Chapter 72: Eternal Non-Continuation
The damp air in the cell gnawed at his wounds, the pain unbearable. Man Cheng stared at the sky beyond the window, watching it turn from white to black and black to white again, his thoughts in turmoil.
Zhang Zhou, what is he doing now?
Is he anxious and at a loss? Anqing has already fallen. The supplies supporting Pingbei City can last at most another ten days. The fall of Pingbei City is merely a matter of time. Without this northern fortress, all that remains is the Waigiao Pass. To the east lies Dudong, to the north are Deguo and Yaojiang, all now occupied by the Yongzhao army. How could a single Waigiao Pass possibly hold out?
Is Zhang Zhou's Yuanliao about to vanish like a flower that blooms briefly in the darkness?
Zhang Zhou's Yuanliao.
At this thought, Man Cheng forced a bitter smile: let Yuanliao perish if it must.
But this is the Yuanliao that Zhang Zhou deeply loves.
The cell door opened, and the guard soldiers saluted. "General Cheng."
Zhongshan walked in. Man Cheng coldly sneered, "General Cheng, that uniform suits you quite well!"
Zhongshan's brows flickered. Calmly he said, "Feel free to mock me." He paced over, gazing at Man Cheng for a long while before asking, "Are you thirsty?"
"Of course I'm thirsty!"
Zhongshan held a bowl of water to Man Cheng's lips. Man Cheng took a few sips. Zhongshan watched the thick blood spread through the clear water in the white bowl, suddenly feeling an ache in his heart that was impossible to bear. Zhongshan threw down the bowl, pulled Man Cheng into an embrace, and called out softly: "Man Cheng!"
"Stop your false kindness, Cheng Zhongshan. You better pray I never walk out of this cell, or else you'll—"
"Or else what? You'll kill me?" Zhongshan released him, his eyes filled with sorrowful grief. "I remember just a few months ago, you said that no matter what would happen in the future, you would never raise a blade against me."
"Hmph, a few months ago?" Man Cheng let out a cold laugh. "I never remember what I say in bed!" Then he added bitterly: "What did they offer you? How could you betray me?"
The two stared at each other in silence for a moment. Zhongshan slowly spoke: "Man Cheng, I wanted to know everything about you, so I often asked about your past. But you never wanted to understand me. You only cared about your own happiness, never asking what hardships I'd endured, what suffering I'd been through..." Zhongshan smiled bitterly for a moment, then continued: "My father originally guarded Liucheng on the Yongzhao border. Our whole family lived peaceful and happy lives. Until one day, Dudong soldiers swept through Liucheng. Father and brother died at Zhang Zhou's hands, Mother took her own life—our family was destroyed... When Zhang Zhou was recruiting soldiers to attack Yuanliao, I wanted to join him and find an opportunity for revenge..."
Man Cheng hummed coldly and said, "Zhang Zhou the idiot is just too merciful! If it were me, I would have eliminated the threat completely long ago! How could I have let you survive until now?"
Zhongshan gazed at him, not knowing whether he was grieving for Man Cheng or for himself. After a long while, he sighed and said, "You're right. It's better to die than live as a stray dog! At that time, I took my seven-year-old brother and wandered from place to place. He was my only purpose in life. But later, he still caught a cold and died of illness. I held him for two days and two nights. His whole body burned with fever, coughing constantly, no food to eat, no medicine to take. He kept crying, crying until he had no more tears, no more consciousness. He slowly grew cold in my arms, Mother before she died entrusted me to raise him... For several days straight, his tiny body gradually stiffened in my embrace, slowly rotting. All I could think about was my desire for revenge—I wanted to kill Zhang Zhou. I wanted him to be like my little brother, with nothing, to die in pain."
Man Cheng suddenly thought of Mandu: he remembered when the child drank that bowl of medicine down, still remembering to grip his hand with that small, damp, cold palm. Those bright eyes slowly closed. His voice, hoarse from crying, weak and powerless, still echoed in his ears: "It really doesn't hurt much anymore... Brother, I like you the most..."
Watching as that small hand gradually relaxed, gradually grew dry, gradually stiffened... Those bright, intelligent eyes would never open again. Man Cheng understood that feeling! Heart slashed with knives yet unable to speak!
"Man Cheng, you're the same as me. Otherwise, how could you have killed General Shuangtu and his whole family?" Zhongshan said, reaching out to gently touch his face, gently brushing away his hair like usual.
Man Cheng didn't dodge. He asked, "All these years, you had countless opportunities for revenge. Why now, of all times?"
"You clearly know why."
Man Cheng immediately retorted: "So that means you've shifted your affections? What? I haven't seen anyone in the Yongzhao army who's better than me!"
A bitter smile curved Zhongshan's lips. He didn't explain, only continuing on his own: "Man Cheng... Do you know, all these years I've suffered in silence. Not a single day passed when I didn't think of revenge. But to stay by your side, I fought for the man who killed my father. To stay by your side, I don't know how many people I killed whom I didn't want to kill. Do you know, those who recognized me—what kind of expression did they have on their faces when they were dying? What kind of eyes? In their eyes, I was a shameless, father-betraying, glory-seeking wretch. Man Cheng, I... I'm far more afraid of death than you are! If I die, how could I face my parents and brother? How ridiculous... Everything I did, it was all for you... all... for you..." As Zhongshan spoke, he finally couldn't contain his years of grief and suffering anymore, and tears poured down like rain.
Man Cheng turned his head away, closing his eyes, not daring to look at that handsome face that seemed to never know sorrow—now for the first time, tears hanging from it before his eyes.
"Man Cheng..." Zhongshan turned Man Cheng's face back, using his trembling fingertips to constantly caress this person he both loved and hated, his voice hoarse: "Man Cheng, I love you! I... I love you."
This sentence, held back for so many years, in the end could only be spoken in such a cell, in such circumstances.
Zhongshan knew that if he didn't say it now, there would never be another chance.
"Man Cheng, you clearly know how much I love you... You clearly know how bitterly I love you, yet you still treat me like this, toy with me! Man Cheng, I love you! You won't even let me say this one sentence. I value you more than my own life, but what have you made of me? Answer me... How could there be such a heartless person in this world? I thought if I tried my hardest, if I waited patiently, one day you would give me just a little bit of love. But... Instead, I ended up in this utterly ruined fate... Man Cheng, I love him more than he loves you! How much have I given up for you... You clearly know..."
Man Cheng felt an agonizing pain in his heart. A thousand words, countless feelings, yet he didn't know how to begin.
"After someone like me dies, I'll surely fall into an abyss from which there is no return, never to be reborn... My whole life's hope was you... And what have you given me besides playing with me?"
When Zhongshan's fingertips touched the tear on Man Cheng's cheek, it was like spring rain that saves a soul, seeping into the depths of his heart, immediately igniting a spark of hope. He gazed at Man Cheng expectantly and asked: "Man Cheng, sometimes you're still kind to me. You said you feel sorry for me! Is it true? After all these years together, you can't possibly not love me even a little bit! Right? You... loved me, didn't you? Even just a little bit is fine..." Zhongshan was crying so hard he couldn't control himself, his voice getting softer and softer, more and more desperate. "Man Cheng, come away with me... As long as you promise me, I'll forget everything. I'll take you away from here. We'll go live whatever life you want. I'll be with you every day, make you happy every day. Man Cheng... I... I'm begging you, I'm begging you... I'm begging you..."
Man Cheng opened his mouth, but countless feelings of love and hatred tangled together, and no words could come out.
Zhongshan! If I agree to you, what about Zhang Zhou?
Zhongshan waited for a moment, but what he received was Man Cheng's silence.
Zhongshan drew back his hand. The heart-wrenching, helpless unwillingness—all he could do was clench it into fists, trembling.
There's no greater sorrow than a dead heart. Zhongshan wept copiously, turned his gaze away, gritted his teeth, and like a lost soul, turned and left.
Watching this love eternally non-continuing, Man Cheng felt his heart overturn like a sea, unbearable sadness, tears cascading out uncontrollably.
That person who suffered the burning fire for me in Jianqing City, that person who blocked the blade for me in Liule, that person who held me and shared my pain in Qiuting—it was him!
All these years, every little moment of his is still vivid in my memory. Without his daily companionship, his constant attendance, how could I have survived until today?
Zhongshan, I do love you! I want... to be with you.
Forget it. I don't want to think about anything anymore. I want to leave this gloomy cell immediately. I want to be with you.
Man Cheng was weak and worn, struggling to call out: "Zhong..." But a mouthful of thick blood surged up his throat, and he couldn't make another sound.
Zhongshan! Don't go!
Man Cheng watched Zhongshan's swaying, phantom-like silhouette disappear through the narrow door of the cell. Suddenly, all hope was lost, his chest tore apart in spasms of excruciating pain, and he coughed up blood continuously.
Quick footsteps sounded from outside the door. A voice called out: "Oh, General Cheng!"
"..."
"...Kong Fang, what's wrong with him?"
"Little Prince, this fellow is extremely rude! He didn't even glance at you before walking away."
"Forget it. Thanks to his great contribution, Brother He has been so happy these past few days his mouth hasn't closed." As he spoke, the Yongzhao Little Prince Tang Shounian appeared at the doorway, eagerly striding in.
This noble, self-assured young man stood before Man Cheng, somewhat at a loss. He scanned Man Cheng's body covered in wounds all over, and his heart unexpectedly tightened with pain.
Kong Fang cleared his throat a few times. Tang Shounian came back to his senses, gazing at Man Cheng's coldly indifferent, pained eyes, and clasped his fists saying: "General Xia has suffered. But the entire army fears General's abilities, so we dare not relax our vigilance. I hope General will understand."
Man Cheng's face was like still water in a pond, too lazy to respond to anything, tears still falling.
Tang Shounian turned to Kong Fang and said: "Unbind him."
Kong Fang was greatly shocked, hastily trying to stop him. "Little Prince, you must not act rashly! If we untie this demon, if he goes into a frenzy, it will be terrible."
"He's been wounded this severely. How formidable can he still be?" Tang Shounian paid no attention to the warning, reaching up himself to untie Man Cheng.
Kong Fang jumped in anxiety. Then, the clanking of armor sounded from outside the door—clearly many people approaching. With a cry of "The King arrives—" He Mingpei entered the cell, dressed in golden armor, commanding respect without needing to show anger. He was followed by Fang Guangda and a dozen or so others.
Tang Shounian drew back his hand, uneasy and flustered, and called out: "Second Brother! Third Brother!"
Fang Guangda said sternly: "Shounian, you're causing trouble again. Come here quickly."
Tang Shounian could only reluctantly step behind Guangda.
He Mingpei clasped his fists and said: "General Xia, we meet again."
Man Cheng's eyes were empty and spiritless, his face a sheet of frost.
He Mingpei exchanged a glance with Fang Guangda, then said: "General Xia, you may not know that now the King of Yuanliao personally leads the campaign to Pingbei..."
Man Cheng abruptly snapped awake: Zhang Zhou?
He Mingpei continued: "He brought supplies and over a hundred thousand soldiers and horses to reinforce Pingbei, arriving a day ahead of us..."
Man Cheng's pale face flickered with restless worry in his exhausted eyes. A hundred thousand soldiers? Recent battles had been ceaseless, with countless casualties in the Dudong region. Soldiers had dwindled drastically. Now to dispatch a hundred thousand soldiers, wouldn't Yuanliao City be left empty?
Zhang Zhou, what are you doing?
He Mingpei observed Man Cheng's expression, then缓和下来，说："General Xia, this time your life is again in my hands. Is there anything else you have to say? I instructed Guangda to spare your life because I wanted to once again persuade you to surrender to Yongzhao."
Man Cheng's lips moved.
Seeing that Man Cheng hadn't this time lashed out with insults, He Mingpei patiently exhorted: "From what I know, General Xia was originally the King of Anqing. You helped Zhang Zhou conquer the realm, yet he only granted you a minor command position, refusing to return Anqing to you. Now that Anqing has been occupied by our Yongzhao army, if you submit to me, I will make you King of Anqing. Although you will be a subordinate of Yongzhao, Anqing will be under your autonomous governance."
Man Cheng disdainfully curved his lips: "I think you, the mountain bandit king, don't quite understand the situation. The small title of King of Anqing—it's not that he wouldn't give it to me. He knows I simply don't care about it."
He Mingpei fell silent for a long while, then said: "The common people of Yuanliao, due to endless war and conflict, still live in dire suffering. You fought and bled for Yuanliao, yet you cannot change their circumstances. Everywhere the Yongzhao army goes, we soothe the people, relieve the suffering, and in the rear areas we build houses and temples, creating prosperity on all sides. If all nations were unified into one country, war and bloodshed would be avoided, and the common people would live in peace and happiness. This is what the people desire, what fate decrees!" Seeing that Man Cheng remained silent, He Mingpei earnestly gazed at him and added: "General Xia, you've harmed countless people. So many grind their teeth in hatred, wanting to eliminate you. If you lay down your hands now,顺应天意 and help me conquer Yuanliao, you will surely have a good reputation both in life and after death. General Xia, please believe me!"
Man Cheng's expression was blank. He said: "You're right."
He Mingpei was overjoyed. Tang Shounian behind him was even more beaming with joy.
Man Cheng, his voice hoarse, continued: "The whole world sees me as a demon. I don't care. I only look after myself. I don't care about the common people of Yuanliao. I'm not as noble as you. I don't care whether the people of all nations live in peace or not. I don't care about my reputation while I'm alive. Why would I care about what others say after I'm dead? Stop trying to persuade me. I will only serve Zhang Zhou."
He Mingpei was stunned. He sighed: "Alas... I admire your youthful bravery and your superb swordsmanship. It would be a pity for such talent to perish with Yuanliao! If you're willing to submit to Yongzhao, whatever conditions you want, just say them!"
"Kill me." From beneath his damp hair, Man Cheng's thin, gaunt face appeared even paler. Those bright, elegant eyes still shimmered with their lively light.
The suffering of this lifetime should finally come to an end.
"Kill me..." Man Cheng repeated, looking back on the countless memories, the lingering attachments, the hopeless expectations—all had reached their end.
Tang Shounian finally couldn't bear it, softly saying: "General Xia, why must you be so obstinate?"
Man Cheng's pale lips curved into a bewitching smile, his tone carrying a worldly, dissolute carelessness. "If the Little Prince truly likes Man Cheng this much, can't bear to see me die, the only way is to sever my tendons in hands and feet, and keep me as a woman."
The moment these words fell, a round of low laughter rippled through the generals...
"You..." Tang Shounian flushed red. Just as he was about to say more, Fang Guangda secretly kicked him, and he immediately fell silent.
He Mingpei sighed heavily, then led everyone out of the cell.
He Mingpei sat in his tent sighing endlessly. Guangda said: "Brother He, since he won't submit, let's just do away with him!"
"Third Brother!" Tang Shounian said anxiously: "Let's wait a few more days first!"
Guangda didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
He Mingpei said: "Man Cheng Xia wields his twin blades so miraculously. Such talent—killing him would be a waste!"
"The King values talent, but one must consider the subject. As the saying goes, if you don't kill a snake completely, you'll suffer endless trouble. A person this vicious and evil—if we don't kill him, how can we explain ourselves to the brothers in the army?" Huiwu said viciously. "Now that we've captured him, in my opinion, we should eliminate him as soon as possible! To avenge our fallen brothers!"
Shounian was very displeased and quickly said: "General Hui, everyone has weaknesses. Once we find this person's vital point, we can definitely persuade him to surrender!" Saying this, he suddenly wore an expression of sudden realization. "I got it! He doesn't care about Anqing. Could it be that he wants Yuanliao? Brother He, why don't you make him King of Yuanliao?"
Guangda laughed despite himself, scolding: "Shounian, you understand nothing! Stop talking!"
Shounian then thought of Cheng Zhongshan, and hope sparked in his heart again. He turned to Zhongshan, who stood distantly, looking distracted, and foolishly smiled at him. "General Cheng, you've known him all these years. You must know what he likes, right? Why don't you go persuade him?"
Zhongshan coldly tossed out a sentence: "The only person in this world who can persuade him is Zhang Zhou."
"Wow! Then let's quickly call Zhang Zhou to persuade—" Before Tang Shounian could finish, Guangda slapped the back of his head, instantly snapping him awake. Tang Shounian shrunk his neck, not daring to utter another word.
Kong Fang laughed失笑, saying: "It seems we simply cannot subdue him! He's useless to the Yongzhao army. No matter how long we keep him, it's a waste. Better to kill him sooner!"
He Mingpei nodded. Fang Guangda松了口气, but then heard Zhongshan slowly say: "Wait. My King, Man Cheng can let you obtain Pingbei City without expending a single soldier."
All the generals were curious. He Mingpei said: "General Cheng, please explain!"
"What do you think the King of Yuanliao's personal campaign is for?" Zhongshan asked.
Tang Shounian rolled his eyes at him: "Isn't that obvious? Of course it's to defend Pingbei City."
Zhongshan calmly said: "He came to save Man Cheng."
The moment these words fell, everyone in the tent was left speechless. Zhongshan continued: "Zhang Zhou must be extremely anxious right now, racking his brains about how to demand Man Cheng back. My King, send an envoy to tell him: as long as he withdraws from Pingbei City, you will return Man Cheng to him safe and sound."
A heavy silence settled over the tent. Fang Guangda suddenly burst out laughing: "General Cheng is truly interesting, coming up with such an absurd plan! To throw away his northern fortress for the sake of a single general, putting himself in a dead situation—unless that Zhang Zhou doesn't want Yuanliao anymore!"
Zhongshan's eyes were filled with desolation. "My King can try it if you don't believe me. At most we'd lose a single envoy."
Man Cheng, if I were him, I wouldn't just trade Pingbei City for you—I'd trade the entire Yuanliao, even my own life, to have you!
Man Cheng, let's make a wager. If he refuses to trade Pingbei City for you, then you belong to me. I will go to any lengths to take you away, even if I have to cripple you—I won't hesitate!