Chapter 108
Chapter 108: Life's Paths Are Often Treacherous (Part 2)
The wind howls, thunder roars;
Marching a hundred leagues, swords drawn, horses galloping.
Swords clash with fierce cries, banners wave in battle shouts;
Galloping and wielding blades, grass and trees bowed before them.
“Charge—”
Amidst the roar of war drums, the cavalry camp led the assault. Upon their towering steeds, soldiers clad in
iron armor brandished long halberds, charging forward while fighting fiercely. Light infantry brought up the rear.
After the enemy suffered heavy losses, they swiftly weaved through the cavalry formation. Left hands gripping
bamboo shields, right hands wielding curved blades, they advanced with ghostly footwork, replacing the cavalry
in charging directly at the enemy.
This marked the third engagement at the Xiwu Pass battlefield. Each time the Hongcheng Kingdom's forces
suffered heavy losses, the Canghuan army seized the advantage and withdrew, beating their drums to signal retreat
as soon as the enemy retreated.
But this time was different. The Canghuan army pressed forward relentlessly. The remnants of Hongcheng's forces
retreated step by step, hastily withdrawing back into the city.
The massive city gates slammed shut with a thunderous clang, halting the Canghuan forces' advance. Upon the
ramparts, tens of thousands of crossbowmen swiftly took their positions. Arrows rained down like a torrent,
whistling toward the Canghuan troops below.
Light infantry swiftly flipped their bamboo shields to block the hail of arrows. They spun their specially crafted
curved blades—the short swords behind the central handles retracting with a sharp whizz to enhance
maneuverability—to deflect the incoming arrows. The cavalry formation from the new barracks had already
withdrawn earlier, and the light infantry followed suit, retreating rapidly. Simultaneously, countless soldiers clad
in cold iron black armor charged forward. Braving the hail of arrows, they hoisted scaling ladders and raced
toward the base of the city walls.
The arrow storm intensified, striking them with increasing density. At that very moment, a thunderous rumble
shook the heavens and earth. A dozen massive black iron siege towers advanced slowly yet steadily toward the
city gates.
The Hongcheng soldiers on the ramparts, seeing these siege towers several times larger than their wooden shield
carts, fell into even greater panic. They frantically fired arrows and hurled stones at the attacking Canghuan troops.
Despite the Canghuan soldiers' bravery, casualties were inevitable.
Si Cang Qing, clad in white armor, watched silently from afar as wave after wave of soldiers charged forward
only to fall. At the center of the ramparts stood the bulky figure of General Wei Chong, commander of Xiwuguan
Pass and one of Cheng Tianyi's most capable lieutenants.
As the assault grew increasingly fierce, the final bastion outside Yaoshan Ridge teetered on collapse. Wei Chong
fought with a frenzied, reckless abandon—no wonder Cheng Tianyi valued him so highly. A commander who
fought with such madness on the battlefield was not without merit.
Yet Si Cang Qing's gaze remained icy. He refused to waste more time here—Hongdu must fall before May.
Otherwise, the rainy season would arrive, stripping them of their strategic advantage.
—To catch the thief, first catch the king.
Stretching out his hand, Si Cang Qing coldly commanded, “Bring me the arrows!”
Mo Qingjue, standing nearby, paused in surprise before grasping the emperor's intent. Glancing toward the city
gate tower of Xiwu Pass, he hesitated. “Your Majesty, we're too far from the tower. The bows simply can't reach
that distance.”
“Bring them!”
Si Cang Qing dismissed further discussion, his expression cold as he fixed his gaze on Mo Qingjue. The latter
instantly grasped the order, though his voice carried disapproval. “Your Majesty, you must not risk yourself.
Perhaps... allow this subordinate to attempt it.”
Before Si Cang Qing could respond, another voice cut in from the side. "Hmph. This is a battlefield. You still
have time to haggle?"
Before anyone could react, a white figure flashed. A man shot toward the city tower at incredible speed.
...Cheng Tian Yang!
Startled, Si Cang Qing instantly followed.
“Your Majesty!” Mo Qingjue cried out, but it was too late to stop the two who vanished in an instant.
Si Cang Qing had never witnessed Cheng Tian Yang's true martial prowess, unaware that his lightness skills had
reached near-perfect mastery. Just as he reached the man's side, Cheng Tian Yang abruptly halted, his toes digging
into the tower cart. Swiftly drawing his bow to full tension, he released the arrow. In the blink of an eye, it pierced
straight through the throat of the figure atop the city wall.
Shooting an arrow through a willow leaf from a hundred paces—this was nothing short of mastery!
It all happened in the blink of an eye. Wei Chong had no time to react before tumbling headfirst from the tower.
With the enemy leader dead, Si Cang Qing wasted no time. He flicked the silver thread in his hand, sweeping away
countless incoming arrows. His other arm wrapped around Cheng Tian Yang's waist as he dashed backward. In a
few swift leaps, they were already beyond the range of the enemy crossbows.
Their feet landed lightly. Cheng Tian Yang turned to look at Si Cang Qing, smiling softly. “Your Majesty, why
did you follow?” He didn't demand an answer, instead turning his gaze back toward the city wall. Without their
leader, the army instantly descended into chaos.
At that moment, the battering ram crashed into the city gate—once, then again. Xiwu Pass was now within their
grasp.
Behind them, the clatter of hooves grew chaotic. Si Cang Qing turned to see Ye Lou, Mo Qingjue, and several
others approaching.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness the West Empress, are you both unharmed?”
Si Cang Qing shook his head slightly, his voice grave. “Do not concern yourself with this emperor. Focus only
on the troops.”
“Your Majesty's command is obeyed.” As Ye Lou watched the city gate crash open, he turned and bellowed,
“The gate is breached! Soldiers, charge!”
The assaulting troops surged forward with renewed vigour, while the rearguard charged forward, swords drawn.
Xiwu Pass, breached!
“Ha!” Cheng Tian Yang roared with laughter. “Three passes, three lines—all taken. Once Yao Mountain Ridge
falls, the world will know no more of Hongcheng!”
No longer watching the siege, Si Cang Qing narrowed his eyes, fixing his gaze on the man laughing with reckless
abandon. These past days, subtle shifts in this man's mood had grown increasingly erratic.
◇Cang◇Huan◇Qi◇Gong◇
“...At the Battle of Xiwu Pass, seventy thousand enemy troops were captured. The remnants of their forces fled
southward, likely heading toward Yaoshan Ridge.”
Within the grand tent, Si Cang Qing sat composed in his cushioned chair, listening to Mo Qingjue and others
report. After a moment, he spoke his orders: “The main army shall rest here for several days. Then, we advance
directly upon Yaoshan Ridge.”
“Understood!”
“Very well, all may withdraw.”
Staring at the topographical map before him, Si Cang Qing was deep in thought.
“Your Majesty,” Cheng Tian Yang entered from outside, having already shed his armour for his customary crimson
robe. He smiled as he looked at Si Cang Qing. “Studying the terrain of Yaoshan Ridge?”
Si Cang Qing didn't lift his head, merely humming in acknowledgment as his brow furrowed slightly.
Cheng Tian Yang had already resumed his usual composure. He sat down beside him, also studying the map,
and remarked, “Advancing into the heartland of Hongcheng Kingdom within three months—this campaign has
been far smoother than anticipated.”
This remark only deepened Si Cang Qing's frown. Precisely because of this, he harboured some hidden concerns.
Though it was a personal campaign led by the sovereign, unlike the expedition against Guangyu Kingdom,
Si Cang Qing had not participated in any decision-making. He had entrusted full authority to the acting general,
Mo Qingjue, and others like Ye Lou.
Over these three months, countless battles—both large and small—had unfolded. The Canghuan Army had
achieved nothing short of total victory. Even the rare minor setbacks seemed deliberately orchestrated by that man.
All this seemed to prove that his decision to entrust the command seal to Mo Qingjue had been profoundly correct.
Yet, how could a scholar who had never set foot on a battlefield possess such extraordinary talent? Not only in
military strategy, but even more so in actual combat. Veterans like Yan Sheng, who had initially harboured some
resentment toward that man, now held Mo Qingjue in complete and utter admiration.
Si Cang Qing had never truly trusted Mo Qingjue, but his suspicions were based solely on intuition and the man's
peculiar disposition.
“Mo Qingjue really is a terrifying individual,” Cheng Tian Yang, who generally understood Si Cang Qing's
thoughts, mused thoughtfully. "Yet in the few months I've interacted with him, I've seen no hint of any ulterior
motives. Moreover, he is a military genius. Aside from his slightly lacking martial arts skills, he is nearly perfect."
Glancing indifferently at Cheng Tian Yang, Si Cang Qing said nonchalantly, “Leave him be.” Regardless of that
man's true identity, Si Cang Qing was certain that, at least for now, he posed no threat. And he needed a general,
a sharp blade. This blade could help him subdue Hongcheng sooner!
“Your Majesty,” Cheng Tian Yang no longer pressed the matter of that person, instead leaning softly against
Si Cang Qing. “Was my arrow today splendid?”
Nodding slightly, Si Cang Qing lowered his gaze to study the man. He could sense the emotional ripples beneath
his calm exterior... Had the man on the city wall today also done something to this person in the past?
“Your Majesty, are you curious why I chose to shoot the arrow myself?”
Si Cang Qing raised an eyebrow slightly, but heard the man mutter to himself, “That old bastard got off easy!
If it hadn't been for needing a quick resolution, I would've sliced every inch of flesh off his body!”
Silence fell. Si Cang Qing averted his gaze and interrupted the man's thoughts in a calm voice, “Come with me
to inspect the city.”
“No!”
Chengtian Yang threw himself into Si Cang Qing's embrace, clutching his neck tightly, his voice tinged with
both pout and anger. “I'm talking to you! You're always like a block of wood, busy with nonsense all day long.”
“Do you want to know how that old man treated me back then?”
Si Cang Qing furrowed his brow, a faint sense of helplessness stirring within him. Perhaps it was the growing
proximity to Hongdu, but this man's demeanour had grown increasingly peculiar. Unlike before, when he always
concealed everything, now he would sometimes cheerfully reveal his emotions, only to become even stranger
at other times.
...He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he didn't like it.
“No,” Cheng Tian Yang breathed against his ear, “Do I really hold no attraction for Your Majesty at all?” His
fingers teased along Si Cang Qing's neck, slowly sliding downward.
Such actions had grown increasingly frequent these past days.
Gently clasping his hand, Si Cang Qing said softly, “Don't force yourself to do things you don't want to do.”
His body stiffened slightly. Cheng Tian Yang's eyes flashed with alluring charm as his hand slipped free, caressing
the other's chest. “Being with Your Majesty is such a joyful thing—how could I possibly feel forced?” He
countered, “Could it be that Your Majesty dislikes Tian Yang so much?”
For a moment, Si Cang Qing felt utterly helpless.
Seeing the slight softening beneath the other's cold expression, Cheng Tian Yang giggled softly. He slowly
lowered his head, gently licking Si Cang Qing's neck, his tongue moving with a touch of lightness and weight.
“Your Majesty,” came a muffled voice, “Does this feel uncomfortable?”
Just then, Mo Qingjue's voice came from outside the tent: “Your Majesty, this humble general has urgent matters
to discuss!”
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