Chapter 67: Chu Xiong in Peril

Within the grand encampment on the border of the Liao Kingdom, Xi Feng’s face was drawn and weary, her lips parched, as she kept vigil beside the bed of the robust man. Tang Chen stood nearby, helmet cradled in his arms. “Madam, you haven’t rested properly for half a month now. You should return and take some rest. Leave this to me; I will keep watch here.”

Xi Feng shook her head slightly, saying nothing, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the man lying in bed.

Ying Die stood next to them, gently tugging at Tang Chen’s sleeve to signal him outside. He understood and followed her out. “Miss Ying Die, is there something you wish to discuss?”

She, too, had gone days without rest; dark circles ringed her eyes. She pressed her cracked lips together, bowed respectfully to Tang Chen, and spoke, “The poison afflicting the young lord can only be cured by Old Tameng. I wish to retrieve the antidote for him. I ask Deputy General Tang to cover for me. Miss Xi Feng can bear no further distress.”

“No. The Liao Kingdom is like a den of dragons and tigers; going there is suicide. How can I stand by and watch you walk to your death? If anyone must go, it should be me.” Tang Chen objected strongly, his face grim.

Ying Die managed a helpless smile. “Deputy General Tang cannot go. Now that the young lord is bedridden, his fate uncertain, and Miss Xi Feng is overwhelmed with grief, only you can oversee the camp. I implore you to place the greater good above all.”

She finished speaking and glanced back at the tent, a sixteen-year-old girl in the bloom of youth. “Miss Xi Feng has shown me great kindness. For her, I would brave fire and water, even if a bottomless abyss lies ahead—I will not shrink back. I am the best choice for this task.”

After her words, silence fell between them.

Tang Chen knew someone had to seek the antidote. After a long pause, he sighed deeply, resigned. “Since your mind is made up, I won’t stop you. Be careful in all things.”

Ying Die bit her lip, her bright eyes flickering toward Tang Chen, as if she wished to speak but hesitated.

“Miss Ying Die, is there something you wish to say?”

She forced a smile, and the young man, not understanding, could only smile back. The two stood together in silence.

“Master… Master has returned!” From inside the tent, a soldier ran out to spread the news. Soldiers emerged from their tents, eager and curious.

A young boy, features delicate as painted, appeared, travel-worn, followed by a scout.

“Brother Jun Han, the general is inside.”

Chu Jun Han’s expression was grim as he strode straight to the general’s tent. Upon seeing Tang Chen, he spared no time for greetings, merely gesturing before plunging into the tent.

“Mother, Han has returned. How is father?”

For the first time, Xi Feng looked up, her gaze vacant, tears glimmering in her eyes. “Han, come see your father. I fear… he hasn’t much time left.”

“Father!” Chu Jun Han threw himself to the bedside, kneeling, his small hand grasping Chu Xiong’s large, calloused hand—so cold now—and tears spilled down his cheeks.

His father’s hand, once always gripping weapons and now rough from years of war, was icy cold.

“Father.” Chu Jun Han gently shook Chu Xiong’s hand, choked with emotion as he looked toward the man’s face.

Chu Xiong’s entire countenance was tinged purple, the color creeping up his neck, and his chest was tightly wrapped in bandages, blood seeping through in a terrifying display.

“Who did this!” Chu Jun Han cried out, his voice breaking, eyes bloodshot, gazing at his father’s weakening breath.

Tang Chen stepped forward, his face bitter. “A month ago, the general received an imperial order to capture the first pass within two months. But Old Tameng is cunning and had already anticipated the general’s assault, setting an ambush… To cover the retreat of our soldiers, the general was struck by a poisoned arrow.”

Chu Jun Han’s eyes narrowed, a cold smile twisting his lips. “So the attack was a pretense—the true plot was collusion and betrayal!”