Chapter 202

Tukesiluo had just opened his mouth to speak when Liu Yi on the city wall couldn't hold back and cursed loudly: "If you wanna drink, drink! I ain't scared of you, you piece of shit!"

He was a warrior general, and he despised anyone who treated him like a soft target—especially now, when the two armies faced off. If he showed weakness now, how could his soldiers still fight for him?

His deputy urged him not to act rashly, but Liu Yi had already made up his mind to ride out and challenge them. After all, Jiang Mingyu had sworn in front of everyone he wouldn't harm him. If Jiang Mingyu tried any tricks, then Liu Yi might as well quit this life altogether.

To boost his own morale, Liu Yi went all in. He rode out alone from the gate, grinning like a fool as he walked toward Jiang Mingyu.

Jiang Mingyu saw Liu Yi and was slightly surprised—he hadn't expected this general to dare ride out and face him. He didn't know if Liu Yi was truly bold or simply tempted by his words. He decided to test Liu Yi's limits first, to see if there was any weakness he could exploit.

Jiang Mingyu stepped forward with a smile, bowing slightly: "General Liu, I've long heard your name. Today, seeing you in person, I see you truly are a man of formidable presence."

Liu Yi heard this and felt disdain—he thought Jiang Mingyu was just flattering him. He replied bluntly: "Minister Jiang, you're a man known across the land. Seeing you today, you're just as refined as they say."

They exchanged polite words while secretly sizing each other up. Jiang Mingyu thought Liu Yi was broad-shouldered and fierce in bearing—a true standout among warriors. Liu Yi thought Jiang Mingyu was slender and elegant, a true standout among scholars.

Both feared the other's strength but refused to show it. Each sought a crack in the other's armor, hoping to gain advantage before battle even began.

Jiang Mingyu invited Liu Yi to drink, hoping to draw him closer, to see if he could persuade him to defect or turn traitor. He knew Liu Yi was loyal to his lord—but dissatisfied with his situation. He meant to exploit that.

Jiang Mingyu raised his cup and smiled: "General Liu, please drink. This is premium Nü'erhong, specially transported from the south—fragrant, pure, rich and smooth. Don't you dare refuse."

Liu Yi took the cup, sniffed it, and was startled—he hadn't expected Jiang Mingyu to offer him such fine wine. He didn't know if this was genuine kindness or some hidden scheme.

Liu Yi took a sip and found it truly excellent. He couldn't refuse such generosity, so he said: "Minister Jiang, you're too kind. This Nü'erhong lives up to its reputation—I rarely get to taste wine this good."

Jiang Mingyu, seeing Liu Yi drink, felt secretly pleased. He took it as a good start and continued: "General Liu, do you know why you're trapped in this city?"

Liu Yi's heart sank. He knew what Jiang Mingyu was about to say. He replied coldly: "I know perfectly well. I fight for loyalty to my lord and my country."

Jiang Mingyu shook his head. "You're wrong. You're trapped here not because of your loyalty, but because your lord and country are incompetent. Think: what kind of man is your lord? A tyrant—cruel, debauched, greedy, insatiable. He doesn't care if his people die, only about his own profit and war. He doesn't value loyal men like you—he favors sycophants and yes-men. You serve him, yet he gives you no respect, no proper reward. Why serve such a man?"

Liu Yi heard Jiang Mingyu's words and felt a deep helplessness.

Liu Yi snapped: "Minister Jiang, you go too far. I'm just a warrior, but I have my beliefs and principles. Since childhood, I vowed to serve my country, defend my homeland and my people. I won't change my stance for fleeting gain or temptation. You want me to surrender or betray? That's pure fantasy."

Jiang Mingyu, seeing Liu Yi's firm resolve, felt disappointed. He thought Liu Yi was a fool for blind loyalty, incapable of adaptation. He had no more patience to waste. "Then I won't press you. It's a pity—a man of your talent will die serving someone unworthy."

A flicker of triumph passed through Jiang Mingyu's eyes, then vanished. He calmly ordered his men: "Keep pouring."

On the city wall, Liu Yi's second-in-command had already ordered archers to prepare, ready for Jiang Mingyu to turn hostile.

Jiang Mingyu stood, bowed, and said: "General Liu, meeting you today is a rare honor. I toast you with this cup—for a true hero."

He drank it down in one bold gulp.

Liu Yi rose as well. "Minister Jiang, you're a rare man. Talking with you today has broadened my view. I toast you with this cup—for a worthy opponent."

He drank it without hesitation.

After drinking, Liu Yi relaxed his guard slightly. Jiang Mingyu began chatting casually: "You know, General Liu, with the world this chaotic, how the hell are we still alive?"

Jiang Mingyu, being a transplant, slipped in some casual quips: "Look at those emperors and princes—they're all like madmen, fighting for power, killing, burning, doing anything. We down here? We're just pawns, tossed around like chess pieces. What's the point?"

Liu Yi burst out laughing. "You kid, you talk funny. We fight for the country, for the people, for honor—you get that?"

In the shadows of the city wall, a man frowned, watching the two chat amiably.

Liu Yi felt uneasy and moved to take his leave, but Jiang Mingyu beat him to it: "Thank you, General Liu, for your time. Today's parting means tomorrow we'll be on opposite sides of the battlefield. I hope you'll go easy on me then!"

A brazen declaration of war!

The warm atmosphere vanished instantly. Liu Yi sneered: "We'll see who's better tomorrow. Farewell!" He rose to leave. Jiang Mingyu stood, smiling warmly as he watched him go.

One moment they were laughing, the next they were at each other's throats. The sudden shift left the surrounding soldiers stunned.

Liu Yi's face was grim, a ghost of his earlier smile still clinging to his lips, but his eyes were now icy blades. He clenched his fist, then released it, then slammed his palm hard against his sword scabbard—a dull, heavy thud.

Jiang Mingyu still looked calm and composed, but his eyes gleamed like sharpened blades. He adjusted his sleeve, revealing the tendons bulging on his wrist, then hid them again beneath the wide fabric, concealing the menace.

Their gazes locked. Tension spread like poison through the air. The surrounding soldiers dared not breathe, fearing a single misstep might ignite this powder keg.

The drinking meeting ended. Jiang Mingyu and Liu Yi had finally laid bare their stances. Battle loomed—no one knew what would come next, leaving everyone anxious, yet eager.

As they reached the city gate, they turned back to look at each other once more. Their eyes held complex emotions—hostility, respect, regret, and anticipation.

Jiang Mingyu said: "General Liu, tomorrow we settle this. Whatever the outcome, I admire your courage and talent. You're the greatest warrior I've ever met."

Liu Yi replied: "Minister Jiang, tomorrow we fight to the death. Whatever the outcome, I respect your wisdom and grace. You're the most formidable scholar I've ever faced."

They spoke, then turned and walked away.

As Liu Yi turned to climb the wall, Jiang Mingyu narrowed his eyes—his faint smile now carried three more degrees of lethal intent…

After returning to the city, Liu Yi assumed Jiang Mingyu would press his advantage, striking while his forces were demoralized and the city vulnerable. But hours passed, and Jiang's army never appeared. He sent scouts out—and learned Jiang Mingyu had withdrawn.

Liu Yi was deeply suspicious. He couldn't fathom Jiang Mingyu's motive. He tightened his defenses, bracing for a surprise attack.

In Jiang's camp, Tukesiluo could no longer hold back. He stormed into Jiang Mingyu's tent, shouting: "My lord, what the hell was that today? We had them on the ropes—why did you pull back?"

Jiang Mingyu didn't answer directly. He simply said: "Listen. From now on, no one in this army moves a finger. Understood?"

Even Li Goudan was baffled: "My lord, we came all this way to fight to take Xiangcangzhou—what game are you playing?"

Jiang Mingyu exchanged a glance with Zhuge Yu and lied: "A few days ago, I had a dream. A celestial being told me: within ten days, Liu Yi will be dead. When that happens, Xiangcangzhou will collapse from within—we'll take it easily. Let's just wait."

Tukesiluo cursed inwardly: "Fuck, is my lord insane? Celestial dreams? Might as well pray to heaven to strike Liu Yi dead with lightning…"

He shook his head and stepped outside. He didn't notice that behind him, in the tent, Jiang Mingyu and Zhuge Yu were doubled over with laughter.

Outside Xiangcangzhou, silence reigned—only the occasional wind and birdcall broke the oppressive stillness.

Inside the city, Liu Yi sat before a large redwood table, staring intently at a single point on the map—the location of Jiang Mingyu's rebel army.

He had waited eight days. Jiang Mingyu had not moved—not a single step. As if vanished from the world.

"What the hell is Jiang Mingyu planning?" Liu Yi wondered silently.

"General, we've waited eight days already—why haven't those rebels stirred?" A bearded subordinate approached, visibly impatient.

Liu Yi snapped back to attention, glancing at him coldly: "Jiang Mingyu hasn't moved. Neither will we. We have enough food and troops. Just wait, subordinate."

But the Hu subordinate pressed on: "General, you say that easily, but the Emperor's waiting in the capital for us to crush the rebels. If Jiang Mingyu never attacks, are we just going to waste ten thousand men here in Xiangcangzhou?"

Liu Yi knew this Hu subordinate was a spy sent by the Ministry of War—not to defeat the rebels, but to watch his every move.

Liu Yi was a hot-tempered man. Seeing this man's disrespect, his rage exploded: "Hu subordinate, listen well—who's the commander here? If you dare disrespect me again, I'll have you beaten into a pig's head!"

The Hu subordinate cursed inwardly: "You bastard Liu Yi! I'll make you scream for your mother!"