Chapter Ninety-Three: Another Victory Secured

Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing were completely exhausted. They had only managed to fight their way out of the battle formation through sheer willpower, and once under the protection of their allies, the tension finally snapped. Jiang Zhongqing collapsed on his horse on the spot, while Ye Pei could only slump over his mount, barely clinging to consciousness; he still had something to ask Chen Mo.

Soon, the two were brought to the rearguard where Chen Mo was stationed. Ye Pei forced his head up, saw Chen Mo gently waving his folding fan, and asked, "The... Spirit Boat... did you bring it?" His voice was so faint it was nearly inaudible.

Before Chen Mo could reply, Zi Qingrong, who was nearby, saw Ye Pei’s blood-stained clothes. She leaned forward urgently and cried, "Ye, how are you? Are you badly hurt?" As she spoke, the tears she had been holding back all along began to stream down her face.

Ye Pei turned to see Zi Qingrong, a faint smile touching his lips. He raised his hand, wanting to stroke her hair, but he no longer had the strength. "Why... did you come? It’s dangerous..."

Hearing Chen Mo’s reply, "Of course I brought the zither," Ye Pei felt at ease. He glanced once more at Zi Qingrong, then let his head drop and drifted into unconsciousness.

Seeing that Ye Pei had passed out, Chen Mo took his pulse, smiled, and let go. After doing the same for Jiang Zhongqing, he ordered, "Help them both off their horses to rest! Just lie them on the ground!"

Meanwhile, seeing that Ye Pei was still asking about the zither for her even as he was losing consciousness from his wounds, Zi Qingrong burst into tears. Watching Chen Mo check their pulses, she asked with a trembling voice, "You know medicine, too?"

Chen Mo laughed. "A little. They aren't in any serious danger; they're just exhausted. The injuries are only superficial."

After ensuring they were lying down, Chen Mo curled his lip and looked toward the nearby battlefield. "To think we turned a battle involving thousands into a massive street brawl... If this gets out, my reputation will be ruined forever."

That evening, Ye Pei woke up, and before he could grasp the situation, he was carried away, bed and all.

Ye Pei wanted to resist, but his entire body ached so much he couldn't muster the strength. Seeing that those around him held no malice—and with Zi Qingrong trotting along behind—he allowed them to do as they pleased.

Shortly after, Ye Pei was placed in the main seat of a large hall. Zi Qingrong, a smile on her lips, helped him sit up slowly.

Only then did Ye Pei clearly see the situation in the room. Huang Jifeng, Chen Mo, and Yang Tianrui were seated to the side, while a dejected officer knelt on the floor.

"What... is this all about?" Ye Pei closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead. He was still dizzy; after all, he had just woken from a faint without a drop of water or food and was immediately thrust into this situation. Anyone else might have passed out again.

Of course, Chen Mo had considered Ye Pei’s exceptional constitution before making the arrangement, having said, "Don't worry, Brother Ye is no ordinary man; he'll be fine."

Chen Mo said with a smile, "We have already taken Huasu City and captured Hua Yun, bringing him here to the City Lord's Mansion to await your decision, Brother Ye."

Ye Pei rubbed his face and opened his eyes, which still held their usual keen light. "Just kill him. Why take him prisoner?"

Hua Yun remained silent, while Yang Tianrui laughed from the side, "I didn't expect Brother Ye to handle it this way."

Ye Pei waved a hand. "I’ve lost count of how many Lin family officers have died by my hand, both in Wangmai and the Yan lands. One more or one less makes no difference."

Huang Jifeng asked, "Well... Young Master Ye, since he’s already been captured, what do you think?"

Ye Pei replied, "Just kill him. Why ask me? I’m not the one in charge here."

Huang Jifeng laughed. "It was Little Mo's idea."

Ye Pei snorted coldly. "I thought so. You’re still holding a grudge about what happened at the Jade Blade Tomb."

Amidst the casual conversation, Hua Yun was dragged away and executed. No one paid any mind to his cries as he was led out; everyone understood that once you set foot on this path, this was a perfectly normal outcome. Although Zi Qingrong was kind-hearted, she did not interfere with Ye Pei's decisions. She felt that as long as she stood behind him, that was enough. She understood politics, but she did not understand warfare, and she feared her own kindness might only cause him trouble.

Ye Pei had once told her: "In a golden age, kindness might be your reputation, but in a chaotic time, kindness and stupidity are the same thing."

"Say..." Ye Pei lay back down slowly with Zi Qingrong’s help. "Can you bring me some food before we keep talking? And has Zhongqing woken up? That boy wasn't hurt badly either; he passed out before I did."

Chen Mo smiled. "The people looking after him haven't come over, so he must still be asleep. I’ve already sent servants to prepare food."

Ye Pei closed his eyes. "Have those brothers from before carry me back to my bedroom. And find a doctor to tend to these wounds. Are you really incompetent, or just pretending? I was lying there like a corpse—couldn't you have had someone treat me?"

Chen Mo waved for men to carry Ye Pei away and said, "I did treat you."

Ye Pei didn't open his eyes. "Oh, give it a rest. Do you think I can't tell? That was just Qingrong changing my clothes and putting on some casual bandages. Get someone to treat me properly, quickly."

The next morning, after Ye Pei and Jiang Zhongqing had rested and eaten their fill, everyone gathered in the City Lord's assembly hall once more. At the insistence of the others, Ye Pei took the main seat.

"Have the residents of Huasu City been pacified?"

Yang Tianrui replied, "No problem. Just like in Jiazhou, the army didn't enter the city. We posted notices of pacification, and the common people haven't shown any extreme reactions."

Ye Pei rested his chin on his clasped hands and nodded. "We need to be careful with this work as we push further. We will likely run into people loyal to the Lin family eventually. Have you notified Jiazhou?"

Yang Tianrui said, "We have. According to reports, many reinforcements have arrived there, and Young Master Dongfang is arranging them. They likely won't be able to come here too soon."

Ye Pei pondered for a moment. "How many troops do we have here?"

Chen Mo said, "About 4,500 combat-ready soldiers."

Ye Pei nodded. "That's enough. Before they arrive, we will hold Huasu. I truly didn't expect to take Huasu this time. Zhongqing and I killed over a dozen of their officers, including a commander of a ten-thousand-man legion. They have suffered significant losses, so they likely won't launch a major offensive for a while. Even if they do, with so many officers missing, the threat is minimal."

Chen Mo replied, "Understood. I will deploy the troops to prepare for defense as soon as possible."

Ye Pei let out a long sigh. "Send someone to bring Zhuang Tianlan over. We might be able to live a relatively stable life in Huasu City for a few days."

In the afternoon, Ye Pei and Zi Qingrong enjoyed a rare moment of peace in the courtyard of the City Lord's Mansion. Ye Pei had retrieved the "Spirit Boat" from Chen Mo and handed it to Zi Qingrong himself. "This is the 'Spirit Boat,' the zither of Ling, the greatest zitherist of the previous era."

Zi Qingrong’s face lit up with joy. She took the ancient instrument and said, "It looks wonderful..." She placed it on her lap, stroked it a few times, and then gently plucked a few notes. She exclaimed happily, "This truly is a fine instrument!"

Ye Pei smiled. "I was actually worried that after more than a thousand years, it might have deteriorated."

Zi Qingrong said, "I don't know what this zither is made of. By rights, it should have rotted away after all this time, but it doesn't show a single trace of age..."

As she spoke, Zi Qingrong closed her eyes, gently touched the zither, and began to play a melody. Ye Pei smiled, sat on a stone stool in the courtyard, and closed his eyes as well, enjoying their rare moment of tranquility.

***

Wangmai.

"Speak! Where is Ying Huainie!"

A long halberd ruthlessly shattered the plaque inscribed with "Star Worship Hall." Yan Chuanming landed from mid-air, the black light at the tip of his halberd pressing directly against the shivering Star Envoy cowering on the ground.

The Star Envoy, his deep red wings half-spread, trembled violently, unable to utter a single word.

"Talk to me, damn it! Where is Ying Huainie?!" Yan Chuanming’s rage was towering, yet his black attire remained as immaculate as ever.

"Speak, or die."

Feng Shuichen, carrying a longbow, walked over from nearby, his voice filled with killing intent.

Yue Zhe and Leng Mujun also stood by, each holding their weapons and staring at the Star Envoy.

Ever since he arrived in Wangmai, this Star Envoy had never seen such a formation, nor had he ever seen such brutal Wangmai people before the Star Race. He was essentially wetting himself in terror. However, under the immense pressure, he stammered, "I... I don't know where Miss Ying is... She... she hasn't... she hasn't been here."

"Clang..." With a dull thud, Yan Chuanming’s halberd pierced the Star Envoy's neck without mercy.

"Ah!" Yan Chuanming slammed his black halberd into the ground; with a loud crack, the blue bricks shattered instantly. "Ying Huainie! If even one hair on my wife's head is harmed, I, Yan Chuanming, will ensure not a single soul of your Star Race remains!"

Yin Wen had been abducted by Ying Huainie for over half a month. Ni Manxiu’s whereabouts were unknown, Yue Yuncheng was still living in seclusion in the mountains, and the enraged Yan Chuanming had dragged Feng Shuichen from his post in Xiyang. Upon hearing the news, Feng Shuichen hadn't said a word, simply following the three of them as they began to tear down one Star Worship Hall after another.

This was already the third one.

Once again, there was no sign of Ying Huainie or her followers. Yue Zhe sighed, "Old Gray said Ye would need our help upon his return, but at this rate, we are clearly becoming the public enemies of Wangmai."

"That doesn't matter," Feng Shuichen replied. "Even if he were here, he would make the same choice. Besides, he hasn't liked the Star Race since he was a child."

Yue Zhe sighed again. "My master meant that Ye would need our reputation in Wangmai, but with the current situation... there's nothing for it. Let's go, find another Star Worship Hall."

Yan Chuanming pulled up his halberd and mounted his horse. "Let's find somewhere to eat first. I'm starving. After we eat, we'll tear down their next hall."