Chapter 916: Chapter 913: Grinding
Thick smoke continuously poured in through the window, even blackening the beams of Luohong Tower’s roof. The Emperor was drenched in sweat, turning his gaze toward the partition, outside of which the fire roared.
He never expected that he, the mighty Emperor of the Jin Kingdom, would end up in such a predicament.
He originally intended to ascend the Nine-Tiered Platform to seek immortality. The State Preceptor had said... By ascending the platform and sacrificing a thousand boys and girls, he could meet the immortals and obtain the elixir of immortality, perhaps even plead for Bai Suqiu to be resurrected.
He was so close to success; the Nine-Tiered Platform was complete. He just needed a thousand boys and girls, yet Bai Qingyan dared to rebel against him!
Oh Heaven, just one step... one step away! He is the true dragon of the Jin Kingdom! Why does Heaven treat him this way? Why not grant his wish?! Why hasn’t the Crown Prince come to save him!
At that moment, the Crown Prince had been stabbed in the chest, blood gushing forth... protected and supported by Qin Shangzhi, along with a group of soldiers and the imperial secret guard, dodging and hiding all the way and finally reaching the gate. But the Crown Prince was too exhausted, and Qin Shangzhi had no choice but to settle him temporarily in the vacant mansion of a wealthy family, where he was given some simple bandaging.
The Crown Prince panted heavily, leaning against a chair, the scent of blood covering his entire body...
He never imagined that Hongmei, whom he’d favored for so long, would give him a fatal blow.
When he heard Hongmei was coming, the Crown Prince thought that perhaps Bai Qingyan had sent her to persuade him to surrender. Little did he know, upon meeting Hongmei... even before any intimacy, she would present him with such a meeting gift.
The look in Hongmei’s eyes was clearly filled with deep admiration; how could she not blink when thrusting a dagger into his chest? How could she, with a look of resignation, leap into the river?
What deep-seated grudge gave her the resolve for such a blow?
Now that Hongmei was dead, there was no point in pursuing the reasons.
But the Crown Prince truly did not want to die. If he truly weren’t afraid of death... he wouldn’t have humbly begged King Liang for a chance to live back then.
Yet the Crown Prince hadn’t figured out what to do once he’d escaped.
With not a coin to his name, he couldn’t afford to pay these secret guards in silver. He might still need Qin Shangzhi, these soldiers, and the secret guards of the Imperial Family to sustain him; would they still risk their lives for him?
The Crown Prince looked down at the waist ornament at his side; perhaps it was worth some money, but who knew how long it would last?
The Crown Prince never imagined it would be Qin Shangzhi, someone he once helped suppress with Elder Fang, who would remain loyal to him at this time.
Elder Fang, too, was loyal. The mere thought of Elder Fang’s misshapen form made the Crown Prince shiver.
Ren Shijie... it’s unknown if he’s dead, as there has been no word.
Only Qin Shangzhi, originally working on canal repairs and uninvolved, was now risking everything to protect him.
After much contemplation, the Crown Prince made a decision: "No longer running west of the city; we head for the Zhou army camp, Qin Shangzhi... go and tell the Princess of Zhen that I am willing to surrender!"
Hoping that Bai Qingyan, in light of old affections, might at least send Doctor Hong to treat his wounds; perhaps there was still a chance for life.
Qin Shangzhi was surprised beyond belief upon hearing the Crown Prince’s words, "Your Highness!"
"I may not make it!" The Crown Prince looked up at Qin Shangzhi, speaking with a heavy heart, "But you are all fine men of the Jin Kingdom. Why sacrifice your lives for me, a Prince on the brink of death, and become fugitives? Enough... head to the Princess of Zhen! As I understand the Princess of Zhen... surrendering with me, there should be no danger to your lives. She will not be ruthless! You are young... and have your futures! Whether the Jin Kingdom stands or falls... it doesn’t matter..."
Qin Shangzhi, always deeply trusting of him, likely would not discern he was deceiving him!
And just as the Crown Prince predicted, Qin Shangzhi, the soldiers under his leadership, and the small squad of imperial secret guards never expected the Crown Prince to say such things. To them... this Crown Prince, like the Emperor, always acted out of self-interest. Could it be that facing death... softened his heart?
Not to mention that Qin Shangzhi and those soldiers hardly interacted with the Crown Prince, even if the royal secret guard protected the Crown Prince out of instinct and duty, even if loyalty was something ingrained since childhood, yet such instincts and duty could not withstand days without silver!
The Crown Prince was fearful, fearful that if he could not provide for Qin Shangzhi and these soldiers, these secret guards might take his head to seek allegiance with Bai Qingyan.
It was fine with Qin Shangzhi, but especially these secret guards; loyalty to the Imperial Family was conditional on being well-paid.
After spending so many years managing the Jin royal court, the Crown Prince was well aware of these people’s nature!
Rather than being humiliated and beheaded later, it was better to take the initiative to surrender now. Bai Qingyan, out of regard for old times where he treated her well, probably wouldn’t make things too hard for him.
The Crown Prince had heard that the third prince of Daliang, who surrendered, was granted the title of king by Bai Qingyan... letting him live out his life peacefully, which was already quite fortunate.
Resolute, the Crown Prince pressed hard against his still-bleeding wound: "Let’s go! Don’t delay! Go find the Princess of Zhen!"
·
Soon, the citizens of Luohong City were evacuated, and Lin Kangle led the soldiers in fighting the fire together, his whole body blackened as if emerging from a coal mine.
Lin Kangle wiped the sweat from his face with his hand, removing the black soot and revealing a face partly reddened by heat. His hand trembled constantly as he looked up at the soaring flames, sighing inwardly at the ferocity of the blaze...
"King Liang, that son of a bitch, must be mad! To set such a huge fire..." Lin Kangle felt sweat pouring down him as he tightly gripped the water bucket, turning his head to ask, "Is it confirmed that all citizens have been evacuated?"
"General, everyone has been evacuated! We’ve checked several times, confirming no citizens remain!" a similarly sweat-drenched soldier panted as he ran over, looking at his own general’s red face and shouted loudly.
"Alright! Let the brothers retreat!" Lin Kangle dropped the water bucket clasped in his hand, shouting loudly.
To stop this great fire, enough soldiers had already sacrificed. As long as the city’s citizens had evacuated, there was no need to hold the line further.
Human lives mattered more than the city. The city could be rebuilt if razed, but if lives were lost, they were lost for good!
At that moment, outside of Luohong City, at the Zhou army’s camp, Quan Yu had his leg sawed off and had lost consciousness. Doctor Hong, having just administered medication to Quan Yu, received news of the Eldest Princess having been poisoned and was whisked away to attend to her without even pausing to inquire further.
Seeing the color of the Eldest Princess’s lips and checking her pulse, Doctor Hong’s expression shifted as he looked up at Bai Qingyan...