Chapter 301: Double Enemy Convergence

He scratched the back of his head, feigning nonchalance. "She wanted to die, so of course she wouldn't let us find out. Hmm? What's on the table?"

There appeared to be another soggy paper ball on the table.

"Take a look," He Chunhua exhaled, a hint of frustration in his voice. "Hong Chenglue sent another letter."

He Lingchuan unfolded the paper and saw it was indeed the same handwriting as before:

"Please return my wife's body."

The words were pressed so hard they almost tore through the paper, clearly indicating the writer's deep-seated anguish.

"What do you plan to do, Father? Will you return it?"

He Chunhua was silent for a long moment before waving his hand. "Return it," he said.

He Lingchuan acknowledged and was about to leave when He Chunhua suddenly asked, "Tell me, why would she do such a thing?!"

"I..."

Before He Lingchuan could speak, He Chunhua continued angrily, "It was just a peace negotiation! If it succeeded, fine; if not, we'd simply discuss it again! I wasn't demanding her life, nor her husband's life. I was even going to release her in three months! Why was she so fierce, so absolute?!"

"That probably..." He Lingchuan thought, "has nothing to do with you, Father, does it?"

He Chunhua's eyes widened. "It has nothing to do with me?"

If it had nothing to do with him, why would A Jin choose that precise moment to take her own life?

"Perhaps she didn't want to be a burden to Hong Chenglue any longer. Dying would have ended everything," He Lingchuan suggested. "Didn't she tell Hong Chenglue that from then on, he would be free to soar like a bird in the sky?"

A Jin was the rope that tethered Hong Chenglue; with the rope broken, he was finally free.

"But it happened precisely during the peace talks!" He Chunhua's roar could be heard for nearly a mile around. "Precisely when we were about to reach an agreement!"

He knew that Hong Chenglue's decision to bring only Dong Rui, rather than an army, signaled an intention to compromise. In other words, He Chunhua's plan was sound and could have succeeded.

It was so close, so very close to an agreement! That woman deliberately sabotaged his efforts.

He Lingchuan remained silent. It was the first time he had seen He Chunhua so distraught, and he was genuinely surprised. His father had always maintained the demeanor of a refined, graceful gentleman.

He Chunhua paced back and forth several times, as if using his furious shouts to release half of his anger.

After a long while, he regained his composure and asked his son, "Tell me, what method could he possibly have to make General Zhao suffer a defeat?"

This was a condition Hong Chenglue had proposed during their negotiations, and though it sounded implausible, He Chunhua couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt now. Hong Chenglue wasn't someone to make idle boasts. He had just discussed it with Zhao Pan, but they reached no conclusion; Zhao Pan had merely laughed, declaring it impossible.

"Your son doesn't know."

He Chunhua rubbed his temples. "General Zhao and I have agreed that the entire camp must heighten its vigilance for the next few days. Don't go wandering off if you have nothing to do."

Since the event had already occurred, no matter how furious he was, his next step had to be to prepare for his opponent's retaliation.

"Yes, Father."

He Lingchuan stepped out of the tent. He placed two torches on the carriage where the body lay, then, after a moment's thought, placed a comb beside A Jin's pillow. Only then did he instruct his personal guards to take the carriage to the edge of the forest and sharply whip the horses' flanks.

The horses, stung by the whip, galloped into the woods. Soon after, the torchlight vanished.

A dozen breaths later, even the rhythmic clip-clop of hooves faded into the darkness.

He Lingchuan stared absently in that direction for a while. He knew Hong Chenglue had received A Jin.

The couple was finally reunited.

A coolness touched his face as a few raindrops fell, and a pattering sound began all around. The rain had returned.

Hundred Roaring Valley.

Inside the colossal cave, a fierce fire blazed. Hong Chenglue watched, expressionless, as his beloved's form was consumed by the flames.

The Xunzhou rangers stood silently behind him, not daring to utter a sound.

The fire didn't burn itself out until dawn.

Hong Chenglue stepped forward to collect the ashes, placing them carefully into a jar. He murmured softly, as if comforting her. He intended to take his wife home; he couldn't bear to bury her alone in a foreign land.

Wu Qing was also present, his forehead constantly glistening with sweat, though he refrained from wiping it frequently.

He occasionally stole glances at Hong Chenglue.

After securing the urn of ashes, Hong Chenglue suddenly turned to him. "I already confiscated A Jin's Cold Dove Powder. Why did she still have it? Did you give it to her again?"

It was coming; there was no escaping it. Wu Qing didn't bother with decorum, dropping to his knees with a thud. "General, I don't understand either! I reported everything she said truthfully!"

The last time A Jin had asked him for medicine, she had also told him to keep quiet about it. How could Wu Qing dare to report it to Hong Chenglue after she had asked him not to? But he had, and Hong Chenglue had immediately gone to A Jin and confiscated the Cold Dove Powder.

Logically, everything should have been fine after that.

Hong Chenglue gritted his teeth, a grinding sound escaping him.

Wu Qing suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Ah, the spiritual medicine given by National Master Frost Leaf – the Madam had already taken it several times. Could it be that... she could actually move again?"

A Jin had been paralyzed from the neck down, only able to wiggle a few fingers. Hong Chenglue hadn't thought much of taking her Cold Dove Powder, reasoning that without assistance, she wouldn't be able to administer the medicine herself.

But Wu Qing's reminder made him understand. National Master Frost Leaf's medicine must have taken effect, and she might have regained the use of her hands! So she had allowed Hong Chenglue to take most of the Cold Dove Powder, secretly hiding a few small pellets for herself.

At this thought, Hong Chenglue's eyes burned again. National Master Frost Leaf's medicine could indeed have cured her; her condition was clearly improving, yet she still chose to die!

She had paved the way for him with her life! Wu Qing felt the murderous intent emanating from Hong Chenglue intensify, and he remained frozen on his knees in terror.

Hong Chenglue stared at the back of Wu Qing's head, forcefully suppressing the urge to strike him down. *Useless fool! If this wretch hadn't given her the medicine, A Jin would still be alive!* He clenched his fist tightly, then slowly relaxed it, burying the hatred deep within his eyes. Wu Qing was a trusted subordinate of National Master Frost Leaf; killing him like this would make it difficult to explain back in Beijia.

Sweat from Wu Qing's forehead dripped onto the ground. "Your subordinate has made a grave error, General Hong, one for which a thousand deaths would not atone. Please punish me!"

He admitted to having "made a grave error," but he certainly hadn't "caused the Madam's death." A Jin's choice to die was her own will.

Hong Chenglue let out a long breath. "Remember this. I'll punish you later. Right now, I need you to do something for me first."

Wu Qing was currently his only link to the Beijia Kingdom. Operating alone behind the main Ironguard army lines, leading the Xunzhou rangers in their disruptive activities, aid from Nian Zanli and the Beijia Kingdom was exceptionally crucial.

"Please tell me, General!" Wu Qing's hanging heart finally settled. If he was being given a task, it meant he wouldn't be killed.

"I want to meet Nian Zanli," Hong Chenglue said coldly. "Go arrange it. Tell him I have a way to help him achieve his goal of landing on the south bank of the Han River."

Wu Qing froze. *A way to do that?*

They had been monitoring the Ironguard camp for days, and Zhao Pan was quite skilled at military deployment; otherwise, the Xunzhou forces' advance south would not have been halted north of the Han River.

Yet now, Hong Chenglue claimed he could easily break this stalemate.

"Is there a problem?" Hong Chenglue asked, seeing him motionless.

Wu Qing quickly replied, "Your subordinate will attend to it immediately!" Without another thought for the torrential rain outside the cave, he dashed out.

How he would brave the downpour and floods to contact the opposite bank was his challenge now; either way, it had to be done.

At a time like this, being drenched by rain was preferable to staying near Hong Chenglue.

Five hours later.

Hong Chenglue, riding Dong Rui's bizarre bird, flew across the turbulent river directly to the Xunzhou main camp on the opposite bank.

Although the floodwaters had first encroached upon the south bank, the Xunzhou people had cautiously evacuated the north bank, retreating nearly two hundred *zhang* (approximately 660 meters) as well.

Water and fire are merciless; their power is more than humans can bear.

Dong Rui's strange bird was not accustomed to flying in such weather. Fortunately, it was aided by a levitation technique, which barely allowed it to make the short flight.

It landed in front of the Xunzhou main camp. Hong Chenglue dismounted and observed the heavily fortified defenses, which presented an imposing sight.

No sooner had he landed than several riders galloped out from the camp. "State your name!" they called.

"Hong."

These men led a horse forward, clearly having been instructed beforehand. "General Hong, please," they said, "Our Lord Nian awaits you in his tent."

Hong Chenglue mounted the horse and followed them. The strange bird, shrinking to the size of a crow, perched on his shoulder and shook its head.

This unusual sight drew more than a few curious glances from the onlookers.

Hong Chenglue was then led directly to the central army tent.

Someone was already leaning against the entrance, watching for his arrival. Seeing him approach, he disregarded the pouring rain and stepped forward, grasping the reins and laughing heartily. "General Hong, I hope you've been well!"

"Lord Nian, it's been a long time," Hong Chenglue said, reaching out to clasp hands with him before dismounting and entering the tent together.

This man had a pale face and long eyebrows, an imposing bearing, and his features bore a slight resemblance to Nian Songyu. He was none other than Nian Zanli, formerly the Ironguard's Great General Who Conquered the North.

After defecting to the Northern Demon Nation, the Beijia Kingdom had still appointed him as the Governor of Xunzhou, making him the supreme military and political authority.

Once they were seated, personal guards immediately brought hot tea and offered dry towels for them to wipe their faces.

Nian Zanli said enthusiastically, "Have you eaten? We have freshly slaughtered lamb today; it's very tender."

He and Hong Chenglue were old acquaintances, having become familiar with each other through past skirmishes. Nian Zanli had once defended the Ironguard's northern border while Hong Chenglue served as a commanding general for the Beijia Kingdom. They had clashed on the front lines, and Nian Zanli had once suffered a defeat.

Hearing from Wu Qing that Hong Chenglue requested a meeting, he took it quite seriously.

Hong Chenglue took a sip of hot tea. "Thank you, but there's no need. I've taken the liberty of seeking you out, Lord Nian, because I have something important to discuss."

This man was indeed straightforward. Nian Zanli raised an eyebrow as Hong Chenglue continued, "Zhao Pan's forces across the river have already received ten thousand *dan* of military grain. The one who personally led the Xiazhou grain transport team to the front lines is the new Governor of Xiazhou, He Chunhua. Are you aware of this news, Lord Nian?"

The smile slowly faded from Nian Zanli's face. "I've heard," he replied.

He Chunhua had already been at the front for several days. He and He Chunhua harbored a deep grudge over the death of Nian Zanli's son, which now gave Nian Zanli yet another reason to repel the Ironguard army and devastate Xiazhou.

"Lord Nian, you've been in a standoff with Zhao Pan on the north bank of the Han River for nearly two months. Do you have any plans for a general offensive?"

The question carried a subtle challenge, but Nian Zanli feigned ignorance. "It was originally set for the end of the flood season. Zhao Pan dedicates all his efforts to defense; he doesn't sally forth easily, nor does he advance rashly. He won't take the bait, focusing only on fortifying his camp and maintaining his position."

Coupled with the natural barrier of the Han River, it was indeed difficult for him to attack the south bank. He paused. "However, the Ironguard army has a critical weakness: they constantly lack clothing and food, struggling to sustain themselves. If we hold out a bit longer, we might be able to take them easily." Nian Zanli knew better than anyone how corrupt the Ironguard Kingdom was internally. Zhao Pan, no matter how capable a general, was still just one man; he had an entire court of officials and lords holding him back. The Ironguard army's logistical supply was always a major vulnerability, and in a prolonged war, the advantage was clearly theirs.