Chapter 120: Private Duel

As mentioned in the previous chapter, Feng Rusong, driven to a dead end by Murong Yan, had no choice but to charge at her with his plum-blossom spear.

As he closed the distance, he flourished the weapon, sending thousands of spear-heads dancing toward Murong Yan’s face. This strike was delivered with his full strength, the wind whistling with an unstoppable momentum. Seeing the ferocity of the attack and its deceptive, ever-changing nature, Murong Yan did not dare to be careless. She raised her embroidered silk saber to parry.

To her surprise, while her saber was raised, the spear-heads on the opposite side failed to strike! Murong Yan was startled. What kind of trick was Feng Rusong playing? She could not help but glance toward him.

She saw an arrow pierced directly through Feng Rusong’s throat. He could not speak, only making muffled, guttural sounds as blood gushed from his mouth. With a loud clatter, he dropped his spear, clutched his neck, and tumbled from his horse with a heavy thud.

Murong Yan was still standing there, filled with suspicion, when the rhythmic sound of hooves approached from behind. She turned to look and saw Xiao Ling riding toward her, holding a powerful bow.

"Marshal Murong, are you alright?" Xiao Ling asked. Seeing that she was vibrant and completely unscathed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the corpse on the ground and cursed, "You wicked thief, so this is your end!"

Murong Yan sighed deeply. "Although this man was hateful, he was deceived by Du Anxun; he is a pitiable person as well." Seeing many rebel soldiers catching up, she commanded them, "Find a coffin and give Feng Rusong a proper burial. Do not let his body rot in the wilderness." With that, she turned her horse and headed back toward the city.

Upon returning to the Ye mansion in the city, she carried Du Anxun’s severed head directly to the mourning hall. Placing the blood-stained head before the altar, she knelt and kowtowed three times. "Father, your daughter-in-law has avenged you! This is the head of Du Anxun, the strategist of the Menglianshan rebel army. It was he who stirred up trouble and incited Feng Rusong to attack our Black Earth City, causing our people to suffer the ravages of war, their homes burned and countless starving to death!"

As she spoke, she recalled how her father-in-law, despite his immense wealth, had opened his granaries to provide relief to the victims, only to starve to death himself. Overcome by the memory, she burst into loud, bitter wailing. After weeping for a long time, she fell into an exhausted sleep, only to be awakened later by a soldier asking for instructions on how to handle the captives.

Murong Yan remembered the many tasks still at hand. She wiped her tears, stood up, and rode toward the prisoner camp against the morning glow. She took a high vantage point to address them. The morning breeze was still chilly, and as she looked at the dejected, sighing soldiers below, she felt a pang of sympathy.

"Brothers, there was a time when we stood on the same side, both resisting tyranny and fighting the demon armies! But now, we have become enemies! Why is this?" Murong Yan spoke patiently. "It is because your strategist, Du Anxun, sold his soul to the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom! He incited your leaders to repeatedly invade our Black Earth City. We are all of the same kin; why must we be so cruel to one another? Look at yourselves—how many of your brothers have died? Look at our Black Earth City—which house has not been burned? Which family has not lost someone?"

The more she spoke, the more indignant she became, and tears streamed down her face. "Even my father-in-law was starved to death!" Her voice choked. "What... what a wonderful old man he was! To ensure the city did not go hungry, he opened his granaries, while he himself ate chaff and vegetables. His health declined until he passed away from exhaustion!" She wept like flowers drenched in rain. "My husband and I were newly married; we had not yet been able to show him the filial piety he deserved before he departed this world..."

Her weeping moved every heart present. Remembering their own fallen comrades and their families, the soldiers could not help but shed tears.

"Kill Du Anxun! Revolt against Feng Rusong!" someone shouted. Like a spark falling into a vat of oil, the entire crowd erupted in fury. "Kill Du Anxun! Revolt against Feng Rusong!" The soldiers raised their arms and roared, their voices reaching the heavens.

Seeing that her words had ignited their collective indignation, Murong Yan nodded repeatedly. She dried her tears and raised a hand to signal for silence. When the crowd calmed, she continued: "Brothers, I have never regarded you as prisoners, but as soldiers! You are brave warriors! There was a time when you took up arms to drive away the demon armies and protect your kin! Today, it was not you who lost, but the scoundrels Du Anxun and Feng Rusong. From now on, our two forces shall be one. Those who wish to continue serving as soldiers, come forward to receive weapons; those who do not, we will provide travel expenses for you to return home!"

Seeing the joy on their faces, she added, "From this day forward, we shall never fight our own people again. Those who are men, go and fight the demon army!" Before she could finish, the soldiers cheered and shouted in unison, "Fight the demon army! Fight the demon army!" Many scrambled forward, raising their hands: "I want to serve! I want to serve! Fight the demon army and regain our pride!"

Murong Yan’s face brightened. She raised her hands to direct them. "Do not panic, do not panic. Those who wish to serve, come this way! Line up and register your names, ranks, and original unit designations. Officers shall remain officers, and soldiers shall remain soldiers; your original affiliations will be preserved for now. Any adjustments will be made later based on the situation!" She instructed her subordinates, "Quickly, bring tables, paper, ink, and brushes to register them!"

Watching the enthusiastic scene, she felt a sense of triumph. *Brother Feng,* she thought, *look at this. You always told me to persuade people with reason—have I succeeded today? With our rebel forces now stronger than ever, how can we fail to sweep away the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom?* Thinking of Ye Feng, she began to worry about his progress in the current campaign, making her even more eager to reorganize the troops so she could support him as soon as possible.

Just then, a soldier reported: "Report! Marshal, something is wrong! The newcomer, Xue Yingxian, is arguing with Xiao Ling and is about to fight!"

Murong Yan broke into a cold sweat. *I feared this, and it has come to pass!* she thought. *Yesterday, Xue Yingxian asked about his brother, and I was terrified he would learn the truth. I had already ordered the camp not to tell him. How did he find out so quickly? How can this grudge be resolved? This is a headache indeed!*

"Where are they?" she asked urgently.

"At the drill grounds," the soldier replied. "General Xue, despite his lame left foot, is about to duel General Xiao!"

Anxious, Murong Yan gave a few quick orders to her subordinates, then spurred her horse toward the drill grounds. From a distance, she saw Xue Yingxian brandishing his twin hooks, roaring as he attacked Xiao Ling repeatedly. The hooks flashed with cold light, whistling through the air like meteors. Xiao Ling retreated repeatedly, offering no retaliation. Fortunately, because of the injury to Xue Yingxian’s left foot, his movement was hindered, which significantly reduced the power of his hooks. Otherwise, Xiao Ling would surely have been wounded long ago.

"Stop! Stop!" Murong Yan shouted, her horse galloping like lightning, reaching them in a blink.

"Whoa!" She pulled hard on the reins. Before the horse had even finished rearing and settling, she vaulted from the saddle. "Xue Yingxian, you are bold! Why are you fighting in private here?" she demanded, blocking Xiao Ling.

"Marshal Murong, stand aside! If I don't kill this brat today, I, Xue, will not be a man!" Xue Yingxian’s eyes were bloodshot, the veins on his face bulging. His naturally blue face seemed even bluer in his rage—a terrifying, ghastly sight.

"Warrior Xue, it is true that I killed your brother, Xue Yingyong. But that was before I defected. Marshal Murong has already pardoned my crimes. Please, calm yourself," Xiao Ling said, bowing coldly.

"Bullshit! My brother and I relied on each other since we were children. When I was eight, he sent me away to study the martial arts, and we were separated. Ten years later, I never imagined such a man would be murdered by you! Do you think two simple sentences will make me drop the grudge for my brother’s death?" Xue Yingxian ground his teeth so loudly it was audible; he looked as though he wanted to devour Xiao Ling whole.

"Presumptuous! Xue Yingxian, when two armies meet, each serves its own master. General Xiao’s killing of Xue Yingyong occurred in the enemy camp. Now, he has repented and performed great meritorious service upon joining our ranks! I have promised to let bygones be bygones regarding his past crimes. Why are you still dwelling on this?" Murong Yan said sternly.

Seeing Xue Yingxian’s sorrow, she softened her tone. "Warrior Xue, I am also deeply saddened by your brother’s death. But you must know that once you join the military, you must be prepared to sacrifice your life at any moment. I hope you will restrain your grief."

Xue Yingxian, his eyes filled with tears, reluctantly sheathed his hooks. He bowed and said, "Marshal Murong, this thief and I cannot coexist. Either he stays or I stay! Which one do you choose to keep in your army?" He pointed at Xiao Ling, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Murong Yan frowned. *Xue Yingxian, why are you so stubborn?* she thought. *I have tried to persuade you in every way, yet you listen to nothing.*

Finally, she replied helplessly, "Warrior Xue, you are brave and skilled, and I cherish your talents. However, while I recruit heroes from all under heaven, I do not tolerate those who seek private vengeance or cause division. If you cannot abide by the discipline of my camp, then please, go." With that, she cupped her hands in a formal salute, turned, and walked away.

Hearing this, tears rolled down Xue Yingxian’s cheeks. He did not want to leave! He had felt an instant kinship with Murong Yan yesterday, and their shared defense had forged a deep bond. He admired her sense of justice and righteousness so much that he had already accepted her as his leader, intending to serve her for the rest of his life. He had never imagined it would come to this.

Thinking of this, Xue Yingxian wiped his tears, cupped his hands, and said, "Marshal Murong, forgive my disrespect. Farewell!" He turned and limped away.

Watching his lonely figure from afar, Murong Yan felt a pang of sorrow. Seeing his unsteady gait, her pity deepened. She called out, "Warrior Xue, wait!"

Hearing the call, Xue Yingxian felt a flicker of hope. *Could it be that the Marshal has changed her mind?* He stopped in his tracks.

As Xue Yingxian stopped, whether he would remain in the rebel army would be revealed in the next chapter.