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Chapitre 113

"How am I supposed to choose?"

"sorry."

"It's really difficult..."

“Chen, you’ve sacrificed so much for me. I really don’t want you to do anything more for me, and I don’t want to carry this guilt anymore… So, I really hope you can try to let go…”

"Ha, looks like I'm destined to be a wicked child for life..."

She looked up in surprise: "Chen..."

He gave a bitter smile: "From today onwards, you're all I have, my mistress."

A chord deep within her heart seemed to be gently touched by fingertips, rippling outwards in waves of sound. Staring blankly at Tuoba Chen, Rongyue was frozen in place, speechless, motionless, even breathless… Because of her, he would be abandoned by all, becoming a notorious traitor, hated by the people for all time… Just as he had said, from this day forward, he would only have her, only her… Once this path was chosen, there was no turning back; one wrong step, and perhaps utter destruction would follow…

For the first time, she hugged him sincerely: "Chen, give me some time, believe me, I will slowly fall in love with you, this good man..."

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Tuoba Chen was momentarily flustered and at a loss for words. His hands trembled for a long time before he finally embraced Rongyue tightly, his lips moving but unable to utter a single word...

Volume Two: The Resolute Heroines, Chapter Forty-Two: Liu Zhiyi Arrives

Before the majestic palace gates, Liu Zhiyi, his face grim, glared fiercely at Zhang He, who had rushed over upon hearing the news: "You've been disobeying your general behind his back! You've truly rebelled! When I see your general, I will definitely have her teach you a lesson for your audacity! You're utterly lawless!"

With a few loud, arrogant laughs, Zhang He moved his burly frame slightly toward Liu Zhiyi, pointing a contemptuous finger at him: "Damn it, you think you're still in Nansha? Bah! Let me tell you, this is our General's territory, not a place for you little fish to run wild! Censor? Pshaw! Here, a censor is nothing but a fart!"

The emperor of that day showed no mercy, no regard for their years of hard work and sacrifice for his kingdom, no gratitude for their tireless efforts and unwavering loyalty. He ruthlessly pushed them into a pit of fire, forcing them into a dead end! Therefore, the Rongyue cavalry harbored resentment towards the rulers of the country, forming a deep-seated hatred! This hatred extended to the court officials as well! As for Tuoba Chen, because he had once shielded Rongyue from a fatal blow, saving their general, the cavalry's hatred towards him had lessened considerably. Furthermore, their general's favor towards him and their ambiguous relationship were obvious even to a blind man. Therefore, since Tuoba Chen arrived at the camp, they had treated him with respect and hadn't given him a hard time. But now, this arrogant and haughty official, not to mention his demand for their great general by name! They were already harboring resentment, so how could they possibly give him a friendly look!

Liu Zhiyi was so angry that his beard stood on end. He said in a fit of rage, "Go and call Jian Xiaosan out here right now. I want to ask her how she manages her subordinates! They're practically climbing on the roof and tearing off the tiles!"

Zhang He stepped forward and forcefully poked Liu Zhiyi's forehead: "How dare you, a lowly person, call our General's name?! Go back to where you came from, and don't pollute our eyes!"

"Outrageous!" Liu Zhiyi slapped Zhang He's hand away in a rage: "Ye Ming, kill this savage bear for me!"

Ye Ming, who had been disguised as a servant, stepped forward in response, drew his soft sword from his waist, and with a flash of cold light, leaped up and attacked Zhang He with lightning speed.

Zhang He roared, drew his iron sword with tremendous force, and met Ye Ming's attack with overwhelming power...

The guards initially cheered and encouraged Zhang He, but gradually, the experienced soldiers noticed his growing weakness and the increasing disadvantage he was facing. Fearing for their men's safety, they quickly found a nimble young soldier and sent him to report to the general...

"Halt! Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter!" With a long sword at the ready, the gatekeeper blocked the soldier who was trying to force his way in.

The soldier hurriedly pulled out his palace token and said, "Brother Guard, I am Xiao Xizi, who guards the outer gate of the palace. Something has happened at the outer gate. Please inform them quickly..."

After glancing at the dark red palace plaque, the gatekeeper sheathed his sword and said, "You wait here."

He took a step closer, approached the palace door, knocked three times gently, then stood at attention and respectfully called out, "General."

After a moment, a soft voice drifted from the solemn palace doors: "Come in."

He pushed open the door, took a few quick steps, and knelt down on one knee before Rongyue: "A report has come from the outer palace gate that there is unusual activity."

An unusual movement? Rong Yue's expression turned solemn. Could it be a riot by the city's residents? Or perhaps trouble has arisen within the army?

Setting down the silver pen, Rongyue rose from the rosewood chair: "Go and bring in the messenger."

"Here you go!"

Before long, Xiao Xizi rushed into the hall. Upon seeing Rongyue, he knelt down and anxiously cried out, "Reporting to the General, there are thieves trying to break into the outer palace gate. General Zhang He bravely resisted them, but the thieves are highly skilled in martial arts and their moves are unpredictable. I'm afraid General Zhang He is no match for them..."

Before she could finish speaking, Rongyue had already grabbed the iron whip from the shelf, her face cold and stern, and strode out of the palace gate. She casually beckoned to a few patrolling soldiers, then led them hurriedly toward the outer palace gate…

Watching Rongyue's retreating figure with her whip in hand, Dongfang Yao, who was guarding the gate, felt a pang of anxiety: Could something terrible have happened?

When Rongyue arrived, Zhang He was already drenched in cold sweat, his hand holding the sword trembled slightly, and his movements were noticeably halted. Ye Ming, however, pressed forward relentlessly, seizing an opening, and with a flick of his wrist, the soft sword flashed like lightning, pointing straight at Zhang He's throat!

*Thud*—Just when Zhang He thought his life was over, a gleaming silver iron whip coiled around the soft sword just half an inch from his throat and tossed it into the air…

"General!" He turned around with delight, but when he saw Rong Yue's cold and stern face, he immediately remembered what he had done, knew he was in the wrong, and wisely shut his mouth.

Rongyue caught the iron whip falling from mid-air with perfect accuracy, dragged the whip a few steps away from Liu Zhiyi, and stopped: "What are you doing here!"

His face fell: "What do you think I'm here for!"

A cold, sidelong glance: "How should I know!"

Liu Zhiyi's facial muscles twitched several times, his face clouded with gloom. After staring at Rong Yue for a long time, Huo De pushed her away and walked straight into the palace.

That old scoundrel is really self-aware! Rubbing her shoulder that was sore from being pushed, Rongyue glared at that arrogant back and cursed inwardly.

"Damn it, did our General let you in?!" With a burly arm, Zhang He blocked Liu Zhiyi's path.

Liu Zhiyi's eyes turned cold, and he was about to lash out when Rong Yue behind him calmly stopped him, saying, "Alright, Zhang He, let him in."

“But General…” Zhang He cried out unwillingly, but seeing Rong Yue’s unyielding expression, he had no choice but to shut his mouth and reluctantly withdrew his arm.

With a cold snort, Liu Zhiyi gave Zhang He a sharp look, then strode past him.

"General, look at him!" Zhang He was furious after Liu Zhiyi's threatening glare before leaving. He pointed angrily at Liu Zhiyi's back and complained to Rong Yue, "General, why are you paying attention to this arrogant guy! This old man is extremely despicable. I think he's up to no good and might be here to sabotage us!"

He stared coldly at Zhang He: "Right General of the Cavalry, you are indeed valiant. Without even knowing the details of the newcomer, you fought him single-handedly. If I hadn't arrived in time, do you think you would be drinking a few cups with the King of Hell right now?"

Zhang He's old face turned bright red with embarrassment: "General..."

"Go and copy the military regulations ten times, and hand them in to me before dawn tomorrow!"

"Ah? General, you...you should still punish me with the rod!"

"No way! Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), recite the military regulations ten times, not a single word can be omitted."