The Sovereign – Chapter 130

Volume Seven: Iron Horses Shock the World

The City of Smoke and Sand

She alone cannot save the Yu Kingdom

When the mountain’s base collapses, how can its peak remain as solid as iron soup? [gù ruò jīn tāng 固若金湯 – idiom meaning “as solid as metal and boiling water”]. After Qin Junlan led the army personally, she captured two important cities of the Yu Kingdom, not to mention other small counties and prefectures. The entire Yu Kingdom was covered in a layer of gloom.

Ling Yu locked herself in the ancestral hall, kneeling in repentance before the spirit tablets of the late emperor and her birth mother. Her eyes were hollow and weak, staring blankly at the spirit tablets. If not for the slight warmth in her body, she would have looked like a sculpture. She seemed petrified, her straight body motionless, maintaining a kneeling position for a day and night, neither eating nor drinking, seeing no one, speaking no words, showing no expression.

She couldn’t express her feelings in words, only feeling that heaven intended to destroy the Yu Kingdom. Even if she planned strategically in the command tent and exhausted all her strength and schemes, she still couldn’t change Ji Kingdom’s advancing steps of conquest. Over these years, Yu Kingdom had finally succumbed to internal troubles and external threats, already in a precarious state.

The once-powerful kingdom had gradually declined after her father emperor’s death. Qin Junlan was right – in earlier years, all of Ling Yu’s energy was spent on consolidating power for her brother Ling Xi. With four kings fighting for the throne and the borders being invaded by small tribes, amid internal and external troubles, to reclaim the throne, she had utilized everyone in the Shura Sect to their fullest potential, yet still couldn’t change the fact of Yu Kingdom’s gradual weakening.

She was not talented in governing the country, having never been trained for it. For military affairs, she relied on her natural strategic abilities. Although she had gained insights from studying military texts in recent years, she still couldn’t match Qin Junlan who had studied these since childhood. She had witnessed the might of the Red Armor Army and Qin Junlan’s divine military command. Even though she didn’t want to admit it, she couldn’t change the fact that her military abilities were inferior to Qin Junlan’s.

Now, besides the usable troops and generals, Ling Yu only had three trusted confidants: Lin Wuming, Ye Ming, and Mu Jin. Since she entered the ancestral hall, these three had been kneeling outside, awaiting her orders and accompanying her in repentance. In the art of commanding people, none under heaven could match Ling Yu; she could make the entire Shura Sect fight for her cause without regret for life.

But a small assassin organization like Shura Sect couldn’t save Yu Kingdom, nor could it awaken a young emperor who didn’t understand how to govern the country and strengthen the military.

“If the Long Princess continues without eating or drinking, how can her body endure? Mu Jin, why don’t you go make some soup for the Long Princess first? It would be good if she could drink even a mouthful when she comes out,” Lin Wuming couldn’t help but worry, yet he dared not disturb her.

“Alright, I’ll go now.” Mu Jin stood up, her legs numb and sore. She shook them out and limped toward the kitchen.

“Ye Ming, you’re still injured, stop kneeling. Let me watch over her.”

“I’m fine. These small wounds are nothing compared to the pain in the Master’s heart from losing the city.” Ye Ming’s long hair was tied back neatly, wearing a black robe with a cape, concealing her severed right sleeve within. Though her body was covered in wounds, she never complained of pain.

“You were too bold, how dare you knock the princess unconscious, knowing she would be furious.” Lin Wuming recalled Ye Ming’s actions; though it seemed rash, he knew it was the only option at the time. He never had the courage to oppose Ling Yu, always being completely obedient.

“As long as she’s safe, the method doesn’t matter.” Ye Ming remained a person of few words. Ever since Ling Yu mentioned the Young Princess, a shadowy figure kept flashing in her mind, but she couldn’t see it clearly. She turned to Lin Wuming and asked, “Lin Wuming, who is the Young Princess?”

“Uh…” Lin Wuming’s face showed difficulty. How should he answer? If Ye Ming remembered the past, she might not be able to go on living. Ling Yu had used medicine and sorcery [yào gǔ 藥蠱 – ancient poison/curse] to erase her memories to save her life.

“If it’s difficult, don’t say it.” Just as Ye Ming finished speaking, they suddenly heard the door open. Ling Yu walked out from the ancestral hall, stunning Lin Wuming, while Ye Ming stared at her in a daze.

Ling Yu seemed transformed overnight, strands of hair falling at her temples, with a few white hairs visible among them. Yet these white hairs didn’t age her; instead, they added to her allure. That bewitching face no longer showed its former vibrancy but was frozen like ice, all emotions crystallized, making people feel both awe and an unreachable distance in this moment.

This kneeling felt like it had lasted ten thousand years, and what little light remained gradually faded. The loss of Liucheng had dealt Ling Yu a massive blow. In her heart, she saw Yu Kingdom’s future and the outcome of this war, but she wouldn’t compromise. Even if it meant fighting to the last soldier, she would never give up.

At this moment, Lin Wuming felt as if he no longer knew her. He would never see her smile again, as if the last ripple of emotion had vanished completely in this warfare.

“Master!” Mo Feng hurried over to report, “The citizens of Liucheng are safe. Some remained in the city and were settled by the Emperor, while others left for other cities. The Emperor did not harm the surrendered soldiers or civilians.”

Ling Yu remained silent, her expression changes now so subtle they were hard to catch. After a long while, she finally uttered, “Good!”

“There’s… there’s one more thing.” Mo Feng looked at Ling Yu tremblingly. At this moment, she was like the calm before a storm, as if she might explode at any time. Her killing intent, though invisible, was chillingly frightening.

“Whatever you have to say, say it quickly. Don’t stammer.” Lin Wuming hinted at him, knowing that hesitation now would only further anger Ling Yu.

“Eagle Eye acted on her own, went to Yuzhou to spy on military intelligence and was captured.”

“She must be tired of living!” Lin Wuming looked at Ling Yu, who still showed no reaction. She merely turned slightly and coldly uttered, “Her death would be insignificant.”

Lin Wuming gazed at Ling Yu’s lonely silhouette, feeling she had become increasingly unfamiliar, even her shadow starting to blur…

The leaves of late autumn were stained golden yellow. Yu Kingdom’s autumn was short, with early winter always arriving ahead of time, and Yuzhou was no different. In the dark iron prison, permeating with cold air, bone-chilling, Eagle Eye was imprisoned in the death cell, enduring various tortures without revealing a single word about Yu Kingdom.

She had planned to return with intelligence while Qin Junlan was personally leading the army to Liucheng, but unexpectedly, Jiang Wei had arranged the city defenses so tightly. When her suspicious behavior was discovered, she was pursued by the patrol squad. Despite her excellent qinggong, she couldn’t escape the archers and numerous patrol soldiers. In the end, she was not only severely injured but also subjected to harsh interrogation. She had thought of suicide, but she didn’t want to die on Ji Kingdom’s territory. She should die before Ling Yu, accepting her death sentence from her – these people weren’t worthy of executing her.

Her blood-stained clothes stuck to her body, hunger and cold consuming her will. Eagle Eye felt her life was reaching its end. Regrettably, having acted on her own, she wouldn’t die by the Master’s hand but instead would meet a humiliating end in Ji Kingdom’s territory. She didn’t want to become a second He Xi, but alas, her fate was about to end here.

“Master, your subordinate… will repay your kindness of recognition in the next life.” With a breath as thin as silk, she took out Shura Sect’s self-made poison. This was the lethal poison everyone carried to avoid falling into enemy hands after mission failure. Now that she couldn’t hold on anymore, let it end this way.

Just as her thin lips parted, about to place the poison in her mouth, she suddenly heard a familiar voice growing closer, and a shadowy figure became visible as it entered.

“Much obliged, this official will take her away to await Her Majesty’s triumphant return and judgment.”

Eagle Eye then recognized it was Liu Qianxun’s voice.

“Since it’s Her Majesty’s order, I dare not neglect it. Please, Your Excellence.” The jailer bowed repeatedly, not daring to disobey, after all, that golden token represented supreme authority, something only nobles he would never encounter in his lifetime would possess.

“Hey you, get up, follow the official.” The jailer entered the cell and kicked the half-dead Eagle Eye. She stirred slightly, raising her eyes to see Liu Qianxun still dressed as a man. That face of unparalleled beauty was truly a source of chaos, even in male attire, it was enough to move people’s hearts. No wonder the Master was so affected by her, as was the Ji Emperor, and countless men in Shura Sect had fallen for her.

What was she doing? Was she trying to save her?

Liu Qianxun suddenly made Shura Sect’s secret hand signals while the jailer’s back was turned, clearly indicating that she should comply with the jailer and follow her out first.

Though Eagle Eye couldn’t understand Liu Qianxun’s actions – why would she save her when she had already gone over to the Ji Emperor? She moved through her full-body pain and slowly stood up. The jailer unlocked her handchains and shackles, and she gave a light sneer, spitting at the jailer.

“You!” The jailer raised his whip in anger, but Liu Qianxun shot him a murderous glare. He fearfully lowered the whip and said with a fawning smile, “Please, Your Excellence, please.”

Liu Qianxun quickened her pace, wanting to get Eagle Eye out as quickly as possible – every moment meant more danger. With the golden token, she could successfully escort Eagle Eye out of prison, but before they reached the entrance, they encountered Jiang Wei, who had come to interrogate prisoners.

“Who authorized you to take this prisoner?” Jiang Wei had now become a famous general and Qin Junlan’s capable deputy, no longer the simple person he once was. His imposing battle armor added to his heroic spirit.

Jiang Wei recognized her. Liu Qianxun felt troubled and couldn’t help but press her fake beard closer, deliberately lowering her voice, “This official has reported this person’s matter to Her Majesty. Her Majesty ordered me to conduct the preliminary interrogation, awaiting her return for final judgment.” She held up the golden token as she finished speaking.

Jiang Wei and several attendants hurriedly knelt in greeting, but doubt remained in his heart. During such sensitive times, how could they be sure someone hadn’t stolen the token?

“May I ask which official you are? Have I perhaps seen you somewhere before? Her Majesty took imperial envoys on her journey, yet didn’t notify us?” Jiang Wei suspiciously observed how Liu Qianxun kept her head down, never making eye contact, which made him even more suspicious.

“What does General Jiang mean? Surely you’re not doubting the authenticity of the golden token?”

“I wouldn’t dare, but could the official please state your name, so I can arrange the prisoner’s interrogation properly?”

“No need to meddle, this official has his own arrangements.” As Liu Qianxun tried to leave directly after speaking, Jiang Wei stepped forward and blocked her path, “Forgive my rudeness, but your bearing doesn’t seem like that of a man of our great Ji Dynasty.”

Liu Qianxun knew deceiving others was easy, but dealing with Jiang Wei was too difficult, especially since she could sense his hand already resting on his sword hilt. It seemed he already suspected her; if she didn’t take action, she likely wouldn’t be able to take Eagle Eye away today. She observed her surroundings – fortunately, there weren’t many jailers in this area, and they hadn’t yet left the prison so it wouldn’t attract the patrol guards.

She put her hands behind her back, signaling to Eagle Eye to handle the jailer while she dealt with Jiang Wei. Eagle Eye gave a light cough in response.

“Her Majesty truly has an eye for talent; General Jiang is indeed a pillar of the state.” Liu Qianxun suddenly raised her head, tore off her beard, and revealed a faint smile.

“Lady Liu!” Jiang Wei exclaimed with delight. While he was immersed in the joy of meeting an old acquaintance, Liu Qianxun suddenly took advantage of his unguarded moment, striking his sleep acupoint, and with lightning speed, knocked out his two attendants. Eagle Eye was equally quick, taking down several jailers in an instant.

“Quick, run!” The two fled the prison at top speed. If they were delayed even a step and other jailers discovered them, mobilizing prison guards and attracting the patrol army, not only would her identity be exposed, but Eagle Eye would surely die.

She wouldn’t kill Jiang Wei, but he would certainly report her presence to Qin Junlan. Yuzhou was no longer a place Liu Qianxun could stay.

Using the token, riding swift horses, Liu Qianxun escorted Eagle Eye out of the city. Eagle Eye could hardly believe Liu Qianxun’s actions – where was her former ruthlessness and resolute determination to kill?

“Whose side are you really on?” Eagle Eye didn’t show tearful gratitude, just confusion about her motives.

“Don’t concern yourself with that.” Liu Qianxun replied coolly. She disliked explaining herself. Under Qin Junlan’s subtle influence, she had long since stopped killing easily, and after accidentally killing the Emperor Dowager, she felt even more burdened by sin.

Eagle Eye was loyal to Ling Yu, and they were both originally from Yu Kingdom. She didn’t want Eagle Eye to meet the same fate as He Xi, who, despite caring deeply for Ling Yu and Yu Kingdom, died tragically in Ji Kingdom’s territory.

“Hmph, you’re as hateful as ever. I won’t be grateful to you. You’ll regret saving me because I’ll kill more Ji soldiers to honor our dead companions.”

“One day, you’ll understand too that killing solves no conflicts, it only breeds hatred and more cruel killing.”

“Hahahahaha, cruel?? Tower Master, you haven’t forgotten how many people you killed in Shura Sect, have you? With four kingdoms at war today, do you know how many have died on the battlefield? You’re talking to me about cruelty? Go pretend to be righteous with your hypocritical tyrant.”

Eagle Eye indignantly stepped forward, looking deeply at Liu Qianxun, “If you want to leave, go far away and never appear in the Master’s sight again. Today you saved me, so I won’t harbor thoughts of killing you, but I will never forgive your betrayal of Yu Kingdom and Shura Sect.”

“Do as you please.” Liu Qianxun said indifferently. She mounted her steed and leaned down to say, “Return to Changning Mansion. She won’t kill you.” With that, she rode away. Eagle Eye watched Liu Qianxun’s retreating figure, feeling as if some heartstring had been touched. Perhaps she was the person in the most difficult position in the world.

Meanwhile, inside Yuzhou city, the patrol began a massive search for people, hunting down the wanted criminal. Jiang Wei issued orders that no one was to enter or leave the city, even those with golden tokens, as he could no longer tell whether Liu Qianxun was friend or foe.

---

---