Chapter 185: The Death of Wu Xiao

After Jiang Mingyu left, Wu Xiao and Li Goudan discussed letting Li Goudan stay behind to guard the tunnel while Wu Xiao went out to scout the situation; he grabbed a torch and oil cloth and charged out of the tunnel. As soon as he emerged, he saw Wang Hao's encampment right before him—lit up brightly, filled with the scent of wine and meat. Wang Hao's soldiers were celebrating their victory with loud laughter and chatter, completely unaware of Wu Xiao's presence.

Wu Xiao seized the moment and hurled the torch and oil cloth toward Wang Hao's encampment. The torch and oil cloth ignited instantly, turning the camp into daylight. Wang Hao's soldiers were jolted awake and scrambled for weapons, searching frantically for the enemy.

Taking advantage of their chaos, Wu Xiao swung his long blade and charged toward Wang Hao's command tent. Along the way, he killed many of Wang Hao's soldiers but sustained numerous wounds himself. He finally reached the entrance of Wang Hao's tent. With a powerful slash, he cut open the tent flap and stepped inside.

He saw Wang Hao seated on a tiger-skin chair in the center of the tent, his face pale as death. Beside him stood several trusted officers and maids. When they saw Wu Xiao enter, they screamed in terror.

Wu Xiao ignored them and rushed straight for Wang Hao. Raising his blade high, he shouted: "Wang Hao! Traitorous scoundrel! Today is your death day!"

Wang Hao, startled by Wu Xiao's ferocity, leapt from his chair, drew his sword, and yelled: "Who are you? You reckless fool! Do you think you can kill me? You're nothing but a petty clown—I'm the greatest hero under heaven! You've come here only to die!"

As Wang Hao spoke, he lunged with his sword. Wu Xiao did not retreat—he advanced, swinging his blade to meet the attack. The two clashed inside the tent, their weapons clashing with metallic rings. Their eyes locked, filled with hatred and murderous intent.

Though grievously wounded, Wu Xiao showed no fear. His mind held only one thought: kill Wang Hao—for country, for people. With raw courage and bloodlust, he matched Wang Hao blow for blow.

Wang Hao, surprised by Wu Xiao's tenacity, had assumed the man was spent—just one strike away from death. He never expected Wu Xiao still had such strength, holding out so long against him. Anger stirred in his chest. He thought: This brat is a stubborn bastard. Hard to deal with. I'll have to use some tricks.

Thinking this, Wang Hao changed tactics. He stopped direct confrontation and began circling, dodging, searching for Wu Xiao's openings. He darted left and right, lunged up and down, feinted attacks then retreated, struck true then pretended to withdraw. Like a cunning fox, he probed Wu Xiao's reactions relentlessly.

Wu Xiao noticed Wang Hao growing increasingly agile and grew anxious. He knew Wang Hao was buying time, waiting for reinforcements. He thought: I can't let him succeed. I must end this fight quickly. He increased his attack speed, trying to force Wang Hao into a direct clash.

At that moment, Wu Xiao felt a sharp pain in his chest. He looked down—his chest had been pierced by a dagger. The dagger had flown from the hand of a maid standing behind Wang Hao.

The maid was one of Wang Hao's concubines. Seeing Wang Hao locked in a desperate struggle with Wu Xiao, she grew terrified. She thought: I can't let my lover be hurt. I must kill this brat for him. While Wu Xiao was distracted, she secretly pulled a dagger hidden in her sleeve and threw it at him.

The dagger pierced Wu Xiao's chest, sending a cold numbness through him. He knew his time was short. He forced his head up, staring at Wang Hao and the maid. His eyes burned with grief and defiance. He thought: I'm dying. I haven't fulfilled my mission. I haven't repaid Wu Xiao's teachings. I haven't married the woman I love. I haven't given my parents any closure. How can I die like this?

Thinking this, Wu Xiao clenched his teeth and summoned his last ounce of strength to swing his blade at Wang Hao. He thought: Even if I die, I'll drag you to hell with me!

Wang Hao, shocked by Wu Xiao's remaining power, stepped back to evade the blade. But he realized he had nowhere to retreat—his back was pressed against the burning ruins.

A searing heat surged from behind him, burning through his clothes and skin. He tried to scream—but his throat was already pierced by Wu Xiao's blade.

Wang Hao and Wu Xiao collapsed together, falling into the flames. Their eyes remained open, locked on each other. Both held hatred and confusion. They thought: Why did this happen? Why couldn't Wang Hao and Jiang Mingyu coexist peacefully? Why must they kill each other? Why sacrifice their lives for some hollow ideal?

Their thoughts grew dim, their lives fading. The last thing they saw was each other's face.

At that moment, a thunderous explosion shook the entire city. Li Goudan had placed gunpowder and explosives in the tunnel to ambush Wang Hao's reinforcements—but the fire had ignited them, causing the tunnel to collapse, the city walls to fall, and the entire city to be destroyed.

Li Goudan was buried under the rubble. He felt heavy stones crushing his body, immobilizing him. He thought: Am I dead? Did I make a terrible mistake? Did I kill Wu Xiao? His heart filled with regret and self-blame.

Then, a voice sounded beside him: "Li Goudan, wake up!"

Li Goudan turned his head and saw a man standing beside him. It was Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo.

After the fire attack began, Tukesiluo had led a detachment to break out from another direction, intending to engage Wang Hao's reinforcements and buy Jiang Mingyu time.

The moment Jiang Mingyu left, he went to the agreed meeting point and found Tukesiluo.

When they heard the explosion from within the city, he immediately led his troops back. Seeing the city reduced to ruins, he was stunned.

Soon, Jiang Mingyu found the tunnel entrance.

They walked a short distance inside and saw Li Goudan buried under the stones. Jiang Mingyu recognized him and felt a surge of relief. He thought: Li Goudan is alive—but where is Wu Xiao? He dismounted at once, ran to Li Goudan, and shouted: "Li Goudan, wake up!"

Li Goudan, hearing Jiang Mingyu's voice, forced his eyes open. Seeing Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo beside him, he felt warmth. He thought: The lord is alive—maybe he can save Wu Xiao. With a faint voice, he said: "Wu Xiao… you came."

Jiang Mingyu, seeing Li Goudan still breathing, exhaled in relief. He said: "Li Goudan, don't fear. I'm here. Tell me—where is Wu Xiao?"

Li Goudan pointed ahead: "Wu Xiao… Wu Xiao… over there… fought Wang Hao…"

Jiang Mingyu's heart clenched. "Wu Xiao fought Wang Hao? What was the outcome?"

Li Goudan shook his head: "I don't know… I only heard… a thunderous boom… then… nothing…"

Jiang Mingyu's dread deepened. He thought: Did both Wu Xiao and Wang Hao die? What now? He said to Li Goudan: "Li Goudan, rest easy. We'll find Wu Xiao. Wait here for me."

Li Goudan nodded: "Lord… General Tukesiluo… be careful… Wang Hao… is strong…"

Tukesiluo nodded: "I know. Don't speak. Save your strength." Then he rose and walked forward.

Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo exited the tunnel into the city. They saw flames engulfing everything, bodies scattered everywhere. Jiang Mingyu thought: This is a catastrophe. He searched the fire for Wu Xiao's figure. Soon he spotted Wang Hao's command tent. He thought: This must be where Wu Xiao and Wang Hao fought. He rushed inside.

Inside, he saw Wu Xiao and Wang Hao lying entwined, still in the flames. Their eyes remained open, locked on each other. Their chests were pierced by blades, blood staining their clothes. Their expressions were filled with hatred and confusion.

Jiang Mingyu and Tukesiluo stared at the scene, their hearts like knives. Jiang Mingyu thought: Wu Xiao is dead. Wu Xiao is dead! He broke into sobs, knelt beside Wu Xiao, embraced his body, and cried: "Wu Xiao! Wu Xiao! Wake up! You can't die!"

After crying for a while, he suddenly felt Wu Xiao's body twitch slightly. He looked up in shock—Wu Xiao's eyes had flickered. He cried out in joy: "Wu Xiao! You're alive! You're alive!"

Wu Xiao, hearing Tukesiluo's voice, forced his eyes open. He saw Jiang Mingyu weeping over him, and felt warmth. He thought: The lord is alive—maybe I can still be saved. With a faint voice, he said: "Lord… you came…"

Tukesiluo, hearing Jiang Mingyu's voice, felt even greater joy. He said: "Wu Xiao, don't fear. I'll save you. Tell me—how do you feel?"

Wu Xiao shook his head: "I… I can't… I'm… almost gone…"

Jiang Mingyu's heart ached. "Wu Xiao, don't say that. You can still be saved. I'll get you out."

Wu Xiao smiled weakly: "Lord… don't lie to me… I know… I'm beyond saving… leave me… don't waste your time…"

Jiang Mingyu's grief deepened. "Wu Xiao, I won't leave. I won't abandon you. You're my brother. I'll walk this final path with you."

Wu Xiao, deeply moved, said: "Lord… you're a good man… a fine commander… a true brother… thank you… for standing by me…"

Jiang Mingyu's tears flowed harder. "Wu Xiao, don't thank me. This is my duty. I only regret… I couldn't help you fulfill your dream…"

Wu Xiao, tears streaming, said: "Lord… don't regret… it's not your fault… it's fate… perhaps this is my destiny… perhaps this is heaven's will…"

They held each other as Wu Xiao gradually lost consciousness.

Wu Xiao's body grew colder, his breath weaker. He felt himself leaving this world. He recalled his life—his parents, his lover, his master, his lord. He felt he had not accomplished great deeds, but he had not lived in vain.

He felt he had gained no honor, but had not betrayed trust. He had not realized his dream, but had not abandoned his principles. He left no legacy, but owed no debt. He felt lucky—he had good brothers, a good lord, good friends, good comrades, good allies. He felt happy—he had known a glorious youth, a passionate adventure, a fierce battle, a noble sacrifice. He felt proud—he had fought, challenged, struggled, and died for a great cause, a righteous cause, a bright future, a beautiful dream.

Wu Xiao closed his eyes. He felt Jiang Mingyu gripping his hand tightly, refusing to let go. He felt Jiang Mingyu's hot tears falling, calling his name endlessly. He felt Jiang Mingyu gently stroking his cheek, unwilling to accept his death. In his heart, Wu Xiao whispered: Lord, don't grieve. I haven't died—I've gone to another world. I'll wait for you there. We'll drink and eat together again. We'll laugh and talk again. We'll fight side by side again. We'll share glory again. Lord, don't forget me. I am forever your most loyal subordinate. Your closest brother. Your most reliable support. Your strongest shield.

Jiang Mingyu felt Wu Xiao's hand loosen, his breath cease, his heartbeat vanish. He knew Wu Xiao was gone—far away, never to return. His heart shattered. He screamed at Wu Xiao: "Wu Xiao! Wu Xiao! Don't die! Don't die! Don't leave me like this! Don't abandon me! Don't leave me alone! Don't leave me helpless! Don't leave me hopeless! Wu Xiao! Wu Xiao! Come back! Come back! Return to me! Return to my arms! Return to my sight! Return to my life! Wu Xiao! Wu Xiao! Do you hear me? Do you hear me? Promise me! Promise me!"

Jiang Mingyu's voice echoed through the tent—no answer came. Only the crackling of fire, the dripping of blood, the silence of death. He felt his world collapsed, his soul shattered, his life ended. He clung to Wu Xiao's body, refusing to let go, refusing to rise, refusing to leave. Like a child who lost his favorite toy, his closest companion, his vital support. Like a madman, weeping without restraint, screaming without pause, struggling without reason. Like a tragedy, toyed with by fate, cruelly crushed by reality, tormented by life.

Tukesiluo stood silently, watching Jiang Mingyu's grief. He too felt boundless sorrow and helplessness. He wanted to weep and cry out for Wu Xiao. But he knew he could not. He was a general, a warrior, a leader. He could not show weakness. He could not let his men see his tears or trembling. He could not let his enemies see his fear or despair. He must be strong. He must be calm. He must be decisive. He had responsibilities. He had war. He had victory. He had his nation. He had his people.

Tukesiluo walked to Jiang Mingyu's side, gently patted his shoulder, and whispered: "Lord, I know you're heartbroken. So am I. Wu Xiao was our brother. We all loved him. We all miss him. But we cannot give up. We cannot surrender. We cannot fail. We have greater tasks ahead. We must avenge Wu Xiao. We must restore our nation. We must reclaim our people's honor. Lord, rise. Stand. Come with me." Jiang Mingyu lifted his head, meeting Tukesiluo's eyes.

He saw in Tukesiluo's eyes: resolve and belief, loyalty and reverence, friendship and compassion, hope and expectation. Jiang Mingyu felt Tukesiluo truly cared for him, truly supported him, truly stood beside him, truly encouraged him. Jiang Mingyu felt he still had a good brother, a good lord, a good friend, a good comrade, a good ally. He felt a spark of strength, courage, hope, dream. He felt there was still something worth fighting for, protecting, achieving. He felt he could not give up. Could not collapse. Could not end. He felt he was still a man—a living man, with flesh and emotion, with ideals and conviction.

Jiang Mingyu wiped his tears, released Wu Xiao's body, and stood. He said to Wu Xiao: "Wu Xiao, rest easy. I won't forget you. I'll avenge you. I'll fulfill your dream. I'll guard your homeland. I'll preserve your name. Wu Xiao, wait for me. We'll meet again. We'll laugh again." Then he turned to Tukesiluo: "General Tukesiluo, let's go. We have work to do." Tukesiluo nodded: "Yes, Lord." He followed Jiang Mingyu out of the tent.