CHAPTER 101: CHAPTER 99 WASTE

"No one is allowed to retreat."

Song Min watched as all his painstaking plans were about to collapse, and he shouted angrily, "The flags of the Palace Department are fake, don’t be deceived by Song Xian. Don’t forget who is guarding Dingzhou."

"Who is guarding it? You?"

A cold voice came through, seemingly mixed with ice and snow, causing Song Min to shiver uncontrollably.

The troops Song Min brought dispersed, just enough for Song Min to see Song Xian sitting astride his horse.

Song Min couldn’t help but tighten his grip on the long knife, his arm tensing up as if ready to face a battle of life or death at any moment.

In the distance, Song Xian’s spear was still resting on his horse’s back. He wore only an official robe, without even soft armor, looking no different from his usual appearance when attending court.

Song Min gritted his teeth tightly, not speaking for a moment.

Song Xian no longer looked at Song Min but swept his long, thin eyes over the soldiers beside Song Min, "Why are you here? Who allowed you to leave the camp with armor?"

The Deputy Generals looked towards Song Min, some wanting to speak but could only lower their heads under Song Xian’s imposing presence.

The household general beside Song Min finally couldn’t help but say, "It was the National Guardian General who ordered Mr. Song to come and command the troops to arrest Song for colluding with the Liao people..."

Before the household general could finish, there was a "whoosh," followed by the eruption of a blood mist in front of everyone’s eyes. The household general who just spoke widened his eyes, a feathered arrow piercing through his throat, creating a bloody hole. Blood gushed from his throat, making strange noises from within. He clutched his neck tightly, then fell backward, landing heavily on the ground.

The soldiers present had experienced countless battles, yet the bloody scene before them still made their faces change drastically. Most stood stiffly, watching as that household general turned into a corpse in an instant.

In that moment, no one saw Song Xian pull the bowstring and shoot the arrow. For the first time, they truly felt the deadliness of Song Xian, the clean, swift killing stirring fear from the depths of their hearts.

Previously, when Song Xian charged ahead bravely, cutting through thorns and severely thwarting the Liao people, they had only felt a surge in morale. But now, the point of Song Xian’s sword was aimed at them.

They felt only fear.

"Slandering court officials is an offense that cannot be pardoned."

As Song Xian spoke again, the two Deputy Generals nearest to the household general came to their senses and touched their helmets, which were pierced by an arrow.

The two turned ashen, their knees buckled, and they collapsed to the ground, knowing that Song Xian had spared their lives.

Song Xian still paid no heed to Song Min, focusing instead on the other soldiers: "What is the penalty for colluding with the Liao people? The North has plenty of court officials; why would a commoner judge my crimes? Or do you truly believe that a position in the court is nothing compared to Mr. Song’s status?

Are you soldiers of the court, or Song Min’s private army? Each of you is eager to latch onto Song Min to become the next National Guardian General?"

Song Min sensed the soldiers behind him lowering their heads one after another.

Murderous intent flashed in Song Xian’s eyes, "I should execute you all now. Remembering your military merits, I’ll give you one chance."

Song Min felt all his strength drained away, and he no longer had the confidence he had just moments ago. Yet despite this, thinking of the evidence in Chen Family Village, he struggled to say, "My father has obtained evidence of your treason, Song Xian. No matter how eloquent you are, you won’t escape punishment."

After saying this, Song Min looked at the remaining guards and household generals by his side, "Follow me and apprehend Song Xian."

As Song Min’s words fell, he saw the soldiers around him scatter, their courage broken, not daring to confront Song Xian. Only he and a few household generals faced Song Xian directly.

The situation was easily turned by Song Xian, leaving no chance now to capture him.

"Third Young Master," the household general’s voice trembled, "perhaps we should first find the Great General." Even if Song Xian’s people didn’t act, they had no confidence in facing him.

Song Min desperately wanted to rush over to personally kill Song Xian, his eyes emitting murderous intent and a bloody aura, yet his palms holding the long knife were full of cold sweat.

Song Min had to admit he couldn’t kill Song Xian; rushing over could lead to getting killed instead. The shadow of death loomed, overshadowing his ambitions, and he hesitated, unable to strike.

The household general brought the horse; a few people stood in front of Song Min: "Third Young Master, hurry and go."

In haste, another Deputy General rushed over with his men, shielding Song Min, "Quick, protect the Third Young Master."

Song Min, ignoring everything else, let go of the knife handle and went for the reins.

Song Min saw the figures around Song Xian rushing over, and the sound of fighting erupted in his ears.

In panic, Song Min had no time to look closely, flipping himself onto the horse, swinging the long knife in his hand blindly forward, hoping to carve a path for himself.

The household general cleared a path for Song Min, who was about to spur his horse forward. However, just as the horse began to gallop, Song Min felt a tightening at his back. He clenched his fist towards the person behind him, but it hit nothing. The other party’s fist landed on his thigh instead.

Song Min felt excruciating pain, his strength leaving him, and he was hauled off the horse.

His body collided forcefully with the ground. In pain, Song Min struggled to get up, but another heavy blow pinned his head to the ground, causing dizziness and blurred vision. Warm liquid trickled down his forehead, into his eyes, turning everything red in front of him.

Countless eyes watched him struggle awkwardly.

"Song Xian," Song Min roared, "do you dare... The court won’t condone your actions, all who follow Song Xian are traitors."

Before he could finish, he was kicked on the back again.

Song Min tasted blood in his throat, nearly spitting it out. Just as he was about to lose all hope, a Deputy General lifted him.

Song Min knew they were people from Vice General Qiao, who had been helping him with the token to marshal the troops.

"Third Young Master," Song Min was helped back onto a horse, "we’ll head for Zhenzhou, the Great General will save you."

With his last bit of hope, Song Min fled towards Zhenzhou in disgrace.

Song Xian watched Song Min’s figure retreat. He let Song Min go find Song Qizheng; how would the National Guardian General deal with his son for colluding with the Liao people and unlawfully mobilizing troops?

...

Song Qizheng saw traces of battle along the road but no bodies of soldiers. Could Song Xian have effortlessly subdued everyone?

Song Qizheng increasingly felt Song Xian had something unexpected, capable of restraining all generals.

"General, there’s someone over there."

Song Qizheng noticed a figure bound and thrown by the roadside.

The attendant approached to check and returned quickly, reporting to Song Qizheng in shock, "Great General, it’s Chang Shan, a household general with the Third Young Master."

Chang Shan was covered in blood, appearing utterly disheveled.

Song Qizheng’s heart tightened, and he stepped down hurriedly to inspect.

The attendant removed the rag from Chang Shan’s mouth, urgently asking, "Chang Shan, where is the Third Young Master?"

Chang Shan’s eyes were unfocused, his lips moving without coherent words.

The attendant opened a water pouch and poured the water over Chang Shan’s face, waking him up a bit.

But after Song Xian’s interrogation, Chang Shan’s spirit was already broken, endlessly confessing, "It wasn’t me... I only followed the Third Young Master’s orders, the Third Young Master told me... where the warhorses and pelts were... and had me take the documents... and let them pass Juma River."

Let them pass Juma River.

These words drained all color from Song Qizheng’s face.

Was it Song Min who let the Liao people cross Juma River? Were those warhorses and pelts brought by Song Min?