded sleepy. “Your shoulder was injured, and there was such a big wound. You shouldn’t go out to fight.”
Xu Chunmu raised his hand to tidy up Chu Xie’s forehead and scattered hair, and he spoke gently, “Don’t do it like this next time.”
“Like what?”
“Taking matters into your own hands, playing these tricks. Who is Huchi Er? He’s the Left Virtuous King of Northern Xiong, a veteran forged on the battlefield. Yet you tried to outsmart him so easily.”
“Even if I couldn’t outsmart him, I still have to try.”
Chu Xie mumbled and raised one hand to grip Xu Chunmu’s wrist. “Did he retreat to the west?”
“Yeah, he should have retreated beyond the South Mountains. Ah Xie, you’ve accomplished a great deed.”
“Don’t tell anyone…”
Chu Xie seemed to become a bit more awake, and he opened his eyes slightly. “Especially the people in the capital… Let them think that Chu Xie is dead.”
“….Why?”
“I don’t want to go back there anymore.”
The night was cool in the North as autumn approached. Xu Chunmu held Chu Xie’s hand and gently tucked it under the blankets. “Okay, we won’t tell anyone. My father knows you saved the North, he won’t drive you away again. From now on, we’ll stay in the North and won’t go anywhere else.”
“Mm…”
Chu Xie was completely exhausted and dozed off, his head tilting to the side and resting in the curve of Xu Chunmu’s arm.
He looked especially gentle and innocent while asleep, like a pure and innocent little deer kneeling in the forest. Xu Chunmu couldn’t help but think of the malicious look in his eyes when he was in the capital.
No matter how others saw Chu Xie, it didn’t matter.
Ever since he approached this person step by step after his rebirth, the closer he got, the more the real and lively Chu Xie in front of him didn’t match what he had thought before.
Beneath his prickly exterior was a very soft heart.
In his previous life, he had been falsely accused of assassinating Jiang Jingan, even though he held a military force of three hundred thousand. He fell into Zhao Prison and endured endless torture.
The first time he saw Chu Xie was when he was on the brink of death.
Chu Xie brought him a bowl of water and fed it to him. He couldn’t even see the person clearly. He only heard him say, “Don’t worry, I’ll save you.”
In just a few days, the Ministry of Punishments found evidence of Chu Xie’s involvement in the assassination of Jiang Jingan, confirming his guilt and clearing Xu Chunmu’s name.
When he was released from prison, Chu Xie had already committed suicide on the city wall. On the day he heard of Chu Xie’s death, the whole city celebrated, raising their glasses in joy.
But Xu Chunmu remembered the bowl of water he had when he was on the brink of death.
He began to secretly investigate Chu Xie’s background, even suspecting whether Chu Xie had been wrongly accused of the assassination of the county prince.
The grace of saving a life must be repaid. This was the teaching he had received for over twenty years.
If Chu Xie had been wronged, he had to clear his name.
But soon, he died too.
He didn’t know why he was reborn, but the deep-rooted determination in his soul made him pay special attention to him. Upon learning that Chu Xie was still in decline at the Jinhuan Gambling House, he decided to get closer to him. His grandfather, Xu Yi, had taught him from a young age to trust no written words and to listen to no spoken words. To truly understand what kind of person Chu Xie was, he had to see for himself.
Chu Xie, Chu Xie.
Xu Chunmu constantly chewed on this name in his heart.
As he looked at his fingernails, which were about to lose their color, Xu Chunmu felt a mixture of sweetness and bitterness in his heart.
Chu Xie was an indelible mark, but he was also Chu Xie, who came in the middle of the night carrying a basket of withered flowers and knocked on the door with his clothes billowing in the wind. He was weak but could single-handedly face thousands of troops outside the North.
He was terrified, but for the sake of preventing himself from getting injured and going to the battlefield, Chu Xie didn’t look back and went straight into the enemy camp.
If his guess was correct, Chu Xie must be the orphan of the distinguished Shen family who had contributed to the founding of the nation.
All the evil deeds he had done were likely driven by deep-seated hatred.
If he could extract that deep-seated hatred from him…
Perhaps this time, he could save his life.
As Xu Chunmu thought this, he unconsciously pressed his fingernails deep into his palm, leaving several crescent-shaped red marks that were almost bleeding.
“Young Marquis Xu.”
A servant knocked lightly on the door from outside. “The General asks you to come to the main hall now.”
“It’s already this late at night. Is there something urgent? Why not wait until tomorrow…”
Xu Chunmu didn’t want to leave for even a moment and tried to decline.
“The General said you must come now, there is… an esteemed guest.”
Afraid that he might refuse again, the servant added, “…from the capital.”
Xu Chunmu’s face changed suddenly.
After arranging for several maids to take care of Chu Xie carefully, he ordered them to dress him and comb his hair. They washed away all the dust and bloodstains from his face, neck, and hands with a basin of clean water, restoring his usual clean and elegant appearance.
After tidying up, it took less than half an hour, and he immediately hurried to the main hall.
Ever since he approached this person step by step after his rebirth, the closer he got, the more the real and lively Chu Xie in front of him didn’t match what he had thought before.
Beneath his prickly exterior was a very soft heart.
In his previous life, he had been falsely accused of assassinating Prince Jiang Jingan, even though he held a military force of three hundred thousand. He fell into the Chained Prison and endured endless torture.
The first time he saw Chu Xie was when he was on the brink of death.
Chu Xie brought him a bowl of water and fed it to him. He couldn’t even see the person clearly. He only heard him say, “Don’t worry, I’ll save you.”
In just a few days, the Ministry of Punishments found evidence of Chu Xie’s involvement in the assassination of Prince Jiang Jingan, confirming his guilt and clearing Xu Chunmu’s name.
When he was released from prison, Chu Xie had already committed suicide on the city wall. On the day he heard of Chu Xie’s death, the whole city celebrated, raising their glasses in joy.
But Xu Chunmu remembered the bowl of water he had when he was on the brink of death.
He began to secretly investigate Chu Xie’s background, even suspecting whether Chu Xie had been wrongly accused of the assassination of the prince.
The grace of saving a life must be repaid. This was the teaching he had received for over twenty years.
If Chu Xie had been wronged, he had to clear his name.
But soon, he died too.
He didn’t know why he was reborn, but the deep-rooted determination in his soul made him pay special attention to him. Upon learning that Chu Xie was still in decline at the Jinhuan Gambling House, he decided to get closer to him. His grandfather, Xu Yi, had taught him from a young age to trust no written words and to listen to no spoken words. To truly understand what kind of person Chu Xie was, he had to see for himself.
Chu Xie, Chu Xie.
Xu Chunmu constantly chewed on this name in his heart.
As he looked at his fingernails, which were about to lose their color, Xu Chunmu felt a mixture of sweetness and bitterness in his heart.
He was the indomitable Zhangyin, marked by his unrepentant ways. He was also the one who, in the dead of night, brought a basket of withered flowers, the wind billowing his robes as he knocked on the door—Chu Xie. He was undeniably frail, yet he was the one who single-handedly faced a thousand armies beyond the northern borders—Chu Xie.
He was terrified to death, but he was also the one who charged straight into the enemy camp without looking back, all to keep his wounded self off the battlefield—Chu Xie.
If his guess was correct, Chu Xie must be the orphan of the distinguished Shen family who had contributed to the founding of the nation.
All the evil deeds he had done were likely driven by deep-seated hatred.
If he could extract that deep-seated hatred from him…
Perhaps this time, he could save his life.
As Xu Chunmu thought this, he unconsciously pressed his fingernails deep into his palm, leaving several crescent-shaped red marks that were almost bleeding.
“Young Marquis Xu.”
A servant knocked lightly on the door from outside. “The General asks you to come to the main hall now.”
“It’s already this late at night. Is there something urgent? Why not wait until tomorrow…”
Xu Chunmu didn’t want to leave for even a moment and tried to decline.
“The General said you must come now, there is… an esteemed guest.”
Afraid that he might refuse again, the servant added, “…from the capital.”
Xu Chunmu’s face changed suddenly.
After arranging for several maids to take care of Chu Xie carefully, he ordered them to dress him and comb his hair. They washed away all the dust and bloodstains from his face, neck, and hands with a basin of clean water, restoring his usual clean and elegant appearance.
After tidying up, it took less than half an hour, and he immediately hurried to the main hall.
From a distance, separated by the gaps in the leaves, he saw his father sitting to the side of the hall, with his back turned towards him. Standing in the hall was a young man dressed in raven-blue robes with a jade crown and black hair. He was silently examining the imperial sword bestowed by Emperor Xuanhe. It was not clear what he was thinking.
Xu Chunmu felt a sense of familiarity in that figure.
As he approached a bit closer, Xu Chunmu recognized the person from behind.
His heart immediately sank.
It was the Crown Prince.
Hearing footsteps, Jiang Yanchi, with the sword in hand, slightly turned his head. There was a fleeting shadow in his eyes, which gradually darkened.
But no emotions could be discerned.
It was Xu Chengjin who straightened his posture first and introduced Xu Chunmu, who was approaching them, in a composed manner. “This is His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. You should greet him properly and quickly.”
Xu Chunmu folded his hands in a formal salute and managed to steady his voice. “Your Highness.”
“No need for formalities, I have already met Young Marquis Xu back in the capital.” Jiang Yanchi’s voice was indifferent. “We are acquainted.”
The weight of these words was extremely heavy, and Xu Chengjin immediately declined, “My son dare not.”
Jiang Yanchi’s lips curled slightly, appearing to be smiling, and he lightly supported General Xu. “General, you have made great achievements this time and are a top hero of Great Wei. I was even considering whether to give you a higher title as a reward. Your excessive politeness makes me feel terrified.”
Although Xu Chengjin became more respectful, he was secretly pleased. The Xu family had always had a thin lineage, and he was the only son of Xu Yi. He only had two sons himself. His eldest son, Xu Changling, would inevitably inherit the Marquis Zhengguo title. His second son, Xu Chunmu, had been raised in the Northern Territory, and Xu Yi had entrusted most of the military power to him.
But in the end, the eldest son enjoyed the good fortune while the second son bore the burdens.
This father knew this very well.
He always felt guilty towards Xu Chunmu. Now, if he could obtain another noble title, and if there were a few years of peace ahead, he could also imagine the blessings of a peaceful and prosperous era. The old Marquis would be able to rest in peace.
“Chunmu doesn’t mind these honors.”
Before Xu Chengjin could suppress the joy in his heart, he heard Xu Chunmu say this. He stared at him in surprise, signalling him to be quiet.
Jiang Yanchi asked, “But Young Marquis Xu has achieved such great success this time, single-handedly stopping 250,000 Xiongnu warriors without expending a single soldier or horse. If we don’t reward such accomplishments, won’t it seem like the court is mistreating you?”
“Chunmu’s duty is to defend the court and the nation. I dare not seek further merit.”
Intentionally avoiding his father’s expression, Xu Chunmu firmly refused.
Jiang Yanchi wiped his sword with his fingertips, feeling the chilling sensation of that piece of cold steel. “Everyone says that the capital is a good place. Why is Young Marquis Xu so fond of this desolate snowy plain that you don’t even want to compete for titles like your elder brother and go enjoy the luxuries of the capital?”
“If everyone only seeks pleasure, who will protect the rivers and mountains, and who will guard the territory?”
Jiang Yanchi slowly lowered his gaze.
There was a hidden darkness surging in his eyes.
“True. This battle was indeed well-fought. You managed to force the Northern Xiongnu’s Left Virtuous King, who unified the northern and southern tribes, to give up three counties and retreat beyond the South Mountain.”
“Chunmu is unworthy…”
With a crisp sound, the sword was closed and safely placed back on the stand.
“It’s just that I wonder what strategy Young Marquis Xu used. His military skills are extraordinary.” Jiang Yanchi picked up a teacup, sat in front of the hall, and leisurely sniffed the tea’s fragrance, as if he didn’t care.
“Yujing Yunwu, what a good tea.”
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