Chapter 170 It Seems It Really Comes to the Last Moment…

Chapter 170: It Really Seems to Be Coming Down to the Wire...

After Jiang Congyan left with five thousand troops, the Zhang family stood in the front courtyard, their emotions in turmoil for a long while, their expressions complex.

Originally, in just a few days, it would have been the old master’s seventieth birthday. Learning that Jiang Congyan was returning, the whole family had been looking forward to this reunion after three years apart. No one had expected such a sudden twist.

In truth, they had vaguely sensed that the Zhang family and Liangzhou would soon face a choice about their future, but they hadn’t anticipated it would come so abruptly.

Everyone knew the old master held deep affection for the Founding Emperor and Crown Prince Zhaowen, which was why, over the years, no matter how much the Emperor of Liang provoked him, he endured it. Just as Jiang Congyan had said—for the sake of stability, he endured the death of his daughter and the hatred of losing his grandson so young.

The younger generations of the Zhang family did not share such deep feelings for Liang State, but under the old master’s influence, they still felt a duty to serve their country.

Now, they were about to cut all ties with Liang State completely.

Though they had cursed Liang State daily before, making this decision still left them with a complicated mix of emotions. After all, the Zhang family had fought for Liang State for decades—those feelings weren’t so easy to shake off.

Zhang Xun lowered his eyes, his face contemplative, yet a glint of determination flashed in his eyes.

If they successfully rescued Tuo Baxiao, Liangzhou and the Zhang family would have a way out.

The old master was nostalgic and stuck in the past, but Zhang Xun only looked at the present and the future. Last year’s upheaval in Guyuan had severely wounded Liang State—it was doomed to collapse sooner or later.

Now was the time.

Seeing the Marquis of Liangzhou standing silently in the courtyard for so long, everyone assumed he was lost in grief. Zhang Qian was about to offer some words of comfort when the old master suddenly spoke.

"Send men. Round up every Liangzhou official, big and small."

Huh?

The command left everyone stunned.

"Father?"

"Grandfather?"

Zhang Qian and Zhang Yan spoke simultaneously.

The Marquis of Liangzhou waved his hand, lifting his head to gaze at the deepening blue sky. "Once a decision is made, there’s no turning back. Liangzhou must be entirely under our control—no room for error."

The others understood.

It was difficult for the old master to make up his mind, but once he resolved to act, he did so decisively.

The Zhangs had defended Liangzhou for generations, leading a hundred thousand Liangzhou troops. Yet across Liangzhou’s several commanderies and dozens of cities, court-appointed officials still held power.

When the previous Marquis of Liangzhou submitted to the Founding Emperor, he had only demanded military autonomy, leaving administrative governance to court-appointed officials. At the time, key positions such as military supervisors, deputy administrators, various department heads, and secretaries were all appointed by the court. However, after the late emperor ascended the throne and began suppressing Liangzhou, the Marquis of Liangzhou, unwilling to be cast aside once he’d outlived his usefulness, clashed with the court. In the end, the Marquis, with the Liangzhou Army at his command, came out on top, gradually replacing those key positions with his own men and ultimately taking full control of Liangzhou.

Liang State needed Liangzhou to defend against the barbarians from the northwest, and Liangzhou relied on Liang’s national resources for provisions and military pay. The two had long been locked in a power struggle, so the Marquis of Liangzhou had not pushed matters to the extreme, keeping some of the Emperor’s spies around—mostly minor civil posts meant to monitor Liangzhou. But if these men stirred trouble at a critical moment, it could mean big trouble for Liangzhou.

By sending troops to rescue Tuo Baxiao, the Marquis of Liangzhou had irrevocably severed ties with Liang. Now, he was done holding back.

Zhang Xun volunteered to take on this task. As one of the few civil officials in the Zhang family, he naturally knew exactly which men in each commandery were the Emperor’s spies. Zhang Yan would lead troops to assist him.

The Marquis of Liangzhou nodded in approval.

Without hesitation, Zhang Xun swiftly wrote down a list of names, his usually gentle profile now stern and cold.

That night, the previously quiet Liangzhou stirred with undercurrents. Teams of soldiers swiftly set out, striking over a dozen households without warning. The Emperor’s spies were wiped out completely in a matter of days.

At the same time, the Marquis of Liangzhou also sent a group back to Chang'an. Prince Chu Jiang Huai was still in the capital, and it was uncertain whether Emperor Liang would take his anger out on him.

When news of Liangzhou's rebellion reached Chang'an, the uproar and Emperor Liang’s fury would be unimaginable—but that was a problem for later.

——

Jiang Congyan borrowed 5,000 cavalry from her grandfather and pushed forward at breakneck speed. By now, night had fallen, and they had to rely on torchlight to press on.

Wei Liao knew the terrain well. Upon learning that Tuoba Xiao was trapped at Fengming Slope, he decided to take a shortcut, which would save at least half a day. The situation was critical—every moment was a fight against death.

Jiang Congyan went along without question.

However, the shortcut was rougher and narrower than the main road, and navigating it at night was even harder. Jiang Congyan had already been riding nonstop for two days, with her palms and inner thighs chafed raw. Yet her body was so exhausted it had gone numb, leaving her unable to feel the pain. Now, she was running on fumes.

Suddenly, her horse stumbled on a loose rock. Jiang Congyan had no time to react, nor the strength to steady herself, and she tumbled off the horse.

He Zhou, who was guarding her from behind, lunged forward almost instantly. Fortunately, he managed to catch her, breaking her fall with his body. Though she avoided serious injury, her calf was scraped, and searing pain shot through her.

"Milady!"

Wei Liao, Si Zi, and the others cried out in alarm, breaking into a sweat.

That was way too close. If not for He Zhou's quick reflexes, the consequences of the fall could have been dire—especially in the pitch darkness, where a horse could’ve trampled her. Close call!

Just as they were about to ask if she was hurt, they saw her push herself up and reach for the reins like she hadn’t just fallen.

"Milady, you can’t keep riding like this," He Zhou urged anxiously.

"Yes, Milady, please stay behind for now. With General Wei leading the troops, he will surely rescue His Highness in time," Si Zi added. "What if you fall again? What if His Highness is fine, but you get hurt?"

They had a point—she wouldn’t be able to fight even if she went, and her presence made little difference. Yet Jiang Congyan insisted on going.

They didn’t understand how terrified she was—the dread that history couldn’t be changed, or worse, that she might be the one fulfilling it.

The fear clenched her heart, making it hard to breathe, the agony unbearable.

From the moment her name appeared on the marriage alliance decree until now, though some details had changed, the big picture still matched history. If that was the case, what about Tuoba Xiao?

His life or death would decide the realm’s future. Could such a pivotal moment truly be altered by her? Jiang Congyan had no confidence, especially knowing his peril was her doing. The idea froze her in terror.

As long as she drew breath, she had to see him with her own eyes.

Jiang Congyan said nothing, only reaching again for the reins.

Si Zi grabbed her arm. "Milady, in your current state, riding is far too dangerous."

Beyond her physical exhaustion, Si Zi sensed that Jiang Congyan’s mind was adrift, like she was in another world, oblivious to everything around her.

Jiang Congyan ignored her.

Zhou Hong, who had always lingered quietly at Jiang Congyan’s side, suddenly spoke up. "Have someone ride with Milady."

Jiang Congyan finally showed a flicker of response. "Two on one horse will slow us down."

Wei Liao countered, "The night is too dark, and we're in mountainous terrain—our pace is already slower than on flat ground. We can switch horses when one tires. Carrying an extra rider won't delay us."

"General Wei makes a fair point."

"Really?" Jiang Congyan asked, as if seeking confirmation.

Wei Liao gave a firm nod.

At last, Jiang Congyan relented.

Everyone decided to have Si Zi ride with her. Both were women, neither heavy nor carrying weapons or armor, so together they weighed little more than a single armored soldier. They chose a sturdy warhorse, and indeed it did not affect the marching speed.

The two rode together, with Si Zi holding Jiang Congyan protectively from behind. "My lady, why not lean on me and rest for a bit? I’ll keep you safe."

Jiang Congyan only shook her head weakly. "How could I possibly sleep?"

Si Zi clamped her mouth shut.

Night travel dragged their progress to a crawl. By dawn, the group picked up speed, and Jiang Congyan regained some strength, switching back to riding alone.

The Liangzhou Army marched nonstop through the day, finally arriving at Fengming Slope by dusk on the second day, where they discovered traces of the earlier battle.

Wei Liao barked orders to give chase.

——

After Tuoba Xiao and his remaining hundred or so Xianbei Imperial Guards seized the mountaintop, they fiercely defended the ridge path to prevent the Huns from advancing.

Though he held the advantage of terrain, Wudati Hou wasn’t one to back down.

Now, both sides were racing against time—whether Wudati Hou would take Tuoba Xiao’s life first or the Xianbei reinforcements would arrive in time to thwart Wudati’s scheme once more.

Leading thousands of Hun soldiers, Wudati Hou launched relentless assaults day and night, each assault more brutal than the one before. The Xianbei Imperial Guards teetered on the edge of annihilation at any moment.

From dawn to dusk, then dusk to dawn, the Huns could rotate their attacks, but the Xianbei Imperial Guards had fought desperately for two full days and nights without a single moment’s rest. Both physically and mentally pushed to their limits, they endured solely by sheer willpower.

Their arrows had long been exhausted, their once-sharp blades now notched and blunt. Each man was caked in layers of dried blood and dirt, their armor riddled with broken arrowheads. Their eyes were raw with exhaustion—they had lost count of how many Hun assaults they had repelled. Only the occasional glimpse of that towering, valiant figure fighting alongside them, lopping off heads with every swing, renewed their resolve.

If their king still fought, so would they.

At the mountainside, the slopes grew slick with Hun dead, nearly leveling the foothills as their comrades trampled over them to charge upward. The mountaintop bore countless scars of blades and axes, the ground a swamp of blood that seeped deep into the soil and rock, filling the air with the stench of death.

Wudati Hou had never expected them to hold out this long. He roared orders, veins bulging in his fury.

The sun drowned in blood-red clouds, and darkness fell once more.

Three days and two nights—a full three days and two nights—and with so many men, he still hadn’t crushed Tuoba Xiao’s two hundred. The shame would follow him to the grave.

Scouts brought word: Zhongwei’s forces were stirring, just as expected. Fortunately, he had already stationed troops at the ferry to ambush the reinforcements. Even if they couldn’t wipe them out entirely, they could at least delay them.

Just a little longer. Their strength was bleeding out.

Seeing them teetering at the brink yet clinging on by sheer will, Wudati Hou’s jaw clenched in rage, though a grudging respect flickered within him.

But precisely because of this, he would show no mercy. Tuoba Xiao’s head was the only prize that mattered—he had to die!

After a moment’s thought, Wudati Hou sent men to shout from the mountainside:

"You’re cornered rats!"

"The Khan demands Tuoba Xiao’s head—only his. Lay down your arms!"

"No one’s coming to save you. Fighting buys you nothing."

"Surrender..."

Wudati Hou ordered all his men to shout toward the mountaintop. The voices of hundreds merged into a dirge-like chant. The Xianbei Imperial Guards, already trapped in a desperate situation, found it hard not to be affected—especially as darkness fully descended, leaving the world in utter darkness, with only the countless enemy torches encircling them. In such an atmosphere, coupled with the relentless calls for surrender, those with wavering resolve might truly break.

A Long, hearing these words, recognized it as Wudati Hou’s psychological warfare.* While fighting, he cursed furiously, "Only a fool would believe your lies! Surrendering means certain death."

"Hold the line, brothers!"

"Our King’s call for aid is answered—reinforcements near!"

"It’s precisely because reinforcements are near that Wudati Hou is panicking and trying to shake our resolve!" he kept shouting.

Tuo Baxiao scanned the mountainside from above—the enemy forces were dense, seemingly endless.

"Xianbei warriors *know* no defeat! I will fight to the last breath—will you stand with me?" Tuo Baxiao roared, his voice deep and resolute, filled with unwavering determination.

His face was obscured by blood, but his jade-green eyes gleamed fiercely in the firelight. His unbroken silhouette stood as the faith of his men.

"Fight!"

"Fight!"

The remaining Imperial Guards shouted in unison.

...

"Hurry, faster! We’re almost there!"

"I see torches on that mountain ahead!"

The Liangzhou Army redoubled their speed.

After a full day and night of pursuit, they had finally reached Fengming Slope. But as darkness deepened and the terrain grew treacherous, Wei Liao had to proceed cautiously—one wrong turn in the dark could ruin everything. Now, spotting the torches, the men’s spirits soared.

Jiang Congyan had been riding nonstop for two days and a night. She was no warrior, and this exertion had long surpassed her limits—yet sheer will kept her from collapsing.

Now, seeing the swarm of enemy torches, she shuddered at the sheer scale of the Xiongnu forces. Hope and dread warred within her—they had to make it in time. They *had* to!

---

No matter how valiant the Xianbei Imperial Guards were, no matter how unyielding their will, they were still human. After three relentless days of battle, they fell one by one—until now, only twenty or so remained on the mountaintop.

The Xiongnu army closed in.

Every man was covered in wounds. A Long had been slashed across the back and thigh. Tuo Baxiao bore several arrow wounds, along with countless smaller cuts—his eyes bloodshot, his hair disheveled, a ruin of a man—and yet unbroken.

Must a lion fall to jackals’ schemes?

It seemed the final moment had come.

Tuo Baxiao moved by reflex, his body still fighting, but his thoughts inexplicably turned to Jiang Congyan.

He had never feared death—only the thought of leaving her behind. If he died here, would she grieve for him? Would she forget him? Would she take another to her bed?

The mere possibility kindled a feral wrath in his heart. *No.* Even in death, she would be his—or he would return as a *hungry ghost* to haunt her.

The Xianbei Imperial Guards were finally overwhelmed. A ring of Xiongnu blades encircled Tuo Baxiao.

Yet he fought with the rage of a cornered beast, his sheer force and aura keeping the enemy at bay. A Long, forced aside by the others, watched helplessly as his king was surrounded. Then—a falcon’s cry sliced through the thick night sky.

"Screech!"

The din of battle drowned it out at first, and no one heard the cry until it repeated several times. Only then did it sink in—this was real.

Someone looked up and spotted a white shape flickering in the night sky.

"Lingxiao!"

"Lingxiao is here!"

"The Khatun has brought reinforcements!"

The Imperial Guards of the Xianbei all recognized this giant bird by Jiang Congyan’s side. Lingxiao’s appearance meant the Khatun knew they were trapped here—backup was coming.

By now, even the steeliest of them felt despair. When would these so-called reinforcements arrive? Lingxiao’s arrival finally gave them hope.

Tuo Baxiao also heard the cry. His heart lurched—for a moment, he could hardly believe it. But then, he erupted with unprecedented fighting spirit, slashing through enemies in a fierce surge.

The Xianbei Imperial Guards fought like men possessed, momentarily pushing back the surrounding foes.

Lingxiao swooped down, diving through the barbarian ranks, its sharp claws raking like steel blades. One man's face was split to the bone, his eye bleeding from the slash.

"Ah!" he screamed in agony.

"Screech!" Lingxiao soared back into the sky, taunting with a shrill cry before circling again, searching for another chance to strike.

In stark contrast, the barbarians buckled into panic at the sight of reinforcements.

The fact that Tuo Baxiao had held out so long under their siege was already uncanny. Many began to wonder if he truly had divine favor—invincible, never to be defeated.

Now, with another wave of reinforcements, the barbarians, equally exhausted from three days and nights of battle, were about to break.

"Charge!"

The Liangzhou Army finally reached the foot of the mountain. Wei Liao led the charge, spearheading the assault against the barbarians.

When Wudati Hou realized which army had arrived, he snarled a curse. "Damn it! How did the Liangzhou Army show up here?"

To kill Tuo Baxiao, he had temporarily abandoned his campaign against Liang State, mobilized vast forces, and set elaborate ambushes. He had even dispatched men to intercept reinforcements from the central guards—yet it was the Liangzhou Army that screwed him over.

Hadn’t the Marquis of Liangzhou always despised the barbarians? How could he send troops to aid Tuo Baxiao?

Ah—that’s right. They said Tuo Baxiao’s wife was tied to Liangzhou.

Her! That princess of Liang State!

Wudati Hou had never given a damn about women, yet this Liang princess had repeatedly thwarted him.

Beyond hatred, Wudati Hou now felt a bitter envy toward Tuo Baxiao. How fortunate he was—marrying one woman had brought him so much support.

"Kill him! Kill Tuo Baxiao now!"

Wudati Hou snapped in rage. All he wanted now was Tuo Baxiao’s life—he even drew his sword, lunging forward. His subordinates hurriedly restrained him.

"Khan, you mustn’t rush in now! If the Liangzhou Army surrounds you..."

Ambushed from behind, the barbarian forces descended into chaos. The darkness made it impossible to tell how many Liangzhou soldiers had arrived, and the unknown fed their terror.

The Liangzhou Army had marched for over a dozen hours, their men and horses exhausted, their strength far from peak condition. But the barbarians, too, had fought for days without rest, and their wavering morale left them vulnerable. Under the Liangzhou Army’s assault, their lines started to fold.

Wudati Hou was filled with bitter resentment. Tuoba Xiao's men had all fallen, and he had nearly killed his greatest rival in life.

While directing his troops to deal with the Liangzhou Army, he also sent men to continue besieging Tuoba Xiao.

The goal of the Liangzhou Army wasn’t to engage the enemy—they concentrated their forces to force a breakthrough and charged up the mountain as well. The soldiers of both sides engaged in brutal combat on the steep and narrow ridge.

Thus, though the Xiongnu had not yet been defeated, the battle was already lost.

"Khan, the Liangzhou Army has broken through. We can’t kill Tuoba Xiao anymore. Should we retreat?" one of the Xiongnu generals advised.

Wudati Hou clenched his fists so tightly they nearly bled, his eyes bloodshot with rage. How could he swallow this defeat? How?!

"Let’s go, Khan."

He Zhou led his men all the way to the mountaintop and finally saw Tuoba Xiao, still fighting the Xiongnu. He hadn’t fallen yet.

"Commander!" he cried out in relief, his heart finally settling. "Lady Jiang is here."

She came herself?

Tuoba Xiao went rigid.

The fierce battle lasted from deep night until the break of dawn. In the end, seeing the situation was hopeless and realizing he could no longer kill Tuoba Xiao, Wudati Hou retreated, teeth gritted in fury, fleeing swiftly to the northwest.

Wei Liao did not pursue. Instead, he stayed behind to secure their position.

After slaying the last enemy soldier, Tuoba Xiao finally came down the mountainside.

Through the dense forest, a woman slowly emerged, her figure shimmering through the dawn mist.

He hurried toward the silhouette.

Jiang Congyan had been waiting at the rear for the battle to end. Though messengers had reported seeing Tuoba Xiao still fighting, she couldn’t breathe easy until she saw him with her own eyes.

As they drew closer, the thick mist dissipated, and she finally saw clearly—it was him. He was alive.

He hadn’t died. She had successfully changed his fate.

Realizing this, her eyes welled up, tears spilling one after another.

She had just opened her mouth to call his name when her body suddenly collapsed.

Tuoba Xiao’s emerald eyes flashed with panic as he leapt to catch her.