With more people, the speed inevitably slowed down. Wang Dian halted his horse and gave instructions to the deputy general he had selected before riding a fast horse with Chang Li towards Sipan Mountain.
Why specifically want to send Liang Ye away?
Using Chong Heng to set a trap, attracting Liang Ye to take the bait – whether catching him in a jar or waiting like an oriole – they would ambush Liang Ye. Drawing Liang Ye to a place as far as Sipan Mountain was completely superfluous. It would even fail to serve Chong Heng’s intimidation purpose, becoming a wasted move. What brilliant mind came up with this plan?
Could there be more than one group behind this?
Wang Dian’s breath caught momentarily. If that were the case, the truly dangerous one was not Chong Heng, but Liang Ye instead.
[…Liang Ye will definitely die.] Qi Ming’s words still rang in his ears.
Although he could not confirm whether Qi Ming truly wanted to warn him or deliberately spoke to confuse his judgment, he could not deny that the words subconsciously influenced Wang Dian.
For the noble families, Liang Ye dying on the battlefield was the best outcome. If Liang Ye miraculously survived, they would ensure his death on the way back to the capital.
Advancing step by step, treading as carefully as walking on thin ice, yet unexpected events always arose.
He should not have let Liang Ye go alone. This thought grew increasingly strong in Wang Dian’s mind. Despite Liang Ye’s ability to handle any situation, he still felt intensely uneasy.
“Hya!” He forcefully cracked the whip, hoping his horse could run even faster.
Although reason told him going might not help, he just wanted to see Liang Ye, to have him in sight, doing anything, just to be by his side.
Even if this time Liang Ye was scheming against him, he would accept it. It was just about becoming the empress – he would do it.
The sky had completely darkened.
“Hya!” He cracked the whip again. The wind grew stronger, the water flow turbulent. Faint thunder sounded in the distance, and the roadside branches rustled in the wind.
“Young Master!” Chang Li suddenly caught his horse’s reins.
Wang Dian looked at him with unsteady breathing. Beneath the thunder, the sounds of clashing swords and fighting emerged. The two silently dismounted.
“Liang Ye definitely anticipated an ambush and most likely left his troops at the mountain base,” the drizzling rain fell, bringing a cool sensation to his face that helped Wang Dian barely calm down. “But he only brought three thousand people. The other side might not have fewer troops. The people I brought are still behind and cannot arrive quickly. We’ll go up the mountain first.”
“Young Master, Sipan Mountain’s terrain is treacherous, and it’s raining now. Rashly ascending is too dangerous,” Chang Li disagreed.
Wang Dian pondered for a moment. “No, we must first find Liang Ye. If he doesn’t see Chong Heng, he will definitely realize he’s been played. He might impulsively act, relying on his strong martial arts. The other side has certainly calculated this point and might be prepared to die together.”
Liang Ye was clever but also prone to taking risks. Wang Dian had noticed this long ago. It wasn’t that Liang Ye was reckless – he would think – but when facing life-and-death choices, he would more likely risk everything, fearless of life and death. When combat strength was overwhelmingly advantageous, this behavior would greatly boost morale. However, when acting alone, it became his most dangerous weakness.
Normally, this weakness would not be fatal, but once personal emotions were involved – such as not seeing the expected person – it would make him less decisive.
In short, this fellow, once blinded by rage, could easily be ambushed.
If those unafraid of death encounter a group equally fearless, it would indeed be a certain-death situation.
Wang Dian followed Chang Li, circumventing the main battle scene, taking a detour up the mountain. They eventually had to dismount and walk, but fortunately, Chang Li’s martial arts were not weak, and he could navigate the rugged mountain path as if it were flat ground, even while guiding someone who knew no martial arts.
He couldn’t help but marvel at the privileges of the privileged.
The rain grew increasingly heavy. Wang Dian simply removed his overly elaborate outer robe, tucked up the hem, wiped the rainwater from his face, and said in a low voice, “The earlier skirmish was on the north side of the mountain. The opponents likely ascended from the north. Liang Ye should approach from the west.”
“How does Young Master know?” Chang Li couldn’t help but ask.
“He has an unpredictable temperament, but is also suspicious and cautious, always thinking a few steps ahead,” Wang Dian said with a tense face. “If I were him, I would guess that the other side might know I would circle around from the south for a surprise attack. So, I would deliberately not do that. With east and west remaining, I would find the west inauspicious and purposely go against expectations by ascending from the west.”
“…” Chang Li thought his young master was sick but dared not say so.
Until they circled to the western side, Chang Li, seeing traces not yet washed away by rain, said in surprise, “Young Master, someone has been here. Around twenty people, most with decent lightness skills, carrying mostly hidden weapons.”
“That’s it,” Wang Dian said, rain making it difficult to keep his eyes open. “Liang Ye’s shadow guards had problems before, so he immediately replaced them. Most of these new guards are young, their lightness skills not yet refined enough to leave no trace. Let’s go.”
Chang Li nodded. Suddenly, Wang Dian stopped and turned to ask, “Can you smell anything?”
Chang Li moved his nose and shook his head blankly.
Wang Dian closed his eyes and sniffed, catching only faint, blurred scents indistinct in the rain. Just as he was about to speak, Chang Li covered his mouth and pressed him into the bushes.
“Someone’s here,” Chang Li whispered. “Young Master, hold your breath.”
Wang Dian crouched with him in the grass, squinting at the dozens of black shadows that suddenly landed in the distance.
He almost immediately identified Liang Ye’s shadow, his hanging heart instantly dropping. Immediately after, he heard a familiar voice.
“Your Majesty, you’ve been hard to find,” Bian Feng stood in the rain, his face showing undisguised infatuation and fanaticism. “It’s raining heavily. Why not take shelter with this lowly official?”
Liang Ye saw him, surprised, yet not entirely unexpected. He twisted his mouth. “So, Bian Cang could no longer hold back?”
“This matter was my own decision, unrelated to my grandfather,” Bian Feng smiled at him. “I sought my grandfather’s blessing to join the army, all to serve Your Majesty closely. Has Your Majesty truly forgotten me?”
Liang Ye looked at him bewilderedly, “Where is Chong Heng?”
“This is indeed somewhat related to Chong Heng,” Bian Feng smiled. “When I was ten, I entered the palace to meet the Grand Empress Dowager and accidentally knocked over a vase. Chong Heng was there, and I falsely claimed he did it. At the time, Your Majesty knew it was me but still severely punished Chong Heng. From that moment, I became obsessed with Your Majesty.”
“Don’t remember,” Liang Ye said expressionlessly.
Bian Feng bit his teeth hard, a twisted smile appearing. “Your Majesty is merely temporarily bewitched by Wang Dian, allowing him to succeed. I will make Your Majesty remember, bit by bit.”
Liang Ye looked at him curiously, “What are you, a little snot-nosed brat, thinking about all day?”
How did Bian Cang raise this child?
Bian Feng turned green with anger, coldly laughing. “Now, both up and down this mountain are my people. Your Majesty, you cannot escape.”
“Why would Zhen escape?” Liang Ye’s patience was exhausted. “Where is Chong Heng?”
Bian Feng let out a light laugh. “Your Majesty, haven’t you realized yet? Your little bodyguard is not even at Sipan Mountain. Tan Yishuang wanted to use Chong Heng to lure you into a trap. Once you went, you would definitely die. I secretly switched the wooden tablet in the sword case, drawing you to Sipan Mountain. Your Majesty, since you catch my fancy, I might spare your life.”
Liang Ye narrowed his eyes.
“As for your little bodyguard, since you didn’t go to meet people as agreed, Tan Yishuang has probably already killed him,” Bian Feng laughed gleefully.
Liang Ye’s laugh was even more chilling, “I’ve truly underestimated you.”
“I don’t care about their schemes and calculations,” Bian Feng’s gaze stuck tightly to him. “Your Majesty, I only want you. If you’re willing, I can do anything for you, even betray the Bian family.”
Liang Ye looked particularly disgusted, “A vulgar creature like you is simply unworthy of Zhen’s celestial appearance.”
Bian Feng’s expression twisted even more, “Your Majesty’s mouth is truly skilled. I wonder if it’s equally skilled in bed!”
Liang Ye laughed arrogantly and smugly, “Naturally, it’s even more skilled. Too bad you’ll never get the chance to experience it, little bastard.”
The soft sword was drawn, breaking through the rainy darkness. The two sides quickly engaged in a chaotic battle. However, Bian Feng clearly came prepared, knowing Liang Ye’s superior martial arts. More and more people surged out, and their martial arts were not inferior to Liang Ye’s shadow guards, even slightly superior. Soon, many of Liang Ye’s people were dead or wounded.
Bian Feng’s gaze grew increasingly excited, looking at Liang Ye as if he were already captured. Dozens of people formed an encirclement, gradually closing in on Liang Ye.
“Young Master, shall we help?” Chang Li, watching the scene, couldn’t help but whisper and feel anxious for Liang Ye.
Wang Dian’s face was terrifyingly cold in the rain. “No. Wait a bit longer.”
