# Chapter 64: The Return
With twenty thousand elite soldiers, Man Cheng rushed to Gangshou Gorge day and night, demanding to cross the river, only to be blocked by Jin Lu.
"You didn't ask me to bring troops with you! If you're afraid of dying, stay here and don't move! Why are you blocking me?" Man Cheng shouted in rage.
Jin Lu tried to reason with him kindly: "He Mingpei has already consolidated control over Whale City. The entire opposite bank is his domain. If you have the strength to cross the river and provoke him, why not lead the troops to reinforce Anqing instead? I've heard that in a few days, Fang Guangda will be launching an attack on Yuanliao. The battle at Anqing will be a bloodbath."
"Call me stupid if you want, but you're the one who's foolish!" Man Cheng gave him a withering glance. "Dudong is now entirely under He Mingpei's control. He thinks Whale City is perfectly safe, that Yuanliao could never cross the river to attack him, so he's moved almost all his troops to Anqing. Let me charge into Whale City and take He Mingpei's head. What good would Yongzhao Army be then? Fang Guangda would be crying to heaven and unable to come to their aid—how could he possibly have the strength to attack Anqing?"
Jin Lu shook his head and sighed: "You're being too naive! Whale City's defenses are like an iron barrel, and He Mingpei has the hearts of the people. If you cross the river now, you're not supporting Dudong—you're invading He Mingpei's Dudong. You'll inevitably provoke public outrage! Taking Whale City won't happen overnight!"
Man Cheng wouldn't listen to a word. He turned to Wei Sihu: "No stopping! Cross the river immediately!"
Jin Lu blocked his path. "Man Cheng, your wounds haven't healed yet. Crossing the river will be extremely dangerous! Stop being so willful! If something happens to you again, the consequences would be unimaginable! Setting everything else aside, do you know that during the time you were unconscious, Zhong Shan couldn't sleep a single night? He's on the verge of breaking down..."
"Enough!" Man Cheng cut him off, his face showing an unmistakable expression of heartache and guilt.
Jin Lu spoke more gently: "Stop acting so recklessly. Go to Anqing instead! With you by his side, he'd feel better. Everyone can see how he's treated you these past years—even a blind person could see it. I've never met anyone as deeply in love as he is. Can't you give him a break?"
Man Cheng's lips twitched, his gaze drifting away.
Zhong Shan, I miss you so much! But I can't go see you. If I did, I wouldn't know what I'd do! Being by your side, I'd be so happy and sweet that I wouldn't know what to do with myself! I'd be so conflicted and tormented that I wouldn't know what to do with myself!
Zhong Shan! What I owe you, I'm afraid I can never repay.
Man Cheng held back the tears in his eyes, pushed Jin Lu aside, and strode forward.
"Xia Mancheng!" Jin Lu was also furious and blocked him again, bellowing: "I absolutely will not let you cross!"
Man Cheng's face suddenly turned fierce, his eyes that were usually calm as still water now blazing with fierce light. "Move!" he roared, freezing Jin Lu in place, even startling Old General Qi who had come forward to persuade him.
Man Cheng drew his sword with a flourish and pointed it at Jin Lu—"If anyone else blocks me, they die without mercy!"
Inside Whale City, He Mingpei received the news and planned to catch the exhausted Yuanliao forces off guard the moment they landed. He sent the veteran General Mu Zhe with thirty thousand troops to wait by the shore.
Night had fallen. Before the Yuanliao warships could even approach the shore, the black mass of Yongzhao Army archers along the bank began releasing arrows in waves. The ships immediately raised shields, and Yuanliao soldiers hid beneath them. Some soldiers who were hit by arrows splashed into the water, but the ships' speed showed no signs of slowing.
General Mu shouted repeatedly: "Keep shooting! When they get close, charge and attack!" Suddenly he heard a chorus of screams and turned to see that Yuanliao soldiers had already landed!
Impossible! The warships were still far away!
It turned out that while the Yongzhao Army was busy shooting arrows, Man Cheng had used the shields as cover, pretended to be hit by an arrow, and fallen into the water. In reality, he had led several hundred soldiers in leaping into the icy spring water, diving deep and swimming ashore in one breath.
When Sihu reached the shore, he worried about Man Cheng's wounds and asked anxiously: "General! The water is so cold. Can you still fight?"
Man Cheng kept cutting and killing without pause. The Yongzhao soldiers, unprepared for an underwater assault, were caught off guard by the sudden attack. The archers in front fell dead or wounded to the ground, and the soldiers behind retreated several steps. Man Cheng stood on the shore, blood already staining his face and clothes. He said casually: "Moving around keeps you warm!"
General Mu broke out in a cold sweat: It was this Xia Mancheng? Though his heart trembled with fear, he still roared: "Forward! Their ships haven't landed yet! There are only a few hundred men on shore!" The Yongzhao soldiers, emboldened, pressed forward again.
Man Cheng bellowed: "Whether they resist or beg for mercy, leave no one alive!" The several hundred Zhenwei Army soldiers on shore showed no sign of being hindered by the cold water. Each one fought valiantly, rushing forward to kill. Man Cheng alone was ferocious beyond measure—wherever his blade passed, blood splattered and heads flew. In mere moments, hundreds upon hundreds lay dead on the ground.
The Zhenwei Army warships docked, their battle cries shaking the heavens. Ten thousand soldiers poured down from the ships! The Yongzhao soldiers were scared out of their wits. Old General Qi shouted: "Retreat! Fall back to the city!" But it was already too late.
Man Cheng mounted his horse, his twin blades gleaming with a somber killing aura in the damp night air. He led the Zhenwei Army in a relentless chase. The Yongzhao Army's thirty thousand soldiers were killed in droves from the Cunjiao River all the way back. In the end, less than a thousand managed to escape back to Whale City!
Man Cheng and Wei Sihu showed no sign of exhaustion. They stood beneath the city walls, shouting challenges.
When He Mingpei heard the military report—that this Yuanliao army was led by Xia Mancheng—his face went pale. He wanted to order a retreat, but it was already too late. In an instant, thirty thousand men had been lost. He was so angry he nearly spat blood.
At that moment, a soldier trembled as he held up a wooden box: "Your Majesty, this is from the Yuanliao army. They said it's a gift for you..."
Xiong Han used his spear to pry it open. Inside was赫然 the head of General Mu! Mu Zheng and Mu Liang, Mu Zhe's two sons, immediately knelt and wept.
He Mingpei was so furious his eyes bled. Feng Zhao pointed at the city below and cursed: "You villain! His Majesty showed mercy by giving you the antidote, and instead of being grateful, you repay kindness with hatred!"
Man Cheng had fought his way here, his whole body radiating heat. He wiped the blood from his face, revealing his handsome features in the dim moonlight, a faint smile playing on his lips. He cupped his hands toward the city tower and mocked: "Many thanks for the mountain chief's antidote. But unfortunately, Mancheng only remembers grudges, not kindness!"
Chu Mu cursed: "Let me down there and kill you!"
Man Cheng coldly smiled. "A defeated general dares to talk big! Hmph... Send your cavalry whenever you like! If you want a fair fight, come at me with real weapons. If you want to use poison darts or poisoned arrows, I'll take them all!" By now, Man Cheng's murderous aura was entirely different from before.
He Mingpei had calmed considerably. He rebuked: "Chu Mu, do you want to go down and die?"
Chu Mu fell silent. The other generals looked at each other and said nothing. Tang Shounian could only苦笑 at Chu Mu.
He Mingpei ordered the city to be on full alert. Ignoring Man Cheng's provocations, he descended from the city tower with his generals.
The Yuanliao army made camp outside Whale City.
"General, they just won't respond. Your health is what matters most! Go back and rest first! There's plenty of time to attack Whale City!" Sihu persuaded.
Man Cheng's body heat was fading, and the cold dampness was seeping into his skin. He had no choice but to nod, turning his horse back to camp.
After He Mingpei and his group descended from the city tower, a general complained: "Your Majesty! If we hadn't given him the antidote back then, how would things have come to this?" The other generals all glared at Tang Shounian with anger—most likely this reckless young prince was the one who begged His Majesty for mercy!
Tang Shounian felt guilty and defensively shouted: "Why are you all looking at me!"
None of the generals dared speak. Everyone knew this young prince was His Majesty's favorite—more like father and son than brothers. If he were surnamed He, His Majesty would most likely pass the throne to him.
Seeing He Mingpei's dark expression, Feng Zhao quietly asked: "Your Majesty, what's done is done. We should think of a countermeasure! The city garrison isn't large. Why not send word for General Kong and the others to return and reinforce us?"
He Mingpei's brow furrowed, but he refused flatly: "The city still has over a hundred thousand troops. How could that be insufficient? Don't you see that Xia Mancheng brought only ten or twenty thousand soldiers? Should we use hundreds of thousands of troops to counter him? How absurd! Besides, Kong Fang and the others are almost at Anqing. If they turn back now, the march would exhaust the troops and weaken them. As long as we hold the city firmly, in a couple days, the two armies will unite at Anqing. When we march on Anqing, the Yuanliao king will eventually have to transfer him there for reinforcements!"
Xiong Han nodded in agreement: "Exactly! Your Majesty, this Xia Mancheng only recovered for just over a month from his arrow poison. His strength hasn't fully recovered, and his shoulder wound must be affecting his left arm. He probably can't be that formidable."
Everyone who heard this felt relieved.
Shounian forced a smile: "I think so too!"
He was met with more eye rolls from everyone.
Seeing the tide turning against him, Chu Mu quickly pulled Shounian away. Looking back, Shounian's face was full of disappointment. It was truly a sight that would make one want to cry.
Inside the Yuanliao camp, guards stood every few steps, and security was tight.
Man Cheng removed his soaked battle robe. The army physician hurried into the tent to change his bandages.
Noticing Sihu's worried expression, Man Cheng guessed he was concerned about his wounds. Before Sihu could speak, Man Cheng smiled: "Sihu, don't worry. My wounds are fine!"
Today, Sihu had tried to dissuade Man Cheng from personally going into the water, but nothing could stop him. He'd been worried all evening. Now seeing the wounds hadn't worsened, he let out a huge sigh of relief. He knelt and pleaded: "General, if you don't take care of your health and something happens, the entire army will fall apart! Please don't do anything as reckless as tonight's charge again!"
"I understand!" Man Cheng, like a child being scolded by an elder, sat on the bed with his knees hugged to his chest, wrapped in a fur blanket, frowning and pouting: "When did you become so naggy, like a woman, lecturing me like this?" He couldn't help but smile: Sihu has started acting like Zhong Shan! Could it be that I'm really that worrying? This Zhong Shan—with him in Anqing, the city is secure! Thanks to him, I can attack Whale City with peace of mind.
At that moment, a scout came to report: "General, Whale City has tight guards on all sides. There's absolutely no opening."
Man Cheng slightly frowned. He could only say to Sihu: "Starting tomorrow, keep sending people to their city gates to provoke them. Curse them scathingly. Kill anyone who comes out!"
Before he could finish, someone else entered and reported: "His Majesty orders General Xia to return immediately..."
Man Cheng didn't let him finish before bellowing: "Drag him out and behead him!"
Endless screams of begging for mercy continued. Man Cheng shouted: "Wait!"
The messenger was thrown back into the tent. Man Cheng asked: "What's the situation inside the city recently?"
The man was still shaking from fear, stuttering: "His Majesty has emptied all the troops... it seems like he's going to lead the campaign personally..." He stopped mid-sentence, seeing Man Cheng's gloomy face.
After a long pause, Man Cheng slowly said: "Go back and tell that idiot that if he leaves, the city will be empty. Don't do anything reckless..."
The man was both shocked and confused, because he saw this bloodthirsty executioner before him show a hint of a peaceful smile. His long eyelashes seemed to convey infinite tenderness... Before he could come to his senses, that smile vanished in an instant. All he saw was Man Cheng's murderous aura pressing down, bellowing: "Get out of my sight!"
The man, having narrowly escaped with his life, stammered his assent and crawled out of the tent on all fours.
Kong Fang and the others, leading a million-strong army, united with Fang Guangda who had stayed in Deng Kingdom, and sounded the horns to attack Anqing. However, after several days of attacking Lise, they made no progress whatsoever.
At Whale City, Man Cheng sent people every day to provoke a response, but the city gates remained firmly shut day after day.
This day, He Mingpei received a message by carrier pigeon. Guangda wrote that although the Yuanliao army had held Lise for many days, their numbers were insufficient and casualties were severe. They should be able to capture Lise in a few more days. He Mingpei nodded and smiled. Just then, someone reported: "Your Majesty! The two young Generals Mu have gone down to answer the challenge!"
He Mingpei cursed: "Scoundrels!" He rushed to the city tower and saw Mu Zheng and Mu Liang already fighting Wei Sihu below the walls.
He Mingpei urgently called them back, but Chu Mu stopped him: "Brother He, that Xia Mancheng hasn't shown his face in several days. Why not take advantage while that kid is recovering and eliminate a couple of his lackeys? Let the Mu brothers get their revenge?"
Since crossing Cunjiao River that night, Xia Mancheng hadn't appeared at all. He only sent people daily to hurl insults. Several spies reported that during that night's forced river crossing, his wounds had reopened. He Mingpei figured that since his wounds hadn't fully healed in the first place, soaking in ice water and then fighting for so long, the wounds would definitely have worsened. So He Mingpei said nothing more and stood on the city tower to watch.
Mu Zheng and Mu Liang, though well-coordinated, were still no match for Wei Sihu. After several exchanges, Sihu met every blow. His axe blazed so fast it made people's heads spin, with ever-changing techniques. The Mu brothers were clearly about to be overwhelmed. The city gate of Whale City opened, and two more people, unable to restrain themselves, rode out to aid the Mu brothers without He Mingpei's approval. Four men围攻 Wei Sihu, but after a long stalemate, neither side had gained the upper hand.
Suddenly, a yellow horse burst out of the Yuanliao camp. Its rider was swaggering boldly, twin blades in hand, emanating cold killing intent. Who else could it be but Man Cheng?
He Mingpei was greatly alarmed and urgently shouted to the four below: "Come back quickly!"
But he heard Man Cheng roar: "Sihu, get out of the way!"
Mu Zheng turned to defend, but was slashed off his horse in one blow. Mu Liang shouted: "Brother!" and charged toward Man Cheng with his blade raised. Those on the city tower hadn't even seen Man Cheng's blade clearly before Mu Liang also fell from his horse. The other two generals had already wheeled their horses to flee. Man Cheng's mount, as spirited as its master, galloped after them. One general turned to block but only managed one parry. Before the clang of their weapons had faded, blood spattered a hundred paces away. Man Cheng's twin broad blades whirled like windmills, and both men were decapitated simultaneously.
Less than a minute! He Mingpei gasped.
The endless spring rains occasionally let up. The sun broke through the damp, hazy air, making Man Cheng squint. He raised his arm to shield his eyes from the sunlight and smiled at He Mingpei: "Mountain chief, you're really not gracious. I've waited all these days, and you send out this kind of trash?" He glanced at the corpses on the ground and continued: "Thanks for your concern. Mancheng's wounds have fully healed! Your spies weren't careful enough. I've captured them and tied them in front of my tent. Would you like them quartered or drawn? Your choice!"
His smiling face was beautiful as a heavenly being, pure and flawless as a child's.
Everyone on the city walls broke out in a cold sweat. Was he not a demon?
Man Cheng returned to camp, but he was furious inside: This Whale City absolutely refuses to open its gates. When will I ever get a chance to attack?
Sihu said: "General, news from Anqing. Lise held for several days with heavy losses. General Chang has already rushed from Gangshou Gorge, and Marquis Shen also urges you to go reinforce them as soon as possible."
Man Cheng thought: What's with this Shen Kang making a fuss? Zhong Shan is there! Let me kill He Mingpei first! So he said gruffly: "Ignore him!"
For the next two days, no one dared come out to answer the challenge. Man Cheng sat idle in camp for two straight days.
That night, heavy rain came pouring down. Man Cheng woke in the middle of the night and saw water seeping into the tent. He got up, wading through the rainwater, pushed aside the tent flap, and cursed loudly: "What kind of nonsense is this? The water's coming in!" He reached out and sharply slapped the head of the guard at the entrance. "Dammit! Should I sleep? What are you guarding for! Get this water out of here!" The guard nodded repeatedly and hastily called others over to dam the water.
Man Cheng looked down and noticed the muddy footprints on the ground were much deeper than usual. He squatted down and scooped up some mud. The prolonged spring rains had soaked into this earth, which was already quite soft, and now this downpour made it even more of a soggy mess.
Would the mud beneath Whale City be like this too?
An idea flashed through Man Cheng's mind. He couldn't wait to call Wei Sihu: "Assemble the troops immediately! We're attacking Whale City with full force!"