CHAPTER 762: CHAPTER 348: DON’T WANT TO GIVE HER UP OVER AND OVER AGAIN (PART 1)

"Your Majesty, I believe it should not be done!" Song Yanqing emphasized each word with a pause, speaking bluntly.

The worst possible scenario would be for the Prince to choose to surrender for the sake of the Princess and General Bai.

"I did not say much just now because I know that Your Majesty is aware of everything and I didn’t want to delay rescuing the Princess and General Bai, but now, I would like to say more."

"Speak," Xiao Jinxing said in a calm voice.

His gaze remained fixed on the distance.

Looking towards Muge City.

"General Bai said that Bai Mowan possesses that profound sense of national duty, but in my eyes, the person who truly cares for the world and wholeheartedly serves the people is the Princess. Why did the Princess join the military camp? Was it really because of Your Majesty’s command, was it truly out of helplessness? No, it was because she truly wanted to save lives, to exert her effort and make the war less brutal. Soldiers go into battle to protect our country, and the Princess was there to protect our troops!"

"Therefore, the Princess would certainly not wish for Your Majesty to commit an act that betrays the world. I even suspect that the reason the Princess risked her life to stop General Bai was perhaps because she feared that Your Majesty would betray the world for General Bai’s sake. By that point, the Princess had already put life and death aside, and Your Majesty must not let down the Princess’s heartfelt efforts," Song Yanqing said with some agitation.

Thinking about everything the Princess has done, I truly feel it’s unfair to her.

I can actually sense Your Majesty’s affection for the Princess. Today, searching for the Princess’s corpse among the dead, I could see Your Majesty’s rage, breakdown, restraint, grief, and regret... Thankfully, nothing was found; if something had been found, I don’t know what Your Majesty would have become.

But Your Majesty’s affections for the Princess seem to never outweigh his sense of responsibility towards Bai Mowan.

That is the Princess’s misfortune.

The Princess deserves a love that is whole and pure, not one that is mixed with another person in between.

Someone who, when faced with danger, would make Your Majesty risk everything for them!

"I simply cannot stand by and watch her die," Xiao Jinxing spoke each word deliberately.

"It’s not the first time," Song Yanqing blurted out.

It was only after speaking that I realized I had shown disrespect.

He immediately knelt down, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Xiao Jinxing made a slight gesture with his hand, indicating for him to get up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"That’s why I don’t want to abandon her time and time again," Xiao Jinxing said.

"Perhaps this time, the Princess hopes that Your Majesty will abandon her." Song Yanqing said, "Even if we step back ten thousand steps, if Your Majesty were to compromise and save both the Princess and General Bai, do you think the two of them would be grateful to Your Majesty? Would they want to live on in disgrace? They would rather die to atone for their guilt towards the world!"

Xiao Jinxing clenched his fists tightly.

Suppressing the intense emotions within his heart.

"Your Majesty, this is all I can say. I hope Your Majesty will think thrice before acting. Of course, this is only the worst contingency plan. If the special forces can fortunately rescue the Princess and General Bai, all concerns will vanish."

Xiao Jinxing nodded.

He said, "You may step back for now, I wish to be alone for a moment."

"Yes," Song Yanqing replied respectfully.

And then he left.

As he left, he looked back at the Prince.

In the Prince’s heart, who comes first—the Princess or General Bai?

He worried, if only one could be saved.

Who would he leave behind?

Song Yanqing left, returning to the battle camp.

His footsteps paused at the special forces’ tent.

Slowly, "Lin Qianyu, are you there?"

Someone inside responded, "Yes."

"May I have a private word?"

"Sure."

Lin Qianyu emerged from the tent after a while.

He must have been giving instructions, about the rescue tonight.

He looked at Song Yanqing, still somewhat surprised, "Is there something you need, Lord Song?"

"Heading into enemy territory to rescue the Princess and General Bai today is very dangerous," Song Yanqing spoke plainly.

"I know," Lin Qianyu nodded, "Whether as assassins or as now regular military men, danger is part and parcel of our lives. We won’t shy away from it, and I ask Lord Song not to worry too much."

"You misunderstand," Song Yanqing said, "I’m not concerned that you’ll be afraid to die. The Princess’s decision to bring you into the military camp is a testament to your abilities. I am here only to remind you to be extra cautious. If the rescue proves impossible, don’t sacrifice your life needlessly. It’s enough that you do your best; many things may just be destiny."

Lin Qianyu continued to look at Song Yanqing, still surprised that he would come to say these things.

As a warrior, to carry out orders and complete missions on the battlefield is a given; they would certainly give it their all, doing their best.

They would also assess their own capabilities and not recklessly overextend.

"Xie Ruotong is waiting for you, isn’t she?" Song Yanqing met Lin Qianyu’s gaze, "Don’t let her down."

Lin Qianyu’s heart warmed at the thought of Xie Ruotong.

Xie Ruotong had promised him, after a victorious battle, they would return home to get married.

He, naturally, had always been looking forward to it.

Lin Qianyu smiled, "Alright, thank you for the reminder, Lord Song."

"Take care of yourself," Song Yanqing left behind these words.

Then he saluted with clasped hands.

Lin Qianyu returned the salute with clasped hands.

Song Yanqing turned and walked away.

His suggestion for Lin Qianyu to go on the rescue mission was without any ulterior motive; he was simply the most suitable choice up to this point.

He took the stance of the state, of the Prince, hoping for a turning point in such a difficult situation.

But he also knew the mission ahead was fraught with danger; should they fail, the Princess and General Bai would be safe, but their own lives would surely be lost.

And he couldn’t even bear the thought of how much Xie Ruotong would hate him if something were to happen to Lin Qianyu—after all, it was he who had actively suggested sending Lin Qianyu.

So indeed, he did come to Lin Qianyu with a personal concern.

He was clear that Lin Qianyu would do his utmost.

But he was afraid that Lin Qianyu would try too hard.

For Xie Ruotong, she would risk her life to save Ye Qichi.

And Lin Qianyu, who loved Xie Ruotong so dearly, would also sacrifice himself for Ye Qichi.

He did not want such a tragedy to occur.

Night fell.

Lin Qianyu, leading the special forces, paid their respects to Xiao Jinxing, and secretly arrived beneath the walls of Muge City.

Muge City was heavily guarded, and today seemed even more so; not even a fly could get in.

Fortunately.

Lin Qianyu had spent half a month exploring Muge City previously, and when he left, he had created an escape route for himself, thinking he might need to enter again. Little did he expect that it would come in handy so soon.

He gestured for everyone to follow him to a spot farthest from the city gates of Muge City, squatting at a corner of the wall, and said, "I’ve left footholds up there that can be used to apply Qinggong to fly up. Once up there, there are usually two squads of 12 men patrolling. So after we ascend, don’t casually flip over the wall. Wait until everyone is up, then we can act together—taking down the patrol team as quickly as possible—to truly infiltrate Muge City and carry out the rescue."