Contending for supremacy under the heavens, he journeyed to Jingzhou and secured the aid of Li Kangjia; seizing Jiangcheng, the true dragon began to rise.
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After preparing the horses, Commander Ji turned to Masters Jia and the other, “Are you coming?”
“Young Master Ji, we have other matters to attend to, so we won’t be going,” Master Jia said, clutching Qi Jin as he spoke to Ji.
“Other matters? I think you’re off to meet Yuko Feihua under the moonlight!” Upon hearing this, Master Jia was stunned and immediately knelt down. “Young Master Ji, you’ve got the wrong idea! We never agreed to assist Yuko Feihua! Please, let me explain!”
“I have treated you well, yet you plot to betray me! Explanation? Go explain to the King of Hell!” With a wave of his hand, two soldiers rushed over and dragged Master Jia away. “Commander Ji, watch your tongue, or I’ll have you thrown out!”
Annoyed, Ji drew a soldier’s sword nearby and swiftly beheaded Master Jia.
Qi Jin stood trembling nearby, head bowed, pleading, “Please spare me! I’m of great use to you!” Anyone who bent down to look at him would be shocked—his eyes bloodshot, his face twisted and fierce, utterly lacking the appearance of a sixteen-year-old boy.
“Hahaha, what do you think?” Ji looked at him with amusement. “Though you saved me, you’ve now betrayed me. Besides, I’ve already secured all your medicines. You’re now nothing but expendable material. I had intended to spare your life, but since you sided with that fat pig, betraying me, to repay your ‘kindness,’ I’ll just give you a quick death!” With that, Ji drew his fried noodle sword. “I’ll use you as a sacrifice for my blade!” The sword rose—and the head fell!
“Meow, meow, meow!” The half-moon cat howled furiously at Ji. “Hahaha, little beast, noisy as ever. Go keep your master company! He must miss you dearly!”
Another strike, and the meowing ceased.
Jiakang looked at Ji silently. “This is embarrassing. Let’s go. Jingzhou will require considerable effort.” With a wave, two soldiers began cleaning the scene.
---
Jingzhou, a city encircled by ancient walls towering majestically. The blue bricks seemed to whisper tales of a thousand years. A moat, like a green silk ribbon, wound around the city, shimmering under the sunlight, reflecting the blooming flowers on both banks. Within the city, streets lined with buildings of antique charm stood in orderly fashion, bustling with shops and lively crowds. Passersby paused to admire or to purchase cherished goods, their faces glowing with satisfaction and joy.
In the distance, an ancient bridge spanned the river, crowded with pedestrians. Beneath, the water flowed gently, composing a serene and beautiful scene. A breeze carried fragrant blossoms, refreshing the spirit, as if one were in a celestial paradise.
After a day of galloping, Ji and his companion led their horses into Jingzhou.
Upon entering, they headed straight for the Li residence. Indeed, Ji’s mission was to ally with Li Jiakang to seize Jiangcheng and turn it into their stronghold.
Yuko Feihua commanded sixty thousand troops, and only with the help of Li Jiakang’s army, numbering over a hundred thousand, could they capture her. Moreover, Li Jiakang revealed that the King of Jiangnan had a hidden agent near Yuko Feihua, ready to deliver a fatal strike when needed—this was why Ji was so confident.
“The King of Jiangnan grows ever more mysterious. Is he truly indifferent to worldly affairs? I don’t buy it,” Ji thought as they arrived at the Li estate.
“Please inform your lord that General Li Jiakang of Jiangcheng requests an audience!” Ji said to the guard.
Moments later, the guard invited them inside.
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Upon entering, they met Li Jiakang. “General Li, a pleasure to meet you! And who is this?”
“Oh, this is Young Master Ji, recently appointed general by the prince. I serve as his deputy now,” Li Jiakang explained.
“Young Master Ji, pleased to meet you. The King of Jiangnan’s trust in you speaks volumes of your talent. When you rise, don’t forget to support a humble man like me,” Li Jiakang smiled warmly at Ji.
“Since the Prince of Jingzhou shares the same intention, why not strike while the iron’s hot? Today, I propose we discuss a business deal,” Ji said.
“Oh? I’m all ears.”
“Are you familiar with Yuko Feihua, the King of Jiangcheng?”
“Her? She’s a formidable woman—reviving her husband’s legacy and managing Jiangcheng’s prosperity. Who doesn’t know her? But why do you ask?”
“That’s the business I want to discuss—kill her, and I want full control of Jiangcheng!” Ji declared boldly.
Li Jiakang seemed taken aback. Taking a sip of tea, he continued, “Young Master Ji, you’ve got guts. But what do I get out of this?”
“This? Didn’t you just say—my patronage? Do you not believe in my future success?” Ji smiled, awaiting Li Jiakang’s decision.
Seeing Ji so confident, Li Jiakang pondered deeply. Indeed, he had high hopes for Ji and wished to use him to break free from royal shackles. Even the minor Prince of Ruzhou, Zhu Shengzhi, dared to mock him as a royal lapdog! He was desperate for change.
“How confident are you? Yuko Feihua has strong backing. Have you thought about the consequences?” Li Jiakang asked urgently.
“You only need to know the prince promised to bear all consequences!” Ji replied as if he had him figured out.
Li Jiakang glanced at Jiakang, seeking confirmation. Jiakang nodded knowingly.
Taking a deep breath, Li Jiakang said, “Wait here.” He entered a back room and shortly returned, handing Ji a talisman. “This allows you to mobilize fifty thousand Chimei troops in the eastern part of the city. This is my limit. If Jiangcheng were farther from Jingzhou, I couldn’t spare so many. The rest is up to you!”
“The Prince of Jingzhou is truly a man of his word. I’ll remember this kindness and repay it generously!” After clasping fists in thanks, Ji summoned Jiakang to leave the Li estate.
“Wishing you both victory! When you return, I, Li Jiakang, will welcome you with the finest wine!”
Leaving the estate, they hastened to the eastern city, mustered fifty thousand soldiers, and after briefly briefing the commander, they made no delay—resupplying only lightly before riding swiftly toward Jiangcheng.
On the first day of the second lunar month, at the Wu hour, Ji was addressing his troops. “Soldiers, we are about to move out. Are you confident?”
“Yes!”
“Has the inside contact been made?”
“Already connected. At the critical moment, they can launch a lethal strike!” Jiakang said, looking at Ji with admiration for his ambition.
“At the Zi hour, I will lead the Divine Strategy troops to strike the palace. You, the Chimei soldiers, must block reinforcements from outside. Please, you must hold them off!” Ji looked at Deng Fu, commander of the Chimei army.
“Rest assured, General Ji, the mission will be completed!”
Ji then turned his gaze toward the palace, expression calm but unreadable.
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Inside the royal palace, Yuko Feihua had no intention of sleeping. She knew Ji would act tonight. “Without Jingzhou’s troops, how could he be so confident inside the city? Just with those three thousand Divine Strategy soldiers?” She felt uneasy.
“Xiao Liuhua, send me two favorite companions. I doubt Ji will attack so soon!”
“Yes!” came a soft, delicate voice. Xiao Liuhua, Yuko Feihua’s personal attendant, was a eunuch.
“Also, alert the eight thousand Tiger Might troops surrounding the palace!” Then, a faint song drifted in the night, seemingly masking something.
On the second day of the second lunar month, “Dragon Raises Its Head,” at the Zi hour, Ji looked up at the sky. The moon was hidden behind clouds.
“A dark, windy night perfect for killing!” Ji declared. Three thousand Divine Strategy troops began advancing toward the palace, led by Ji and another commander, Huangfu Heng.
“Stop!” With a street yet to cross, Lei Bu Dao ordered a halt, awaiting Ji’s next orders.
The singing continued for an hour, then abruptly stopped.
“Bang! Bang! Bang! Move in! Has Ji launched the attack?” Yuko Feihua’s voice was tense and broken.
“No, it’s me, Xiao Liuhua, who will start the assault!” Before finishing, he rushed forward and covered Yuko Feihua’s face with a handkerchief. “Three hours should be enough!” With that, Yuko Feihua fainted, leaving two companions exchanging glances on the bed.
Ignoring them, Xiao Liuhua carried her to the courtyard, pulled out a “Cloud-Piercing Arrow,” and lit it.
Whoosh... boom... “Attack!” Ji shouted.
The Divine Strategy troops, like blades in the night, charged the palace but were met halfway by eight thousand Tiger Might soldiers lying in ambush. Clashing iron rang out, battle cries thundered. Moonlight pierced the clouds, illuminating the blood-soaked battlefield. Though brave, the Divine Strategy troops were outnumbered and began to falter, suffering over a thousand casualties.
At this desperate moment, Ji, riding a swift horse, burst from the chaos, clutching the unconscious Yuko Feihua, face grim. He leapt to the front lines between the armies and raised her high, addressing the Tiger Might commander, Nick, coldly: “General Ni, look who this is. If you don’t cease fighting, Jiangcheng’s ruler will perish tonight!”
A chill wind swept the battlefield, momentarily freezing the chaos.
Seeing Yuko Feihua in Ji’s grasp, Nick showed no anger. Instead, he said, “Thank you for freeing me. Yuko Feihua practiced the Essence-Draining Technique. As Tiger Might’s commander, I was her main victim. Today, I am finally free!”
He then turned to the other Tiger Might soldiers. “Soldiers, follow General Ji! Yuko Feihua is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, a pretentious ‘strong woman’ who has committed every evil and harmed men. Were it not for fear of her powerful family, we would have revolted long ago. Now, General Ji rids us of this plague; we must follow him!”
Ji had thought his words would fall on deaf ears, but seeing the Tiger Might soldiers lay down their arms, he realized just how formidable Yuko Feihua truly was.
Thus the battle inside the city ended dramatically. Outside, upon hearing Yuko Feihua had been captured alive and Tiger Might had surrendered, other forces also laid down arms, shouting, “Long live General Ji! Eternal glory to General Ji!”
On the second day of the second lunar month, Ji—the true dragon—slowly raised his head toward Xingcheng.
...
At the Yin hour, Yuko Feihua, placed in Master Jia’s former bed, vanished without a trace.
Meanwhile, on the official road from Jiangcheng back to Ruzhou, a scholar with a changing complexion was driving a carriage. Inside lay a female beggar who had just awakened.
“Commander Ji, I want you dead!” she spat.