Chapter 112

Chapter 112: Life's Paths Are Often Treacherous (Part 6)

Shadows loom dark over mountain passes,

Alone I lean upon the moon's pale light.

Camps shiver in the wind's lingering specter,

Longing for the return of old companions.

“Your Highness,” Ye Lou said coldly to the figure blocking his path, “His Majesty has not returned for half a 

month. Danger lurks everywhere. This humble officer must go to rescue him!”

Cheng Tian Yang lowered his eyelids, offering no reply.

“Therefore, Your Highness, I implore you not to stand in my way,” Ye Lou declared with righteous conviction. 

“Should I violate military orders, I shall personally request punishment upon the Emperor's return!”

Hearing this, Cheng Tian Yang slowly curved his lips, lifting his gaze to meet Ye Lou's steadily. “General Ye, 

I bear the Emperor's command to remain as military supervisor. Wherever impropriety arises, it is my duty to 

oversee and prevent it. Therefore...”

“Your actions, General, are in direct defiance of the imperial decree. I cannot possibly permit this.” Cheng Tian 

Yang said coolly. ”I request the general return to camp to reflect on his actions and focus his mind on preparing 

for future battles."

Ye Lou did not yield, his gaze icy as he stared straight at Cheng Tian Yang. "This subordinate knows he is guilty, 

but... I implore Your Highness to judge fairly. The one now in mortal peril is the commander of our Six Armies, 

the Emperor of our Canghuan Kingdom. The soldiers of Canghuan cannot stand by and abandon our sovereign 

while he faces mortal peril! Even if our heads are severed and blood flows, our resolve to protect our ruler shall 

never waver!"

To any discerning ear, it was clear Ye Lou did not regard Cheng Tian Yang as the Empress of Canghuan at all, 

hence his repeated emphasis on the word “Canghuan.”

Shedding his usual gentle smile, Cheng Tian Yang swept his gaze across the assembled figures. Seeing the veiled 

resentment in their eyes, his mind grew clear. Without anger, his expression remained composed as he replied 

with equal solemnity:

“General Ye, I understand your feelings. But please do not forget—the one whose life hangs in the balance is not 

merely the Emperor of Canghuan. He is also my husband, my heaven!” He paused between each word. "and I 

can never ignore His Majesty's danger."

Changing the subject abruptly, Cheng Tian Yang turned a cold gaze upon the assembled crowd. "However, 

His Majesty issued a sacred decree before departing. Your actions amount to nothing less than defying our 

sovereign and desecrating the majesty of Heaven. As subjects, you have proven yourselves disloyal. Moreover, 

this conduct will inevitably undermine the morale of our Canghuan forces. As the Imperial Inspector, I cannot 

tolerate even the slightest leniency."

“Indeed, General Ye's concern for His Majesty is understandable. Yet I trust that as the Son of Heaven, 

His Majesty possesses extraordinary wisdom and courage, capable of what others cannot achieve.” Cheng Tian 

Yang fixed his gaze on Ye Lou. “General, are you questioning the Emperor's abilities?”

“This humble officer dares not!”

“Well said, ‘dare not’,” Cheng Tian Yang's clear voice carried an unyielding pressure. He continued, 

“General Ye has openly disregarded His Majesty's command and even ignored my own admonition. These are 

extraordinary times. I shall not pursue this matter further now. You are ordered to return to your camp for 

reflection until His Majesty's return, when judgment shall be passed!”

“Guards, escort General Ye back!”

A cool breeze swept through the valley. Cheng Tian Yang's voice echoed across the field. The assembled troops 

were torn—furious at Cheng Tian Yang for blocking their path, yet acknowledging the logic in his words. They 

could not defy the command any longer.

In the shadows, Feng Xiang stood tense, watching the fiery figure confront hundreds of thousands of troops. 

A deep worry settled in his heart. He waited for the slightest sign of unrest to rush to his aid.

“What?” Empress Cheng Tian Yang swept his gaze across the crowd with a faint, mocking smile. “Did none of 

you hear my command?” His eyes fell upon the Imperial Guards, caught between advancing and retreating. 

“Or do you all presume that as the West Empress, I am merely a figurehead, and thus dare to act with impunity?”

“We are deeply afraid!”

“How very fearful,” Cheng Tian Yang declared, drawing a bronze-yellow imperial token from his sleeve. “You 

may choose to ignore my words, but with this token of the Emperor's command before you, do you still dare defy?”

As if the Emperor himself were present.

The crowd gasped, all falling to their knees. “Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! 

Ten thousand years!”

Standing tall before the army, Cheng Tian Yang's expression was solemn. He gazed at the sea of kneeling soldiers 

for a long moment, speechless. His gaze returned to Ye Lou at the front. Finally, he spoke in a measured tone, no 

longer aggressive. "My soldiers worry for our Emperor. Occasional missteps are understandable! Yet His Majesty 

has left you here, a testament to his complete trust. I implore you not to betray his expectations."

Cheng Tian Yang paused briefly before continuing, “Considering your concerns, I hereby pledge: we shall wait 

five more days. Should His Majesty still not return after five days, I shall personally lead the army to search for 

him. During these five days, I urge you all to fulfill your duties, strengthen yourselves, and train your troops. 

Yaoshan Ridge is merely one obstacle on our southern campaign; greater perils lie ahead.”

“General Ye, as the foremost among our commanders, you now lead this agitation. Such behavior may be forgiven 

but not condoned. Therefore, I urge you to return and reflect. In military affairs, impatience is the greatest vice.”

Dead silence.

After a long silence, Ye Lou suddenly rose. “This subordinate humbly obeys Your Highness's command! But pray 

do not forget—the five-day deadline!” With that, he turned and strode toward the barracks.

As Ye Lou retreated, the other officers and soldiers, however reluctant, could only suppress their thoughts.

Watching the army gradually withdraw and return to their respective quarters, only then did Cheng Tian Yang 

slowly withdraw his hand. Lowering his eyes, his fingers traced the surface of the command token.

Feng Xiang appeared silently beside him. “Your Highness, perhaps you should return to camp.”

Cheng Tian Yang did not look up, merely carefully tucking the token back into his sleeve. “Why didn't you 

accompany His Majesty?”

“His Majesty worried for Your Highness, so he left me to protect you in secret.”

Cheng Tian Yang chuckled softly. “You're such a blockhead!” Ignoring Feng Xiang, he lifted his head and strode 

back with purpose.

◇Cang◇Huan◇Qi◇Gong◇

A fierce wind swept through, rustling the ancient trees.

Si Cang Qing stood on the open plain, hands clasped behind his back, watching soldiers climb hand over hand 

up the cliff face. Of the thirty thousand who had set out, only a few thousand remained.

Fortunately, they had escaped the maze.

After the waterfall was blasted open with gunpowder, the once-raging current gradually slowed. It was then they 

discovered the water flowing within the cave was not poisonous. This revelation allowed the surviving few 

thousand to narrowly escape death's grasp.

Still, everyone's strength remained severely depleted. Yet, fueled by the newfound hope of survival, the soldiers 

rallied their spirits and groped their way out through the hidden passage within the cave.

Si Cang Qing couldn't understand why Cheng Tianyi had arranged that secret passage—one side leading to 

Yaoshan Ridge, the other to the sheer cliff here. The first time they took the wrong path, they groped their way 

to the outskirts of Yaoshan Ridge. Even though Yaoshan City lay before them, they had no strength left to fight, 

so they had no choice but to turn back and take the other secret passage.

The exit leading to the cliff was blocked by boulders, so they hadn't noticed anything amiss when they passed 

through here before.

The soldiers climbed up one by one, sitting panting on the clearing as they waited for their comrades behind. 

Fortunately, the soldiers had already cleared the path here during their last visit, so it didn't require much effort 

this time.

Si Cang Qing stood by the cliff's edge, watching several soldiers struggle to haul the unconscious Mo Qingjue 

upward. Over these past days, Si Cang Qing had gradually dispelled his initial suspicions about this man. While 

he couldn't fully trust him, he was no longer so certain that this man was the mastermind behind everything.

He merely kept a watchful eye in his heart. The greatest concern now remained the battle against Hongcheng. 

Compared to the conquest of Guangyu, this conflict felt exceptionally perilous.

Still... with the passage through Yaoshan Ridge secured, the assault on Yaoshan City was within reach.

“Ah—”

Chaotic cries erupted as the soldiers supporting Mo Qingjue slipped on the icy surface. All of them slid backward, 

and in the split second they instinctively loosened their grip, Mo Qingjue was flung forward, his body plunging 

straight down.

The moment the accident occurred, Si Cang Qing leapt down to the cliff's edge, reaching out to catch the man 

who had nearly crashed onto the sharp, jagged rocks below. The sudden exertion of his martial energy sent a 

wave of nausea through his body, stirring the internal injuries he had sustained days prior. As he caught 

Mo Qingjue, Si Cang Qing simultaneously suppressed the turbulent qi and blood surging within him.

The cliff wasn't exceptionally high; otherwise, no matter how skilled Si Cang Qing was, he wouldn't have had 

time to save him.

Lowering his gaze to the pale, unconscious man, Si Cang Qing glanced at the utterly exhausted soldiers. After a 

moment's thought, he motioned for a soldier to come forward and help hoist Mo Qingjue onto his back.

All present stared in stunned silence as the cold, ruthless emperor climbed the cliff, carrying their great general 

on his back.

Si Cang Qing remained oblivious to their shock and disbelief, driven by his own calculations. Whether 

Mo Qingjue was the man he sought or not, he couldn't afford to harm him now. For the southern campaign, 

Mo Qingjue was an exceptional commander.

Once they returned to camp, it would be time to send someone to properly refine this man's martial arts. As a 

general, Mo Qingjue's greatest weakness was his relatively poor martial skills. Fortunately, over these days, 

Si Cang Qing could see that he possessed an extremely resolute will.

Therefore, those suspicions could be set aside for now.

“Your... Your Majesty...”

When Si Cang Qing returned to the cliff's edge, several soldiers stammered, attempting to offer assistance.

“No need,” Si Cang Qing replied coolly, observing them. “Focus on yourselves.” These men had survived such 

perilous conditions—proof they were no ordinary soldiers. With proper training, they would become exceptional 

warriors.

Glancing over the assembled soldiers, Si Cang Qing spoke slowly, “Our military encampment is not far from here. 

Hold on, everyone. Upon our return, I shall reward you all!”

The men stirred, their spirits soaring. “We shall not disappoint Your Majesty!”

...

The moon hung low over the treetops.

Cheng Tian Yang stood silently amidst the mountains and forests, gazing into the distance at the dark, dense 

mountain ranges. Fragmented moonlight fell upon him, swaying gently with the breeze, faint and unreal.

“Your Highness, it is late. You should return to rest.”

Cheng Tian Yang remained silent.

After a long moment, he abruptly turned and walked away. Passing through the camp, he approached 

Si Cang Qing's main tent. The guarding soldiers saluted him. Ignoring them, Cheng Tian Yang lifted the curtain 

and stepped inside.

He walked softly to the bedside and stopped. Seeing the white cloak casually draped there, Cheng Tian Yang 

slowly reached out to pick it up. He bent his head, inhaling the familiar scent. Suddenly, he recalled that snowy 

day when he'd caught a wild rabbit and proudly displayed it before Si Cang Qing. That man remained as 

indifferent as ever, yet warmth seeped through the cloak, gradually permeating his heart.

Late spring nights in the deep mountains carried a chill.

Shaking out the cloak, he draped it over his shoulders. Cheng Tian Yang sat down at the table, picked up 

the book on celestial formations, and buried his head in it—today marked the third day since he’d made his 

promise. Perhaps he truly must go find that person himself.

The pine-oil lamp cast a dim, flickering light, its shifting shadows dancing across the exquisite man’s form.

The night wind whistled through the air.

Uncertain of the hour, Cheng Tian Yang abruptly sat upright, staring blankly at the flickering lamp before him. 

His cloak lay discarded on the floor, a chill creeping over his body. After a moment, he lowered his head, slowly 

bending to retrieve it.

Suddenly, commotion erupted outside the tent, followed by overlapping shouts of joy: “The Emperor has returned!”

His hand trembled, and the cloak slipped away once more.

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