Chapter 533

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

Everyone from Xishang Kingdom was stalling for time, waiting for Ouyang Chengqi's reinforcements to arrive. Ouyang Chengren felt that although Ouyang Chengqi had always wanted him dead, at this moment of national survival, Ouyang Chengqi should not give up on him so easily.

Holding this thought, Ouyang Chengren kept rallying the soldiers, urging them to hold on a little longer. Like this, they struggled to hold out for a day and a night.

However, as time ticked by second by second, the reinforcements were nowhere to be seen. The unease in Ouyang Chengren's heart grew ever stronger, but he still forced himself to remain calm and shouted to everyone: "Everyone hold on a bit more, calculate the time, the reinforcements the Emperor dispatched should arrive very soon!"

No sooner had his words fallen than snowflakes began to drift in the sky, as if heaven were adding a touch of bleakness to this cruel war.

Hearing Ouyang Chengren's words, the Qi Family Army soldiers all gritted their teeth, continued to muster their last shred of strength, and desperately defended Chunning City.

But Beilin Kingdom's offensive grew more and more fierce, and more and more people fell under their arrows.

The defending soldiers finally reached their limit, and the city gate burst open under the enemy's fierce assault.

Faced with such a desperate situation, Ouyang Chengren did not choose to be a deserter.

He resolutely took up his long spear and charged alone at the enemy. His figure moved like lightning, the long spear in his hand weaving an impenetrable defense; facing five alone, he was not the least bit inferior.

However, a person's stamina is ultimately limited. As time passed, Ouyang Chengren only felt his hands and feet growing colder and colder, as if they had already lost all sensation.

At this critical moment, Li Jun swiftly took the bow and arrow handed to him by a subordinate; his movements were as natural and smooth as flowing clouds and water. He held the bow and arrow, his gaze like a torch, locking tightly onto Ouyang Chengren.

In a split second, Li Jun fired that arrow without the slightest hesitation; the arrow streaked like lightning, shooting straight toward Ouyang Chengren.

Ouyang Chengren watched this arrow come at him like a gale; if he wanted to dodge this arrow, he would have to sidestep to the right.

However, to Ouyang Chengren's despair, on his right side there were actually three Beilin soldiers raising their swords high, lunging at him menacingly. In this instant, Ouyang Chengren fell into a dilemma: either dodge Li Jun's arrow and be struck by the three Beilin soldiers' swords, or take Li Jun's arrow head-on and perhaps still have a sliver of survival.

After a brief but intense inner struggle, Ouyang Chengren finally made his decision — he did not dodge. He gritted his teeth, used every last ounce of strength in his body, and blocked the incoming swords with the long spear in his hand.

Only a dull "bang" was heard; Li Jun's arrow pierced Ouyang Chengren's heart viciously. Agony struck instantly; Ouyang Chengren only felt his body tear apart, his knees involuntarily buckling, nearly kneeling on the ground.

But he endured the severe pain, propped himself up with the long spear against the ground, barely steadying his trembling body. His vision began to blur, his consciousness gradually fading, as if the whole world was receding from him.

However, at this final moment of life, Qianqian's figure suddenly surfaced in Ouyang Chengren's mind.

He saw Qianqian in a suit of bright red, like a blooming flower, beautiful and moving. Her face was veiled by a thin layer of gauze; that faintly visible visage stirred endless reverie.

That was their first meeting; Ouyang Chengren still remembers the scene to this day.

Then, his mind conjured the two of them under the ginkgo trees in Chunding City, solemnly writing each other's names on that bright red silk. At that time, they were so happy and beautiful.

Ouyang Chengren couldn't help wondering whether Qianqian was still in the General's Mansion now, silently waiting for his triumphant return? Whether she was still hoping he would come to marry her and spend the rest of their lives together? Whether her red wedding dress had been embroidered yet?

He wanted so, so much to marry her, but now all of this had become an unattainable extravagant hope.

She wore a brilliant red robe, dazzling like burning flame. That touch of red set off her beauty to perfection, as if she were the most resplendent flower in the world. And when she put on her wedding dress, she would surely be even more beautiful — only a pity he would likely never see it.

If there truly is a next life, he hopes not to be reborn into the royal family again. Court strife and intrigue left him exhausted. He longed for an ordinary and peaceful life, far from those deceptions and power struggles.

Yet what he hoped for even more was to meet her again in the next life. Her every frown and smile were deeply engraved in his heart, becoming the most precious memory of his life.

If there is a next life, he must marry her as his wife, and spend a lifetime cherishing and doting on her.

His eyes were filled with endless regret, but the corner of his mouth held a faint, shallow smile.

That smile held both attachment to her and resignation to fate. He gripped the long spear in his hand tightly, as if it were his last support.

However, as time passed, his hand gradually lost strength. The long spear slipped from his hand with a clattering "clang," like the death knell of his life.

Finally, his whole body fell powerlessly to the ground, merging with the cold snow.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, fluttering snowflakes drifting down like feathers. Quite a few snowflakes landed lightly on his body, as if covering him with a pure white blanket, bringing him a trace of warmth.

This general who had campaigned on the battlefield for over a decade finally fell into eternal sleep on this very land he had protected with his life.

His departure filled people with endless regret and grief. And that Xishang Kingdom he had guarded with his life — would it truly be able to continue prospering as he wished?

Meanwhile, at the inn, Qianqian was leisurely reading a picture book when suddenly an inexplicable panic struck, catching her somewhat off guard.

This panic lasted only an instant; she quickly recovered and thought: "Maybe I'm overthinking; Si Ge isn't even fighting today, how could anything happen?" So she shook her head and continued immersing herself in the picture book in her hand.

Simultaneously, on the battlefield Li Jun was drowning in the joy of victory. He cast a complacent glance at Ouyang Chengren lying on the ground, his eyes revealing a trace of pity and disdain. Then he led Beilin Kingdom's army away from the battlefield in grand procession.

After returning to camp, Li Jun was so excited he could hardly contain himself; he immediately spread out paper and brush and wrote a letter in a flowing hand.