Chapter 48: Canglang (7)

Yin Ziqi’s words came from the bottom of his heart, filled with sincerity. He narrowed his eyes as he studied Zhang Xun, hoping for a wise decision from him. He didn’t think Zhang Xun would refuse—his terms were indeed generous. Not only would his life be spared, but he would also be recommended to continue serving in the court. If Zhang Xun still refused to surrender, he would truly be a fool.
A wise bird chooses its tree to perch on; now that the Tang dynasty’s empire was on the verge of collapse, why cling to a withering tree? With Zhang Xun’s talents, he could have a bright future even in the Yan dynasty—why stay loyal to a dying court?
Silence fell over the city walls. Everyone turned their gaze to Zhang Xun, waiting for his decision.
Nan Jiyun, Lei Wanchun, Xu Yuan—all watched Zhang Xun anxiously, fearing he might make a decision they would regret for life. Meanwhile, the rebels led by Yin Ziqi were convinced Zhang Xun would choose to surrender.
After a long while, Zhang Xun sighed and said, “Lord Yin, come closer.”
Hearing this, Yin Ziqi was overjoyed, thinking Zhang Xun was willing to surrender. He leaned in toward him.
“Ah!”
As soon as he got close, he felt a sharp pain in his ear—Zhang Xun had bitten him!
“I wish to devour your flesh and drink your blood, haha,hahaha…”
“hahaha,hahaha!”
“hahaha, haha…”
Nan Jiyun, Lei Wanchun, Xu Yuan, and the others burst into laughter, pointing at Yin Ziqi, who was bleeding profusely, and mocking him.
Yin Ziqi had half of his ear bitten off by Zhang Xun, and blood flowed endlessly. In agony, he stamped his feet, holding his wound while cursing, “You ungrateful wretch! I intended to persuade you to surrender, yet you repay kindness with hatred. Very well, if you insist on staying loyal to the Tang dynasty, I’ll fulfill your wish! Bring these captives to the city walls—prepare to execute them!”
…Outside the northern city gate, rebels gathered around. Zhang Xun, Nan Jiyun, Lei Wanchun, and the others were tied up outside the gate, facing their fate bravely.
Death is inevitable for all, but its meaning varies greatly. They died for the Tang dynasty, for their homeland, for the people—they died without regret or pretense.
A cool autumn wind blew by.
Zhang Xun forced himself to stand straight and smiled slightly at Nan Jiyun beside him. “Nan Ba, do you blame me for misleading you?”

Nan Jiyun had once been ordered by Zhang Xun to go to Linhuai to seek help from Helan Jinming. Although Helan Jinming had no intention of sending reinforcements to Suiyang, he wanted to keep Nan Jiyun for his own use, but Nan Jiyun firmly refused. He could have stayed in Linhuai and never returned to Suiyang, yet he unhesitatingly chose to return to that doomed city. If there was anyone Zhang Xun owed anything to at that time, it was Nan Jiyun, Lei Wanchun, and others. “What are you saying, sir?” Nan Jiyun smiled proudly. “Since I was twenty, I’ve roamed the world with a sword in hand, aiming to kill one person every ten steps and never stopping on my journey. Back then, I only wished to use my long sword to eradicate all injustice in the world. But the more people I killed, the more I realized there was simply too much injustice in the world to ever eliminate. I grew increasingly lost, not knowing where to go, until I met you.” After a pause, Nan Jiyun continued, “You made me understand that there’s another way to change the world and fulfill one’s dreams. If not for you, I’d probably still be doing so-called heroic deeds in Weizhou.” Nan Jiyun had no regrets following Zhang Xun. Without Zhang Xun, he would never have joined the army. And if he hadn’t joined the army, he wouldn’t have experienced the satisfaction of slaying enemy soldiers in Suiyang. Compared to those local tyrants, these rebels and barbarians were the true evils! “You!” Hearing him say this, Zhang Xun was both amused and exasperated. “Enough, enough. Since you have no regrets, I won’t say more. I only hope we can be brothers again in our next life!” Zhang Xun sighed deeply and spoke softly. Nan Jiyun’s body trembled—Zhang Xun wanted to be his brother! He felt as if his blood was boiling. He declared loudly, “Alright! Let’s continue to be brothers in our next life!” The cold wind bit sharply, his long hair fluttered, his sword was raised, and his robe was stained with blood. When Suiyang fell, Zhang Xun, Nan Jiyun, Lei Wanchun, and thirty-six others were all killed。…… After breaking through the siege at Luolong Valley, Li Kuo led his troops straight toward Suiyang. He only hoped it was not too late, that there was still time! To reach Suiyang in time to offer aid, he even ignored Zheng Shanglun’s attempt to ambush and retaliate. To rescue his comrades in Suiyang, he suppressed his intense hatred. He firmly refused the so-called imperial order to march on Chang’an and resolutely turned down Guo Ziyi’s invitation. It was all for Suiyang, everything for Suiyang! Thousands of Tang cavalry rushed forward, crossing riverbanks, low plains, and mountain ridges without pause. “Ugh!”

After turning the last earthen wall, Li Kuo finally saw the city of Suiyang that had been causing him so much worry. The black-gray city walls were stained with blood, and the intense smell of burning filled the air, making one feel nauseous. Thick mist enveloped the strong city in darkness, but the flag fluttering on top of the city walls stood out clearly—Li Kuo noticed it at first glance. It was not the military flag of the Tang Dynasty; it was the flag of the rebels! What? Had the rebels already captured Suiyang? Had he arrived too late? No, that couldn’t be possible… “It can’t be, it can’t be…” Li Kuo kept repeating to himself, shaking his head incessantly. The generals from Jianghuai in the front row also noticed the Yan army’s flag fluttering on Suiyang’s walls and silently lowered their heads in despair. They had rushed here from Tangzhou through the night and braved numerous obstacles set by the rebels, yet it was still too late. Suiyang had fallen. Tears streamed down Li Kuo’s cheeks, splashing into the soil. Xiao Zhang, Brother Nan, Brother Lei—had they all… Li Kuo couldn’t bear to think any further. He clenched his fists tightly and swore coldly, “Don’t worry. I’ll remember this grudge. Even if it costs me my life, I’ll make those barbarians pay with their own blood!”