Xiao Shan's legs were like pillars, spread wide as he roared, "Strike!"
"Brother! These are extraordinary times. Let's defer this for now. Our priority is..." Yuan Bifei was having a terrible headache. Though he knew his elder brother always kept his word, he couldn't help but advise, "It's the most pressing matter..."
Xiao Shan shot a cold glance at his stalled subordinates behind him, his meaning clear.
Military discipline was military discipline. No one could treat it as a game, especially not him, the Great General.
His subordinates could only raise their clubs and strike with their eyes closed.
Wu Zhoubai stroked his chin, musing, "We have no particular ties to the capital. What business do we have there?"
"The person who wants to send Brother back to the battlefield is in the capital."
"Who?" Wu Zhoubai, his eyes not very large, looked at Yuan Bifei, who clearly knew more. "I've only been apart from him for a year, and he's already moved on? Has he no conscience? Which brat dares to steal my position?"
Yuan Bifei looked at him with sympathy. He was truly ugly, yet oblivious.
Wu Zhoubai: "Was I deceived?"
"Leave the stone, and you may go."
"Dream on! I'll make him change his mind!" Wu Zhoubai flicked his lustrous hair and shouted, "Strike! Strike hard! Are you not getting enough to eat!?"
The former God of War, resurrected, regrouping, the people's hope!
The scattered, lifeless Xianyang City and several other border cities were like dark clouds parting to reveal the sun, like stagnant water surging into a raging tide.
Upon receiving the news, Second Prince Feng Shijin was overjoyed, looking up in anticipation for the arrival of the Divine Might General.
Since arriving at the border city, they had clashed with the Tujue twice, each time being suppressed to the point of breathlessness, and had even lost Jinjiang City.
Fortunately, the Tujue seemed to have other plans domestically and did not press their advantage, allowing them a slight reprieve.
"Wen Tang, the Divine Might General is not dead. With the hope of attacking the Tujue, we can definitely bring Ling Yao back!"
It had been a year! So long. Those who had infiltrated the Tujue to gather information had no concrete news. They all said the First Prince was brutal. Ling Yao was so well-behaved and delicate. Was she... alright?
Song Beiting, as the strategist and vanguard, was thinking of other things at this moment.
He held a secret letter in his arms, delivered by someone from the First Prince's faction.
He wasn't sure if it was true.
Because it was too absurd.
But he hoped it was true.
He hoped the princess had never gone to the Tujue, never suffered.
"Yes, the Divine Might General has arrived. That's wonderful."
He handed over the affairs of the border city, so he could return to the capital as soon as possible to verify its authenticity.
"It's just that the Divine Might General has suddenly resurrected. Without the Emperor's appointment, I don't know how to persuade the generals." The Second Prince was somewhat troubled.
His relationship with the Emperor had soured, and the Emperor hadn't concerned himself with him for a long time. How could he speak up for the general?
However, the Second Prince soon realized his worries were unfounded.
Xiao Qishan, having changed his name to Xiao Shan, entered Xianyang with an overwhelmingly powerful presence. He needed no imperial appointment. With a single call, he was answered by all. Generals from various cities flocked to his banner, abandoning their previous lethargy and slackness, raising their flags in welcome.
He was the uncrowned king.
He was the faith of the border cities.
He was an unshakeable presence in the hearts of the border soldiers.
The armies he had painstakingly thought he had incorporated turned and joined his command.
Vast and mighty, banners swaying, the king had returned.
He wasn't here to assist him; he was here to replace him.
The Second Prince and Song Beiting stood alone at the city gate, appearing so insignificant.
Xiao Shan dismounted, his cloak billowing. Tall and sturdy, the long spear on his back exuded a chilling aura.
"Your subject pays his respects to the Second Prince."
His posture was respectful, yet it was different from before.
Previously, when he stood in the grand hall to pay homage to the Emperor, he was subservient.
Now, he was arrogant and commanding.
What did he intend to do?
Rebel?
The Second Prince's face turned pale. Such a formidable general, if he rebelled, who could stop him? He was not like those scattered rebel forces!
"The Divine Might General is truly magnificent," Song Beiting remarked meaningfully.
Xiao Shan looked at him, his sharp tiger-like eyes appraising him openly from head to toe.
"Commander Song must have had a tough year. Your face has gotten so dark."
He relied on the fact that he was unfamiliar with the capital in the past to deceive him. On the surface, he was a gentleman, but inwardly, he was very wicked.
Unfortunately, no matter how much effort was put in, it couldn't overcome destiny.
He no longer had a chance.
Song Beiting had indeed not had a good year, whether in the capital or after arriving at the border.
His handsome, jade-like face had been roughened by the border winds and sand, his complexion darkened by the intense sunlight. The former elegant and refined commander of the Imperial Guard had become a rough soldier in the mouths of others.
But he was still better looking than the Divine Might General.
"Not as good as the General."
"Hmph!" He couldn't be bothered to speak with these scheming people from the capital!
Being good-looking didn't fill their stomachs, lead armies, or win battles, nor could it find them wives!
"Second Prince, don't just stand there. Let's enter the city! The soldiers have traveled hard!"
"Enter, enter the city," the Second Prince said dryly.
Under such military might, what else could he say? The generals from various cities following behind him strode forward proudly. These were the fierce warriors he had invited many times, only to have them refuse with various excuses.
But now, they were all as obedient as cats.
He had lived in the comfortable nest of the palace before and had no idea that the Divine Might General was living like a local emperor in the border city.
After entering Xianyang City, there was another series of rectifications. Xiao Shan purged everything with swift and decisive methods.
The Second Prince, whose foundation was already unstable, was now completely sidelined. He and Song Beiting followed behind, witnessing the widening gap between them. Even if they felt uncomfortable, they were powerless.
He was too formidable.
The Divine Might General was not a false reputation.
Compared to him, he and Wen Tang were like children.
But what was his purpose?
"Second Prince, you should return to the capital!"
Xiao Shan looked at the Second Prince. He bore some resemblance to Xue Niang. It was precisely because of this similarity in their eye shape that he had bought Xue Niang from the human traffickers.
Even after spending months under the sun in the border city, her complexion had only darkened slightly, like Xue Niang, she was favored by the sun.
As expected of twins.
"Great General, what exactly do you mean? Did you come to the border city for..."
The Second Prince was many years younger than Xiao Shan and had not experienced many hardships. He had only truly suffered in the past few months since arriving at the border. Today, having witnessed Xiao Shan's methods, he was terrified from the bottom of his heart.
But he hadn't rescued Ling Yao yet. How could he return to the capital like this?
"Second Prince and Princess Ling Yao are siblings. This general heard that twins have telepathic connections. Has the Second Prince ever felt his sister's thoughts?"
Xiao Shan's tone became somewhat heavy at the end.
When Xue Niang suffered, if even one person had noticed, she wouldn't have had to endure months of hardship in the hands of human traffickers.
Thinking of this, he couldn't like the Second Prince. If they wanted to rescue someone, there were plenty of opportunities on the way to the wedding. Instead, they had to wait until she entered the Tujue and provoke a war in such a foolish manner.
If Ling Yao was truly in the hands of the Tujue, wouldn't she be suffering even more because of him?
Too foolish.
And Song Beiting, was he even worthy of being the Divine Sovereign of Da Yao?
If he couldn't even contend with his own family, how could he protect her?
Of course, there was also himself. If he hadn't faked his death back then, the Tujue would not have dared to be so rampant. If he hadn't been so hesitant when he first met her in the palace...
Alas, there are no ifs.
Now, he could only shed blood and sacrifice himself, clearing all obstacles, and paving a glorious path for her.