Chapter 46: Departing for Battle, Farewell at the City Gate

Chapter 46: Departing for Battle, Farewell at the City Tower

Qiu Changyu looked at Ning Xishi in disbelief, not understanding what this good-for-nothing young master was talking about.

Moreover, with something this important, how could Steward Li have let him in?

It was Xie Jingxing who looked up at Ning Xishi. The young man's facial features seemed more defined than before, giving him a more imposing presence.

He said, "Marching is tough."

Ning Xishi's heart softened, and he replied, "But the situation is urgent; someone has to do it."

Qiu Changyu couldn't find a chance to interject, and upon hearing this, his face showed even more shock—wasn't Ning Xishi just a good-for-nothing young master? Even if his horsemanship was decent, could he really replace the general?

Perhaps because Qiu Changyu's suspicious gaze was too obvious, Ning Xishi raised his hand and asked, "Then, Strategist Qiu, wanna go a few rounds?"

Qiu Changyu: "?"

Xie Jingxing nodded and said to Ning Xishi, "His martial arts are average; it's his brains that are decent. Go easy on him."

Ning Xishi nodded: "Alright."

In the courtyard, the steward had already sent all the unnecessary people away. The entire general's mansion was locked down tight—not even a mosquito could get in.

Ning Xishi rolled up his sleeves, stood opposite Qiu Changyu, and raised his hand in a familiar opening stance.

Amateurs watch the show; pros know what's really going on. Qiu Changyu immediately grew serious, crouching into a ready attacking posture.

Ning Xishi found he was actually enjoying this now, at least he wasn't as afraid of fighting as before. Seeing Qiu Changyu's stance, he could instinctively predict how he was going to attack.

Qiu Changyu started off pulling his punches, since he could tell the general and Ning Xishi were close. If he injured the general's husband, he'd definitely be in trouble.

But he quickly discovered that Ning Xishi's agility was incredible—every attack he made, Ning Xishi dodged first, and even had the energy to shoot him a look after landing.

This showed that Ning Xishi was pulling his punches too; otherwise, he could have struck back the moment he dodged.

Qiu Changyu finally rolled his shoulders and said, "Young Master Ning, I'm going to get serious now."

"Let's fight properly then; if we keep warming up like this, we'll freeze to death out here."

Qiu Changyu was stunned. He was really going all out now!

This time, Qiu Changyu put in a hundred and twenty percent, his speed noticeably faster. He had intended to keep it restrained, but he didn't expect Ning Xishi's speed to be even faster than his full pace. Just as he was about to strike Ning Xishi, Ning Xishi had already sidestepped and kicked him.

Dongshuang had wandered over at some point and laughed, "Strategist, is that all you've got?"

Steward Li said to Dongshuang, "Strategist Qiu is going easy on Young Master Ning."

He said it just loud enough for everyone in the courtyard to hear.

"But the young master is clearly much faster; there's no need to go easy."

Steward Li said, "Then the strategist just isn't good enough. We can all see Young Master Ning is better, but he hasn't realized it yet."

Qiu Changyu was thoroughly provoked, knowing that if he kept holding back, he would only lose embarrassingly.

He finally stopped holding back, but the more he fought Ning Xishi with full force, the more shocked he was. He found that no matter how much he increased his strength and speed, Ning Xishi would correspondingly increase his own, maintaining just enough edge to completely suppress him after three moves.

If Qiu Changyu had gone all out from the start, it would've just made him fight even harder.

But Qiu Changyu had started with restraint. Even reaching this level, he'd already ramped up his strength five times over, yet Ning Xishi still had him completely under control, without even breaking a sweat.

Finally, soaked in sweat, Qiu Changyu admitted defeat.

"I'm no match for you. Sorry for the poor showing, Young Master Ning."

Ning Xishi cupped his hands in salute: "The strategist yields."

Qiu Changyu was drenched in sweat, but Ning Xishi hadn't even worked up a sweat, showing he was nowhere near his limit.

Qiu Changyu was even more shocked, never expecting this notorious good-for-nothing, famous all over the capital, to have skills like this.

"Young Master Ning, you're full of surprises."

Xie Jingxing, Ning Xishi, and Qiu Changyu returned to the table. Qiu Changyu personally poured a cup of tea for Ning Xishi, pushing it over with both hands, and said, "With skills like that, Young Master Ning... there's no way you're a nobody in the martial arts world..."

Ning Xishi and Xie Jingxing exchanged a glance, then both turned to look at Qiu Changyu. Qiu Changyu froze, looked at Ning Xishi, and suddenly realized something, extremely shocked: "You... you're the head of the Martial Arts Alliance?"

No wonder the general was so trusting of this alliance leader, even giving the martial arts world so many perks. And that battle—the general had clearly used all those troops to put on a show of force, yet the alliance leader walked away with all the credit.

If this alliance leader wanted to rebel, his reputation in the areas around Ningzhou would be way too strong! If he really wanted to start a rebellion, even Jiangnan would be thrown into chaos.

At the time, Qiu Changyu had warned Xie Jingxing for days, but Xie Jingxing ignored him. Qiu Changyu had no choice but to go deal with the mountain bandits first.

And also—the general had wanted to just wash his hands of everything and go to Shaozhou to find Young Master Ning. Now it all made sense!

Ning Xishi had a look on his face that said "took you long enough," and he drained his cup. Xie Jingxing casually refilled it for him, then went back to looking at Qiu Changyu like nothing had happened.

Qiu Changyu thought to himself: Exactly!

His general appeared gentle on the surface, but underneath it all, he was proud and cold-hearted. To refill someone's cup on his own—that had to be a first.

At this point, Qiu Changyu had nothing more to say. Yesterday's events needed no further discussion; the emperor had played them both in the palace, and it had only brought them closer.

"At this point, I really don't know if the emperor is dumb or just plain stupid."

Sending someone with insane martial arts skills and the wealth of the Jule Gang to their general—one, he's got the strength to keep Jiangnan stable, and two, he's got the money to fund an army!

This emperor really doesn't want his throne anymore.

Ning Xishi hadn't thought that far ahead. He was more worried about Xie Jingxing's leg: "General... Shaoyou, you've already damaged the meridians in your leg from forcing yourself to stand earlier. This time heading to the border, I'll pretend to be you and ride out front while you follow quietly in the carriage. I'll hold the border and make sure they don't set foot on an inch of our land."

Since they needed to march quickly to the frontier, Xie Jingxing's carriage wouldn't keep up; he'd have to take a back road to catch up.

"Don't worry about me. But what if they're already attacking the city when you get there? What then?"

Ning Xishi shrugged: "Don't we have a strategist right here? I just need to sit on the city tower, occasionally draw the general's war bow to intimidate those below."

Xie Jingxing's eyes still showed his worry plainly: "Remember, do not leave the city."

"I'm way too fond of living to go out there and fight." Ning Xishi figured the general was giving him way too much credit.

After speaking, he met Xie Jingxing's gaze, and Xie Jingxing said again, "Promise me."

Ning Xishi looked into Xie Jingxing's eyes, his heart pounding: "I promise."

"I'll get there as fast as I can. Qiu Changyu will handle everything else with you."

Qiu Changyu stood up at once: "I won't let the general down."

Xie Jingxing lowered his eyes, hiding every trace of emotion, and said, "In that case, we'll head out at dawn tomorrow."

·

The next day, as "Xie Jingxing" led the troops forth, the emperor even staged a grand send-off at the pavilion. Ning Xishi, wearing a disguise and mask, stood before the emperor, his eyes cold and utterly devoid of mercy.

The emperor, however, seemed to be in good spirits, though he pretended to be sad and regretful: "The imperial physicians all say your legs can't hold you up yet. Push them like this and they'll never heal."

Ning Xishi said nothing, only stepped back and knelt on one knee.

The emperor did not mind his silence, saying, "I appreciate your efforts, my brother."

Ning Xishi rose, and nearby soldiers had already brought forth his warhorse. He swung himself onto the horse, tightened the reins, and the horse let out a long neigh before he rode to the front of the column through the path the soldiers had cleared.

The road was not long, and Ning Xishi was on horseback, moving faster still, yet each second felt like an eternity to him.

Riding along this path, he could see nearly half the army. Ning Xishi wondered what Xie Jingxing might think before each campaign—was it "one general's fame, ten thousand soldiers' bones"?

But he'd do everything he could to lead the troops out and bring them back.

Qiu Changyu called out: "Men! Follow the general into battle!"

The battle horns sounded immediately, and the soldiers' battle cries echoed across the outskirts of the capital—

"To battle! To battle!"

On the city wall, the emperor watched the scene, the smile in his eyes slowly fading in the north wind.

"This brother of mine has too much sway with the troops. Eunuch Feng, you see—when we came a few days ago, these soldiers were just going through drills, showing hardly any fire or passion. The second Xie Jingxing gets on his horse, every single one of them lights up."

Before Eunuch Feng could respond, the emperor continued: "That is the gleam of hungry wolves—they won't come back without blood on their hands. If we lose him in the future, what are we supposed to do when morale fails?"

"Our great nation would never lack for a few legendary commanders. That Wang Meng is quite capable—though he cannot command such a vast army, he's still got some respect among the troops," Eunuch Feng said carefully. "If we had more men like Wang Meng, all loyal to Your Majesty, what enemy could we possibly fear? I'm just a eunuch, I don't know much about big ideas, but I know that in ancient times, a man in the position of a great general could hardly avoid harboring ambitions. Even if he himself had none, those beneath him might well incite him. Such immense prestige, such power to rally thousands at a single call—that is a threat of no small measure."

"Indeed. Fortunately, after this, he will never stand again." The emperor closed his eyes. "When he returns in triumph, give him that jar of wine."

Eunuch Feng quickly replied, "As Your Majesty commands."

The emperor looked up, about to descend from the city wall, when he spotted a plain, unassuming carriage emerging from the southwestern minor gate. It bore no plaque of any kind, not appearing to belong to any official household, yet the driver looked robust—sturdier than many men in the army, with a hint of military ferocity about him.

Somewhat curious, the emperor remarked: "Today is the second day of the new year—why would anyone leave the city today?"

Eunuch Feng glanced over and said, "Perhaps some merchants are eager to return home for reunions. The capital's markets have been bustling lately, drawing quite a crowd."

"True enough. Let us return."

"Yes, Your Majesty, mind your step—allow me to assist you."

Moments later, the once-lively city wall lay desolate, only pristine white snowflakes drifting down, as if to conceal all sin and filth.

==========Author's Note:==========

Good night.