Chapter 408: If You Won

You Xian released his grip, and Mu Rong Su Xue's corpse fell limp onto the ground.

Those eyes that once burned with the fire of restoring the nation now stared hollowly at the blood‑red night sky.

Mu Rong Ying, pinned to the ground by two imperial soldiers, watched in horror as You Xian wound the bowstring around her mother's throat, letting out a gut‑wrenching scream, her nails carving deep blood marks on the floor: "Mother—!"

"No! Mother!"

But everything was in vain.....

Yuwen Ze's gaze swept over the sobbing Mu Rong Ying on the ground, then turned to Chen Yan beside him, his tone asking for instruction: "A Xiong, what should be done with this daughter of the Princess of Former Yan?"

His eyes flashed with murderous intent.

Since, after the earlier mockery, seeing her displeased him, and fearing that cutting the grass without uprooting the roots would let it sprout again in spring.....

Chen Yan's face showed no ripple; he raised his hand to smooth the lapel of his armor and said calmly, "Let her choose her own way to die, follow Princess Le Ping, and fulfill the deep mother‑daughter bond!"

This woman is also an Imperial Clan member of the previous dynasty, her mother a once‑renowned tyrant; give her a swift end and let her join the Yellow Springs together.....

"As you command!"

Yuwen Ze nodded heavily, a vengeful curl lifting his mouth, and laughed, "Then let me see her off on the road."

Having said so, he turned and hurried toward You Xian, who was wiping the scratches from his arm, lifted his hand to pat the other's Shoulder Armor, and then extended his hand.

You Xian understood instantly and handed over the bowstring still stained with faint blood and grease.

Yuwen Ze took it, his fingertips feeling the cold, rough texture; he gave it a casual squeeze and clenched it in his palm.

Mu Rong Ying, supported by the imperial soldiers, watched Yuwen Ze approach step by step, clutching the blood‑stained bowstring, the murderous intent in her eyes nearly devouring herself.

In the height of terror, a sudden surge of brute force made her fling off the soldiers' grip, stagger to Chen Yan's feet, and with a "thud" she fell to her knees, her forehead striking the cold ground: "Lord Chen Yan, please spare me!"

Zhu Yi and Hongye, seeing this, rushed forward and immediately positioned themselves before Chen Yan.

"The little lady can give herself to you, as a concubine or maid!"

"In the future I will wholeheartedly serve you!"

Mu Rong Ying sobbed, trembling all over, her hands frantically wiping her face, trying to erase the blood and dust.

As the stains faded, a face emerged, still marked by tears yet unable to hide its delicate beauty.

Between her brows and eyes lingered a faint hint of Mu Rong Su Xue's youthful charm, but now her complexion was as pale as paper.

Her almond‑shaped eyes widened with fear, tears mixing with the unfixed blood streaks and flowing down, adding a fragile, pitiable sense of shattering.

The earlier ferocious glare that had fixed on her throat was long gone, leaving only the humbled, near‑death fear, trying to move the one before her who could decide life or death......

Chen Yan placed his hand on Zhu Yi's shoulder, raised an eyebrow slightly, a faint, ambiguous smile curling his lips, and said with a hint of amusement, "Oh?"

This casual reply sounded to Mu Rong Ying like celestial music; she snapped her head up, a spark of survival flashing in her eyes, hurried forward, her voice trembling with urgency: "The little lady can have many, I guarantee I'll serve you comfortably......"

Seeing Chen Yan give no answer, she bit her teeth again, as if making a resolve.

She deliberately puffed out her full chest, her posture unintentionally taking on a hint of contrived grace.

Then, with her eyelids slightly lowered, she spoke softly and lightly, with a maiden's shy timbre yet deliberately clear: "I can also bear you a son!"

As she said so, she gently twisted her waist.

She tried to display herself, the few traces of charm, her almond eyes full of flattery and pleading.

Mu Rong Ying inexplicably felt that this seemed to indirectly fulfill that previous task......

Chen Yan stared at her for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping the hilt of his sword as if calculating something, then slowly nodded and said meaningfully, "Fine then....."

Mu Rong Ying's whole body stiffened, then, as if a drowning person had found a lifeline, the once‑dull light in her eyes instantly flared, and she looked up in disbelief, her voice shaking even more: "Really… really?!"

She hurriedly knelt forward a half‑step, swearing earnestly, "Rest assured, the little lady will definitely....."

At that moment, Mu Rong Ying seemed to see her own brilliant future.

All she needed was to bear a son for this young Duke of Wei, and endless wealth and honor would be hers; perhaps she could even inherit the title.....

However, before she could finish, Chen Yan cut her off: "Of course!"

Then he turned his head toward the surrounding imperial soldiers and shouted, "Brothers, you've worked hard tonight....."

"This woman is a reward for you; enjoy her well!"

As he said so, he pointed at Mu Rong Ying on the ground.

Originally he had "a heart of mercy," wanting to give her a swift end.....

But if not to be dignified, then she can only be used as a waste!

"Thank you, Grand General!"

"Thank you, Grand General!"

The surrounding imperial soldiers roared in unison.

The fatigue from the recent melee was instantly replaced by excitement; each soldier's eyes glittered as they stared fixedly at Mu Rong Ying on the ground, their throats rolling involuntarily, swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Not to mention, the woman's looks were still quite good......

A few impatient ones were already rubbing their fists, their rough palms scrabbling over their cloths, faces bearing unabashed greedy smiles as they hurriedly closed in on her.

"No… don't!"

"You don't touch me!"

The color on Mu Rong Ying's face drained completely, the hope that had just ignited extinguished like ice water, leaving only bone‑deep cold and despair.

"The Grand General has already rewarded you, so you have no choice!"

The nearest imperial soldier dragged Mu Rong Ying away directly.

Now the eagerly anticipated queuing segment can begin......

Yuwen Ze stood aside, taking the whole scene in, his face showing no surprise; instead he slowly nodded, thinking to himself, "I told you, A Xiong, you're not that soft‑hearted....."

This matched his perception of A Xiong.

However, for a moment just now, he thought A Xiong might have developed some interest in this woman.....

"Old Guard." Chen Yan called out.

"Subordinate General present," Gu Yuci, who was close by, hurried forward and bowed, replying.

Chen Yan lifted his eyes, scanning the city silhouette in the firelight, and ordered, "You will soon lead people to seal off the treasury inside Fenglin City!"

After a pause, he continued, "Inventory the gold and silver treasures plundered by the Tongtian Society and the stockpiled provisions!"

Since the Tongtian Society had previously prepared for a prolonged campaign, both the treasures and the provisions must have been moved to Fenglin.

"As you command!" Gu Yuci nodded.

Chen Yan cleared his throat, his voice rising sharply enough for the surrounding soldiers to hear clearly, "Divide another half as reward tonight for the brave soldiers who quelled the rebellion!"

Then, his gaze swept over the troops present, and he declared loudly, "Heavy reward for those who charge ahead, slay generals and seize flags! For brothers fallen in this battle, the relief money will be doubled, and the government will properly settle their families, ensuring they have no worries of food and clothing!"

"Yes!" Gu Yuci replied.

"Thank you, Grand General!"

"I am willing to give my life for the Grand General!"

As the words fell, the previously noisy scene, caused by the commotion, fell silent in an instant, then erupted into deafening cheers.

The city soldiers' faces were full of excitement; the fatigue and bloodied atmosphere from the earlier fighting seemed largely dispelled by this sudden generous reward.

Such a general who loves his troops like sons and immediately fulfills the promised reward—how could anyone not be willing to die serving him?

Chen Yan turned his head toward Lu Ming, who stood beside him, his gaze sweeping over the nearly two‑meter‑tall upright figure and the blood‑stained armor, a slight smile curving his mouth as he praised, "A Ming, you performed well tonight!"

Then he raised his hand, patting the other's shoulder armor; the clank of metal sounded dull as he laughed, "Don't say you killed seventy or eighty, okay?"

All along, Chen Yan had watched; this kid Lu Ming charged ahead, cutting down the Liuren rebels as easily as slicing fruit and vegetables......

Who could have thought that stepping out once would result in a hundred‑person kill?

"I don't know, I haven't counted..."

Lu Ming lowered his gaze at Chen Yan, who was a little less than half a head shorter, scratched the edge of his helmet, and replied.

After a pause, as if recalling something, he asked, "Grand General, the reward you mentioned earlier—does the Subordinate General receive any?"

His eyes were full of anticipation.

"Of course!"

"Not a single coin or ounce will be missed for you!"

Chen Yan couldn't stop his mouth from curving upward; admiration shone in his brows as he laughed heartily, "You deserve a generous reward!"

Using gold and silver to secure such a fierce warrior and a fine Blade is well worth it!

"Thank you, Grand General!" Lu Ming clenched the curved long sword in his hand, exclaiming excitedly.

Chen Yan smiled calmly, gestured toward Yuwen Ze, and said, "A Ze, I have a task for you!"

Yuwen Ze, seeing this, stepped forward quickly, bowed and said, "A Xiong commands!"

Chen Yan's warm smile vanished instantly, replaced by a terrifying ferocity; his eyes swirled with unmasked murderous intent, and even his voice turned as cold as ice tempered with poison, "Go and bring those exterminated rebels and the heads of the Tongtian Society's high officials, and build a Capital Observatory!"

"As you command!" Yuwen Ze bowed heavily and replied.

Yuwen Ze understood that his older brother wanted to show all the treacherous ones the fate of rebelling against Great Zhou!

He also wanted the whole world to know that traitors die without a whole body!

Three days later.

Morning.

At the first light of dawn, the city gate of Fuhan was already open.

Morning dew dampened the banners beneath the city towers, and a breeze rustled the flag bearing the characters "Great Zhou".

Liu Zhuang, dressed in official robes, had been waiting at the city gate with his subordinate officials for some time.

He kept his hands inside his sleeves, occasionally standing on tiptoe to glance toward the distant official road—

When dust and the sound of hooves rolled in from afar, he immediately straightened his attire and hurried forward.

The first thing that caught the eye was the army flag bearing the character "Chen," followed closely by a brightly armored army.

At the front of the formation, Chen Yan rode a divine Wuzhui Horse; his dark military garb, though specked with dust, could not hide his upright bearing.

Liu Zhuang stepped forward, bowed and saluted, his voice filled with genuine joy, "Congratulations, Grand General, on your triumphant return!"

Two days earlier, Liu Zhuang had received the battle report: the Tongtian Society bandits were wiped out, the Liuren rebels all surrendered, and the Grand General built the Capital Observatory to intimidate the night scoundrels....

If he had no further missions, he would have loved to drink heartily, get completely drunk, and celebrate properly.

The subordinate officials behind also bowed in unison, echoing, "Congratulations, Grand General, on your triumph!"

Chen Yan tightened the horse rein, his gaze sweeping over the welcoming formation at the City Gate, and gave a slight nod.

At that moment, a rapid clatter of hooves came from behind the formation.

You Xian spurred his horse forward, approached Chen Yan's horse, and solemnly reported, "Sir, the latest news says that Tuyu Hun has reinforced by three thousand!"

"In total, there are over six thousand cavalry!"

"Seems they are incensed..." Chen Yan raised an eyebrow, murmured, then looked at Liu Zhuang and asked, "Inspector Liu, how is the relocation of Fuhan's populace proceeding?"

"Grand General, ten to nine out of ten of the city's residents have already been moved to Wu Clan!"

Liu Zhuang's gaze hardened, without any hesitation, he clasped his fists and said gravely.

After a pause, he solemnly added, "The remaining residents can also be relocated by the end of today..."

"Very well, then issue orders to Wang Xiong and the other generals..."

Chen Yan's half‑smile faded, his composure vanished, replaced by a depth as dark as a Dark Hawk

, and his eyes swirled with meticulous scheming.

【117】 He looked at You Xian, raised his hand and flicked his sleeve, the dark robe's hem tracing a cold arc in the air, "Lead the Tuyu Hun army to Fuhan!"