Chapter 76: City Falls
In the depths of night, the Yongzhao army advanced with torches into the completely empty Waiqiao Pass. He Mingpei rode his horse into the heart of Yuanliao City.
The city's citizens were of mixed feelings: joy at the change of dynasty, hoping their chaotic lives might improve; yet worry—乱世之中，又能相信谁的承诺？在这样的乱世，又能相信谁的承诺？
Early summer had painted the Ruyi Palace in brilliant reds and wild greens, utterly indifferent to the world's joys and sorrows, showing no inclination to retain its old master.
The Yuanliao Queen, who had been under house arrest for a long time without seeing the sun, changed into a servant's coarse clothes and fled through the Humen Gate toward Jianqing City. Yet she felt not a trace of panic or fear, for she was escaping this capital—
一年 to 流尽了她所有的眼泪
Yellow-maned horse thundered on, Weiyang nestled against Mancheng's chest—几分悲伤，又有几分豁然：到了建清城，我只是个局外人，可是我再也不会奢望什么。他的幸福，我可以成全。
The fierce wind lashed at their faces. Weiyang turned her face up, squinting at Mancheng's pale features, and asked, "Mancheng, when will we reach Jianqing City?"
"Taking the Yuyin Mountain route, two days! My horse is fast—if we don't stop, we might even catch up to them!" Mancheng's voice carried a hint of urgency, yet remained soft.
"How do you know they'll go that way?"
Mancheng lowered his head and smiled at her. "It's the shortest route!" He frowned, suddenly reining in his horse, lost in thought: How could I forget? Cheng Zhongshan knows that route better than anyone.
Yongzhao must have sent pursuers! Even if they can't catch Zhangzhou, they'll probably take Yuyin Mountain as well! We're too late—if we go to Yuyin Mountain, won't we be walking into a trap?
Mancheng wheeled his horse around back toward Humen, only to encounter Lianheng head-on.
"General!" Lianheng had finally found Mancheng, overjoyed and shouting, "General! Come with me to Jianqing City quickly!"
Mancheng nodded, but still turned back. Lianheng, greatly confused, asked, "General Xia, what's wrong?"
"Lianheng, Yuyin Mountain is a trap!" Mancheng said furiously. "That bastard Cheng Zhongshan is definitely waiting there! We'll take the Jielang Road instead!"
Lianheng was horrified. "General Xia! Absolutely not! We've already left Humen. If we turn back now and change course westward, Yongzhao's forces will have occupied Humen for sure! Besides, the Jielang Road passes through the Zhepó Forest—without a guide, we can't find our way out!"
"No alternatives! We must go that way!" Mancheng gritted his teeth. "As long as we don't run into Cheng Zhongshan, we can handle anyone else! I can find my way out of Zhepó Forest by memory!" His heart ached silently: Zhongshan, you would hurt me, but I cannot kill you! Zhongshan! I hope we never meet again, because when I see you again, I don't know what I would do...
Zhongshan, this game has reached its end—and the one who can't play anymore is me!
The three of them, on two horses, turned and rode toward the Jielang Road.
But Mancheng had not anticipated that there wasn't a single Yongzhao soldier at Yuyin Mountain.
His happiness, it wasn't only Weiyang willing to grant it. That shortcut through Yuyin Mountain—Zhongshan never said a single word about it to He Mingpei!
Heaven turned white, then red, then gray, then dark again...
The city of Yuanliao, which Zhangzhou had wrested from his father, he had possessed for only six years.
天上浮云如白衣，斯须变幻如苍狗—clouds in the sky like white robes, changing in an instant like gray dogs. This capital connected to him by blood was now, in the blink of an eye, in another's hands.
Zhongshan watched the Yongzhao army's torches spread outward from Yuanliao City like ripples, his heart feeling not a shred of joy.
Guangda came forward and slapped his shoulder. "General Cheng, everything went as you planned! He Er-ge will surely reward you handsomely!"
Zhongshan's mind was a blank. Titles, generous rewards—what meaning did any of it have?
Vengeance, forever unfulfilled. Love, forever unattainable.
It's come to this—where do I go from here?
Shounian galloped over and urgently asked Guangda, "Did you see He Er-ge's detachment?"
"No! Why?"
"He Er-ge vanished near the Jielang Road!"
Guangda was startled. "Where could he have gone? How many men does he have?"
"Only a dozen!"
Guangda forced a laugh and glanced at Zhongshan.
Zhongshan said coldly, "Your Highness need not worry—His Majesty must have accidentally entered Zhepó Forest and cannot find his way out. I'll lead you to find him." As he moved to mount his horse, the sandalwood prayer beads on his wrist suddenly broke apart, scattering across the ground. Zhongshan froze, bending down to pick up the beads one by one.
A thread of unease crept into his chest—
Mancheng?
The silent Zhepó Forest was disrupted by the urgent thunder of hooves. Mancheng reined in his yellow-maned horse, circling once more: Which direction was that white-leaf path Zhongshan led me on last time?
"Mancheng! We've been wandering in this forest for a whole day!" Weiyang couldn't help growing anxious, asking, "Are we lost?"
Lianheng also asked, "General Xia, what do we do now?"
Mancheng said nothing, lowering his head—only to see moonlight illuminating grass covered in fallen leaves, with faint dark spots scattered across them.
He reached up and plucked several green berries the size of soybeans from a tree, gently squeezing one open. Inside was black juice.
Mancheng stared at the berry in his hand, his thoughts racing like galloping horses, memories flooding back.
His heart leaped with joy: Could this really be the secret? "Lianheng, quickly find trees with these fruits and follow them!"
The three of them searched in the moonlight, walking for what felt like hours. The strange rocks and trees Mancheng saw grew increasingly familiar.
Yes! Up ahead—that's the white-leaf path! Mancheng's heart surged with joy: Yongzhao's army won't dare enter this forest at night. By the time they move in at dawn, we'll have already left Fupeng Township!
Zhangzhou! I'll see you soon!
In the dark forest, the white leaves' reflection was almost visible...
The yellow-maned horse quickened its pace. Then, suddenly, clamor and voices reached their ears!
Golden armor?
Mancheng yanked the reins.
Before them stood more than a dozen Yongzhao soldiers! On three horses sat—Xiong Han, Hui Wu, and He Mingpei!
Both sides broke out in cold sweats.
Mancheng's eyes blazed with murderous intent as he spoke low, "Greetings, Mountain King."
He Mingpei clasped his hands in greeting. "General Xia, it's been a while."
"My rear's doing just fine!" Mancheng said grimly. "If you don't want to die, get out of my way!"
Hui Wu shouted, "You barking dog! You ran into us yourself looking for death! Want us to spare you? Hmph... Dream on!"
"I remember now," Mancheng said coldly with a smile, "That day you were so kind—I ate several whip lashes. The scars are still on my body, and they hurt." He shifted his tone, bellowing, "Let me make this clear! I'm not begging you—I'm warning you: if you want to die, go do it somewhere else. Don't block my road!"
Xiong Han glanced at Weiyang sharing a horse with Mancheng and asked, "Who is this lady..."
Lianheng was alarmed. If Yongzhao's army learned the Queen Mother's identity, how would they ever let her go?
He was about to make up a story, when he heard Mancheng say, "None of your damn business."
Xiong Han whispered to He Mingpei, "Your Majesty, that woman must be the Princess of Yu. If we capture her, even without using her to coerce the King of Yu, the King of Yu, concerned for her safety, won't dare trouble us easily. Moreover, with her in our hands, no matter how capable Zhangzhou is, he won't be able to borrow a single soldier from Yu!" Seeing He Mingpei remain silent, he continued, "This Xia Mancheng is formidable, but last time General Cheng injured his left shoulder so severely—his left hand must be useless now! A crippled man—what are we afraid of?"
He Mingpei was naturally benevolent and couldn't help frowning. "He's severely wounded now. If we take advantage of his weakness and also seize a woman, that seems rather unseemly."
Xiong Han grew anxious: How can His Majesty be so indecisive at a time like this? He pressed, "If we let them go, once Xia Mancheng recovers and Zhangzhou borrows troops from Yu to make a comeback, another bloodbath is inevitable. Then the just-stabilized citizens of Yuanliao will suffer again!"
He Mingpei nodded but said nothing. Xiong Han took his silence as agreement and said to Hui Wu, "We flank them from both sides—but don't hurt the woman!"
Mancheng had been listening to their murmuring and had guessed most of it. He said quietly to Weiyang, "They're going to take you. Get on Lianheng's horse and find a gap to escape first. I'll guard the rear."
Weiyang clutched Mancheng tightly. "No, your injuries..."
"It's nothing!" Mancheng used his right arm to lift her onto Lianheng's horse. Lianheng understood and nodded to Mancheng.
"Mancheng..." Worry and anxiety filled Weiyang's eyes.
Mancheng smiled at her. "They can't hurt me. Don't worry—I won't keep you waiting long."
As he spoke, Xiong Han and Hui Wu had already spurred their horses forward. Mancheng drew his blade to meet them.
A cold crescent moon hung sorrowful and dreary. The gentle rustling of white leaves swaying in the wind was drowned out by the clanging and clashing of weapons. In the dark, dense forest, flashes of steel lit everywhere. Every movement of Mancheng's left arm brought searing pain. He relied entirely on his right hand to block every spear and staff.
Hui Wu's staff technique was full of openings. After two exchanges, Mancheng recognized a gap and swung his blade toward his face—but Xiong Han's long spear swept in to deflect it. Mancheng followed through, spinning downward and slashed Hui Wu's horse's front legs. The horse shrieked and threw off Hui Wu, who bolted away. Hui Wu was quick though—diving to the ground, rolling over, and swinging his staff at the yellow-maned horse's legs. The horse startled and reared. Mancheng tumbled from his saddle.
"Mancheng—!" Weiyang screamed.
Lianheng was torn—should he first get the Queen Mother to safety or charge to help his general? Gritting his teeth, he whipped his horse toward the white-leaf path.
Before Mancheng's feet hit the ground, Hui Wu's staff came swinging through the air, striking his left shoulder squarely. The old wound split open, blood gushing like a river. Mancheng's pain nearly made him black out. His left-hand blade clanged to the ground. Hui Wu brandished his staff with fierce wind, swinging toward the back of Mancheng's head.
In that flash of lightning, Mancheng's right arm swept back in a reverse slash. Blade-light sliced through the darkness, cleaving Hui Wu diagonally. Before Hui Wu hit the ground, the blade had already flickered through the air, and Xiong Han's horse's front hooves were severed. The horse screamed and collapsed, thrashing.
Xiong Han struggled to his feet. Hearing the whoosh of blade wind, he hastily raised his spear horizontally across his chest to block Mancheng's killing strike. Mancheng spun his blade to chop at his abdomen. Suddenly, a tightness seized his chest—he needed to cough! Mancheng forced it down. But at that moment, behind him came the neighing of horses and war cries. He turned to see Yongzhao infantry had hacked down Lianheng's horse. Weiyang tumbled to the ground, injury unknown.
Mancheng's heart burned with anxiety. Coughing, he abandoned Xiong Han and rushed to the rescue. This pivot gave Xiong Han an opening—his spear swung in a half-circle. Mancheng felt cold wind on his back, then searing pain.
Before Mancheng could even register how severe his wounds were, Xiong Han saw clearly. He was certain Mancheng couldn't fight back anymore and bellowed, "Xia Mancheng, give me your life!"
The spear came with the wind. Mancheng spun to block it—the excruciating pain from his back piercing straight through his heart. Mancheng bit his lip bloody. Blade-light flashed vertical. A scream rang out as Xiong Han's eye was sliced open down to his jaw. He fell dead instantly.
Mancheng spun back toward Weiyang. The Yongzhao infantry, seeing him coming, were terrified out of their wits. They abandoned trying to bind Weiyang and Lianheng, shoving He Mingpei back several steps.
"Weiyang!" Mancheng reached her, urgently asking, "Are you hurt?"
A frail woman falling from a horse like that—how could she possibly be unharmed? Weiyang didn't even know where it hurt, only feeling like all her bones were about to scatter. Seeing Mancheng's face full of concern, she forced a smile. "I'm... fine." But she couldn't get up.
Mancheng quickly helped her sit up. Weiyang's hand rested on Mancheng's back—only to feel something sticky. She quickly pulled her hand away and raised it in the moonlight. Startled, she cried, "Mancheng! You're—you're bleeding so much!" Tears spilled down her cheeks, her voice trembling.
Mancheng endured the agony of both old and new wounds. He gently soothed her. "Don't be afraid. That's... not my blood."
He Mingpei was overwhelmed with rage—countless beloved generals had died at this man's hands. If he didn't kill him, his anger couldn't be vented! He swung his long blade and charged. The infantry, emboldened, rushed toward the three of them.
Mancheng said to Lianheng, "Protect the Queen Mother!" Then he rose to face the enemy. One slash killed He Mingpei's horse.
He Mingpei's long-blade technique was formidable. He had anticipated the fall and immediately blocked Mancheng's swing the moment his feet touched ground. *Clang!* Before the sound faded, Mancheng had already spun to He Mingpei's left side. In the corner of He Mingpei's eye, he saw Mancheng give a slight smile—lips curved with infinite charm, not a hint of weakness or injury. Cold sweat drenched He Mingpei's back. His blade couldn't keep up, he couldn't retreat fast enough—his left arm took a cut from Mancheng's blade. He dropped his left-hand weapon and stumbled back repeatedly.
Mancheng smiled again, raising his blade and dashing toward him. He Mingpei thought: I'm done for!
Little did he know—Mancheng was already utterly exhausted!
Meanwhile, the cluster of infantry took advantage of the moment to rush Weiyang and surround her. Lianheng, worried about Weiyang, fought with his hands tied. He cut a bloody path free—only to realize he was several steps away from Weiyang. He frantically turned to run back, but took a slash to his leg and collapsed to the ground.
Weiyang shrieked in alarm. "Ah—!"
Mancheng's heart lurched: Weiyang!
He immediately abandoned He Mingpei and hacked his way back. The infantry surrounding Weiyang had their heads split open, blood spraying. The rest fled in panic like scattered birds and beasts. Mancheng pursued, his blade finding mark with every strike. Screams rang unceasingly as a dozen men lay fallen across the ground.
Mancheng gasped for breath. A wave of dizziness hit—his vision spun white. His knees gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.