The Sovereign – Chapter 129

Volume Seven: Iron Horses Shock the World

Direct Attack on the Dragon’s Lair

Finally, the first line of defense collapsed

Outside the city gates, it was like demons dancing wildly as soldiers from both countries swarmed and became entangled in fierce combat. The Ji soldiers seized the right moment, aimed their giant crossbows at the city gates, and fired from a distance, crushing the army at the gates.

“The Red Armor Army will take advantage of this weakness, close the gates quickly!” Ling Yu commanded, but everything was already too late. The giant crossbow not only formed an effective attack, but the direct shot into the gate’s [censored text] had jammed the door bolt. The city gates that could originally be opened and closed freely now required time to remove the [censored text] before they could be controlled.

However, the Red Armor Army, under the escort of the Divine Arrow Squad, had already reached the city gates. The Yu Army retreated step by step. No matter how skilled Ling Yu’s martial arts were, she could not control the tide of battle.

“Charge in and kill everyone inside the city!” The Ji soldiers’ morale soared upon learning of their emperor’s personal arrival. The spear units and cavalry worked in coordination, charging straight into the city.

“We can’t hold them! Retreat quickly! Protect the Crown Princess’s withdrawal!” the defending general roared. The Yu Army rushed forward in waves, and though they were slowly pushed into the city by the Red Armor Army, they still fought with all their might, gradually pushing Ling Yu backward, trying to protect her escape.

At the same time, the attack on the city towers spread comprehensively. The Red Armor Army pressed their advantage, and as the tower’s defenders were diverted to support the breached gates, the catapults and siege towers launched effective attacks. The charging units launched their offensive from both the base of the walls and the siege towers. This wave of attacks was completed in one breath [seamlessly], and both towers and gates fell in succession.

Liu City was in imminent danger. Although the Yu Army fought desperately, they still couldn’t withstand the Red Armor Army’s tremendous momentum, especially with civilians still present in the city. A death struggle would only result in more casualties; retreat was the only way to preserve their military strength, though perhaps not all civilians could be saved.

“Quickly escort the Crown Princess away!” the fortress commander shouted. An elite unit formed a circle around Ling Yu, with soldiers still blocking the front. If Ling Yu left now, she could escape unharmed.

“This Princess will not leave!” Ling Yu’s eyes were like those of a bloodthirsty beast, as if she wanted to open her blood-filled maw and devour all the Ji soldiers.

She never imagined she would be defeated by Qin Junlan in such a manner. Originally holding the upper hand, all her attacks were dissolved in an instant. Despite her unwillingness to admit it, she couldn’t deny the fact that Qin Junlan’s military prowess was godlike.

The sounds of battle were like howling winds, and piercing screams like demon voices penetrated Ling Yu’s ears. Fresh blood trickled down her forehead, splattered from the soldiers who fell protecting her. Watching warrior after warrior fall, her heart felt as if pierced by ten thousand arrows.

With the city fallen and about to be lost, the gate that had protected the citizens and country now seemed like the gates of hell, pushing the people of Liu City into an endless abyss. In that moment, she seemed to see the massacre of Luo County, her eyes reflecting a human purgatory flowing with rivers of blood. In her desperate pupils floated a trace of helplessness, and the hand gripping her sword gradually lost strength. She wanted to save the soldiers charging at the front, she wanted those who had fallen to stand again, but she could do nothing.

At this moment, she was no longer the mighty master of Shura Sect, nor the noble Crown Princess above ten thousand others – she was just a defeated general, a general who had lost her city!

How could a defeated general speak of bravery? What face did she have to flee in panic while abandoning her soldiers and citizens?

“Princess, hurry, there’s no time!” Lin Wuming grabbed Ling Yu’s arms with both hands, pulling desperately, but Ling Yu’s body stood unmoved. She picked up her sharp sword again, wanting to fight, and angrily said, “I’ll only flee if I’m dead!”

Lin Wuming was anxiously at a loss for what to do. Just as Ling Yu was about to move forward, someone suddenly struck the back of her head, instantly knocking her unconscious. Ye Ming supported Ling Yu with one hand to prevent her from falling. Blood immediately seeped from the wound on her shoulder, but she still steadily held Ling Yu’s body, as if forgetting her own injuries.

“Are you crazy! How dare you strike her!” Lin Wuming cried out in distress.

“Do you have any other way? Let’s leave first and talk later.” Ye Ming remained calm and composed, her fearless nature unchanged. At this moment, she cared even less about consequences – only if Ling Yu lived did Yu Kingdom have hope. If something happened to her, Yu Kingdom would be destroyed in an instant.

Lin Wuming gritted his teeth, picked up Ling Yu, mounted the prepared carriage, and quickly departed.

The hundred thousand Yu Army defenders fought hard, with half eventually retreating, some dying, and some being captured. After Ling Yu’s departure, the Yu Army breathed a sigh of relief. Under the Red Armor Army’s assault like breaking bamboo, Liu City was quickly occupied. Yu Kingdom’s first line of defense was completely breached, and their last city fell under Ji Kingdom’s control.

The Red Armor Army gathered the prisoners of war together, not harming a single civilian. The army formed two lines to welcome Qin Junlan and her commanding troops into the city. Qin Junlan sat atop her warhorse, her majestic bearing making people bow in submission. All soldiers knelt in respect the moment they saw her.

“We greet Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!” The stirring and profound voices echoed through the air, welcoming their supreme ruler. However, none of the Yu Kingdom civilians knelt. The Ji soldiers pointed their spears at the backs of the civilians’ knees, forcing them to kneel.

“Stop!” Qin Junlan dismounted, glaring at the soldiers and commanders, “Yu Kingdom’s sovereignty still exists. Their refusal to kneel to me is natural. Do not oppress the Yu Kingdom civilians.”

“Yes!”

But the Yu Kingdom civilians weren’t convinced, even secretly cursing her hypocrisy. The massacre at Luo County had already prejudiced them against this Ji emperor, believing her benevolence was mere pretense. Suddenly, a child grabbed a handful of dust from the ground and threw it at Qin Junlan. The dust sprinkled over her head and slid down her cheeks. She turned slightly to see a five or six-year-old boy glaring at her with hatred.

“You little brat, seeking death!” A nearby lieutenant drew his sword, ready to execute the child on the spot. The child’s mother, terrified, quickly embraced her child, preparing to take the fatal blow herself.

Everyone closed their eyes, not daring to watch the impending tragedy. At this critical moment [literally: hanging by a thread], the lieutenant’s sword was knocked away. Li Yue had moved with incredible speed, striking down the lieutenant before he could react.

“The Emperor commanded to treat civilians well. Do you dare defy the imperial order!” Li Yue’s cold gaze swept over them as the soldier quickly knelt, trembling, “This humble officer acknowledges his crime.”

The boy’s mother, who had closed her eyes awaiting punishment, found herself still alive. She clutched her child, staring at Qin Junlan in terror, not daring to speak a word.

Qin Junlan showed neither anger nor joy as she beckoned to the boy, “Come here.”

The boy showed no fear and started to walk forward, but his mother held him back, convinced that this would be the end of his life. However, intimidated by Qin Junlan’s authority, she slowly released her grip, her heart nearly bursting with anxiety.

Qin Junlan observed the patches sewn on the boy’s clothes and his mother’s sickly pale complexion. She bent down slightly, showing a gentle smile. Seeing such a boy always reminded her of Gou’er.

“Do you hate me?”

“Yes, you’re an invader! You killed many Yu Kingdom people and occupied our homeland!” The boy pointed at Qin Junlan’s nose as he spoke, seemingly unaware of the danger he was in, teetering on the edge between life and death. Everyone was amazed by the child’s courage while nervously clenching their fists in worry for him.

“What is your name?”

“Si Nanqin.”

“Such a fine name, you’re sure to achieve great things in the future.” Qin Junlan smiled slightly as she stepped forward and picked up Si Nanqin. Standing steadily, she looked at the Liu City civilians who dared to be angry but not speak out, and said: “I know you love your country, but what has your country given you? Clothes patched with rags? Or a life so poor you can’t afford medical treatment?”

The boy unconsciously looked down at the patches on his gray outer garment, while his mother couldn’t help but cough several times, nodding slightly. Mother and son had depended on each other for many years since the child’s father died early, living in poverty. Looking at these civilians, how many were truly prosperous and living in peace and contentment?

However, because Ling Yu, as Crown Princess, had provided much aid and brought reinforcements when Liu City was in trouble, even personally joining the battlefield, her position in the people’s hearts was irreplaceable, despite the defeat.

“We have the Crown Princess protecting us!” someone from the crowd shouted, followed by a commotion as others joined in agreement.

Qin Junlan’s brow slightly relaxed as she looked at everyone, “Yu Kingdom’s Crown Princess excels at political scheming. With the Yu Emperor being incompetent, Ling Yu spent earlier years consolidating her younger brother’s power, persecuting ministers and princes, neglecting the people’s livelihood. Yu Kingdom has long been strong only in appearance but weak within. Through years of drought, floods, and plagues, Yu Kingdom has endured it all. Your Crown Princess took measures, but this led to an empty treasury, and the people’s suffering remains a fact. Ling Yu excels at manipulation, her skill in controlling people surpasses all, but sadly she lacks talent for governing a nation or commanding armies. Her strength alone cannot save your entire country!”

She put Si Nanqin down, letting him safely return to his mother’s side, and continued addressing the people: “I already hold high position and disdain wasting military forces and treasury for personal desires. Unifying the realm will place four countries under one system, enjoying equal lives, freeing them from years of conflict, sparing people from natural disasters, human calamities, and internal strife. I guarantee that Ji Kingdom’s prosperity, the people’s peaceful life, and abundant living will manifest in Yu Kingdom’s territory. Henceforth, you will be my subjects! Your Crown Princess loves you, but I will love you more. I swear today that after unification, all will be treated equally – regardless of origin, all people will be my subjects!”

The civilians looked at each other, seemingly moved by her sincere words. Her dignified gaze and imperial presence made people want to submit to her.

“But you massacred an entire city at Luo County!” someone from the crowd angrily shouted. Whenever the national tragedy of the massacre was mentioned, none of the civilians could tolerate it!

Qin Junlan’s expression slightly changed – this was indeed her greatest regret and pain, perhaps her life’s greatest “crime.”

“The massacre wasn’t Her Majesty’s imperial decree, but General Bai’s unauthorized decision. Her Majesty secretly ordered the execution of the responsible commanders. Do not slander the Emperor.” General Yang, who had witnessed the tragedy, couldn’t bear to see Qin Junlan misunderstood by the world. Bai Yifei’s reckless action had damaged Qin Junlan’s reputation for benevolence.

“The tragedy of the massacre has already occurred. No amount of repentance or blame can bring back the lives lost. I won’t demand your submission now. One day, if I fulfill today’s promises, I will make you willingly submit to Ji Kingdom’s rule. From today, Liu City is Ji Kingdom territory, and all citizens will receive the same treatment as Ji Kingdom citizens. If you wish to stay in Liu City, I will treat you well; if anyone wishes to leave for other Yu Kingdom cities and counties, I won’t stop you.”

Qin Junlan mounted her horse again, her bearing radiating heroic spirit, her golden armor complementing her determined gaze, displaying the full presence of a ruler. As she rode past, some civilians were already bowing and kneeling.

The setting sun shone over Liu City as the Yu military flag was taken down from the tower, replaced by Ji Kingdom’s banner flying above the city walls. Bodies were gradually carried away from the battlements, and blood was slowly washed clean. The entire city seemed as if it had been ravaged by blood, with countless dead and wounded. When would the tragedy brought by this war finally end?

Qin Junlan stood on the city wall, looking down at Liu City, her expression clouded with gloom. Although she desperately wanted to reduce bloodshed, it was difficult to avoid one bloody battle after another. She clutched her chest and coughed heavily. As the weather grew colder, her cough worsened, often causing her lungs to feel painfully swollen.

“Your Majesty, the wind is strong on the tower. Please return to the palace to rest.”

“It’s nothing. Let the soldiers rest for a few days. I must wait for news from Qing Kingdom, *cough cough*…” Another violent bout of coughing brought a sweet, metallic taste to her throat, and she suddenly spat out fresh blood.

Li Yue was alarmed, but Qin Junlan waved it off. With guards all around, she calmly wiped away the blood with her sleeve. At such a time, no one could know how weak her body had become. Since the campaign began, her health had steadily deteriorated, her cough growing increasingly severe. Li Yue was deeply worried but helpless.

In a corner below the city wall, someone wearing Ji military’s red armor looked up at Qin Junlan. Liu Qianxun had used every possible way to follow her, finding every corner to watch her from afar. They were so close yet so far. She leaned against the brick wall, its cold surface chilling her heart. She had even forgotten what heartache felt like, only knowing that the feeling of slow slicing [or: torture] in her heart had never ceased.

At Changning Mansion, Ling Yu awoke from her stupor. The battle at Liu City seemed like a dream, and when she woke again, it was as if nothing had happened – she was safe at Changning Mansion. But she knew it was all real.

“Princess, you’re finally awake.” Lin Wuming was overjoyed. They had escorted Ling Yu back to Zhengyi, rushing to Changning Mansion without rest. Whether from exhaustion or unhealed internal injuries, she had been unconscious for a full day.

Ling Yu slowly rose, her gaze cold as the depths of winter. She remembered someone knocking her unconscious before leaving. Her cold, beautiful eyes shot toward Lin Wuming, her imposing presence making him bow slightly, “Ye Ming has been kneeling outside the door awaiting your punishment.”

Without a word, Ling Yu suddenly took down the whip hanging on the wall and rushed out toward Ye Ming, who was kneeling in the courtyard.

The autumn wind stirred her empty sleeve as she knelt expressionlessly, awaiting punishment. Thinking of the devastating defeat at Liu City and the citizens still in the city, Ling Yu’s anger surged. She swung the whip at Ye Ming, striking her severely several times.

“Did you think I had lost all hope, or did you think yourself so brave and fearless to dare disobey orders!” Ling Yu showed no mercy. Several bloody marks appeared on Ye Ming’s back, and her previously bandaged shoulder wound opened again.

She sucked in a sharp breath from the pain, gritting her teeth as tears soaked her clothes. “This servant acknowledges her crime. Please punish me, Princess!”

“Please show mercy, Princess!” Mu Jin suddenly rushed out, blocking Ye Ming’s body. “Please show mercy, considering her loyal protection and willingness to guard the command flag without fear of death, please don’t punish her further.”

“Too clever for your own good!”

“Yu Kingdom has other cities to defend besides Liu City. We shouldn’t lose the larger goal for a smaller one. This servant believes the Emperor won’t massacre the city.” Ye Ming’s stubborn nature made her speak such words when Ling Yu’s anger was at its peak, making even Mu Jin nervously sweat for her.

“Believe the Emperor??” Ling Yu laughed coldly. “It seems the little princess has quite an influence on you.”

“Little princess?” Ye Ming raised her head in confusion, her heart suddenly aching sharply.

Ling Yu pulled back slightly, not wanting to mention more to avoid stirring up her inner pain. “Just kneel here and reflect!” She said before leaving with a sweep of her sleeve.

“Little princess, who is the little princess… little princess…” Ye Ming suddenly seemed to lose her mind, repeatedly muttering this title. Each time she called out “little princess,” her heart felt as if cut by a knife. Why…

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