Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
With Deputy General Linâs demise, a somber mood engulfed the soldiers, causing a pause in the assault on the entrance. The belief that the general would perish before achieving success cast a foreboding shadow over the situation.
Adding to the disheartenment, many soldiers recognized the daunting challenge of attacking the entrance. The prospect of being transferred to the vanguard now seemed synonymous with facing certain death.
Fortunately, the secret of the oil and fire had been kept, sparing them from additional panic.
Chiliarch Yang dispatched individuals to the nearby mountains in search of evidence indicating the source of the fatal arrow. Establishing culpability for the incident could incriminate Qin Silong and provide an explanation to higher authorities. Unfortunately, their efforts yielded no resultsâthe sharpshooters had vanished without a trace.
Doubt crept into Chiliarch Yangâs mind as he questioned whether the mysterious marksmen had indeed struck someone or if they had vanished out of fear.
Unaware that the two individuals were now under the custody of the Dragon Phoenix Hall, Chiliarch Yang, lacking solid evidence, directed his frustration towards Su Ping. He accused Su Ping of fearing death and insubordination, claiming that Su Pingâs unauthorized halt had led to Deputy General Linâs failure to evade the fatal arrows.
Demanding retribution, he declared, âHe should be executed! His head should serve as homage to Deputy General Linâs memory!â
Simultaneously, he ordered strict vigilance across the three armies, proclaiming merciless consequences for any further instances of cowardice or insubordination.
Su Ping was Chiliarch Yangâs subordinate. He thought he had the right to punish Su Ping.
Su Ping didnât say anything. He couldnât understand how Deputy General Lin, who was protected by so many people, was killed by the arrows.
Was he really wrong to listen to Qin Silongâs orders in private?
Hearing that Chiliarch Yang was going to put him to death, he wasnât too surprised.
If it was really because he disobeyed the military order that led to Deputy General Linâs death, he was willing to accept punishment.
Just as he was about to accept his punishment, Qin Silong showed up.
âChiliarch Yang, youâre too presumptuous!â
âWhat right do you have to execute a man of your rank?â
Chiliarch Yang sneered. âHeâs just a temporary chiliarch. In my eyes, heâs still my centurion!â
âHe disobeyed orders. Why canât I execute him?â
Qin Silong waved his hand, and his guards immediately stepped forward, trying to free him.
Chiliarch Yangâs people didnât allow it, but they were no match for him. After one or two moves, they were knocked to the ground and their restraints were removed.
The surrounding soldiers were left in stunned silence. While aware of Qin Silongâs formidable martial prowess, they were taken aback by the sheer skill of his personal guards, previously underestimated. The guards effortlessly subdued Chiliarch Yang, showcasing a level of expertise that surprised the onlookers.
Qin Silong addressed the bewildered crowd, clarifying Su Pingâs actions, âHe didnât disobey the order! I instructed him that if the morning resistance wasnât too severe, we could press on. If it proved too challenging, we were to feint.â
He continued, âLast night, Deputy General Lin and I had thoroughly discussed this strategy with the other four chiliarchs. Faced with overwhelming resistance in the morning attack, we had just begun advancing, yet weâd already lost over a hundred soldiers. In such circumstances, halting and advancing slowly was the wisest choice!â
âHeâs not wrong,â Qin Silong affirmed.
Chiliarch Yang retorted loudly, âWhat a joke! Youâve only lost a hundred people, and you claim itâs too much resistance? Youâve never experienced a real battlefield! Military orders are absolute. Even if eleven thousand people die, you still have to charge forward!â
Qin Silong met Yangâs raised voice with a cold gaze, stating firmly, âNot all battlefields are the same! Victory isnât guaranteed by blindly charging forward!â