Chapter 1908: Willing to Bet, Willing to Lose

They stood in the field, parting to circle left and right around Yuwen Yong, Weng Xing smiling unpleasantly: "Yo, so this time it's a general from Ya State again?"

What does this "again" mean?

Doctor Li pointed at the brothers and said to Yuwen Yong: "I almost forgot to tell you, the death of Ya State's great general Xue Zongwu— they also had a hand in it!"

Yuwen Yong's face changed: "What do you mean?"

He never expected to hear Xue Zongwu's name here.

Xue Zongwu died at the hands of the Nine Nether Great Emperor— this is crystal clear throughout Ya State, even the Heavenly Palace's cloud envoys hold this view. What connection could these two have with that? Could it be?

"Back then, we were fortunate to fight side by side with the Nine Nether Great Emperor." Weng Su bared his teeth, flashing a gleaming silver axe, its blade radiating killing intent: "Come, let's see how much of Xue Zongwu's skill you have, whether you're worthy to receive our axe offering!"

Yuwen Yong looked at them, then at Doctor Li and the others, his eyes shifting from shock to disbelief: "You, you and the Nine Nether Great Emperor...?"

He had already figured it out— the Purple Mansion Guild in Duo City is eighty percent a shell of the Yangshan Merchant Guild, from warehouses to manpower, likely all theirs. Otherwise, how could this remote town suddenly produce a large force of elites and a batch of supplies?

The Yangshan Merchant Guild belongs to He Hao, right?

But these two claim they fought side by side with the Nine Nether Great Emperor to kill Xue Zongwu! And the surrounding Yangshan guards remain calm, unsurprised— they clearly knew beforehand.

Can such a thing be openly declared like this?

Then, what is the relationship between these Yangshan guards and the Black Armor Army?

Yuwen Yong recalled the weapons stacked in the neighboring warehouse and blurted out:

"You are the Black Armor Army?"

Upon saying this, the Ya people were greatly alarmed; under torchlight, the enemies suddenly seemed to turn ferocious.

Seizing the moment, the Weng brothers exchanged a glance, hearts in sync, one left, one right, lunging fiercely at Yuwen Yong!

When these two brothers fight, they prefer to attack together, not caring about single combat— as long as they win.

The ensuing battle held little suspense.

Though Yuwen Yong was a formidable general in Ya State— before, even the Heavy Martial General dared not lightly provoke his edge— he had suffered defeats and injuries during his flight, was exhausted, and had just been unsettled by the Weng brothers' words—

He also knew they deliberately mentioned Xue Zongwu to shake his fighting resolve, but facts outweigh eloquence, and his heart still felt some panic and despair.

Thus, despite his bravery, he only held on for a dozen rounds before his left arm was cut by Weng Xing, then kicked hard in the waist by Weng Su, flying back a zhang, landing with darkened eyes, unable to rise.

These two fellows are tough!

Especially their unscrupulous teamwork, so well-coordinated— any lapse by the enemy, and they seize the chance.

The Yangshan guards cheered.

Fighting still depends on Weng Da and Weng Er, as always.

Weng Su pressed his axe to Yuwen Yong's neck: "You lost."

Other Ya people turned ashen. Taking advantage of the duel, the Yangshan guards had already surrounded the warehouse district— they couldn't escape even if they tried.

Several dozen crossbows were aimed at them.

Feeling the icy killing intent from the axe blade, Yuwen Yong knew the man before him had murderous intent, and immediately shouted:

"Wait, I know your Island Master He!"

"Everyone says that." Doctor Li smiled: "Looking across the Jinjin Plains, who doesn't know Island Master He?"

The crowd chimed in: "Yeah, we're sick of hearing that."

"No, no, my Yuwen family jointly resisted Qingyang Supervision in Tianshui City with Island Master He, bearing great pressure together. My younger brother is Island Master He's guest— four out of ten days we spent together!" At death's door, Yuwen Yong cared nothing for ambiguity, straining every effort to grasp a lifeline: "If you don't believe me, just send a flying message to ask Island Master He! If he denies it, you can kill me then!"

In Ya State, the Yuwen family indeed commands wind and rain. Island Master He's actions in Ya State likely overlap with his. To mistakenly kill the lord's friend would be somewhat improper.

Doctor Li pondered briefly, then waved his hand: "Take them down!"

This means temporarily not killing.

The Ya people lost their will to resist, were split and locked in several cellars and empty warehouses, Yuwen Yong and a few leaders isolated separately.

"Can we get some water to drink?"

The prisoners requested.

"Can we get something to eat?"

They've been starving too long, limbs sore and weak, eyes blurred— otherwise they couldn't have lost so quickly.

"……" Weng Su listened nearby, annoyed: "Better to just kill them all cleanly."

Weng Xing warned: "Now, slashing throats— still in time, one stroke each, quick as can be."

Doctor Li still chose caution: "Send a message to Ju City to ask— won't take much time."

After the battle, everyone hurried to tally losses.

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Fortunately, less than one-tenth of the grain in the goods depot was damaged, but the warehouse pillars were chopped askew and need reinforcement.

Doctor Li assigned more personnel to watch the prisoners.

The Weng brothers strutted proudly amid the crowd's praise.

After Xue Zongwu's death, they continued their righteous deeds, and several months prior went to Julu Port, leaving a message on the notice board at the Floating Isle Ghost Market as agreed, then waited for the Nine Nether Great Emperor to arrive.

The two were full of apprehension, but those who came upon hearing the news were not the Nine Nether Great Emperor, but Qiu Hu of the Yangshan Merchant Guild.

The Nine Nether Great Emperor decided to recruit these two fellows into the Black Armor Army.

The Weng brothers were naturally eager— they lunged straight at Qiu Hu, no, correction— straight into the Black Armor Army's embrace.

Two months later, Qiu Hu again used them as intermediaries to recruit the rebel army led by Doctor Li.

This was per He Lingchuan's instruction.

In his view, Doctor Li's philosophy basically aligns with the Black Armor Army, and though this man is not of rustic origin, lacking in martial prowess but rich in strategy, he is talent needed by Yangshan.

As for the so-called "rebel armies" across the Jinjin Plains and the mixed units flying the Black Armor Army banner, Yangshan secretly tallied them, and after careful examination, absorbed six or seven for its own use.

Some strongmen, like the Weng brothers, were contacted and recruited privately.

These units also occupy an important link in He Lingchuan's subsequent plans.

Doctor Li and the Weng brothers and others were stationed in Duo City, thus guarding a large amount of supplies under the pretext of the Chamber of Commerce's security detail.

People, wealth, and grain — all three were fully prepared.

How many such strongholds exist throughout Shanjin? Only a few people around He Lingchuan know.

Weng Xing had a blade of grass in his mouth, listlessly saying: "When will we finally get to show our skills?"

Before he finished speaking, an owl flew in from the west, landing beside Doctor Li, who spat out a note to him: "A letter from the north!"

The north? Doctor Li's spirits lifted.

He opened the note and looked at it, then suddenly laughed: "Right now!"

Weng Xing: "What?"

Doctor Li waved the note at him: "News from the north — operation begins!"