Chapter 113

Chapter 113: The Might of Six Armies Shakes the Wind and Thunder (Part One)

Moving with measured steps, Cheng Tian Yang laced up his shoes and socks before strolling toward the tent 

entrance.

Torches flickered across the campground.

From afar, Cheng Tian Yang spotted Si Cang Qing. He was setting down the person on his back, handing them 

over to the soldiers standing guard nearby, before turning to walk this way.

After taking just two steps, Si Cang Qing caught sight of Cheng Tian Yang behind the crowd. The other man still 

wore that lazy demeanor, the corners of his lips curled in his usual smile.

“Your Majesty,” Cheng Tian Yang greeted him cheerfully, stepping forward. In full view of the soldiers, he slipped 

an arm around Si Cang Qing's neck, burying his face in the crook of his shoulder and murmuring, “You're finally 

back.”

Gently holding the man's waist, Si Cang Qing scanned the crowd and said in a calm voice, “See to the wounded 

soldiers immediately. All other matters can wait until tomorrow.”

With that, he walked toward his command tent, still holding Cheng Tian Yang close.

The moment they entered the tent, Cheng Tian Yang released Si Cang Qing, teasing him with a raised voice, 

“Ah, Your Majesty, you reek!”

“I'll have water brought at once.”

As he turned to leave, a flash of coldness flickered in his eyes as he glanced back. The faint scent of blood on 

Si Cang Qing had not escaped him. And he had never seen Si Cang Qing in such a disheveled state.

Si Cang Qing made no sound. His body suddenly tilted, his palm slamming onto the table just in time. The surging 

blood and qi could no longer be restrained: a mouthful of blood spurted forth, splattering the floor.

“Your Majesty!”
Hearing the commotion, Cheng Tian Yang turned around and saw Si Cang Qing coughing up blood. She cried 

out in alarm and instantly flew to his side, embracing him.

After coughing a few more times, Si Cang Qing turned his gaze and saw Cheng Tian Yang's horrified eyes. He 

managed to say, "I'm fine..." Before he could finish, another surge of blood rushed through him, and a trickle of 

bright red blood slid from the corner of his lips, dripping onto Cheng Tian Yang's arm.

The spot where the blood had touched felt like it had been burned. Cheng Tian Yang closed his eyes briefly before 

speaking softly, "Your Majesty is injured; don't move around!"

Helping Si Cang Qing sit up, his eyes fixed on him, Cheng Tian Yang called out, "Someone come here!"

As Cheng Tian Yang had instructed, a wooden tub and hot water were prepared.

During this time, Si Cang Qing also used his internal energy to slightly heal his internal injuries. After a while, 

feeling slightly better, he withdrew his efforts—his internal injuries were severe and wouldn't heal quickly, so he 

had to suppress them for now. His mind raced, and Si Cang Qing opened his eyes to find Cheng Tian Yang staring 

intently at him, his eyes icy cold.

Suddenly, Cheng Tian Yang's coldness vanished, and he smiled gently, casually undressing Si Cang Qing as if 

nothing had happened, saying, "Your Majesty, you need a good bath." He then complained, "The stench is 

unbearable."

He made no mention of Si Cang Qing's injuries.

“Yang,” Si Cang Qing allowed the other's movements, merely saying indifferently, “Prepare some food for me.” 

Though he had quenched his thirst in the secret passage, he still hadn't eaten anything. After so many days, it was 

truly unbearable.

Cheng Tian Yang immediately understood. “Your Majesty, please sit in the bath tub and wash first.” For someone 

who had been starving for so long, special food preparations were necessary.

As he spoke, he picked up a washcloth to help Si Cang Qing bathe while dispatching servants to prepare some 

liquid food and clean water.

After nearly an hour, Cheng Tian Yang finally settled Si Cang Qing, gently guiding him onto the bed. He smiled 

and said, “There, Your Majesty. Now get some rest.”

Si Cang Qing obediently lay down on the bed, his gaze faintly observing the man who had been bustling about 

since his return. The other’s complexion didn’t look too good either; after not seeing each other for over ten days, 

he seemed to have lost some weight. He shifted back slightly and said, “You should rest too.”

“Alright.”

A smile curved his lips. Cheng Tian Yang swiftly removed his shoes and socks, nestling into Si Cang Qing's 

embrace. One arm slipped under his armpit, his hand gently caressing the other's back.

Si Cang Qing fell asleep almost immediately.

The warmth in Cheng Tian Yang's eyes slowly faded. His hand slid lightly, gathering internal energy to heal 

Si Cang Qing's wounds.

His entire body trembled. He bit down hard on his lower lip, a thin thread of blood silently trickling down his jaw. 

Glancing at the sleeping figure, Cheng Tian Yang sat up and gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Si Cang Qing's internal energy was too profound. With his qi and blood now chaotic, Cheng Tian Yang couldn't 

possibly channel his own energy into the other man—he'd nearly been struck back by the force himself.

After sitting motionless for a long while, finally calming the surging qi and blood, Cheng Tian Yang lay back 

down. Turning his head to gaze at Si Cang Qing's sleeping face, his fingertips unconsciously brushed against 

the tear mole, gently caressing it.

“Your Majesty...”

Whispered murmurs lingered within the canopy, lingering long after the night had passed.

The tumultuous night swiftly faded. At dawn's first light, Cheng Tian Yang rose quietly. Noticing signs that 

Si Cang Qing might awaken, his fingers gently brushed the sleeping man's cheek.

“Your Highness the West Empress.”

Cheng Tian Yang spoke calmly, “Is General Mo inside?”

“Your Highness, the General has remained unconscious.”

“Oh?” Cheng Tian Yang raised an eyebrow. “Lead me to see him.”

On the bed, the young man lay sleeping quietly, his usual vibrant spirit replaced by extreme pallor. Cheng Tian 

Yang turned to the guard standing nearby. “How is General Mo's condition?”

“Your Highness, the General has not taken food or water for many days. His body is extremely weak, and he has 

not regained consciousness. The military physician has been here and said that if the General does not wake 

within the next day or two, it is feared...”

Hearing this, faint doubt stirred within Cheng Tian Yang. Could it be... they truly misunderstood this man? Or 

was this yet another trap?

He pressed no further, merely instructing, “See to it that General Mo is well cared for.”

◇Cang◇Huan◇Qi◇Gong◇

His eyelids felt heavy as he struggled to open them, a momentary haze clouding his mind.

A smiling face suddenly filled his vision, accompanied by a familiar, delighted voice that rang out abruptly, 

“Your Majesty, you're awake!”

With a slight shift, Si Cang Qing slowly pushed himself up to sit.

Cheng Tian Yang hurriedly supported him, sitting down beside the bed as well. He exhaled in relief. “Are you 

feeling better, Your Majesty?”

“Mm,” Si Cang Qing replied. Aside from lingering weakness, he felt no major ailments. Only the internal 

injuries... those would likely take some time to heal.

Gently wrapping his arms around him, Cheng Tian Yang rested his head against Si Cang Qing's shoulder and 

sighed. “Last night truly scared the life out of me... Your Majesty, why did you suddenly cough up blood?”

“It's nothing,” Si Cang Qing murmured softly. “Just some internal injuries.”

“Internal injuries?” Cheng Tian Yang murmured in disbelief. “How could that happen?”

Leaning back slightly against the pillar, Si Cang Qing wrapped an arm around the waist of the person in his 

embrace and slowly recounted their ordeal in the perilous forests of Yaoshan.

After hearing his explanation, Cheng Tian Yang frowned. “Gunpowder? I've never heard of Cheng Tianyi 

possessing such a thing.”

Si Cang Qing fell silent. Cheng Tianyi might indeed lack it—as long as that descendant of the Piao Miao Pavilion 

possessed it. This trip was clearly another trap laid by that person. Yet it seemed the opponent hadn’t truly intended 

to kill him; that illusionary array wasn’t a genuine Tianji Formation either.

Suppressing his doubts, Si Cang Qing lowered his gaze to the crown of the other’s head. “How are things in the 

army?”

Cheng Tian Yang lifted his gaze, a faint, mocking smile playing on his lips. “Hmph, your soldiers are quite 

devoted to protecting their master!” He glared at Si Cang Qing with feigned anger. “You'd better ask your own 

generals about the military situation! After all, I'm just a West Empress in name only...”

Catching the hidden meaning in his words, Si Cang Qing refrained from pressing further. Instead, he studied the 

thick, curled lashes fluttering before him, their rhythm stirring a faint tingle in his heart.

“Fool!” Cheng Tian Yang scolded with a playful scowl, meeting his gaze.

……

“Your humble servant pays homage to Your Majesty!”

Si Cang Qing coldly surveyed the kneeling crowd, remaining silent.

After waiting half a day for Si Cang Qing's response, Ye Lou gritted his teeth and spoke again, “Your humble 

servant has come specifically to beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!”

“What crime have you committed?” Si Cang Qing asked in a measured tone.

“This humble general disobeyed the imperial decree and nearly committed a grave error.” He had already learned 

from the surviving soldiers that the perilous forests of Yaoshan were exceptionally dangerous. Had he truly led the 

army recklessly into them that day, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Si Cang Qing spoke coldly, cutting straight to the point. “Once the campaign concludes, you shall be dealt with 

according to military law. Do you accept this?”

Ye Lou responded solemnly, “This subordinate accepts it wholeheartedly.”

Glancing at Cheng Tian Yang, Si Cang Qing added, “Anything else?”

Ye Lou bowed his head, his voice tinged with shame as he struggled to speak. “This subordinate... this subordinate 

humbly requests the West Empress to pass judgment...”

Cheng Tian Yang raised an eyebrow. “Hmph. What does General Ye mean by that?”

“This subordinate was disrespectful to Your Highness that day, therefore...”

“Hmph,” Cheng Tian Yang chuckled lightly. “General Ye was merely concerned for His Majesty and acted in 

haste. I hold no grudge. So this talk of punishment—spare yourself the trouble.”

“Your servant...”

“Ye Lou,” Si Cang Qing gave the visibly agitated man a cool glance. “Apologies and punishment won't change 

anything.”

After a moment's pause, Ye Lou abruptly bowed his head. “This subordinate obeys your command!” Si Cang 

Qing's words meant he should make amends through future actions, not that a single gesture could erase past 

mistakes.

“Enough, Your Majesty,” Cheng Tian Yang leaned against Si Cang Qing and said cheerfully, “General Ye was 

merely acting out of loyalty to his lord.”

Letting the matter drop, Si Cang Qing dismissed the assembly and resumed planning the next phase of the 

campaign.

In the days that followed, Ye Lou led the newly trained light infantry to secretly revisit the hidden passage to 

Yaoshan Ridge as instructed by Si Cang Qing. They cleared the passage, making it easier for the main army to 

advance.

“Your Majesty...”

“No need,” Si Cang Qing remarked indifferently, observing Mo Qingjue struggling to rise from the bed. He 

casually found a spot to sit. “How are you?”

Mo Qingjue smiled, his voice tinged with embarrassment. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This 

subordinate is no longer in any grave danger.”

Si Cang Qing gave a slight nod. “Once you're fully recovered, we'll launch the assault on Yaoshan Ridge.”

“This subordinate will not disappoint Your Majesty.”

On the twenty-eighth day of the fourth month in the third year of Qianyuan, the Canghuan Army breached 

Hongcheng's defenses at Yaoshan Ridge. Like ghostly apparitions, they suddenly materialized outside Yaoshan 

City and launched a surprise attack.

The soldiers of Hong Cheng within Yaoshan City held their positions stubbornly, mounting fierce resistance.

On the third day of the fifth month, the city's granaries caught fire, throwing the enemy's morale into chaos. 

The Canghuan Army swiftly exploited the opening to launch an offensive, forcing the enemy into a retreat.

“The granary caught fire?” Cheng Tian Yang looked at Si Cang Qing with confusion. “Was it someone you planted?”

Si Cang Qing also frowned slightly, shaking his head in denial. However, this sort of incident seemed far from 

the first occurrence.

“Then... who could it be?”

Just as the two were puzzled, a commotion erupted outside the main tent.

“Make way!” A familiar, sharp command rang out abruptly. Instantly, a white figure darted into the tent. 

“Qingqing, I've come to see you!”

Si Cang Qing looked at the person surrounded by guards with mild surprise—Qi Shuangran?

 

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