Chapter 119

Chapter 119: The Long River Rolls On, Reaching the North (Part 2)

The hegemony tramples white bones, the nation is broken, and cries of sorrow fill the air.

The clear sky bears witness to the hatred, ten years of humiliation washed away in blood.

Dreams return, the homeland is ruined;

Fragrant dust, returning only to earth.

The army of the southwest, its troops besiege the capital.

Mounted on his horse, Si Cang Qing gazed at the Hongdu City walls in the distance, where countless crossbowmen

 were densely packed.

The fourth confrontation saw both armies still locked in a standoff. During their southern campaign, the forces 

of Hongcheng had fought their way back, concentrating most of their strength within Hongdu City. Now, though 

tightly besieged, the city remained difficult to capture.

Journeying southward, the once-prosperous nation lay desolate everywhere—fields strewn with starved corpses, 

refugees rioting. The price of conquest has always been the suffering of the people. This once-great capital now 

echoed with cries of despair.

On the city ramparts, the young man slowly clenched his fists, gazing at that familiar yet now distant figure, 

who remained ever close to the stern-faced emperor.

Turning to look at the soldiers struggling to hold their ground, the young man gave a bitter smile.

Si Cang Qing coldly observed the Hongcheng commander atop the tower opposite—Wen Shu, was he? Rumor 

had it he was Hongcheng's most valiant and strategic general, a paragon of both wisdom and courage. He glanced 

at Cheng Tian Yang beside him, whose expression remained impassive, still as stagnant water, revealing not a 

ripple of emotion.

Once Hongdu fell, the Hongcheng Kingdom as it once existed would cease to be. This man's ambition would be 

fulfilled, and Canghuan would be free of threat.

Mo Qingjue waited nearby, awaiting Si Cang Qing's command—this was the final battle of the Southwest Army's 

southern campaign. Si Cang Qing had ordered that he would personally command this last engagement.

“Yang...”

But he did not continue. Si Cang Qing turned his gaze, his eyes fixed indifferently on the fluttering banners atop 

the city walls. Under the scorching sun, they reflected a blinding glare. His lips moved slightly, and two cold words

escaped his mouth, transmitted through his inner energy to the ears of the soldiers: “Assault the city!”

The superior strategy lies in capturing the enemy's heart. Now was the time. Now was the moment to assault the 

city!

The command issued, Mo Qingjue swung his sword and bellowed, “Assault the city!”

Just as the two armies were about to clash, the gates of Hongdu City opened strangely, standing wide open 

before the Canghuan forces as if inviting their entry.

For a moment, no one dared to make a move!

“Your Majesty,” Mo Qingjue frowned slightly, his voice grave. “Wen Shu suddenly ordered the gates opened—

this may be a ruse!”

Si Cang Qing offered no reply, only watching coldly as a figure slowly emerged from within the city. That man 

took a step forward, and the Canghuan soldiers grew even more wary, their spears fixed upon him, ready to pierce 

him with a hail of arrows at any moment.

“Wen Shu! You traitorous scoundrel! How dare you kidnap this general and collude with the enemy! Soldiers, do 

not let this villain succeed! Seize him at once!”

This furious shout came from one of the elderly generals restrained atop the city wall. Even Hongcheng's soldiers 

seemed unaware of what was unfolding, frozen in place.

As he strolled to a distance of over ten zhang from Si Cang Qing, he was completely surrounded by the Canghuan 

Army. Wen Shu showed no sign of nervousness. His gaze lingered lingeringly on Cheng Tian Yang for a long 

moment before finally shifting to Si Cang Qing. He spoke softly, “Your Imperial Majesty, the soldiers of Hongdu 

are here to surrender...”

The words sent shockwaves through both armies.

A general commanding hundreds of thousands of troops had surrendered without even attempting resistance. Such 

an event was unprecedented.

“Wen Shu, you traitor!” several veteran generals roared. “Guards! Seize him!”

Wen Shu turned to face the Hongcheng soldiers and declared in a raised voice: Hongcheng launched an unjust 

war first. Now, the three northern passes, three frontiers, and seven prefectures have all fallen. Our people suffer 

terribly from war, and countless soldiers have perished... Now, the Canghuan army stands at our gates. The fall of 

Hongdu is inevitable... Rather than continue this slaughter, it is better... it is better to surrender and secure peace 

for our people."

Having spoken, he turned once more to face Si Cang Qing, his gaze steady as he declared, “My Hongcheng nation 

is shattered. The realm is now within the Emperor Cang's grasp. Today, I, Wen Shu, present him with the entire 

city of Hongdu intact. I only beg, I only beg the Emperor Cang to show mercy and spare my lord...”

Si Cang Qing coldly stared at him, remaining silent.

Unsurprised by Si Cang Qing's silence, Wen Shu abruptly knelt, looking at Cheng Tian Yang, his lips barely

 moving.

His body trembled almost imperceptibly. Cheng Tian Yang's eyes flickered, then he abruptly turned away, no 

longer looking at the man—Wen Shu mouthed: “I return your wish.”

Wen Shu abruptly drew his sword and held it to his own neck.

This scene horrified the soldiers of Hongcheng. They shouted to stop him, but could not approach.

His gaze fixed on the stunningly handsome man who refused to spare even a glance, Wen Shu said, word by word: 

"As the commander of Hongcheng, I failed to protect my country and my family. Now… I have even betrayed 

my principles and surrendered to the enemy. This act is unforgivable, and I can only pay with my life!"

"I hope Emperor Cang will treat Hongcheng's people as equally as his own citizens, I hope..."

Before he could finish, Wen Shu committed suicide, the sharp blade severing his throat, cutting off his last words: 

"I hope you will treat Twelve well..."

Hongdu City, besieged for many days, fell without a fight amidst the chaos of soldiers' grief.

Afterwards, Si Cang Qing ordered the surrendered soldiers to be incorporated into the army, while the veteran 

generals and those who refused to surrender were imprisoned. The Southwest Army, as before, remained encamped 

outside the city to avoid disturbing the people's livelihood.

Small groups of light infantry had already stormed Hongcheng's palace.

Standing side-by-side with Cheng Tian Yang on the city wall of Hongdu, Si Cang Qing silently observed the scene 

within the city. The once bustling streets were now desolate and bleak, with only one or two people occasionally 

running past in fear.

"Your Majesty..."

Si Cang Qing turned to Mo Qingjue, waiting for his words.

"Cheng Tianyi escaped from Hongdu."

◇Cang◇Huan◇Seven◇Palaces◇

“Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Cheng Tianyi has fled south with a small contingent of troops. I have 

already dispatched men in pursuit and contacted General Luo Shui, who is leading the encirclement forces, 

instructing him to block all escape routes for Cheng Tianyi.”

Nodding slightly, Si Cang Qing asked in a calm voice, “Luo Shui, when can he arrive?”

“If all goes according to plan, he should reach Hongdu within three or four days.”

Lowering his gaze in thought, Si Cang Qing pressed no further. Instead, he turned to the unusually quiet 

Cheng Tian Yang beside him. “Yang, let's take a walk through the city.”

The southern campaign was not yet over, but Hongcheng was already a fallen kingdom. It was time for him to 

return to the capital. He would wait only for Feng Lan, who would join Luo Shui's army heading north in a few 

days, and for the man before him to gather his composure.

In the meantime, he must survey the devastation this war had wrought upon Hongcheng—now that it was all part 

of Canghuan's territory, it deserved equal development.

“Your Majesty,” Cheng Tian Yang murmured, his gaze unfocused, “May we... visit the palace?”

“Very well.”

Tianxiang Pavilion.

The damaged plaque still hung crookedly above the entrance. Cheng Tian Yang’s footsteps slowed gradually. 

Si Cang Qing, unaware of this place, accompanied him in silence.

A soft push on the wooden door drew a creaking sound. The rotten door panel scraped across the floor, revealing 

a distinct crack amidst the green moss. Cheng Tian Yang entered almost cautiously, moving slowly from the 

shade toward the center of the courtyard.

Sunlight bathed the lifeless structure, reflecting a cold glare.

The garden lay utterly desolate, weeds towering nearly as tall as a person. In the distance, the flowering trees that 

had always filled the air with fragrance this season now lay toppled and tangled among the crumbling walls.

Desolation.

“Your Majesty,” Cheng Tian Yang suddenly flashed a smile, taking Si Cang Qing's hand. With his other hand, 

he parted the weeds and walked toward that direction. “This used to be where Mother lived. There are many fun 

places here. Let me take you exploring...”

It seemed as though he was truly carefree and joyful, just like back then.

Allowing himself to be led along, tangled vines occasionally brushing against his body, Si Cang Qing followed 

Cheng Tian Yang around the corner ahead, arrived at a pile of rubble.

Stopping abruptly, Cheng Tian Yang murmured, “Where's the pond? Why is it gone?”

Si Cang Qing gazed indifferently at the pile of scattered rocks. Clearly, this spot had once held a small pond with 

a rockery. But after years of neglect, the pond—never connected to an external water source—had gradually 

dried up. Years of wind and rain had long since eroded the rockery's original form.

As if finally awakening, Cheng Tian Yang suddenly buried his face in Si Cang Qing's embrace, murmuring 

repeatedly, “I thought... I thought it was all still here.”

Holding him gently, Si Cang Qing replied calmly, “If you wish, I will rebuild the Tianxiang Pavilion exactly as it 

was.” "

“Hmph,” Cheng Tian Yang murmured, his laughter faint against the warmth of the embrace, “No matter how 

similar the reconstruction, it would never be the old home. Why bother? Only to stir up more sorrow.”

“This was where I, my brother, and Mother once lived. All our memories are here...”

Cheng Tian Yang spoke without pause, "After Mother and Brother met their end, I... never returned. I swore that 

as long as the Hongcheng royal house stood, I would never set foot in Tianxiang Pavilion again. But now..."

“Yang,” Si Cang Qing murmured softly, “it's all in the past.”

The vengeance has been exacted. Every Hongcheng minister has been imprisoned. The only one still at large, 

Cheng Tianyi, has nowhere left to run.

“Not yet,” Cheng Tian Yang looked up at Si Cang Qing, his voice gritted with fury. “Cheng Tian Yi and Mu 

Lianyu—they haven't been caught yet!”

“Did that traitor think surrendering would spare him? He was dreaming! Did he think... did he think committing 

suicide before me would earn forgiveness? He was nothing but a coward!”

“I will avenge every single humiliation my mother and brother endured!”

Si Cang Qing regarded him calmly. “Very well.”

At that response, Cheng Tian Yang abruptly fell silent, staring blankly at Si Cang Qing. His eyes swirled with 

countless emotions. After a long moment, he murmured softly, "Your Majesty, thank you. "

Without Si Cang Qing, no matter how formidable he was, he could never have achieved complete vengeance!

Si Cang Qing said nothing, only gently kissed his eyelid.

That simple gesture made Cheng Tian Yang's eyes suddenly redden. He abruptly turned and said, “Your Majesty,

 please accompany me to one more place...”

Before the withered tree, Si Cang Qing knelt on the ground as requested, listening quietly to the man's words.

"Mother, your curse has finally come true. The world no longer has the Kingdom of Hongcheng. You may rest in 

peace!“ As he spoke, Cheng Tian Yang grasped Si Cang Qing's arm again, his voice tinged with low laughter. 

”This is the Emperor of Canghuan Kingdom—and also... my brother's husband. He helped me fulfill your dying 

wish... Though His Majesty is rather reserved, he treats my brother well... You... would have liked him, wouldn't 

you?"

The evening glow painted half the sky.

After one last lingering glance at the withered tree, Cheng Tian Yang abruptly turned, interlocking fingers with 

Si Cang Qing. “Your Majesty, night has fallen. Let us depart!”

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