11y

The tung oil torches crackled and burned, casting their flickering glow across the wild forest now filled with archers. Every arrow was aimed squarely at the unexpected intruders, their cold tips flashing ominously.

Mu Qi’s son, Ulusuntu, gripped his saber, his eyes appearing vacant and lifeless.

Mu Qi looked at him with bitter disappointment, like iron that refused to be forged, and snapped furiously, “Useless brat! Listen up, all of you. traitors have brought chaos to our borders. As the Transport Commissioner of Chengdu, it is my duty to protect the people’s peace. Archers, prepare your shots and eliminate these criminals!”

The surrounding archers obeyed at once, drawing their bows in perfect unison.

Seeing this, Ulusuntu immediately jumped off his horse and stepped in front of Liu Qi. “Stop! Stop! Father, you can’t kill him!”

Mu Qi flew into a rage and shouted at the nearby guards, “You bunch of idiots! What are you standing there for? Take the young master away!”

“Who dares touch me?!” Ulusuntu swung his blade and drove the guards back. He turned to Liu Qi, eyes suddenly red at the rims. “Why did you lie to me?”

Liu Qi’s tone was gentle, yet distant. “You think you're the only one who was deceived?”

“I…” Ulusuntu was at a loss for words. “I never meant to lie to you.”

Mu Qi raised his riding whip and lashed it across Ulusuntu without hesitation. “You disgrace! What are you talking to him for? Kill him already!”

Ulusuntu’s face turned pale from the blow. He stumbled back several steps. Looking up at his father, his eyes filled with tears. “Father, let him go.”

Mu Qi sucked in a sharp breath. “If I let them go today, tomorrow both you and I will be dead! I’ve been planning this for ten years, all to take back Zongge City! And now, just for a man, you’d throw away everything? You’d disregard your father’s plan, your father’s life? You’ve only known him for a few days. is he really worth that much to you?!”

Seeing the father and son turn on each other, Liu Qi seized the moment and spoke up:

“King Gongbu, you and your son have impersonated court officials of our dynasty. This defies reason and violates the law. As a royal of Nazang, you have stationed troops within Great Ye territory without permission, and even embezzled imperial taxes for personal gain. Now you attempt to kill officials of a friendly state. These actions clearly risk provoking war between our two nations. If you willingly confess and submit to punishment, perhaps Great Ye will not hold Nazang accountable. But if you remain obstinate, Great Ye will send troops to punish Nazang. Do you really believe, as a mere King of Gongbu, that you can bear the consequences of war between two countries?”

Mu Qi feigned innocence. “Prime Minister Liu, your words require evidence. When have I ever seized your empire’s taxes?”

Liu Qi replied firmly, “The annual tribute from Chengdu Circuit was secretly withheld and resold by you. Most of the region’s taxes have been diverted into your own coffers. Every transaction was documented by Prefect Ran Nian. All this stolen wealth was transported here to fund Nazang’s army. King of Gongbu, stealing another state's taxes is a crime beyond forgiveness.”

Mu Qi’s expression stiffened for a moment, then he burst into laughter. “Hahaha. Prime Minister Liu, you certainly have sharp eyes. But do you know why you’re trapped here today? Ran Nian may not be a good official, but he is loyal to his wife and children. Without his cooperation with me, how could you have so easily arrived in Yazhou?”

Yun Shiqing narrowed his eyes. “So, you knew our identities from the start and even colluded with Ran Nian to lure us here.”

Mu Qi chuckled. “I have been hidden in Shu for so long that I know the court officials like the back of my hand. My son is young and was deceived. I had no choice but to take a risky move and lure you to this border. Everyone knows this region is plagued with bandits. Even if you die here, no one would suspect a thing.”

Yun Shiqing sneered. “The prime minister of a nation dies in the wilderness, and you think the emperor wouldn’t investigate? All under heaven belongs to His Majesty. His intelligence network reaches every corner of the land. From the moment Liu Qi entered Shu, reports have been flowing nonstop to the capital. King of Gongbu, how long do you think you can keep this hidden?”

Seeing Mu Qi’s smile falter, Yun Shiqing continued,

“Don’t forget, I also serve as the Chief Minister of the Privy Council and command the full military authority of Great Ye. In times of emergency, I can mobilize the army without imperial approval. For me to stand here now alongside Lord Liu, do you really think I haven’t prepared? If you have the guts, tell your men to release their arrows.”

Since its creation, the Privy Council was first held by eunuchs, then later transferred to scholars. But beginning with this dynasty’s founding emperor, all of its authority has been placed solely in the hands of military commanders. The position of Chief Minister of the Privy Council is one that only a capable and battle-proven general may assume.

The man standing before them had once led just 1,500 elite soldiers to drive back 20,000 troops from Daxia. His formations, strategy, and courage were unmatched.

Once these words fell, not only did King of Gongbu’s expression change, even the archers around them perked up their ears, alert to the surroundings.

The cold night wind swept over the ridge. The grass and trees stirred like soldiers ready for battle.

For a moment, the tension was unbearable. No one dared to move.

After a while, the King of Gongbu said coldly, “Prime Minister Yun, enough bluffing. If you really brought troops, they would have already come to rescue you. Why wait until now?”

As he spoke, his gaze turned to Liu Qi, calm and radiant, the corner of his mouth curling faintly.

“You have barely anyone left at your side, and one of them is a fragile scholar who probably can’t even kill a chicken. Yun Shiqing, what threat do you pose to me?”

Yun Shiqing looked toward the so-called fragile scholar beside him and let out a quiet laugh. “King of Gongbu, you’re welcome to try.”

Ulusuntu knew his father’s decisiveness and pleaded again, “Father, please”

“Shut up.” Mu Qi raised his whip and lashed it down without mercy, striking his son’s shoulder. The whip's tip grazed his cheek, leaving a deep red welt.

Though angry, Mu Qi still felt a pang of guilt. He shouted at once, “Take the young master away.”

Ulusuntu tried to resist, but with so many guards present, he was quickly pinned down, bound with rope, and dragged back toward the village.

Mu Qi no longer hesitated. In a sharp voice, he ordered, “Kill them all. Leave no one alive.”

At his command, a storm of arrows was loosed, flying like a sudden downpour.

The guards of the Capital Command drew their blades and defended, not allowing a single arrow to strike Liu Qi or Yun Shiqing.

The frontier tribes were skilled in archery. These Nazang soldiers, raised in the snowy highlands, were masters of bows and crossbows. Even the strongest guards struggled to withstand the relentless assault. Their formation began to crumble.

Suddenly, an unknown arrow struck one guard square in the chest, killing him on the spot.

The sounds of blades piercing flesh followed one after another. The guards were steadily cut down. Fewer than five remained standing. Fortunately, the Nazang soldiers had run out of arrows, and the slaughter paused.

But Mu Qi had no intention of sparing them. He gave another order to kill. The Nazang warriors charged, and the clash of steel rang out once more.

Yun Shiqing drew his sword and cut down every man who came near. Liu Feng, afraid his young master would be injured, threw him his own sword without hesitation and fought barehanded.

The Nazang soldiers saw how ruthless Yun Shiqing was and dared not approach him. They turned to Liu Qi instead, only to discover that the “fragile scholar” the King of Gongbu had mocked was no easier to deal with. A simple saber flowed like drifting clouds in his hands. Everyone who came close was struck down and bleeding.

The remaining Capital Command guards shielded Liu Qi and Yun Shiqing as they slowly retreated. Their numbers continued to dwindle.

Mu Qi clearly hadn’t expected the prime minister’s combat skills to be so formidable. He froze in shock, then finally raised a hand. A guard stepped forward and handed him a bow.

He nocked an arrow and drew it back to full. With a slight breath, he closed one eye and aimed at Liu Qi.

Ulusuntu had broken free of the ropes. Seeing this, he rushed forward and grabbed his father’s waist, shouting, “Father, don’t kill him.”

Liu Qi and Yun Shiqing both turned at the same time, but the arrow had already flown.

Though Mu Qi was disrupted by his son, the arrow still struck Liu Qi in the side of the leg, forcing him to drop to his knees.

“Si Heng.” Ulusuntu threw himself over without hesitation.

Liu Qi snapped the arrow shaft without pause, but the wave of pain that followed left him unable to rise.

Liu Feng rushed to support him, but Liu Qi pushed him away and whispered, “You all need to leave.”

Yun Shiqing frowned. After only a moment of hesitation, he used lightfoot technique to vanish into the dark forest.

Seeing that Liu Feng still refused to leave, Liu Qi said quickly, “With Ulusuntu here, they won’t kill me. Go with Yun Shiqing, he holds military command and can call for reinforcements nearby. Wait for your chance and come back to save me. Don’t get all of us trapped here.”

Liu Feng’s eyes were bloodshot. He choked out, “Take care, young master,” then gritted his teeth and retreated.

Ulusuntu rushed over and pressed his trembling hand against Liu Qi’s bleeding leg. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t let them hurt you again.”

Liu Qi turned his head slightly to look at him, his gaze murky and unreadable.

Mu Qi, enraged, dismounted and strode over. He slapped Ulusuntu hard across the face.

“Useless thing! He’s Liu Qi, not Si Heng. How long are you going to stay bewitched like this?!”

Ulusuntu ignored the burning pain on his cheek. Without hesitation, he tore a piece of cloth from his robes and tied it around Liu Qi’s knee to stop the bleeding.

Mu Qi was so furious that he saw black. He snatched up a blade and swung it at Liu Qi, but Ulusuntu threw himself over him, shielding him with his body.

The edge of the blade hovered just inches from his spine.

Mu Qi, seething, kicked him hard, but his son held onto Liu Qi tightly. Even as bones cracked under the impact, he showed no intention of letting go.

Liu Qi gently touched Ulusuntu’s shoulder and said quietly, “Let go. Don’t anger your father on my behalf.”

Ulusuntu stared at him without blinking. His eyes suddenly welled up, though it was unclear whether from pain or something deeper.

Mu Qi forced himself to hold back. In the end, he didn’t kill his own son. He flung the weapon away and shouted, “Fine! I won’t kill him. Now let go already!”

Seeing his son finally straighten up, Mu Qi gave a bitter, twisted smile and glared fiercely at Liu Qi. “What kind of spell have you put on my son to make him risk his life for you?”

Even someone as eloquent as Liu Qi had no reply. He averted his gaze and stared into the empty, dark forest.

After a long pause, Mu Qi ordered the men behind him, “Go after Yun Shiqing. Make sure there are no survivors.”

The soldiers accepted the command and immediately gave chase, blades drawn.

A moment later, one of the personal guards approached cautiously and asked, “My king, what should we do with Liu Qi?”

Mu Qi glanced at the anxious and frightened Ulusuntu. He seemed to resign himself to the situation and said through clenched teeth, “Take him back. Lock him up.”

Next