Chapter 200: Sacrificing Your Heart to the Departed Souls

As the sky grew dim, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Tu Tu Kesiluo began to execute their plan. They left half the soldiers in the camp, while the other half split into two groups: one circling behind the city, the other hiding in the woods beside the city walls.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu, accompanied by Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and some elite troops, quietly approached the city gate. They were all draped in wet oxhide and held firearms in their hands, waiting for Tu Tu Kesiluo's signal.

Tu Tu Kesiluo led another group of soldiers, stealthily climbing up the city walls. Taking advantage of the guards' unpreparedness, they used ropes to haul the firearms up to the ramparts, aimed them toward the Regional Inspector's residence, and lit the fuses.

"Boom!" A tremendous roar erupted as the firearms discharged. A massive projectile flew toward the Regional Inspector's residence, blasting it into smithereens. Flames shot into the sky, and billowing smoke rolled everywhere.

"What is this?!" Wang Wang Jingchun leaped from his bed in terror. He had just been enjoying a sweet dream of possessing countless treasures of gold and silver and beautiful women, but before he could savor it, he was jolted awake by that deafening crash.

He threw on his clothes, rushed to the window, and witnessed a shocking scene. His Regional Inspector's residence had been blown into a ruin; flames spread in all directions, and cries of anguish filled the air without cease.

"What is happening? Who did this?!" Wang Wang Jingchun roared loudly.

"My lord Regional Inspector, it's Jiang Jiang Mingyu! He has led his forces into the city! We must flee quickly!" A trusted aide ran in panic, grabbing Wang Wang Jingchun and dragging him outward.

"What? Jiang Jiang Mingyu? How is that possible? Wasn't he below the city walls? How could he have firearms?" Wang Wang Jingchun could not believe his ears.

"I don't know either! Let's go! If we don't leave now, it will be too late!" the aide said, dragging Wang Wang Jingchun out of the room.

Dragged by his aide out of the Regional Inspector's residence, Wang Wang Jingchun saw nothing but chaos within the city. Jiang Jiang Mingyu's soldiers had already charged inside, engaging the defenders in fierce combat. Flesh and blood flew everywhere, and wails of agony rang out continuously.

Seeing this, Wang Wang Jingchun's heart filled with even greater terror. He wanted only to save his life and ran recklessly toward the city gate.

Just then, he heard a familiar voice: "Wang Wang Jingchun! Stop right there!"

Wang Wang Jingchun turned to look and saw Jiang Jiang Mingyu charging toward him on horseback from the city gate. Behind him followed Zhang Zhang Jiaqi and several soldiers, all holding firearms aimed directly at Wang Wang Jingchun.

Terrified out of his wits, Wang Wang Jingchun immediately turned to flee, but it was too late. Jiang Jiang Mingyu and the others had already caught up with him, surrounding him completely.

"Wang Wang Jingchun, you despicable and shameless traitor! What words do you have left to say? What face do you have to live in this world? Why do you not quickly come down and accept your death?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu roared.

Looking into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's cold eyes, Wang Wang Jingchun felt a fear he had never experienced before. He wanted to beg for mercy, but no one paid him any heed. He wanted to resist, but he had no strength left. He could only kneel on the ground, weeping as he said, "Jiang Jiang Mingyu, spare me! I know I was wrong! I am willing to surrender! I am willing to give you all my wealth! Just spare my life!"

Hearing this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu laughed with disdain. "You know you were wrong? You still want to surrender? You still want to give me wealth? Do you think I would believe you? Do you think I would spare you?"

"You killed my brothers and sisters, massacred my compatriots; your sins can no longer be washed away. Today, I have come to avenge them. Your day of death has arrived!"

Saying this, Jiang Jiang Mingyu raised the firearm in his hand, aiming it at Wang Wang Jingchun's head. He glanced at Zhang Zhang Jiaqi beside him and asked, "Zhang Jiaqi, are you ready?"

Zhang Zhang Jiaqi nodded, a trace of resolve flashing in her eyes. "Ready. Big Brother, let us fire together."

"Good." With that, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi pulled the triggers simultaneously.

"Boom! Boom!" Two tremendous reports rang out as two projectiles flew forth at the same time, heading straight for Wang Wang Jingchun's head without the slightest deviation.

Seeing the two projectiles flying toward him, Wang Wang Jingchun screamed in terror, "No! Don't kill me! Don't..."

Before he could finish his words, the two projectiles struck him. His head instantly exploded, scattering flesh and blood in all directions. His corpse collapsed softly to the ground, moving no more.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Jiang Mingyu and Zhang Zhang Jiaqi breathed a sigh of relief, feeling gratified that they had accomplished their vengeance. They raised their heads toward the sky, silently reciting the names of the warriors who had died.

"We have avenged you. We have avenged you all."

"Send someone to take the corpse back for General Tu to dispose of."

Inside the Lingna treasury, all was pitch black. Jiang Jiang Mingyu, holding a fire starter, walked into this place where gold, silver, and treasures were stored. His gaze swept over rows of shelves piled high with silver ingots, yet his heart felt not a shred of joy. He counted carefully and discovered there were only five hundred thousand taels of silver here.

For the over one hundred thousand strong army he commanded, this money would suffice for military expenses for only three months. To increase his forces further, he would have to rely on the commercial income from Liu Liu Yifei's side.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu sighed, shook his head, and turned to walk out of the treasury. Just as he stepped outside, he saw Zhang Zhang Jiaqi standing at the door, waiting for him with a face full of loyalty.

"Zhang Jiaqi, immediately send someone to deliver a message by carrier pigeon to Dongping County, ordering Shen Shen Yulong to come here with all speed," Jiang Jiang Mingyu instructed.

"Yes!" Zhang Zhang Jiaqi responded and departed.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu placed great trust in Shen Shen Yulong. Back when they were at the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's office, Zhu Ge Yu had mentioned to him that Shen Shen Yulong was beloved by the common people in Dongping County. Therefore, Jiang Jiang Mingyu without hesitation decided to entrust the entire governance of Lingna Commandery to Shen Shen Yulong.

Two days later, Shen Shen Yulong arrived at Lingna Prefecture leading a squad of personal guards. Upon seeing Jiang Jiang Mingyu, he immediately prostrated himself and refused to rise, tears streaming down his face as he said, "Shen Shen Yulong pays respects to my lord! My lord trusts Shen Shen Yulong, and Shen Shen Yulong is moved to tears of gratitude!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu quickly helped him up, smiling as he said, "Magistrate Shen need not stand on ceremony. You are a pillar of talent in our army; entrusting Lingna Commandery to you is my greatest trust and hope in you. As long as you devote your utmost effort to governing this place well, that will be your greatest support to me."

"Rest assured, my lord, Shen Shen Yulong will exert his utmost strength and will not fail the trust my lord has placed in him!" Shen Shen Yulong said respectfully.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu nodded, gave him a few more instructions, and then led his personal guard army back to the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's office.

Two days later, Jiang Jiang Mingyu arrived at a hillside outside the city of the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's office. It was the burial ground for the officers and soldiers who had fallen in their previous battle against Wang Wang Jingchun's army. Jiang Jiang Mingyu offered flowers and wine before the graves, silently paying his respects for a while.

He turned around and saw Wang Wang Jingchun's corpse tied to a large tree, already rotting badly and emitting waves of foul stench. Tu Tu Kesiluo, whose injuries had fully healed, stood nearby, watching him coldly.

"My lord, this is Wang Wang Jingchun's heart," Tu Tu Kesiluo said, pulling a black object from his robe and handing it to Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu took it and looked; indeed, it was Wang Wang Jingchun's heart. He couldn't help but wrinkle his nose and asked, "How do you have this?"

"I dug it out of his chest with my own hands," Tu Tu Kesiluo said, a glint of madness flashing in his eyes. "That dog-thief killed my brothers; I wanted him to die without a whole corpse! Using his heart to sacrifice to the departed souls."

Looking at him, Jiang Jiang Mingyu felt some reluctance in his heart.

"Enough, you have already avenged yourself and performed a great service for us. You should put aside your hatred and live well," Jiang Jiang Mingyu consoled.

"No!" Tu Tu Kesiluo shook his head. "I have not yet avenged myself! Wang Wang Jingchun was merely a running dog; the true enemy is that Fei Hou who calls himself the Son of Heaven! Only by killing him can I avenge my brothers and wipe away this grievance!"

Jiang Jiang Mingyu fell silent for a moment, then said, "I understand your feelings. But you must also understand that we still have a long road ahead before we can confront Fei Hou. We cannot rush forward or act rashly. We must advance steadily, step by step, eliminating his forces. Come with me; I will give you the opportunity to exact your revenge."

Looking into Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes, Tu Tu Kesiluo felt his sincerity and determination. He nodded and said, "Very well, I will listen to you."

Having said this, he threw Wang Wang Jingchun's heart into the bushes by the roadside for wild dogs to gnaw upon.

Meanwhile, on a trade route between the three commanderies of Chu Yun, Lhasa, and Lingna, a merchant caravan was moving slowly forward. This caravan had been dispatched by Liu Liu Yifei with the aim of developing trade relations among these three commanderies.

He had long realized that the business in the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's office was far from sufficient to support the expenditures of the great army. To raise more military pay and supplies, it was necessary to expand the commercial territory.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu had just returned from the memorial service and hadn't even had time to catch his breath when Zhu Ge Yu approached with a gloomy face, his eyes revealing urgency and unease.

"How is the matter regarding Tang Xing Youli handled? Have you found her?" Jiang Jiang Mingyu asked straight to the point, his voice somewhat hoarse.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu very much wanted to know that woman's whereabouts, but he had no clues whatsoever.

"She may have already escaped the Yasmo Regional Military Commissioner's office," Zhu Ge Yu said helplessly. "Da Feng's northern border is vast and sparsely populated; capturing her will be extremely difficult. We must heighten our vigilance to prevent her from launching another assassination."

"Let us deal with the immediate affairs first," Jiang Jiang Mingyu said, suppressing the emotions in his heart. "Lu Shangshan Jian's army of one hundred thousand is the most critical issue."

Zhu Ge Yu nodded, then continued, "I have already ordered Chu Yun to lead twenty thousand elite troops back to the prefectural city. We must strike quickly; while they have not yet stabilized the situation, we must deliver a fatal blow."

While the two were discussing strategy, Li Goudan rushed in hurriedly, shouting loudly, "Report! Lu Shangshan Jian's great army has already reached the vicinity of Zang Province; they are only two days' journey away!"