# Chapter 62: Storm Approaching
After the Yuanliao forces retreated to Gangshou Valley, the Dudong army suffered a catastrophic defeat. The Yongzhao army swept through Dongzhou like a raging fire, and the King of Dudong surrendered. He Mingpei established his camp in Jingcheng, a fortified town along the Cunjiao River, facing the Yuanliao forces across the water.
On the Deng Kingdom's side, Fang Guangda pacified the people and built up their strength, waiting for reinforcements from Dudong to gather their forces before marching south through Anqing to attack Yuanliao. Anqing City was undoubtedly caught in a precarious, temporary calm.
In Yuanliao City, the imperial guard once again surrounded Zhongbi Residence with multiple layers of troops. No one except the King of Yuanliao was permitted to enter. But this time, everyone in the city knew the reason why. The ambiguous relationship the two had kept hidden for years was now exposed for all to see—how could anyone dare step forward to denounce or advise against it?
The king, whom everyone deemed a corrupter of morals, seemed to have transformed into a different person. He no longer worked tirelessly day and night for the nation's affairs. Instead, he spent every day idling away in Zhongbi Residence and stayed there every night.
Zhangzhou turned his life upside down, devoting most of his time to being with the one he loved, merely sparing a glance at the mountain of state affairs in Yaoji Palace whenever he had a moment. In the eyes of all the civil and military officials at court, the ruler of this nation was like any decadent, debauched tyrant—ignoring the perilous situation of Yuanliao while only pursuing pleasure.
Zhangzhou turned a deaf ear to all complaints and anger, his sole focus on making amends for the person he had wronged his entire life—changing his bandages for him, helping him take walks, keeping him company with conversation.
The entire city was immersed in this life that felt like returning to youth, day after day. Time flew by like a white horse crossing a crevice, their happiness so intense it seemed unreal. He didn't know that his only remaining kin had hanged himself in the Deng Kingdom's palace. He didn't know that in Anqing, someone was pining for him so desperately, unable to sleep night after night.
How could he possibly not know? He simply didn't want to know.
Until one night, he woke suddenly to find the person beside him gone. If not for the rumpled sheets where Zhangzhou had been lying, he might have almost believed that all those days and nights of life together had merely been a dream.
Just as dawn was beginning to lighten the sky, the door opened. Mancheng quickly turned to face the wall. The light footsteps drew near to the bedside, and the rustling sound of someone undressing stopped. Mancheng heard a long, low, heavy sigh—weighted with boundless worry.
The person lay down, reached across Mancheng's shoulder, and gently clasped his hand, never letting go.
Mancheng lay there with open eyes, letting tears stream down from the corners of his eyes.
How could Zhongchanshan's courage alone possibly withstand the millions of Yongzhao's mighty soldiers? Weizhen Army had rushed to reinforce Deng Kingdom entirely—there was no need to say what would happen to Dudong! The Deng Kingdom certainly wouldn't hold out much longer either, and the Yongzhao army, with hungry eyes, would set their sights on Yuanliao next!
On Zhangzhou's Yuanliao! His heart burned with anxiety, yet he still put on an act of peaceful normalcy in front of me!
Zhangzhou, this is enough! This alone has made me devoted to you beyond all reason!
The old life will never return!
This dream... should end now.
Zhongchanshan rode alone at full gallop back to Yuanliao City.
Zhongbi Residence was heavily guarded. Zhongchanshan entered the residence, saw Zhangzhou, and knelt in greeting.
It was Mancheng who had summoned him back. Though he knew it concerned military affairs, Zhangzhou still felt a sense of loss.
Zhongchanshan was travel-worn and haggard. Zhangzhou glanced at him and asked coolly, "How is General Cheng's wound?"
"With the king's concern, it's merely a flesh wound." Zhongchanshan was eager to see Mancheng and paid no attention to Zhangzhou's expression. He rose to his feet and turned to leave. "Your subject will go in now."
"Cheng Zhongchanshan!" Zhangzhou called out in a low voice.
Zhongchanshan answered without much enthusiasm, "Please speak, Your Majesty."
"Mancheng knows nothing."
Zhongchanshan understood and nodded, striding directly toward Mancheng's courtyard.
Mancheng sat at a table eating porridge. When he saw Zhongchanshan arrive, he said to Lanxing, "You may withdraw."
Lanxing took the bowls and dishes and left. Zhongchanshan smiled. "Little darling, you're under house arrest again!"
Mancheng's lips curved slightly, but he couldn't maintain a composed appearance. He rose impulsively and embraced Zhongchanshan, his voice trembling. "Zhongchanshan, it's so good to see you're still so full of energy!"
"I should be the one saying that..." Zhongchanshan was afraid of pressing against Mancheng's wound but couldn't help holding him gently. Affection overflowed in his eyes. "How's the wound healing? I suppose you demons recover quickly."
Mancheng released him and laughed. "It's just an arrow wound. You're all worrying too much!"
Zhongchanshan helped him sit back down, then settled beside him and crossed his legs, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "You should advise His Majesty to show some restraint. Too vigorous and you might tear your wound open!"
Mancheng bit back. "Who is it that's acting like a beast?" He couldn't help but laugh as well. "No more small talk—you have to leave soon. I have something serious to discuss with you!"
Zhongchanshan smiled a lonely smile. When he saw Mancheng spread out paper and begin writing on the table, he asked doubtfully, "What's going on? Just tell me—why are you writing?"
"I'm drawing a map of the underground palace at Lisai for you." Mancheng drew carefully as he spoke. "If you can't help the King of Deng, find an opportunity to retreat to Anqing and preserve your strength. More than twenty years ago, Deng Kingdom and Yaojiang attacked Anqing together. Though my grandfather and uncle drove them back, my father feared they might return someday. So he spent ten years constructing underground tunnel passages on the northern side of Lisai..."
Zhongchanshan fell silent.
Mancheng, if you knew that Deng Kingdom had already fallen, that your sister was dead, what would you do?
You... would cry your heart out, wouldn't you? I don't want to see you cry. I want you to always be like this—with a slight smile in your eyes, gleaming with a peaceful light...
Mancheng saw him staring blankly and continued, "The Deng Kingdom's army is in shambles. I think their fate is sealed. You should withdraw your forces to Anqing as soon as possible."
Zhongchanshan hadn't spoken a word. Mancheng assumed he was listening intently, so he pressed on. "A large portion of the Yongzhao army is concentrated at Dudong. But there's no need to worry about Dudong—they're not good swimmers, so they'll surely play to their strengths and stop at the Cunjiao River. That means the only route to attack Yuanliao is through Anqing. So once they defeat Deng Kingdom, they'll certainly advance toward Anqing from the Lisai direction. But they won't push forward with overwhelming force all at once. I think they'll rest and regroup their armies for a time, and wait for solid reinforcements from Dudong to join them. Once their two forces combine to attack Lisai, there will be a bloody battle."
As he spoke, Mancheng finished the map of the underground palace from memory and pointed it out to Zhongchanshan. "This underground tunnel extends all the way from Lisai to Anqing City. If Lisai can't be held, hide the army inside the underground passages. Some stay beneath Lisai, some advance into Anqing City first, and a small contingent remains above ground to fight the Yongzhao army and mislead them."
Zhongchanshan suddenly understood, clapping his hands with admiration. "What a brilliant move! Once their entire army enters Anqing City, we find a moment when they're off their guard and emerge from the underground passages beneath both Lisai and Anqing to attack from both sides. Even if they had wings, they couldn't escape!"
Mancheng nodded but then furrowed his brow slightly. "However, this strategy should only be used as a last resort. The underground palace is old and hasn't been maintained—there are certain risks! Besides..." He pointed to a marked location. "Look—this pillar in the northwest beneath Anqing City is the main support pillar of the entire underground structure. If this pillar breaks, the entire underground palace will collapse."
"Should I assign heavily guarded troops to protect this spot?"
Mancheng shook his head. "No need! The more you do that, the more you draw attention to it. There are over a hundred pillars beneath the underground palace. Only you need to know which one is the main pillar. This was originally a royal secret—don't let anyone else know."
Zhongchanshan nodded. The two fell silent for a moment. Zhongchanshan carefully folded the map and stood. "I should go."
"Zhongchanshan!" Mancheng grabbed him urgently. "I have one more favor to ask!"
Zhongchanshan looked down at him, only to see those clear eyes sparkling with hopeful light beneath his own shadow. His thin, gaunt face was so beautiful it made Zhongchanshan's heart race with desire, but... Zhongchanshan's heart was unbearably bitter: Is this not the cruelest thing in the world? The one you love stands right before you, yet you already know you're fated to lose him!
"Zhongchanshan, when you withdraw your troops from Deng Kingdom, however you manage it, get my sister out!" After Mancheng said this, he saw a flash of panic cross Zhongchanshan's face, thinking he found it difficult. So Mancheng gripped his hand tightly. "This isn't an order—I'm begging you! She's the only family I have left!"
"Yes! I promise you!" Zhongchanshan could only nod.
Mancheng broke into a smile, then suddenly remembering something, removed the Buddhist beads from his wrist. He smiled apologetically. "I know this seems ridiculous, but these things really are effective. The moment I took them off, I got injured. Now I won't be going into battle anymore, so there's no danger. Keep them on for now, and return them to me when you come back."
Zhongchanshan stared blankly as Mancheng put the beads on his wrist for him. His heart ached unbearably as he suddenly pulled Mancheng's face close and kissed him desperately. His soft lips, his smooth tongue, a thread of tender warmth that flowed from his taste buds straight to his chest, yet sliced open his heart instead, so painful he could barely bear it! His hand gently stroked Mancheng's face, gliding slowly to his neck, over his shoulder, and finally coming to rest on his back.
Mancheng! If you truly feel nothing for me, why was that kiss so passionate? So intoxicated? If there's truly no love, why show me such boundless tenderness?
Mancheng, I love you!
If there really is a past life, then what evil did I commit in that previous existence? To make me fall so hopelessly into this doom in this life?
On his lips, that icy-cold sensation—what was it? Was it a tear?
A tear... the tears that had flowed countless times for that man while in my arms.
Mancheng, that man stays by your side every day now. I know how happy you are!
From the way you look at me, I understand everything...
Mancheng, you no longer need my company, don't need my comfort, don't need me anymore—I've always known! I knew this day would come...
Mancheng, you don't need me anymore. What am I supposed to do?
What am I supposed to do?
"Mancheng..."
Mancheng responded softly.
"Mancheng..."
"I'm right here..."
"Mancheng..."
Mancheng choked with sobs, leaning his head on his shoulder.
"You..." Zhongchanshan gathered a lifetime's worth of courage, asking word by word, "Will you... run away with me?"
Mancheng's voice was like wisps of incense smoke—drifting, powerless—yet it shattered Zhongchanshan's only hope with brutal force—
"I'm sorry, Zhongchanshan. I... can't leave him..."
Zhongchanshan squeezed his eyes shut.
Endure it, endure it! I've endured this for so many years! I need to smile at him again. I need to...
What am I supposed to do? Zhongchanshan heaved a heavy breath. He couldn't pretend to be nonchalant any longer. He turned his head away, not daring to look at that face that made him lose himself. The longer he stayed by this person, the more painful it would be after leaving... Zhongchanshan gritted his teeth tightly, and without a word, released the person he loved so deeply and so painfully. He turned and pushed open the door to leave.
Mancheng closed his sorrowful, clear eyes, unable to bear watching Zhongchanshan's departing figure. Tears streamed down like a fountain.
I love you, Zhongchanshan!
But I don't dare say it. The moment those words leave my mouth, my love for you will erupt like a flood or a wild beast—unstoppable.
Please forgive me. I simply can't let go...