Chapter 169
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From being full of confidence in the war, to unexpected occurrences, and then to complete loss of control.
Watching the familiar faces around him fall one by one, with the living shielding him and the dying pleading for his help.
He reached out his hand, but couldn’t catch any of them, unable to save anyone.
Yuan Ran’s heart went from certainty to confusion, then to helplessness, pain, and finally despair, collapsing.
Some of the people he once trusted confessed to him before their deaths, hoping to let him die with a clear conscience, revealing some truths to him.
He only then realized that it wasn’t that the enemy became too powerful, but that he had been completely betrayed and deceived.
Everyone was dead, but the sounds of people dying continued to echo in his ears, recounting how unwillingly they had met their end.
Their blood stained Yuan Ran’s eyes.
But Yuan Ran was also dying, his injuries were too severe, making survival almost impossible. He couldn’t move, and he would soon be discovered and killed by the enemy.
But he was unwilling to accept it. He wanted to survive, he wanted to know why, he wanted… revenge.
So, he swallowed the Tianxuan Pill. Originally, the Tianxuan Pill was not created for a complete transformation; it was initially developed as a life-saving medicine for extreme situations. However, due to severe side effects, his master had only experimented with it once, using it on a dying person. Although it saved that person’s life, the unbearable pain led them to suicide during the monthly torment. Thus, even though his master left it for him, he advised against using it. But at that point, he had no other choice…
So, at the age of thirteen, Chu Lishu crawled out from under the blood-soaked armor. He crawled over the mountains of corpses, even though he had lost all five senses. He kept crawling because he wanted to survive.
He crawled for an unknown amount of time before being captured and mistaken for a captive slave, leading to his capture.
Subsequent memories were fragmented, and each time he woke up, it was in a different place. However, the information he gathered while conscious, piecing together a new reality, plunged him into the depths of pain. During times of danger and the torment caused by the Tianxuan Pill, he would become ignorant and unconscious, temporarily losing his memory.
This cycle of torture continued for a long time before gradually achieving a precarious balance. However, he hadn’t truly escaped the abyss; he had merely become accustomed to walking within it.
So when he heard the patriarch inside the door recounting the events of the past, there wasn’t much emotional fluctuation.
On the contrary, both Lu Yi and Lu Shi, who had also experienced brutal battles as the Ten Shadow Wolves, couldn’t hold back. Despite being well-trained members of the Ten Shadow Wolves, they shouldn’t have had too many emotions. However, when they heard the account of the past, regret and hatred filled all their thoughts.
They remembered it too. At that time, with a great victory in sight, the Crown Prince was in the limelight, the savior of the nation and its people, the messiah that all aspiring individuals wanted to admire and follow. At that time, they observed in the shadows, hearing the most common phrases like, “Having Crown Prince Yuan Ran is a blessing for Great Zhou. We were born in an opportune time, a grace bestowed by heaven. We will certainly assist His Highness in establishing the great prosperity of Great Zhou for a thousand autumns.”
Though both the Tianheng Country and the Great Zhou Dynasty were major powers, Tianheng Country held a slight advantage. Most of the time, the Great Zhou Dynasty sought peace and stability. Many young and passionate individuals hoped for a victorious battle to break free from the oppression.
The Crown Prince achieved that.
Yet, he was buried.
In the blink of an eye, he was plunged into a quagmire, becoming a symbol of misfortune, with everyone calling for his downfall.
In their relentless search for the Crown Prince, they heard the constant insults from petty individuals directed at him. They wished to eliminate all those defaming the Crown Prince, but in a world so vast and with such a large population, what could they truly prove for him?
As the gates opened, both Yue Chen and Huo Luo, who had once wholeheartedly followed the Crown Prince, had eyes bloodshot.
Suddenly, Yue Chen, usually calm and composed, lost control under Chu Lishu’s cold gaze. He kneeled towards the entrance, bowing heavily, as if returning to the passionate and spirited youth of years past. With an uncontrollable emotional tone, he hoarsely spoke, “Your Highness… You’ve suffered injustice.”
Huo Luo was momentarily stunned. Although he had sensed that Yue Chen treated Chu Lishu differently and seemed inclined to follow Chu Lishu’s intentions, he couldn’t quite grasp Yue Chen’s true intentions—whether he wanted to assist the Fourth Prince or had other plans.
Yue Chen’s sudden kneeling and the way he addressed the person as “Your Highness” left Huo Luo’s not-so-bright mind with only one conclusion: Yue Chen, who wouldn’t yield to anyone, willingly knelt down and bowed, addressing someone as “Your Highness.”
It seemed that only one person could be addressed this way in this world.
Huo Luo trembled all over, looking at Chu Lishu in disbelief. His knees involuntarily bent down.
“Your… Your Highness?”
Even though Chu Lishu’s current figure wasn’t tall, Huo Luo seemed to see the towering figure of the past. Back then, he could only stand behind and look up, swearing to follow.
When he thought that His Highness was dead, it was like a hunting dog about to grow up and start working for its owner, losing its master and not knowing where to go or what to do.
He thought that his whole life would be spent hanging around with Yue Chen.
But His Highness… came back.
“What do you mean, His Highness? Isn’t he…” The patriarch was just immersed in the fear of the past, but now he was completely bewildered by the current situation.
Yue Chen said he had been wronged, and Huo Luo also knelt down towards him.
When the patriarch met Chu Lishu’s cold gaze again, an incredible speculation flashed through his mind.
“Who… who are you?” The patriarch trembled, asking in fear.
Chu Lishu spoke slowly, “Was it Zhao Cheng who intercepted the remaining soldiers? Only him?”
Back then, he did seek reinforcements, and Zhao Cheng was one of the military commanders. He knew that Zhao Cheng must have plotted against him, but he didn’t know that he had also slaughtered everyone who managed to escape.
The patriarch, looking at the entirely different Chu Lishu, was dumbfounded. Under an invisible pressure, he instinctively nodded.
Chu Lishu directly tossed a dagger in front of the patriarch.
The patriarch was slightly stunned, looking at Chu Lishu in disbelief.
“You provided me with information I didn’t know, so this is your reward. End it for yourself.”
The patriarch’s emotions were in turmoil, holding the dagger, uncertain whether to resist or end his own life. He looked up at the thin Royal Highness in front of him.
His Highness? Which Royal Highness is this? If I could use him as leverage…
Suddenly, Chu Lishu slowly lowered his eyelids, a cold light flashing in his eyes. “Commander Wang has managed to survive until today, which is quite an accomplishment. Why are you still greedy?”
The patriarch was startled, and suddenly, Lu Yi and Lu Shi appeared on either side of Chu Lishu, seemingly protecting him.
The posture reminded him of a scene he had witnessed before.
Except, back then, it was ten people protecting one.
“Y-Your Highness… how… is this… possible!” The patriarch seemed to be undergoing an immense shock, gasping for breath rapidly. “No… it’s impossible. His Highness is already dead. I saw him fall with my own eyes. It’s impossible… you…”
Chu Lishu continued to regard him with a cold gaze.
Yue Chen and Huo Luo also turned back to look at him with a cold expression, as if they had already revealed some kind of answer.
Unable to withstand the extreme pressure, the patriarch trembled, holding the dagger and looking at it. Eventually, he suddenly thrust it into his own chest.
As he fell, he still stared fixedly at Chu Lishu, as if trying to say something, but it was too late.
Chu Lishu watched as the patriarch fell, then turned around.
“Your Highness!” Yue Chen and Huo Luo shouted simultaneously.
They still didn’t get up.
Chu Lishu stopped in his tracks and turned back to look at them.
Yue Chen remained kneeling, bowing devoutly once again.
Huo Luo straightened his kneeling posture, looking up with determination.
“Your Highness, I, Yue Chen, am willing to follow Your Highness!”
“Your Highness, Huo Luo’s life is devoted to fighting for you!”
Chu Lishu remained silent for a moment before speaking, “Do you know what I want to do?”
Yue Chen replied, “I know. I am willing to follow without hesitation, regardless of victory or defeat, ready to be commanded, I just wish to follow you to the end.”
Huo Luo, on the other hand, said, “I don’t know or understand, but as long as it’s Your Highness’s command, no matter what it is, I vow to fulfill the mission with my life.”
Having spoken, their eyes reddened, and together they kowtowed to Chu Lishu, fulfilling their long-cherished dream and rectifying their regret from three years ago.
They were determined to pledge allegiance to their chosen master.
Only Yuan Ran was worthy of their loyalty.
They would protect His Highness and step once again onto the bright path that rightfully belonged to him.
【Ding, Main Mission 2, Mission 7: Assist the male lead in obtaining the support of Yue Chen and Huo Luo.】
Observing the situation from a high vantage point, Lin Qingyang suddenly felt a jolt. The mission was completed; did Chu Lishu finally admit his identity to them?
In Lin Qingyang’s heart, there was a surge of excitement, as if he could already envision the future scene of a wise and capable civil official and a valiant warrior standing at the forefront of the court.
Minister Yue, once engaged in verbal battles with courtiers, paved the way for the emperor’s new policies. He also exerted dominance over various nations during diplomatic negotiations, showcasing the might of the great nation. He provided counsel to the emperor, quelling domestic political strife, and dared to negotiate with envoys during times of war. With just a few words, he could bewitch the minds of others. Anyone attempting trickery during peace talks had to be prepared to be outplayed. In one instance of negotiations, the opposing strategist left the negotiation camp only to be charged with treason, dying in a foreign land before setting foot on his own country.
During the joint efforts of multiple nations against the Great Zhou, Minister Yue utilized his strategic skills to persuade various countries, breaking deadlocks and assisting the Great Zhou in gradually annexing and expanding its territory. Internally, he promoted advancements, and externally, he consolidated alliances, making the Great Zhou’s cultural influence renowned overseas.
He was dubbed the “Demon Minister” by other countries, yet he became the coveted subject of study for scholars engaged in political strategy. During his leisure time, the books he authored were translated into various languages and became exemplary works for scholars in other nations. His achievements earned him a place among the esteemed ancient statesmen, securing a position that would never be surpassed by future generations.
General Huo, the nightmare of rebels and enemy nations for the next decade, was invincible in battles and unassailable in sieges. Leading over a thousand Huo family cavalry, he once maneuvered behind the enemy lines, breaking through the defenses of tens of thousands, infiltrating the enemy leader’s camp, capturing the commanding officer alive. With minimal sacrifices, he achieved the greatest victory in the shortest recorded battle in history. He left behind a fearsome reputation – one life taken for each of his ten enemies. This symbolic act served as a deterrent along the border, making neighboring nations think twice before endangering the safety of the people along the frontier. While battles were permissible, jeopardizing the well-being of the border residents was strictly forbidden.
The territories of the West Moon Country and the Tianheng Country, whenever pointed to by their respective monarchs on the map, inevitably experienced the trampling of Huo Family cavalry. In a remarkable feat, General Huo managed to conquer an entire country in just six days, integrating it as a vassal state. Even when positioned at the gates of a city without engaging in warfare, the display of the Huo Family army’s banner, adorned with black and gold characters, prompted the ruler of the nation to hoist the surrender flag and submit to the rule of the Great Zhou. The fiercest adversaries were relentlessly pursued, abandoning their homelands and constantly migrating. This relentless pursuit resulted in the expansion of the Great Zhou’s territories to three times its size during its peak. The classical tactics employed by General Huo became essential teachings for military strategists.
The right-hand men of the Great Zhou emperor, branded as the demonic minister and general by their adversaries, became even more unforgettable due to the ruthless tyrant Yuan Ran standing behind them.
Without extreme empowerment, these two individuals would not have achieved such remarkable feats, nor would they have been able to fully unleash all their talents.
It was only Yuan Ran who dared to utilize them in this manner. After all, the combined power of these two could create the illusion of guiding even an incapable ruler to become a wise monarch. This was a combination that no sovereign dared to control, but Yuan Ran did.
From the moment of acknowledgment, the mutual achievements between them officially began.
Lin Qingyang recalled and fantasized, acknowledging that he might not possess the talent and abilities like them. Still, he was willing to witness their success and the display of their extraordinary talents.
The trust between them and the trust they had in him would never evolve into a ridiculous situation of one overpowering the other or hiding their abilities like archers concealing their arrows.
Lin Qingyang slowly exhaled and was about to check his point changes. Due to spending too many points on medicine earlier, he felt a bit uneasy. However, suddenly, Lin Qingyang glimpsed at the “To-Do List” on the interface, and he was momentarily stunned. He just realized that he had forgotten something.
The special mission, clearing the spies from Tianheng Country, wasn’t it already completed? Why didn’t he receive the completion notification at that time? Why was this task still on the to-do list now?
What could be the reason behind this? Were there still other spies?
Lin Qingyang was momentarily confused. Just then, a loud noise came from below, indicating that the mountain wall had finally been broken open.
There were originally passageways on both sides, and as long as they dug through the middle, they could escape. The crowd was overjoyed and planned to inform the patriarch.
Lin Qingyang felt a sense of urgency, but considering that there were still Lu Yi, Lu Shi, and Huo Luo over there, dealing with these cannon fodders shouldn’t be a big problem. So, he temporarily settled down.
They were all subordinates of the patriarch, and even though an escape route was right in front of them, they didn’t dare to easily escape without authorization. They just stood at the forefront anxiously awaiting instructions.
However, at that moment, suddenly, a masked person grabbed Xu Wenze and darted out, seemingly attempting to escape into the passage.
The others were momentarily stunned. When they reacted, some angrily shouted, some gave chase, but the majority remained in place.
Lin Qingyang worried that Xu Wenze might be taken as a hostage. Just as he was contemplating what to do, a system alert flashed in his mind.
His expression changed. Initially, he thought it was a danger alert from Chu Lishu’s side.
However, the warning was also coming from his end. It meant that both he and Chu Lishu were facing life-threatening situations simultaneously. But how could that be possible? They were separated by such a distance. How could they both encounter danger at the same time?
Lin Qingyang’s mind raced rapidly, but his gaze remained fixed on Xu Wenze’s side.
At that moment, Xu Wenze seemed to have suddenly broken free from the ropes binding him. He spat out a mouthful of blood and shouted in an almost hoarse voice, “Thunderous Explosion!”
Lin Qingyang’s mind thundered as well. Thunderous Explosion here?!
But the others had no idea what Xu Wenze was saying. He seemed to be poisoned and couldn’t articulate much. They were left to figure out the situation on their own. The person who had grabbed Xu Wenze, upon being shaken off, abandoned him and ran away. Surprisingly, Xu Wenze followed closely, evidently intending to catch up with the individual.
Xu Wenze wasn’t particularly skilled in martial arts, and he couldn’t be considered completely helpless. However, it was strange that he would actively pursue someone. After all, with the hostage right in front of him, it was highly unlikely that Xu Wenze would choose to escape on his own. His actions suggested he was in pursuit of the enemy.
Why was he chasing? Was that person crucial?
Lin Qingyang quickly tried to find a way to resolve the current predicament. He heard someone outside roaring, indicating that the people who had gone to find the patriarch had encountered an attack—likely Chu Lishu and his group.
Lin Qingyang wasn’t sure if they had heard Xu Wenze’s shout, but the people here had already heard their companion’s cries, so they naturally rushed toward the entrance.
This situation made it impossible for Lin Qingyang to notify Chu Lishu and the others. In the midst of his panic, with his gaze wandering aimlessly, he finally noticed something in the winding and twisting tunnel he was in. It didn’t quite look like a rock—it was too round for that.
The upper cavity had no lighting, relying on the firelight from below. This resulted in occasional cracks revealing beams of light. While Lin Qingyang could see the area below clearly, the contents inside were still unclear. Sensing that something was amiss, he immediately crawled over and reached out to touch.
In an instant, Lin Qingyang was astonished. It was the thunderous explosive he had seen in Master’s medicine hut. Upon closer inspection, there was a connected fuse. He hurriedly cut the fuse and followed it to the other end, crawling towards a distant location. Just as he reached the destination, someone with a torch passed below, illuminating the area as if someone had shed light on this spot.
That sudden sight turned Lin Qingyang’s face pale. Extending to the distant and unseen end, there was almost a Thunderous Explosion every meter. Due to the narrowness of the distant cavity, it was impossible for a person to crawl inside. Therefore, Lin Qingyang was unable to disrupt these Thunderous Explosions, both in terms of time and space. The quantity of these Thunderous Explosions would shatter the entire cliff, and anyone within would undoubtedly perish.
The system’s alarm must have originated from this, and the reason it didn’t alert earlier but now does signifies that… someone is about to detonate the Thunderous Explosions!
Lin Qingyang instantly understood that Xu Wenze must have discovered something and knew that the person who captured him was the one intending to detonate the Thunderous Explosions, so…
With a quick glance, Lin Qingyang saw that the entrance was crowded with people. He couldn’t go to join Chu Lishu, who was also temporarily unable to enter.
On the other side of the passage, there were already fewer people. Most had turned towards the entrance, conveniently leaving this area vacant.
Lin Qingyang made a decisive move, jumping directly to the nearest spot. Someone seemed to have noticed him, but their reaction was dulled by his sudden appearance and matching attire with his companions.
Lin Qingyang shouted at the top of his lungs, “Chu Lishu! There are Thunderous Explosions inside the cave! Someone is trying to detonate them. Run quickly!”
Regardless, Lin Qingyang decided to get Chu Lishu out first. Instinctively, he chased after the direction where Xu Wenze had disappeared. He didn’t know how the person would detonate the explosions or how long it would take, but he couldn’t take the risk. He had to go and help stop it. In case the explosions were detonated, the direction he was running might also be a safe exit. This way, both he and Chu Lishu could survive.
However, as he ran inside, he seemed to hear Chu Lishu’s shout.
“Lin Qingyang!”
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