OL CH21

Because the man Bai Su had slain was one of Great Yan’s fiercest generals, his renown spread like wildfire, instilling deep wariness in Great Yan and prompting them to halt any proactive offensives for the time being.

Upon learning of this, the old Emperor was overjoyed, feeling that genuine, substantial good news had finally arrived from the front lines. He pledged before the imperial court on the spot that Bai Su would be lavishly rewarded upon his return.

Naturally, what he desired even more was for the enemy forces to retreat altogether and bring an end to the war.

Yet Great Yan’s temporary lull did not deceive Bai Su. Unwilling to sit passively, he seized the momentum of high morale to launch a sudden strike, reclaiming in a single push the cities previously captured by the enemy. He even drove deep into the grasslands, shattering a portion of the Take Tribe’s forces.

Meanwhile, during the time Bai Su was away, events great and small unfolded within Xiling’s imperial capital.

For instance, the Marquis of Zhongyong, Bai Heguang, actually tripped while walking on level ground and broke a leg. Though he ought to have recuperated quietly at home, he snuck out to drink at brothels and even stayed the night in one.

Who could have known that when relieving himself in the dead of night, he would slip and tumble straight into the cesspit? When fished out, not only had he swallowed bellies full of foul sludge, but he had also cracked his skull open. Stripped of all dignity, he became the laughingstock of the city.

Furthermore, censorate officials abruptly impeached multiple officials from the Prime Minister’s faction for corruption and bribery with ironclad evidence, causing Prime Minister Yan’s influence to steadily decline by the day.

Subsequently, after the Fifth Prince, Situ Chen, was invested as Crown Prince, Chen Tian had a secret audience with the old Emperor. Having secured his trust, Chen Tian no longer concealed his sharp edge.

In short order, Chen Tian amassed considerable authority. Yet because his actions were directed toward smoothing the Crown Prince’s path and stabilizing the court, he earned Situ Chen’s heartfelt gratitude instead.

Concurrently, in private, Chen Tian bustled tirelessly to secure military funding and provisions for the frontier.

The national treasury was depleted, what little could be disbursed amounting to a drop in the ocean. Though Chen Tian had planned ahead and accumulated substantial personal wealth, what army would ever complain about having too many supplies and funds?

Moreover, as days slipped by, victory reports began trickling in occasionally from the border. It was obvious that Bai Su was waging a war of attrition.

Under the orchestration of Chen Tian and the Iron Xuan Guards, capable officials and wealthy merchants across the land opened their purses generously.

A fresh consignment of military supplies was dispatched toward the front, though given the vast distance, it would still take time to reach Bai Su’s hands.

Through 009, Chen Tian learned that Bai Su’s situation at the border was far better than what was described in his official memorials, which brought him genuine relief.

Still, he understood why his lover deliberately depicted the combat as fraught with crisis; after all, were it not framed that way, the old Emperor and certain factions at court would surely become restless and drag their feet again.

Over the past few days, the frontier soldiers enjoyed a rare respite. While alcohol was strictly barred, Bai Su used the banknotes Chen Tian had slipped him earlier to send men into nearby towns for provisions, purchasing abundant delicacies to distribute among the troops as a feast of celebration.

Provisions this year were reasonably plentiful, which brought profound relief to everyone. Their General Bai even looked after them occasionally, paying out of his own pocket to treat them to meat, a luxury they never would have dared imagine in former times.

Winter was fast approaching. Fighting in battle was not what they feared most; what truly terrified them was returning after risking their lives only to go hungry, freeze without warm clothes, and lack medicinal ointment for their wounds.

Thus, though supplies remained modest, the situation was countless times better than in previous years.

Bai Su dined with his officers and soldiers every day, and currently sat among the men. Yet seeing the relaxed smiles on the soldiers’ faces, an involuntary heaviness settled in his chest.

Several months had passed since his arrival at the battlefield. Though he had received numerous letters sent from the capital by King Ning, intelligence from the Iron Xuan Guards reported that King Ning had been making frequent moves, gaining ever-greater ascendancy in the imperial court.

Thinking of those handwritten letters brimming with sweet words and endless yearning, Bai Su felt little sweetness in his heart.

What King Ning truly desired was likely the backing of the army under his command.

Once he crushed Great Yan, he would indeed possess the power to seat the man upon the imperial throne. As for loyalty to the sovereign…

Situ Hongshen was not utterly incompetent, but he was hardly an enlightened monarch. The Fifth Prince was decent, yet who in this world was truly without selfish motives? Besides, Chenye possessed the right to inherit the throne by blood anyway.

Musing on this, Bai Su finished the food in his bowl swiftly and took a stroll around the encampment to aid digestion.

As he walked, he spotted four or five soldiers holding freshly ladled rations, huddled together chatting over their meal.

“Have you heard? Word came from the capital saying the Take Tribe might surrender,” a dark-skinned man whispered conspiratorially to his companions.

The man with a goatee beside him waved a dismissive hand. “Quit talking nonsense. We don’t even know anything on the front lines, so how could the capital know before us?”

“What do you know! A relative of my brother-in-law’s elder brother’s colleague’s great-uncle belongs to an influential family in the capital. Word is the Take Tribe has already sent a missive, intending to have an envoy escort their most beautiful Princess Xilin to meet the Emperor. And why else would they bring a princess? For a peace marriage!”

“But the Emperor is old enough to be her father!”

“What do you know? I heard the princess took a fancy to King Ning.”

“Really? Well, King Ning is a renowned beauty throughout Xiling, and he still has no wife to this day, so bestowing a marriage on him fits quite well. But tell me, if this is true and the Take Tribe surrenders, leaving only Great Yan, our fight will be much easier! Doesn’t that mean we can go home soon?”

In truth, everyone knew ending a war was never so simple. Yet having hope always gave them something brighter to look forward to.

Afterward, the men gossiped about camp rumors and anecdotes from their hometowns, but Bai Su lost all desire to listen further.

His mind was filled entirely with their words: the Take Tribe was sending a princess for a marriage alliance, and the intended groom was King Ning!

Bai Su had no recollection of how he returned to his command tent. He stood alone before his desk for a long time, completely engulfed in gloom.

Ridiculous. How utterly ridiculous!

While he fought and spilled blood on the battlefield, that man was about to wed!

King Ning had once asked him to bind his hair with a red jade hairpin, telling him they would be a pair for a lifetime, never to part. Such sweet, enchanting promises were nothing more than lies after all.

Yet hadn’t he known all along? Knowing everything was an illusion, why did his heart still ache with such unbearable agony?

Drawing a deep breath, Bai Su bit his lower lip hard. The red haze in his eyes flared violently with ferocious intensity, tinting his pupils scarlet like a vengeful specter clawing out from hell, his obsessive madness terrifying to behold.

None of this mattered. Whether a princess or an imperial decree of marriage, he would never let anything stand between them.

Situ Chenye belonged to him, to him alone!

Soon. Very soon. When the time came, as long as King Ning craved that supreme throne, he would know what choice he must make.

Following that day, the Xiling army’s offensive turned abruptly fierce and merciless.

Abundant provisions and weapons left them without worries behind them. Bai Su deployed troops like a divine strategist, crushing the enemy forces. He swept through the hordes of border tribes that had constantly harassed the realm, driving Great Yan into retreat after retreat.

Within the capital, court politics grew increasingly stable. Situ Chen proved highly capable, gradually learning the art of governance after becoming Crown Prince.

Seeing the Crown Prince assisting in state affairs and everything settling onto its proper course, Chen Tian inventoried the massive convoy of provisions he had prepared once more. Curling his lips into a smile, he entered the palace to wheedle a few items from the old Emperor.

Father and son conversed with great warmth in the imperial study. Politely declining the Emperor’s offer to stay for lunch, Chen Tian took what he had secured and departed.

After specifically instructing the Iron Xuan Guards not to disclose his journey to Bai Su, Chen Tian finally set out on the road with complete peace of mind.

Having been apart for so long, he missed his wife terribly!

By now, Bai Su had become the true God of War of Xiling in the eyes of every soldier, as though victory was guaranteed as long as he was present.

Yet Bai Su refused to squander any more time; his heart still pined for that person in the capital who held his soul captive.

Otherwise, with their current morale, pushing deep into Great Yan’s heartland and breaching their imperial capital would have been well within reach.

Over the years, military commanders had suffered far too much mistreatment, harboring little genuine fondness for the imperial family.

Bai Su was originally the Heir of the Marquis of Zhongyong, with the ancestral favor left by the Old Marquis still intact, and he possessed such peerless valor. Thus, in a short span, he had taken absolute command over the three armies.

Calling Bai Su a living military tally was hardly an exaggeration at this point.

Great Yan was thoroughly battered into submission; their commander delivered a letter of surrender, bringing a temporary ceasefire. Yet Bai Su was in no hurry to report Great Yan’s surrender to the court.

Both General Shang and the military strategists asked when they would make a triumphant return, but Bai Su brushed them off for the moment.

He would return to the capital, of course, for there was an undeniable reason he must go back, but he could not return so simply.

Though he had kept his greatest military triumphs discreet from the court, he had secretly instructed the Iron Xuan Guards to relay the reports to King Ning, confident that Situ Chenye could easily recognize his worth.

Bai Su’s gaze turned chillingly cold. The civil officials in court had enjoyed their comforts for far too long; it was high time for the military commanders to take their turn.

Once he held supreme power over the court, King Ning would have no choice but to belong obediently to him!

With this in mind, Bai Su began meticulously planning his return to the capital. That very evening, however, the army welcomed another massive convoy of provisions and supplies.

This shipment was exceptionally vast. Word had it that it contained not only fine quilts and padded coats, but also an abundance of fresh meat purchased from surrounding regions, which took Bai Su by surprise upon hearing the report.

Their supplies were no longer particularly strained, and he certainly did not believe the imperial court would be generous enough to send so much.

Having listened to his subordinate’s report, Bai Su rose, intending to inspect it in person.

Just then, the entrance curtain of his command tent was lifted from outside, and an intimately familiar silhouette stepped into view.

Gazing at King Ning standing before him, clad in travel-worn martial attire, dusty from the road yet still radiating peerless grace, Bai Su froze in utter disbelief.

Chen Tian: Surprised? Didn’t see that coming, did you!

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Author’s Note:

Bai Su: Walking straight into the net as prophesied???