Chapter 1218: Dual-Front Rescue

Watching his back disappear into the night, Dong Rui asked He He Lingchuan, "What does that last sentence mean? Why would Pi Xia insist on executing Situ He at Ju City, and with such fanfare, choosing tomorrow at noon?" Ju City was only a dozen or so miles of mountain road away from here.

"Is it specifically to behead him for General Situ to see?" Dong Rui had been partners with him for a long time, so his reaction was quick. "Oh, I get it. If the Situ family can't hold back and sends troops to attack, the Pi Xia people might kill Situ He early, not waiting until tomorrow at noon."

"If the Pi Xia people say they'll execute him tomorrow at noon, will the Situ family wait precisely until tomorrow at noon to raid the execution ground?" He He Lingchuan shook his head. "That only happens in novels. So, if Situ wants to save his son, it will most likely be between tonight and tomorrow morning. If even I can calculate this, could the Pi Xia people be unaware?"

"Then it's very likely a trap."

He He Lingchuan gave a hum and turned to ask Jiang Lishui, "Do you have any intelligence on the Pi Xia people here?"

"Their tribe originated from the Heavy Water River. In their early years, they produced several strong individuals in succession, and their strength soared, so they expanded their territory. As a result, their relationship with surrounding neighbors became tense. But with the Yao Nation backing them, other factions can't do much about them." Jiang Lishui, representing the Yangshan Society, was active in this area, so naturally, he would inquire about surrounding news. "This Pi Xia Lord has two sons who are both very capable. The younger son became a general in the Yao Nation and seems to have been enfeoffed as something like the Heavy Martial General."

Dong Rui subconsciously asked, "The Heavy Martial General?"

"Ah, yes, yes, the Heavy Martial General! I heard he's a rising star among the generals of the Yao Nation in recent years. That's just hearsay, though. The Pi Xia people might also be bragging."

Dong Rui clicked his tongue twice. "Oh my, I keep hearing about old acquaintances lately."

"His eldest son is even more formidable. He studied at Profound Heaven City in his early years and later stayed in Between Beijia. It's said he's even better at warfare. After latching onto these two big shots, Pi Xia became even more aggressive, not taking their neighbors seriously."

"So that's how it is."

"Half a year ago, Pi Xia conquered the Gao Pu Nation." Jiang Lishui couldn't help but sigh. "We heard as soon as we arrived that the Gao Pu monarch was gentle and benevolent, well-loved by his people. When Pi Xia invaded, the Gao Pu military and civilians were of one heart. It's just a pity their nation was small and weak, and they were caught off guard by the enemy; after resisting for several months, they were unable to turn the tide. However, it's rumored that Pi Xia only won a pyrrhic victory, losing several great generals and damaging their own vitality."

"After Gao Pu fell, General Situ Yu refused to surrender and led the remnants to continue resisting." Jiang Lishui continued, "He even united surrounding tribes to counterattack Pi Xia, and it's said he even snatched back quite a bit of territory."

"What's the situation on the front line recently?"

"Two months ago, the Situ family was always smooth sailing, winning more and losing less." Jiang Lishui swallowed. "The territory was peaceful, and prices didn't skyrocket, which is why I..." which is why he bought the Rolling Stone Valley mine.

This was the judgment he had made based on the facts at the time.

When investing in business, how can there be no risk? He He Lingchuan waved his hand. "If there were no chance of winning at all, the Situ family wouldn't have held out for so long."

A cornered beast fighting on nothing but blood and spirit is destined not to last long. Unless the Situ family saw hope for victory, they wouldn't fight with increasing vigor.

From this point of view, He He Lingchuan didn't think there was anything wrong with Jiang Lishui's judgment.

Getting the big boss's affirmation, Jiang Lishui was very happy and continued, "But in the last month, the situation has reversed. The Situ family has suffered two consecutive defeats, with significant losses. The front line has shrunk back to Yao Slope, and since then, they have focused on defense."

"Yao Slope?"

"It's only seven or eight miles from here."

He He Lingchuan gave a hum. When they came from Ju City, they seemed to have seen the shadows of troops halfway, so they had detoured.

His eyes flickered. "How long has it been since the Situ family launched an attack?"

"Oh, more than half a month."

He He Lingchuan nodded.

Jiang Lishui couldn't help but sigh softly. "It's a great pity that Young Master Situ was captured."

Dong Rui asked casually, "Why, do you know him too?"

"We have never met, but his reputation is excellent. The miners and villagers all say that since Young Master Situ returned to the country, he has helped the Situ family reform many policies and has won the hearts of the people; he is not some pampered young master who is high-minded but low-skilled." Jiang Lishui added, "By the way, we were able to secure the mining rights for Rolling Stone Valley precisely because Young Master Situ persuaded his father."

In extraordinary times, the Situ family selling mines for money might slightly alleviate their urgent needs.

Is that why Pi Xia captured Situ He? To Pi Xia, the Situ family certainly counts as the ringleaders. He He Lingchuan thought for a while, then beckoned Dong Rui to the side and whispered, "I'm going out for a trip. Lend me your treasures."

"Wait, didn't you just say the Pi Xia people set a trap in Ju City?" Dong Rui looked at him sideways. "You're still going knowing it's a trap?"

"It doesn't hurt to go and see." He He Lingchuan smiled. "If Situ He is killed by Pi Xia, or if the Situ family makes a rash move because of this and suffers a defeat, losing their territory, the Rolling Stone Valley mining area we just bought will most likely be taken by the Pi Xia people, and Yangshan's plan to develop here will likely be thwarted. Most importantly—"

He said sternly, "Situ He is an old friend of mine, and his character is sound. I don't want to see him die in vain."

He already had the capital to be willful; why couldn't he be willful for once? Dong Rui hummed. "He really accumulated virtue in his past life to have a friend like you."

"No need for past lives; people like this can accumulate virtue themselves." He He Lingchuan took the backpack.

"You're going alone?" Dong Rui asked strangely. "Why aren't you acting together with Fu Liushan and the others?"

"Fu Liushan isn't heading to Ju City immediately either; he still has to go back to gather and discuss. That wastes too much time. Besides, I have some methods that aren't convenient to show others."

Dong Rui remembered the magic power that inexplicably appeared on him and nodded.

This was indeed a secret He He Lingchuan couldn't speak of.

He He Lingchuan instructed him, "You stay here to look after the mining area and be vigilant against the Profound Lu Ghost King making another move. I'll be back quickly."

"Rest assured." Dong Rui smiled. "As soon as you leave, that evil ghost might just give up."

As for other small ghosts, dealing with them was a piece of cake for him.

At that, He He Lingchuan gave Jiang Lishui a few instructions and also took advantage of the night to leave Rolling Stone Valley.

The Soul-Absorbing Mirror in his bosom said, "That Situ He has ambition; it's a bit of a pity if he dies."

"His identity is also very important." He He Lingchuan said, "It's very important to this place, and it's also very important to my experiment."

The mirror asked strangely, "What experiment?"

He He Lingchuan pressed the divine bone necklace on his chest. "Remember the purpose of my coming to the Flash Gold Plain?"

"Ah?" The mirror thought for a long time. "Ah, I get it."

Eastern Front, Situ Main Camp.

When Fu Liushan rushed here, he saw the camp brightly lit, soldiers dressed and equipped, horses saddled, and an air of grim killing intent.

Oh my, this is bad.

He was led by soldiers into the main tent. As soon as he entered, he saw General Situ sitting behind the table, with several advisors and generals in front of him, discussing matters.

"Master Fu." General Situ saw him as soon as he raised his eyes and immediately stood up to welcome him. "I'm ashamed to have to invite you over in the middle of the night."

"General, please speak. If I, Fu, can do it, I will do my best." Fu Liushan subconsciously glanced outside the tent. "Your troops are ready; are you going to attack Ju City?"

General Situ's eyes were bloodshot. "It's a last resort."

"There's an eighty percent chance of an ambush there." For some reason, Fu Liushan remembered what He He Lingchuan had said earlier and blurted out, "If you raise an army to attack the city, Pi Xia might kill Young Master Situ early..."

The following words were unpleasant, so it wasn't convenient for him to say them. General Situ continued for him: "Perhaps they will behead my son under the city walls right in front of me, right?"

"..."

General Situ knew clearly in his heart: "If I go to attack Ju City, they might take advantage of the emptiness to attack here."

The defensive line that had been painstakingly maintained for over a month might be crushed because of this.

Kill his son, seize his battle line, and snatch his territory.

The generals on the side all said, "General, you sit in command here, and we will lead the troops!"

"Is there no ambush under Ju City?" General Situ said in a deep voice. "They went to such trouble to capture A-He, just to force us to attack."

Fu Liushan asked him, "What do you intend to do?"

"The Pi Xia people are using A-He to threaten me, and I have already refused; but how can I ignore it and sit by watching my son's head fall to the ground!"

Say what you will, he understood the logic, but father and son are of one heart.

"Master Fu has countless methods, whether dealing with people or ghosts. I want to send a team of elites to sneak into the city, led by Master Fu, to rescue my son." After speaking, General Situ stood up and bowed to Fu Liushan to the end. "It's an unreasonable request, but I hope Master can lend a hand. From now on, Master Fu will be the benefactor of the Situ family. Whatever you ask, I will go through fire and water!"

"Sigh, what a bother." Since the head of the family had begged to this extent, Fu Liushan could only scratch his head. "Fine, I'll make the trip for you."

"If the rescue fails—" General Situ's gaze passed through the tent entrance, looking at the eastern night sky, "our army will attack at dawn tomorrow!"

Ju City had a population of 120,000 and was now Pi Xia territory.

It was already the second half of the night, and the whole city was dark, with almost no households having lights on.

The Soul-Absorbing Mirror said, "You arrived late but reached first; you'll probably arrive earlier than Fu Liushan."

Outside the city, He He Lingchuan put on the skin of Lord Boshan in the woods and quietly crept toward the city gate.

After confirming that the gate guards couldn't see through his disguise, he detoured to climb the city wall and illegally broke into Ju City.

Fortunately, the walls of Ju City were not high.

"The Pi Xia people really have no magic power." The Soul-Absorbing Mirror's voice was gleeful. "Oh, by the way, there's a talisman array behind the city gate; it seems to be an evasion restriction, but it's not activated right now."

When poor people fight, how can they afford gold bricks?

Pi Xia was not as wealthy as the Yao Nation; unless it was a last resort, they wouldn't activate money-burning arrays.

"Once you cause a commotion, it'll be hard to escape." The mirror suddenly said 'oh my'. "Stop, don't jump, there are shadow-reflecting lamps here!"

On the city walls and parapets, a small lamp was hung every six or seven zhang. The light was cyan, looking not very bright, but the radiation range was very wide. With such a whole set of lamp arrays arranged, there were almost no dead corners of shadow.

From He He Lingchuan's perspective, the inside of the city walls and the open space were densely packed with cyan lamps, and it was almost impossible to find a place to land.

"The Pi Xia people really spent a fortune to set up such a large shadow-reflecting lamp array!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1219 =====