Chapter 179

Chapter 174: Mad Dogs (Part 1)

Lei Jingzhe had unlocked the arsenal of Dunzhou, and no matter how solidly Yan Heru had constructed this residence, it was powerless against the siege weapons. The arrows couldn't penetrate the shields of the battering rams, the gates were smashed apart, and the parapets couldn't be replaced in time. The Border Sand cavalry had already infiltrated.

Fei Sheng stepped forward to support Shen Zechuan, his voice urgent. "Your Excellency, we should retreat through the back and try to leave the city under the cover of night!"

"We're trapped," Shen Zechuan said, standing against the wind. "Lei Jingzhe has meticulously planned to capture Hyrigu and the others, surrounding the city with a massive army, leaving no escape routes. It's too late to leave now."

Fei Sheng watched helplessly as the residence was besieged, knowing that they had no chance of fleeing tonight. But he had sworn to protect Shen Zechuan at all costs, so he stood guard with his sword drawn, like a nail hammered into Shen Zechuan's side. The Jin Yiwei behind him were on high alert, and the atmosphere was tense.

The crescent moon was hidden by dark clouds, and the sky pressed down heavily, its oppressive weight undeniable. Shen Zechuan continued to gaze from the balcony, taking in the lights of Dunzhou for the first time.

Fei Sheng stood silently, watching Shen Zechuan alongside the Jin Yiwei amidst the deafening battle cries. Strangely, at this critical moment, they were no longer nervous.

Fei Sheng had once only wanted to follow Xiao Chiye, drawn by his ambitious spirit. He had been convinced when Fei Sheng defected from Qidu. However, Xiao Chiye refused to take him in, so he had no choice but to serve Shen Zechuan instead.

Shen Zechuan was not well-liked.

His appearance had invited criticism during his time in Qidu, and Shen Wei was a barrier that many preferred to observe from afar, as if his life and death were at the mercy of their words. When he left Zhaogui Temple, everyone saw him as a replacement for Shen Wei, a mere weapon in the Empress Dowager's arsenal, a loyal dog of the Jin Yiwei. Yet, events unfolded in unexpected ways, and he quietly rose through the ranks. By the time people realized, he had become the center of the political landscape. He didn't seem to possess the boldness to conquer, but when he stood before them, his slender back became a shield. Despite the storms and the mountains that seemed ready to crumble, as long as he stood firm, everything behind him fell silent, untouched by a single drop of rain.

Fei Sheng closed his eyes to clear his mind, feeling a calm that needed no verbal encouragement. He had abandoned Ji Lei and Han Cheng in the past, following whoever suited the situation. Chen Yang and Gu Jin's trust in Xiao Chiye had always been a mystery to him, but at this moment, standing in the wind, Fei Sheng opened his eyes once more, having gained that trust.

In this world, everyone wanted to be Xiao Ce'an.

But there would never be another Shen Lanzhou!

Horse hooves crashed through doors, while dark clouds rolled overhead. Fei Sheng, a man who had spent his life scheming and plotting, drew his blade with one hand and kicked over the wooden chair beside him, sending it crashing into the Besand cavalry at the stairway entrance. He tore open his outer robe, wound it around his sword, then raised the wine on the table and addressed the Jin Yi Wei, "Even if the heavens collapse and the earth splits, we must ensure our master's safety. Drinking and joking amidst such a fierce battle is a glory even serving the emperor himself could not provide."

Fei Sheng gulped down the wine, letting his chest soak through. He smashed the bowl, wiped his mouth, and burst into laughter.

"This battle will make us gods! Brothers, let us make a name for ourselves!"

The Embroidered Spring Knives unsheathed in unison, their blades ringing out amidst the echoing laughter. Blood spattered at the stairway entrance as a dozen Jin Yi Wei climbed over the railings and swung their blades, cutting down the Besand cavalry like bamboo. In the narrow staircase, heads rolled as Fei Sheng's blade moved swiftly, severing necks without hesitation.

Lei Jingzhe dared not set fire to the building; he wanted to capture Yan Heru alive, so he could only charge up the stairs. The Jin Yi Wei were in top form tonight. The scorpions who couldn't budge when they gathered together found themselves unable to wield their hammers freely once they entered the staircase, easing the pressure on the Jin Yi Wei. Since they couldn't get up the stairs, Lei Jingzhe sought another path. Fuxian stood out amidst the double eaves like a crane among chickens, and they employed a ladder to climb.

Yan Heru watched as the Besand cavalry flooded upward, making Fuxian Peak seem like an isolated pillar in the vast expanse of the world. He retreated back to Shen Zechuan's side, shivering in the wind as he said, "Since you dared to enter the lion's den, you must have had a plan."

Shen Zechuan didn't respond. Just as Yan Heru was about to say something else, a hand suddenly clamped onto the railing beside him, followed by a Besand cavalryman climbing up. Without hesitation, Yan Heru lifted his golden abacus and smashed it fiercely against the cavalryman, knocking him unconscious. But there were a few more behind him, who grabbed hold of Yan Heru's abacus and flipped over the railing.

Yan Heru, adhering to the principle that one's life is more precious than any material possession, promptly let go of his wits. He retreated hastily, tripping over a small table and falling to the ground. The cavalryman, towering and robust, stood before Yan Heru like a mountain. Upon seeing the soldier draw his blade, Yan Heru frantically cried out, "Magistrate, save me! Good brother! We can negotiate the price!"

A gyrfalcon swooped down in a swift descent, while the cavalryman's sword had yet to be raised fully when a figure suddenly burst forth from behind. Hyrigu descended with a soaring leap, dispatching the cavalryman with a single stroke of his blade. Upon landing, he rolled deftly and seized Yan Heru in his grasp.

Yan Heru lifted his head, about to accuse Shen Zechuan of being unfaithful. But before he could speak, a dark figure leaped from beyond the railing, landing heavily on the barrier. Hyrigu pushed Yan Heru's head down and bent backward, evading the swinging hammer that came sweeping towards them.

The bare-chested man before him was built like a solid boulder, reminiscent of Jeddah from a few days prior. The iron hammer swung through the air with a fierce whistle, disrupting the flowing wind. When he rose to his feet, Yan Heru had to crane his neck to look up at him. A scorpion tattoo sprawled across his entire back, and as he flexed his shoulders and arms, he leapt over the fence with ease.

Hyrigu thrust Yan Heru aside and deftly retrieved a prismatic dagger from his waistband. Without so much as an exchange of words, the two men engaged in fierce hand-to-hand combat, their limbs entangling in a blur of swift, calculated strikes.

Amidst the chaos, Yan Heru found no place to hide. He was accustomed to a life of luxury and had only learned superficial skills, which he now completely forgot. With falcons circling above, Yan Heru feared being pecked. So, he used his hands to support himself on the ground, dodging and weaving through the chaos to find an opening. After much effort, he managed to reach the edge and noticed someone perched on the railing.

Yan Heru lifted his gaze, his eyes instantly curving into a smile as he warmly called out, "Cousin!"

Lei Jingzhe scoffed and reached out to grab him.

Yan Heru, disregarding any sense of pride, rolled on the ground like an eel, "Gulugulu," until he reached the side. Then, he clung to the railing, attempting to climb up. Unbeknownst to him, his collar was suddenly pulled tight. Assuming it was Lei Jingzhe, he quickly turned around and cried, "Brother Lei—"

To his surprise, it was Shen Zechuan!

Shen Zechuan exerted force with his left hand, pulling Yan Heru down from the railing and throwing him to the ground in front of him. Before Yan Heru could roll away, Shen Zechuan propped his foot against his lower back, forcing him into a kneeling position. Trapped between two threats, Yan Heru, with tears in his eyes, clasped his hands together in a prayer-like gesture and said, "I was just playing around with my brothers. Let's put this loss on my account, and let's not escalate things further! If the three of us join forces, wouldn't we be invincible?"

Lei Jingzhe signaled for Yan Heru to be quiet. He leaped off the railing and approached Shen Zechuan slowly, saying after a moment, "I hope the Deputy Governor is in good health." Without waiting for a response, he continued, "Now, you should be addressed as Lord."

Amidst the distant sounds of battle, the crashes of tables and chairs were clearly audible. The two men, beneath the ominous clouds, confronted each other through Yan Heru, their standoff echoing like distant waves crashing against the shore. The myriad lights of Dunzhou served as a backdrop to their impending conflict.

Lei Jingzhe raised his hand to tap the back of his neck, taunting, "What luck I have tonight, to catch such a big fish from this gutter. Hmm, no Xiao Chiye to protect you this time?"

Shen Zechuan brushed off the cloak on his shoulder and turned his head, smiling. "My husband is occupied with military affairs and it's not suitable for him to travel far these days. If there's anything to discuss, we can handle it ourselves."

Lei Jingzhe's gaze darkened, hiding a deceitful gleam. He asked, "Did you come to Dunzhou – or rather, return to Dunzhou – to mourn for Shen Wei?"

"I was invited by the young master," Shen Zechuan replied without changing his expression, "to conspire on how to eliminate you."

Yan Heru's face turned ashen. Meeting Lei Jingzhe's gaze, he wanted to refute the claim but felt a chill at the back of his neck, making him hesitant to speak. He thought to himself that Shen Zechuan was truly ruthless! With one sentence, Shen Zechuan had cut off any chance of redemption. Regardless of whether he survived the night, Lei Jingzhe would never trust him again!

"In the tavern, I sensed that the person who rescued Yan Heru was no ordinary individual," Lei Jingzhe's eyes were fierce. "I intended to be magnanimous and not hold a grudge against a child, but he proved to be so malicious, luring you here to plot my assassination."

"Childish behavior," Shen Zechuan removed his foot from Yan Heru's back. "He didn't know his own strength, and ended up angering you. My apologies for that."

"You've been colluding in secret all along," Lei Jingzhe fell right into the trap, pondering aloud. "No wonder we haven't been able to locate the supplies."

"But tonight, you've outdone yourself," Shen Zechuan seemed to admit defeat, his gaze following Lei Jingzhe. "With life and death hanging in the balance, I can switch sides at the last moment."

Lei Jingzhe was wary of Shen Zechuan, knowing he was a master of both offense and defense. Once trapped by him, there would be no escape. Lei Jingzhe dropped his arm and sneered. "Xiao Chiye ruined my foundation in Luo Mountain. That debt cannot be overlooked."

"You'll sever all ties with Hezhou if you kill Yan Heru tonight. Yet, you now occupy Duan and Du states. You'll have to shoulder the burden of food and military expenses alone," Shen Zechuan attempted to persuade. "Ci state's granaries are full. I could lend you a helping hand."

Lei Jingzhe threw his head back and laughed, suddenly saying, "Since you've conspired with Yan Heru from the start, you must have met Hyrigu. I assume you came to Duan state this time to take in these traitors under the pretense of Bai Cha's favor!"

"It seems I'm in a losing position tonight, and there's no way to hide it from you," Shen Zechuan sighed. "Indeed, that's why I came. Lei Jingzhe, we're both sons of Gedale. In truth, we're like brothers. Why do we need to point swords at each other?"

"We can be brothers only if you behead Xiao Chiye," Lei Jingzhe said through gritted teeth, nursing a grudge against Xiao Chiye. "You're only using such words to deceive me because you see the heavy troops surrounding the city, and you know your fate is sealed."

"Are you really going to kill me?"

"Letting a tiger loose will only bring endless troubles!" Lei Jingzhe declared. "In two months, you've swallowed Ci and Tea states, bringing Zhou Gui and Luo Mu under your command. I was already worried about your longevity, fearing you'd become an unshakable tyrant in Zhongbo. Yet, you've walked right into my hands. No matter what sweet talk you use tonight, your demise is inevitable!"